Pawing on the door brought reality back and he opened his eyes. He didn't have to look to know the woman was asleep next to him but did. Blonde strands fell over her face and he brushed them back. Her soft skin under his fingers was warm and he wished he didn't have to move. The pawing came again and he carefully slid out of bed. A frown caught his face as he opened the door and Tanner came trotting in. The dog hopped onto the bed and nuzzled her face. She nudged him away and he licked her. "I'm up." The dog licked her again and she let out a sigh. Slowly she opened her eyes and caught the dog's head in her hands. His tail was wagging and she rubbed his ears. A content moan came from him and she watched him lay down next to her. Sitting up, she glanced back at the door and found it open. She pushed the bedding off and slid off the bed. Tanner watched her move to the open door and look down the hall. Her hand rested on the door and she took a deep breath. She let it out slowly and moved to the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and saw the clothes waiting for her along with shined boots. Checking the water, she pulled his shirt off and lowered herself into the warm water. Her head leaned back on the tub and she savored the warmth seeping into her. Grabbing the scrub, she washed her skin and then poured shampoo into her hand. Working it through her hair, she rinsed her hair out and stood up. She wrapped a towel around her and climbed out of the tub. Leaning against the vanity, she studied her reflection and a small frown crossed her face. Looking away, she dressed and hung the towel up. She slid her boots on and carried the shirt back into the bedroom. She folded it and laid it on the dresser for cleaning. Running her fingers through her hair, she pulled it back and looked at Tanner. The dog's tail continued to wag and she walked over to him. Kissing his head, she headed for the door and he jumped down. They left the bedroom and she shut the door behind her. Moving down the hall, she reached the stairwell and stopped. Her muscles had start to ache and she caught hold of the banister. Tanner nudged her leg and she looked down at him. He moved to the steps and she followed him downstairs. They stopped in the hall and she heard the faint voices from the kitchen. Glancing into the parlor, she found it dark and continued into the dining hall. She pushed the door open to the kitchen and heard the chopping and talking stop. Everyone stared at her and she let the door swing shut behind her. Tanner stood next to her and she glanced from person to person. Oric stood behind the counter working on breakfast and Leon sat at the corner table. Abigail put the clothing down she was folding and Grace rose to her feet. The woman approached her and a smile captured her face. "Welcome back." She felt the woman's arms surround her and remained still. Grace pulled back and looked at her. "Where is Jonathan?" She shook her head and Oric said "He's already left." Grace let out a sigh and returned to her seat. Eve watched everyone slowly return to their chores and took a seat across the counter from the cook. He looked at her and saw the strain and exhaustion she was holding back. "Get some food in you and go back to bed." "Oric." He turned his back on her to put the food on the oven and she let out a sigh. Tanner rested his head on her lap and she scratched an ear. "He's right, Eve. You're very pale." She looked over at Grace and found the woman studying her. "I'm fine." The woman shook her head and said "You're still recovering. You need to rest and take it easy." She stood up and said "I know how to take care of myself." She pushed the door open and left the kitchen. Her boots moved softly through the hall and she climbed the stairwell. Reaching the landing, she caught hold of the banister and held her arm to her stomach. Feeling her muscles ease, she walked to the West Wing and saw the light on in Trevor's room. She stopped by his door and found the boy fixing his bedding. He stopped and slowly looked up. When he saw her, his eyes lit up and he ran to her. She caught him in her arms and he held tight to her. "I'm so glad you're okay." She ran her hand through his hair and looked into his eyes. "Have you been taking care of Kara?" He nodded and said "She doesn't know yet." A smirk caught the corner of her mouth and she stood up. Trevor walked across the hall and pulled the doors open to his sister's room. Eve followed him inside and he remained at the door. She moved along the bed and sat down next to the sleeping child. Her fingers slid through the red hair and she heard Kara stirring. "Wake up sleepy head." Kara opened her eyes and looked up. Her arms wrapped around Eve's neck as she jumped onto her. "You're okay!" Holding her, she let her calm down and looked over at Trevor. The boy nodded and left the room. Carefully she pulled Kara off and looked at her. "You need to go eat." Kara slowly slid to her feet and she followed the child to the doors. She watched Kara join Trevor and walk down the hall. She watched them disappear and her arm wrapped around her stomach. Her eyes closed and she leaned against the door frame to wait out the pain. Slowly she walked out of the room and stepped into the library. She sat down on the couch by the fireplace and placed her hand on her wound. Closing her eyes, she bit back the painful sigh and stood up. Her knees buckles and she caught herself as she fell onto the floor. Sitting back against the couch, she lifted her hand and pulled her shirt up. She saw the healing scar on her smooth skin and images flooded her mind. She closed her eyes and relived all those memories. Footsteps pulled her back from the nightmare and she lowered her shirt. Grabbing the arm of the couch, she pulled herself up onto the cushion and took a deep breath. Someone knocked on the door and she looked up as they entered. She watched Grace enter and looked at the window. Grace pulled the door shut behind her and crossed the room. "Eve, you should be in bed." Her blue eyes turned on the woman and she felt the chill run through her entire body. "I'm fine." Grace sighed and said "I'll call up some food. At least you should get something into your stomach." She watched the woman leave and shut the door behind her. Letting out a painful sigh, she pushed herself onto her feet and walked over to the window. She opened it and felt the morning breeze welcome her. Sunlight rested on her face and she closed her eyes. The heat helped push the pain to the back of her mind and she stepped back. Closing the windows, she took a step to the couch and felt the pain ignite again. She caught hold of the window sill and tried to fight it off. It knocked her legs out from underneath her and she sat on the floor. Leaning back against the wall, she waited for the pain to pass and held in the painful cries. Her body burned as if it were on fire and she felt like something was ripping straight through her. Leaning her head against the wall, she closed her eyes and tried to think of something else. The images returned and she wrapped her arms around her abdomen. She could hear people moving along the hall and forced herself to remain silent. The footsteps disappeared and she let out a sigh. Her pulse was still racing and she could feel the heat spreading inside her. Her eyes drifted closed again and she drifted into sleep. The sunlight was disappearing from the window when the door opened again. She opened her eyes and found him approaching her. He knelt next to her and she tried moving. The pain drove her back against the wall and she took a deep breath. He lifted her in his arms and carried her out of the room. Her eyes fell closed as they entered the East Wing and he carried her into the master bedroom. Pushing the door shut with a kick, he carried her over to the bed and sat her down. "Do you want me to get the doctor?" She shook her head and said "It'll pass." He watched her take a deep breath and open her eyes. She felt some of the pain ease and looked up at him. "When did you get back?" He moved to the window and said "A few minutes ago. They said they didn't know where you were." She smirked and said "Surprise." He looked back at her and watched her slowly stand. She was drained and he watched her move around the room. She stepped into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Slipping out of her boots, she stripped off and lowered herself into the warm tub. The water relieved the pain and she leaned her head back on the tub. Her mind was finally at ease and she began thinking of old chants. The water warmed as her body was relieved from the worst pain and she closed her eyes. Feeling every inch of pain gone, she stood up and stepped out of the tub. Drying her skin off, she dressed in her clothes and pulled her boots back on. She left the bathroom and found the man still by the windows. He turned his brown gaze on her as she came around the bed and she stopped. "You look better." She nodded and said "I'm going to head to my room." He caught her wrist and she looked back at him. His hold remained tight and she felt his eyes skim over her. "Stay here." "I have to go." He caught her chin and said "I'm not asking." She smirked and felt his mouth capture hers. Relishing in his passion, she wrapped her arms around his neck and slid her fingers through his hair. He held her firmly against him and felt his blood burning. Every inch of him burned to take her to bed but he pulled back. Blue eyes looked up at him and he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll go get you something eat." She felt him release her and he opened one door. Looking back at her, he stepped into the hall and brought the door shut. He walked down the stairs and made his way into the kitchen. "Getting something to eat?" He met Oric's gaze and said "Not me." The cook chuckled and said "I thought so." He handed over a plate of food and went back to his cleaning. Jonathan left the kitchen and headed back to the stairs. He walked through the East Wing and pushed his door open. Shutting it, he looked over at the bed and smirked. Laying the plate on a table, he walked over to the bed and sat down. His boots rested on the floor and he pulled hers off. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her into his side and let her steady breathing guide him into a peaceful sleep.