Abi and Ben had a cart all to themselves as they climbed up the mountain with the cable. That allowed them the privacy of enjoying the view and each other's warmth and kisses.
When they reached the top, Abi turned to Ben and asked, "You wanna go skiing?"
He looked at her for a moment. "Are you sure you're up to it? You still look a little tired."
"I'm fine Ben."
"If you're sure…" he said and headed into the store to rent some of the equipment they needed.
Abi was waiting for him outside, looking around at the snowy view. Suddenly she felt someone bump into her and she fell and started sliding down the mountain.
Ben who was looking at her from inside the store ran outside screaming her name.
He reached the edge and was afraid of the worst.
Luckily for Abi, the slide was not very long and a bush seemed to have stopped her from falling further, so she was sitting and holding on to it. She looked upstairs and saw Ben's frantic looks.
"I'm fine honey," she shouted to him. She only slid a few meters, but it was enough to shake him so, and for the first time in his life, he was unable to do anything. He just stared at her and couldn't speak or move a muscle. The two young men who owned the rental store slid down and helped Abi up. She looked at Ben worried and when the three of them reached the top she took his hands in her own. They were almost frozen. He still looked at her in disbelief.
Caressing his face gently, Abi said, "Ben, I'm ok honey. Come on, relax. Take a few deep breaths."
Ben shook his head and wrapped his arms around her body. He didn't realize he held his breath for a while and tried to breathe normally again. "Where the hell is the bastard who pushed you? I'm going to kill him," he said with true venom in his voice. That tone got even Abi a little anxious.
"I'm sure it wasn't on purpose Ben," she said trying to get him to calm down.
"Then where the hell is he, and why didn't he help you?" he insisted.
"It was probably just a kid who freaked out over it. The important thing is we are both ok."
Ben closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers for a minute. "Are you sure you two are ok?" he asked.
Abi couldn't help herself and started giggling. "Oh my god," she said. "You are worse then a mother hen," she teased him trying to get him to relax.
Ben was unable to resist her and smiled as well. "Can we forget about skiing today?" he requested. "Let's just take a walk for a while and then we can have some lunch at the restaurant at the top of the mountain."
"Sure," replied Abi. "Thank you guys," she said to the two young men who helped her back up.
"Welcome," they said and now that both were sure she's ok, headed back to their store.
Abi and Ben started to walk along a small side path they saw. They were just holding hands and not saying a word for the longest time.
Abi's cell phone rang and she answered it a bit relieved from all this quiet.
"Hi Abi. Are you ok?" she heard Mooli's voice from the other side.
"Hi Mooli," she answered. "Sure I'm fine and so is Ben. Why do you ask?"
"I didn't want to alarm you but something is wrong."
Abi's face paled and she felt her heart sink as she immediately asked, "Are the children ok?"
"Oh, they are fine. I was actually talking about you and Ben. You guys are in danger. I couldn't really see exactly what kind of danger, but I just know it's there."
He went on explaining a few more things he saw in his visions and Abi listened carefully and filed all of the information in the back of her head so she can deal with it later.
"Thanks Mool. We will watch our backs and be careful. I'll talk to you later," she said and hung up the phone.
Ben who was finally feeling he's able to speak asked her, "What was that all about?"
She raised her head to meat his eyes and with a hesitating voice said, "Well, it seems some of our closest friends and family believe we are in danger. Of course none of them seems to be able to pin point what kind of danger but…" her voice faded and she just stood there her eyes stared at the ground now.
"Abi it's time," he told her.
"I know," she answered. "I'll do it when we get back."
They continued walking for nearly an hour still silent and not even touching or holding hands. "I'm hungry and so is your son," she suddenly said, so they headed back in the restaurant's direction.
San FranciscoNick and Julia went down to the kitchen. Nick was already washed up after his usual morning exercises. They both cooperated in making the morning coffee when the phone rang.
Nick picked up the receiver only to hear Derek's voice saying to him, "Thank you Nick, but I got it."
Nick put the receiver back in its place and looked at Julia. "I think he's been up all night again."
"He hates it when things are not clear," she said. "And right now Abi's in danger but none of us know from who or what. That's disturbing him. He is not used to being in a situation where nothing is in his control. And you know Derek; he is a control freak. Especially when it concerns his family," she said. "And us," she suddenly added.
Nick's face frowned. "I hope she and Ben are ok," he said.
"For now they are," she said without a thought.
Surprised Nick asked her, "How do you know that? Come to think about it, how do you know they're in danger. Derek said nothing to us."
"I don't know Nicky. I feel linked to Abi on some level. It's not like Derek's ability, but being her guardian angel for a while I feel connected to her. Don't ask me to explain. I really can't."
"Oh," was all Nick managed to say when they both were suddenly startled by Derek's voice on the intercom. "Nick, Julia, Come in to my office please?"
They looked at each other for a minute then Julia poured a fresh cup of coffee. "I think he's going to need it," she told Nick.
They headed upstairs to Derek's office and went inside.
"That was the Portland house on the phone," said Derek nodding his thank you as Julia handed him the coffee. "Seems they had a breach in their security system. They asked for help and I told them I'm sending you both ASAP."
"When are we leaving?" asked Nick.
"As soon as you both are packed," answered Derek. "The jet is already refueling and awaiting your arrival at the airport. I'll fly you there in the chopper as soon as you are ready."
They were about to leave the office when Julia turned and asked, "Are you alright Derek?"
"I'm fine," came his impatient answer. "Go on you two and get ready."
When they left his office they saw Rachel coming up the stairs in their direction.
"Hi Guys," she said.
"Hey Rach." Said Nick.
"Hey Doc." Said Julia. "You think you can convince his high and mighty to get some sleep and relax?" she asked.
"Has he been up all night again?" asked Rachel.
"So it looks" answered Julia and Nick together.
Rachel smiled at that. "So where are you two going?"
"Portland," answered Julia as she and Nick were heading to their room to pack.
Rachel knocked on Derek's door and heard him call out, "Come in."
"Morning Derek," she said her tone soft as she saw the black circles around his eyes. "Care to tell me what's wrong?"
"Abi, as I'm sure you probably already know," he answered impatiently. He stopped took a deep breath and said, "I'm sorry Rachel. It's not your fault."
"Derek, Abi is a big girl. And from what I've seen she is pretty capable of handling herself in dangerous situations. What ever she is faced with now, she is not alone. She has her husband now. And she has her team. Give yourself a break. Go get some sleep. If anything urgent comes up I'll wake you. I promise."
"I have to fly Nick and Julia to the airport first. I'll get some rest when I'm back," he said if only to get Rachel to lay off for now. He got up and left his office to see if the other two were ready.
"Ok," Rachel said to herself and started going over the reports and papers he seemed to be working on.
Abi and BenAbi and Ben sat at the restaurant and ate quietly. Ben found it hard to get any food down so he put his knife and fork aside.
Abi looked at him worried. They both faced even grater danger before and he never reacted this way at any time. And this wasn't even a serious matter she wasn't even hurt at all. A minor accident.
She stopped eating as well and looked at him a severe and somewhat angry look in her eyes.
"Ok," she said. "Say what's on your mind already."
"I hate it when you're unprotected like this. I can still remember the last time you blocked out all your abilities. It was a disaster. Do you remember that?"
She frowned. Yes she did remember. It was on her 16th birthday. All she ever wanted was to be able to celebrate it once with out any distraction. But he was right. It turned out to be a total disaster. "I already said I will deal with it when we get back. What else do you want?"
"I know what you said. I just want you to promise me something," he requested quietly.
"Ben, you know I'll do anything for you, anything you ask for," she said almost in tears.
Ben pulled his chair closer to her and hugged her tight. "Promise me Abi. Promise me you will never do that again. It's too dangerous. No matter where we're going or what we're doing, be it a vacation, a 2nd honeymoon or whatever, you will never shut down your abbilities again."
Abi thought for a minute and had to admit he was right. Every time she did that she was unprepared and something terrible happened. "I promise," she finally said leaning her body against his. "I'm not really hungry anymore," she continued, "Can we leave now?"
Ben got up and paid the bill, he then put his arm around Abi, who at that moment looked like a defeated little girl, and escorted her out of the restaurant. The way down the mountain was smooth but quiet. Very quiet. Niether one of them spoke a word, and Abi seemed to have built a distance between herself and Ben.
When they arrived back at the castle, Abi headed straight to the kitchen, where she gathered as many candles as she could find. She went into the living room Ben following her around but not saying anything. Abi made a circle of light with the candels and then turned to ben and asked him to leave.
"This might take some time," she said, "So please no disturbenses. I need absolute peace and quiet for this, so no matter what you hear, keep away."
Ben left and shut the door behind him, but remained sitting next to the door. He wanted to be there in case she needed him.
Abi started with some deep breaths. She felt the heavy walls she built closing in on her. She closed her eyes and saw the bricks she put around and stared at them. Then choosing one she started pushing until if fell out of the wall. One by one she pushed more and more bricks until the whole wall fell down, then suddenly the windows opened and the wind blew the candles out. Abi felt as if she was covered by dust and ashes and fell to her side breathing heavy and moaning, a sharp pain went through her, starting from her head and going down to her feet preventing her from moving.
Ben heard her moans and wanted to go in. Then remembering her request he remained outside.
Abi felt he was anxious and worried and called, "Ben, I need you."
The minute Ben heard her call he entered the room. Seeing her lying on the floor he rushed to her side pickeing her small body of the cold floor. Then he carried her upstiars and gently put her on the bed. She was cold and gasping in pain, so he slid into bed next to her, holding her tight and pulling the thick coveres on top of them.
Abi curled up closer to his body heat. "I need you," she whispered. "Make love to me," she then asked.
"Honey, shouldn't you get some rest?" he asked worried.
"I need you inside of me," she told him looking into his eyes. "I need to know we are ok."
Ben looked into her pleading eyes and smiled lowering his face and kissing her passionatly. "As you wish," he said and soon their bodies were as one.