"So… I'm not going to be skinned?"

"No." Aidan replied for the umpteenth time in a clipped tone as they descended the steps in front of the hotel to the street.

"And Suren didn't say what she was going to do instead?" Henry continued in a suspicious tone.

"That's right."

Henry's hand shot out to grab Aidan by the elbow, pulling him up short. "I don't believe that!" He accused heatedly. "You know what she's planning!"

Aidan opened his mouth to reply but Henry cut him off. He could feel the tell tale stirrings of guilt welling up within the other vampire through the Ghost Feelings.

"Don't lie to me Aidan!"

"I wasn't going to-"

"Yes! You were!" Henry almost yelled, his face screwed up into a look of hurt and betrayal. He took several deep breaths to calm himself before adding in a much softer tone, barely a whisper. "I could feel it."

"You… You what?" Aidan stared at him in shock and disbelief.

They were both quiet for a moment. Just standing there on the sidewalk staring at each other. "What did you just say?" Aidan asked again more forcefully.

"I said…" Henry stalled. How was he going to get around this one? He thought rapidly trying to think of something to say that wasn't, 'Well, I was just calling you out on a lie you hadn't even told yet because I could tell that you were going to lie through this empathic link I seem to have to you!' Because that would go over so well! He may as well just commit himself now!

"Well?"

"I said, I felt like you were lying to me." Henry finally replied lamely averting his gaze. After a long moment of strained silence he chanced a look at Aidan out of the corner of his eye. Aidan was staring at him. Very intently. Like he was looking for something in his face. A tell maybe.

Henry wondered what all of the people passing by must think looking at the two of them like this. He had no doubt that he looked as upset as he felt, standing there still holding on tightly to Aidan's arm. Aidan staring at him like that.

People probably think we are… No!

That was ridiculous!

Henry dropped his hand then, and looked away once more. He stepped a little further away as well, putting a good foot or two of space between them.

So as not to give the wrong impression he told himself.

Because that was ridiculous!

Really! How could people think that?

He reached up to scratch at his temple absently, and Aidan let out a low sigh.

"Look…" Aidan paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "She didn't outright say what she has planned. Just that it wasn't skinning." There was another pause in which Aidan wouldn't look him in the eye. Henry could feel apprehension rolling off of him in waves.

"And?"

"And what, Henry?"

"You have at least a good idea of what she has in store. I know you do!"

Aidan sighed again and started forward. As he stepped passed Henry he brought his right hand up to the small of Henry's back to gently urge him to walk along beside him.

"Alright look. I have a few vague ideas. But it's hard to tell with her these days. Suren's been a bit different since…" He trailed off, not really needing to finish. They both knew how being grounded even for short periods of time could damage ones psyche. "Anyway, I can't be sure what she has planned. All I know for certain is that she's promised that it will not be anything involving physical damage, and…" Aidan's face screwed up in a look of confusion that was reaffirmed by the ghost feelings. "That she says it will help us both to see where we went wrong."

Henry stopped walking suddenly, only then noticing that Aidan's hand had still been at the small of his back as they'd been walking. How odd. He thought briefly. "Wait! 'Help us both?' What does that mean? Surely she isn't going to punish you as well!" Henry began to panic at the thought of Aidan being made to share in his punishment just because he'd refused to stand by and let him be harmed. "Aidan! You can't! She can't! Why would she-"

Aidan's hand flew up and he gripped Henry's shoulders, holding him still and making him look him in the eye. Effectively putting a stop to he rant. "Henry! Calm down! It will be okay. Remember she promised no physical harm."

"That's little comfort considering that not twenty minutes ago it was only me who was going to be punished! Now it's you as well! I can't do that to you! This was my mistake, I should be the only one who has to pay for it!"

Henry started to pull away and head back towards the hotel.

"No! Henry, no!" Aidan's grip tightened on his shoulders.

Henry tried to fight his hold but Aidan was having none of it. Suddenly Henry was pulled forward, Aidan's arms wrapping around his shoulders. Henry was so shocked that he simply fell into the embrace. But soon enough he relaxed as that warm feeling at the center of the ghost feelings grew what felt like ten fold in intensity.

"It's going to be fine. I promised." Aidan's voice was so soft even with his heightened hearing he almost couldn't hear him.

After a moment Henry's arms came up slowly and closed around Aidan. Returning the embrace.

"I know Aidan. I remember." Was Henry's only reply.

A/N: Thanks for reviewing everyone. Sorry things can take a while to update, but I am writing! I'm trying to figure out how best to take this. I know what I want and I have several things written already. I'm just working on sequence now. Please keep reviewing! Your support and suggestions are always welcome, thanks!