A/N. This is Richard's POV. Please review so I can know if you are enjoying it, or if there's some things I need to change. Thank you!

Untouched

Kahlan. His Kahlan. Spirits, if only he could call her his! If not just for her looks, but for her demeanor- the essence of womanhood she protruded unknowingly. Her sheer strength and intelligence attracted him more than anything else. His need for her at times seemed to suffocate him; his longing for her almost unbearable. She knew of his feelings for her, yes, but if only he could express them to her- let her know just how magnificent she was. The picturesque image of what a woman should be- strong, smart, bold and beautiful. She encased all these qualities and more. She was his masterpiece.

Seeing her the night before, completely unclothed, in more ways than one, ready and willing to completely give herself over to him made his head swim. He wanted to do so much more to her, to show her how much she meant to him. The simple words he spoke to her - I love you - didn't seem like they were enough. He knew without a doubt he was madly in love with her. But the words weren't sufficient enough for him. He needed her in every way. Needed her to keep him alive. Needed her with him for eternity.

In his twenty-three years he had not yet met anyone that made him feel the way she did. There was Anna at one time. Anna he smiled to himself such puppy love. She was a mere flicker compared to Kahlan's entirety. He did love Anna, in a sense. He was very young when they first shared interest in each other. He cared for her deeply, but they both realized it wasn't right – that she had different goals in life he could not take part of. It was hard to let her go, but it was for the better. Any love he had for her now was nothing more than brotherly.

Kahlan was his only now. Though it was impossible to see past the blazing warning in his head to not allow himself to go down that path, he did simply because it was Kahlan. Nobody could compare to her. He could never imagine finding anyone different or better than her. He never wanted to either and told her so.

Last night; Richard smiled at the memory of him and her bathing in the river bed. He couldn't believe the totally different side he saw of her- full of lust, full of desire for him; it was a nice surprise to say the least. He was used to being in control of himself- used to being able to control others around him, cool their tempers, match their wits. Never has anyone been able to completely throw him off course like Kahlan. He wasn't lying to her when he told her if anyone was a distraction, it was her. He was very aware of how distracted he became last night. If Kahlan hadn't pushed him away, he would have continued, willingly. The shape of her, her moans, her scent…everything drove him mad with desire. He felt himself heating up over just the thought of last night. He shook his head to clear his mind of the lustful thoughts.

He looked around the camp towards Cara who was readying the horses. Dawn was just breaking. Zedd was still snoring loudly and Kahlan lay beside him, asleep at last. He noticed she didn't sleep much the night before, because of what had happened between them he assumed. She was pretty torn up about what had happened. He had hoped she would be able to get to sleep but realized that was just wishful thinking.

He reached up and brushed a strand of loose brown hair away from her pale face as she slept. He really didn't want to wake her, but would have to soon. Her light breathing was relaxing and all he really wanted to do was lie next to her, with her in his arms and fall back asleep.

"When are you going to wake them?" Cara chimed in, loud enough to make Zedd snort. She rolled her eyes at the old man.

Richard sighed as he popped a berry into his mouth, "Soon, Cara. Soon." He brushed his hand on his pant leg and stuffed the rest of his belongings in his pack. Cara eyed him suspiciously.

"I watched you last night by the river," she stated. Richard stopped briefly for a second. It took him a moment before he went on.

"No you didn't," he said, his gaze, penetrating her. She smiled.

"You hesitated," she stated and walked closer to the camp, "what happened that made you two so awkward last night? Especially the Confessor" she pointed at Kahlan with her chin. Richard shook his head in annoyance

"Cara, really, mind your own business. Nothing happened. We went to have a bath and that is what we did. What we discussed is really none of your concern," he exclaimed, his look challenging her. She lifted an eyebrow in response.

"Touchy, are we?" she mocked, her blue eyes laughing. He rolled his eyes in frustration.

"Whatever Cara- finish up with the rest of the horses," he retorted. She gave him one last smile and turned around, heading back towards the horses. Richard shook his head at her annoying habits. She made it her duty to make everyone uncomfortable at times. Especially him and especially Kahlan.

Richard knew Kahlan was jealous over Cara, though she had no reason to be. Cara didn't interest him at all, in that way. He could see her becoming a good friend one day, if she put down some of her barriers, but that was it. Nothing more. Kahlan had been somewhat jealous of Anna, too, but managed to suppress it. Richard could understand. Had Kahlan had any past boyfriends that suddenly came in to the picture, he would probably be jealous, too. Of course, that would never happen. Confessors don't have boyfriends. Confessors don't have love. His face faltered at this fact. He again looked towards Kahlan's direction. Better wake her up.

Gently he put a warm hand on her arm and rubbed it softly, "Kahlan?" he said lightly, bringing her out of her slumber. A groan escaped her lips at him waking her, "time to get up," he smiled at her. Her eyes squinted open and she peered up at him, her blue eyes had bags under them. He frowned at seeing just how tired she was.

"Just a few more minutes?" she shut her eyes again and scooted closer to him and his warmth. He smiled at how childlike she was in the morning. He put a comforting hand on her back, allowing her the few extra minutes.

"Zedd," he called out to his grandfather, "wake up." Zedd snorted again.

"How come I don't get the calming greeting she got," Zedd muffled a response, still laying in the same position, eyes closed. Richard laughed.

"Well probably because you aren't a beautiful young woman," he stated matter-of-factly, "plus, you kept me up most the night with your snoring. You don't deserve a nice wake-up call." Cara stated her agreement from the distance. Zedd yawned as he sat up, his grey hair tossed in every direction. He cracked his back as he sat up and grimaced at the sound.

"Bags, boy. None of this yelling business first thing in the morning. You nearly gave me a fright," he winced as more bones seemed to crack in place. "There any food left over? I'm starving!" he looked around the camp.

Richard laughed at his grandfather and held out a bowl of berries he had collected. He'd been up for nearly an hour now- Cara had been up for at least a half hour. Her hair was brushed and pulled into her neat braid. She was ready to go whenever they were.

Zedd grabbed the bowl from Richard's grasp, "it's not rabbit stew, but I suppose it will do for the time being," he exclaimed, throwing the berries down. Richard shook his head. Where did he store all that food? He's too skinny to eat what he eats…must be a wizard thing.

"We should head out in a half hour or so," Cara stated from the horses. "The Mother Confessor needs to wake up. Now." Richard glared at her, though he knew it to be true.

He sighed and rubbed Kahlan's back some more, "Kahlan?" he whispered. She groaned again, "time to get up." She opened her eyes slightly and pushed herself up on her shoulders, looking around.

"It's too early," she stated, still in a daze. Zedd snorted.

"Half the day's gone by now!" he exclaimed, a frown on his face as he pointed at her, "You'll never get those tangles out, dear one," he pointed to her knotted hair. Kahlan gave him an exasperated look.

"Thanks for that, Zedd," she managed to say as she ran a hand through her messy hair. Richard handed her a comb and she smiled in thanks. He stood up as she began getting ready and pulled his pack up.

"I'll be back in a minute," he exclaimed, happy to have everyone awake with him once more. Cara eyed him suspiciously as she continued busying herself with the horses.

"Where you off to now, Seeker?" she questioned. Richard gave her a look. Although she always enjoyed nettling him and insisted that she wasn't following him to protect him, he sometimes wondered about her. He did feel there was good in her. She had made the right choice in helping him with Lord Rahl and had continuously been proving herself to him. He could use her as she was a good fighter.

"I'm just heading to the brush over there," he pointed with his index finger, "I'll be back in just one minute." He said as he headed out towards the brush. Richard could feel her eyes on his back as he headed out. He smiled to himself- she was concerned. He knew his judgment of her had been correct. Kahlan and Zedd had a right to be worried, but they didn't see past the leather and the agiel sitting on her right hip. Being captured by Denna had forced him to learn who these women were and what they were all about. He pitied them for the life they were forced into and understood that beyond the threat, beyond the agiel, they were hurting women who had been tortured most their lives. These women had been hurt beyond recognition. He understood because he, too, was tortured. His mind had also been altered, almost brainwashed to believe everything Denna had told him. He understood Cara, and knew why she was the way she was. He also saw past that; he saw that she did have a heart. Otherwise she would have killed him by now. Though she wanted him to believe her tough demeanor, he saw past it and was not threatened by her.

When he finished relieving himself, he came back to camp to find that Zedd and Kahlan had already packed their bedding away and looked to be ready to go.

He looked to see where Cara was and saw that she was feeding the horses some of the berries they had collected. He turned his face in Kahlan's direction. Her hair was knot-free but she still did not look good. She needed more sleep. He doubted if she got over two hours. His heart ached to see her in such a state. He knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder, "You going to be all right?" he questioned.

She didn't look at him as she answered, "I'm fine," she forced a small smile to put him at ease. "We ready to go?" she threw her pack over her shoulder.

Richard didn't believe it, but let it be, "Almost. Just have to get some water for the horses and then we'll head out," the sun was peeking through the mountain tops and it was becoming brighter so he'd be able to see where he was going. Normally with the moonlight he would be ok, but with the high trees and thick brush, it made it difficult navigating through the darkness. He gave her shoulder a squeeze and stood up, "Cara, come with me to the river bed. We'll get some water for the horses and when we get back, we can head out."

Cara grumbled something but nodded in agreement as they headed out towards the river.

Zedd looked over to Kahlan when they were out of ear-shot, "Dear one, you look as if you've had no sleep," his brow furrowed, "is there something wrong?"

Kahlan rubbed her weary eyes and gave him a reassuring smile, "I'm fine, Zedd. I did have troubles sleeping last night, but I think it was simply the cold weather that kept me up. The fire didn't seem to help much," she responded as she grabbed a few of the berries Richard had left for her.

Zedd nodded in agreement, "It was very cold last night. Winter will be here soon. We better get moving fast while we can before the snow comes. Snow always slows down travel." He nodded, scratching his chin. Kahlan was glad he didn't question her more. She wasn't sure she could handle the embarrassment of him berating her right now. She leaned back against the tree stump behind her and rested her eyes, waiting for Richard and Cara to return.