First, my apologies for being gone for so long. I had a little mishap that ended with me contracting a serious eye infection. On good days I could read a little but couldn't see well enough to write more than a sentence or two. Eyes are much better, although still tire quickly. This one is shorter than most but it is a start as I try to get back in the groove. Happy reading and please excuse any typos I may have missed.

The ride home was quiet, Sam still somewhat miffed with her husband and Christopher still groggy from his medications to lessen the pain and stiff and hurting. His eyes were still little more than slits but he could see how upset Sam was, even now as they turned onto Steep Lane. He sighed, silently chastising himself for frightening her so. It really had been a bit of idiocy on his part to go after those men on his own. He's known it as he left the house but hadn't stopped to think it through. "You berk," he half whispered to himself. "Made a cock-up of the whole thing."

He heard Sam sigh and then a light chuckle come from her as she ducked her head to hide the smile that was surely fighting for existence. Christopher was still angry with himself but relieved to see some of the tension leave her as she pulled the car to a stop in front of the house. "Ssam," he said as he reached for her before she opened the car door. She stilled and waited, not looking at him. "I really am sorry for giving you cause for worry. I... I wasn't thinking. It's just... what they did to you... in all of my years of policing, as frustrating as it was at times, it never provoked me like ... like that."

She turned slightly to look at him. "How long had you been planning this?"

He pressed his sore lips together feeling much like he had as a boy when his mother caught him in some mischief or another. This was more serious, of course. And he had a responsibility to Sam. There could be no prevaricating with his answer. "R...remember when we saw Hadley at the pub, just after we returned to Hastings? I spoke with him about Long and Ledford the next day. Aand he called me when they showed up again."

A heavy huff escaped her as she stared ahead for a moment. Then without a word, she exited the car. In her frustration, she left Christopher to manage his own exit alone. He deserved it, he supposed. Turning and standing was uncomfortable. Ascending the steps became excruciating, but Sam stood at the top, offering no help. That's when he knew how truly and deeply he was in it with his wife. Had he been able, he would have groveled and apologized again as he stood at the top looking at her just inside the door. Breathing heavily and talking didn't seem possible, however, so he simply lowered his gaze and stepped through the door.

Sam stepped aside and allowed him entry. As he moved to hang his hat a wave of nausea overcame him and Christopher's legs nearly buckled under him. That's when he learned that forgiveness would be forthcoming because Sam reached out to help support him, her grasp firm but gentle. "Think I need to sit," he huffed.

Without a word, Sam guided him into the front room and helped him settle in his chair. Leaning his head back, Christopher closed his eyes in hopes the nausea would pass. He could feel her standing nearby, watching him. "I'll be alright," he said softly, believing she was worried.

Had his eyes been open however, there would have been no doubt that worry was not uppermost in Sam's mind. At least, not the sort of worry he thought she was feeling. Her face betrayed the emotions playing through her as she watched her husband fight down his discomfort. Anger mingled with concern, love, and frustration. Finally she moved to the other chair and sat, still glaring at him.

After a few minutes of silence, Christopher opened his eyes as much as they would open to her glare. It was then that the penny dropped. Her anger wasn't just because she had been frightened; she was angry with him for other reasons as well. "Ssam?"

"Honestly Christopher," she exhaled. "Did you really believe I wanted you to go out and punish those men for what they did? Don't you realize that I had struggled all this time to put it behind me and now with your actions, it's like it happened yesterday? And haven't you understood that you are the reason I made it through? I am so angry with you, Christopher, for stirring it all up again, for putting yourself in danger, for ... for forgetting how very much I need you with me!"

His heart was in his throat. He had forgotten. His need to make those men pay for what they had done to her had clouded his mind and driven him to act foolishly. But as Christopher weighed her words, he frowned. "Sam, I do apologize. I was so intent on bringing those two to justice, that I forgot to consider your feelings. But you made it through on your own strength. Oh, I may have made those first few days a bit easier but it was you who fought through. And as far as needing me, it's more the other way around, I would think. I'm rather in need of you and that only grows with time."

Her expression softened but only slightly as she chewed his words and her lower lip. "I do need you, Christopher. Those men made me feel... dirty and unworthy, ashamed. But you've always, even when I was just you're driver, you've always made me feel important, like a I was someone special. My father would chastise me for wanting that, to made to feel special, but it is rather a nice feeling and ... " she paused and looked directly at him. "Oh Christopher, you must promise me you'll never do anything like that again. You could have been killed."

The anguish in her voice brought an immediate response from him. "Yes, I promise. I'll sit here and tie fishing flies and dawdle into old age if it makes you feel safer. But Sam, you were always special to me, never just my driver. And I'm very happy that you find that I believe you are special is a nice feeling. I shan't ever allow your father to chastise you for that." His lips curved down into a very uneasy but deep smile.

Sam blinked her eyes, chasing away tears. Then ducking her head for a moment, she fidgeted with her fingers. Looking back up, Sam swallowed, obviously suppressing her emotions. "The doctor said you should rest, in bed actually. I'll help you with the stairs."

"Yes, thank you. I... I am feeling tired." Internally Christopher smiled again. Progress was being made.