New Beginnings (Mai and Cam)

[Lotus]

It was a struggle to get home, but he helped Gia the best he could. He kissed the top of her head in the way he remembered doing once they got to their porch. His mum made a fuss and then went somewhere to get something or other to sort out the mess of his wrist. The pain hadn't fully hit him yet, but he knew it would at some point. It would be just like when it took him a while to come to terms with the loss of their baby.

He turned back to his friends and said his goodbyes along with Gia. Wes and Max gave him warning looks and he knew what they meant. They were telling him to stick with it and not just get up and leave. They were telling him that all of them needed him, not just Gia and his mum. He sighed and nodded his head in response to show he understood what they were conveying before they turned and walked home; hand in hand with their girl.

He closed the front door behind them and turned to look at Gia with what she said. His eyes flitted away and his feet shuffled on the floor whilst he swallowed over the lump in his throat. He nodded stiffly and finally looked back to her. "If that's what you want, then yes we can." He forced out a loving smile and leant down to gently kiss her forehead as his mum ushered him into the kitchen. As soon as he sat down where she indicated the pain hit him, and it was pretty much like being hit with a tonne of bricks.

[Cham]

Gia signed softly. Isaac was struggling... Trying to be something he felt he wasnt, or could never be again. She didnt want him to feel that way. But she also didnt want him to hurt her. she didnt want to have to hurt him. Because if she left, there would be no coming back. And there would also be no life. The world she lived in would be dark and cold.

Mrs. Waterman shuffled them into the kitchen. Gia was only tired, and grabbed a glass of water for herself and Isaac. Setting it on his good side as Mrs. Waterman moved his wrist as carefully as she could. Watching Isaac in pain tore at Gia. But what could she do for him? Moving behind him where he sat on the stool, she wrapped her arms around his chest. Laying her cheek on his back and simply holding onto him. Trying to give him any courage and support he needed.

[Lotus]

Isaac felt Gia behind him and she took away some of his pain, just from wrapping her arms around him. His shoulders relaxed a little and he tried to keep in the groans of pain. He didn't want them knowing of much it truly hurt. His mum moved his wrist in directions that felt his wrist shouldn't move and he whimpered every time; his resolve breaking. Finally the moving stopped and he felt a kiss on his cheek as his mum moved away. "All done. You need to rest it and no more jumping out of windows young man." He nodded his head stiffly and his head moved forward and hit the counter-top with a dull thud.

He shifted his head back to see Gia and felt himself smiling softly. "Did you want to go to sleep now?" He didn't dare say 'go to bed now', because to him, that only reminded him of the times where they wouldn't just sleep in it. They would be together and show each other how much the loved one another. He didn't believe he could ever allow that to happen again. He'd ruined too many things; his father was right after all.

His energy was draining quickly and he took the glass of water Gia had poured him in his good hand. "Come on then." He stood up slowly and wrapped his bad arm around her waist, barely touching her but still being enough to let her know he was always going to be there for her.

[Cham]

Gia pulled her hands away as Isaac moved forward. Whincing in sympathy at the thud on the counter top. "Not your best move darling" She chuckled along with Mrs. Waterman. But Isaac was up and moving again. She watched the energy draining from his eyes, and empathetically wrapped her arm around his. They helped each other move up the stairs and into their bedroom.

Once the door was shut and locked. Double checked by Gia, she moved to the closet. Rummaging through and stripping down to her underwear. The slashes were visable around the bandages, and she whinced every once in a while as she attempted to slip the tanktop over her head. Finally managing on her own and Moving to the bed where she waited and watched Isaac. Playing softly with the sheets. Would he hold her again? Like he really loved her? Or could he not bear to really touch her again...

[Lotus]

In the bedroom Isaac watched her with wary eyes as she got changed. He wanted to walk over to her and help her, but he knew he'd only make her feel worse about their situation. Instead, he stood still and waited for her to go to bed. He walked over to the closet and slipped off his jeans and t-shirt, before slipping on a clean t-shirt for bed. He stayed in his boxers, knowing he'd get too hot if he put tracksuit bottoms on. He sighed and turned around slowly to look at where Gia sat. "You can lie down Gia..." He whispered softly as he moved towards her.

He walked around the other side of bed and clambered in. He sat up; she still hadn't moved. "What do you want me to do Gia? I'll do anything to help. I'll do anything to make you happy again." He moved closer, she still hadn't moved an inch and he was worried. Despite himself he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and she flinched slightly. He quickly withdrew it. "Tell me..." He whispered.

[Cham]

She hadnt meant to flinch, he hadnt known on the other side of that shoulder was a wound. If he had, then he wouldnt have touched her at all.

"Isaac... I cant ask of you what i need. Hell, I had to fight with you for days over it the first time... And now... Now you will never touch me the same again... And i crave it darling. I love it. Every moment we spend together..." Gia scooted closer to him, and took his hands in hers, then set them in her lap "You know what I want. But there is no way in heaven or hell I will make you do that."

Leaning forward, she touched her forehead to his "I want you to know how much I love you" Closing her eyes, she tried to find the right words. But felt she simply couldnt convey it correctly, no matter how hard she tried "Your my sun, my moon, my stars. Isaac, your my whole world."

When Gia opened her eyes, they were wet with tears "Isaac..." Breathing deeply, she said the only thing she thought she could "If i had lost you... If you had not come back, I would have died. Quite literally I would have thrown myself off a building. Because this life is not worth living without you in it."

[Lotus]

Isaac took in her words, not being able to function properly at what she had actually said. How could she want that again? How could she stand to even think of being with him in that way again? After all he'd caused her and done to harm her, how could she still want that? In his mind she should be running for the hills to get as far away from him as possible, but to say her life wasn't worth living without him made absolutely no sense whatsoever. He sighed, and held her hands as tightly as he dared.

He dropped his head down and opened his mouth to speak, but little came out. He tried again after clearing his throat and looked up at her. "You're deluding yourself Gia if you think you want that from me again. Never will I be like that with you again, 'cause after what's happened there's no knowing what I'll do to you. You may think you crave it, but you're not listening to every part of your body. You're only going by how you feel, not what you think and know; and with me you can't do that anymore. I hate to say it, but I think that time in our lives has been and gone. All I can afford to do now is stay by your side and protect you from the world we live in; 'cause never am I going to let something bad happen to you again."

He took a deep breath and leant forward slowly to rest his forehead against hers. "You're my world too Gia, but after everything I've done to ruin our lives I know you'll be able to live without me so don't you dare go putting those thoughts into your head okay?" He tried to calm himself down, but he felt his hands shaking in Gia's hold. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to force his anger away. "All of this is my fault. I'm the screw up and I always will be. Losing you in the first place, meeting you again, having you sent off to the Capitol thinking I'd moved on, losing...losing our baby girl, you being taken from me and being tortured, every single one of those moments is my fault in one way or another. You should be running from me Gia, you shouldn't stay... But yet you do and I don't understand..."

[Cham]

The tears began to flow down her cheeks. Pulling her hands from his. "Now I understand. You didnt love her enough. You never have. You dont want her that way. You never did want to have a family, a home with Me. Did you? You dont want a future with me. You only feel indebted because I make stupid pathetic choices that hurt you and push you further away."

Gia wiped the tears from her cheeks, but couldnt stop them from falling. "Im sorry, and i wont push you anymore. I dont want you to be uncomfortable" Her voice was a hoarse whisper now as she curled up around her pillow. For some reason it smelled of him. Burying her head in it the way she wish she could into his chest. Mentally pleading with herself for this all to just be a bad dream...

[Lotus]

Isaac sat there shell shock, his eyes wide as he realised what had just happened. He'd done it again, he hurt her; could he ever stop? He placed his hands by his side as he gripped the sheets, groaning a little from the pain that shot through his broken wrist. He shook his head back and forth, trying to understand how Gia turned his words around and made this happen. He hadn't meant for this to happen, yet it just did.

He wanted to run away, but he couldn't leave her again. He couldn't make her hurt more. He reached out to her, but quickly drew his hand away as he had an internal battle with himself, but his heart won over his mind and he reached out to touch her arm gently. He scooted closer to her, rolling her over in the process. He reached out his other hand and pulled her face round so he could see her and he hated the fact that he'd made her cry; it just showed him how much he had hurt her.

"You listen to me Gia and you listen hard. How can you accuse me of never loving you enough and never wanting you in that way? Do you not remember the reason why you had to fight with me for two days at the start of our relationship? I never wanted to hurt you, it was never because I didn't have feelings for you. My feelings are far deeper for you than you give me credit for; I just can't show it." He took a deep breath and his hold on her loosened. "How can you accuse me of never wanting a family with you...?" Finally tears sprung to his eyes again, but he tried to blink them back as best he could. "I hurt so much after losing our baby, but I can't show it 'cause I know it hurt you more. It was my fault we lost her though and you know that. I want my future to have you in it, god-dammit that's all I've ever wanted!"

He released his hold on her completely and moved backwards, "I just don't want to hurt you. That's all I ever do. We think we're okay and then something else springs up and I hurt you, I make things worse." He took a deep breath. "If I had the ability to, I'd reverse time and alter everything that hurt you. I would take away every little thing that made you suffer. I would make sure our baby girl lived and I would've found you sooner. But I can't and it rips me apart to know how useless I am..." He wiped vigorously at his eyes with the back of his hand as he saw movement; his mum walking into the room. Like usual she went and crouched by Gia, whispering things to her softly.

"Isaac I think you've said enough for the moment. Why don't you go take a breather?" He was shocked. His mum was making him leave. Was he really that bad? He nodded his head stiffly and got up off the bed. Just as he was about to leave he cast a glance back to Gia and took a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry baby..."

[Cham]

"No" Was the first whisper of a word out of her mouth. Pushing away Isaacs mother and scrambling out of the bed. Wincing as she clawed her way out of the sheets. "No. Isaac stay here. We have to talk this out now. No more fucking breathers. No more of this shit!" Gia realized she was shouting, but couldnt help it. Standing in the middle of the room. Both sets of eyes on her. "No more of this" Now she sounded desperate and whiny.

"Isaac." She stepped forward until she was only an inch from him. Just being this close to him was intoxicating. "You love me." It was less of a question, more of a statement. They stood in silent for a moment before she took his hand "Im sorry... I over reacted. Way over reacted. Come back to bed... Please... Just hold me? Nothing more. Not now. We can figure that out later..." She looked into his eyes, begging him, pleading with him to come and love her. But not the same way as before.

[Lotus]

Isaac's eyes grew wide as Gia shouted at him from across the room, but when she came closer he realised how much this was hurting her. He couldn't deny her anything, unless it was to properly be with her. No way would he ever give her that, no matter what he wanted. All he wanted to do was make love to her over and over again to try and start making amends for all his wrong-doings, but he knew if he gave in to that, it wouldn't be helping; he'd only be hurting her more.

He stiffly nodded his head and gripped hold of Gia's hand again. His mum looked angry and he hardly ever saw her with that look on her face anymore. It scared him that he'd finally disappointed his mum, but Gia was his main priority right at that moment. He climbed in to bed after her and lay down next to her, but leaving a gap between their bodies so they wouldn't be touching. He reached out for her hand again and entwined his fingers with hers. "I'm sorry..."

[Cham]

Gir tenderly reached for Isaac's hand "Dont apologize to me baby. Your done nothing wrong, even though you think the world is on your shoulders." She leaned toward him and kissed his lips so softly. Chastly. The only thing she wanted in this world was to curl up against him. Feel his arms wrapped around her. His kiss on her neck. Hot breath of sleep...

To hell with it. Why shouldnt she? But she had to narrate it all. The lights switched off, and Gia looked up to see Mrs. Waterman shutting the bedroom door. "Isaac..." She whispered after several seconds of silence. "Im going to touch you. Not like... That. But..." She sighed softly, scooting her body closer to his. She turned so her back was to his front. Took his arm and wrapped it around her waist. Let her hand fall against his, a little awkwardly intertwining her fingers with his.

[Lotus]

Isaac was stunned if he was truly honest, so he just laid limp while Gia moved closer to him and positioned herself like they used to lay. His arm automatically tightened around her frail body and he nuzzled his nose in her hair, taking a deep breath. Being close to her again shot electricity through his whole being, but the reason as to why he hadn't been able to feel this in such a long time had him chocking up all over again. He squeezed his eyes shut and smoothed his thumb over the back of Gia's hand.

"I have everything to apologise for and one day you'll forgive me. You may think you have already, but I know you haven't." He sighed before taking another deep breath in. "I... I lo-ove you..." Once again he was back to the stuttering when he said those three words and he couldn't help but think that their relationship had gone backwards rather than forwards.

[Cham]

Gia sighed softly "Darling, dont say it if you dont mean it. I can wait hearing it until you mean it..." How could she be so cold to him? How could she be such a monster when he gave up everything for her? He changed his entire lifestyle to fir her into it. Of course he fucking loved her...

"Im sorry" She whispered, silent tears running down her face once more as she held his hand tightly. Relaxing it every so often as she fell into a fitful sleep. Fearing what the coming day would bring.

[Lotus]

Isaac laid there with wide eyes. He did meant it and she didn't believe him, now he knew how much he'd messed their lives up. He felt her breathing steady and he knew she'd fallen asleep before he could make her believe what he said was true. "I do lo-ve you Gia... More than you realise." He whispered softly into her hair. He placed a soft kiss on the back of her head before squeezing her hand one last time. He knew he wouldn't be sleeping, but it didn't mean he couldn't try and relax himself a little.

He was exhausted though, every inch of his body told him to fall asleep but he was against it all. He laid there for hours fighting himself to stay awake and as he kept checking the clock he realise it was starting to near sunrise. He let out a sigh of relief; he could make it to sunrise and then he could relax a little more knowing that Gia had been safe for the whole night. She hadn't been harmed any more than she already was. He could tell her sleep wasn't peaceful, but he had a feeling that if he hadn't been there beside her it would have been an awful lot worse. He placed another soft kiss on her head before nuzzling his nose back into her hair and taking a deep breath. He looked back up and watched the sunrise out of the window from where he lay.

[Cham]

Somewhere in the early hours of morning, a dream came to her. She had finally really settled into sleep. First it was wonderful, Isaac cuddling her, snuggling her close. They sat on a couch surrounded by those they loved. Even her own parents had been there. Kind and accepting for once. But pressing need for the bathroom came, and she went on her own. Once again to be stolen out a window...

The face of her attacker didnt come to her until the very end when she writhed and screamed out. Hitting at anything and everything she could. When she woke, she was on the ground, sobs wracking her body. Pain ripping up her back as trickles of blood began to flow from the decimated scabs along her back. When she finally had the strength and courage to pull herself up and look on the bed she saw Isaac looking broken and hurt. Several red marks on his body. What had she done...

"Baby..." she whispered, climbing back onto the bed "Oh my god... Im so sorry..." she whispered, trying to move forward and hold him, console him and seek comfort herself. But the pain she had inflicted on him radiated from his eyes. And self loathing was the only emotion as she felt. Curling up into a ball and finally letting the cries wrack her body.

[Lotus]

They were so close to having a full nights rest, well Gia was, but then something happened. She started stirring in her sleep, but wasn't waking up. She knew she was having nightmares. He entangled himself from her and tried his best to console her by running his fingers across her cheek and up and down her arms, but then she got worse. She hit out and caught him a few times in the face and arms, but he barely registered it as she fell to the floor. He sat on the bed in shock at to what had just happened; how could he have thought she would have a peaceful nights sleep after everything that had happened. He hadn't even been able to help her.

She came back onto the bed but wouldn't go near him as she curled up, crying her eyes out. He noticed the blood coming through her shirt and he reached out gently to rub her arm. The hits he'd taken were little to the pain she was feeling. He couldn't take it and his will power dissolved as he curled his body around hers, nuzzling his nose into her hair once more as he ran his fingertips up and down one arm. "Gia? Gia, shh. It's all okay. It was only a dream, a bad one, but only a dream. Nothing is going to hurt you, not now and not ever again. You're safe. Hey baby it's okay." She kept sobbing and he took in a deep breath.

He lifted his head up from the crook of her neck and reached out to tilt her face round to him. "Gia? Stop crying baby. It's all okay." He tried to lighten the mood and he hoped it wasn't strained. He knew she'd hit him in the jaw, but he didn't care. She was all that mattered. "At least I know never to get on your bad side. You're got one heck of a punch." He chuckled and he saw her face relaxing a little.

[Cham]

Gia thought there was no way in Panem that Isaac would touch her. Let alone hold her. Coddle her. Whisper to her. When he pulled her face to his she flexed her jaw, tucking her head back into her little circle. He made a joke, and she couldnt help but begin to laugh. Her shoulders shaking.

After a moment of trembling in his arms, she brought her head up, huge smile and rolling laughs. Wrapping her arm around his neck. "Isaac... I love you" She murmured. Burying her head in his chest. Arms still trembling. "Thank you darling"

Hearing a sharp rap on the door, Gia looked up wincing when she streched her back. Mrs. Waterman walked in saying softly "I just got a phone call. The decision for Zachary and Issabelle Waterman's punishment has been moved up. Its happening in just over two hours."

Gia shivered, thinking that in a small amount of time, she would be seeing the man who tortured her, tried to kill her. Hurt her beloved.

[Lotus]

Isaac shook his head, "You don't need to thank me for anything." He softly leant forward and placed a kiss on her forehead as his arms wrapped around her body. Just then his mum walked into the room and the news she brought had his whole body becoming rigid and filled with anger. He looked down to Gia and she looked terrified. "Please don't come with me Gia. It'll only hurt you more." He pleaded, forcing the anger out of his voice, but he knew it was futile before he even tried.

He looked up to his mum and nodded his head. "I'll be ready for then, but mum, don't make yourself go. I don't want this hurting you too." He saw her shake her head softly and he sighed, they'd both be coming along. He shook his head and unwrapped his stiff arms from around Gia. "Is there a reason why it's been brought forward?"

[Cham]

"I have everything to thank you for darling" She cuddled up to him, and held him tightly to her. Not wishing to ever release him. When she saw the fear in his eyes, she herself became worried and concerned. "Isaac. I need this. I need to know we are going to be safe from them. And stand up if we wont." He sighed and shook his head. Gia knew he wouldnt listen, but then again. Neither would she.

Mrs. Waterman shook her head "Theres no chance in the world im going to that darling. I cant face that..." Her eyes welled up with tears, and she sighed softly "They moved it up because of the decision they made. They wouldnt tell me, but im assuming its bad..."

[Lotus]

Isaac shook his head and looked away from Gia to his mum. His jaw felt like it was set in stone and his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had started to turn white. He nodded his head stiffly. "I understand Mum and I don't want you hurting. But they've already made a decision? That was quick... And if that's quick it definitely isn't going to be good..." His voice sounded distant and without emotion.

Finally he turned his attention back to Gia and his eyes softened a little from the look on her face. "I don't want you coming Gia, it'll hurt you... But I'm not going to win this am I?" He shook his head softly with the faintest traces of a sad smile forming on his lips. He knew what was going to go down with the decision was going to be bad. He wanted the punishment to be severe even when there was a slight twinge in his heart at the thought. This decision could potentially cause him to lose a family member for the rest of this life, if not two of them. But his mind told him that it was for the best; after everything they'd put the two of them through, it was the least they deserved.

[Cham]

Gia tenderly stroked his chest "Calm down Isaac. Its all going to be ok" But he ignored her. Concerned more about her than himself. She held to him though. "Darling. Im going. Your not winning this battle unless you lock me in a room." Her eyes flashed in good humour. But he didnt seem to have any humour in him at all.

Slipping out of his arms, she moved slowly to the closet. Mrs. Waterman took her cue and left the room. Rummaging through and grabbing what she was going to need. "Will you help me? I have to wash out the wounds... But i cant reach them?" Gia couldnt look into his eyes. "Please... I need your help..."

Whimpering softly, she moved slowly across the hall, into the bathroom. Setting up her things and looking through the doorway at him. A pitiful, begging look in her eyes.

[Lotus]

Isaac closed his eyes and took deep breaths to try and calm the rage within him, but it was all in a futile attempt. Until today was over he knew he wouldn't be calm, but there was still the doubt that he still wouldn't be calm after today; that this new twist on his personality would stick around. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw his room empty; his mum had left and Gia had gone to the bathroom. He turned to see the pleading look in her eyes and he knew he couldn't not go to her.

Stiffly he nodded his head and stood up off the bed. He walked into the bathroom and wrapped his arms gently around her waist. "I'll always be here for you baby." He whispered softly in her ear before slowly reaching round and kissing her softly on the cheek. He pulled back just as quickly and took a step away, "So lets get you cleaned up." He forced a soft smile to his lips and as she stripped down he walked over to turn the tap on in the bath after putting the plug in. He turned back to see the confused look on Gia's face and he dropped his head a little, "Thought it'd be more comfortable if you could relax."

[Cham]

Gia watched as he turned to look at her. All sorts of emotions flitted across his face until he finally moved towards her. His touch was like a drug and she only wanted more of it. But she knew she would get enough along with pain once he helped her wash. His whisper was a balm, spreading through her. She knew immediatly she would trust his judgement, and when he plugged up the tub, she merely looked at him and he explained.

Stripping down was a little more complicated though. Pulling the tanktop over her head streched the already oozing breaks of skin, and she bit her lower lip in pain. But managed on her own. Taking his hand to step into the tub and pull her knees up to her chest and rest her head on them. The water was warm and inviting. Splashing around and on her as it rose higher.

"The last time I was in this tub I was drunk..." She whispered with a soft smile of humour on her face. "Thatll never happen again though. I felt horrid the next morning..."

[Lotus]

Isaac helped lower her into the water and just from looking at her face he could tell just how much pain she was in. He sighed as he felt his self loathing coming back and it came back with full force when he finally took in the state of her back. His breath caught slightly in his throat before he shook his head to clear his thoughts. Noah forced out a chuckle and reached for her hand in the bathwater, "I'm glad to hear it, although drunk Gia is quite entertaining; if she doesn't go too far." He leant forward and placed a kiss on her cheek before pulling back.

"I'm going to start cleaning your back okay? You yell if it hurts too much and you can hold my hand the whole time. Just try and relax." He shuffled on his knees slightly till he had a proper view of her back and he had to close his eyes to calm himself down. The anger he felt towards his father and sister was enough to last him a life time and all he hoped was that at some point soon it fades; just like her scars will.

He reached beside him for the cloth and gently started with the top of her back.