Christian hesitated at Stephanie's door. He held a tray of food in his hands and looked at Steph, laying with her back to him.

"You can come in…" Steph said quietly. She rolled over and looked at Christian, motioning him in with her head.

He set the tray on her dresser and stood, uncomfortable. "I--I thought you might be famished…" He trailed off.

Steph sat up and nodded. "I am. Thank you…"

Christian smiled lightly. "You're welcome." He turned and began to walk out of the room.

Steph sat up. "No, wait. Please…" She patted the edge of the bed. "Would you sit for a while…?"

Christian hesitated. She had been a strange soul as of late, but his kind side always won over. "Surely." He sat on the bed and looked at Steph. "Are you well?"

Steph laughed softly. "Hmmm, well…that is the question. Physically, Im in pain, and mentally Im spent. Courtesy of Tessa."

Christian lifted his head and then slowly nodded. "I knew…there was something…my brother and Chris try and protect me…keep me in the dark." There was a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Would you like to talk about it?" He asked softly.

Steph laid back on the bed and sighed. Her finger curled through her hair as she looked up at the ceiling. "I think I would…"

Steph didn't mind that Christian nibbled at her grapes and cheese while she talked and talked. He listened and that was something she hadn't had in a while. For someone to just listen.

When Steph finished talking she turned to Christian who was now laying beside her quietly taking everything she said in.

He gave a half chuckle. "Well, that's…hmmm…" He turned his head and looked at Steph. "I can feel your anguish…"

Steph smiled lightly. "Thanks."

Christian took her hand. "No, really…" He held her hand in a firm grip. "We're connected. Your sire is my sire…in a peculiar manner…you're like my sister."

Steph nodded, thinking. "I suppose so." She paused, "I used to have another brother…" She trailed off.

Christian propped his head up on his elbows. "Would you like to talk about it."

Steph sighed. "That part of my life is dead. Thinking about it only hurts."

Christian sat up. "Well, Ill leave you…I hope you feel better." He picked up the empty tray and walked to the door. He paused and turned around. "I never knew Tessa…but whenever Chris talked of her…What Im trying to say is, she didn't seem like the envious kind to me." He shrugged and left the room.

Steph stared at the door long after he left. Edge wouldn't lie to her. Of that she was certain…but then again, he didn't tell her of Tessa. Chris did. She shook her head. She couldn't think of it right now. She had a vicious headache and she just wanted to rest. But she knew it was impossible. Her mind was racing a mile a minute and the throbbing at her temples was growing. She knew what was coming. "Stay away." She spat. "I don't want your pathetic memories. Leave me the hell alone."

She didn't think it would stop it and she was right. It was like she couldn't stop her heavy lidded eyes from closing.

Chris walked into Stephanie's room. He needed to tell her everything. He stopped short when he saw she was asleep. He quietly walked to her bedside and looked down at her…so peaceful. So he nearly jumped out of his skin when her eyes snapped open. He instantly felt like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He took a small step back. "I was, uh…" He looked at her sternly. "…Making sure you didn't get into anymore trouble."

Steph sat up and looked at Chris. "Chrissy…" She breathed. She knelt on the bed so she was at eye level with Chris. Her hand gently ran along the side of his face to his chin.

Chris nearly jumped and backed away. "Stephanie…" He trailed off, his voice was almost pleading.

Steph frowned and stood. "What troubles you, my darling?"

Chris laughed nervously. "Trouble…? Well, firstly you do…" He moved away as she walked closed.

"What?" She inquired. She walked towards him until she successfully had him in a corner. "Play your violin for me."

Chris frowned. "What?"

She smiled and cupped his face in her hands. "Don't be silly. Just play for me…" She moved on her tiptoes and kissed Chris on his forehead.

Chris stilled. "Steph…" He whispered quietly.

Steph frowned at Chris and backed a step. "Why do you keep calling me that? Stop it." She then smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Just call me your darling Tessa and then all will be well, agreed?"

Chris's eyes flashed to hers and in a sudden movement, he pushed her away, the bed breaking her fall.

She began to cry then, her face away from Chris's. She grabbed at the sheets and screamed into them. Her toes curled as she bawled, clutching the coverlet as her nails ripped into them.

Chris didn't know what to do. So he stood, motionless as her screams ripped into the deepest part of him.

"She doesn't go away…" She said. She suddenly sat up, her arms supporting her as they pushed into the bed. She turned to Chris. "I don't know what she want and I don't care to know. Get her out of my head!" She stood and ran to the stone wall. She then began hitting her head, her blood staining the granite.

Chris grabbed her around the waist and tackled her to the floor. She squirmed like a wild cat in his arms and it took everything in him to pin her to the ground. He held her there until he felt the tension leave her. He looked at her, shocked and afraid of what he saw. The blood on her…the look of resignation in her tear filled eyes. He rocked her in his arms and tried to quiet her with soothing words.

Steph took his hand and gently ran her thumb into his palm. "Will you help me keep her away?"

Chris moved the her brown strands of hair, heavy with blood, away from her face. "Who, love? Tell me."

Steph's gave a look of pain as she spoke her name. "Tessa."

Chris was so very still then. He felt aware of the calm that filled the room. His ears could even faintly pick up the sound of the city below. "What do you….what?" He asked quietly.

Steph lifted her hand and let her fingers touch her temple. "She's here. Sometimes she's here. And she wont let me be."

Chris felt his chest tightening. Tessa. He was trying to think things out but every thought was a blur. "What does she want…is…is she trying to contact me?" He was trying desperately to keep the hopeful tone out of his voice.

"I don't know. She doesn't talk to me. She only makes me feel…feel what she felt. And see her memories. I don't know why." She moved nestled closer to Chris. "Just hold me until I sleep."

Chris held her tighter and stayed silent. He had so many things he wanted to say…to ask. But nothing was coherent enough to grasp. So he held her close…long after sleep overtook her.