Recovery

Chapter One

"Here, look." Martha pulled Aaron's arm toward her.

"I don't see it." Aaron peered down the busy Los Angeles street for the third time.

"You're just not looking!" Martha exclaimed. Taking his face in her hands, she pointed him toward the small shop front that a mass of people were lining up to get into. "See?"

"Martha, I see a shop...Is that what all this was about.?" Aaron turned to face her, a puzzled expression on his face. "Because you know me and shopping, honey, that's the thing you do, and I watch sports, remember?" He grinned at her and took her arm as she began to walk toward the store.

"Ah, but this is not just any store, my love. This..." She stopped outside the shop window and pointed at the neon sign above the door. "This is Mel's!"

Almost twenty minutes had passed before they stepped out into the blazing sunshine again. Aaron shifted the weight of the bags he was carrying. " So tell me again what's so great about this fruit. I mean a kiwi is a kiwi, right?" He stopped when he realised Martha was no longer walking beside him and turned back to see her standing hands on hips, with a pout on her face. "Okay, I get the feeling I just said the wrong thing." He moved the bags he was carrying to one arm and walked back toward Martha and with his free hand stroked her face. "I'm sorry darlin', I didn't know you were so touchy about your fruit." He teased and smiled to himself as her face flushed at his light touch. They had been dating for a little over a month and it still amazed him that someone like her could have fallen for someone like him. He smiled again enjoying the effect even the slightest of his touches could provoke on her body. Pulling his hand away he again reached for her arm and they began to walk down the busy street. "So, tell me what is so special about this fruit. I really want to know."

"Really?" Martha pouted. She enjoyed teasing him, and did it at every available opportunity. Peering at him over her sunglasses, she smiled slightly when she saw him raise his eyebrows.

"Really."

"Okay, well I discovered Mel's about 5 years ago, when David was in L.A. He would often wear a baseball cap and glasses and meet me for a private lunch. Well, at least as private as one can have with 15 Secret Service agents close by. Anyway, we were walking back to his hotel together enjoying the freedom and the sun when we stopped outside Mel's. I don't know if you know, but David had a thing for fresh fruit. Anyway, we stopped and picked up some berries and stuff, and came here." Martha stopped walking and Aaron looked up. He had been so engrossed in her story about his former boss and friend he hadn't noticed where she had been leading him. He looked around and saw nothing but green.

"Martha. This is beautiful," he exclaimed. He found it hard to reconcile where they now were was only a few minutes walk from the busy streets they had been on.

"Yes, David thought so, too. We found it by accident. After stopping at Mel's, we just walked and talked. Anyway, we ended up here." She gestured at the emerald park that surrounded them, a blue lake in its center. "So we stopped, sat on the grass and ate our fruit and talked." She looked back at Aaron and was sure she saw a glint of a tear in his eye, or it could have been the sun. "I thought maybe we could do the same. Sit, eat fruit, and talk." Uncertain now at his lack of response she shifted on her feet and took off her glasses. "Aaron? You okay? We can take this back to my apartment if you've had enough of the sun."

Aaron shook his head and glanced back at Martha, the sun was shining behind her, making her loose, curly hair look almost golden. Putting the bags on the ground, he reached for her hands. "Sit, talk and eat fruit huh? I can't think of anything I'd rather do."

"I can't...really, Aaron. I am so full," she managed to murmur against his fingers that were touching her lips. She felt the familiar butterflies in her stomach as he held up the last raspberry and at her refusal to open her mouth he slowly began to run the fruit along her closed lips. Lying back against his chest, she sighed, and after a few seconds of his teasing she slowly opened her lips to allow Aaron to place the berry in her mouth. This he did with such tenderness and so slowly it felt like some wonderful form of torture. Closing her mouth she not only captured the fruit but his finger. Quickly swallowing the raspberry, she turned her attention to his finger and slowly began to lick the juice from it. Opening her mouth, he lazily ran his finger along her lips as she impatiently chased it with her tongue. As his arms tightened round her, she could feel the pounding of his heart against her back. Squirming around, keeping her body as close to his as possible, she looked into his eyes. "You having fun?" She grinned at him.
Aaron stared at the beautiful creature before him and once again wondered how he had ever gotten so lucky. After the events of almost six months ago, he had convinced himself he would never see Martha again. He smiled as he thought back to how little he really knew her then. He had known she was determined, her actions to bring her ex husband to justice had shown that. What he hadn't counted on was her determination to keep the contact between the two of them. The day David's body had been flown back to D.C, he had been sat on the couch of the safe house CTU had provided for him, watching the events unfold on national television. His heart had skipped a beat as he saw Martha standing on the stage behind her husband who was delivering his eulogy to the country. He thought she looked so lost. Again he wondered to himself if leaving her at the stables had been the right thing to do. The proper thing maybe, but right? He wasn't so sure know. He watched with interest as some of his colleagues took to the stage to stand behind Logan, and cursed when the picture was lost and the news reader announced they had lost transmission to the airfield. The next hour was spent pacing up and down the small room, checking his phone every few minutes, waiting for someone, anyone, to let him know what was happening. He had his finger poised over the send button for a few seconds to call Mike Novick,when he heard the doorbell ring. Throwing his cell onto the couch, he practically sprinted to the door and flung it open to reveal a dishevelled and worn out First Lady. He had stared at her for what seemed like minutes before standing aside and without saying a word she walked into the house.

"Martha every day with you is fun! You know that." Aaron smiled back at her and his breath caught in his throat as she leaned in until their lips met. They had kissed on many occasions and Aaron wondered if his body would ever get used to the sensations, or if was to spend the rest of his life feeling as if he had been electrocuted everytime this woman kissed him. As her lips moved against his, he thought to himself, either way he didn't care, as long as she kept on kissing him. As her tongue slipped into his hot mouth, he stopped thinking and started reacting. Pulling her closer to him, he battled for control of their mouths. It was a familiar game, one she usually won, but Aaron was feeling particularly aggressive today, and as his hands came up to tangle in her wavy hair he took control and gently pushed her back so he was hovering over her -- never once letting their lips lose contact. As he felt her body relax into the soft grass, he pulled away slightly from her and looked down at her face. She had her eyes closed. "What are you thinking?" he asked her softly.
Without opening her eyes, she began to speak, so softly he lowered his body further down on to hers to listen. "I was just thinking of the first time I kissed you." She opened her eyes and he could see the glint in them. "I swear, I thought you were gonna have me removed from the house."
Aaron moved slightly so he now lay on the grass beside her. As he held his arms out, she fitted herself in them, thinking how perfect a fit they made. Whether it was on her couch, his easy chair, or the grass of a park, she fitted against him like their bodies had been made that way. She fitted him in a way she never had with Charles. They were equal, they were partners in all sense of the word. As she lay her head against his chest, she blushed slightly as she thought to herself that in all sense of the words was a little premature. Yes, they had officially been an item for a little over a month, but they had agreed to take things slow -- although Martha had very little doubt that they would end up in a bedroom very soon. Thinking back, she chuckled softly against his chest. As she lay her head back down, she remembered the first time she had kissed Aaron.

As she stepped through the open door, she glanced around the bare room. The curtains were drawn and the tv on but muted. As she walked further into the room she realized the agent Mike had assigned to accompany her here had followed her into the house. She turned to face him." Agent, would you mind waiting for me outside, please?"

"Mrs. Logan, my orders were to make sure..."

"Agent Pierce, as far as I am aware, is still on active duty. I see no need for you to be concerned. Aaron, I'm sure, will take good care of me." She said all of this without looking at Aaron, and although she couldn't see him, she knew his cheeks were burning. She glared at the Agent, who after taking another look at the First Lady's expression, murmured a "yes ma'am" and closed the door behind him. Martha stood still with her back to Aaron. She slowly peeled off her gloves and took off her black hat and carefully placed them on the coffee table. Eventually, unable to bear it any longer, she turned to face him. She had never felt so scared. She didn't know how he was going to react. Their goodbye at the stable had seemed so final to her, and she was so unsure of how he would feel about her seeking him out so soon after. Lifting her eyes to finally look at him, she opened her mouth to speak...but nothing came out. She had no clue what to say to him. He stood before her bruised and looking at her with a mixture of confusion and, dare she dream it, happiness. She found that the speech she had so carefully prepared in the car now seemed insignificant and futile. She opened her mouth again to talk and found the words catching in her throat. "Aaron...I..I..."

Aaron looked at the First Lady, her mouth opening and closing and nothing coming out. He mentally slapped himself as he thought how adorable she looked. Eventually he decided to let her off the hook and spoke first. "Is it over?" he asked simply.

Martha smiled at him -- the first genuine smile that had passed her lips all morning. " It's over, Aaron. Charles has been taken into custody. We did it."

"You did it, Martha. You were the only person able to get close enough to him. You did it." He smiled at her then -- a genuine smile of affection and admiration for the woman who stood as tall as him but currently looked as fragile as a porcelain doll.

Martha smiled at his words, then without warning she found herself crying -- crying so hard her whole body started to convulse. She grabbed her hankie from her purse and held it to her mouth, but she couldn't stop the tears from pouring down her cheeks, or the wracking sobs that escaped her mouth. She looked at Aaron through blurry eyes and saw him move swiftly across the room to stand in front of her. He grabbed hold of her arms and pulled her into his embrace. She felt his strong arms move to circle her back and felt his hands making circular movements desperately trying to calm her. Martha again tried to hold back the tears, but the more she tried, the more came. Eventually giving up, she allowed her body to fall limply against his and just let him hold her. After a time she found that the sobs had become quieter whimpers and the tears had slowed to a trickle. Lifting her head slightly from his chest she looked into his eyes. She nearly lost it again when she saw the concern held there. Instead she found herself studying his face. Each crease and dimple. Lifting one of her hands from her side, she couldn't help but reach out and touch him. She touched his cheeks, his eyes, his neck. She couldn't help it; it was if someone else had the use of her hand. All she knew was that if she couldn't, if she didn't, allow herself this contact -- to be able to touch him -- she would crumble again. As she stroked his cheeks, she watched him with interest as his eyes slowly closed. His face moved into her hand like a cat nuzzling into its owner. Martha knew this wasn't the time. She knew this wasn't the place. She knew she wasn't ready for what she was about to do, but without letting the thoughts permeate into her head too much she moved her head forward and captured his lips with her own. She felt him gasp against her mouth, but he didn't move away. Pulling up both of her hands she held his head and began to move her lips against his. Pushing her whole body into his, she moaned as she felt him move against her. She didn't care about anything at this moment; all she wanted, all she needed was the feel of his lips on hers, of his body against hers. Slipping her tongue between his teeth she explored the hotness of his mouth, all the time grinding her lower body into him. She felt his arms slide into her hair and gently tug on it as his tongue duelled with hers. She felt an urgency she had never felt before and it scared her slightly. As she moved her body against his again she found herself left mouth open, cheeks aglow and hair messed as Aaron pulled her away from him. She stood staring at him for what seemed like an eternity, unsure of what she had done. Closing her mouth, she began to feel the well of tears build up in her again as Aaron turned his back to her. "I...I'm sorry, Aaron...that was ...inappropiate...I...I just..." She stopped as her words began to come out choked and weak. Aaron quickly turned back toward her. What he saw in her eyes made him reach for her again. Only this time he held her gently, running his hands up and down her arms. She allowed her head to again fall to his chest and felt the rapid beating of his heart through his thin shirt. The stroking of his arms calmed her and she no longer felt the intense urgency of only a few seconds before. They stood like that for minutes until Aaron spoke.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Martha. Don't ever apologize to me. But right now, I think you just need this. So I am going to take us over to the couch and we are going to sit down, and I am going to hold you."
Martha's head shot up at the sincerity in his voice. She allowed a small smile to mirror his as carefully he led her to the worn leather couch in the center of the room. Letting go of his hold on her, she allowed herself to fall back onto the comfy cushions and waited until he sat beside her.
Aaron looked over at the woman he knew he was meant to love from this day forward, and held out his arms. Without sound or question, Martha slid over into them.

Chuckling again to herself, she snuggled into Aaron.

"What's so funny?" He murmured into her hair.

"I was just thinking back to our first kiss."

"I don't recall it being amusing."

"Oh, me, either. I recall it being the hottest thing I think I have ever felt."
She looked up and smiled as she saw what she knew she would: Aaron's cheeks turning a nice shade of red. "That is, the hottest thing until the next time, and the time after that..." She giggled. "Though you certainly made me wait until the next time!" She pulled herself up to allow her better access to his neck, placing featherlike kisses along his jawline.

"Well, you know as well as I do, Martha, you weren't ready. At least I didn't make you wait until your divorce came through.

Martha laughed. "You make it sound like you could have stayed away."

"You didn't make it easy."

"I didn't intend to." She smiled. Pulling herself up to a sitting position, she looked down at the man she loved. "Let's go home."

Walking into her house, Martha felt her mood lift even more than she thought was possible. She had bought the house after her divorce had been finalized only a few months ago, and she still loved the feelings it created in her when she walked through the front door. For the first time in her life she was happy. Truly happy. She had a man with whom she was falling more and more in love with every day, she had her own little nest high in the hills of L.A. And above all, she no longer had to care about her ex-husband. He had been under house arrest at their retreat for the last six months, and Martha was just awaiting confirmation to the charges he would face. Then she could finally put the whole sorry mess behind her once Charles was locked up. And she had no doubts it would be for a very long time. Smiling to herself, she turned to face Aaron, who had placed the rest of the bags from Mel's on the kitchen table. She loved how at home he felt here. She enjoyed watching him let himself in with his own keys and casually throw his coat over the nearest thing, usually the bannister. She kept a supply of his favorite potato chips and beers on hand. She truly loved nothing more than to cuddle up with him in front of the T.V., something they had done regularly over the last month since they became official. It wasn't that Martha didn't want to go out with him, in fact, she loved nothing better than to go for cosy meals and show off her handsome Texan. She just enjoyed the first flush of a new relationship -- something she had never truly experienced before. And after a few frustrating kisses goodnight, she was glad that they had taken things slow. She had never been courted before, not even by Charles, and it was something she had enjoyed. She watched Aaron put away the last of the fruit in her refrigerator. Yes, she had enjoyed being courted, but now she knew they were ready to take the next step.

Aaron slowly reached into the brown bags and removed what was left of the fruit. Taking it to the fridge, he glanced back over his shoulder at Martha. She had a look on her face. He had started to learn what each of her looks meant over the months. He knew when she wanted to be held, he knew when she wanted to be fed, and he knew when to beat a hasty retreat out of her way! This look was something new, though. If he could characterize it, he would say it was halfway between wanting to be fed and wanting to be held. Putting the last of the food away he turned to her, grinning when he saw her still studying him. He wondered what they would do tonight. It was pretty much a nonverbal agreement that he would stay with her each night until she went to bed. Some nights he even lay beside her and held her untill she slept. He was beginning to find leaving her more and more difficult. He knew that the day she had found him in the safehouse she wasn't ready to commit to a new relationship but over the last few months, and especially the last month he had found himself in a new relationship with the woman of his dreams. He had even taken off his wedding band 5 weeks previously. He wanted her to know how dedicated he was to her. She, in turn, had long since removed her rings tying her to Charles. Moving closer toward her, he felt an unfamiliar fluttering in his stomach. Somehow he knew tonight would be different. Somehow he knew he would not be leaving her bed once she slept. Taking her in his arms, his eyes asked a question and hers responded willingly.

Martha rolled over in bed trying to block out the sound from the ringing phone on her bedside table. Rolling over, she felt skin meet skin, and opened her eyes. "Good Morning," she murmured, reaching for him.
"Good morning," he replied, taking her into his arms and bending his head to capture her lips. He ignored the persistant shrill ring of the phone and enjoyed the feeling of her lips on his, her skin touching his. "You want me to get that?" he asked in between kisses.

"Nope, let the machine get it. I can think of better uses for your hands," she purred in his ear, and shivered as indeed his hands began to travel down her body. Touching places that until last night she had thought would never be touched again. "You're not tired?" she asked between gasps of pleasure as his hands found their targets and pressed and carressed in all the right places. "I mean...Oh god!...We didn't get much sleep." Martha found that it was becoming harder to form a coherant sentence.

Sealing his lips over hers and flipping her over so he was on top of her, Aaron ran his tongue down her jaw line to her neck then to the delicate area of skin between her exposed breasts. Feeling her body react to every touch and carress he made, he looked up into her deep blue eyes. "Honey. I can think of better things to do with my time than sleep. Can't you?" He didnt wait for Martha to answer; instead he took the moan she gave as his answer, and slowly let his tongue drift lower and lower.

"What time is it?" Martha murmured sleepily, her head lolling on his chest.

"Tired, honey?" Aaron smiled at her. Looking at her, he thought she could barely keep her eyes open.

"You are worth staying awake for." Martha whispered, but he could see her eyes begin to close. Wrapping his legs around hers, he pulled her as close as was humanly possible to him. Kissing the top of her sweat soaked hair, he whispered. "Sleep my precious."

"You'll still be here, right...?" Martha mumbled, sleep rapidly overtaking her.

"Where else would I go?" Aaron replied. Waiting for her breathing to become deeper, he, too, drifted into a deep sleep.

"I swear I'm gonna disconnect that phone," Martha muttered to herself as she reached over Aaron's sleeping form to grab the receiver. "Yes." She snapped into the phone.

"Mrs. Logan?"

"This is she." She pulled herself off Aaron and into a sitting position, resting her head against the head board.

"This is Kristin Schott from the Attorney General's office. We have some information for you. Regarding your husband.

"Ex-husband." Martha shot back.

"I'm sorry. Ex-husband. Maybe you would be able to come and see us this afternoon. I find these things are usually done better in person."
Martha looked down the bed as Aaron stirred slightly. Lowering her voice, she replied. "Is this really necessary? You have my statements; in fact, I think you have close to twenty of them. I really have no desire to be involved in this any more until the trial."

"Well, that's just it, Mrs. Logan, this is about the trial. Would 4pm be suitable?"

Glancing at her bedside clock, Martha saw it was now 2pm. Sighing, she looked down at Aaron. If truth be told, she would rather spend the day in bed with him. But if this was to be her closure, she should get it over and done with. "4pm is fine, Ms. Schott."

"Thank you. We will see you then, the usual offices."

"Yes, yes, I know." Martha snapped; she had visited them enough over the last 6 months. Looking down at Aaron, she reached for his arm and gently shook it.

"Martha...I'm gonna need a little more rest before we..."
Laughing, Martha shook Aaron fully awake. "No such luck, Casanova, we have a meeting to go to."

"I really don't see what this is all about." Martha moaned again from the passenger seat.

"I told you, darlin', they probably want to go over your statement again. If they have set a date for the trial, the prosecutor needs to know you are ready. You do know this is not gonna be easy. You understand they will use our relationship to try to discredit you." Aaron looked away from the road quickly and was pleased when he saw Martha smile.

"Aaron, I have been building this up in my head for the last six months; I am ready for anything they throw at me. I just want to see Charles pay for what he did to David...and you. The sooner he is locked up, the happier I will be. Although after last night, I'd say i'm off to a good start on the happy front." Reaching for his leg, she giggled when he lurched forward as her hand travelled higher.

"Behave! If you're good, we'll stop by Mel's on the way home and have dinner in bed."

"Why, Agent Pierce, are you trying to bribe me to be good?" Martha purred.

"Yup."

"Okay, just as long as we're on the same page. It's working, by the way."

"You ready?" Aaron called to Martha over the top of the car.

"As I'll ever be." She slammed the car door and walked over to Aaron.

"You'll stay with me, right?" she asked, the first hint that she was nervous crossing her face.

"As long as I can." He reached up and stroked her face softly. He wished this hadn't happened today of all days, he wanted the first time they made love to have been perfect, and it had been. But he couldn't help thinking that this afternoon was going to put a mark on the day. Reaching for her hand he held it to his chest. "And if I can't be in the room with you, I'll be right here."

Martha looked up, shocked at his public display of affection on the grounds of a government building. "I love you, Aaron. I know this probably isn't the best time to say it. But there never seems to be a good time. But I want you to know I love you."

"Martha. You know I love you, too. I have loved you since the first day I met you. I never thought I would find someone like you. You told me once that you were lucky to have me. Well, I want you to know that I'm lucky. I am lucky to have found someone as wonderful as you to share my life with, and that is what I want. To share my life with you. I love you, too." He leaned down and placed a kiss on her trembling lips. It was not as passionate as others they had shared, but to Martha it was the sweetest thing she had ever experienced.

"Okay. Let's get this over with. So we can move on," she said, her voice betraying a slight tremor.

Martha sat in the front seat of the car. Her face was white and Aaron could see that she was trembling, and in 80 degree heat he knew it wasn't because she was cold. He watched her wringing her hands and felt useless. After what they had just heard, he wanted to punch something, so he could only imagine what she must be feeling. He opened his mouth, but could find no words. Silently he started the car and began the short drive home.

"House arrest?"

"I'm sorry?" Martha had spoken so softly Aaron had not heard what she had said.

"I mean, I knew he was under house arrest until the trial...but then...I thought..." her voice trailed off as she gazed out of the window. "So it was all for nothing...for nothing."

Aaron looked over at her and could see her eyes darting from side to side, she looked agitated and her breathing had started coming in short shallow gasps. Concerned he swung the car on to the hard shoulder and looked over at her. "Martha...you need to calm down...breathe...please, honey, take deep breaths." He placed his hands over hers, which were clasped tightly in her lap. He was worried to find them as cold as ice. Taking them in his, he rubbed them to try to get the circulation going again. And if he was honest, because he needed to feel as if he was giving her some comfort. After what they had just been told, he could understand her mood. But it didn't mean it frightened him any less.

They had been shown into the main office of the Attorney General and after the usual pleasantries and offers of refreshments, they had been told that Logan would not be facing any criminal charges for his actions during the days events. He would, however, remain under house arrest for an undisclosed period of time. But this could be done at Logan's Retreat. It had been decided that for the good of the country and the survival of the new administration, that Logan's part in the deaths of David Palmer, Tony Almeida and Michelle Dessler would not be disclosed in court or otherwise. Aaron had listened to the A.G. talking to them and could feel his anger bubbling inside him. When he eventually dared look over at Martha, he was surprised to find her sitting quite calmly. In fact she looked as if she was at one of her society functions. This had unnerved him. To the outsider, he knew they would think Martha was taking it all in. Maybe even that she was relieved she would not have to face her ex- husband in court. But to Aaron who had sat with her many a night after the events of that day he knew otherwise. He knew that her reaction to the news would be to switch off, to shield herself from the information being relayed to her. It was her defense mechanism. To avoid a full blown panic attack, she would quite simply shut down. It was if she had an off switch on her and at the moment someone had flicked it.

Turning back to her, he continued to rub her hands. "Martha. What do you want to do?"

She didn't move from the position she was in, just stared straight ahead out of the window, but in a small voice said, "Just take me home, Aaron. I want to go home."

Twenty minutes later, Aaron pulled the car into the driveway of her house, where only hours before they had spent the morning making love. Martha reached for the door handle and finally looked over at Aaron. "I need to be on my own for a while."

"Martha, I'm not sure that's a good ..."

"I'm sorry. But I have to be alone just for a bit." Her voice was in monotone and the expression on her face did not change. She looked in all intents and purposes like a china doll. Without saying another word, she got out of the car and made her way to the front door. Aaron watched her as she opened the door and without a backward glance she went inside. Aaron sat in the car watching the door for a few seconds then drove to the bottom of her drive. She might have wanted him to leave, but he was staying close by.

"Mr. Pierce...Mr. Pierce..." Aaron woke from the fitful sleep he had drifted into an hour or so before by someone knocking on the car window. Shaking his head, he looked out of the closed window and noticed that it had started to get dark. Glancing at his watch, he saw he had been sitting in the car for over 4 hours. Still slightly disoriented, he looked out of the window again and noticed the agent that had woken him. Winding down the window, he recognized Agent Hemlett, Martha's lead agent.

"Agent? What is it?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I wasn't sure what to do. It's Mrs. Logan, she...well, I think she needs help, and I wasn't sure who to call. I saw you waiting here and thought you'd know what to do."

Before the agent had finshed his sentence, Aaron was out of the car and started running up the long drive. "What happened?" He shouted back at Agent Hemlett who was struggling to keep up. Without waiting for an answer, he reached the front door. Fishing in his pocket for his keys, he unlocked the door and went into the house. He could hear the sound of smashing glass from the hallway. Slowly making his way though the living area he looked aound he noticed an empty bottle of gin laying on its side on the coffee table and several cigarettes, still half-smouldering in a makeshift ashtray. Picking up the potpourri holder that was doubling as an ashtray, he tipped the contents into the fireplace. Following the sound of breaking glass, he walked into the kitchen. What he saw made his blood run cold. He stood still and silent in the doorway and looked at the woman he loved.

She was standing next to one of the kitchen units -- one that had, until a few minutes ago, held her best dinner china . Now it lay shattered on the floor. Without making any sudden movements, Aaron walked round the breakfast bar, his feet crunching on broken glass as he made his way slowly toward her. She held a large bowl in her hands and she tossed it like a football from one hand to the other. She was muttering to herself, but Aaron was too far away to hear what she was saying. He opened his mouth to call to her, but before he had a chance, she lifted the bowl high in the air and hurled it at the stone floor. Aaron winced as he saw shards of china fly up around her, his stomach lurched as he looked closely at her face and hands and saw the blood trickling down from numerous cuts. Her eyes were wild and her hair mussed. Opening his mouth again he calmly spoke, " Martha." She didn't look up from her position, instead reached into the cupboard and pulled out a decorative plate. Edging closer toward her, he began to hear what she was muttering to herself.
"House arrest...joke...to think ...keep him busy...his hands all over me...He will be punished." Lifting up the plate, she again threw it at the floor, laughing maniacally as it broke into a hundred pieces.

Aaron finally reached her side, he looked and saw Agent Hemlett stood in the doorway. He was watching the scene with a look of fear on his face. "Shall I call..." He began.

"No, it's fine; just leave us, please." Aaron watched as the Agent left the room. Aaron turned back to Martha. He wasn't afraid of her her; he was more concerned about the harm she was doing to herself. Taking another step closer to her, he called her name again, softly. "Martha, it's me. It's Aaron."

She turned to look at him for the first time since he had entered the room. Her voice was clear, slightly slurred but clear. "I know it's you. I'm not crazy."

"What are you doing, honey?"

"What does it look like?" She reached into the cupboard and Aaron jumped as yet another plate hit the floor. "I'm redecorating. See this?" She gestured to the pieces of china strewn around her. "Silver wedding present." I don't know why I kept it in the first place. I just liked the pattern. You know?"

Aaron took another step toward her and this time held her arm. "Martha, you're hurt. Let me look at you."

He jumped again as Martha let out a piercing laugh. "Look at me, you don't want to look at me. I'm dirty. I need to shower, yes that's it. I need to clean up." She looked around the kitchen her eyes wild. As she looked back at Aaron, he was concerned when her eyes couldn't quite focus on him.

"Martha. Come with me. Lets go into the den, and I can look at you. Okay?" He gently took her arm and was relieved when she looked at him again this time some recognition sparked in her eyes. She looked at the chaos that surrounded her and tears sprang to her eyes. "Oh, Aaron. I made a mess," she stammered.

"Yeah, honey. You sure did, but we can fix it. We can fix it. Let's just check you out first, okay?"

"Okay." She grabbed onto his hand and allowed him to carefully lead her out of the kitchen into the den. She stumbled a few times, but Aaron put that down to the gin she had consumed. Without being asked, she sat on the couch and looked up at him. "I'm scared, Aaron."

He knelt in front of her and took her blood-streaked hands in his. "What are you scared of, honey? I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I just want to make sure you're not hurt. I'm going to go get some water and some band aids and we can clean you up, okay?" He moved to stand up, but she grabbed at his hands.

"Don't leave me, Aaron, you said you wouldn't leave me."

"I'm not going to leave you, Martha, but I need to see about your hands, okay?" He turned her smaller hands over in his to see the damage she had done to herself. Relieved he only found small superficial cuts on her hand, he was more concerned about the gash above her eye. "Martha. I will be right back, alright." He smoothed her damp hair off her forehead and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Alright," she whispered.