The sunlight poured into the West Wing and greeted her as she left her room. Johnathan closed the doors behind her and they headed down the hall. Silence surrounded them and they kept to their own thoughts. As they passed the library she stopped and he glanced back at her. She stared into the room and clearly recalled the first rough encounter with Christopher. "You were trying to stop him that night." His brown eyes rested on her and she slowly looked back at him. She could tell he was following and looked back into the room. "Has anyone been in here?" "No." She took a deep breath and joined him. He led her down around the corner and into the hall. They stopped at the stairwell when they heard quiet talking downstairs. She took a moment to fix her mask in place and he looked down at her. "They'll be glad to see you." She tried to smile but found it impossible. The sunlight brushed her face and she looked out the open window across the hall. "You don't have to see them yet." Her blue eyes slowly drifted back to his glowing face and she felt the soft smirk form. One hand rested on his shoulder and the power slid through them. "Thank you." He nodded and pulled his gaze free from her. They descended the stairs and walked toward the dining hall. Her nerves were starting to race as they entered the room and found it empty. She watched him move to the kitchen door and and push it open. "Look who's finally up!" His scowl returned and she bit back a laugh. Oric's loud voice echoed in the empty room and she quietly approached the door. Johnathan stepped in and allowed her through. Silently she entered the kitchen and found the three keepers staring at her. Abigail let the towel in her hands fall and came up to her. The elder woman took her in a strong embrace and let out a relieved sigh. She slowly returned it and felt the woman release her. "I was worried you would need medical attention." Oric nudged the woman aside and asked "How are you feeling?" Eve fixed him with a look and said "I've been informed I am to take it easy while recovering." The cook's eyes narrowed and turned on the silent brunette across the room. He met the stony look and let out a sigh. "You know she could help me and not strain herself." "No." Oric frowned and watched the man approach. He grabbed an apple from the counter basket and looked at the three household members. "You all have work to do." They held their tongues and watched him leave the room. He disappeared into the dining hall and Leon let out a chuckle. "Seems someone didn't get enough sleep last night." Oric laughed and said "I bet I know why." The two men fixed her with a look and she shook her head. Her mouth tightened and she took a seat at the counter. Oric made her a small sandwich and she looked over the day's prep work. Abigail finished folding the towels and put them away. "I'm going to check in on the children." Eve looked back at her and the woman said "They're worried about you but are behaving for Grace." "Thank her for me." The woman nodded and slipped into the dining hall. Leon stood up with a sigh and stretched his stiff spine. "I guess I better check on the cleaning." The elder man left with a wink and she slid her fingers through her hair. Oric leaned back against the kitchen counter and studied her. "How are you feeling?" She finished her sandwich and looked up at him. He could see the bruising on her skin but the pain wasn't reaching her face. "I'm fine." The cook snorted and said "If that's true, then Johnathan is just overreacting." She couldn't fight back the smirk and the man laughed. He could see the spark in her eyes at the mention of the man. The two had bonded quicker than he had expected but nonetheless. "Did you let the poor soul rest?" Her face grew passive again and she stood up. He took the dish and watched her head to the door. "Where are you going?" She stopped at the door and said "I have something to do." He left the dish in the sink and followed her out into the dining hall. She walked into the old hallway off the room and Oric caught her arm. "Where are you going?" She pulled her arm free and said "To take care of something." The cook shook his head and said "I will not allow you to see that brute." "He's alive. I need to talk with him." Oric shook his head and she sighed "I'm going with or without your assistance." He saw the determined look in her eyes and let out a sigh. This was clearly going to come back and get him into hot water. Slowly he nodded and led her down to the dungeon. He pushed the door open and stepped into the cold room. She stopped next to him and rested her gaze on the man leaning against the wall. Christopher was sleeping and looked almost as bad as her. She glanced at her guide and imagined the old man had a hand in those marks. Silently she crossed the room and stood in front of the man. He was oblivious to her and she kicked his boot. Slowly his eyes opened and he took a deep breath. His head moved up and his eyes widened when he saw her. She watched him attempt to stand and stepped back. "Eve." Her blue eyes flashed and he finally managed to stay on his feet. "Are you okay?" She stared back at him with a look that would almost match his cousin's. He could see the faint marks still on her skin and took a deep breath. "I want to apologize." One eyebrow went up. "Apologize?" He closed his eyes and said "I shouldn't have listened to her. I should have been stronger." "You're right." He opened his eyes and looked back at her. She kept a cold look on him and he could sense the incoming storm. "You are lucky to be alive." He nodded and said "I asked for my cousin to kill me." She stared back at him and he sighed "The man wouldn't. Beat the crap out of me but he won't kill me." She could see the desperation in the man's eyes and watched him step forward. He strained against his chains and glanced back at Oric. She saw him lean in and heard in a low whisper "I kept your secret safe." Her eyes narrowed and her fist landed on his jaw. He stumbled back into the wall and she watched him slide down to the floor. She knelt down in front of him and he rubbed his jaw. "I didn't need your help." Her words were cold and hushed. His eyes widened when she caught his chin and forced him to look her in the eye. "Don't make me regret saving you." The quiet warning left him staring wide eye at her and she knocked him back into the wall. Standing up, she left the man and returned to the door. Oric watched her leave the room and glanced back at Christopher. The man looked like he had a brush with death and the door was pulled shut. He had no idea how he was going to explain this one.