She felt herself falling and heard her scream as she shot up in bed. Her eyes scanned the room and she ran her unsteady hands through her hair as she tried to breathe. The room seemed off-centered and she glanced into the corners. Just shadows met her gaze and she let out a soft sigh. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and threw the covers off her legs.

Quietly she walked over to her window and looked down at the street below her. She saw the darkened street with the small light coming from the street lamps. A couple was walking on the opposite side of the street and she watched as they were wrapped up in their own world. Seeing nothing else out in the night, she left her window and quietly left her room. Stepping into the hall, she quietly shut her door and followed a light at the end of the hall.

When she looked into the tiny office, she found Jess rubbing his eyes while he stared at a yellow folder containing information on her most likely. Silently she approached him and when she stood next to him, he glanced to her and jumped out of his seat. His eyes were wide from shock and she fought back her laughter as he recovered. A small laugh escaped her and his eyes narrowed for a split second before he smiled. His famous smile that always left her breathless and she watched as he sat back down in the chair.

His hand wrapped around her wrist and he pulled her into his lap with extreme gentliness. Sitting in his warm embrace, she rested her head on his shoulder and he kissed her softly.

"What are you looking?"

"Something my lawyer found on your father."

"How is that going to help? He's been dead for fifteen years."

"Your father left you an enormous amount of money, Faith. It's in a bond that is secured from even your mother. You will have access to it when you turn twenty-one."

She picked the document up and as she read it, she felt his hand sofly massaging her neck. The tension disappeared instantly with his soft touch and she felt some of her fright slipping away. Her eyes settled on her father's signature and she smirked.

Placing the document back on the desk, she said, "This isn't a shocker. He was always doing something to keep me safe from my mother. I just never knew he would go this far."

Jess looked down at her and asked, "What do you mean?"

Faith met his gaze and said, "He gave me everything. His inheritence that he would be receiving from my grandfather when the old man passes away, all his stock and bonds, and all of his money he has in banks. I also get all the parcels of lands that he owns throughout the state."

"What will you do with it?"

Closing her eyes, she let out a moan and said, "I don't know. It is still out of my reach until I'm twenty-one."

Jess kissed her and said, "It's only two years away, Faith."

"I know. I know. I just don't want to think about it right now."

He smirked and closed the folder on the desk. Faith met his gaze and he picked her up as he rose from the chair. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he turned off the desk lamp before leaving the room. Quietly he carried her down the hall to their room and placed her on their bed. As she watched him close the door, she studied the growing lines on his face along his jawline and knew it was from her.

As if he was reading her thoughts, Jess sat next to her and kissed her gently. The kiss calmed her thoughts and she held his gaze as he check her healing hand.

"Almost as if you never hurt yourself. Impressive."

"You forgot that I heal rather quickly."

"I'm glad you do."

"Jess, I'm sorry you feel you must do this, but I can go somewhere else and you don't have to be a part of this."

Pulling her into him, he rested her on her back and kissed her gently. Looking into her eyes, she could see his resolve in the situation and she rolled her eyes.

"Faith, I promised you I would see to the end of this and I will. Now, get some sleep. You are exhausted."

Her eyes narrowed and she growled, "I don't take orders. Besides, I'm not exhausted."

He rolled his eyes and kissed her with fire. When he looked back into her eyes, he saw the exhaustion too clearly that he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. Faith shoved him slightly and he pulled her back into him as he stretched out next to her. His body held hers protectively and she let out a quiet sigh.

"Thank you."

"For?

"For showing me that there are good things, good people in this world."

"Anytime, Faith. Anytime."

He watched her drift to sleep in his arms and kissed her gently. He took one last glance outside and rested his head on the pillow above hers.

PGS