Ahsid did not care where she was heading off to. All she did was think about Ethan's hurtful gaze on her. She had betrayed her only friend and why did she break down in front of Dane and Zion! Abandoning them when they needed her the most. On turning the second corner, she bumped into someone.

"Dane,"she yelled out,"Weren't you behind me?"

She never could finish as Dane's strong arms enveloped her.

"You are okay. I am here. Alright?"

Ahsid felt her heart racing and then she relaxed into his hold, pressing her face to his neck.

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed,"Am I truly unfaithful? Did...did he deserve to not tell me?"

"He should have either been frank with you from the beginning or never told you at all. There isn't an in between in these things."

Ahsid didn't say anything.

"Now, I want you to take deep breaths."

He guided her hand to his chest and held it against his ribcage.

"Breathe with me,"he commanded softly.

Soon, Ahsid felt herself calming down. A few sniffles escaped her but she matched her breathing with Dane's.

"I am sorry! I left you to fend for yourselves and..."

Dane chuckled,"I am sure we can handle a little confrontation ourselves."

But then his face tightened,"You too, might find yourself in situations where you would be alone. I might not be there by your side always."

Ahsid smiled wistfully. "Then I will stay standing and fight until you do."

Dane's heart rate quickened. What was wrong with him? Why was he loosing his composure?

"Ahsid," he whispered and cupped her face in his hands. "I want to show you something,"he said.

Intertwining their hands, Ahsid suddenly found herself shifting through timelines, and myriad colours of blue and red and yellow.

"Dane,"she called out nervously.

"I am here, right by your side. We are going to see some of my memories."

Ahsid saw a thin ghostly image of Dane floating beside her. Soon, she found herself on a beach, the sunlight glistening on the golden sand and the smell of salt in the air.

"Hey, catch me if you can, Seb,"yelled a chirpy voice.

A young boy of eleven with white hair and a sunhat ran out, heading towards the bluish waters. But before he could get there, he was tackled to the ground by another boy, slightly older in age with an eyepatch over his left eye.

"Yarrh! You cannot escape from the clutches of the hero Pirate Jamms,"he announced.

The boy in white flailed his arms about.

"Ger'off.....get toff," as the sand got into his mouth.

Pirate Jamms laughed as he got off him.

"Where is Dan? Did you see him, Baku?"

Baku shook off the sand from his hair,"He came here first. He should be somewhere."

"Heyyyy.....Dannnnn....Dannnyyyy," yelled Pirate Jamms with his voice amplifying such that even Ahsid had to cover her ears, although she wasn't physically present.

Suddenly, the waves parted to release a smaller version of Dane, wearing his familiar white T-shirt, his arm with the customary dragon scales and black shorts.

"Dan, do you want to drown?"

Dane laughed. It was a clear laughter, without a tinge of sadness in his voice.

Eyes sparkling brightly, he called back,"Baku, Seb, I saw a dolphin. It talked to me and..."

Seb had run into the water and was now pulling him towards the shore. Little Dane let out a cry of protest.

"It's hot there, I want to go back in...Seb...please."

Baku, meanwhile, yelled out encouragements for Seb.

"Yes! Hold him tight Pirate Jamms. Don't let him get away,"he cheered.

Laughing, Seb somehow dragged Dane to the shore and then purposefully, pushed him down to a sitting position. He placed an arm around Dane's neck while Baku flashed a victory sign, grinning wildly.

"Get a pictureeee,"whistled Baku.

Seb fished out a small instrument from his pocket. "Giiiii....."

Dane scowled but the picture was taken!

The scene shifted.

"Baku, we were supposed to be a team,"said Dane, his face contorted into a grim smile.

"Our Coetus is weak. We must leave. You are always welcome to join me."

"But Baku..."

"Dane, you are a coward...."

Ahsid was astonished.

Which Coetus were they talking about? She had always presumed that Dane had almost always been with Zion and Harry and Noah....

"Da...will you always protect me,"asked a ringing voice.

With large yellow eyes and blond hair, Dane's sister, Eva stood in front of her.

"I will. Over my life,"promised Dane, pulling her cheeks.

Suddenly, Ahsid was whirling around, rapid memories passing around her in succession.

But she wanted to see more. She wanted to know the real Dane. She did not want to know the cold, aloof Dane who tried to stay out of trouble rather the soft, insecure Dane who wanted to protect everyone. She desperately tried to grab one of the memories when somebody slammed her head against the wall.

"What in the blazes were you doing! You were not supposed to see the other visions,"growled Dane, his yellow eyes flashing.

Ahsid found herself back in the school corridor, Dane's face almost touching her nose.

"Don't ever try to get inside my head,"he snarled.

For several beats, they stayed there, his grip crushing her wrists.

Finally, his eyes softened.

"It's too dark for you."

Ahsid blinked back the tears.

Ding! Ding! Ding! The bell rang to signal the end of break. Dane and Ahsid headed back to class, the silence whispering between them.

A/N I had no picture with Dane in that pose in a school uniform. I hope there's no confusion about his clothes suddenly changing. It's just a picture trouble.