Disclaimer: I do not own Soul Blade/Edge/Calibur; nor do I own Siegfried Schtauffen. They belong to Namco. I do, however, own my original characters, the setting, and the plot.

Saving Grace

by: Fiona Fairhame

Chapter Ten

Late that night, Louisa hears him screaming again. Without a second thought, she throws off her covers and rolls out of bed. Opening the door to her room, she comes face-to-face with a highly annoyed Nelas. "Just where do you think you're going?" He asks before yawning widely.

"I just want to comfort him. He's having a nightmare," she replies. Another scream sounds from across the hall. "He's in pain. Can't you hear his agonized screams? Or do you not care?" she asks, nearly in tears.

"You are not going to be alone with him. I will not allow it." As yet another scream sounds, he sighs and adds, "I'll try to wake him myself."

Louisa follows him into the room across the hall. Nelas leans over the bed and shakes Siegfried roughly. "Wake up."

Instantly awake, Siegfried springs up demanding, "Where is Louisa?" He quickly glances around the room, searching for her.

Upon hearing his question, she steps further into the room. "I'm right here," she says, peering out from behind her brother.

He hurries around the end of the bed, ignoring her brother completely, to take her into his arms. "Thank God you're save. I dreamed something had happened to you. I couldn't find you. It worried me." It was not the sword that haunted his dreams this night. He dreamed of her instead. Maybe he will be able to overcome the evil influence after all.

"It's okay. I'm here. It was just a dream," she says soothingly, reassuringly. "I won't leave you." She turns to her brother, pleading, tears in her eyes, "Please just let me comfort him. I love him."

"Fine. Five minutes," Nelas replies, holding up one hand so Siegfried can understand. "Don't bar the door either. I'll break it down if I have to. And if I hear anything suspicious before then..." he lets his voice trail off to allow Louisa to imagine the consequences.

"Thank you!" she exclaims, hugging him quickly. As he leaves, she turns back to Siegfried. "I guess you should try to get some more sleep. I'll stay with you as long as I can." She sits on the bed and motions for him to join her. "We can hold each other for a few minutes at least." She smiles sadly as she lays down on his bed. Scooting over to make room for him, she pats the bed for him to join her.

He climbs into bed with her, takes her into his arms and kisses her passionately. "I wish you could stay here with me," he whispers. Her presence comforts him. And does other things to him as well.

They lay in each other's arms, talking quietly and kissing occasionally, for several minutes. About the time Nelas is supposed to come for his sister, they hear loud snores from the hallway. 'Some protector. He fell asleep,' Louisa thinks. "I guess we have a bit more time together," she whispers happily.

"Mm, good," he whispers back hungrily. His hands wonder over her body as he kisses her hard with as much passion as he can muster. She moans softly, pressing her body against his.

"That feels good," she moans against his mouth. "Really good." Her hands start exploring his body nervously. "We shouldn't be doing this," she whispers. "But it feels so good. So right." His hands start unbuttoning the neck of her nightgown. He trails kisses down from her mouth over her chin and onto her neck. His lips inflame her senses. One hand moves to stop him undoing the buttons of her nightgown as the other runs over his tightly muscled back. His lips come back up to reclaim hers in another intoxicatingly passionate kiss.

"If you want to stop, say so now," he whispers gently. "I won't force you but I may not be able to stop if we keep doing this." He swallows hard and forces himself to roll over so she can think clearly. He needs to try to clear his thoughts as well. He has never forced himself on a woman before; he has no intention of starting to do so now. Especially not the woman he loves.

Author's note: Is that lemon I smell in the air? Stay tuned to find out! - As always, please R&R. Suggestions and constructive criticisms are welcome.