Author's Note and Timeline: Yes this is another one of Darkchilde's fluff that wouldn't leave her alone until it got put down on paper. Very very short. This is what *I* think was going through Sam's mind when the rest of X-Force went to save Boomer, Syrin and Warpath in X-Force 23. (Oh and, BJ? I don't think you'll need tissue for this!)
The wind swept the loose sand up, blowing it across the barren land. The sun was a giant red ball in the sky, slowly dropping down behind the horizon. The air was hot and dry, with a hint of the coming coolness of night.
Standing at the top of one of the hills was a young man. His blonde hair was blown about the playful wind, and his eyes ran with tears. The wind blowing the sand into his face was why he was crying. At least, that was what he was telling himself. He could not let himself believe that he loved her, that she was as important to him as she was.
Because if he did, he was surely lost.
If he let himself love her, then he would only lose her in the end. If he lost her, it would be the death of him.
Not in the physical sense. No, he would never die in the physical sense. His blessing. His curse.
Somehow, they had known, known to go after her. He could tell himself that she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, that they had grabbed her because she was there.
But he would be lying to himself. And he could not lie to anyone. Not even to himself.
They had stolen her because she was…No! He couldn't even think it, could never consider the possibility.
How had she managed to do it? How had she managed to wrap herself around his heart, so that he could never get free? She had bound his heart to her, and it was the sweetest agony he had ever known.
If she was hurt…he didn't know what he would do. He could not stand to lose her.
They knew that. That's why they had taken her. She was the only thing that they could get a hold of that he would give up his freedom for. His…friend.
All she could be was his friend. He would hold her at a distance, he would keep her safe. It was the only way. He could never let her know…never.
"Ah love you girl." Sam whispered to the air. He slowly walked to the landing field. The PACRAT would be landing soon. She was on it. God let her be okay.
Hide it, he had to hide it. He could never let her see. If she saw…they would both be lost.
He loved her. But he would never tell her. Never ever.