Disclaimer: JER/NBC own characters

Of course, cheers, accolades, and overwhelming gratitude to dear LuvinEvian and Courtaney for their help:)

Julian's declaration of her beauty overwhelmed Eve. She had never been told with such feeling, such sincerity, and she could not help responding with a gentle kiss.

"I-I'm sorry," she quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to impose." Julian looked at her with such yearning that it took her breath away.

"My darling, there is no need to apologize, you have done nothing wrong." His finger moved to her cheek, softly caressing it. "On the contrary, you make me feel alive." Eve shyly looked down, but Julian tilted her head up to look at him. "You are a priceless gift to me, Eve."

"I don't know what to say, Julian... I should hate you for keeping me here."

"You have every reason to Eve, I am aware of that. I cannot bear to release you, though I hope one day you will feel differently." He noticed again that she was still in the fur wrap. "Where is your dress?"

"It was by the bowl, but it needs mending badly. I tore it when I fell down that hill, " Eve said regretfully. "I have nothing else to wear but that."

"You have nothing else?"

Eve looked at him, incredulous that he asked that question. "You kidnapped only me, not my wardrobe." Julian 's face reddened, for her remark had hit home.

"I did not think of those kind of details, Eve. I could not leave you there, injured as you were."

"That doesn't help me with the problem of my clothing, Julian. I can't walk around in this fur all the time or a ripped dress." She looked away, her own face becoming crimson. "Nor can I wear just my shift."

"I would never expect you to, my dear. Then there is only one way to help you," Julian decided.

"By letting me go?"

Julian smiled indulgently. " Eve, I appreciate that you think that I will change my mind on that matter, but that is not what I meant. I will go to your cottage and procure some of your clothes."

"How can you do that without being discovered? " Stunned that Julian would take such a chance for her, Eve sat down at Julian's feet. "You would risk that for me?"

"I would risk anything for you, my love. However, remember that the villagers do not come out at night for fear of me...the mountain creature," Julian explained, his eyes becoming sad at the thought. He did not want people to be afraid of him, but he had to take advantage of that fear to help his Eve.

"Thank you," she said, her eyes filling with tears of gratitude. Julian leaned down, holding out his hand to Eve. He raised her to eye level, protecting her with his other hand.

"I would do anything for you, Eve, save taking you back to the village." He placed a tender kiss on her cheek. "I will go as soon as it is dark."

"I don't suppose I could come with you?" Eve asked, hoping he would take her.

"You are not serious," he said in as much a statement as a question.

"I...I would like to see Harmony again. I miss it so." She sighed. "I miss Grace, Samuel, and all of my friends."

"I cannot risk it."

"Julian, please? There won't be any risk, I swear."

"You won't call out to them, try to make another getaway?" He held his index finger to her cheek again. "Eve, I cannot have someone discover you with me. I refuse to have anyone find out I have you."

"I wouldn't do anything, Julian. Please...one last time?" Eve's cocoa eyes begged him to relent.

How could he say no to her when she looked so..."Alright, I'll take you with me, but you will remain in my pocket the entire time." His eyes turned stern. "You will not make a sound, eithier."

Eve smiled, her happiness lighting up her lovely face. " I won't, I promise." Julian's heart melted at her obvious pleasure. She was so beautiful...and he was so thankful that a fall had brought him his precious Eve.

After they had eaten more of Eve's chicken, Julian carefully tucked Eve into his pocket. "It's time," he said, smiling at Eve's eager expression. "I will move slowly, so you do not become dizzy or sick."

"Julian..thank you for taking me with you. I would have been frightened here by myself." Eve snuggled closer to Julian. He inhaled deeply, trying to control his reaction from her close proximity as he continued his walk into town. In short order, they arrived at the outskirts of the town square.

"There are lights ahead," he said to Eve. "Something must be going on." He edged closer, being sure to stay hidden behind the bordering trees.

"Eve Johnson was a wonderful woman, and she was my friend," said a slight, red-headed woman. "I will miss her dearly."

Guilt hit him square in the stomach. This event was a memorial service for Eve. "What's going on, Julian?" Eve asked. "I can't hear anything."

Julian cleared his throat. "They are holding a memorial for you, Eve," he informed her, his hazel eyes full of emotion.

"A memorial? Oh...no..." Eve cried softly. "They do think I'm dead," she sobbed, her hands covering her face.

"Who is the woman with red hair?"

"Grace. She's my best friend. Why?"

Julian shrugged. "She just seemed upset. I think we should go to your house. I can walk along the edge of the trees. I doubt they'll see me since they are so lost in their grief." Eve didn't answer him. Julian glanced down at her, seeing tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Eve, my darling, are you all right?"

"I don't know. I never thought I'd attend my own memorial service. It's strange. I wish my friends didn't have to be sad for nothing."

"Well, there's nothing you can do about that," Julian said, managing to keep his voice even. "They cannot know you're alive. Let's get your clothing."

Eve sniffled. "Very well." Julian sighed as he walked on. He felt guilty for the pain that Eve was feeling, but it paled next to the desperate loneliness that he felt before he captured her. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. Was that Seth that he saw next to some tawdry looking blonde? Indeed it was Seth, Julian sneered. And this was the man who had dared to court Eve, and ask for her hand in marriage.

"Eve, I see your would-be suitor over there. He seems to have gotten over your loss faster than one would expect."

"What do you mean?"

"Some buxom, flaxen-haired woman."

Eve's breaths came in heavy pants. "How dare he!" While Julian was angered at the sight of the man who had wanted to marry his beloved Eve, he felt a perverse satisfaction at Eve's realization that the man was an unsuitable boor.

"He was not worthy of you Eve--do not waste any tears or anger on him." All the more reason, Julian thought triumphantly, that she belonged with him. "Don't be sad. Come let's get your things and go back home and maybe have a spot of tea. It will make you feel better."

Eve looked up at him. Tears shone in her eyes. "You do care for me, don't you?"

He tapped his finger gently against his pocket in an offer of comfort. "Indeed I do." They proceeded to the house where Eve gathered her choice of items. As they made their way back, the memorial was still going on. The townspeople really loved her. He did feel bad about keeping her from them, but his need for her eclipsed everything else.

"I still see lights," Eve said. "The memorial is still going on?"

Julian nodded. "Yes."

"Is it possible for me to rest in your hand for a spell? I'd like to see my friends a little closer."

Fueled by his guilty feelings, Julian felt it the least he could do. "Okay." Reaching into his pocket, he rested Eve in the palm of his hand. Eve sat there, and as she listened to the townspeople speak of the good that she had done, her eyes overflowed with the grief.

Eve brushed away her tears. "Okay, I've heard enough now. We can go."

"You're not going to try and run, or shout out to them?"

"I said I wouldn't. Besides, you'll catch me if I tried to run. Remember, trying to leave you is futile."

A knot filled Julian's throat. He indeed said that. Why did those words sound so painful now? He returned Eve to his pocket, and continued to his dwelling in silence.