"Put the gun down Irving."

Gun shots rang in his head and he was knocked onto the floor.

Shaking himself awake, he stared up at his dark ceiling and fought the scream back. Sitting up, he ran a hand through his damp brown hair and frowned. He caught his breath and pushed the bedding off. Walking over to his covered window, he pushed the curtain aside and found the sun beginning to rise. Taking a deep breath, he left the window and made his way into the bathroom.

He found the tub filled with warm water from the late crew and stripped out of his pants. Stepping into the tub, he lowered himself into the warm water and let out a sigh. His eyes closed and he pushed the nightmare away as the water relaxed his muscles. Slowly he cleaned his hair and scrubbed his body clean. He stood up and let the water drip off him as he wrapped a towel around his waist.

Stepping out of the tub, he walked back into his bedroom and headed to his wardrobe. Finding a suitable outfit, he removed his towel and ran it over his hair. Grabbing his clothes, he dressed himself in a white shirt and a pair of black pants. He returned the towel to the bathroom and sat down on his bed. Slipping his boots on, he shoved a hand through his hair and walked over to his door.

He pulled it open and found the East Wing silent, just as he preferred it. Pulling his door shut behind him, he walked down the hall and stopped at the stairwell. Glancing toward the West Wing he shook his head and found himself going to the occupied room. As he approached the room, he found the door wide open and stopped just out of sight. Leaning around the door frame, he found the place empty and the bed made up.

Silently he entered the room and studied the calm room. The window was wide open and the curtains were drawn back to allow the sun in. He found no sign of the woman that slept in the bed the previous night and left the room. Silently he walked back to the stairwell and descended the steps. He found Leon working in the parlor as he stepped into the hall and glanced down the hall.

A few young maids were cleaning the place and he made his way to the kitchen. No loud laughter welcomed him this morning and a scowl captured his face. At some point he had become use to the sound again and he didn't like it. Pushing the door open, he found Oric working on breakfast and stepped into the room. The cook didn't see him approach and he leaned against the counter.

"It's quiet."

The man nearly hit him with the butcher knife in his hand but caught himself at the last second. He watched the cook bite back a remark and a smirk passed briefly over his face.

"I swear lad you are going to get yourself killed if you keep sneaking up on me like this."

He looked down at the food and found the man whipping up some eggs. Glancing over the other contents of the meal, he figured the man was making a casserole and grabbed an apple from the corner basket.

"Hey! Put it down."

He took a bite and looked back the man. Oric shook his head and mumbled under his breath.

"Mind fetching my assistant?"

He felt his appetite disappear and looked back at the man.

"Yes."

Oric chuckled and said "Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed again I see."

His half eaten apple landed in the trash and Oric let out a deep laugh.

"That woman is getting to you, isn't she."

"Where is she?"

"I think she's out in the stable already."

He shook his head and growled "This is the last time old man."

"Watch it lad or I will box your ears right here."

He shot the cook a warning and left the kitchen through the back door. If he was going to be forced to retrieve a guest who insisted on working in the kitchen he was going to do it at his own pace. The sun welcomed him as he walked down the old beach and he made his way over to a few large boulders. He climbed up onto one and closed his eyes. The waves drifted gently over the sand and the music flowed in his ears.

He let his mind become quiet and at ease. Feeling relaxed was something he rarely got to experience these days and any chance he got kept him from going insane. A mist brushed against his face and he opened his brown eyes. The sea was glowing red as the sun rose higher into the sky and he took a deep breath. Slipping off the boulder, he walked down the beach and around the bend toward the front of the castle.

Silently he made his way down the old gravel path and into the stable. He heard William already working on feeding the horses and spotted Solomon eating his morning meal. He lingered out of sight to keep the stallion quiet and scanned the other stalls. Slowly he caught sight of the black mare and found her watching something in her stall. His scowl returned and he made his way down the aisle.

Solomon's ears perked as he approached and he stopped in front of the stallion. Silently rubbing his nose, he lured the horse back into eating and walked over to Carina's stall. The mare lifted her head and looked at him. She snorted once and he quietly stood in front of her door. He looked inside and found the woman feeding a much better looking puppy.

His scowl disappeared as he watched the puppy eat every bite handed to him. The little thing was wagging its tail and eager for the food being presented. Carina snorted again and finally the woman looked up from her task. A strand of her golden hair rested in her face and she met his gaze with her sea blue eyes. He felt the pull again and forced himself to look away.

Eve put the food down and picked up Tanner. She approached the stall door and the puppy looked up at him. He didn't move but watched the little thing study him with some fear but mostly curiosity. Whatever this woman had done had gotten the creature past the fear he was bound to have toward people. Silently he looked over at Carina and knew she had done the same thing with this mare.

"I was thinking about taking him out for a run later."

He looked back at the blonde woman and said "That'll have to wait until you come in and see Oric."

She shook her head with a smirk and asked "Is he working on breakfast already?"

He nodded once and she let out a sigh. The content look he had seen on her face slowly faded and he watched her put Tanner on the floor. He moved back to his corner where a fresh blanket waited and curled up on the soft material. Quietly she stroked the watching mare's nose and he opened the stall door. She left the stall and he shut it behind her.

She waited for him to lock the door and they walked down the aisle. Leaving the stable, he kept his eyes from glancing at her and walked in silence back to the castle. They entered through the courtyard and he closed the door behind them. She left his side without a word and he watched her disappear down the hall. Silently he followed and stopped just outside the kitchen door.

"So the little one is going to be just fine?"

"Yes."

Oric chuckled and said "Maybe you can con the lad into letting that little rascal inside."

"You know that isn't my place."

"Yeah well, you've managed to cross that line a couple times already and you're still alive. One more couldn't hurt."

"Oric."

He laughed and said "All right. Maybe Tanner can work his puppy eyes on the man. He is a softy for animals you know."

"I don't think so."

He pushed the door open and found the woman sitting on a stool while the cook filled a plate with some food. Oric handed her the food and waited. She took a bite and looked up at him.

"Excellent."

He gave a big smile and said "I can't tell you how much I appreciate having your sense of taste around here. Everyone always just eats whatever I make and I don't get the chance to experiment."

"I never said you couldn't."

The two looked over at him and Oric smiled.

"Eavesdropping again?"

His scowl covered his face and the man laughed. Silently the cook prepared him a plate and put it on the counter. He made his way over to the other available stool and sat down. He didn't say a word to the woman next to him and ate the food. Finally knowing what the woman was doing with Oric lifted a tension from his shoulders and he let the new mix of food slip down his throat.

The door opened as they sat in silence eating and Abigail entered. The woman stopped walking when she saw them and a smile crossed her face. She hadn't seen the young man interact with anyone past Oric and Leon, even if it was just sitting together while eating. The meals with his family and other guests were just charades, but this really seemed genuine.

"You could stop staring."

His dark tone brought her out of her thoughts and she offered an apologetic smile.

"I'm just pleased to see you haven't thrown our useful guest out yet."

He continued eating and she walked over to Eve. The woman slowly met her gaze and sat back on the stool.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind joining Grace on her afternoon ride. I'm afraid I can't do it myself."

Eve smirked and said "That's fine with me."

Abigail smiled again and asked "How is our little patient this morning?"

"He's wide awake and feeling much better."

"That's wonderful."

Eve picked up her plate and carried it around the counter to the sink. Oric continued chopping away at whatever he was working on and she started the water. A hand caught hers and she felt the jolt slip through her. Glancing to her side, she found the young Lord watching her.

"I'll do them."

She held his brown gaze and slowly slid her hand free. Never had she felt that kind of a jolt and she couldn't help but wonder if it was from her mother. He put his dishes in the sink and turned his back to her. Silently she walked over to the door and glanced back at the man. He had his hands buried in the sink and she pushed the door open.

Quietly she walked through the dining hall and down the hall to the main door. Leon stopped her outside the parlor and she offered him a smile. The man really did remind her of her brothers and he smiled back.

"I seem to recall that you mentioned about some love for books."

She eyed the butler with a friendly suspicion and asked "Have you been listening into my conversations in the kitchen?"

He chuckled and said "It is my job to know what is going on at all times."

She laughed softly and he said "I wanted to show you something before it slipped my mind."

The man held out his arm and she wrapped her hand around his arm. He led her up the stairs and they started down the path toward the West Wing. As they entered the quiet area of the second floor, he stopped outside a room not too far from hers and opened the door. Leon guided her inside and she looked around the large open space. The elder man walked past her and began opening curtains.

Light poured into the room and she found herself standing in a large ancient library. A slow smile captured her face and she looked back at Leon.

"This place is amazing."

He nodded and said "No one uses it these days and I thought you might enjoy a place for yourself on cold rainy days."

She laughed again and said "Thank you Leon."

He chuckled and asked "Would you like a moment to get familiar with the room?"

She shook her head and said "I really should be on my way out to the stable."

He nodded and offered his arm once more. Quietly the man guided her down the West Wing and back down the stairwell. They stopped in front of the main door and he opened it for her. She smiled back at him and slipped out into the morning sun. Taking in the morning air, she walked down the courtyard and made her way to the stable.

The horses were calling from the stable and she knew William was grooming them for any rides later in the day. Quietly she approached the stable and the young boy looked up from cleaning a young colt's hoove.

"How was breakfast?"

She smiled and asked "Did you have anything this morning?"

He blushed and said "I don't have time for that."

She caught his shoulder as he looked back at the hoove and he looked up at her.

"Let me tend to the horses and you take the back door into the kitchen. You really should eat something."

He smiled and asked "Why would you want this job? It can get really messy?"

"I don't want you working on an empty stomach, especially since you're a growing boy."

He laughed and said "Oh don't worry about me. I'm use to the little food I can get in during my days."

She took the sharpener from him and said "William, go eat. Tell Oric I said to give you the special."

He glanced back at the colt and then stood up. He caught her around the waist and hugged her.

"Thank you!"

She felt him let go and disappear out the doors. Smiling, she looked at the young colt and he twitched an ear.

"I guess it's you and me."

He watched her take the hoove and begin cleaning it. She sharpened the horseshoe and lowered the hoove to the floor. Silently the colt walked toward his stall and she let him inside the small box. He began eating his food and she walked down the aisle. Solomon watched her from his stall and she looked up at the stallion.

His eyes stared down at her with the same intensity as his rider. She smirked and he snorted before turning away. He also had the matching personality of the young man. She turned to Carina's stall and found the mare munching on her breakfast. She stroked the soft ears and unlocked the door.

A young blur tried darting past her but she scooped him up. Tanner squirmed in her hold until he looked up at her. He lunged for her face and began covering it in kisses. She laughed and pulled him away. The puppy wagged his tail and she shook her head.

"You really are full of energy."

He let out a young bark and she asked "Did you eat the rest of the food?"

He swatted at her and she walked into the stall. Carina watched her from the bucket and she lowered the puppy onto his blanket. She checked the food and found it almost gone. Smirking, she felt the young puppy nudging his way under her hand and she stroked his head. He flipped onto his back and kicked his paws at her.

She scratched his stomach and his tail began wagging again. Shaking her head, she scratched his stomach until Carina snorted. The mare nudged her face and she looked up at her.

"I suppose you want to go out and stretch your legs."

The mare twitched an ear and she shook her head. Getting to her feet, she stepped out of the stall and closed the door. She grabbed the riding tack and returned. Carina watched her as she slid the saddle over her back and slid the bridle over her face. She tightened the tack and walked the mare out of her stall.

Tanner looked up at her from inside the stall and she closed the door.

"Later."

He stared at her with his brown eyes and she shook her head. Hearing him sigh, she watched him curl up on his blanket and led Carina down the aisle. The mare walked quietly beside her and they stepped into the warm sun. She caught the saddle horn and pulled herself up. Sitting on the mare's back, she grabbed the reins and Carina walked down the gravel path.

Quietly they headed toward the beach and she let the mare pick her pace. They trotted around the castle and onto the warm beach. Soon Carina was galloping across the beach and she let the mare enjoy herself. They ran the length of the beach and she turned the mare back toward the stable. Galloping across the beach again, Carina let out a call and she laughed.

Shaking her head, she guided the mare off the beach and pulled her down into a trot. They moved down the gravel path and came to a stop outside the stable. William walked out and greeted them with a smile.

"I see you took care of the colt. Excellent work."

She swung to the ground and asked "Did you get something to eat?"

He rubbed his stomach and said "I don't think I'll be hungry for at least three days now."

She laughed and walked Carina into the stable. They moved along the aisle and stopped outside her stall. She found Tanner watching them from his blanket and opened the door. The mare stepped inside without a hint and she removed the tack. William took it from Eve and she rubbed the mare's neck.

"That should hold you until this afternoon."

The mare nudged her face and she rubbed her nose. Tanner climbed off his blanket and rubbed against her leg. She shook her head and picked the puppy up. He licked her cheek and she carried him out of the stall. Closing the door, she locked it and walked down the aisle.

William sat outside the stable on an old crate and smiled when he saw the puppy.

"He sure is a pretty one."

Eve took a seat next to the boy and handed him the excited puppy. Tanner sat on William's lap and looked up at him. He studied the boy and let out a bark.

"What does he want?"

"Try petting him."

Slowly the boy ran his hand down Tanner's back and the puppy stretched out on his lap. She smiled and watched the boy begin to scratch the soft little ear. Leaning her head back against the stable, she let the morning sun relax her and her thoughts drifted back to the morning contact in the kitchen. She needed to know why she felt that power when their hands met. Was it a connection from when her mother saved him ten years ago?