Ranger's Apprentice - The Afterwards

Ch. 6

   "You said you'd ridden before!" Maddie said, laughing so hard her sides began to hurt.
   "Not on a battle horse!" Jason replied, laughing just as hard.
   They were going slowly up the stairs, back to Maddie's compartment. If she weren't having so much fun with Jason, she'd be upset about how slow her crutches forced her to walk. But, they gave her an excuse to spend more time with Jason.
   And she liked that.
   "You could've asked for a different mount." She replied. Jason laughed again.
   "You seemed so anxious to go!" He said.
   "You know," she said slowly. She wasn't sure she wanted to go this far yet, but her mind urged her on.
   "Yeah?" Jason prompted. Maddie took a breath.
   "I've never had a friend my age. But.." She stumbled to find the right words, but couldn't. She looked at Jason helplessly and saw that he was grinning.
   "Yeah," he said. "I feel the same way."
   "I didn't say anything!" Maddie laughed. Jason chuckled.
   "Didn't have to! I know what you were thinking." They paused as the reached the top of the staircase.
   "At least I got you home on time," Jason commented before opening the door for Maddie. She hobbled inside.
   Horace and Cassandra sat on the couch. Will was in the chair. They stopped talking as they saw her enter.
   "Maddie!" Horace said, standing. "You're early."
   Will turned in the chair to look at her.
   "Did you have fun?" He asked. Maddie knew instantly that she was blushing.
   "Yes sir," Jason replied.
   "Good," Cassandra said, standing behind Horace. "Come in, we'll treat you to a drink."
   "Oh, thank you, ma'am. But I really should be getting home. My parents still have a few chores they'd like me to get done." He said. Cassandra nodded.
   "Well, then at least take our pay." She handed him several coins. He tried to mask his surprise, but failed.
   "Thank you!" He exclaimed. She smiled.
   "Of course. We'll see you tomorrow?"
   "Bright and early!" Jason smiled. Then he turned to Maddie.
   "Goodnight, Maddie." She said, giving her an easy smile. She smiled back.
   "Goodnight, Jason." She replied.
   The door closed behind him. Maddie shuffled quietly to her room, hoping to escape any questions. In her room, she discarded her crutches by the bed and lay down. She propped her left leg up on a pillow and closed her eyes, letting her mind turn over the recent events.
   Should I really be getting so ose to Jason? She wondered. Maddie knew one thing for sure, she wanted to be his friend. Jason's entire demeanor was so comforting to her. Very few people could have ever broken Maddie's walls down in such a manor. Maddie felt happy when she was with him. I wonder if this is how my dad makes my mother feel...
   Maddie let her mind float as she felt sleep tug at her consciousness.
   Her door creaked open and she snapped awake, though her outward appearance wouldn't show it.
   "Maddie?" A gentle voice whispered. She didn't stir. I really don't want to answer my dad's questions, she thought.
   "She's had a long day, Horace." Her mother said quietly.
   "Alright, I'll meet you in bed. I just want to say goodnight." Maddie heard her mother's footsteps receed down the corridor. Then Horace sat on her bed.
   "Maddie," Horace said amusingly. "I know you aren't asleep.
   Maddie groaned and sat up.
   "How did you know?" She asked. Horace laughed.
   "Because your nose twitches when you try to lay still to long." He replied. Maddie rolled her eyes.
   "I just didn't want to answer your questions about me and Jason..." She said. Horace smiled.
   "Actually, I was coming to check on your knee. Let's have a look." He rolled her breeches up and winced.
   The joint was still purple and swollen, but now there was a massive bruise as well. Maddie threw her hands up.
   "Can anything go right for me!" She exclaimed. Horace chuckled.
   "I think rest is the best thing for you right now, Maddie." He said. Maddie nodded and lay back down closing her eyes. When Horace didn't get up, Maddie sighed.
   "Dad?" She asked.
   "Yes Maddie?" He replied.
   "I...I'm sorry..." She said slowly.
   "For?"
   "For everything. I...I act like you don't know anything and I...I'm sorry." She kept her eyes closed so her tears wouldn't show. This was what she needed to say. She meant this. She meant it.
   "Madelyn, don't tell your mother I said this, ever." Horace warned. "But she was the same way with Duncan. Don't worry about it. You're learning. For now, just rest." His voice lulled Maddie. She let her head roll to the side.
   Faintly, she felt Horace stand and lean over her, kissing her forehead.
   "Goodnight, Maddie. I love you. So much." He said. Maddie tried to answer but she was too tired.
   I love you too, Dad. She thought. More than you'll ever know.

If some person were going to say, ship Maddie and Jason, (can authors ship their own characters?!?!) Would their ship name be Jaddie???