Standing on the other side of the door was his cousin and she smiled. He could see the relief in her eyes and stepped aside. The woman entered and glanced at the bed. Tanner lifted his head and she turned back to her cousin. "It's good to see you." His eyes remained on her and she watched him lean against the closed door. His arms crossed his chest and he stared back at her. The gaze left her feeling cold and she held back the shiver. His brown eyes were so empty and she felt those eyes pulling the life right out of her. "Where are you at during the day?" His eyes finally left her and he looked out the windows. The sun was working its way into the room and he could see the sky lightening outside. "Jonathan?" "Work." She heard the rugged voice and felt her heart fall. The little use was making it return to the hard, empty sound she had grown up with. Looking over his face, she could see he had indeed been working. His jaw was more pronounce and his eyes had a crisp cold look in them. His skin tone had darkened considerably in the last month and she wished these changes could be stopped. The man had been slowly coming back to life over the last year and it had brought about positive changes. Now she found him withdrawing back into a cold cast and shutting out the world once more. Tanner let out a yawn and hopped off the bed. The dog came up to his side and Grace watched him nudge the man's leg. Without a word, Jonathan opened the door and walked with the dog down the hall. He could feel her eyes still on him but shrugged them off as they descended the stairs. He watched Tanner disappear down the hall and he stepped outside. The sunlight welcomed him and he exited the courtyard. Silently his boots walked over the gravel path and he approached the stable. William, a few inches taller these days, stood waiting for him with Solomon saddled. The lad was growing up fast and had started to lose his childish ways quickly. He caught Solomon's reins and laid them across the stallion's neck. Swinging up into the saddle, he caught the reins and looked down at the young man. "When you're done with your chores go home. No need for both of us to be out in the cold of night." William smirked, a reminder of how much the young man had lost in this last month. Wheeling Solomon away, they took off across the hillside and came to a stop above the valley. He could hear the people working once more and he guided Solomon down to the gates. The soldiers nodded as he dismounted and handed over the reins. He stepped through the gates and felt a cool breeze coming from the ocean. People were working on the merchant part of the town and he walked along the busy streets unnoticed. He listened to the local talk and walked along the pier. Leaning against the railing, he starred out over the blue waves and felt them pulling him. A part of him wanted to fall into those tempting waves and leave the pain behind. His eyes closed and he stepped back from the railing. Silently he walked through the town and saw the doctor stepping out of his home. The man had his bag and looked to be on a call. He caught the man's wave and watched him disappear toward the orphanage and school. Checking the sun, he walked back to the merchant sector and picked up the tools from the previous day. He lifted a piece of wood and lined it up next to another one and joined the men working on the rebuilding. The sun rose higher in the sky as the construction began to reach the end of the day's work and he handed his tools over. The man nodded and said "We'll see you tomorrow." He gave a curt nod and walked back to the gates. Solomon stood waiting with the guards and he climbed into the saddle. Silently he rode back to the stable and felt the temperature dropping as they approached. He swung to the ground outside the stable and guided the stallion back to his stall. After feeding the stallion, he locked the door and looked over at Carina. The mare stared at him and looked away. He watched her move away from the door and he left the stable. Shutting it for the night, he walked along the gravel path and entered the courtyard. The sun was disappearing and the evening continued to take over. He pulled a door open and shut it behind him. Running overhead caught his ear and he looked up at the stairs. He saw Trevor running into the East Wing and heard voices trying to hush the boy. His eyes narrowed and he climbed the stairs. His boots moved silently down the hall and he stopped outside the cracked doors to his room. "Trevor, not tonight." "You can't stop me!" "Trevor, she is too tired. Go to your room and we will come get you tomorrow once she has some energy." The boy grunted and walked into the hall. He stopped when he found Jonathan and a big smile crossed his face. The boy wrapped his arms around his waist and he looked down at the child. Slowly his hand rested on the child's head and Trevor released him. He watched Trevor disappear into the West Wing and looked inside the room. Abigail was folding a cloth and stopped when she felt his gaze. The woman looked at him and Grace quickly looked up from the bed. The two came to stand in front of him and he could see their restraint in their eyes. "Go sleep in your old room tonight." Grace caught Abigail's arm and said "He has a right to sleep here." The woman looked back at her and said "Not tonight he doesn't." A whine came from the bed and Grace hurried back. She wrung out a cloth and slowly lowered it onto the woman's face. Tanner nudged Grace away and she stepped back. Never had the dog pushed her away and she slowly looked back at her cousin. She could see something in his eyes and quietly approached. "Abigail, we should go." The elder woman shook her head but Grace persisted. He stepped aside as they left with Abigail being led swiftly down the hall. Shutting his doors, he looked over his shoulder and silently moved across the room. A tail was being wagged and he watched Tanner nudge her face. A hand pushed him back and he heard the dog bark. Tanner nudged her face again and this time he was allowed to lick her face. Quietly Jonathan came to sit on the edge of the bed and took the cloth from her face. He soaked it once more and wrung it out. He ran it along her face and over her neck, feeling the heat coming from her skin for the first time in a long time. Her hand caught his and he watched her slowly open her eyes.