An hour later, Chris was sitting in an armchair, with Stephanie curled up against his chest, and having a conversation with him. He was surprised, because yesterday they had been so pissed off at each other they did'nt talk to each other at all.

"You said Hunter hurt you, what did he do to you? Chris asked, and Stephanie snuggled closer to him.

"He hit me," she said quietly, and it was obvious to Chris that her husband had threatened to hurt her more if she told anyone, and she was scared because of it.

"Did he hit you with anything, or did he just use his hand?" He continued.

"He hit me with things," she mumbled, and Chris put his arms protectively around her.

"What things?" He asked, choosing his questions carefully, hoping that she would tell him the rest. ~ Man it's hard to pry secrets out of her, even if she is a bitch, she's so damn loyal to the cause ~

"I can't tell you, he'll ....." She trailed off. Chris looked down at her, and ran his hand over her cheek.

"Come on, he won't know, we're enemies, remember," Chris continued, trying to get her to trust him, which didn't turn out to be as easy as he planned.

"You might tell, and then I get hurt,"she said softly. He hated to see her so scared, even though he was supposed to hate her.

"I won't tell him, I can promise you that, I don't exactly support the beating up on females idea, you know."

"Oh, and that doesn't apply to me right? She asked sarcasticaly, looking him in the eye.

"Oh...umm..yeah....well...,"Chris stammered.

"Thought so, after all the times you put me in the walls of Jericho, and when you...." She was cut off abruptly.

"Okay, okay, I haven't been the best of buddies, but now I want to help you, will you please tell me what he hit you with."

"You promise you won't tell?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah, I won't tell him."

"He hits me with his belt............but that night he hit me with his sledgehammer....thats why I was away that week." She admitted.

"Oh god," Chris murmered softly to himself, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Now I am," she said, smiling tiredly at him before leaning up and kissing him on the cheek, "thanks for taping my ribs, I guess I owe you one."

"Not anymore you don't," he said as he picked her up carefully, and lay her back in her bed, "now go to sleep, you're tired."

"Goodnight," she murmered, as he turned out the light, and went back to bed.

~ What the hell just happened, she..she kissed me on the cheek...and I think I liked it a little more than I should have - hell, I am supposed to hate the sight of her........... still, this isn't exactly under normal circumstances........... ~