A/N: Written for the Hideaway. If you want details for the site, check out my profile. This is for the Whose Line Is It Anyway? contest. A 200 word drabble beginning with the words "Like a whisper." I hope you enjoy! -Sprinks
Like a whisper speaking to her soul, his soft touch brought her a sense of peace and completeness, even before she was fully aware of his presence. She struggled toward consciousness, wanting its rewards more than the sleep her body craved.

"You shouldn't be here." Her words startled him. "It's too dangerous."

"You are wrong, my dear. This is where I belong, the only place I should be."

He held her hand, softly caressing her delicate palm with his fingertips. They sat in silence for a few moments, watching each other. She had known him nearly all her life and yet, she realized now, she might not know him at all.

"I failed you... and our students. I-"

He interrupted her, his eyes twinkling a bit brighter. "Do you remember what I said when I offered you Deputy?"

She blushed. "You asked me to act as the mother of our school."

"I couldn't have asked you to defend our school and its inhabitants any more bravely than you did. You were a true lioness, defending your cubs."

His words, and the smile that accompanied them, healed Minerva's heart and soul. She would be fine...

...and perhaps they would be better.