Later that evening Gordon walked in with a tray of food and placed it next to his brother who lay with his head on the bed next to the woman. " You haven't eaten." He said as he watched a tired Vigil open his eyes." Scott told me to give you this, don't worry its not grandma's cooking." He said with a chuckle. Virgil looked at his brother and rubbed his eyes wearily.
"I can't figure out why she was down there, all those injuries and most not from the explosion." He brought up an image on the screen, "See, bruises , cuts, broken bones, all healed except the whip marks, its..its as if she was used and abused down there."
"And this makes you angry, right?" Gordon said Virgil balled his hands and smacked the table.
"Right, how..how can men treat some one...like her that way." He looked over at the brown haired woman his voice went soft as he finished his sentence.
"Seems to me, you've fallen for her." Gordon said chuckling as he moved to the door. As he left Virgil heard her whimper again this time she curled into a ball.
"Its okay, your safe." He said softly to her as he moved to her side. Seeing her try and open her eyes he lowered the lighting down. Slowly her blue eyes opened to look at him "What's your name?" He asked she just whimpered softly her eyes flicked to the glass of water sat beside him. "Would you like a drink?" He asked and she nodded her head. Picking up the glass he moved closer to her but she backed away. "Your hurt, please, let me help you?" He saw the look of contemplation on her face as thought about it then she nodded. Moving his arm behind her he lifted her up bringing the glass to her lips so she could drink. After a moment she pushed it away and rested her head on his arm, her eyes drooping as she rested against him. "Do you have a name?" He asked but just felt her nod her head in reply. "Can you tell me it?" He asked but feeling her gentle breaths against his chest he looked down to find her sleeping again. Laying her down he covered her with the blanket again now eating the food Gordon brought earlier.
Next morning he woke to the warm sun against his face sitting up he saw the woman sat looking out the window her brown hair sat over her shoulders. But he could still see then thin red lines that criss crossing her back. "You shouldn't be up yet" He said moving to sit close to her. She turned to face him and he could see tears trialing down her still dirt covered cheeks. Taking out his hanky he moved to wipe her cheeks, she pulled back flinching as she expected a slap or hit from him but when he stopped and waited she let him touch her cheeks. He cleaned off her face and smiled to her but when the door opened she scooted behind him and held his shirt shaking. "Its okay he's just my brother, this is Scott, Scott this is.." He paused and looked over his shoulder at her. "You never told me your name." He said softly this made her look at her hands. She opened her mouth to talk but nothing came out again she tried and nothing then looked at him. " its okay" He said and glanced at Scott " we'll call you Em, because your eyes are like emeralds." He said smiling as he did he thought he saw a quick smile from her but it was short lived.
"Oh, come on Virgil, that was corny" Scott said with a chuckle but he saw her glare at him from behind Virgil. Once Scott had left Em moved out from behind Virgil and sighed as she looked back out the window. "He won't hurt you Em, nobody here will." He told her " There's clean clothing in the bathroom over there." He motioned to a door but she made no move towards it. "Come with me." He said and stood up and offering his hand to her. Looking up she took it and stood with him still some what scared and physically stiff. Virgil lead her to the door and opened it "See just the bathroom" He said.
"Hum, now I see why Scott's grinning all over the place." Came a female voice this time Em didn't hide but stood facing her. " I'm Tanusha Kyrano, or you can call me Kayo." She said and smiled a she crossed to them both and took her free hand in hers. Em quickly pulled it back from her.
"I think she's still scared." Virgil told Kayo "But why are you here Kayo?" He asked her Kayo smiled and held up the pile of clothing she had in her arms.
"Scott asked for women's clothing for her, these are old ones of mine I thought she could use them, though she looks thinner than me so they might need taking in." She told him " Virgil you best let me take over". Now she saw the scared look on Em's face as she shook her head. "Okay , okay he can stay, but he can't come into the bathroom when you wash, okay?." She saw Em look to Virgil and then to her finally she nodded her head in agreement and followed Kayo into the bathroom.
Several hours later they both emerged Em now wore one of Virgil's tee shirts that hung lose on her and jeans, on her feet sat a pair of sneakers her hair was brushed and up off her shoulders. Kayo looked to Virgil who stood smiling. " Okay I think your shower needs cleaning and unblocking, her hair was filthy." Kayo told him "Oh and those chains are in the bin, show him" She motioned to Em who held out her hands her wrists red roar from the metal.
"Okay, I got something that will sooth that." He said and moved to a cabinet. Taking out a tub he unscrewed the lid and took some on his fingers. Placing the tub down he held out his left hand for her. Slowly she placed her hand in his glancing at Kayo as she did to see her nod. Em jumped as the lotion was placed on her skin, she even blushed as she felt his fingers against her skin even if it was sore.
" I think you made her blush, nice going Virg" She said and chuckled seeing he too blush "Hey its okay, Scott said you liked her." Virgil sighed and continued to apply the lotion.
"She's not ready for that, she's still scared around other people."He told Kayo " but not you?" Em moved her fingers to wrap around his hand tugging at it gently to get his attention.
"Or you Virgil, she's not scared of you." Kayo pointed out it was now they heard Em's stomach growl loudly and both looked at her. Em looked sheepishly at both of them but it was Kayo that chuckled and took her hand. "Okay food it is." She said and lead her to the door. Em paused tugging back on Kayos hand then letting go pulling her arms against her. Virgil noted the scared look on her face and he held out his hand to her nervously she took it and he lead her out into the hall way. Now she gripped his arm as if her life depended on that contact. "Its okay." He told her but she just glanced at him as her bare feet moved on the shiny cold tiles under them.
