Author's Note

FINAL CHAPTER!!!

Laughs… I do feel fiendishly terrible about the cliff hanger y'all, but I love them! Your responses were amusing to say the least. I wish I could've been there to see some of the faces and y'all read. This story is sadly coming to the end though. By the way, please if you can, download the song I mention later on in the chapter, it's definitely worth it to set the tone. I promise this isn't the last Trinity fic I will write. For those of you who like steamier things, I have a few one-shots in mind. I'll try to post stories regularly to whet your appetites. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it and let me know if you would like to see more Trinity stories from me…it'll be great motivation for the ideas already spawning in my head. Until next time Ladies and Gentlemen, I take my bow. Be good!

P.S. Grandma is back in the hospital again. I'll give updates when I find out more information. Thank you everyone who continues to support me. I love y'all! God bless…

Chapter 11: Redemption

His eyes were wide in horror, and then he closed them trying to make the image go away. But when he reopened them, she was still there. Dirty and mangled. He reached his arms out and carefully moved the debris from around her. Her body was curled and wrapped in a light, almost sheer, gauzy material. In addition, her body was covered inch by inch with horrid bruises and cuts. Some fresh, some old. His heart stopped. The pain she must have gone through would be a lifetime of punishment for him, without absolution. His palm grazed her skin and he drew back sharply. She was ice cold. Gingerly picking up her body, he settled her onto his lap and sheltered her in his arms. His body was numb. He was too late.

Or so he thought.

He ran a hand down her neck and felt the faint push of a pulse against his fingertips. It was weak, but she was alive. Then he felt the warm contrast of her breath on his forearm, scarce but still there. Cradling her head in his hands he spoke to her in breathy, hopeful whispers.

"Abby baby, wake up. I know your cold sweetheart, but you need to open your eyes for me okay? Please don't slip away from me. I've got you now…"

His eyes shown with unshed tears as he rocked her back and forth, hugging her close to heat her. His voice, when he next spoke, was small and broken by sobs as he shuddered hard trying not to cry.

"I still owe you a kiss…"

I was dreaming. There was a woman sealed in the basement of a cathedral, closed up inside to give it a soul, a spirit. An Anchorite. The woman was me. I tried to place a hand on my own shoulder but it went straight through. All I caught was air. I was crying, the metal cuffs biting deep into my wrist as it held me to the mattress. My blood trickled in heavy streams down my arms and onto the sheets. I had a sense of dizziness and falling. And even though I sat still I felt the impact of hitting something not entirely solid, but hard all the same. I was mumbling what I caught was a Carl Jung type of self-psyche analysis. Pick any three words describing a body of water, a color, an animal, and most importantly a white room without exits. Similar to the one I was in. Color equals you, Animal is your view on people, water means how you see your sex. I watched myself speak in a hypnotized state with full attention.

Blue; calm, sad, and transfixed. A dog; soft, warm, and loyal. Water…the ocean; languid, gentle and rolling…"

My 'dream-self' turned to look around the room, eyes, red-rimmed and unfocused.

"White room; Bright, empty, and endless…"

The analysis of the white room was supposedly my view on death. Then the whole scenery went transitory, disappeared, and changed before me. Where was King? He should've been here by now. Where was I? This place was dark and it smelled like lingering spirits. Was it Heaven…or Hell? It almost seemed like Purgatory. The sadness hung in the air like a curtain. Enfolding me in grief. My body was worn and tired. I was giving in to the darkness. Letting it hold me in its comforting arms. Then I felt warmth. I felt energy and light as a feather as someone lifted me, their touch evocative. I heard a melancholy sound. Maybe it was a voice, I wasn't sure. Whatever it was its touch was gentle and loving. And I pulled towards it with every fiber of my being. I wanted to crawl inside of it and rest. This, was Heaven. I heard the voice again and it came to me.

"I still owe you a kiss…"

It was King! He had come to save me. I desperately tried to reach him through the darkness of my mind. I felt a tingle in my conscious as my eyes fluttered open. I heard King gasp and then I felt his bearded cheek on mine, holding me close to his face, and whispering encouragement for me to wake up. That when I saw him clearly. His beautiful face. I reached up with a shaky hand and ran it through his hair, down the side of his face, and tracing over his lips. Ohh how I miss you my love…

He leaned into my touch like it was his only lifeline. I slumped and curled into him, closing in on his eyes so that I could drink in all the memories of him that I loved. He was searching my eyes for any sign of recognition. My voice was barely there and my throat burned as I spoke.

"There you are…I've been waiting for you."

With that he gave me the purest and most sincere smile known to grace his handsome features. As I clung to him, he caught me in one of the most unbelievable kisses in my life. His lips were tender and supple and just how I dreamed they would be as I survived through my stint in Hell. We both broke away gasping for breath. King looked at me with a watery smile and tearful eyes.

"Okay…I lose; But oh what a way to go."

He smiled against my lips and pulled me in for more. Tears spilling over his cheeks and onto mine as he release all the emotion he'd been holding down and choking on these last three days.

"This is all my fault…"

He looked over my every scar, my every scratch, every bruise. Touching them lightly with his fingers, as his shoulder shook heavily. His tears were falling freely from his eyes and onto my skin.

"Jesus Christ Abby…I shouldn't have let you go in alone. I should've kissed you all day… I shouldn't have yelled at you the other night…"

I quieted him. His eyes returning to mine, his every muscle tight, he stared at me for a long time. Searching. Something in my winsome eyes and the sound of my voice made him relax and take forgiveness for something he didn't even do. But I knew that's what he needed; He needed that reassurance to give him a piece of mind again.

"King…Let's go home."

As I said that, I felt blood in my mouth. My dry lips had cracked open and were bleeding. King offered me his sleeve and wiped off the blood. I looked around us and saw what remained of Azrael. Smiling faintly and satisfied. King looked over his handy work and grinned, nodding towards his discarded Bone Jack rifle. I shook my head in approval just happy it was all over for the time being. He helped support me as I clutched to him while getting out of the pit. I rested, panting on the ground, already exhausted from that little excursion. King crouched down over me and moved the hair away from my face coming to some sort of conclusion.

"Now, baby, I know we agreed that I shouldn't carry you everywhere but I think given the circumstances, we can make an exception. C'mon get up here."

He hooked his arms around my back and under my knees. I snuggled into him and breathed in his scent. His chest vibrated as he chuckled.

"You know sweetheart, I think you're beginning to enjoy this treatment…"

The corner of my mouth tipped upward as I gave into exhaustion and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. King found a sack with all of Abby's weapons including her 686 Plus revolver. Abby will be happy to have this back. His guess was that the vampires were afraid to touch most of it in fear of setting something off and killing themselves. He got in the car and called to inform Dash and Caulder that he found her but she was in bad condition and she needed immediate medical attention. Caulder worked on the ergonomics of what she was going to need to help her regain her strength. They were both frightened to see the condition she was actually in. From the tone in King's voice, it didn't sound good. Dash equipped the med room with the needed supplies and prepared the bed for Abigail's arrival, including her favorite fuzzy blue blanket. Washed and waiting. Zoë walked down to the computer center due to all of the commotion. Dash grabbed her and swung her around gleefully.

"Guess what? King rescued Abby!"

Zoë screamed in joy and wiggled around in excitement, jumping up and down clapping. This made Dash smile for the first time in the last few days. After a moment he bent down and stilled her by her tiny shoulders

"But listen to me okay. Abby needs her rest, she's got a lot of boo-boo's that we're going to make all go away. You can see her after she sleeps for awhile."

Zoë nodded, paying careful attention to everything he said. She wanted Abby to get better so she'll just busy herself making a get well card.

"That's okay, I understand. She needs her rest right?"

"That's right."

She hugged him once and ran to Caulder surprising him by wrapping her little arms around him too. Then she turned around skipping upstairs accompanied with whistling happily. The mood in the room automatically lifted a bit as they returned to their duties. Twenty minutes later the sound of tires screeching to a halt outside the hideout. King picked up the sleeping Abigail and carried her inside to be met by Dash and Caulder, fully prepared to take care of her. They cut the muslin at the top then turned around out of modesty as King ripped it off the rest of the way and wrapped her naked body with her blue blanket.

"We're going to have to clean those out."

Caulder gestured to the slashes and wounds. King agreed and quickly volunteered.

"I'll do it… Leave us for a minute, but before you go, we should probably give her a strong anesthetic so she won't feel anymore pain. She's been through enough."

Dash readied the needle and King got out the topical antiseptic. Abby didn't seem to respond to the fact that there was a needle going into her skin. Due to the massive amount of blood loss she received, Caulder hooked up an IV bag with blood and one with a water solution to keep her hydrated. Both Dash and Caulder left King to his job and returned to their respective places, Dash in front of the computer center, and Caulder by his genetics lab. King's eyes scanned over Abigail's body as he slathered on the cleansing gel. Meticulously, he cleaned and documented every wound, wincing and heating with anger at the particularly bad ones. Some of these would definitely scar. He cleaned and bandaged her up, then recovering her; he placed light kisses over her face to motivate her to have good dreams while she healed. She would need to rest now. As much as he wanted to stay here until she woke up again, he knew she'd be out for a couple of hours, at least. Deciding to unpack he went out of the room and unarmed himself. He needed to go see Zoë, to show her that he was okay now. He knew she was worried to death about him. He heard her quick footsteps trampling down the stair before he could even reach them. Dash must've told her he was back. There she was, she jumped from the fourth step up and crashed into his body, sending them both to the floor.

"I knew you'd save her!! I just knew it!"

He felt her little kisses on his cheek as she repeatedly planted them there. It made him laugh. She normally scolded or was sarcastic with him when she was in a good mood. He got up hoisting her up underneath one arm as he climbed the steps with her giggling uncontrollably.

"She okay isn't she King?"

He looked at her dangling from his clutches.

"She will be…"

Zoë let him carry her in this barbaric way because she was too happy and he had been through enough these past days without adding her quipped comments as fuel to the fire.

"I want to make her a card. Can you help me?"

"Sure thing, Squirt."

They went into her room and she made herself busy getting her crayons and paper. King sat down on her small bed as she piled all of her art supplies onto it. Zoë didn't ask him what happened. She didn't want to know. King, in a way, was thankful for that. It did well on his nerves to sit there and concentrate on something so innocent. No wonder Zoë drew all the time. It was therapeutic. After an hour of coloring, they were done and set their masterpieces aside for later. They cleared off the bed and Zoë jumped into it. It was pretty late for her, so King decided to tuck her in.

"Alright sleepyhead, I have to go tuck Abby in now. Goodnight Zoë. Nothing but sweet dreams okay?"

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"Mmhmm…"

He gave her the old raggedy bunny that she slept with. The one that smelled like her mom. Zoë had one more request as King bent down and kissed her hair.

"Will you tell her that I love her and if she needs a hug, I have a lot of them waiting for her?"

"Will do, Zoë. I'm sure she'll take you up on that when she wakes up."

He walked into the med room to see her sleeping peacefully. Walking over to the small sink in the room he grabbed a cloth, wet it with warm water, and proceeded to wash Abby's face. She was still out cold from the anesthetic.

"Hello my Angel. What's that? I look sexy right now? Abby, in your condition I don't know if you should be checking me out like that. It could make you faint."

After a moment of joking, he turned serious and caressed her cheek.

"You're going to be fine, my love. I'm here now."

He encouraged her as he wiped down her neck, over her shoulders, and down her arms. At least she was warm now. That had scared him beyond rationality. Some doctors say that people can unconsciously remember everything that is said to them while they are asleep and remember it later. Sort of like déjàvu. He hoped Abigail could hear him now. Later that night, King made his bed in a chair next to Abby so that he could watch over her. She stirred slightly and her brow creased in her sleep. Her mouth set itself in a dreamy smile and she murmured quietly.

"King…"

This made him smile. Whatever she was dreaming had him in it and she was happy. That was good. In the morning she should be awake fully. He would talk to her then. For now, he settled into the afghan that covered him and his eyes drank her in deeply until they got heavy with sleep and he dozed off.

My body seared in white hot pain and tore me from my unconsciousness as my eyes flew open. I breathed harshly for a moment or two and then the pain faded into a dull thud. My arms were killing me. I noticed that they were bandaged up. Underneath I probably looked like a cadaver's dream. I looked to my left and saw King, sprawled out uncomfortably in a chair that was far too small for a body like his. Forgetting my pain for the moment, I saw how cute this scene was. His hair was up in all directions and he slept with his arm resting over his forehead. He stirred half an hour later grunting as the light invaded his eyes. Looking over at me, squinting, he bolted up when he saw I was awake. He started to speak frantically. Touching my face and skimming over my bruises.

"Abby! How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you need anything? Do you hurt?"

I shushed him with my finger to his lips then hooked it beckoning for him to come closer. I felt his beard with my knuckles and I gave him a long, deep kiss. Pulling away, King was for once in his life, rendered speechless.

"My neck is a little sore from being in the same position almost all night. Other than that I'm peachy."

My voice was so weak I was hardly able to get the words out. My throat felt like somebody poured salt in it. He knew me better. I hurt more than that but I didn't want to think about it. His lips trailed down my neck. My head rolled back as I let out a breathy sigh.

"How does that feel?"

My eyes drifted open at half mast with relaxation.

"Better…"

He motioned me to sit up as he slid behind me. Cautiously he rubbed my neck, avoiding any tender, beaten areas.

"What shall we do with our time today hmmm? I think our best bet is to stick to this room, so that leaves, card games, television, or snuggling up with your lethally sexy significant other and watching a movie."

I smiled.

"You're talking about me right?"

He feigned a look of surprise and nodded emphatically.

"Oh, of course baby. But seriously, what do you feel like doing? On the tube we have, My Brother Slept with Our Mom and Now He's the Father of Our Baby Sister. Wow, what is wrong with the society of today? Next on the menu, we have Oprah, and sense you aren't on your period, we won't have to watch that."

I tried to muster my strength to smack him on his arm only able to get a light hit. He laughed lightly and turned the tv off. His finger toyed with a strand of my hair as he spoke.

"We could always watch a movie. Your pick.

I thought about it then I looked over my shoulder at King who patiently awaited my answer.

"Let's watch Fight Club."

His face brightened in agreement and he got up to rifle through the dvd closet. I knew he was happy that I wasn't a chick flick type of girl who would stick him with watching Leonardo DiCaprio drown on a boat for four hours.

"That's one of the million reasons why I love you so much Whistler."

We spent the next 2 and a half hours sporadically making out, albeit gently, and learning fighting tips from a certain guy named Tyler Durden. During our little movie marathon I had fallen asleep in the comfort and familiarity of King's arms. He however, grudgingly got up to redress my bandages. Caulder brought in some fresh water in a drip bag and some wildflowers of all colors from Dash to put in her room. Checking her vital stats, he nudged King.

"Promising day today eh King?"

"Yeah she was in rare form today. But she's still so weak. I'm trying to see how much scar tissue and damage she's going to have as a result of this.

The anger had returned to his voice. Azrael was dead but even death didn't seem substantial to King. He should've suffered slowly, like Abby did. The important thing he had to remember was that Abby pulled through. Caulder was concerned that King wasn't getting adequate rest. Using the pen he was recording data with, he poked King in the shoulder.

"Why don't you get some sleep, friend? In a proper bed…"

Not up to resisting much, King took his advice and followed him up the stairs. Instead of turning right like he normally did, he made a left and headed straight into Abby's room crashing on top of her feathery bed. It felt so cold and lonely without her there next to him. He buried his face in her pillow and inhaled deeply. It smelled like lavender, it smelled like her. He tucked it underneath his head and closed his eyes, falling asleep instantly. The next morning King woke up to someone pouncing on him, making the bed shake. He opened one eye to find the culprit. It was an excitable Zoë.

"I get to see Abby today!!"

King groaned as he attempted to remove her and turn over, but she wasn't budging. As a defense he started to tickle her without mercy. She laughed and squirmed until she was out of breath and he stopped.

"C'mon, you big grouch! Get up."

She commanded and sat there trying to tug little hairs from his beard. He surrendered, rubbed his chin, and stretched as Zoë got off the bed and looked around the room confused.

"What are you doing in here anyway? This isn't your room."

He cracked his knuckles and ran a hand through his disheveled hair as Zoë awaited him for an answer.

"I like it in here that's all…It smells better than my room."

Surely he could've done better than that but he didn't have his caffeine yet, thus was unprepared for such a question. Zoë on the other hand looked like she wasn't buying it at all. He knew it when an evil grin spread across her face. She poked him in the ribs, teasing him.

"You're in Love!"

King tried his best to create a diversion but failed miserably.

"Go to you room Squeaker. Go get the cards we made and I'll take you to see her."

Despite himself, King began to smile. That gave it away and Zoë skipped out of the room, taunting him in a sing-song voice.

"King's in love with Abby, King's in love with Abby…"

She could be heard in the going in the hall and all the way downstairs.

"King and Abby sittin' in a tree… K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!!"

She giggled all the way to her room. If only that little imp knew how true that was. King rolled out of bed and put on a shirt that was still in Abby's room. He padded downstairs and was greeted by Dash and Caulder; both wearing questionable faces in Zoë's wake. Caulder was the first to speak.

"What the hell was that all about?"

"Don't ask..."

He just shrugged his shoulders and continued reading the paper while Dash tried his hardest not to burst out laughing. King sipped on his coffee until he heard the one-girl demolition crew trample into the kitchen, cards ready and her Braille 'Wizard of Oz' book in her hands. She waited impatiently tapping her foot as King finished off his coffee, taking longer than needed. Nonchalantly he looked at her drawing out long, slow sips and then took up more time by looking about the room. She narrowed her eyes at him an increased the speed of her tapping accompanied by placing a hand on her hip. The corner of King's mouth lifted up amused at her annoyance. Dash piped up in fear for King.

"You better go man. I've seen that face before. Five minutes from now, it's not going to be pretty."

King conceded and dumped his mug in the sink. Zoë grabbed his hand nearly putting his arm out of socket and swiftly pulled him to the basement. She went into the med room followed by King only to discover that Abby was sleeping soundly nestled under the blankets, which thankfully covered the worst of her damage. He placed another blanket over her, making sure she was warm enough. King gently touched the side of her face and moved the hair out of her eyes. He then withdrew and let Zoë see her. Without disturbing her, Zoë tiptoed to the side of the bed and put her little hand in Abby's while she slept. King pulled up a chair for Zoë and she sat down. She lightly touched the bandages around Abby's wrist and looked solemnly at King who just nodded. Her whole demeanor changed. Zoë curled a strand of hair in her free hand while watching intently as she slept. King observed in silence from the foot of the bed as the young child let go of the strand, placed her book in front of her, and began reading aloud to Abby. Her free hand tracing her fingers lightly across the page, translating the words. All the while, her other hand gripped into the hand of his sleeping angel. After finishing a chapter Zoë realized that Abby wasn't going to be awake for a while. She hoped at least she was able to hear the story enough to have dreams about Munchkin Land. That was Abby's favorite place in the book. Being hungry, she left her with King, promising to return after she ate breakfast. In the meantime, King took the opportunity to visit with Abby while they were alone. He went over to the side of the bed where she was facing and pulled the chair as close as he could to it. Angling his body off the chair, he laid his head on the pillow next to her and stared at her. Every now and again he would let his finger trail down her cheek as he softly talked to her.

"I love you…"

He had no idea how long he had been in that position until he felt a small hand on his shoulder. Zoë had come back and was now looking at King sadly. He moved and straightened up in his chair as Zoë came to sit in his lap. It was her way of telling him she was sorry that he had to go through this, but he wasn't alone. Fifteen minutes of resting had passed when slowly Abby began to come around.

I opened my eyes to see King holding Zoë. She looked surprised to see me awake and plopped down off of King who smiled at me. I would never get tired of seeing that. Zoë grabbed a hold of me too tightly without thinking and I gasped. She immediately let go and backed up, terrified she had hurt me. The tears already shone in her eyes as she worried her lip with her teeth.

"I'm sorry Abby! I'm sorry…"

I beckoned her over and she timidly walked closer. I sat up and wrapped my arms around her and she tentatively returned my hug. I eased her mind as I spoke into her shoulder.

"See there…its okay. I'm just a little sore sweetie. You can still hug me. I'll take a hug from you any day of the week and twice on Sundays."

She seemed to feel better at that so she hopped up on the little space of mattress beside me and started chattering.

"I read to you this morning while you were asleep. And yesterday King and I stayed up late and made you some get well cards."

"You did?..."

I looked at her and smiled and then glanced towards King who I'm surprised to say, seemed to be blushing and looked a little nervous. Zoë got up and ran over to the small table and picked up two colorful cards. She gave me one who had the Emerald City in the distance with a long path of the yellow brick road going up to it. I opened it to read.

There's no place like home.

So follow the yellow brick road.

Your friends are waiting for you…

I hope you feel better soon Abby. Cause I miss you!

Love, Zoë

There was a drawing of me in Dorothy's outfit, Dash as the Tin Man, Caulder as the Scare Crow; Zoë looked like she was Glenda, and lastly the Cowardly Lion who remarkably seemed to resemble King. I laughed and gave Zoë a big hug.

"Thank you! You know, I think I'm feeling better already."

"You're welcome. King made this one for you...amateur…"

She handed me the card and to say that the skill in which he drew this was noteworthy would be an understatement. On the front was a blue stick figure with a cloud raining over its head, holding two halves of a heart. Inside it was the same blue stick figure holding a bandaged heart, with little tiny hearts bursting out at the top of its head. I read the message on the top.

Abby, my Love,

My heart won't be mended and I won't be whole until you get better.

I love you.

King-

I looked up at him; he was wearing an endearing smile. He pointed to the blue stick figure.

"That's me…"

I couldn't contain the small laugh that escaped my lips as I reread the card to myself.

"Awe…you did a good job. That's so cute, thank you. I love you too."

I pulled him into a hug and he leaned in and kissed my forehead and then my brow.

"I tried…"

I rubbed the palm of his hand with my thumb. It looked like everyone had something in my room. I saw the flowers that Dash and Caulder gave to me and now I had two cards. It did make me feel a lot better. For the remainder of the morning Zoë and I hung out and I listened as she read another chapter of her story and then we watched cartoons for a little while before King came back in with lunch and shooed her away, saying that I needed a break. He wheeled the little bed table over and sat down a bowl of vegetable soup, some crackers, and a glass of sweet tea. As a joke he pulled out a small plastic jell-o cup from his pocket.

"As corny as it sounds…There's always room for this."

He sat it down next to my saltines. I had to give him credit. He had been handling this whole ordeal with me very nobly. He put on a brave face even though I could tell that he was worried or frightened. I wanted him to lie down beside me so badly I could taste it. I was still recovering but I was slowly getting my strength back. I ate, thankful to get something that wasn't attached to the IV into my system. King carefully watched my every move while making conversation. I was curious to see if any vampires a rebelled or not but King shook his head.

"All is quiet for now. I sure it won't be long before things flare up again. But for right now, let's just enjoy the peace while it lasts."

I couldn't agree more. Taking a sip of my tea I pushed the cart away. Before King could start protesting I grabbed his hand and pulled it.

"Come here."

I made enough room for him and he sat on the edge of my bed and looked at me, slight wonder and question visible in his eyes.

"Lay down"

He did as he was told and instinctively wrapped his arms around me. I got closer to him and just closed my eyes in contentment. He seemed to get more relaxed than I've seen him since I've been home. His breathing evened out and I knew that he had fallen asleep. It was my turn to observe him as he slept. His face was lax of any worries whatsoever and I was grateful for that. If I moved even the littlest bit, he held me to him, determined not to let me go anywhere. I watched him for about an hour. Just fascinated with the way he looked. Then sleep overtook me as well. King rose early the next morning with much work to do. Abby was lying in the crook of his neck. Her heartbeat was steady against his own. He smiled. Today was going to be a good day. He made sure Abby was sound asleep as he left. Today, Abby would be strong enough that she didn't have to stay in the med room anymore. So, King left to pick up a few things from the store; A very rare, yet, domestic occasion for him. He called Dash later and told him to get Zoë out of the hideout for a little while because she needed to have some fun. When he returned from running errands all morning, there was a note from Caulder saying that he and Dash had done as he said and taken Zoë out to see a flick and have some pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's. Poor bastards… He set to work and then decided to shower and go see if Abby was awake yet.

I woke up the next day late in the afternoon feeling groggy and famished for having slept so long. King presumably woke up earlier in the day leaving me to rest. There wasn't any sound of activity upstairs. King appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in a pair of nice, pinstriped black and grey pants with a black collared button-down shirt. His hair was quite ruffled and sexy. I quirked an eyebrow at him appreciatively and he bent down at my bedside, grabbing my hand in his.

Where is everybody?"

My voice was gruff from sleep and I saw King look up in the air. Then he looked down at me and smiled mischievously. Nonchalant, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Ohh…I dunno…Out, perhaps?

I started adding up things. He was dressed very nice, he smelled like Heaven, and he looked like a God. I looked at him skeptically.

"What did you do?…"

His grin spread wider and gave me that 'who me?' look. He removed something out of his pocket. The second I recognized the silk cloth I started to giggle.

"Oh are we going to play this game again?"

"Baby, I'll never get tired of this game."

He strategically placed it around my eyes, securing it with a knot. Taking his time, he helped me off of the bed and my feet hit the cold floor making my toes curl. He interlocked his fingers with mine and grabbed me around my hip to steady me. Blindly, I trusted him as we went one step at a time upstairs. He had the utmost patience as I slowly shuffled down the hall. I knew where we were headed but nothing could've prepared me for what I saw when we got there. I heard King speak from behind me.

"Ready?"

I nodded and he released the blindfold from around my eyes, letting it fall into my hands. I look around me in complete awe. My room had been fixed up with candles burning everywhere in the sweet smell of sandalwood. An area in front of my bed was cleared out and set with a cloth, pillows and dinner for two. Music softly started playing in the background. It was a 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' covered by George Michael. I always will question his taste in music, but this time he couldn't have gotten it more right. As I listened and took in the view around me, I started to cry.

"King…"

He wrapped his arms low around my waist and kissed the juncture between my neck and shoulder, making my body alive and tingling. I looked up at him adoringly. The glow of the room making him look like an angel.

"You've been a busy little bee."

He smiled warmly and ran a finger down my nose. I let him continue to lead me over to the makeshift dining area. With a little difficulty I manage to sit down. Making sure I was situated first, King then took his own seat across from me. His voice was thick with emotion.

"I figured since we can't really go on an official date, I would bring the date to you."

I had trouble trying to find the words to express what I felt at that moment.

"You are so unbelievable. It's beautiful King, thank you… Everything looks so wonderful. It's perfect."

"See, you're putty in my hands already. My plan is working perfectly."

I waved off his comment dismissively and picked up my knife and fork to begin eating. The food before me was my favorite. Grilled chicken and steamed vegetables paired with a nice red wine by the looks of it. While we ate, we talked about what had happened in the last few days. Not a normal conversation by any means for such a time like this, but you forget, we're Nightstalkers. This is our life. King spent most of the meal casting lingering glances at me. I saw it in his eyes. Relief. Some part of me knew he didn't expect to find me alive, or maybe part of the undead. I don't know which would have been worse for him. Just like me, he had been locked in his own personal Hell while I was gone.

"I do have one serious question Abby. I don't know if you want to tell me about it, and you don't have to, but stemming from a comment that Azrael made to me before I killed him…Did he do anything to you?"

I looked down shamefully at my hands folded in my lap and nodded. King rose from his chair a tipped my chin up with his finger.

"Look at me… You didn't do anything wrong. Remember, I've been there. I'm not angry at you. I just would like to know."

"He…he did awful things to me. He touched me, and he would lick blood off of me. The last day he tried to have sex with me that night but then thankfully you were spotted and we had to leave as soon as possible. So he was interrupted. I got sick every time. I'm glad he didn't rape me, not that he didn't do it with his hands but…I don't know. What did he say to you?"

King sat there with gritted teeth wishing he could bring Azrael back to life if only to kill him again in a more brutal manner.

"He told me that when he fucked you, you screamed my name."

My skin grew flush with anger and my cheeks were hot.

"I never…"

He rubbed my back hushing me.

"I know baby, I know. Let's change the subject."

Instead we switch to music, which turned into a very candid debate on King's part as he defended his musical preferences. I did admit to the fact that his choice for tonight's affair was in fact perfect. But even a blind dog finds his ass sometimes. I think my little joke reaffirmed that I was getting better. After we finished our meal and King gave up his fight. He started to put the dishes aside and fold them with the cloth into a bundle. I got up on shaky feet and he paused to help me but I held up my hand. He didn't go back to cleaning up but instead he watched me. I walked over and stood in front of him. There was something that I had to do.

"Thank you King…for everything."

I pulled him into a kiss that promised more. The look I got when we broke apart was a longing one. I began fiddling with the top button on his shirt and asked permission to continue with my eyes. He put his hand on top of mine and guided it down to the second button assisting me as it slid open. One by one they popped open. I released the last one, glided my hands up his chest, and slipped the shirt off his shoulders, throwing it to the floor. On his chest was a scar from Danica's fetish heels. I placed a small kiss on top of it and moved up nipping on his neck. I looked at him through my lashes to see his head thrown back. All that covered me was a white tank and cozy yoga pants. His hands were at my waist and I raised my arms so that he could remove my top. Tugging the hem upward he carefully took it off. I walked him backwards, my fingertips tracing the cut of muscles trailing off underneath his pants. We stepped till he hit the bed and fell back into the fluffy sheets. He scooted back and leaned up on his elbows to watch me as I predatorily crawled up his body.

"Jesus…You are feeling better aren't you Kitten."

I smiled and dipped my tongue into his navel earning a delicious groan. I felt his breath quicken and his hands reach for my hair but there was a hesitance to it. I looked up and saw restraint written all over his face. He was still holding back for fear he would hurt me somehow. Which; is exactly what I didn't want. We both needed to enjoy this; we both wanted it as well. The prominent bulge in his slacks told me that. I fiddled with his belt buckle, whipping it off and unzipping his pants to discover he wasn't wearing boxer underneath. His erection came out and I grabbed it in one hand moving it up and down slowly. He hissed and clenched the sheets still not touching me. I eased his pants off of his calves and moved them out of my way. I stopped my ministrations and King bit his lip to suppress his mouth.

"King, you aren't going to hurt me."

I kneeled astride his waist and took his hand, running it over the different scars and slashes

"See…"

I placed his hands on my thighs and they traveled all the way up to the curve of my breasts and waited.

"I want you to touch me…"

His mouth dropped open. That was all the encouragement he needed. He did a complete 180 and now he wanted to play. I giggled in satisfaction as he rolled his hips upward. His excitement escalated and got the bed of him as he flipped me over immediately working on the tie of my pants. He kissed the bruises around my ribcage and hooked his fingers inside my pants. I picked my hips up off the bed and he pulled them off until my underwear came into view. They were new. He made an intelligible sound of surprise and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"You hid these from me, you thief…Very bad girl. You should be punished."

He ripped them off with his teeth and I wasn't expecting that, but it turned me on even more. However what happened next was torture. He blew cool air onto my skin but he refused to touch me. His beard dragged across my sensitive skin making me even hotter as I twisted in anticipation. I allowed him to do that for a minute or two until I felt myself almost peak.

"King?"

He looked up mischievously and was met by a death stare from me.

"Fuck. Me."

Stopping all movement, he stared at me, bewildered that I would say that. I caught his hips and dug my nail into them. Raking up his sides, his body trembled and he moaned from deep in his throat. I clawed my nails through his hair and tugged on it pulling him to my face. His mouth was parted and I licked it. I looked straight into his eyes, demanding.

"Now!"

Not being one to have to be told what to do twice he pushed one of his long fingers into me and I arched back and rocked my hips moaning into his ear. He inserted a second finger while he positioned himself over me. Without warning he removed his hand and slammed into me causing me to scream in pleasure as he ripped through me. Obscenities flew out of his mouth right and left.

"God damn Abby…you feel so fuckin' good."

His tongue licked every scratch and scar in reach and his thumbs teased my nipples, his mouth returning to suck on them simultaneously. I heard him growl every time my muscles would clench tight around him. I kneaded into the flesh of his back and kissed him urgently, shallowly breathing. My voice breaking against his mouth

"That's it…Ohhh…"

He moved faster and faster, moaning continuously. His hand moved between our bodies as he rubbed my clit. I moaned his name and he smiled.

"Does that feel good baby?"

"Mmm…"

I could barely take it. He moved harder and harder, then he hit it and I screamed.

"Right there! Oh my God!! Don't stop King…Don't stop…"

He tongue fought with mine and I could feel him getting closer. My legs gripped him tighter. His body was shaking against mine as he held me up. Seconds later he came inside of me and we dropped to the bed. Both of us were panting raggedly as we spiraled down. He moved the damp strands of hair clinging to my skin and kissed the back of my neck.

"You're going to be the end of me Abby. You know that?"

I leaned my head back and captured him in a kiss.

"I love you."

He kissed me again, moaning against my lips."

"Mmm…I love you too Abigail Whistler."

I chuckled and looked over at his clothes where they lay, forgotten.

"So, were you trying to seduce me by dressing up?"

He was nuzzling my neck and brought his face up to look at me.

"Mmm…that was just a plus."

He smiled and started kissing me again. I felt the faint touch of cold metal sliding up my finger. Then I shivered as King's beard scratch my chin and his lips barely touching my ear as he whispered.

"Marry me Abigail…"

I closed my eyes as the tears built up on my lashes. When I opened them again, a pair of soft yet intense brown eyes were staring back at me. On my finger was my dad's gold band accompanied by a sparkling diamond. I rested my forehead against his. My lips inches from his own, I muttered the only word I would ever use to answer his question.

"Yes."