Little Lotte- about out fight earlier, the only reason I have more is because for you and Amber! But anyway... Russian tea does fix everything.. giggle giggle... how could I not include the spider thing? Greg wanted me too... beat that Christine! Love you Lotte! Has Erik kidnapped you yet?

Amber- happy? I mentioned you.

Chapter 19

I awoke to the sound of footsteps, coming from the main sitting room. I got up off of the bed, to greet him.

"Erik were did you..." I faded off, it wasn't Erik who's foot steps I heard, but Murtagh's. He was leaning up against the wall, his cane no were to be found.

I almost gasped at his appearance. His seemed to be soaked with blood, smelling of alcohol from head to toe, deep gashes and large bluing bruises covered what I could see of his body. Despite the obvious pain he was in, he was still capable of that grin.

"Do you think you could help?" He stumbled towards me, nearly falling without his cane.

"Get your drunk ass over here." I cursed, helping him into my bedroom, as Erik had done the day I got into a fight with Christine.

"I'm not drunk!" He said as I disappeared into the the washroom, grabbing that basin and the wash rag.

"Is that why your drenched in that shit?" I walked back out to him, sitting beside him, and began to tend to his wounds. I put as much pressure on the wounds as I could, not caring about if it hurt him.

"The other guy was drinking!" He protested, flinching as I pressed harder against his flesh.

"Well what in God's name were you doing getting into a fight with a drunk man? The last time I saw you like this was the time you beat on the preacher's son." After washing all the blood from his face, I examined the wounds. There was nothing to dangerous, that might have needed a doctor, just some girl to keep it up, and make him feel like a war hero.

"He insulted Meg." I turned his head to face me, those bright blue eyes infuriated.

"Called her a whore, that bastard. I couldn't let them disgrace her like that! Not my Meg. And, by the way Ace, the only reason I fought the preacher's son was he pushed you into that muddy river."

"Take your clothes off." I commanded, starting on his jacket.

"What?" He shuddered in shock.

"Take of your clothes, so I can clean the wounds." I spoke slower.

"But... Ace..." He shook his head.

"I ain't hurt that bad."

Who ever thought My scout would be shy about this?

"Your bleeding, I need to dress the wound." I protested stubbornly.

"It's not like I am going to look at you Scout. You family for heaven's sake!" He rolled his eyes, and removed his shirt. Most of his broad chest was untouched, just a long shallow cut across his tough abdomen.

"I am assuming you aren't hurt any were else?" I asked, looking over him. His face turned a brilliant rose red.

"No, the lower half of me is perfectly fine, if it matters to you, and even if it wasn't I wouldn't let my sister handle it."

I rolled my eyes, and took the basin back to the washroom, dumping the crimson water down the drain.

"You couldn't have let Roxanne do this? After all, she is nurse."

"Well... she's beautiful.. and I didn't want to..." He dropped his gaze in shame.

"So you pulled me out of bed, because you couldn't get help from some girl you think is pretty? So why not go to your sister?" His face turned a deeper shade of red.

"You were still in bed? But it's well into the afternoon, it's almost sunset."

"Do you think I walk around here all the time in my nightgown?" I asked sarcastically.

"If you care to know, I felt sick this morning."

"Oh, I didn't know... sorry Ace... It's just... I don't want someone this close... not with all the rumours

going around..." I laughed at his statement, but he couldn't understand why.

"So it's alright if your sister gets 'this close' as you put it. You seem to be forgetting one major little detail, why not go to Meg? I'm sure she would have been glad to help, maybe even kiss you wounds as if you were still a little boy." I teased. He shot me an aggravated glare.

"You know Meg would be furious at me, I had no one else to turn to."

"Maybe you should have thought of that before you threw the first punch."

"Why, Ace, you know I don't think." I couldn't help but laugh

"Well that is obvious!" I commented, as I got up off the bed, heading over to the closet. I pulled out one of Erik's tunics, and threw it at Murtagh, who surprisingly caught it.

"You can't just walk around in a blood stained shirt. Do you want a pair of pants too? The blood pooling over your crotch probably won't send the greatest message." I teases, sensing his ears turn red, but I couldn't see them, for I had my back turned to him. I grabbed one of Erik's usual pants, handed it to Murtagh, then left the room allowing him to change. I leaned up again the wall next to door frame, looking out into the sitting room. I hadn't walked out here till just now, and it hit me Ayesha wasn't here.

Erik must have taken her with him. He spoils her, almost like a child.

No, I'm not going to think of that.

I tried pushed the thought out of my mind, but no avail.

Just the mention of those wretched things frightens me. It couldn't happen to me... But what if... What if I'm like Mother? No... That couldn't happen... I couldn't do that to Erik... I wouldn't let that happen... I won't let him go through what father had to...

I was pulled from my thoughts when Murtagh clasped his hand over my shoulder, bringing me back to reality.

"You alright? You seemed sort of dazed." His face showed an unusual grim, concerned look.

"I'm fine, just tried."

"Well, I will leave you then, so you can return to bed. Sorry for troubling you." He kissed my forehead, which was wet from perspiration, but he didn't say anything about it.

"It's my job to care for you." That famous grin appeared upon his youthful face.

"Thanks Ace." With that, he disappeared into the darkness that surrounds my home. I returned to my room, collapsing into the mattress. I tried to fall back to sleep, but my mind screamed with thoughts I wish not to speak of.