\\You kidnapped me to protect me?// - Private

Craig came into the hallway of their home, looking at Charisma. She looked even more like her mother and found himself nostalgic. "You know who you remind me of?" he asked, smiling warmly.

She looked at him and smiled. It was Liberty's smile. "Please don't say Uncle Howard." she said, teasing.

"Oh no, you so look like my brother." Craig joked, rolling his eyes. He shook his head, chuckling. "No, you look like your mother. Exact replica but I think with a little bit more feisty in you. God, I just hope you don't find a guy like me." he sighed, looking down. He always did think that he had some part in her death, no matter how small.

"But Daddy, you're a great guy... Why wouldn't I want someone like you?" She asked.

((I was thinking that she could pass out while she's at dinner with Dustin. It would freak him out and then maybe cause more drama for Craig))

"Well if I was so great, why isn't your mom here?" Craig muttered, his eyes hollow looking. Soon the doorbell rang, meaning Dustin had arrived. "Ah, well, go on. I'll see ya later, hopefully before eleven." he said, smiling weakly and going back upstairs.

Risma opened the door and told Dustin she'd be right back. She ran back to her dad and hugged. "Mommy loved you." she said softly. "That was the last thing she said. I love you too Daddy." she said then kissed his cheek, going back to Dustin.

Craig smiled, chuckling. Dustin then smiled also once Charisma came out. "You look great." he said as he went to his car and opened the door for her.

She smiled, getting into his car, sighing. She really was feeling a little weird, but, it was their anniversary. She wasn't going to miss it for anything.

"You ok?" Dustin asked as he got into the car. He noticed that Charisma had looked pale as he started the car.

She looked at him and smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe a bit nervous for tomorrow." she said. Tomorrow was her addition to get into Julliard, She'd been practicing her dance for months.

"Gonna practice that dance for me later?" Dustin winked, holding her hand as he drove to the restaurant. He couldn't believe they went through a year, which was pretty good. He felt as if he fell harder each day, but..eh, he hoped it would go on much longer.

She smiled, nodding, running her thumb over his knuckles. "Of course. Maybe I'll even do it wearing sexy lingerie I bought."

Dustin blushed and drove faster, just to get through dinner. Parking and going inside, he sat with her at their reserved table. The menus were set down and soon they could order. "Having a good time so far, Charisma?" he asked, smiling.

She nodded but then took a shakey breath. "Dustin... call my dad..." she said before she passed out, falling out of her chair and onto the floor.

Dustin panicked, shaking. "Charisma?!" he called out, then grabbed her cell, dialing the home number. Telling Craig that she passed out, he had become stiff, terrified of what it could be. Is it possible for Charisma to have the same disease? The ambulance came afterwards, taking her to the hospital for examination, and obviously she wasn't pregnant nor sick really, just with that same mysterious disease that was still being looked into, but they did have a cure.

Late that night, Charisma woke up. She looked around the hospital room, seeing Dustin, her uncle and then her dad, sitting by her bed, holding her hand. "Daddy?" She said softly, squeezing his hand.

"Hey sweetie....How you feeling?" Craig asked, smiling weakly and sniffing back more tears. He had cried the whole way to the hospital, begging God to not take his daughter away too. Dustin was pale as a ghost, terrified for his girlfriend, but he didn't know whether he could take so much pressure. Howard was as calm as can be. "You passed out at the restaurant, Risma."

She sighed, looking at them. "Dustin... I'm sorry. I ruined our date." she sighed, but, it was more than that. She looked at her dad. "Do I have the same thing mommy did?"

Dustin shook his head, smiling weakly. "No, don't worry." he said, looking away. Craig stared at Charisma and nodded. "Yeah, but...there's a cure this time." he said, smiling a bit. Howard chuckled. "Yeah, so, don't worry."

She sighed, nodding. "Good... I'm not ready to die."she said softly.

"Though, it'll mess with your hormones like crazy. But, I know it's worth it." Craig said, nodding.

"Mess them up.... mess the up how?" she asked. "For how long?"

"Eh, probably a few months. But it'll help you." Craig said, sighing. "Just like messing with your emotions..." he added, nodding. Howard only looked at Charisma. "You should do it either way." he said, sighing. "Yeah, I'll be with you every step of the way." Dustin said, though it would be hard to believe with the look in his eyes.

Charisma looked over at Dustin, scared about that look in his eyes. "You promise?" She asked.

Dustin nodded, smiling. "Promise.." he said, holding her hand once up and close to Charisma. He really was just humoring her, he didn't know if he could even watch how much pain she would go through.