Authors Note - You know, this still doesn't belong to me in any way shape or form! And I am sorry for the late up date, much has been going on. (Like always, my excuse is lame!) Thank you for the reviews!! They are great, and they spur me on, so if ya like the next chapter, tell me, Pleeeaassssseeeee!!!

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Chapter 3 - Lunchtime decisions.

God yes, I am starving! I feel like I could eat you out of house and home, though I do doubt an armies ability to be able to do that. Eaisland shot him a small grin when he smirked at her comment. With that they made there way downstairs to find their lunch.

As they walked down the grand hallways Eaisland suddenly got a flash of a memory from last night. Was their someone else there in the room when you put me in bed? She remembered a blurry face, but she had been so tiered and Lex had assured her that she was safe, though now she became unsure.

Ah, yes. I have a friend who knows how to take care of people, and how to keep his mouth shut about it. I needed to know that you weren't more seriously hurt than you looked. He gave you a quick check over , but said you were fine. I was there the whole time. Lex braced himself for an outburst of panic or rage when Eaisland stopped walking. But she just stood there silently, thinking.

That's ok, I am glad you didn't lie about it, I trust you. If you thought it was necessary then I guess it was, and I must have looked like hell on a stick! Her passive forgiveness surprised him, as did the level of trust that she placed upon him. He found himself strangely warmed by the thought of this girl trusting him unconditionally and not judging him.

I'm glad that you don't hold it against me, it's not something that I did lightly, but I was worried. Lex looked at her and blue eyes met hazel. Eaisland smiled and started walking again.

As Eaisland was lead into the dineing room she was accosted by a host of gorgeous smells and she heard her stomach rumbled greedily. She followed Lex over to the far end of the large dineing table which had two places set at the very end, he stopped by the nearest chair and pulled it out for her. Why does it not surprise me that you would do that. Her tone held a sad amusement and Lex saw memories flit across her features and cloud her eyes.

You don't like my gentlemanly actions? He countered, his eyebrow raised. As she sat Lex pushed the chair in and then took his own place opposite her. He was concerned at her tone of voice, but he would let it be until she brought it up herself.

Oh no, er, I didn't mean it like that, Eaisland's surprised features scrunched and her nose wrinkled, she look away from Lex and down at her place mat, and she considered what she should say. Lex waited for her to speak It's just that, no one has every treated me like you do. You seem very aware of my presence, concerned for my well being, even in this normal type of situation of having lunch. She paused again and looked back into the softness his blue grey eyes held. I guess that I have spent so long with people that just don't want me around, don't care or don't notice me that, well, it feels really good to think that someone actually thinks and conceders me and my feelings. The gratitude that fell like gentle rain from her eyes and her small self conscious smile almost had him jumping up to hug her. Her comment touched his heart, and he felt his anger rise again at the people who had hurt or ignored such a gentle soul.

I care about how you feel, I always will Eaisland, Lex let a small smile creep onto his serious face, and then it turned into a smirk And I give you permission to throw heavy pointed objects at me if I ever, by some freak occurrence, ignore you. He hoped his humour had set the right tone, he didn't want her to dwell on the subject. I have other subjects that I want to discuss with her, I hope she likes my idea's' The thought crossed his mind as he wondered how to bring up the subject.

Eaisland gave Lex back a smirk of her own at his comment and then turned to her left as she heard a door open softly and saw a butler step though with their lunch. I hope you like pasta, but if you don't I can send for something else. Lex's voice caught her attention away from the advancing plates.

MMM, yes I love pasta, thank you. It looks wonderful, and I.... Eaisland suddenly tensed as the butler leaned down to put the plate before her and she drew in a sharp breath. Lex noticed her discomfort immediately and quietly dismissed the butler quickly. He was just about to get up and come over to her to ask her what was wrong when she suddenly blinked her wide eyes, shook herself and then fidgeted on her seat. When she saw Lex's face she quickly spoke to reassure him. I'm fine, I, uh, a stranger being in such close proximity, and a male stranger at that, it just wigged me out there for a moment. I guess my habits are more ingrained than I thought She looked sheepishly at him.

Lex mentally kicked himself, of course a strange man leaning near her would evoke bad memories. I'm sorry, I didn't think about that, forgive me, it will not happen again.

Thank you, but it is really not your fault, I think I am just going to need some time to adjust to meeting new people again. Eaisland then creased her brows in thought for a moment before continuing, Which makes my positive reaction to you odd, great, but odd. I guess it's because you' saved me. I just feel safe around you, I trust you, I feel protected. and I wish I could stay here forever!' she added to herself. then she picked up her fork as she remembered that she really was very hungry. And as she chewed the pasta she noted that it tasted delicious, a nutty basil undertone to the creamy sauce.

I am glad you feel that way, and it actually brings me to a subject that I wanted to discuss with you, Lex contemplated his next move as he ate. As far as the authorities are concerned you are likely thought of as missing. And I get the feeling that you don't want to go back to live with your stepfather. So, I wanted to extent to you my hospitality as long as you feel you would like to stay here, It's not like I don't have the room after all He paused and when she moved to speak he held up his hand to ask her to wait. I would very much like you to stay with me from now on, it wouldn't take very much to tie up the loose ends and transfer your stepfathers guardianship of you to me, if that's what you wanted? Lex let the half question hang between them and he hoped that he hadn't overwhelmed her. He studied her face as her expression turned from one of confusion through astonishment to one of hope and joy.

I - I - I, I would love nothing better, but, but you have already done so much for me, how can I ask this of you, oh god it's like you just granted my biggest wish! Eaisland couldn't help but throw Lex into a big hug, she heard there water glasses fall over as she bumped the table getting to Lex in her haste, but she didn't care. She didn't have to go back to that go forsaken place ever again. She felt and heard Lex's soft chuckle as he hugged her back and tears of joy came to her eyes.

I am glad you want to stay, I hoped you would, I set into motion some of the things that needed to be taken care of last night after you fell asleep. I hope you don't mind. He told her the truth, he didn't want to lie about these things with her.

I don't mind at all, I am flattered, you would do all of this for me, some girl you dragged of the side of the road. Eaisland the extracted herself from Lex's lap and went back to her meal, which carried on over conversations of what he still needed to do, and what she would need now that she was staying at the mansion.

TBC.....

Authors Note - I know this one was short, but thats all I have for now. Please review if ya have time!!