The Inbetween.

I heard a muffled voice call my name, then a light pressure as Stefan lifted me off the ground. I struggled to breath...I felt as if I was dying...

Again...

Stefan laid me down on something soft, calling my name again. I wanted to respond, to tell him I was okay...but I was loosing the battle to stay conscious.

I felt a mouth on mine, then air entered my lungs. I breathed it in gratefully before opening my eyes to see Stef giving me air. His mouth felt so...right against mine, yet too soon he backed away, hand gripping the back of my head as he looked into my eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern written on his face.

"Yeah..." I whispered, nodding. My lungs were still recovering, but I could breath. I felt horrible for worrying him, but a look of relief crossed his face when I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the couch. I attempted to stand, but I started falling sideways...

Stefan caught me before I hit the ground, but he staggered back a few steps to keep himself from falling. He looked down at me, sitting back down on the couch with me and muttering something about taking it easy.

"Sorry," I said quietly, catching his gaze. He looked away, but I could see a...a tortured expression on his face. He made a move to get up, but I held his arm. He looked back at me, confused. I bit my lip, hesitant...

GOD, I can't take it anymore.

I crashed my mouth onto his.