CarlyJo: Welcome back! Neil is an absolute pain in the ass, and I'm glad you understood his purpose (you're not supposed to like him). Thank you for the review

siriusblack992: Thank you.

Ashes Falling: It is an awful thing, no matter how you look at it. However, Allison is healing, and Severus is there for her in more ways than one in this chapter. The PM and alerts thing was happening for everyone, so I understand, no worries.

Special thanks to .the.artful.dodger.v2 for the beta.

A/N: This chapter contains a love scene.

ooOoo

I'll give you all the things that I never get, give you all I have and have no regrets, take you to the places where I've never been. Forgive you all the things that you can't forgive, take away the pain with my healing hand. Wash away your sins and set your spirit free.

In This Life- Chantal Kreviazuk

ooOoo

With those words hanging in the air, Allison's eyes closed, if only for a few hours. As Severus had promised, he did not let go of her hand. If that was what kept her feeling safe, then that was what he intended to do.

Upon opening her eyes, she still saw him sitting in that same chair. He was still watching over her, she noticed. He had not moved.

"Severus?" she mumbled.

"Yes, Allison?"

"Thank you…"

He gently ran a hand over her hair. Just having this sort of contact with him reminded her of what she'd given up. Now more than ever she was starting to realize just how much she cared for him. Indeed, she still loved him.

"Could I ask you something?" she let go of his hand and forced herself to sit up. Her eye still felt as bruised as before, but somewhere she'd read that sleep let the skin heal faster.

He nodded.

"And if I were to ask you a favour, one that seems a little… unorthodox, but…"

"Allison, just ask the question."

She turned over on to her side, facing him, her head resting against her hand.

"Make love to me?" she asked.

He blinked once. Why would that be such an unorthodox proposition?

Because she's just seventeen! A voice inside his head argued. How could you take advantage of someone who's just come of age!

She asked if I would make love to her! He answered himself. That does not mean I would do so. I refuse to take advantage of someone so young!

But look at her, the 'devil on his shoulder' was poking him. She's beautiful… take her, go on…

Not when she is in such a state.

She asked you! You are not taking advantage if she is the one who asks you!

It does not seem right.

No one said you had to do it!

"Severus?" her voice interrupted his thoughts.

He turned to look at her again. She held out her hand for him, waiting for his answer.

Silently, he climbed up onto the bed beside her, and laid down. It should be at her own pace, he decided. If this was what she wanted, he would not push her. If she told him to stop, he would do so.

Why did he sound so apprehensive? This was not something new. Sex was not foreign to him, why would he think this way?

Perhaps it was because Allison had never experienced pleasure when it came to sex. All she had known was violence.

She turned toward him and pressed her lips to his. He could feel her shaking, unsure of what she was doing.

"If you're uncomfortable…"

"No, no," she insisted, kissing him again. "I'm just not sure what to do."

He reached up and laid a hand on my cheek. "Allison, I am not going to force you."

"You're not forcing me, Severus," she insisted. "I asked…"

He let out a long sigh, and turned away from her. Settling into the mattress again, he did not look at her. Several minutes later, he felt the mattress shift, and suddenly Allison was not lying beside him. Turning over, he saw her standing at the window, the sunlight illuminating her silhouette.

Getting up, he approached her slowly and gently ran his hands down her arms.

She jumped slightly, surprised at the sudden contact. His hands were warm, she mused. Warm and gentle, and calming actually. She felt him bend and place a soft kiss to her collarbone.

"Severus…"

"Yes?" he kissed her again, this time near the hollow where her neck and collarbone meet.

"Is this what it's supposed to feel like?"

"How?"

"Safe…" she whispered. "I feel safe."

"Yes…" he answered. "There is no right way to feel, but if you are uncomfortable, it is your right to say stop."

Her body began to relax under his touch, she noticed. It seemed as though she were on fire, but still she shivered.

She turned in his arms. Placing a finger to his lips, she kissed him again, this time with a bit more force. Pulling away, he stared at her for a moment or so before reaching up and undoing the first button on her blouse.

There was a sharp inhale of breath.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No, keep going," she insisted again. His fingers worked the rest of the buttons on her shirt, sliding the material off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. She stood waiting for his next move.

She moaned as he gently cupped her breast, still encased in satin. With one hand still holding her steady he teased her nipple with the other. His head resting on her shoulder, he reached down and pulled the zipper on the front of her pants down. The snap soon followed. Very gently, he slid her pants down over her hips until they too, reached the floor. It was only then that he could feel her arm reach around and rest on the back of his neck.

Turning, she brought her lips to his, reaching down to undo his belt. The pull she exhibited on the leather forced him forward, nearly crushing his lips to hers. Her hand moved to the waist of his pants, working her fingers until the material slid to the floor. Attempting to step out of them, he tripped and sent the two of them crashing backward into the corner of the room.

Hearing her laugh, he no longer saw apprehension in her eyes, but rather growing confidence in what she was doing. He reached down and lifted her; it did not take an obscene amount of effort to carry her to the bed.

Her satin bra joined the trail of clothing that they had left in their wake, and her panties soon followed. She laid naked before him, her chest heaving in anticipation. Her right arm raised over her head, her left lying across her stomach. Her eyes closed in ecstasy; he chose that moment to rid himself of his boxers and slowly run his hands down her arms, feeling her skin warming under his touch.

"Allison, you're absolutely beautiful," he breathed, placing a tentative kiss just above her bellybutton.

"You think so, Severus?" he heard her breath catch in her throat.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't," he pulled himself up and kissed her. "Tell me if you feel any pain. I don't want to hurt you…"

"This feels wonderful," she cut him off.

Nodding and giving her a small smile, he trailed kisses down her body toward her sex. Pressing two fingers to the inside of her thigh, he felt her body jerk.

"Holy God…" she nearly jumped.

"It's okay," he soothed, whispering a spell she wasn't familiar with.

"What's that?"

"Contraceptive spell," he answered. "We don't need a pregnancy added to this situation."

She nodded, reaching up to run her fingers through his hair. "I love you, Severus…"

He kissed her again, reaching down and inserting two fingers, stretching her. She was wet, her moisture bathed his fingers. A sharp intake of breath told him she was unsure.

"You're alright, Allison, I'm just taking a few moments to prepare you," he explained. "Remember how I said this isn't supposed to be painful?"

"Yes, I remember…" she was tensing up, he could hear it in her voice.

"Just relax…" he whispered, working his fingers to hear her sigh. "Tonight is about you, Allison. You're safe…"

She released the breath she'd been holding, and relaxed thanks to his voice.

His thumb and forefinger trace circles around her nipple, lavishing it with attention. The bud hardened to his touch. Her hips thrust forward again, her eyes rolled back as the coil in her belly tightened, the heat increased with each touch.

"I can feel it happening…" she managed.

Slowly, he entered her, careful not to harm her. With each thrust she moaned, her body adjusting to him. He could hear her ragged breathing, her hands moved up around his neck, pulling him forward. He buried himself deep within her, moving back and forth, stretching her further. Her legs opened further and wrapped around his hips.

"Oh God, Severus!" It was then that he heard her climax. Her moans, this time, made him lose control, and caused his own climax, spilling his seed into her.

Spent, he laid his head upon her chest.

"Thank you…" he heard her meek voice.

He placed a kiss to her forehead. "Whatever for?"

"For loving me…" she answered as she drifted off to sleep.

Soon, he joined her in sleep, only to feel her steady heartbeat beneath his own.

It was a good night.