A.N Hello, we will starting to be taking a darker turn slowly and also becoming more adult in upcoming chapters. Thank you to my two lovely reviewers Purplesbeard and AnotherKim and everyone else who was read this fic.

The early dawn shined dimly through the thin curtains of the drawing room and a chill pervaded as the fire had long since died out. Bennet roused aware of Adelaide's still sleep weight upon him and it was a comforting feeling in contrast to his stiff frame. As his eyes opened, adjusting to the lgith he became aware of a shape stood before him. He started when he realised it was Letty, the jerk waking Adelaide also. Realising her sister stood before them, Adelaide quicjly scrambled off Bennet's lap to her feet. Letty's eyes were dark and heavy and her hair was matted from struggle and sleep. Adelaide gently took her sister's shoulders and kissed her forehead maternally, her loving gentleness all too evident. Bennet merely watched the scene play out knowing Letty was now calm, but he couldn't help but remember what a different species she had been yesterday. The young girl looked at her sister with confusion.

"Why is your cheek bruised?" She asked sleepily. Bennet realised that these episodes must appear as a blank in her memory afterwards, it made it all the sadder.

"You did it my love." Adelaide answered honestly.

Letty struggled with this information, her eyes pricked with tears but they did not fall. Reaching out her hand she hovered over the deep blue bruises.

"I did it?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"I know." Adelaide soothed as she heard her sister's voice slowly cracking.

"I am mad, mother always said I was." Letty said trembling, her sister seized her fiercely to her.

"Never think about what that woman said!"

"She was unkind." Letty cried now, the tears erupting from her cheeks and her voice broke into a wail. She sought the comfort of her sister's arms. "She was unkind to you too."

"Never mind."

Bennet saw that Adelaide looked worried by Letty's last words. Pulling Letty tighter to her she shushed her soothingly.

"You should go back to sleep." Adelaide said softly and Letty nodded obediently but before she moved she had one last thing to say.

"You won't put me away?"

"Not in one of those places."

"Somewhere else then?"

"I shall always try and remain with you, we're family." Adelaide promised and coming forward she lead her sister off to bed by the hand.

Bennet remained in the drawing room, the clock showed it was a little past five in the morning. He would have to go, what a strange night had passed. His neck was stiff and his right hand side tingled with pins and needles. There was much sadness in this family he saw that, but what was sadder was how Adelaide's life would undoubtedly be shaped by her sister's condition. It had in the past, she had seized the girl from an unkind mother and took her away, tried to make her better. These episodes he imagined grew in number now she was older, he was sad for them and yet such an episode had allowed him to hold his dearest close to him for several hours.

Adelaide reappeared, she gave a tired look of kindness towards Bennet, her eyes duller from fatigue. For a moment they stood at some distance but Bennet soon closed the gap.

"How long has she been like this?"

"Several years. Now she is older she is so strong, before I could manage."

"You should never have to face this on your own." He replied softly.

"I cannot burden another with it. Even Mrs Grayson only witnesses some episodes. At times I have to do my best just to drag her to her room and hold the door till she had raged her last. It is a pitiful plight I would put on no one." Adelaide explained gravely, her frame limp. Bennet hesitated but taking her hands he looked at her with such overwhelming strength of emotion that she was rendered mute.

"Won't you let me share it with you?"

Adelaide blinked as tears filled her eyes yet she did not cry. Instead sadness flooded her face and she released his hands.

"I care too much to lay any of this on you Bennet. Anything we feel now would only be poisoned down the road by these circumstances."

This was rejection, it hurt like a stab wound to the chest and then the poison flooded him. He walked by her and took up his and coat, flinging them on distractedly. Ready to leave without another word he was blinded to how she called his name several times to halt him. At last she ducked by him and stood blocking the front door.

"Do not leave like this!" She begged. "Please."

"How can I stay? I can't Adelaide… not if…"

"Do you not believe that I care for you?"

"I believe that, but you do not wish to know me more it seems…"

Adelaide grasped his hand and pulled him towards the kitchen. When the door was closed she left Bennet standing a moment whilst she placed the copper kettle on to boil. Returning to him she took both his hands in her own and kissed them just as he had done the previous night, the ardency clear as day.

"Bennet, I cannot seem to not cause you pain one way or another." She sighed.

"I know you do not mean too."

"I wish to see you as we are now but… I cannot seem to find answers beyond that. Can we just be as we are for a little longer, I need to think what to do?"

Bennet contemplated a moment, he held those two tiny, trembling hands in his own.

"You realise one day Adelaide that I will ask you?" He almost whispered this, it was as though sadly it loudly would put a curse on the idea, it was a great secret.

"I hope on that day I may say what I wish to."

"You mean that?" He asked, his eyes dark and desperate.

"I do." She replied earnestly. "But for now let me feed you, I know you must o to work soon. You cannot do so on any empty stomach."

"You don't have to serve me."

"On the contrary, nothing would please me more at present."

Bennet seated himself as she diligently prepared a repast for him coupled with a strong cup of tea. They ate together in a cocoon of contented silence and when Adelaide took a little up to Letty, Bennet shook on his coat once more. Returning, Adelaide fastened the buttons and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you."

"May I… may I call later?"

"If you wish." She said and at last the smallest of smiles appeared on her face. "I may be up to my eyes in linen, I warn you."

Adelaide led him to the door, neither parting anymore than formally for appearances. As Bennet walked onto the street he happened to pass a neighbour of Adelaide's who glanced up at her in the doorway. The look did not escape her and from the back of her mind she heard her mother's voice.

Back in the house you brazen slut.

She darted back inside and closed the door as Bennet walked swiftly to his own lodgings to change. He was damned if Jackson was going to catch him in yesterday's unclean shirt and begin casting aspersions. It was a rush but he managed.

It wasn't until midday that Bennet could reflect on all that had happened. He knew Adelaide meant she could not marry him whilst things stood as they were, he admired her for that. Many women would cry for sympathy in the hope of being rescued but she tried no such trap. There was one surety, she would not send her sister to a mad house. What were they to do then? Adelaide had requested they continue as they were and for now Bennet was satisfied. For that fleeting moment in the drawing room had threatened the loss of her and it was more than he could bear. It had been a sickening threat he did not wish to experience again. But the fact was she wanted him, him an unassuming copper, he was enough for her. His mind took the time to recount how nice it felt to hold her in his arms, her body leant upon his for support. She seemed to slot so easily against his person and she smelt like soap, cotton and lavender. All night she had barely moved, her face relaxed at last. If he couldn't marry her and have all of her he didn't see the point anymore.

His thoughts trapped him now and he did not hear Reid call him by name several times. At last Jackson stood in the doorway bellowing.

"Drake! Have you been hit by cupids arrow or gone deaf?"

Bennet jerked with surprise, quickly collecting himself.

"Never you mind."

"Then you might want to answer Reid, he's been hollering for nearly two minutes."

Bennet rose and came through to Reid's office, the three of them stood there as they did every day. A crime and a strategy were broken down and Bennet had no choice but to put thoughts about Adelaide aside for now. But as time raced by it was nearly seven o'clock before he rushed back to her house. His clothes were in some slight disarray from an altercation with a murderer and his fists ached. As the door opened, there she stood, apron on, hair loose but pinned back from her face. She had been working all day and welcome him with a tired smile.

"Everythin' alright?" He asked, gesturing his head upstairs.

"Yes, she's been sleeping on and off, then she came down and helped me. Mrs Grayson came and read to her for an hour or so. She'll sleep like the dead now."

Bennet looked about him.

"Is Mrs Grayson here?"

"No, you just missed her." Adelaide explained. "I imagine you're sorry for that."

"Her hard looks are one of the reasons I come here, certainly don't get enough of those on the beat." He replied jovially, so pleased and relieved to be back in her company. Taking his hand she led him in to the drawing room and helped him out of his coat.

"Do you want some tea?"

"Thank you, you're an angel." He replied, enjoying the fires warmth as he wringed his hands near it's welcoming flicker. "I've been chasing a man most of the day."

"Did you catch him?"

"Yes."

Unusually Adelaide stood observing him, every time he visited she always fussed to bring him refreshment before she stood stationary but now there was a curious look on her face.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

Coming forward she stood close to him, very close, the kind of close that made his skin flush and his body grow tense with longing.

"I was thinking this afternoon how much I should like you to kiss me, does that make me forward?" She said softly. Bennet stared at her a moment hardly believing his ears, he'd wanted to do that for weeks. He swallowed hard and licked his lips.

"Well… I'm happy to oblige if you…"

Her hands went to his shoulders and that silenced him, instinctively he rested one of his own at her waist and the other cupped her cheek. Bringing their face close he looked deep into her face, it was so serene and welcoming. His stomach jerked and back flipped and his heart drummed violently. As his lips drew themselves to her, he tightened his hands on her with gentle possessiveness and he fell into bliss.