They didn't go to New York immediately. Gabriel wanted to wait until Eden's bruises had faded, they were now a mottled purple-yellow. In the mean time Eden nettled Gabriel into going out together, in full sight of everyone. She wanted the whispers and curtain twitches to see and get used to them. But it only made their gossiping worse and Virginia was getting the brunt of it. She couldn't go to church or join the women's meetings without her neighbours shooting her furtive glances before finally asking her in hungry politeness how Gabriel was? And his friend? Virginia had smiled graciously and said they were doing fine. This was the most attention she had received since her husband had died.

Eden watched Gabriel's mother skittering around her kitchen, straightening cloths and plates repeatedly as she prepared herself and Gabriel a light lunch before they left for the station. Finally she laid out the boiled potatoes and cold meat and sat down, watching Eden for any signs of displeasure. Eden smiled encouragingly at her and cut her ham. Over the weeks Virginia had relented somewhat to Eden's presence in her son's life as they got to know each other. Eden was a good judge of character and Virginia was an easy person to read. Just give her complements, about herself, her home and especially Gabriel and she was putty in your hand. But it wasn't totally to Eden's liking. While Virginia seemed to have accepted her for the most part she seemed to view her as some unfortunate that couldn't function without assistance. Like a homeless kitten that Gabriel had rescued.

"Doesn't she eat neatly Gabriel? Little dainty hands." Virginia crinkled her nose at her and Eden smiled back, trying to smother the snide feeling she felt.

"What? Oh, yes they're small." He was eating his food fast, watching the clock on the mantel piece.

"You really do have a beautiful home Ms Gray. I only have a modest little place. I don't know how you keep it so clean by yourself." Eden watched the woman across her swell in praise. Gabriel watched her with narrowed eyes.

"Oh thank you. I can tell you it's been tough by myself, what with Gabriel not living here anymore."

"I only live over there Ma."

"Oh but it's not the same. And now you have…" She trailed off, looking at Eden with reddening cheeks.

"A fiancée? Well I'm sure when I'm living with him, when we get back, I could help you. If you needed it."

"When you get back?"

"Yes. I have no parents for him to get consent from, so he doesn't have to wait for me to move in. I live almost a mile away. There's no point traipsing back and forth when I can move in now is there?"

"Eden…" His warning was low.

"What?"

"That's not funny. You know you can't yet." He stared at her in annoyance. "She's just playing Ma." Virginia had been staring confused between them but now she laughed, relieved.

"Well that ok then!" There was tense silence as they finished their food. Finally the time arrived to leave and Virginia gave them both hugs which surprised Eden as she took her face between her hands "My son rescued you and now he's taking care of you, like he should." Her eyes swept her face. "You're so pretty. You made the most with what you had, like me." She gave each cheek a gentle pat "But that is all behind you now, isn't it?"

Eden stared at her stoic before answering "Yes, all that is behind me. Gabriel will take care of me." Virginia nodded in surety. They had already sent their luggage to the station and decided to walk their together. A small gathering were standing around outside. Eden thought she recognised a few that had beaten her. Gabriel saw her unease and took her coat sleeve, something she came to realise was his way of showing her affection. She hooked her arm through his while in sight of them until they reached the wood.

Eden had been privy to his habits, the way he would act around people. Like now he was walking with ease, while before he was uptight and walking fast. She trailed behind him, watching his back. She found it hard to believe he had never had a love, he was extremely attractive but just couldn't see it himself. Maybe he did in the past, some girl in his Sunday school class had given him his first kiss. Or more.

"Eden, you're lagging behind." He stopped and turned to her, waiting for her to catch up.

"My legs aren't as long as yours!" He smirked at her as they resumed walking, the song of birds echoing through the air as the wind whooshed through the branches above them.

"Gabriel?"

"Hmm?"

"How are we going to live together? I was messing with your mother back there but the question still stands. You only have a small bed, I saw it." It looked like it was probably his childhood bed but stretched to fit his long frame. "Where am I going to sleep?"

"You know if this works I'll get my name in the papers? Well the shop name anyway. I Could advertise in all the papers. The Times even!"

Eden gritted her teeth and nodded. She knew from her first discussion with him and afterwards that it was blindingly obvious that he was probably the most egotistical person she had ever met. But then that wasn't quite right. He was selfish but then he would act in a way that was the complete opposite to what she had come to expect. He was crushingly inept in social situations, paranoid about what others thought about him and constantly seeking approval. She found it difficult to meld together these two aspects of his personality. She was never sure how to act around him. She would give him praise and he would glow for awhile but then he would be hit with insecurities. Eden was growing tired of it and even more so of not receiving enough back.

"…Who knows, maybe the papers in America doesn't have to be the be and end all? Maybe -"

"You didn't answer my question Gabriel." She pulled her gloves on, the feel of one of her stockings coming loose adding to her agitated state. He didn't answer straight away, didn't look at her.

"I have a pallet I could sleep on."

Eden shook her head. "That won't do. I know that this is just an arrangement Gabriel, you don't need to feel I'm coming on strong. But if I'm carrying out your side of the bargain then I expect you to do the same for me." He stopped and stared at her hard. Eden swallowed and carried on. "That whole village knows everyone else's business. They know you have a bed made for one, I guarantee it. It's just sleeping together, that's all. And It won't be for awhile yet so when the time comes it won't be so strange because we will be comfortable with each other."

He doesn't say anything, just nods. His eyes sweep down her body, watching as her hand tried to pull up the stocking underneath. He looked back up quickly. She sighed.

"Can you turn around please?" She saw his eyes widen in surprise before he swivelled around in the leaves, head tilted back to the sky. She leaned her back against a tress and pulled her heavy skirts above her hips. She tugged up the think woollen stocking and felt around for the clip on her garter. "So, who are we going to see?"

His back was tense as he spook. "It's one of the biggest loan companies in the US. The man I need to see is the son of the boss." His head tilted down, cocked to the side. Listening for her, she thought.

Eden clipped herself up but didn't let her dress down. She wondered what he would do if he turned now and saw her. Probably faint away she thought with a smirk. Her hand rested on her thigh and she trailed it upwards, the movement leaving a tickling sensation on her skin. She missed being touched.

"Eden?"

She shot away from the tree and flattened her dark skirts down, cheeks flushed. "I'm decent." He turned, visibly relieved to see that she was. They continued walking, the air between them thick. The silence stretched as they reached the station, Gabriel going to check for their luggage before standing and waiting for the train to pull up.

"You never said what his name was, the man we're going to see."

"Oh, sorry. It's Nathan Petrelli."

Eden frowned, looking confused. Gabriel cocked an eyebrow at her. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know…nothing really. Just that name sounds familiar."

"Well you might have heard of the family. They're big shots in the city. Rich."

Eden nodded, mind still trying to place a face to the name. It evoked an anxious feeling, why she couldn't say. As the train pulled up Eden patted her hair down, she had decided to wear it up and the waves in it made her feel like it was in disarray. "How do I look?"

"A bit yellow but it's fading." He saw her shoulders slump and spoke hastily. "You look nice! My mother says that you have skin like porcelain, like the dolls she has." As he helped her step up into the train his eyes stared at her longingly for a moment.

"I'm like a doll?" It was probably the only compliment she would get out of him so she might as well take it, even if it set her teeth on edge somewhat. They sat opposite each other, by the window. He stared at her, a hesitant smile on his face.

"Your lips, they're like a dolls." She pouted at him, then grinned. "Red like cherries." Eden felt her smile falter, after feeling a flush of happiness at his flattery, as his gaze lost focus as he stared at her. He wasn't seeing her at all. Eden looked away from him and stared out the window as the train started to move. As it picked up steam the windows become streaked with a down pour.