A/N: Hey everyone, it's been quite a while hasn't it? Sorry about that. I'm back at school and the work load this semester has been bigger than I had thought it would be. Thankfully it's dying down for the time being and I have time to write. I think y'all have waited long enough so let me answer some questions and we'll dive right in.

Debby: I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Thanks for the well wishes, and I'm back now so I hope to update more frequently again.
Guest 1: You're welcome
Guest 2: I'm glad you like it, and I hope this chapter is up to your standard.
Callie: I'm sorry you missed me, but I'm here now .I'm going to try to stay on a more consistent schedule now that I've got time to write again.

Gail woke up the next morning and looked over to see Hayden "reading" a book. Gail knew she wasn't really reading, but anybody looking into the room wouldn't be able to tell. Gail shifted in the bed attempting to sit up. Hayden put down the book and moved to help Gail by stacking a few of the pillows behind her back to keep her upright. "Feeling better today?" Hayden asked. Gail nodded, "When can I go home and get back to work?" Hayden chuckled, of course that would be all Gail was concerned about. "The docs want to release you soon as long as you have someone to stay with until they let you go back to work next week." Gail visibly deflated. She would have to suck up her pride and go stay with her dad and Elaine. That didn't sound like a good option, but she would do anything to get out of the hospital.

"It's really not that long Gail, especially considering what you went through, and you need to get better or you won't be able to protect Holly." Gail nodded. "Yeah I know, it's just- well I just don't want to spend a week with Elaine breathing down my neck is all. But I'll do what I have to do to get back to work." Hayden finally understood why Gail was so upset about this. "You know what? Elinath and I would be honored if you would stay the week in our home." Gail looked about to protest when Hayden spoke up again, "Don't make me bring Thalin down here to convince you." Gail smiled. "You would really use your son to manipulate me?" She asked already knowing the answer. "Of course I would. I know you can't say no to him, especially when he starts pouting." "Well then I appreciate the offer and would love to stay with your family." Hayden nodded with a proud smile on her face.

"One more thing Gail." Hayden said suddenly getting serious and a little bit nervous. Gail gave her s reserved look. "Holly mentioned something about a kiss. I don't think she remembered that all of us were in here. I need to know what happened. This puts all three of us at risk if you two are getting involved." Gail sighed. "We were taking the night before the party. She was scared of getting hurt or of someone else getting hurt. I told her that we would protect her, and we would do it without question, because we believe in what she has been doing. I told her that she inspires the people. She kissed me, and I told her that it couldn't happen again." There was a pain in her voice, but Hayden chose to ignore it. She would trust that Gail wouldn't put Holly or her in any unnecessary danger. She just had to ask one more question. "It can't happen again while you're on this assignment, but do you want it to?" Gail didn't answer, but her silence and the way she wouldn't meet Hayden's eyes told the brunette everything she needed to know.

They sat in silence for a couple of minutes before Gail's doctor walked in. They discussed the medicine Gail would need to take and how she should progress back to work. Gail honestly wasn't paying too much attention. She was more preoccupied with getting out. Hayden on the other hand was listening to every word the doctor said and memorizing every instruction so that she could relay them to Elinath. "Alright Gail, you're free to go-" The doctor didn't get to finish his sentence because Gail jumped up and out of her bed. She swayed a bit putting her hand out on the bed to stabilize herself. "Woah, that's quite the head rush." She mumbled. Hayden moved to help her, but Gail brushed her off. "I'm good, I got this." She stood up straight and began to walk, slowly and shakily, across the room. They got out of the hospital and Hayden escorted Gail to her house. On the way there Hayden, at Gail's request, caught Gail up on what had been happening at the palace since she had been in the hospital.

Guards had been put on extra shifts so there was more security in the palace. The problem was that they were all tired. "Hayden I hate to say this, but do you think we should be looking at an internal threat?" Gail asked. "I don't know Gail, it's a possibility. Definitely worth looking into. Should I be looking for anything specific before you get back?" Gail had grown up around all of this, so she had more effective methods. Hayden was definitely willing to get her opinion on what they should do. Especially since this kind of thing wasn't a huge topic to be covered in the academy. "Look for someone who despite being tired is still looking to pick up more shifts. Someone who is requesting, insisting even, to guard either the king or Holly. Make a list of everyone who is requesting those details and a list of everyone requesting extra shifts. We'll cross those lists together to see about any overlap when I get back, and we'll go from there." Hayden nodded.

Finally they arrived at the house and Thalin came tearing out the front door. Hayden stepped up and caught him before he could run into Gail. "Remember Buddy, Gail is hurt so you can't be too rough with her for a few days." She said. Thalin hung his head a little, he hadn't meant to hurt Gail he just got excited and forgot. Gail stepped forward. She gave Hayden a backhanded tap on the shoulder. "Don't be such a hard-ass Hay." She said lightheartedly. Then she picked up Thalin, ignoring the twinge it caused across her stomach area, and threw/ swung her arms and semi-gently placed him on the ground and began to tickle him mercilessly.

Hayden stood from the ground and walked over to her wife who was watching Gail and Thalin play with a smile. "He's getting attached to her, it's cute." Hayden said wrapping an arm around Elinath's waist. "I think we all are." Elinath countered. Hayden squeezed her wife in a silent agreement.

Gail had Thalin in an uncontrollable giggle fit. "Stop Gail!" He yelled giggling. "Say the magic word!" She joked. "I'm gonna pee!" Gail immediately pulled away. He jumped up, "that always works on Mom!" Then he tackled Gail back. She groaned lightly. "Did I hurt you?" He asked full of concern. The answer was yes, but how could she say that to the already guilty look on his face. "Nah Buddy, you just gotta remember I'm old so I can't always move as fast as you." That cheered him up as he let out a giggle and agreed that Gail was old.

Elinath stepped in to stop any further rough housing, "Thalin, Gail, go wash up for dinner." At the mention of food the two took off running. They raced to the sink, as if being the first one washed up would somehow get them food faster. Elinath shook her head at their antics. "I think we've adopted another child." Hayden said. Gail heard her and turned. She gave a quick look to make sure Thalin wasn't looking before flipping Hayden off. Hayden chuckled shaking her head.

They sat down at the table and everyone waited patiently for Elinath to serve food onto her own plate first before they reached for food themselves, Gail helping Thalin. Then they allowed Elinath to take the first bite before they dug in. This was a major sign of respect and gratitude towards the matriarchal figure. It was a common practice, especially in Nimrais, to allow the matriarchal figure to lead everyone through dinner. Nobody touched the food until the matriarch did, nobody ate until the matriarch got the first bite, and definitely nobody got up from the table without the matriarch's permission.

By the time they finished dinner Thalin was already falling asleep. "Alright Little Man, it's time for bed." Elinath announced. He nodded sleepily. "Gail will you come read me a story?" The blond smiled down at the tired boy and nodded. "Go on up and get ready for bed and choose a story and I'll be up in a minute." He nodded and moved upstairs.

"I want to thank you for letting me stay here with you. It truly means a lot to me. If you want me to leave at any time just let me know and-" Elinath cut her off with a hug. "Go read to him and stop worrying about whether or not you're welcome here. You will always be welcome here." Gail smiled. She'd never felt this accepted by anyone.

She went upstairs and found Thalin in his bed with a book called The Littlest Warrior on his lap. She climbed on the bed next to him. He leaned into her and she wrapped an arm around him. As she began to read she realized just how tired she really was. By the middle of the book both Gail and Thalin were out cold. They laid there the book open on Gail's lap, her head leaned back against the wall, and her left arm around Thalin whose head was on her shoulder.

That was how Elinath and Hayden found them an hour later when they went up to check on the two. They decided to leave them there after taking the book off Gail's lap, they seemed comfortable enough and it was an adorable moment that neither woman wanted to ruin.

So the two went to bed and fell asleep with Hayden holding Elinath close.

A/N: So what do you think? Worth the wait? If not I'm sorry. I haven't started working on the next chapter yet, but I will start is probably tomorrow at some point. As always please leave a review and let me know what you think. If you have any suggestions or anything you want to see feel free to let me know in a review or drop me a PM. I think that's all I have to say for this update, so...
Until next time,
Hold The Line and Don't Look Back