Severus was aware that whatever had happened while Liv was in Bellatrix's Manor had destroyed her self esteem. she had sat for days staring blankly out the window. Everyone had tried to help her in their own way so she'd played along but even now he could see the distress on her usually happy features. She'd spent most of her life with him keeping the darkness at bay, and allowing him a chance to be better, but now when he could return the favor it was all he could do do keep himself from falling apart while she sat there devastated. Cissa had tried to explain, but he couldn't hear it. When he'd seen her in the hospital he'd nearly cried, but hearing it would push him over the edge.

He'd spend days working on this surprise for Livy. He knew it was only a matter of time before she found out he was leaving nightly to work with the man who'd most likely ordered the attack on her, and he knew he needed to tell her. It had helped that she had stopped responding to everything all together, and was completely inside her own head at all times. Even Abraxas couldn't get through to her anymore, and it was hard for everyone to watch. When it was finally time to tell her he was fairly certain that she'd never want to see him again, but he had to have her know.

When Sev walked into the massive library where Liv spent her day he noticed two things a note and two lit candles. WHat he didn't see was the knife in Livy's hand or the rich magical blood pouring from her dainty wrist. She turned when her slice was finish, and didn't look up at him until she heard the shocked gasp.

It wasn't as though he didn't expect something, but as Severus rush towards her he realized he didn't expect her to go straight for re-opening her wounds. As he pulled her to him and began reclosing her wounds she started thrashing violently against him. Her nails bit violently into his pale flesh, and she began trying to sink her teeth into anywhere what touched her. Her eyes were wild with the passion she felt for the first time in weeks. It was a violent and destructive moment.

"LET ME GO!" was all she would say. and with each shriek her attacks got more frantic, until after almost an hour fighting him she became too tired to keep up her futile struggle. His soft shushing her pulling her down from that emotional high as the tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Why Liv? Why would you try such a thing? Don't you know how much we all need you here? Narcissa's lost her entire family, and Abraxas and Luc need you here. And we both know I've got nothing without you. You keep us all sane and happy. You're the heart of the this crazy fucked up family of our, and nothing in this world trumps that." Severus said with his voice breaking.

After a pause that left Severus thinking she was back inside her own head Liv started, "Because I'm broken now Sev. I'm dirty and soiled, and who would want that. I should've died that day, but instead I'm here and it's not right." Her voice was hoarse and weak.

"I'll always want you Liv. Not a single soul on this earth could change that, and certainly not some crazy-assed pure blood maniac." He told her softly.

With those words Liv smiled slightly, and turned herself to face him. She raised herself up and pressed her lips to his. She forced her way into his mouth, and after a moment of pure shock Severus kissed her back with equal passion. Her hands came up and clasped into his hair, as she wrapped her tiny figure around his waist. Eventually Sev couldn't let her stay in control anymore and he took back the control she'd attained.

When the pulled back for air Liv said, "Sev...prove it to me."

"Prove what Livy?" Confusion colored his voice as he looked deep into her soulful eyes.

"Prove you still want me. Make me forget everything that happen that night. I want to be yours." The desperation in her voice was shocking to him, and he pretended that was what made him agree, and not the desire he'd felt for her.

He nodded slightly, and pulled her up with him. She clung to him like a small child as he carried her to the room they'd been occupying since her return. He gently placed her on the bed as she fused their lips together, making both her and Severus shudder. His potion callused hands ran over her sides, as he caressed her starting at her hips, and ending at her neck. While sex wasn't something they'd done before, they'd both explored one another several times.

Part of Severus was hoping she'd never actually let him get that far tonight, but eventually she grew impatient with his gentle caresses over her silk dress, and his teasing kisses did nothing but make her burn for him. When he released her lips she pulled the soft pink dress over her head, and left herself in only a pair of panties that were more lace than anything substantial.

"Please Sev, I need this. I need to feel wanted. I can't live like this anymore. Make the pain go away." She begged.

He took one hand and caressed her soft face that was once full of joy and happiness, but now looked as though she'd lost all hope, and he knew he couldn't take her with all the secrets. "Liv... I can't. I've done terrible things, and while I'm sure I couldn't ever stop wanting you, you'll never want to see me again. I may be a lot of things, but I need you to know. I won't sleep with you like this."

"What could you have possibly done Sev?" Her voice was soft as she pulled herself up and layed her head on his shoulder.

"I've joined the Dark Lord," He began, and he looked over as he felt a tear fall and hit his shoulder. "But Livy I didn't join as an actual member. Albus wanted Lucius as a spy, but he was being harmed for not recruiting anyone. He convinced me to do it, and I agreed to keep you safe. I know I failed recently, but I'll never let you be hurt again if you'll keep me."

"If you honestly think anything that happened was your fault Sev you're an absolute idiot." and with that she kissed him with all the passion she could muster up.

He pulled her body to him as she began unbuttoning his shirt. Once he shrugged out of that he brought them both down to the bed, as he began leaving little bites all over her neck, and breasts. It was hard for her to keep her breath normal, and just when she thought she had it down he brought one and to her left breasts and the other snaked until her panties.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered as he looked into her eyes.

"I-I can't," she stuttered out.

"Then Merlin help us both," he said as she screamed her orgasm.

When she came down from the peak Sev noticed how beautiful she looked with her face flushed like an angel, and her eye bright. Her tiny hands began undoing his pants, as he ripped the scrap of lace from her pussy. She began bucking into him as he pulled away to continue stripping himself. He pulled her hands above her head, and positioned himself at her entrance.

"Last chance," he said, and after a moment he thrust into her.

She wouldn't say the thrust was gentle, but it wasn't violent. It didn't scare her, because Sev made her feel safe. She was protected in his arms, and she'd never doubt that. His thrust showed her why she belonged to him though. He put every ounce of power he had into that thrust, and every one after it. He was proving to her with his body that he loved her, and she could feel the strength he held as he timed his final thrust so perfectly that they came together.