Godric pov

A light blinded me, blocking my view to my angel, but it did not hurt like the fire of a bomb should. It was warm and inviting where it should have been hot and painful. I removed the arm that I had instinctively flung over my eyes and blinked a few times to allow my eyes to adjust to the new light of the room. The sight that I was met with would have taken my breath away if I had any lungs.

Whisps of golden light danced around me, and a quick glance revealed that Eric was experiencing the same. It was all coming from Ashlin. Whisps of the same golden light were more compact around her, forming the image of wings. My angel, how true was that statement at this moment? They stretched out, acting as a shield to the nest. Each and every piece of shrapnel was held in the air, and the charred body of the young man was slumped at her feet.

Within moments of my visual, the wisps of golden light around myself and Eric faded back towards Ashlin. Her wings faded as well, the tips the furthest from her lost their glow and form, creeping to where they attached at her back. The shrapnel fell from the air in the same pattern of her wing's fade.

As the last of her light faded, so did she. I rushed forward as she fell, catching her in my arms before she could reach the ground. I scanned her body quickly for injuries, but the only thing I could see was burnt holes in the back of her jacket and shirt where her wings would have attached to her and yet, her skin was untouched. I adjusted my hold on her to something more comfortable, my arms under her knees and her shoulders while her head rested against my chest.

I spared a moment to marvel at the miracle in my arms before turning my attention to the rest of the room. Nothing was destroyed, and no one was destroyed, but the nest was clearly unsafe. Moments after, Isobel announced that the Hotel Camilla would house us, Eric strode over to look down upon the angel in my arms. Concern was etched onto his features, an outward show of emotions that was never shown to anyone other than Pam and I. He moved some stray hairs away from her face to kiss her forehead and mumble against it.

"Min modiga Valkyrie. Du är min orädd krigare. (My brave Valkyrie. You are my fearless warrior)." His mumble was quiet, but I still heard it. His worry for her was apparent as well, bleeding into the bond we shared and adding to my own.

"Vi borde gå nu. (We should go now)." Eric brought his eyes up to mine and nodded, an emotionless mask setting itself back on his face as we began to move out of the house.

My angel clung to my shirt unconsciously as we walked out of the house to a car. Even though it would have been quicker to fly to the hotel, such an event made it better to take cars to avoid publicity. Eric drove, so I did not need to remove Ashlin from my hold. When we arrived, I carried Ashlin up to their shared room while Eric received an extra key for myself, as I did not want to be away from either of them for a variety of reasons.

Eric walked in after I had laid Ashlin down in the bedroom.

"Has this ever happened before?" I asked him once he had placed the extra key on the counter and had taken a seat on the couch.

"Not to my knowledge. I have yet to speak to her family in a formal manner, though. So it is possible."

I sat down across from him. "We should speak to them when we arrive back in Shreveport."

"We?" I could feel his excitement and hope blossom through our bond, and I could not help the smile that formed on my face.

"Yes, my childe. There is nothing left for me here in Dallas. I think it is a good idea to retire from my position as Sheriff and come to Shreveport with you and Ashlin."

"That would be wonderful. I suppose you will be staying with me as usual." He paused for a moment in his train of thought, a slew of emotions flitting through the bond. "Do you want her?"

"Yes." I was not hesitant in my answer; she was my light. She had made my entire world view twist around in a matter of a few hours. "Do you want her?"

"Yes. She makes me feel things that I cannot even begin to describe. Unlike so many others, I desire her for more than just her body. She has fire within her, and she challenges me like I've never experience before. I can say that I truly am in awe of who she is."

His eyes brightened as he spoke about her, and I knew that she had effected him in the same way that she effected me. "She will be ours then, but we will wait until she is ready. I don't know what views she has on such a grouping, and I do not want to push her so far as to distance her from us."

"I don't think it is the nature of the relationship that scares her, but the idea of being in such an intimate relationship. I make advances, but she rejects them, though it is not without wanting to accept them."

"Well if they are your usual advances there is no wonder why she rejected you." I laughed a moment before turning to a more serious note. "Though that is curious, but like anything, there can be a multitude of reasons. But for now, let us rest. I will write a note for her in case she wakes up before we do, and I will join you in a moment."

Eric nodded, leaving for the other bedroom as I took a notepad and pen off the desk and wrote a note. I could feel Eric's curiosity, but understanding over the situation, and I could only hope that he holds out.

I opened the door to the bedroom slowly and quietly, relaxed at seeing her sleeping soundly. There was no indication that anything was wrong. I placed the note on the nightstand closest to her, so it would be easily seen when she woke. I gazed down at her sleeping figure; she seemed so much more at peace in her unconscious hours. I dressed her in one of Eric's shirts, not wanting her to be uncomfortable while she slept. I didn't like the idea of her waking up alone, but it would be better until we familiarize ourselves more.

I dismissed my ponderings and kissed the delicate skin of her forehead before retreating to my room with Eric for the day.

Ashlin pov

Hands were on my body, but they weren't right. It was his hands. And it was his thoughts in my head. My underwear was shoved down my thighs; my dress was lifted. His hands trailed down there and painfully shoved a finger into me. It hurt. Tears ran down my cheeks. 'Stop it! Stop it! If only the words could form in my mouth instead of those breathless screams. 'Somebody help me!'

I woke suddenly, as if coming out of a dream where I was falling, but worse. I could feel my stomach lurch, and I rushed to the bathroom so I could empty the bile in my mouth. I gripped the edges of the bathroom sink afterwards, trying to calm my heaving breaths. As I rinsed my mouth I reminisced about how much I hated how my subconscious would bring up those terrible old memories.

When I had finally gained control of my senses, I realized that the shirt I was wearing was not my own. It was instead one of Eric's, if the smell and size of it were anything to go by. I walked back into the bedroom and noticed a note on the nightstand that I missed when I wake up.

Our dearest angel,

I hope you slept well. I am unaware if you will rise before Eric and I. I tend to rise earlier due to my age, however in light of recent events, I am unsure how early I may rise. In any case, I hope you do not need to wait long for us. Eric and I are in the second bedroom of the suite. I think it would be best for us all to speak of the events of last night before seeking out Miss Flanigan's invitation. I hope you enjoy yourself in the case that you do wake before us.

Yours,

Godric

I sighed as I replaced the note and glanced at the clock. It was only a little after three, and sunset would not be for a while. Despite wanting to go back to sleep, I feared that my nerves and my brain were too frazzled to sleep soundly.

I moved to the living area, not bothering to get dressed quite yet. I picked up a pad and pen and sketched. Creating art was one of my ways of bringing peace to myself, but it seemed that this was one of the few times that drawing did not help. I grew tired from the repetitive, hypnotic strokes, but my mind was still far too aware.

I put the pad down on the coffee table, and rubbed my forehead in frustration. I looked up at the door on the other side of the room, the one where Eric and Godric were, but I banished that fleeting idea from my mind. But then again, how many times has Eric managed to make a bad day better by just his presence? And Godric, he had that same feel to me, the same feel of safety, rightness, and peace.

I rose from my seat and strode toward the door, hand poised to knock, but I stopped. I felt silly. How would they be able to hear my knock; they were dead for the day? I lowered my hand to the door handle, but I paused again. What if they grew angry with me for invading their space? What if I was breaking some Vampire rule and they never wanted to see me again? What if... continued on in my head, question after question of doubt and fear.

I pushed past it and opened the door. Whatever consequences there were, I would deal with later, but for now, I will go in. I walked in and closed the door quietly behind me. They were both laying on their sides, facing one another, each had a hand on the other's hip, but there was space between them, enough space for me. Were they expecting me? I brushed the idea off, willing my feet to move.

I climbed into the bed between them, their arms resting on my hip. I laid facing Godric, my back pressed against Eric, my forehead resting against the top of Godric's chest. I clasped my hands together and pulled them against my chest and fell asleep quickly. I was at ease surrounded by them and their scents.

Godric pov

I had been vaguely aware of my surroundings for a little while now. While I could have risen, I chose to stay drifting in a state somewhere between being dead for the day and awareness, knowing that the past few nights have been difficult and I could use the extra time to heal my body and mind. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised when the door to the room opened, but recognizing the scent as Ashlin, I did not move. I was curious as to what her next course of action would be.

I had to hold myself, stop myself from moving to embrace her from breathing in her heavy scent when she climbed in between Eric and I. I did not want to scare her away. She fit so perfectly against us, like it was the place she was meant to be all along. Her warm skin was like a fire against my cool. I listened to her breathing steady into slumber before I opened up my eyes, wanting to see her.

I took a breath of her sweet scent before gazing down at her. She had tucked her hands against herself, and she was still in one of Eric's shirt. I brushed her hair back behind her ear before resting my hand on her his and drifting back off to my vaguely aware state.

Eric pov

When I regained my awareness, the first thing I noticed was the sweet scent of Ashlin under my nose along with the soft brush of hair on my nose. I opened my eyes and met Godric's over the top off Ashlin's head.

"When did she manage to sneak in here?" I asked an amused Godric.

"Roughly an hour ago."

"Have you been awake for an hour?"

"No. I have been in and out of downtime. We should wake her. I wish to talk about last night before we need to deal with Nan Flanigan."

I curled an arm around Ashlin's waist, holding her more securely against myself. I relished her warmth and the perfect fit of her against me. Godric stroked a finger down her cheek, with her name on his lips. She shifted ever so slightly before opening her eyes.

"Good morning." She said before releasing a yawn.

"I believe it would be 'good evening,' älskare (lover)." I spoke as I moved my thumb up and down over her cloth covered stomach. "Now, do you want to tell us why you decided to grace our bed with your lovely presence?"

"I..." She started, but seemed to have trouble finding her words. "Old memories resurfacing themselves as nightmares."

"Do you wish to speak more on it?" Godric asked, looking right into the eyes that were out of my view and brushing a stray hair behind her ear.

I could see her hand move up to brush away some of the salty smelling tears away from her face. I continued my ministrations on her stomach. I was not good with emotion, but I would try if it made her feel any better.

"You do not have to speak about it if it makes you feel uncomfortable, min lila sol (my little sun)."

"No." She said with a sniff. "I want to talk about it, face it head on. Talking about it to the two of you might just help me face it."

"That's very brave of you, min älskare (my lover)." I spoke against her hair before pressing a kiss to it.

"I would like to sit up first, though." She moved to sit up, and we let her, sitting up with her as well.

She took a steadying breath before beginning to speak, occasionally brining a hand up to her face to wipe away a stray tear. "I suppose that Gabe's attack in the church basement, the sexual nature of it, reminded something in my subconscious of my great uncle. He used to touch me in the way that Gabe was trying to."

My growl was mirrored by Godric's. More tears fell from her eyes, and I pulled her against me. Godric took one of her hands in his, caressing it in something of a comforting gesture even though there was a slight underlying growl in his tone when he spoke again.

"Your great uncle, is he still alive?"

"He is still breathing, yes. Though I can't say that he has done much living since I crippled him."

"You crippled him?" I grinned, I always knew that she had the spirit of a Valkyrie within her. "How?"

She took a breath and spread Godric's hand out so she could trace the lines as she spoke. "He came over to keep an eye on me when Gran needed to go out to the store. Jason was out at his friend's house for the weekend. I heard his intentions when he was coming up the drive. He didn't just want to use his fingers anymore. I was eleven then, only a few months until my next birthday. I grabbed a kitchen knife and hid in the alcove of the kitchen, and when he passed by me, I put it into his back, his spine. I was scared, and I ran into the woods. I was found four days later, and it was ruled as self-defense after I revealed what happened when he had been doing to me."

Godric closed the distance between himself and Ashlin, and Ashlin was soon surrounded by all of us. She let out a contented sigh as she relaxed further against us, her eyes closing and a contented smile on her lips. I shared a look with Godric, and we both knew that her great uncle would not be alive much longer.

"Are you feeling better, min lila sol (my little sun)?"

"Yes."

"I am glad." Godric sighed. "As much as I would love to stay like this, I am afraid Miss Flanigan has requested our presence, and we don't have much time until we need to be there. And I hope it's not too much for you, but I would appreciate it if you could read the rest of the humans who work in the nest."

She nodded, moving away from us to get up. "Sure, anything I can do to get help. I should go get dressed."

She walked out of the room, and Godric followed after he dressed quickly.

Godric pov

I sat down on the couch to wait, and the pad on the coffee table caught my eye. I lifted it and flipped through the beautiful drawings on it. The only person I could think of drawing these was my Ashlin. I ripped them from the pad and placed them on an opposite counter with a mental note to take the drawings with me. My Ashlin truly had talent.

A/N: I know it's been a while, but with quarantine now, guess who has found themselves with a lot of extra time on their hands? Me. It's me. I will try to update more, but I can not make any promises due to the uncertainty of every day at this time.

Stay happy and healthy my friends!