***Depending on your time zone, this can be considered a double update LOL

This book is nearing its climax. It'll probably be around twelve chapters and an epilogue. Unlike "Compatible", this one doesn't have an outline - all the material comes pretty naturally, so I don't need one.

And get ready for some serious Coliel. FINALLY.***

***(Cole's POV)***

"You couldn't walk?" I frown. "What happened?"

"I fell," she says vaguely.

"How bad was it?"

"I don't honestly know. It's still healing – "

"Wait." I stop her with a hand on her arm. "Seliel, you don't know how bad your injuries were? Didn't you go to the doctor or something?"

"No." Her eyes harden. "My father wouldn't let me."

"He wouldn't let you?! I thought you said he wasn't around!" I shake my head. "Wait – did this have something to do with him? Your injuries, I mean."

"Maybe." She looks away. "It's not important. I'm mostly healed now."

"Mostly?"

"Yes, Cole. So leave it alone, okay?"

"No." I shake my head. "I try to be respectful of people's wishes and stuff, but this is where I put my foot down. You need to go to the doctor."

"I don't have a regular doctor. When I went to get my shots for school, I just stopped by the clinic in Nom."

"Fine, then I'll set you up with one."

"I don't have money, Cole." She rolls her eyes.

"I do, and so does the team."

***Music Cue***

"Look, why do you all even care, Cole? It's nice – the idea of me training with you guys and such – but it's just not realistic. Neither is me living with you in the monastery. And now you all are supposed to pay my doctor's expenses out of pocket?" She shakes her head. "Just let me go."

"No, Seliel." I frame her face with my hands. "Whether you feel it or not, I've always had something with you – a connection. And I can't let you go. I've never been able to. And even if that connection somehow faded, Sel, I'd still be there for you. My team has a big heart – we'd find a way to meet your needs, no matter the cost to us."

Her eyes flutter closed, and her hand rises to touch mine where it rests on her cheek. "You...feel a connection? With me?"

"Yes, Seliel," I swallow. "And it hurts me so bad that there's something wrong with you – not only with your mind, but with your body, too."

She smiles ruefully. "Cole, you're such a big brother to everyone."

"Yes, but not to you." I lean forward, pressing my forehead against hers. "You're more than just a little sister to me, Sel. You heard Skylor today say that I liked you – that's true. And I don't want to push you into anything, given that things aren't great for you right now. I just want you to know that I'll be here for you, and that I like you as more than just a friend, in case you ever – "

She wraps her hands around my neck and leans up to touch her lips to mine, and my eyes widen. But if she really wants to trust me with this part of herself, I won't feel bad for accepting it.

My hands find their way from her face to the back of her head, my eyes drifting closed. I lean down, angling her head gently. My lips dance over hers, and all the worries and stresses of my life – all the cares I have as the team's rock – slowly fade. All I can think of is my connection with Seliel.

And that gives me hope.

She pulls back a little, distress written over her face. "My messed-up head says I shouldn't have done that," she whispers. "It's like I somehow picked up stray calories from kissing you. I know it's not true, but – "

"It's not true," I reassure her. "Don't listen to that voice, Seliel."

"I don't want to, but it won't leave me alone." She shakes her head, resting it against my chest. I move my arms to her back so I can hold her closer.

"Sorry that I'm a really inexperienced kisser," she mutters. "I didn't really get a chance to practice in Nom. Nobody wanted to kiss the dark-skinned girl – the one who didn't look like everybody else."

"Then they all missed out so bad," I breathe. "Because being this close to you...is amazing."

"You're something else, Brookstone." She presses her ear against my chest so she can hear my heartbeat.

It's a wild staccato right now, so I don't know why she even has to lean in to hear it.

We stay like that for a while – I don't know how long. It's not really important that I keep track of the time, just as long as I can run my fingers through her hair and have her in my arms. This is what I could never give into when we were kids.

"You know, I've liked you for a really long time," I chuckle. "Back when we were kids, I had a huge crush on you."

She scoffs. "You're kidding me. You never noticed me as anything other than a friend back then. I tried so hard to get your attention!"

"I know," I smirk. "It was hard not to know you liked me, too. But I wouldn't let myself act on our feelings because you were two years younger, and I didn't think our maturity levels matched."

"Stupid age difference," she grumbles.

My chest rumbles against her. "Yeah. But we're together now, so..."

"Are we? Together, I mean. Are we together?"

"I don't know. I...guess that's up to you?"

She sighs. "I don't know that I want to be in a relationship with my head this...jumbled. You don't deserve that."

"I'd be willing to take it all the same."

"But I'm not going to force that on you." She pats my shoulder. "Guess we're friends for now, Brookstone."

"If that's what you want." I give her one last squeeze, then pull out of our embrace. "Would you feel better if instead of getting food from a restaurant, I just stop by the grocery store and pick up a few things? I don't want to pressure you to eat anything you're not comfortable with right now. I'll leave that to a professional."

She winces. "I have a feeling I'm not going to like whatever treatment you end up getting me."

"Maybe not, but it'll help you get back to normal." I stroke her arm. "So, the grocery store? I could get you something healthy."

She nods slowly. "I know I really should have something to eat."

"Okay. Let's go, then."

She puts the car in reverse, and we back out of the parking lot and head for the nearest store. I sling my arm over her shoulders, and she wrinkles her nose.

"I didn't want to mention it," she smirks, "but your deodorant is wearing off from earlier."

"Do you still want my arm around you?"

"You don't smell that bad."

I smile. "I knew I liked you."

"Because I don't judge you based on how you smell? Trust me, there have been plenty of times in the past when I haven't had money for deodorant, conditioner, toothpaste...you know, that kind of thing. And it sounds gross - sometimes, it is - but being an outsider teaches you not to judge."

"I'm sorry that you've had to go without, Sel. You're tough."

"I know."

"But not too tough for me to break through," I tease.

"Uh-huh. Whatever, Brookstone." But the smile on her lips is enough for me.

***(Seliel's POV)***

"You're sure you don't want me to walk inside with you?" Cole asks.

I finish chewing the bite of the apple I'm eating. "No. My dad was just back last night, and knowing him, he won't be here for another few weeks. Besides, if he were here, I would imagine he'd have the lights turned on."

Cole shrugs. "I know, but it's bothering me. Can I please just check inside for you really quick?"

I roll my eyes. "I've taken care of myself pretty well for – "

"Gosh, you sound just like Nya." He shakes his head. "Please? Even if it's not for your safety, just let me reassure myself by checking things out."

"Whatever helps." I get the door for him, propping it open with my hip as I force myself to finish my piece of fruit. I don't want to, but at least it's just an apple. It's still on my 'safe' list.

Cole pushes his way in, flipping on the lights just to make a quick survey of the kitchenette. He does a scan of the one bedroom and one bathroom, then sighs.

"Looks like you're all good, Seliel. You'll call me if you need anything, right?"

"No. I don't have a phone."

"Oh," he frowns. He fishes around in his pocket, then pulls out his and hands it over. "You can have mine for the night, just in case you need to call the police or something. And I can give you Lloyd's number – you can call him, and then he can let me know, and – "

I chuckle. "I'm fine, Cole. I have neighbors across the street I trust. If anything happens, I'll just use their phone, okay?"

He thinks for a moment. "All right. Good night, Seliel." He pulls me in for a bear hug.

I smile. "Go put on some deodorant."

"Whatever," he says playfully. Then, he plants a kiss on my forehead and waves. "Make sure you deadbolt the door, okay?"

"I know, Cole. As I said, I've been taking care of myself for – "

"I get it, I get it." He winks at me as he leaves.

I slowly walk to the door he just left through and make sure it's securely latched shut. Then, I let my eyes drift to his headlights as he drives away.

It's nice, having someone for company.

I turn off the overhead lights in the trailer and head back to the bedroom. I didn't wash my dad's bedsheets this morning, but given what happened last night, I'll have to –

I turn on the lights in the bedroom and jump.

"So, you and Cole, huh?" Nya says, reclining on my bed.

I hold my hand to my chest, gasping for breath. "What the – "

"I can explain," she says reassuringly. She rises off the bed and slowly approaches me.

"I've got to let Cole know you're here," I mumble, stepping back.

She halts in her movement toward me. "Don't call him just yet. Let me explain some things first, okay? Sorry I scared you."

I shake my head. "Whatever. Start talking, because I'm not giving you more than a few minutes." How does she...what...

"Okay. What do you want to know?"

"How the heck do you know where I live?!"

"Well, I know this bounty hunter – Ronin. When I got mad and stormed out of the monastery earlier, I drove straight to his place. Now, I knew I couldn't stay with him – he'd sell me out to the team in the blink of an eye, given the right price – but I figured I could do a little research there. I did need someplace to sleep, after all, and I was pretty lost as to where to go."

"And you just randomly picked my trailer?"

"No. While I was looking for places to stay, I did a little research on you. No offense, but I was a little suspicious."

"And jealous," I add.

"Whatever. Anyway, I was suspicious, but when I dug deep, I found out a lot. I really do believe you're innocent now." She takes a cautious step toward me, but this time, I don't move back.

"I came here because I needed a place to stay, and I think you're the only one I'm acquainted with who won't rat me out." She sighs. "My other option was Jay's parents, but they talk so much...I figured I'd never get away with it."

"Oh." I raise a brow. "And what makes you think I'm not going to tell Cole you've turned up?"

"All I want is to be away from everyone for a few days, Seliel. Just this weekend, and then I'll go back to the team and face whatever punishment my brother has for me."

"Why don't you just stay with your brother's fiancée? You two seem close."

"Not anymore. Not since what happened with Lloyd back in February." She swallows hard. "Anyway, she would tell Kai the moment she found me. Her loyalties definitely lie with him nowadays."

"Huh. Well, my loyalties lie with – "

"Cole. I know." She crosses her arms. "But I can help you out around here if you let me stay a day or two. I could do a little cleaning, a little shopping – I did have a job last summer, so I have some funds leftover from that."

I release a breath. She does have a point – I don't have the time for any of that. Or the money, really.

"I could even help organize your mail or something." She shrugs. "Get creative with my task list. Just please, don't make me go back to the team yet. Not until I have firmer plans for the future."

I study her. "They're all worried about you, you know."

"Yeah, but...I'm worried about them, too. That's why I'm doing this."

I close my eyes, thinking.

I really don't want to deceive Cole, but I'm technically doing him a favor by letting Nya stay here rather than someplace else. She and I both know that at this time of night, she doesn't have any other options for places to stay. If she didn't go back to the monastery or her brother, she'd be stuck sleeping under a bridge or in an alleyway or something. And that might not turn out well – she could be kidnapped, killed, or worse.

And I could use the help.

"You promise it's only for a few days, right?" I finally ask.

She nods. "Yes. Just until I figure out what to do with my future."

I raise an eyebrow. "Does Cole's best friend know you're here?"

"Not exactly. He knows I was at Ronin's, and I left a note for him there that I would be back in a few days. I didn't say anything about being here, though."

"If your bounty hunter friend is as untrustworthy as you make him out to be, he'll probably make the guy pay for your note."

Nya smirks. "You're probably right. But whatever. I'll find a way to make Ronin give him his money back."

I sigh. "Okay. I'm going to regret this, but you can stay."

She pumps her fist in the air. "Thanks, Seliel. And by the way...I mostly forgive you for your insults earlier."

"Mostly?"

"Yeah. I'm working on it." She rearranges one of the pillows on my bed that she must've messed up earlier. "Oh, and by the way, I did laundry for you. I had to wash it all by hand, since I couldn't exactly go to the laundromat without being spotted, but nevertheless..." She holds up a clean sock.

"Nice." I grab my pajamas from under my bed, wincing as I bend down. My bad leg is still acting up from earlier today.

Nya frowns. "You okay?"

"Just fine."

"You didn't look just fine."

"Well, I am."

"Huh. Cole's right: We do have a lot in common."

I look up with a tired smile. "So you're stubborn, conniving, and annoying, as well?"

"Heck, yes. And I bet I'm much better at all three of those things than you." She smirks.

"Stubborn and conniving? Nah. Annoying? Yeah, definitely."

She blows a raspberry. "You just wish you could be like me."

"Trust me, I have no desire for that." Now that I have fresh clothes picked out, I head into the bathroom for a quick shower and a change.

Am I going to regret this in some way? Probably. But Nya said it's just for the weekend. What could go wrong?

Well, in this house, the answer would be a heck of a lot.

I guess I'll just have to hope for the best.