Ghost of the Past-Ranger's Apprentice Fanfic *Working Progress*

Chapter 11

Ayla glanced at the small window as she heard Abelard nickering, knowing that Will had arrived. Part of her couldn't wait to see him but the other was ashamed that he'd see her like this, unable to move or talk for long. But seeing him meant more to her than the condition that he'd see her in, so she was glad that he was back and that she was able to say at least a few sentences before becoming out of breath.

"Glad to see you're awake" he smiled as he walked into the small room.

"Thank you" she returned with the same friendly smile he'd greeted her with. From the frown spreading on his face she knew that an explanation would be required. "For looking after me when you didn't have to."

"Halt's the one who wouldn't leave your side." He replied honestly glancing to him as he stood leaning in the doorway. She smiled at the grim faced ranger as he blushed slightly. Knowing how much he did for her she could never make fun of him and simply gave him that small sign of gratitude knowing that's all he needed.

After Halt had retreated into the main part of the Cabin allowing the two to have some time alone, Ayla turned to Will.

"what happens now?" She asked causing him to frown not entirely sure of what to say. In all honesty he hadn't thought about what they were going to do with her as they hadn't expected her to wake up but rather to pass away peacefully one night. Even when they, as a group, had thought about her waking up and the thought that she wouldn't be able to move hadn't even been considered.

"I don't know" he answered finally. "Honestly we weren't sure that you'd wake up." She couldn't help but smile at him,

"and even if I did you knew you'd be away on missions." He nodded knowing that there was no point in lying to her, she was smarter than him and would see straight through him.

"You know I'm off on one again in about an hour" he remarked.

"You're coming back with Alyss aren't you?" He nodded with a small smile, "I guess I'll finally get to meet the love of your life." Will couldn't stop the smile that spread on his face as he thought about her, her tall elegance and flowing blonde hair which always seemed to glow in the sunlight. Ayla could tell how much she meant to him just by looking at the goofy smile on his face, she'd never seen someone so devoted to another person in her life and she couldn't help but smile, it seemed contagious.

As Will left Halt entered the small room again.

"By the time he returns you'll be able to shake his hand" he announced confidently.

"How are you thinking of achieving that?" She asked with an amused smile.

"Like this." He gently placed her delicate hand in his and wrapped his fingers around it, slowly tightening and loosening his grip, his eyes locking onto hers, monitoring her face for any sings of pain or discomfort.

"Are you going to do this until I can feel it?" He nodded pulling the chair up behind him with his foot and sitting down. He kept slowly releasing and tightening his grip on her hand hoping that she'd start to feel it, he had no idea if it would work but he had to try.

He let go of her hand and sighed,

"Halt I'm sorry" he'd been sat beside her holding her hand for the last two hours and she still couldn't feel anything.

"It's not your fault. We'll take a break so I can make some coffee, then I'll carry on."

"Are you sure?" She asked conscious of the amount of his energy she was draining. Without skipping a beat he nodded with a smile and left the room. She hated this. Not being able to feel anything, or do anything, all she could do was talk and smile and it was killing her. She just wanted to go outside, feel the grass between her toes, the wind brushing against her cheeks with the sun beaming down on her, but all that seemed like an impossible dream. Closing her eyes she focused all her strength and energy on trying to mover hand but it was a futile attempt. All she wanted was to be able to do something, to show Halt that all his work hadn't been for nothing, that he was helping her and not just wasting his time.

Halt sat squeezing her hand for hours before finally falling asleep, drained and exhausted, his hand still clutching hers.

"Goodnight Halt" she whispered stroking the back of his hand with her thumb, before closing her eyes with a smile. Her eyes shot open as she realised what she had just done. "Halt" she called with a tone of alarm in her voice causing him to sit bolt upright as soon as the word had left her mouth.

"What's wrong?" He asked hastily fearing something terrible had happened.

"Nothing" she answered brushing her thumb against the back of his hand before giving it a light squeeze. He stared at her hand in shock and disbelief before looking at her with a smile nearly matching the large one on her own face. Without hesitating he wrapped his arms around her tightly and held her close, with no words to describe how happy he was he hoped his actions would convey that feeling to her. She couldn't stop a smile from spreading on her face as she was embraced by the only man she could call her father.