"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you felt so strongly about her," Hellboy said.
"Well, now you do," Abe practically growled. "She is an intriguing woman. I don't have many women that take so strong an interest in me as well. If you ruined this…"
"I understand," Hellboy interrupted.
"I don't think you do. You have Liz and you have for a long time. Kallistrate is one of the first," Abe said.
He and Hellboy heard footsteps on the stairs. They turned to see Liz followed by Kallistrate. She still looked upset, but she was maintaining. Liz stepped close to Hellboy when they reached the floor. Kallistrate stared at the floor refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
"You okay?" Abe asked.
"Fine," Kallistrate mumbled.
Abe took hold of her chin and lifted it until she looked him in the eye.
"No, you are not. I apologize for my behavior. I rushed you into something you were not ready for."
"No, don't apologize, Abe," Kallistrate said softening for him. "You did nothing wrong, nothing I didn't return."
She reached up and took his hand in hers. She brought it to her lips and kissed it. He kept her hand in his, but brought it down to his side. Together they walked to the dinning room. They sat across from one another and talked all through dinner. They completely ignored all the others.
As dinner ended Hellboy approached Abe and Kallistrate. He knelt by their table and waited for their acknowledgement. Kallistrate turned to him first.
"What do you want?" she growled.
"Just to apologize and see if you will start tutoring me his evening," Hellboy replied.
"I suppose we can start this evening. Just let me finish here and I'll meet you in the library," Kallistrate said.
"Okay, I really am sorry for my intrusion. I hope you'll forgive me," Hellboy told her.
Kallistrate smiled saying, "I already have."
"Really?" Hellboy asked in surprise.
"Yes, give me a few minutes and I'll join you," Kallistrate returned.
"Of course," Hellboy said as he got to his feet and went to collect the dialect books.
"You are very kindhearted," Abe said.
"Well, he did feel sorry for what he did and I've never been one to hold a grudge for very long. Only in two cases have I," she told him.
"Good to know," he said as he leaned forward.
He kissed her lips and then said, "You better go for now. He's not very patient. You can visit me later. I'd like to know about those to cases."
"I will visit you when we are finished," Kallistrate replied as she got to her feet.
She walked to the door and paused in the doorway. She looked at him before continuing on.
