The sword slid home into the scabbard as the last of their attackers were burned. "Are you sure this man will know anything?" Cara asked Zedd as Richard moved to Kahlan's side. "I'm fine Richard." she said, ignoring his hand and standing on her own. "Who is it we are looking for?" she asked pushing her daggers into her boots. Zedd turned concerned at her winded voice. "His name is Mitchell Myracle, he-" Kahlan's face went white as images flooded her mind. "Mitchell Myracle from Canton?" she asked softly. "Yes." "Do you know him?" Richard asked studding her features. "He is dead." she stated before taking in a deep breath and closing her eyes for a moment. "Are you-" "Yes." She cut Zedd off "How can you be sure?" Cara asked stepping towards her. "Because I killed him." Kahlan stated with a hard fear in her eyes. "When?" Zedd asked watching her carefully. "I was 8."

"Why did you kill him?" Richard asked before he could think "I had to." she said turning away from him. "We should get moving." Zedd reached out, grabbing her arm, "He was a very powerful man. His killer would have been executed." Kahlan raised her eyes to meet his, Richard and Cara stood confused, watching them. "I do not believe they knew who his killer was." her eyes screamed for Zedd not to push, but he had to have answers. "Why did you kill him?" she shook her head and looked to the ground. "I couldn't confess him. I had to stop him." "Stop him?" Richard stepped to her side, turning her to face him. "Why?" "To stop him." she repeated calmly. He felt his heart break as he saw the pain in her eyes. "Zedd, is there any way to find it without him?" he asked taking his eyes from Kahlan. "I do not know." Zedd looked at her, "Do you remember if he had something around his neck?" Kahlan nodded "Yes, but it will not be with his family." "Why?" Cara asked stepping beside Zedd and Richard. "We took it from him." "We?" Richard asked, his mind trying to understand everything. "Someone helped me." she looked from Zedd to Cara and to Richard "A friend." she clarified, seeing his face. "Castiel." Turning, she picked up her pack and sighed. "I'll take you to him." "Good. Let's go." Cara said walking towards her. "It will take two days to reach him." Kahlan called over her shoulder as she walked along side Cara.

His hand ran smoothly through his hair as he watched her sleep. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, he had almost lost her, and he couldn't bare to lose a moment with sleep. He wished he could hold her, touch her, and kiss her as he had done that night in the forest. She had not been his Kahlan and he longed to show this Kahlan how much he loved her. He didn't know how much longer he could go on like this. The urge to feel her body against his, to have his lips on her skin was growing even stronger than before. "Lord Rahl." Cara's voice pulled him from his memory of what was supposed to be the happiest day of his life. Tarring his eyes away from the beautiful woman sleeping across the fire, he looked at her. "Cara." he managed softly "You keep starring at her like that, with your thoughts, you're going to go mad." she said smirking. "You don't know what I'm thinking." he quickly replied. "You are a man. Watching a woman sleep. With that look on your face. I know your thoughts." With her smirk turning into a smile, Cara sat beside him. "I'll take watch, you can go..." standing, Richard made his way to Kahlan's side.

Lightly, he moved his hand over her cheek, brushing the loose hairs from her face. "Richard?" she asked knowingly, eyes closed and a smile on her lips. "No, it's Cara." he said with a laugh, her smile widening as she turned into his embrace. "Mmm, Cara." she said trying not to laugh. With her face pushed into his chest, she let out a muffled laugh. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pulled herself closer to him, allowing them to mold together. Tightening his hold on her, she looked up at his face. "Are you okay?" he smiled warmly at her, his heart pounding with her pressed against him. "I Love you, Kahlan." he said softly "I can't stop thinking about..." he didn't know how to continue. "I almost lost you, and I couldn't even hold you. I kept thinking if I lost you, you would have never known how much I loved you. I was never able to show you." her heart seemed to stop beating as she saw the fear and desire in his eyes. "Richard," she pushed herself from his hold, sitting forward, crossing her legs before her. "You could never lose me. You don't have to worry about losing me." Holding her hand over her heart, she smiled a sad smile. "It belongs to you, and you alone." he could hear her own fear in her voice, "Kahlan, What-" "You don't have to worry about losing me. I will never love another. It's me who fears losing you." her eyes closed slowly, holding the tears captive. "Kahlan, I would never-" "Richard, one day you're going to realize that you want something I can never give you." Her eyes opened, finding his. "A wife, lover, a family. You'll go and find someone, start a family. You may pass me one day and smile out of whatever respect you have for me. I'll tell you how happy I am for you-" He took her shoulders in his hands and gave her a shake. Tears filling his eyes as he saw her belief of her words. "Kahlan, I would never do that. I could never be with any other woman." he stated firmly. "I don't want a family. If I can't have one with you, I don't want one." she shook her head. "You say that now. Richard, I know you." she took in a deep breath "I see the way you look at me, Richard. I don't want you to miss your chance to be happy." "I am happy!" he said loudly, causing Cara to turn quickly in their direction. "I can't imagine being happy with any other. You, it's you I love." he stated as a fact. He starred into her eyes, desperately trying to push the truth of his words into her mind, into her heart. She starred at him, trying to show no emotion, her eyes betraying her face. "Kahlan," he leaned in close to her, his face inches from hers. "I love you. Don't doubt that. Ever."

Her eyes moved from his, moving down his face, taking in the sight of his chiseled features. Her heart pounding harder than before as she fought the urge to push him back and make fierce passionate love to him. "I don't- we should get some sleep." she said softly, looking at the ground. "Kahlan, why do you-" her eyes moved to his, tears flowing down her cheeks. "We should sleep." she pushed herself away from him, turned and laid down, facing the trees and the sleeping wizard. Squeezing her eyes shut, she waited as Richard starred at her back for a few moments. Laying down, he starred up at the sky until sleep took him.

"How do you and this, Castiel know each other?" Zedd asked as he walked next to Kahlan. "He saw Dennee and I trying to hide from my father. He hid us in his house for two days." she answered mindlessly as she walked, her eyes never leaving the ground. "Kahlan, you should talk to him." "About what?" she replied quickly. "You can't keep pushing him away." Looking up, she sighed "I have to." Zedd studied her face for a moment before he realized what she was doing. "He won't let go of you easily. He loves you." "I know." she said softly, being sure that neither Richard nor Cara behind them heard. "But, Zedd I can't let him give up his life, his own happiness for something that can never happen." Zedd frowned at her words. "I understand why you are doing this, dear, but you may find it easier to talk to him." "And say what?" her voice returned from its whisper. "Stop loving me or I'll end up destroying you? Don't come near me because all I can think of is being with you? Or I could tell him how many times I have already come so close to destroying him." she closed her eyes and came to a stop. "Zedd, there is nothing I can say that would make it any easier. This is all I know to do." "Everything okay?" They turned at the sound of Richard's voice. "Yes, we're almost there." Kahlan said turning and walking away.

Walking through the last of the brush, a house came into view. A tall dark haired man stood watching his three children play. "Kahlan?" he asked making his way to them. "It's so nice to see you again, Castiel." she said returning his hug. "You must be the Seeker." he said pulling away from Kahlan and turning to Richard. "Good to meet you!" he said enthusiastically as he gripped his arm. "This is Zedd and Cara." Kahlan added with a smile. After saying hello to them, he turned back to Kahlan "I'm so glad you are alright. I've heard some terrible things." Richard felt his heart race as he watched the way Castiel was looking at her. "We've had some rough times." she replied as he took her hands in his. "Good to know that you are all safe." "Daddy!" a small child came running to his side. "Hi sweetie. This is a very good friend of mine, The Mother Confessor herself. Kahlan Amnell." he said picking her up. "These are her friends and the Seeker." he said proudly "This is one of my daughters, Doris." reaching out, he pointed at the other two children. "Over there is my son, Hugh and my other daughter, Abby." he said with a smile. "They're beautiful." Kahlan said smiling. Richard watched her as she looked out at the children playing. He ached for them to have children together, he wanted nothing more than to start a family with her. A family. She was right. "You should come inside." he said looking over his shoulder to Richard, Cara and Zedd. "Hold me?" Doris said reaching out for Kahlan. A smile crossed the child's lips as she was handed gently to Kahlan. "You'd make a great mother. You look good holding a child." Castiel said before leading them to his house.

"I like your hair. It's pretty." "Thank you, Doris." Kahlan said smiling widely as the child ran her fingers through her hair just as they entered Castiel's home. Richard found himself smiling at the sight of Kahlan holding the small child. She appeared to be at ease holding her. "Kahlan, is he your mate?" she asked loudly pointing at Richard. The smile fell from her lips "No, he's my friend. He's the Seeker." Doris smiled wider "The one daddy says saved us?" A small smile crossed Kahlan's lips as she looked to Richard and back to the child "Yes." "Why don't you go play with your sister." Castiel said as Kahlan placed her on the floor. "I'm sorry, she asks a lot of questions." He said as he gestured for them to have a seat. The room was large, being occupied mostly by a large table in the center. "It's fine. She's sweet." Kahlan said as she watched her run out to play. "She likes you." he said looking over the table to her. Richard watched his eyes, watched as they slowly moved from her face to her breasts and back again. "So, what brings you to our small town?" he asked looking to Richard. "I'm sure the Seeker has many important things to do." he smiled at the man "We need something." Kahlan said softly. He turned to her confused "What can I do?" "The necklace. The one that belonged to Mitchell Myracle." his eyes widened with the mention of the name. "You've told them?" he asked shocked "I've told them that we have it." she said calmly. "Terrible, terrible man." he said looking away from her to the floor. "We need it. It will help Richard find the Stone of Tears and seal the rift in the underworld." "I will get it for you." he said as he stood.

The moment he walked out of the room, Richard and Cara turned to Kahlan "Who was he?" Richard asked softly "Someone my father knew." Richard started to ask another question when he saw her look harden, her eyes begging him not to. "Here you go. I don't know what good it will do you, i've never found it to have any significance." he said, as he placed it into Kahlan's hand. "Thank you." she said softly before handing it to Zedd. "Yes, this is it." "You will all stay the night? Have a good meal?" "That would be great!" Zedd said happy to be offered a meal. Cara smiled politely before looking to Richard "Were we not in a hurry?" she asked "You will be safe here. No one comes around anymore." "It's settled." Zedd said with a wide smile "Thank you."

Richard starred out the window, watching as Kahlan sat in the grass, with Castiel's children, laughing. They loved her. She looked so beautiful he thought, running his fingers through his hair. "You love her." He turned at the voice. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Castiel said coming to his side. "You love her?" he could feel his eyes on him as he starred out the window. "Why do you say that?" Richard asked softly. He laughed "I am not blind. I see the way you look at her, when she's not looking. It's the same way she looks at you, only without the fear." he followed his eyes through the window. "It must be hard for her." Richard looked at the man, "She was taught not to fall in love. But she has. She loves a man she can never have." meeting his eyes, Castiel smiled. "She deserves to be happy." Richard felt his heart sink at the words. They were the same Kahlan had said to him. "I can't stop loving her. I won't stop." Castiel lifted an eyebrow "You choose to love her knowing that she can never make love to you?" "Yes." he replied quickly "And when it comes time for her to choose a mate?" Richard sighed "I love her. I know she loves me. She would do it out of duty to continue the line and I must respect that." "You would be alright with her having another man's child?" Richard looked back through the window. "I want to believe I would. But, honestly, the thought of her being with anyone else hurts as much as the thought of me being with another." Castiel smiled. "She chooses a good man to love." He paused for a moment, seeming to think hard about his next words. "I wish to give you something." Reaching slowly into his pocket he pulled out a small vile. "Here, I found this about a year back. It is the beginning of the elixir a wizard was working on to become immune to a confessor's touch. It will only work for one day. Take it. Make love to her."

Richard starred at the man, "What?" "She loves you. She longs to be with you as you do with her. If you take this, you can show her. She can bare your child; you both can start your family. You can be happy." Richard couldn't believe his ears, his heart pounded against his chest at the thought of making love to Kahlan. "I don't know what to say..." he admitted as he took the bottle into his hand. "Thank you..." Castiel smiled a sad smile, "You will find a way to be with her. A way that will last for all time. I am sure of it." Both men turned at the sound of grunting from the other room "I better go make sure that your friends don't burn my house down." he laughed walking away.

After dinner, they were each escorted to their rooms. Zedd and Cara were seen to their room before Castiel lead Richard and Kahlan to their room. "Here you go. Have a good night." he said with a smile to Richard before walking to his children's room. "Kahlan..." Richard said as he closed the door behind him. "I don't think this is a good idea." she said turning to face him. "I should switch with Cara or Zedd..." "No." he said quickly moving to stand between her and the door. "Kahlan, please...Talk to me." moving to the bed, she sat down; facing him "I don't have anything to say." "You've been trying to push me away." "I have to, Richard. If I don't, you-" he came to her side, turning her body to face his. "Kahlan-" "I don't want to hurt you." she said trying to avoid his eyes "You can't hurt me." he reassured her "I've come so close, Richard. I can't do this. I'm not strong enough." "You are the strongest person I know!" she turned her head away from him "Not for this. All I think about is- it would destroy you!" "Being with you could never destroy me!" Tears fell as she looked into his eyes "I almost destroyed you the other night. It took everything I had not to... not to just take you!" he smiled at her admittance of wanting him as he wiped the tears from her cheeks gently. "I felt the same way. All I wanted was to show you how much I love you. Now I can." his smile widened "What? Richard, no." reaching into his pocket he pulled out the small vile. "Castiel gave this to me. It will allow us to be together. One day, Kahlan. For one day, you don't have to be afraid. We will be free to love each other."

She starred at him, trying to understand what was happening. "You don't know that it works." Richard's smile widened "I'm sure it does. You won't confess me. I'm yours." slowly, he reached and pulled the top from the bottle, never taking his eyes from hers. She watched as he lifted it to his lips. Pulling the empty bottle from his mouth, he laid it onto the table next to him. Her eyes followed his tongue as his licked the liquid from his lips, her own mouth growing dry. "Do you feel any different?" she asked, trying to distract her from his mouth. "I feel the same as before. Still madly in love with you." Leaning forward, she pressed her lips lightly against his. He wasted no time wrapping his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. Pulling away, she grabbed the bottom of his shirt "If we only have one day..." she said with a smile as she pulled it over his head. She ran her hands over his chest as she pushed him back, laying his head onto the pillows. Moving over him, she leaned in to kiss him. "Your turn." he said smiling. Pushing her forward, he grabbed her jacket and pulled it from her body. His eyes widened as he starred at her corset. Slowly, he reached for the strings, pulling them from the fabric. He found it hard to focus on the task as her flesh was revealed. Dropping it to the floor, Richard rolled them over, "What?" Kahlan asked as he starred down at her in wonder. "Nothing, I was just... exploring." he said before crashing his lips against hers.

Her head leaned back as his lips found her neck; a moan escaped her lips as his tongue slid down to her shoulder. Her hands gripped his hair, holding his head, trying to gain more contact. Moving his lips to her chest, he moved his hands to stomach, roaming over her soft flesh. Her breathing came in hard pants as his lips moved over her breast, her back arching her body forward into his kisses. He couldn't get enough of her, his hands couldn't stay still. Reaching down, he grabbed her leg, pulling it upward, running his hand over her thigh. Pulling his head back to hers, she reconnected their lips in a fiery kiss. Moving her hands between them, she grabbed his pants, pulling quickly at the strings before using her legs to push them from his body. As he kicked off his pants, he pulled her shirt from her body. A moan came from both as he lowered himself onto her, pressing his body against hers. Her hands ran over his back, holding him close to her, as his tongue battled for domain in her mouth.

Her power rose quickly within her, begging to be released. "Kahlan, its okay... Let go..." he whispered breathlessly into her ear. With a cry of his name, she released her power. The strength of it almost tore him from her body. His heart pounded with the intense release, his body fell onto hers just as her breathing started to return to normal. "Wow." he said smiling widely. She couldn't stop her own smile. "That was-" "Amazing." she finished his sentence making him laugh. "Yes. Amazing." "Richard when we first- when You and the other me-" "This was better." he said looking up at her. "It was really you this time. Makes it better. Much. Much better." she smiled at the joy she saw on his features. "I love you Kahlan." "I love you too." She said before his lips met hers and he rolled off of her, "I don't want to crush you." "I don't mind." she replied before she pulled herself closer to him.

"Are you two going to get any sleep tonight?" Zedd's voice came from behind the door. "We are all really happy for you, but there are children in the house. Try to keep it down." Kahlan couldn't stop the laugh that flew from her lips as her cheeks turned red. "Sorry Zedd!" Richard called out before rolling himself over Kahlan once more. "Round two?" pulling his mouth to hers, she answered him.