And The World Came Tumbling Down

[Kate Archer]

Kate was enjoying her trip so much. She had had some amazing experiences. She's been away for the past four months, going from place to place. She hadn't had any route in mind, she'd just been popping from place to place. No real plan in mind. It had actually been amazing. She had met some amazing people, seen fantabulous buildings and places and it had just been amazing! She had bought some amazing presents and souvenirs. She had popped home every now again to drop off anything she bought and to just visit Stefan and her family, even if it was for a few minutes. She had mostly been writing to her family and friends, keeping them updated. She was now currently in Japan and what an amazing country it was. She loved the culture and the food and just everything. It was a bit busy, not as bad as China. That had just been a completely new experience for Kate. There had been people everywhere. The Great Wall of China had been class and just seeing how the whole country worked had been an experience. Japan was only slightly better, not by much but there was a somewhat improvement.She had been here for the past four days. It was nearing Christmas time and Kate had to admit she was missing Stefan. Christmas last year had been so special. She had bought some presents which she would give to Ty and Stefan when she returned home for the Christmas party. It was Christmas Eve and there was some light snow falling. It made Kate a bit sad but she was going to see Stefan tomorrow which cheered her up considerably.

Kate didn't exactly have plush accomdation. She didn't like splashing out cash on things she didn't need. Her sleeping quaters were perfectly acceptable, sure it didn't look the sturdest but it had done her for the past four days. It was only three stories. The building was pretty full and there was a family with a screaming child who didn't like to sleep.But what could you do, it wasn't going to ruin her time in Japan, she could just play her music and all would be good. She was currently cooking some sweet and sour chicken. The smell of the food was masking the smell of dampness. She also had some Christmas music playing and she had out up a few decorations just to get herself in the mood. She also had a few pictures of Stefan and her family around the place just to try and help her feel less alone on Christmas eve. She had changed into warm jammies and was dancing around the room, singing her heart out to War is Over. When the dinner was finished, she served it up and sat at the fairly shabby table. As she ate her dinner she started writing her Christmas cards. Once she was finished she finished off her letter to her family and Stefan. Stefan's was considerably longer but she always had much more to say to him. Before she went to sleep, she packed up everything for the morning and put it at the end of the bed, ready to leave early in the morning.

Kate woke up to feel the whole word shaking beneath her. Kate sat up quickly, everything was on the floor and everything was shaking, bits of the wall were falling off. Kate just sat there for a few minutes as everything literally was falling around her. She was in shock, all she heard was screams and shouts of the people around her and the sound of buildings crumbling. Earthquake, earthquake was all that was running through her head. She knew earthquakes were fairly regular in Japan but it had never really crossed her mind that she'd be caught in the middle of one. It was when a piece of the ceiling fell a few feet from her that she sprung into action. She quickly started looking around for her wand, she needed to apparate out of here and fast. But it was dark and everything was shaking and she kept falling as she tried to find her wand.Her hand finally found the wand and she wrapped her hand around it, ready to apparate away but she was distracted when she heard a look crack and suddenly everything went black.

 

[Stefan Archer]

The past six months had been hard for the elder teen. He had spent a lot of his time busy, but that was not the reason why it had been hard. It had been hard because Stefan had been without Kate. Happily he knew she was doing well, the letters he received were incredibly reassuring. He found himself reading them over and over. Tracing the letters she'd written with his fingers. Almost able to see her slowly writing the letter from the distant place that she was. Every time he got a letter Stefan would read about whatever place she had been. He read the words carefully, learning so that upon her return he would not be as stupid about these places. He wanted to be able to talk about them, let Kate rave about them to him. He wanted her to know that he was proud and he never wanted her to stop talking about the things she had seen. To never feel bad about him not being able to go too. His expenses didn't stretch far enough to cover also going away with Kate. He just didn't have the resources. Not that Stefan really minded, sure he wanted to see the world, but he had this entirely new lease on life. He wasn't restricted by his father, the foster family, or the fact he was waist deep in memories that left him in bed curled up for days. On the good days now, there was barely a memory on the front of his mind. He was able to have it in the background. Allow himself to do other things, be better, stronger. But the moment that he had a bad day, the moment he woke, it was a battle he just couldn't. A bad day for Stefan meant terrible memories. An onslaught of images and words that brought him crumbling to his knees. Where he would flinch at a simple touch and shy away from any contact. Things were slightly different now, before Stefan didn't have to worry so much. He just waited until the feelings past, but his family visited more often than before. His aunt, who somehow just knew would make him do things, to take his mind off it. He had to be good for his cousins too. He couldn't be breaking down in front of them. He couldn't be. It was odd, he hadn't ever expected to have family who actually cared so most of the time he didnMt even know what to do, when his aunt, Elliot would wrap her arms around him, after she got him to sit up, and just remind him that it was all right, that he was okay. That it was over. The worst had surely passed. Although Stefan always said, there is no way my life could get any worse. That however always brought Kate to the front of his mind, and he knew that if he lost her, he wouldn't be as strong. He wouldn't be able to keep going.

Stefan was pacing around the house for the third time since the start of the day. He had been expecting Kate three days ago. He had believed that she would come for Christmas, and now it was three days after and still no sign of her. He was left worried and hopeful that it was nothing. He had also not received a letter from her in a while. He sighed heavily, setting himself down on the ground, back against the side of the house. He was staring up at the sky. The bright blue eyes staring up at the sky, hoping that the sky could give him an answer. Or at least an owl, something that would give him news of his sweetheart. He was having a bad day, he'd had a bad night. His worries for Kate had grown with each day that he hadn't heard from her. He had slept horribly, he had ended up throwing up. His dreams filled with memories of learning of his mother's death, hearing about his father's death. Remembering his father's death. And how he died. Stefan closed his eyes, putting his hand over the horrible scar on his stomach.he willed the memories away. He stood back up, stumbling slightly as he got his footing. He walked round the house once more. He sighed once more. He wanted to hear from her. He wished he had a mobile so he could more easily call. Stefan grew frustrated, he wasn't sure what to do. He had promised a distant neighbor that he would help him out.cut his lawn, help him out. For virtual nothing but Stefan couldn't go back on it now. He run a hand through his hair. Rubbing his eyes and heading into the house. He sat down at the kitchen table. Put his head in his hands and just sighed. What could he do, he didn't know, Stefan couldn't remember where she had last been. He hurried into the living room and grabbed all the letters. Settling himself on the floor his back against the sofa and began going through the letters. Figuring it out where she had last been. He grew more and more worried. Growing more desperate as the moments passed. He half considered leaving straight away, but it was a huge world, where he could go. Where would he start? It was a ridiculous notion. He just had to sit and wait, hope that she was alright and that he would hear or see her soon. Under the fake Christmas which sat in the corner of the room sat the gift that Stefan had managed to get for her. It wasn't much but, he wanted to give her something. Stefan wanted to see her, he wanted her to see all the work he had done. How he had grown, still too thin, but he had still put on weight. A little but he was working on it. Stefan groaned in frustration as he stared at the letters in front of him. He trusted her, he loved her, he knew she'd be alright but he was worried.
​

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate's head was all fuzzy. She couldn't see anything, there were colours everywhere, images flashing before her eyes. One of when she was younger in Ireland. Swimming in the sea, laughing with Sara, playing games. The images suddenly changed to her years in Hogwarts, ones when she was sick, she saw herself looking at her thin body in the mirror. All these images were flying through her brain and top speed, she couldn't focus on anything. It was really starting to annoy her. Why were the images going so fast? Faces started blurring together. Tara, Sammy, Sara , her parents and so many others but one image kept popping up and she smiled inwardly when she saw the face. Stefan. As soon as she recognised the face, memories started flashing in front of her. Happy. By then the memories started changing, turning into more unhappy. Unknown to Kate the machine beside her was starting to beep much faster then normal and a nurse who was already busy with so many other patients tried to make her way over to Kate who was lying on a make shift bed in the middle of an overcrowded hall. The poor woman tried to calm Kate's racing heart and started calling Kate's name.

From the depths of Kate's sub conscience, she heard a voice call wake up, wake up. We didn't want to though, she was happy out in this state of oblivion though the memories a few minutes ago had ruined her peacefulness. Now another voice was starting to call her name. The other voice helped her sub conscience push through and become stronger. Slowly Kate's eyes started to open. Slowly her senses started to come alive and she was bombarded with pain, noise and light. She wanted to cry out and go back to her peaceful place.Her poor brain was trying to cope with the sudden onslaught of a sensory overload. Thre was so much screaming and shouting and there was so many people ,moving and things flashing and then the pain, it was everywhere. All over her body, there wasn't a part of her tha didn't ache in some way. Suddenly it as too much and everything went black again.

Kate went in and out of conscienceness many times for the next four days before finally awaking fully. The panic had calmed down and many people had left the hospital. She had been moved to a proper bed and was being monitored with more care then before. She had broken many bones,lost a lot of blood and had had internal bleeding. He head had suffered some injury but not to any dangerous extent. The nurses had found her passport and had managed to contact her parents who were trying to arrange flights over to Japan. The had managed to retrieve her belongings from the wreckage, her wand had even survived it was now with her belongings beside her bed. Kate had been one of the only to survive from her building, many had been crushed by the building which had been very unstable. The earthquake had been a relatively small one but had hit the wrong part of Japan with none of the buildings being in any way earthquake proof. The death toll was not high and after the initial panic things went rather smoothly. It was mentioned once world wide on the news before becoming old news.

Kate was lying in bed, it had been two weeks since the earthquake and she still was unable to sit up or do anything. She just spent her days lying in bed, sleeping for long periods of time and when she was conscience worrying about Stefan. She had no way of contacting him as her jaw was broken and speech was difficult to come by. She was being fed through a tube and she didn't even like to think about when she went to the bathroom. It was incredibly boring but thankfully she was constantly on painkillers so she couldn't feel the pain. What she wouldn't give to be in St mungo's. She would probably be back on her feet by now and with Stefan. Unfortunately she had no way of reaching her wand to apparate. It was very frustrating knowing nothing could happen until she healed somewhat. One if the most frustrating things was that she couldn't talk or do anything. She hadn't even been able to tell her parents about how much better she would be in St Mungo's. She wished they would tell her siblings as they would know what to do but they seemed to think that not telling them was the best way to go. The visited her everyday and each day she tried to tell them but they could never understand a word she said. Kate just wanted to scream. SE didn't even want to think about what Stefan was doing. She had promised to meet him for Christmas and now she hadn't showed up for two weeks, he was probably out of his mind. She was mentally telling him that she was okay and she would be home soon or that she was in Japan, bu she doubted it was working. Until at least her jaw healed she was stuck here,worrying.

 

[Stefan Archer]

There was nothing calm about Stefan in the current mood he was in. It was rocky to say the least. He hadn't heard from Kate in just over two weeks. He had lost any ability to really do anything else, he was sick to his stomach with worry. All that he could think about was that she was gone. That something had happened to her, and he was once again alone. He wanted her safe and sound. She was young like him, he would do anything to protect her. He felt utterly useless sitting at home all day, but he couldn't do much else. He'd spent the better part of the two weeks wandering around the house, night and day. Finding sleep did not come easy and it never stayed for long. Instead he was left thinking, worrying. He had still done the odd jobs he had promised, because he couldn't go back on a promise and he couldn't lose out on the money. Stefan had little as it was, he honestly couldn't afford to lose anything else. Though his work had not been up to par as it would normally. And the money went unspent as Stefan fought to keep food down. He was sick with worry. His Kate, was somewhere, he couldn't figure out where and he was worried. A part of him was saying that he was over reacting, that she'd be fine and she was having so much fun that she'd simply forgotten to write. That he understood when it stood at three, four days without a word. But he was standing at over two weeks of nothing. Her letters kept his days interesting, his mind at ease. Without them he worried. Stefan did not know much about the world around him, he knew less than most, but his experiences with the world had been rarely positive. His experiences with people had been seven out of ten times fairly negative. He knew that Kate was beautiful, she was young, people might take advantage of such a thing. He couldn't have that. How he longed for her to be back in his arms. The rise and fall of her chest against his, her heart beat almost in sync with his. The way her hair smelled, how she smiled when she looked at him. Stefan missed Kate. He loved her, and he trusted her, he missed her more than anything else.

On the morning, where things changed, Stefan woke with a start. He'd had a horrible dream. A real nightmare, rather than a memory this time however. It was silly really but, all he could see was his father holding Kate by the hair, like he had done so many times to Stefan, hurting her, in the way he'd done so many times to Stefan, and while Stefan screamed at his father to stop, to take him instead, his father just ignored him. Stefan woke up tangled in his sheets, a thin layer of sweat on him, and his heart and breathing at five times their normal pace. He looked around himself, slowly remember that his father was gone, that at least that was over. But no word from Kate. Stefan had gotten dressed in no time and stood out on his lawn at the back of his house. Just standing, regaining his composure, which was taking a while. He couldn't get the images out his head. That scared him more, he had never wanted Kate to be near his father. The one time she'd been slight close had been that one time that Stefan had gone to Brightstone, gotten wet in the rain, and his father had thrown him across the ground. Kate had just been there, mere metres away. It was how she had always sort of known about his father, and his father's ways. He knew his father was dead, he knew it, but, the thoughts that crossed his mind were not ones he could easily be rid of. Stefan sat on the grass, staring blankly ahead. Letting his blue eyes stare out at the lawn. Thinking of the Christmas that he'd spent there. He then looked up thinking of how his cousin and his cousin's friend had flown on brooms above him merely two weeks before and in doing this noticed an owl flying towards him. Well, what he figured was an owl and since there was no one else around it must just be to him. Stefan felt his heart soar, Kate. At long last. Was this how she had felt when he had disappeared. When he hadn't come back when he promised he would. The owl flew down beside him, Stefan took the paper from his leg, but very quickly realised it was not from Kate. He read it through a few times over. Making sure he really understood what it said. Japan......Earthquake.....Hospital....Hurt..Kate Her parents had written to him, he sighed a thank you. He was worried about her, she had been hurt. But at least she was alive, and due to the fact that Stefan knew her family had money, he was sure that she was getting the best treatment available. He didn't even think twice about it. He got himself his usual dark grey jumper. Even though Stefan for the past two weeks had barely eaten anything, and had often brought what he forced himself to eat back up. He was not visibly thinner. He still looked better than he had in a while. He grabbed his glasses, and his wand. Staring at the address one last time, which he assumed was thanks to them a little secluded place he could apparate to. He did just that. He ended up on the corner of a dark street.

Stepping out, the first thing he noticed was the large amount of people, and the fact it was much colder than it had been in New Zealand. Stefan wrapped his arms around himself tighter, while also slipping on the hood. There was no english as far as he could hear, just an odd language he didn't know, but assumed must be Japanese. He was terrified. He didn't know where he was, and he couldn't understand anything. There were people everywhere, pushing past, rushing. He didn't like the constant contact, but the teen moved on. It didn't take him long to locate the hospital that Kate's parents had sent him the address of. Inside was a little trickier. He fumbled his way through finding out where Kate was and if she was okay. He spoke quietly afraid of the people around him. He had grown used to New Zealand but this was new, he didn't know anyone, and everyone seemed to be rushing. For all he knew his father hadn't died and was actually here, waiting to pop out and surprise him. However, in the end, he found himself standing at the door of her room. Sighing in relief. She was asleep when he arrived, and she looked pretty badly hurt, but according to the doctors she'd be fine. He walked over, bending down beside her bed so that he could kiss her on the forehead, then softly on the lips. He was overjoyed that she was alright. He had a sudden rush of hunger, and exhaustion. It seemed that the last two weeks were catching up with him. He'd barely slept, and he looked exhausted. Stefan made his way round her bed, and pulled up a chair. He had no money, so he couldn't get anything to eat, he would just be able to stay by her side until she woke up. He sat down on the chair, moving it closer to her bed, taking her hand in his. Kissing it softly. "I'm glad you're ok." He muttered into her hand. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too" He sighed, but found himself smiling slightly. Still holding her hand, Stefan folded his arms on the bed, and leaned his head against it. Taking mere minutes to fall asleep against her arm. With her he felt safe. Stefan felt like everything would be alright. They'd make it.
​

 

[Kate Archer]

Over the next few weeks Kate slowly began to get better. It wasn't a fun experience in any way and the healing was slow but at least she was able to talk somewhat. It wouldn't be fully healed for another three weeks which seemed like a really long time but she was able to get words out and the doctors,nurses and her parents seemed to understand. Her internal bleeding had stopped ages ago and all was good inside. A lot of her bones only had two to three weeks healing time left which in the long run probably wasn't that bad. Her spine thankfully hadn't been too badly injured and she was now able to sit up in bed. She was still in pain but the worst was over. She had stitches from where she had been cut deep, so she would have scars but they would fade. The memory wouldn't. She woke up sometimes during the middle of the night, sweating and her heart and breathing going five times faster then normal. She just had flashes of feeling the weight of concrete on her and the pain and all the screaming and coughing blood and being unable to breath. It was a horrible, horrible dream and it plagued her mind a lot of the nights. She had only ever had nightmares when she was sick in second and fourth year so having these nightmares brought back old ones and for many nights she would just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling.

Though on the outside she was healing very well, he head still had a bit to go. It was still a bit unstable and she would go into long periods of unconsiousness. The doctors said it wasn't too serious but they were keeping a close eye on it. One week it was fairly bad. Unknown to Kate the bad spell had happened two days before Stefan arrived. She was sleeping for long periods of time and when she woke up she was usually delrious and spoke complete nonsense, usually things about all her bad experiences in life. She shouted out Stefan's name a lot also, wondering where he was.

The images were flashing in front of her eyes once more. These ones were all bad memories and delusions. She knew she woke up sometimes, out of whatever place she was in and she usually woke up screaming ad shouting and that's all she remembered before she fell back asleep. She couldn't make out the images a lot of the time, they were just flashing too fast. Sometimes it was just blissful blackness and quietness. These are the times Kate liked best though she knew she couldn't stay there forever. The voices were telling her enough. They were all saying wake up Kate, wake up. But Kate didn't like it when she woke up. too many bright lights and loud noises. Though one time she heard one voice and it had almost made her want to wake up just so she could see the face of the person who owned it. It was a nice voice and Kate loved whenever she heard it. She was hearing the voice a lot more lately and it was starting to conjure images in her brain of happier times. It was strange but Kate felt herself smiling. She didn't know if it actually appeared on her face but whenever that voice spoke to her she felt so much happier and she realized she really wanted to see that face. She tried to wake up, she pushed everything she had into waking up.

When Kate opened her eyes she blinked rapidly.Thankfully it was dark and her eyes adjusted fairly lively. It took her a few moments to fully remember where she was and what had happened. She was lying down but she really need to sit up, her head felt funny but she felt wide awake.She sat up but she did it too quickly and her head span and her whole body ached. Once the world stopped spinning and she gained control of the ache she properly started to look around. She was in a little room, she had a bed side table, which had a lamp on top and there was a chair. She turned to look at the other side and she was surprised but delighted to see Stefan beside her.She almost didn't believe it was him. It looked like he was lying on some sort of make shift bed. Kate wasn't sure what to describe it, but it made Kate wonder how long she had been out and how long Stefan had been here.She was just so happy to see that he was here. He looked fast asleep and Kate felt herself smile. She hadn't seen him in so long and she just wanted to feel his arms around her, where she felt safe. She wanted to feel his lips on hers and just take him in. It was selfish of her but she just really wanted to hear his voice and see him properly. "Stefan"She whispered moving her arm over to wake him. It was then she realized how much better she was feeling. She was still in casts and her jaw ached but she was feeling a lot more fluid then last time. That once again begged the question as to how long she had been out. "Stefan"She whispered again, gently putting her hand on his shoulder, hoping he would wake up.

Out of Character:

So sorry, I don't even know what I've typed

 

[Stefan Archer]

The wait had not been so long. Though, Stefan wasn't sure of what time became as he sat by Kate. Although she was healing, the doctors explained to him that it would take time for her to be completely fine, and the memories would always be raw in her mind. Nightmares might be a normal occurrence for a while. Neither of these things were actually out of his reach. He knew what to do. He knew how to deal with it. Stefan had more than his fair share of terrible memories. He couldn't ever pretend to know what kate's would be about, or how to make her feel safe, but he just knew that together nothing was impossible. He took naps often, sleeping no more than three hours in any one period of time. Sitting, watching Kate holding her hand. He never left the room, bar to go to the bathroom, but apart from that he made any motion to leave. If the doctor came into the room, Stefan might end up leaving, but that was because he wanted her to get better. Not worse. It had been odd experience, since in being at the hospital Stefan had in part met her parents, it had been in passing. He mostly pretended to be asleep when they were around. The former slytherin was not quite ready for that. The short bursts of sleep didn't entirely help Stefan, he was exhausted, and he knew that sooner or later he'd have to get a change of clothes, or take a shower. he had lived on the streets long enough to not mind it on himself, but he fear the doctors might throw him out. Sitting by her beside wasn't simple. Being fairly tall, and quite thin, he didn't have much room in some places and too much in others. But, the teen refused help from people as he always had. He didn't like people getting too close to him. He didn't know anyone, and he didn't need any help, Kate did. He would sleep, and eat when Kate was feeling better. He could just be glad that since arriving at her bedside, his nightmares had subsided. They had gone away for the most part, maybe because of Kate, or maybe because he simply didn't sleep long enough for them to manifest. He brushed hair away from her face, kissing her lips lightly every so often. Even if he didn't have the nightmares, he couldn't believe how close he'd come to losing her. It wasn't something he wanted to happen. Ever. He would always understand if Kate decided to move on, that she'd found someone better, but he didn't want to lose her with no possibility of a second chance. Stefan would give his life, his soul to ensure that if she was to die, that she would not, and he would instead. The back of his mind told him that all the cuts, bruises, breaks were the earthquake's fault, but his mind cast to his father, to the many times, he'd seen the same sort of injuries on him. Was this how she'd always felt knowing what he always back to? Shear disappear, paralyzing fear, and constant worry at the fact that you were helpless.

Stefan had never been on this other side of things. He had always been the one feeling the brunt of any fist, of any kick. He had always imagined that bad things would continue to happen to him, that other's would always be protected. Here he was staring at the opposite. Kate, the girl that he loved lay on a bed in front of him, and he felt useless. Unable to do anything. Unable to prevent it, to protect her, help get rid of the pain. He knew that she was more than capable to take care of herself, but he loved her, he couldn't help but want to protect her. He came to realisation that when he had been in hospital for those long weeks, that she must've felt something similar to what he felt there and then. In the early hours of the morning, when dawn was about to break on the horizon, Stefan was left with a humbling feeling. All the time he'd dismissed other people's worrying as silly, he finally knew the other side. The way that the worry didn't leave. He finally, lay awkwardly on the sort of makeshift bed of two chairs pushed together. He still held her hand, and had been asleep in minutes. What felt like minutes later, he could hear a soft voice calling his name. Once. He knew the voice all too well, but as Stefan slowly stirred awake, he'd been sleeping pretty deeply, the voice spoke again, and then a hand was laid on his shoulder. Soft, he knew who it was instantly, but, it still took him by surprise. His eyes flew open, and he sat up quickly. For a moment he was back home, his father storming into his room first thing in the morning, dragging him out of bed by the shoulder to make breakfast. Stefan shuddered as the memory began to fade and he became a lot more aware of everything around him. Finally he glanced to the hand and then to the face. A smile broke out on his face. Even without the colour in his life, seeing her face, her eyes just brightened his day. The brief memory gone, Stefan reached out and took her hand, lightly kissing it, as he got to his feet beside her bed. "Kate" Stefan muttered quietly, stepping forward and lightly kissing her on the lips. "Kate!" He seemed unable to say anything else. Pure relief clear in his voice. He was so happy, the smile on his face reached his eyes. "I love you so much." He said, pulling away slightly, grabbing one of the two chairs and pulling it so he could sit beside her. he knew that he probably looked pretty horrible. Tired, worn clothes. The clothes as ever looking too big on his small frame. He then remember what he'd been told. "I have to get the doctor, Okay, I will be right back" He kissed her hand once more, before leaving the room to summon the doctor.

It would be a few minutes, as it turned out, so Stefan returned to her beside. He was smiling, knowing in the back of his mind that this was the beginning, but he was glad for that. That she was at least alright. That his Archer luck had not curse her either. The monochromat sat back down. Taking her head. "How are you feeling?" He finally found the right words. The usual are you okay being silly. He wanted this to be over, to take Kate back home with him.
​

This is also a little all over the place. Sorry!

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate couldn't describe how happy she felt when she saw Stefan. Her face literally lit up. She was probably pretty gaunt looking but she was so happy to see him. It was literally the best thing that had happened to her in the last while. She hadn't seen him in so long. She had hoped she would have seen him under better circumstances but to be honest she didn't mind. He was here that's all that mattered. She smiled as he kissed her on the lips, she kissed him back softly. How she had missed the feeling. He looked a little worse for wear, she wondered how long he had been here. Kate smiled "I love you too"She said putting her hand in his. When Stefan said he was looking for a doctor her face slide slightly. She didn't want him to leave but the doctor should probably know she had awoken. She wondered where her parents were. When he left Kate looked around the room. As she waited for him to return, she bit her lip. She really hadn't had time to think about what had happened, she wasn't really sure she wanted to. She couldn't remember much of her nightmares, she wasn't sure whether they were memories or just her mind conjuring things. She didn't like being by herself, it meant she was going to start thinking. She held the blanket closer to her and she wished Stefan would hurry back. She just needed someone there to take her mind off what happened. All she started hearing was the screams of all the people who had been stuck like her under the ruble. Or just the feeling of being stuck and not being able to do anything. It was horrible and the images started flashing before her. She closed her eyes and shook her head, she would not think of them, she would think of Stefan instead. This did help and she calmed down, but she didn't let the blanket down and when Stefan and the doctor came back she practically jumped for joy.

The doctor was only there for a few minutes, just did some general check ups. He was why her heart rate increased suddenly in the past few seconds but he didn't ask any questions and Kate preferred that. She would be okay over time. It was just going to take a while for her to get rid of the memories, well for them to fade but she knew she'd be able to. When the doctor left she tried to settle herself more comfortably, but was a bit hard with all the casts etc. Kate sighed , at least they were pumping painkillers into her system. It did make her quite sleepy though. Kate smiled as Stefan settled in close to her. She thought about his question "To be honest I'm sore all over but it's more of a dull ache"She whispered, the sentence coming out slowly. "I'm so happy you are here though"She whispered once more, taking his hand in hers and holding it firmly "How long have you been here?"She asked curiously, he looked a little bit rough and the make shift bed he had made didn't look that comfy. She wished she could offer him something more comfortable, maybe the doctors could bring in a blow up bed or something? Maybe some food as well, knowing Stefan he wouldn't ask for any of these things. "Do you want to get cleaned up or get something to eat?"She said her thumb lightly stroking Stefan's hand "No offense but you smell"She said grinning "I'm only joking but really you should take a break and get something to eat"She said smiling and bringing his hand to her lips where she kissed it lightly. She was so happy he was here.

 

[Stefan Archer]

The teen had never been so worried for someone, during the time had sat in silence waiting for her to get better. He had barely said two words to anyone. He had become what his cousin always called, ice berg Stefan. he sort went back into himself, and seemingly began falling apart slowly at the seems. He loved Kate. He loved her more than he had loved anything in life. There was nothing he loved more. That much was for certain. He knew that they were young, and they had their entire life ahead of them, but Stefan didn't see a time where he would not be with Kate. Where he wouldn't want to protect her, where he wouldn't want to keep her safe. Where his heart wouldn't calm at just her smile. He felt better just watching her smile at him. Her face lightly up at him. Which made him feel even better. He couldn't ever get over how beautiful she was. How beautiful she was to him. For her, he would attempt to move mountains, he might've never wanted to move for himself. All the tiredness had been washed away at her smile. As long as she was good, he was good. Which was what he wanted. He smiled even more when she said that she loved him. It was a good feeling to him, he kissed her hand lightly. Before having to leave her so that a doctor could come. Which didn't take long at all. It reminded him of the time he had spent in hospital. One of the many times. The doctors with the questions, the prodding and the comments that helped no one. Stefan had always had problem with doctors. They asked too many question. Wanted him to tell about how he gotten the various injuries that had landed him there. He had never. Not even after the final incident with his father. He had said nothing. Now, he watched the doctor check over Kate, as he had done many times when she had been asleep. He looked happy that she had finally woken up. He couldn't help but agree with the internal sentiment. He was glad to see her, looking at him and smiling at him. It was perfect. He was incredibly relieved for it. Stefan looked to the doctor as he was about to leave, quick to ask when she'd be able to go home, which he had already decided would be his home. After this, the former slytherin wanted nothing more than to hold his beautiful girlfriend in his arms and tell her about how amazing, beautiful she was. Tell her that he was glad she was just with him. Tell her he'd protect her. Just feel safe for a little while.

Noticing that Kate was having a bit of bother settling, he gave a small smile, before settling back in the chair next to her bed. The chair that had once been a part of his makeshift bed. He knew that it would take him a while to be comfortable again. He didn't entirely mind either. Kate was awake, she was smiling, she was alive. His luck had changed. Had it been the Archer luck he would've lost her. And Stefan honestly couldn't imagine anything worse than that fate. He gave a small smile, "That's good, at least it's not a lot of pain" Stefan said, with a relieved tone. His tone was quiet, soft. His voice a little rough from not having been used all to often as of late. "Broken bones can be pretty painful at times." He spoke from experience. Stefan had broken more bones than he cared to count. He wanted to tell her how it wasn't too bad, that it was only a little pain, that it faded, but he had no way of doing it without mentioning what his father had done. It was pretty obvious that it had been his father the route of Stefan's broken bones, but he wasn't going to say that. He didn't want to dampen the mood by telling of stories that didn't merit being said. He didn't want to bring back horrible memories. Not now. Not while sitting with Kate in a hospital. "I came as soon as your parents told me. I didn't know before then, or I would've been here sooner" He gave a shy small smile, glancing down at the ground between them. He felt bad for not having known sooner, but there had been little way of him knowing. "I've been here a little over 4 days." he said, quickly counting them in his head. "Feels like a lot longer though," He grinned at her, glancing back at what was left of the make shift bed. Shrugged at it, as if it was more than acceptable. He had honestly slept worse. At her question he was a little surprised, he didn't exactly want to leave Kate. He couldn't bare going back home where he was alone, knowing she to would alone in a hospital. He had spent too much time alone in Hospitals to want that for her. "I'm alright, I'll clean up a bit in your bathroom" It was at this point that, it seemed his hunger caught up with him, grumbling loudly, causing Stefan to chuckle lightly. "I would, but I didn't bring any money, left in a bit of a hurry and I don't want to leave you alone, I just got you back" He gave her a smile, squeezing the hand lightly as she stroked his. He gave a shrug, "Your parents brought food the day before yesterday, I'm good for a while." While he had not eaten much of it, it was the first thing he'd truly kept down in a while. "And I don't smell any worse than you" He said, also smiling at her. He didn't notice any smell, nothing overly strong. He leaned into her, lightly stroking the side of her face.

"I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life," He admitted quietly. "You gave me quite a scare." Stefan stood slightly, and lightly kissed her on the lips, before settling back down on his chair. "how about, once you get out of here, we can go back to mine, and you can rest up for a few days?" He kissed her hand lightly. Hoping she would be open to the idea. He didn't exactly mind if she then went off afterwards and continued visiting the world, but for a bit of ease of mind, Stefan felt her staying with him a little bit would help. "I have so much to show you at home. Clearing out the rooms has been good. I found a whole bunch of new photos, well, old, but me seeing them for the first time. We could even invite your parents, so that we can do a nice and proper introduction instead of this." He stopped, kissed her hand again, "Do they know, you know, about my family? What my father did?" He asked cautiously, not wanting to upset her, but also wanting desperately to know. He couldn't tell. "You want to go back to sleep?" He asked, realising she might still be tired.
​

 

[Kate Archer]

It was almost weird being the one in the hospital bed. She was used to it from the years before but never had Stefan been at her bedside. She had always thought that it would be she at Stefan's bedside. That had been in the past though. Recently she hadn't thought she'd be in hospital or at anyone's bedside. But in the past it had always been she, worrying about Stefan. How his health was, where he was. That period in fifth year had probably been one of the worst times in Kate's life. Everything had been going right then boom. Kate had not been expecting it at all. She had been totally unprepared emotionally and she had just broke down and then the worrying. It had nearly sent her over the edge. Thankfully all had worked out and things were the way they were now. She thought it was better they had become close friends first and gone through all the drama. It had helped to make them both who they were today and the relationship they had together. It had been a struggle at the time obviously, too much drama had happened during her time in Hogwarts but at least she hoped she had got her share of drama for the next few years anyways. But all was good and from it all she had an amazing boyfriend who she loved with all her heart. What more could a girl ask for?

Kate was very much happy to be alive. It was kind of just hitting her now how close she had come to being crushed to death. It was weird how a near death experience can change your perspective on life. She really was grateful to be here with Stefan knowing that she would survive with relatively no permanent injuries. Sure she was in a bit of pain now but soon she would be better and all that would be left were scars. Unless she could get to Saint Mungos. If she got there, her speed of recovery would increase dramatically. She might even get away with no scars. She was too tired to talk about that now. She just wanted to relax here and talk with Stefan. "As my parents would have said, you'll be better before you're married"She said softly, her thumb still stroking Stefan's hand. It was quite relaxing and Kate was the happiest she had been in a long while. "Yes, especially multiple ones at the same time"She said grinning slightly. She probably looked slightly ridiculous with all her limbs in casts. She didn't even want to think as to how Stefan had broken his bones. "I know"She said smiling sympathetically at him and giving his hand a little squeeze. Of course she knew he would. She did wonder if they had met properly at all. They had heard about Stefan, they had just never met him. "So did you meet my parents properly?"She asked curiously. Her parents had never found out that though he hadn't meant it, he had been the cause of her problems for the past few years. She didn't think they'd take too kindly if they knew. "I've been out for four days?"Kate said almost to herself. She felt bad that she had been out for the past four days leaving Stefan hanging "You're so good, you know that"She said smiling widely and bringing his hand up and kissing it. He meant so much to her and she was so happy he was here. "Sure I can just ask for extra food and we can share"Kate said smiling widley. Kate giggled "That's what you think"She said, snuggling closer to him. "I'm only joking, you know that, yeah?"She said grinning. It was good to be back to herself once again and make light of the current situation.

Kate's face fell slightly. She knew that feeling but she never thought Stefan would have to feel it "It's all okay now though"She said smiling at him once more. She could maybe continue the rest of her trip another time but she'd had enough of it for now and she really needed rest. She doubted the doctors would like hearing her say she wanted to continue on her trip."I'd love that"She said smiling as he kissed her. It was rather annoying not being able to move much or quickly. She was very stiff but hopefully she would loosen up in the next few days. Kate smiled widely, she couldn't wait to see the pictures. He had been working really hard and she was glad to see it was all paying off. She thought the idea of her parents visiting was a good idea. It would be nice to have proper introductions as Stefan was a huge part of her life. "That sounds perfect, I'll definitely make the offer anyways"She said smiling, she was sure her parents would love to come and visit and meet Stefan properly. "No, I could never really put it into words"She said looking down at her hands. She had never really found the right time to bring it up and they had barely known Stefan anyways. "Well that depends, would you like to sleep?"She asked smiling . She could take it or leave it at this stage but she didn't know how much sleep Stefan had been getting and she had woken him up from his sleep, so it was up to him.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan just kept his eyes on her. The meeting with her parents had been uneventful. He was her boyfriend and they were her parents. But during the past few days they had all been there for Kate. The top priority was Kate. For both Stefan and for them. It was an odd greeting, definitely not the way he imagined meeting them, but at least they weren't meeting him because it had been something he had done that had landed her in hospital. It had been beyond his and her control. Mother Nature was definitely cruel. He knew that nothing he had been through compared to being in an earth quake, but he at least knew the harshness of Mother Nature. He just hadn't ever wanted Kate to be in a situation like this. Too many casts to count and him ultimately helpless. He wanted to help her. Take her pain away, because in his mind he rationalized it in the way that he could handle it. He deserved it. Kate in his mind did not. He had put her through much. She had been through much she deserved to not have to be in this hospital. "Briefly. They come and go. We haven't said much beyond how you were doing." he gave her a small shrug. "They sort of scare me." he admitted in a low voice. While he trusted Kate and her parents the teen could hardly help when he got scared by people he didn't know. And in this situation when they had a right to want to yell and scream at him. Blame him for this even though it wasn't his fault. Claim that if she had never met him, she would've never gotten sick. Never wanted to see the world and ended up here. He would never say that. They were just his own internal fears that sprung from a completely logical place. He knew she might understand why, but he hardly wanted to go into how truly awful some of the things stefan had been called over the years. The pretty horrific things that had happened. "And you were sort drifting in and out of consciousness for the most part of two days. I would've waited as long as it took. Kate you come first." he gave her a warm smile. He liked the prospect of food. That they were going to maybe share. His stomach grumbled, as if in agreement. He looked down at his stomach and then back up at Kate, smiling as he did so. "That sounds fantastic" he knew she was joking. But he said nothing, he just liked watching her smile. Seeing her face light up. Despite everything. She lit up his world. He listened to her. Happy that she was wanted to go back to his house. It was reassuring. Good. He smiled at her. "I can cook!" he said suddenly glad he'd barely eaten over the past few weeks, he had money saved up. He would enough money to make half decent food. Which in a way excited him slightly. He smiled at her, before reaching over to the second chair. And dragging it over towards him. "I don't sleep well in hospitals. I'd love to try to sleep." he stood up and missed her on the lips. "I love you."

---

A Week Later
It had been a long week, but Stefan was glad they were finally on their way home. Stefan looked less than well rested. Fitful sleep, and long drawn out days did that to a person. He was completely at a loss over how to handle this sort of situation. He wanted to just whisk her away to St. mungo's to heal with magic but it would've looked suspicious. Stefan had waited with her as she had gotten better. But at long last they were finally heading home. He swung her belongings over his shoulder. Well what had been recovered and wrapped an arm around her waist. Stefan was smiling as he walked with her out the hospital, to the quiet area where they could apparatus without drawing attention to themselves. It was a long task, and Stefan was tired. He was exhausted. Despite have found Kate and her being okay, the slightlest noise or movement had woken him. He had found that hospitals weren't good with his memory. They were the places he disliked. Had always disliked. However, he didn't leave her side. Never left to eat or to stretch his legs. The only times he left were when the doctor asked him to and for the bathroom. Which was the only times he was really required to leave. Happily however with a flick of his wand, and a quick turn, he apparated them both to the Wizarding hospital in New Zealand. This trip took considerable less time. Stefan had been asked to stay outside. At first he had protested, but eventually given in. Sitting on a chair outside waiting, his legs bouncing as he waited. Not sure what to do with himself. Just sat with his bright blue eyes staring blankly ahead. When that was finally over he wrapped his arm once more around Kate and the two apparated to his house. Before he knew he stood in his main living room Kate by his side. He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the head. He broke away from her, walking over to the sofa, and with a flick of his wand, and the sofa was made into a slight bed.

"You need more rest, I would say we could use my parent's bed, but uhm." he stopped. "But I can go in, I can't stay in there, and old bedroom, well, it's a mattress on the floor with no sheets and a broken window" he motioned to the bed, and shrugged slightly. As if trying to apologise. Sorry I don't have enough was what he wanted to say, but he couldn't instead he just closed the distance between them, keeping his eyes locked on hers, and then kissed her. God, he was so glad to have her home. He wrapped his arms around her and just continue to kiss her. He never wanted this moment to end. Knowing she was once again safe in his arms. Where he could help her, protect her. Just be there for her.

---

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Hope this is alright! I can change anything that you want me to.

 

[Kate Archer]

Kate had spoken about Stefan a lot when she was younger, never her fears aout him but just general chit chat, like she had done with all her friends. Unlike primary school though her parents had had to wait until the party to see a lot of hrt friends. It's not as if she could invite someone over and she had also been in school for the majority of the year. Unfortunately Stefan had been unable to come,they had never met Sammy either, maybe Star would invite her over sometime. She was graduating this year as was Ryan. It would be weird going back to Hogwarts. She missed the place and after this year she would probably never return there. Kate had moved on though. The trip had helped a lot. She had been so busy and her thoughts had been on so many other things. Kate laughed, the thought that anyone would find her parents scary was funny. She understood where he coming from though. She gave his hand a squeeze "They are going to love you and we should definitely meet properly sometime"Kate said, she really should have suggested something like this early. But now was a better time then any. Kate sighed, it had been fairly serious so. Well there was no point dwelling on that, she was okay, that's all that mattered. "Great"Kate said smiling happily. She tried to find the button that would call the doctor. Finally she found it hand pressed it. Now all they had to do was wait. "Really, oh yay, I can't wait to try some"She said grinning. She loved how he seemed excited and happy by the prospect. It made her happier. "Okay let's get some sleep"She said before he kissed her. "I love you too"she whispered before lying down on the bed.</FONT>

---

It had been a tiring week. And long. Her bones were healing but painfully. It certainly hadn't been an easy week but it was worth it. She was going home. She really couldn't wait to get out of this hospital. Sure the staff had been great and she really appreciated it but there was only so much she could take of the hospital. She didn't like them, she had essentially enough time in them before and they were just full of bad memories. She walked out of the hospital with Stefan. Glad to feel fresh air, it was a welcome change. She had her hand around Stefans waist, he was supporting her. She was still very week, her bones not fully recovered. She knew though after St Mungo's she would be okay. They apparated to the hospital and they walked in. Kate was whisked away, she would have felt more comfortable if Stefan was with her, he had been her constant for the past week. It was a relatively simple process. There had been no real pain involved as her bones didn't need much help. But after the healer was finished, Kate felt as nothing had happened. She still had some scars but she preferred to leave them. She had been getting headaches since the collapse. The healer checked that too and soon Kate was back to her normal self. She left the room feeling much better and happier. She walked out to Stefan and the too apparated to his house.

Kate just smiled "Don't worry, this is perfect"She said, she really didn't mind where
They slept as long as he was by her side. She was knackered. The journey had taken its toll on her. The way he looked at her as he walked over rooted her to the spot. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. It was just perfect, she never wanted it to end. She felt safe and back at home now that she was in his arms.

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Out of Character:

<FONT font="Georgia">Sorry it's taken me so long to reply, things are getting busier these days!

 

[Stefan Archer]

His home was a very different place for the teen. It held everything, and in essence was everything he had ever desired. It had never been a sanctury in the same way that Hogwarts had been, but ever since leaving school the first time, it had proved to want to become that. It was the place he felt safest, and with Kate by his side, this only increased. He couldn't think of any other place that he would want to live. Obviously the teen was well aware, that at some point in the coming years he'd have to get his life together and just start working to earn decent amounts of money, but for now, he was young, and he was just slowly improving his home. He did not have the same motivation as Kate did, to see the world and do things that were new and scary. No, Stefan wasn't quite ready for that. His thoughts of the world, were very much centered around people being horrible to one another. That very rarely were humans actually kind. Of course, this view was being changed very slowly, but considering Stefan's hurricane past, it was completely understandable. He needed to get settled, make sure his life was completely settled before he did things that could move him forward. For now, he was glad that Kate had decided to rest at his for a little bit. He wasn't sure if she would even enjoy it, after all the things she had been, done and seen. But, he didn't mind. He loved her, and this was just to let her rest until she felt better. Or well, just more on top of things. He had been so worried when he hadn't heard from her. So scared that the worst had happened. And while something closely resembling the worst had happened. She was now alright, and everything was much better. Which made him feel good. Happy. He had gotten a taste of how she had felt when he hadn't returned to school that term. When he hadn't sent her any letters, and with that situation it had been a very strong likelihood that the most awful, worst thing had happened. He had survived it, and he was doing so much better, almost three years on from it. He still had nightmares about it, he would always have them, but he was doing better. So much better than he had been before. Hardly surprising though. Stefan worked hard to make better memories to overtake those that usually coursed through his brain. He wished as he stood with her, that he could do better, do more for her. But, he simply wasn't as ready as he sometimes managed to seem. He still had many obstacles to overcome.

Wrapping his arms around her, and holding her close was the best feeling to him. The steady beating of her heart that he could hear, the steady breathing. He couldn't believe how close he had come to losing her. He really couldn't. He never wanted to let her go, but he knew this wouldn't hold her back. So, instead of being an annoying person and demanding that she stayed, he just looked at her, with a smile, and kissed her lips. He would let her stay as long as she wanted, then watch her leave the moment that she wanted. He would continue doing what he did, and he would just be better. He would do more and continue working hard. For her, for them. "I'll always love you" He whispered to her, as he leaned out from the kiss. Meaning his words. He would always love her. He pulled away ever so slightly, glancing over at the bed. He wasn't sure what to say now. He wanted her to rest, but if she felt like doing something else, he'd be happy to just spend time with her. So, instead he just sort of broke apart from her, and went to lie on the sofa bed that he had made up. Looking up at the ceiling and then over at her. With a motion with his arm. This bed would be so much more comfortable than the makeshift bed he'd had in the hospital. He could already feel all of his bones relaxing. "That hospital was definitely not as comfortable as this bed currently feels." He gave a light laugh, looking round at bed beside him. "It sort of feels like that first time I got to sleep in a real bed after months of sleeping on the streets, and well, the foster home didn't really care too much to give me a real bed either. That bed I slept in, after sleeping on the ground for so long, felt like a cloud." Stefan chuckled slightly. Of course he could make some fun of it now. He just looked at Kate. A bright smile on his lips, waiting for her to join him. He wasn't even sure what time of day it was in that moment, he was exhausted, and he was sure that kate was probably also. A little more sleep never did anyone any harm. Stefan was sure that Kate probably felt the same way, in the same sense that she was tired. He had always hated breaking bones, or being in hospitals. he remembered the few times his dad had taken him to them. How tired it had made him, how his father hadn't ever bothered to listen to their instructions of rest. He pushed his father out of his thoughts, and just smiled at Kate. She was so beautiful to him. Despite what had happened, he was glad to see her again.
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Sorry this took so long.