The Dark Hour

--------Layla--------

"Val!" I ran down the hall that I thought that she went down, but I couldn't find her. Where did she go? I groaned and started to walk around. I went into the training yard and found Riker. "Riker!" I yelled running over to him.

"Oh hey Layla, what's up?" He asked smiling a little.

"I can't find Valerie, she ran off after giving Ridge a piece of paper."

"I saw her run towards the garden I think. She could have gone to her room though." I sighed.

"I might give her some time. So what's going on here?"

"I was just practicing my air magic." I nodded.

"Sorry for bothering you."

"It's fine, I don't mind being bothered," He smiled.

"Okay," I sat down and caught my breath. "Do you think that Val is still mad at you?"

"I hope not, she has to be over it by now right?" He asked sitting by me. I puffed up my cheeks and just thought.

"Maybe, she might kill you too though."

"Right," He sighed. I sat there trying to think on why Valerie would run away like that. Then my mind went else where and I was thinking of the first time me, Valerie and Riker became friends. I was snapped out of my thoughts when someone said my name.

"Hey Layla!" Ridge called out. Skyla was pushing him in a wheelchair and she pushed him over to us.

"Ridge!" I quickly stood up. "Are you even suppose to leave the medical bay?" He shrugged.

"I don't know, but I did anyways. I need to talk to Valerie, and I'm guessing you haven't found her either." I shook my head.

"No, I was going to give her some time. I don't know where she would be. Riker said either the garden or in her room."

"Ok, we can go look. Where is her room?" Skyla asked quickly.

"Its past the garden and its room 221." Ridge nodded then Skyla rolled him out of the room. I sighed and popped my back and yawned. "You wanna spar with me?" I asked turning to Riker. He nodded.

"Yeah sure. Just tell me if you need me to slow down," He smirked playfully. I laughed some.

"Okay." I said with a smile. I hope we don't tear up the place like last time. "You ready?" He nodded.

"Ready."

~~~~

"You are like Valerie." I said out of breath, him and her are way to strong for me, I can't keep up, and I want to get stronger.

"I told you to tell me if I needed to slow down," He sighed. I shook my head.

"I'll be fine." I need this training. I tried to dodge his attack but got hit and fell on the ground, ouch. I went to stand back up but when I put my foot down there was a sharp pain. I whimpered and sat back down, taking off my shoe. I looked at it and it was swollen.

"Layla!" He shouted running over to me. He looked at my foot and winced. "We're going to Gabriel."

"I'm fine, it's not that bad."

"Well I'm not going to let it get worse, come on."

"I can't put pressure on it how do you expect me to walk on it to the medical bay." I mumbled. He sighed then quickly put an arm around my back and under my knees, then he picked me up. I yelped and clung on to his shirt. He started to walk off and I looked up at him, my face burned. Was I blushing? I shook my head and leaned my head on his shoulder.