Sorry I'm late! I just got a new laptop and needed to set everything up. Hope you enjoy this chapter!

nefelibata: one who lives in the clouds of their own imagination; an unconventional person.

"Lunch is ready." Stevie's cheerful voice cut through the silence as she walked in followed by her two siblings. Elizabeth could see they had gone all out with the food, making sure she could choose whatever she felt like eating.

"Are we feeding an entire army?" Henry watched their three kids set down the different kinds of food. It was way too much for them all to eat, but then again it was sweet to see how they cared for their mother.

"Just for that, you're not getting a muffin." Alison snatched the pastry from his plate and set it on her mother's. Their kids sat on the ground near the couch as they started eating.

Slowly, Elizabeth took a small bite. She wasn't hungry, but she knew she had to eat. Especially since her kids had put so much effort in making it for her. She enjoyed watching her family interact and when she thought of how much she missed this, it brought tears to her eyes. She didn't let them spill, though. She had done more than enough crying for a while.

Stevie noticed her mother's exhaustion, and her dad's worry for her. She knew he was worried sick about her; she could see it in the way his forehead creased as he sat down next to her on the couch, and she saw it in the almost gentle way his hand rubbed her legs.

"We can make you something else, mom." She said, like she was amazed she could say the word again. Have the word have its meaning back.

"No, baby. This is perfect." She took another bite, not because she wanted to but for the sake of her children.

"They came out with a new season of Gilmore Girls." Alison started a light conversation with her mother. Anything to keep her mind of the terrible reality that was.

"Since I don't think your dad is letting me off the couch unless it is to go to bed, I feel marathon coming up." She was thankful for the distraction and for a moment it felt like nothing had changed. Like she hadn't been gone for a year. That she hadn't missed out on so many months of her family's life.

By the end of lunch, she had barely eaten half her plate, but Henry was glad she had eaten something. He knew it would take time for her, but at least this was a step in the right direction.

The sound of the phone caused her to jump a little. She was quickly eased by Henry's hand on her leg and she tried to mask her wince from the kids. Though they surely noticed, they didn't say anything.

"Agent Shaw is here." Henry ordered the kids to go upstairs after he put down the phone and she was too exhausted to get up, so Henry guided the two agents to the couch she was sitting at.

"Ma'am, it's wonderful to see you." He told her, and she replied by giving him a small smile. "This is agent Walker. Are you up for answering some questions?"

"Yeah, but I want Henry here." She stated her term and both agents seemed to be fine with that. Agent Walker flipped open a notepad while Agent Shaw started the questioning.

"Do you remember how you got to to the country?"

"By plane." Her thoughts wandered back to when she first woke up after being taken.

She woke up with major headache as memories of what happened flooded her mind. Her hearing was the first thing to return and she tried to lay still, not notifying anyone she was conscious. She heard people talking but it wasn't in Arabic. She tensed as she felt the ground slightly shaking and she slowly opened her eyes, trying to get a peek of her surroundings. She noticed she was in some sort of office, on the ground but what caught her eye were the little windows on the side.

An airplane.

She closed her eyes again, needing to process this information. She wondered where they were taking her. To get her mind off the fact that she was being kidnapped and flown somewhere else, she tried to move her arms and legs. She found her legs were free to move but her left wrist was cuffed to a hook on the ground.

The sound of the handcuffs had alerted people she was awake, and she cursed herself for not being more careful. She was an ex-spy, she should have known better. One of the men yelled something and a door opened. She kept her eyes close, hoping to create a facade where they thought she was still asleep.

"Hey." A stern voice said, and she felt a light nudge in her side, probably where he was poking her with his feet. She slowly opened her eyes and she heard people move around. A hand came towards her face but not before she saw who's hand it was. She struggled as the chloroform spread in her system again and she passed out. The last thing she saw, being the face of her captor.

"Do you know the person, or group responsible for what happened?"

"Yes. The President of the Philippines." A face she wouldn't forget any time soon.

"Did you share any classified information while in captivity?"

"No," She sighed, grabbing Henry's hand for support. "It wasn't like that. He wasn't interested in that."

"Do you know the reason you were taken?"

"A couple of months before I was taken, I had a meeting with him." At the time, she didn't want it made public, but now she didn't care anymore. The world should have to see him for what he really is. "He groped me and in return I broke his nose. We managed to keep it out of the story, saying he broke his nose while sparring."

"You assume this was payback?"

"Not assume. He told me." Another flashback filled her mind and she allowed it to take over for a moment.

When she heard the click of the lock, she quickly got up and waited for someone to enter. A young woman entered with a tray and put it down on her bed.

"Where is Andrada?" Elizabeth asked but she could sense the women had been sworn to silence. "Why am I here?"

She knew it would be in vain and the woman walked towards the door again.

"What does he want from the United States?" But she didn't reply and walked back out. Elizabeth heard the lock click again and she sat down on the bed. She looked at the tray of food and realized she was actually quite hungry.

After her meal, she walked around and tried to find a way out. She had no idea what time it was and how long she'd been searching but she was exhausted, so she sat back on the bed. The chain was heavy around her ankle and it started to hurt.

When the door finally opened again, it revealed president Andrada.

"Elizabeth." His smug smiled caused a shiver to go down her spine.

"This is an act of war." She hissed out. Though she was aware he had flown her to the other side of the world, she knew they wouldn't stop looking for her.

"No. You see, Iran has a problem with the United States, not me. Your president and your country all think the Iranians killed you." Her mind couldn't yet comprehend what he was telling her. How could they think she was dead?

"Why am I here?"

"You denied me last time we met, and I did not like it very much. I always get what I want." With those words he left her alone in the room again and she didn't see him for a few days.

"Did the Iranians make a deal with president Andrada?"

"Not that I'm aware. I never even met with minister Giovanni. We were ambushed." Her mind started to get foggy and she hoped they were done soon. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She just wanted to be with her family and rebuild her life. Move forward.

"We know the minister of Defense of the Philippines helped you escape. How many of Andrada's men knew you were alive?"

"Four men and one woman." She tried her best to think of their names and an almost pained expression flashed across her face. "The woman's name was Darna and I believe two of the men were called Patrick and Jomar."

"I think that's enough for today." Henry cut in and agent Shaw nodded understandingly. They said their goodbyes and Henry showed them to the door.

As soon as her kids heard the front door, they rushed downstairs to be with their mother. Henry had barely made it back to his wife and he smiled at the sight of his family reunited. The way it was supposed to be.

"Henry, I want to take a shower." She stated simply and without asking for it, she needed his help. He nodded and watched her slowly rise from the couch. He wanted nothing more than to help her, but he also knew how stubborn she was. If she needed it, she would ask.

She was aware all three kids watched as she slowly headed towards the stairs that lead up to their bedroom. It hurt to walk up them, but she had been weak enough in front of her kids for today. Passing by her kids' rooms, she finally reached their bedroom.

She looked around the familiar room from the doorway. Nothing had changed yet, though it felt different. Her side of the bed, including her nightstand was empty except for her reading glasses.

That's when her eyes landed on her dresser. Previously filled with jewelry, perfume and makeup, it now stored three candles and two pictures. It was a picture of her and one of their family. She felt Henry's hands on her shoulders, but she shook them off as she stepped closer.

"It that-?" She couldn't finish her sentence and didn't really expect an answer from her husband. She had forgotten about their side of it all. The loss, the pain, the mourning, the funeral.

Tears rolled down when she realized her kids had gone to her funeral. They had grieved for over a year and finally accepted their mother was gone, only to have her return again. She reached the dressed and carefully picked up the picture of her with her family.

Suddenly, everything became too much, and her legs buckled beneath her. Two strong arms slowly lowered her to the ground before she fell down and she sobbed as she held on to his shirt. She couldn't imagine what her family had been through; her kids had been through her past year.

"I'm sorry." Her sobs were heart wrenching and caused Henry to hold her even tighter than before.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." He whispered, and she gathered herself. He helped her up and she sat the picture back on her dressed.

"Can you please get rid of the candles?" She didn't want the reminder there. The reminder that this is where her family had mourned. Where her husband had mourned the loss of his wife.

"I promise." He guided her to the bathroom and she looked around. Only one toothbrush, only his shampoo and just his stuff. "I can get the girl's shampoo, so you won't have to use mine."

"I like the way it smells." She whispered as she turned around to face him. "It reminds me of home."

"Do you want me to help you?"

She didn't want him to help her, but she doubted she had any choice. She couldn't exactly ask her kids to help her out. She just didn't want him to see her like this. There were still bruises visible and she wasn't quite ready for him to see them.

Henry sensed his wife's uncomfortableness and touched her arm gently. "I will only look into your beautiful eyes."

Their eyes locked and he slowly started to pull up her shirt, without breaking eye contact. Next, she stepped out of her leggings while holding onto him.

Unclasping her bra, she didn't drop it. She was now standing in front of her husband in her underwear and she felt awfully exposed and vulnerable. Something she shouldn't feel. He figured she could do the rest herself, he turned around without once glancing down at her body.

He wanted nothing more than to see her. Understand what had happened, but he knew it would be on her terms. When she was ready. He would respect that, even if it took all the self-restraint he had.

When half an hour later, a freshly showered and dressed Elizabeth finally emerged from the bathroom, he saw she was dressed in his bathrobe. Though she was mostly covered, he still noticed her bruised and swollen ankle. Swallowing hard, his eyes snapped up to his wife.

While she was showering, he called up Stevie to pick out some of her mother's clothes from the boxes in the basement. They had stored most of her stuff there, not being able to throw it away. People had told him to stop hanging on to it, but it had been nice reminder of her.

He handed her some sweat pants and a sweater. Following the same ritual as before, he helped her get dressed without breaking eye contact.

Henry had picked up Alison's hair brush and he sat her down on the edge of the bed. He sat behind her on his knees and started brushing out the knots gently.

The soft and smooth movements made Elizabeth realize how tired she actually was. The past couple of days had been tiring and exhausting. She leaned backwards against Henry's chest with her eyes closed and he stopped brushing as he kissed the top of her head.

He guided her to lay down on the bed and she purposely lay on his side of the bed. With her eyes closed, she took a deep breath and took in the scent of the pillow. Henry lay on her side of the bed, one arm supporting his head. She pulled up the blanket and grabbed his hand. With her eyes closed, she needed a reminder he was here.

"Stay with me."

"No place I'd rather be."

Her side hurt, her arm hurt, her entire body was aching.

The chain was putting constant pressure on her injured ankle and the rattling sound of the chain was starting to drive her crazy.

She started to wonder what would happened if she didn't get out.

Her would grow old without her. He would find someone else and move on. He would live his life and forget about her.

Her kids would grow up. She wouldn't get to take Alison or Jason to college. She wouldn't get to meet their future partners or be at their wedding. She wouldn't get to meet her grand kids and spoil them. No more birthdays, Christmas's or thanksgivings together.

She would give anything for another day with her kids, but she was starting to wonder if she would ever get one.

She woke up with a gasp and found Henry beside her, calming her down. She lay back down in the pillows and felt his hand brushing through her hair.

"Am I dreaming?"

"I think I was going to ask you the same question."

"I'm finally feeling better, now that I'm back in bed with you and that this isn't a dream and I'm not- I'm finally home." She turned and lay her head down on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat reassuring her that she was indeed home.

"So, is that why you were snoring so loud then." He teased. It was the first time in a year he heard her laugh and the sound it warmed his heart.

"I do not snore." She gave him a playful nudge in his side and he smiled. His arms wrapped around her and he was glad she was back in his arms again.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Not that long. The kids started making dinner a little while ago, do you want to go downstairs?" She untangled herself from his arms, much to both their dismay.

Rising slowly from the bed, she winced as a sharp wave of pain echoed from her chest to her shoulders. She had gotten used to the bruised ribs and other pain, but there were days when the agony was so intense and raw that she just wanted to lay curled up in a tight ball, her eyes closed against the hurt.

She wouldn't allow it to happen today, though; she wouldn't risk being found by her kids like that.

So instead, she took a deep breath, and willed the pain back into submission. Her legs trembled and for a moment she was worried her legs might buckle beneath her, but they held.

Her head was hammering, but she could deal with it and control her face. Her kids deserved to see the mother they missed, not the broken mess she had become over the past year.

She grabbed a hold of Henry and he helped her down the stairs. She smiled at the sight of all three kids in the kitchen, trying to make dinner. Stevie was stirring the pan, while Jason was reading from a recipe and Alison snatched it from his hands when he clearly instructed the wrong things.

"Mom!" Stevie smiled happily when she found both parents coming down. "Just in time for dinner."

"We tried to make your favorite, kung pao chicken, but someone has been reading the recipe wrong." Alison glared at her brother and Elizabeth chuckled.

"I'm sure it's still good. Thank you, guys." She collapsed on one of the chairs at the breakfast table. Not wanting to put their mother through the effort of walking to the dining table, Jason and Alison set the breakfast table for dinner.

"Last night is kind of a blur so tell me what I missed this last year." Elizabeth told her kids as they all sat down to have dinner. She remembered something about Jason joining the football team, and Alison had told her this morning all about how she was in Rafferty.

She was sad she hadn't been able to bring her to college. That she had missed out on that.

"I took the LSAT and I'm planning to go to law school, but for now I have an internship with Russell Jackson."

"How's that working out for you?" She was aware the man wasn't the easiest to work with. She had spent a lot of time fighting with the guy. Somehow, they never managed to see eye-to-eye.

"It's great, actually. I know he has his flaws, but I'm enjoying it." Her mind finally caught up with her as she replayed her daughter's previous words. Law school? Last year, Stevie had dropped out of college and now she was applying for law school.

"You are going back to school?"

Her daughter looked down at her plate, almost ashamed and she shared a worried look with her husband. She didn't want her daughter to think she was making fun of her. The opposite, actually. She was impressed by her choice. Impressed and surprised.

"I just- I wanted to make you proud, mom." The brutal honesty caused Elizabeth to drop her fork on her plate and give her daughter a pleading look.

"Stevie, I was- I am so proud of you. You don't have to go to law school for me. All that matters to me is that's you're happy."

"I am, now."

She listened to Jason telling her about his football team and every now and then, she would eat a bit. This was probably the longest they had ever spent eating dinner, and though the rest of the family was long done, Elizabeth continued eating as she listened to her kids.

She was surprised to find her plate empty by the end of Jason's story and it earned a proud smile from her husband. Eating made her feel stronger, but it also made her realize she was still exhausted.

A yawn made Henry interrupt Alison's story about the latest fashion trends. "You're going back up to bed."

She sighed but she was also tired. She hugged each of her kids tightly and promised them she would still be here in the morning.

"I love you." She told them, and she got three 'love you's' in return. She let Henry help her up the stairs and guide her to the bathroom. She felt too tired to stand, so she sat down on the edge of the bathtub as she waited for Henry to get a new toothbrush from the packaging.

She hadn't noticed it before, but now saw it clearly. His hands were shaking, and he could barely even hold the plastic in his hand.

"You okay there, professor?" She teased, and he sighed. He took a seat next to her and made sure their shoulders touched, the comforting feeling being what he needed as he managed to open the packaging.

"I missed you, so much."

She rested her head on his shoulder and grabbed his hands in hers. So much had changed, but she refused to let their relationship change even more. From now on, if things changed it would be only for the better.

"I should've never gotten on that plane." She looked so sad and desperate.

And so terribly broken.

Like all of her mismatched pieces, the ones Henry had been trying so hard to put together again since her return, were all just shattering and crumbling again.

"Babe," Henry said, his voice softening. "This isn't your fault."

"But it is," She snapped back, tears on her face, and then slide down onto her sweater. Before Henry could wrap her in his arms, reassure her that she did nothing wrong, she painfully rose from her seat at the edge of the bathtub and started brushing her teeth.

It took all the strength she had left to keep herself upright and she was glad when she could finally lay down in the bed again. Henry guided her to her side of the bed, but she stopped. Once again there was no need for her to tell him what she needed. He could sense it and watched her slip under the covers on his side of the bed. He lay down next to her and for a moment it was just the two of them, staring into each other's eyes.

"Don't move." She whispered, and he didn't. He watched her move closer and was surprised to find her lips on his. Not knowing what she went through, was probably the most painful thing for him. He wanted to help her in all the ways he knew how to, but he wasn't sure what she needed.

He wanted to kiss her, hold her and be close to her, but he could sense that whatever happened, created a distance between them. She wouldn't allow too much intimate contact from him and he couldn't stop his thoughts from traveling to some dark places.

The kiss lasted for only a second and she pulled away. It was clearly too much, but she would be dammed if she didn't try. If she didn't fight for her relationship with Henry. Her eyelids drooped down low, the darkness and pain slipping towards her before dragging her down.

Henry was tired and worn down. The past forty-eight hours had drained him. One glance at his wife and he knew it would be a long road from here. But at least she was back. It wasn't going to be easy, but it could have been much worse than this.

They could have actually killed her.

But they didn't.

She had spent a year with the guy and even thinking about him caused Henry's hands to bawl into fists. It took all the self-discipline he had to keep from flying to the Philippines and confront the man. But that wasn't what she needed.

She needed him to be supportive. She needed him to be patient and so that's what he would do. What he wanted now, is just to have peace and family.

His hand darted out to move hair from his wife's forehead as she was peacefully asleep. Her skin is warm and slightly damp, but he knew they would be able to manage the nightmares. As long as they faced them together and she would allow for his help.

Slowly, he drifted off to sleep as well. Still fully clothed because he wouldn't leave his wife. Not now.

TBC