Julian smoothed his hand over his full belly. "You were right indeed, that was delicious," he said with a smile. "I can't remember the last time I had something so tasty and served by such a beautiful cook."

Eve smiled, and just like that Julian's heart matched his stomach. Overfull. "You're welcome," she said. "I'm glad you liked it. I never cooked so many chickens for two people, but I think it turned out pretty good, too."

"Didn't you say you were a doctor? When do you find time to cook when you're out healing?" Julian asked.

"I have to cook-- or starve, the food won't cook itself," Eve smiled.

"You're such a tiny thing. Maybe I should have let you have more."

"No offense, but next to you, everybody is tiny. I'm quite full, and I get more than enough to eat." She grinned.

Julian couldn't argue with her assessment. He'd seen many beautiful women, but none quite as beautiful or voluptuous as she. He cleared his throat. "I'd say you're right. So why do you cook only for yourself, Eve? Are there no special men in Harmony that have their eye on you?" Not that it mattered, Eve was now only going to be with him, but he did not like the thought of other men paying court to her.

"Actually, I do have one particular gentleman caller," Eve admitted.

Julian tried to keep the anger out of his voice as he said, "You do?"

"Yes, he's a fine man."

"Who is this man?" Julian bristled at Eve's description.

"You wouldn't know him. His name is Seth. Seth Buckman. He owns the local mercantile, and farms several hundred acres, besides."

Seth Buckman? Julian gasped. He did indeed know of this Seth. He worked the acres his family owns...besides selling the few crops he grows on the land surrounding his tiny home. What on earth would a woman like Eve want with that little man?

"I see," Julian said tightly."Has he asked for your hand. Eve?"

Eve shrugged her shoulders. "He has, but I explained that I was not ready to be married to anyone now--I want to continue to heal the sick. That is what I love to do."

"How badly I need healing, Eve...you are the balm for my spirit," Julian thought to himself. Turning to Eve, he said, "'After such a fine meal, I think it's only fair that I offer to wash up the dishes."

"Offer? You didn't think I was going to wash the dishes, did you? It would be a little impossible to wash the dish you ate from, so..." Eve laughed good- naturedly.

"Of course, my dear. Will you keep me company while I do so?" At Eve's nod, Julian extended his hand to her. Eve climbed onto his palm, and he once again gently tucked her into his pocket. "You seemed to like the view it afforded you earlier," he explained.

"I did, and do," she said, sliding down into his pocket. Once again her head stuck out of the top. "Ready," she said. Julian began to wash his wooden dishes, but all the while he was keenly aware of the tiny woman pressed against his chest. He swallowed nervously, and Eve turned her head to look up at him with wondering eyes.

"Is something wrong, Julian?" He managed a smile, but it was hard to concentrate fully on the task at hand with his little beauty so close to him.

"No, whatever would make you think that?" Julian asked, attempting to sound at ease. Eve could feel his heart pounding, however, and was curious as to the cause.

"Your heart is beating fast, are you certain you're all right?" She gently placed her hand on his chest. "Maybe you should lie down." Julian closed his eyes a moment, trying to calm his wayward emotions. Opening his eyes, he tried to smile, but it was almost a grimace.

"I'm all right Eve, but thank you for being kind enough to worry about me. " How she could care how he felt astonished him, in light of the fact that he held her against her will.

"I still think you had better lie down, Julian. Please?" Eve urged. Julian reluctantly agreed. He couldn't bear to hear the worry in her voice. She truly did want him to be all right, and it tugged at his heartstrings. If only his problem were so simple that it could be cured by rest!

He removed Eve from his pocket as he lay down on the bed, and gently placed her beside him. Eve reached up and touched Julian's forehead. It was damp with perspiration. "Oh, Julian, you are feverish," she cried.

Julian sighed. "Feverish for you, my sweet," he thought. But to her, he simply murmured, "Umhmm."

"I am going to check your pulse," Eve declared, then paused at the logistics of such an act. She would have to place her tiny fingers in just the right spot on his massive arm. "Julian, can you lower your arm some, and turn it this way?" She motioned for him to position his arm just so.

"Eve, are you sure your small fingers can take my pulse. I rather think your leg would be a better choice."

Eve's eyes widened. "My leg?"

"Of course. I think the sensitive part behind your knee can detect the pulse beats in my wrist. Since it's a bigger limb than your fingers..."

"I'm supposed to drape my leg about your wrist, to detect your pulse?" Eve was incredulous.

"Yes." He nodded.

She frowned. "I don't think so." Eve thought a moment, then pointed to his wrist. "Perhaps I can listen to your pulse, by leaning against your wrist."

"As you wish, little one," Julian agreed, though he feared that Eve would only confirm his still racing heartbeat. Eve laid her cheek against Julian's wrist so she could determine his pulse rate.

"Oh my," she thought, as Julian's blood pounded against her. "What is wrong with him?" she wondered, as she lifted her eyes to his face. Julian's face was flushed, and his hazel eyes were dilated as he gazed at her. "Have you ever felt like this before?"

How in the world could he explain how he was feeling? It would only traumatize her, and Julian knew that Eve could only bear so much. It would not do to let her know that he wanted her as a man wants a woman...it was impossible in any case. Yet it was more than that; Julian had not felt this way about any woman in his life. He wanted more than just to keep her here with him...he wanted her love.

"Not that I can remember, my dear. More than likely I ate too much of your succulent cooking." Julian told her, hoping to alleviate her concern. He smiled at Eve as she stood up from listening to his pulse.

"Well, I think you'd better rest for a while, regardless. " She made her way alongside of him until she was next to his shoulder, then sat down. "I'll sit here with you until you start to feel better."

"Nothing would please me more." Julian looked at her fondly. "I could not ask for a better doctor to look after me." His gaze then went to Eve's hand, which was resting against him. "I think I will feel better in hardly any time at all."

Eve smiled at his compliments. "I really did not do anything, Julian, but that is very kind of you to say." Unconsciously, her hand began to lightly massage his shoulder. "I do enjoy working with herbs, it is very interesting to learn which treats what ailments."

Deeply affected, Julian restrained the urge to cry out. Eve's touch, innocent as it was, only made his pulse quicken all the more. "Ah...I think I am feeling better, Eve. I will finish cleaning now." Julian sat up quickly, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

Thrown off balance, Eve tumbled into his lap. She looked at Julian, wondering at his odd expression.

"What do we have here?" Julian smiled at her slowly. Eve blinked, feeling a little unnerved at the look in his eyes.

"Julian, I...I think I should go back to the cage now."

Julian gulped. "Uh...uh...really? Yes, well..okay," he said sheepishly, his cheeks turning red. Eve was not sure what was wrong with Julian, but strangely, she would feel more more at ease away from him for a little while. He gingerly lifted Eve from his lap and brought her to the cage, extending his hand so she could walk into it.

"I'll just lie down for a while, while you straighten up,"' Eve murmured, turning away from him and lying down. Julian stood there for a moment, then walked over and picked up some of the furs that had been on his bed. Bringing them to the cage, he gently covered her, and after locking the cage, then backed away, feeling disconcerted that he somehow ruined the camaderie that they had shared.

For her part, Eve tried to figure out why Julian had looked at her that way. It was a yearning look, but somehow not like one that someone who had seen no other person for years would have. She did not understand it...not at all. Burrowing herself in the furs, Eve soon gave up trying to puzzle out her very strange situation, and fell asleep.

Julian had begun again to clean up, but changing his mind, went back over to the cage. His breath caught at the sight of Eve sleeping peacefully. "My God, you are an angel," he whispered. Eve's mouth opened, and she began to talk in her sleep. Julian leaned closer to hear what she was saying.

"I want to go home," she pleaded softly. Julian closed his eyes in anguish. "Julian, please let me go." Tears ran down her cheeks as she begged Julian in her dreaming state. Opening his eyes, he looked at her, his eyes now determined.

"I can't lose you. I just can't stand the idea of being alone after spending this time with you." Julian began to search for her reticule, an idea occuring to him. Finding it, he held up the tiny piece of fabric, and emptied it out of the rose hips and handkerchief that Eve had carried.

Looking towards the heavens, Julian closed his eyes once more. "Forgive me, my love...I must do this to keep you here with me." He then shredded the delicate material, until it was barely recognizable.

"Once the people of Harmony find this, they will believe the wolves did away with you, and you will be with me forever." He then went outside, and opened one of the buckets that he kept the chickens in. Julian grabbed one and pulled it apart. He rubbed the blood from the chicken on the material, then crumpled it in his hand.

"No one will take you from me, Eve," he vowed.

"No one."