Frozen in momentary happiness, time passed Gomez by as slowly as it could. With each content breath, the tension he didn't realize he was carrying in his shoulders began to dissolve. A toothy smile was cemented on his face as he looked across the chess board at her. Leaning against the palm of her uninjured hand, Morticia's face was furrowed with concentration as she studied the placement of each of the carved figures. Delicately, her fingers reached toward one of her pieces and moved it to the spot she determined was best for her strategy. As her fingers lifted off the figure cementing her decision, she looked up to gauge his reaction. Those few seconds between moves where her eyes met his, ignited the passion in Gomez's heart.

As charming as ever, he congratulated her on the clever move before studying the board himself. Gomez could not focus on the game despite his best efforts, and would constantly glance up at Morticia who was patiently waiting for him to complete his turn. At last he saw what to do and moved his figure to the spot that tied the game. His laugh rang out as he declared that neither one of them won while he watched Morticia's expression change from surprised to amused.

It was quick, but he caught it when her eyes flicked up to look at the wolf's head clock. She had done so countless times since Edgar left, and Gomez could feel his anger for the man rising with every new glance. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and his irritation got the better of him.

"Why do you let him do this to you?"

Tenderness tried to mask the frustration in his question, but despite his best efforts it still sounded more bitter than he had hoped.

"Je vous demande pardon?"

At the sound of her melodious french, Gomez felt his viscera twist in conflicted emotions. He oviously shocked her by asking such a personal question which made him nervous and racked with guilt. That melodious language cascading off her seductive voice made his heart swell with love and his palms sweat with desire. Gomez was fueled by the tempetuous storm that clouded his mind.

"I apologize for my familiarity, but I will not apologize for asking the question. You are a better timepiece than the clock with how I am constantly reminded of the minutes that are passing with your fequent glances to its ticking hands. You're torturing yourself over a man that isn't worthy of you."

Morticia was appalled, eyes wide and mouth ajar with the remnants of a gasp. Upset, her head glanced around the room looking for the fastest esape route, as she struggled to stand up. Her hands pushed off the arm of her chair with force, causing her to cradle her injured wrist against her chest as she turned to flee. Gomez knew if he let her go, their fragile relationship would crumble and all hope for normality would vanish. As if playing his favorite instrument, his hands wrapped around her waist with expertise and passion, trapping her against his sturdy body.

"Morticia" he sighed as he buried his nose in her ebony tresses.

He felt her head nuzzle into the crook of his neck as her ribs convulsed with sobs. Holding her tighter, he began to whisper in her ear.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to hurt you."

Still she cried against him, tiny wet droplets pooling at his clavicle.

"It breaks my heart to see you mistreated this way." The words began to flow from Gomez's tormented heart directly into Morticia's ear. "You are the most sublime creature on the planet, and yet the man you call husband deserts you for another. You deserve the world. He should worship you, adore you, kill for you, die for you!"

Muffled by the fabric of his shirt, her small mournful voice was barely audible.

"They're twice the woman I am."

At her statement, he pulled away from her slightly just so he could tilt her face up towards him.

Tears fell freely down her wan cheeks as she met his eyes.

"It's not one woman my husband leaves me for, but two. Flora and Fauna Amor. I can't compete with them. He's been in love with them since before we were married. For years I've tried to win the entirety of Edgar's heart, but it's already been taken." Morticia's heartache bled through her sorrowful voice.

Gomez was digesting this new information as he continued to hold Morticia protectively in his arms.

"I love my husband." she whispered.

His hand found the back of her neck as he hugged her tightly. He could feel as she struggled to move her arms from their spot against his chest. When at last she wiggled them free, they came to rest on top of his arms returning his intense hug.

"Are you happy with him?"

After hearing his question, her fingers curled tightly around the fabric of his jacket sleeve as if the words could not penetrate her mind if her body tensed in defense. Morticia looked up at him again, sapphire eyes swimming in a sea of red.

"Have you ever been married, Gomez?"

Her question took him by surprise. Without thinking he answered "Yes.".

For an agonizingly slow few seconds Morticia remained silent, desperately searching his eyes for answers to questions she had yet to ask.

"Did you love your wife?"

Morticia's soul laid open before him. Gomez could feel the aching of her heart as it pounded wildly against his chest, each beat begging for love. For the first time since he was transported to this insane hell, Morticia stood before him completely exposed. Her vulnerability hung above them as she waited for his response. A melancholy smile appeared on his lips as his hand cupped her face while his heart dictated how to answer.

"I still do."