Although he hadn't intended to, James remained with Rose throughout the night. He had attempted to slip away after she had fallen asleep, only to have her pull him back. By the third try, he had finally given in to her protests and shut off the light before drifting off himself. Not that he had minded; he honestly hadn't wanted to leave her, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable either.

From the moment he had met Rose, James had been drawn to her. He didn't know how to describe it, but it was as if he'd found a piece of himself he never knew was missing. Like a second heart, suddenly making him whole.

That feeling grew stronger every second he was with her and along with that came the overwhelming urge to defend her. Which was what had led him to his current predicament.

The last thing James could remember before falling asleep was holding Rose's hand, with her close by his side. Now awake, he found himself wrapped around her in a protective cocoon, his legs drawn up and tangled with hers while she clung to his t-shirt, her face buried in his chest.

He had never considered himself to be a cuddler so he was perplexed to find their bodies so tightly entwined. Although, he had to admit it was nice, just not very appropriate for two strangers.

Loosening his arms, he began to slip away, but she whimpered and tugged him back toward her. Her light snore told him she was still asleep, so he tried to roll her away gently while he pried her hands off his clothing.

"No." Re-establishing her grip, Rose scooted closer. As she buried her face into his chest once more, she mumbled, "Comfy."

James chuckled. "You can keep sleeping, but I need to get up."

Her eyes snapped open and she looked up at him. Gasping, Rose immediately released him and scurried backward as her eyes darted around the room. She nearly tumbled off the edge of the bed but managed to catch herself just in time.

After a few moments her breathing calmed and she released a huge sigh, but she wouldn't meet his gaze. "Um," she ran a shaky hand through her hair, looking down at the (very) narrow stretch of bed sheets between their bodies.

James sat up and scooted away from her, hoping to relieve her discomfort. "Sorry. You wouldn't let me leave."

"No. No. It's fine," Rose replied. "I just… I'm used to sleeping alone."

"Me too." James offered, and climbed out of bed.

Rose yawned and rested her head back onto the pillow. "What time is it?"

"Almost five." He pulled the covers over her shoulders. "Go back to sleep and when you're ready to get up, I'll make you something to eat."

"Ok." She put on a fake smile as she watched him back up to the door. Her eyes began to gloss over and she looked down, tightening the blanket around herself. Part of him felt guilty leaving her, but he had already overstepped his boundaries by sleeping in her bed to begin with.

Fighting the urge to go to her, James crossed the threshold and gently closed the door with a click. Letting out a long breath, he rubbed his eyes although he wasn't tired. To be honest, he'd never slept so well in his life.

He stared down the hall toward the living room and blinked several times to clear his vision. It felt like deja vu with the way the rising sun lit his way and he began to wonder if he was dreaming again.

Repeating his journey, he walked down the hall to the balcony. Not that he expected to find his father there, but he couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed to see he wasn't.

He hadn't had a chance to think too much about his dream. After waking so abruptly, the rest of the night had been spent focusing on Rose and trying to slip away so she could sleep in peace. But what had caused him to wake so suddenly, and sprint into Rose's room the way he had?

Usually when he thought back upon a dream, he'd only remember fleeting details, if anything at all. This one, however, he remembered vividly. Everything about it had felt so real. The hug, the slaps to the head, and the pinch on his arm.

It's not possible. James snickered at the audacity of it all, but instinctively, he flinched, as if dodging another slap.

I must be going mad.

Shaking his head, he stepped closer to the bannister and leaned forward, resting his elbows upon it. He gazed out into the distance, just as he'd done many times in years past, while his father would lecture him.

He had always found his father to be wise and had taken every word to heart so, what would his father tell him if he were with him now?

Stop overanalyzing.

The words sprang into his mind. James' brows drew together as he wondered where they had come from. It didn't feel like a thought, but more a nagging at the back of his mind.

Overanalyze what? The dream?

As his thoughts raced, he watched as the sun rose above the trees. Daylight danced across the surface of the water, signifying it was officially morning. This was about the time he and his father had usually wrapped up their conversation and headed inside to start breakfast.

Unsure when Rose would wake, James decided to put on a kettle and have some tea as he waited. However long that may be. It wasn't like he had anything planned for the day. Even if her had, it wouldn't have mattered. Rose was here now, and he had no idea what he was going to do.

Turning his back to the sun, James walked toward the door when a glimmer caught his eye. Looking over, James felt his heart skip a beat.

No, it can't be.

James moved closer to his father's chair.

It is.

Sitting right at the center of the cushion was the ring. His father's ring, which he distinctly remembered having put away in the box which was still sitting on the mantel. But how had it gotten here?

James' heart hammered wildly, whether from fear or excitement, he didn't know. The thudding in his chest resembled the feeling in his dream when his father told him, "...begin listening here…"

Closing his eyes, James tried to focus, but his mind was screaming with uncertainty. His years of education told him this was scientifically impossible.

You're doing it again. Stop thinking.

James took several calming breaths and focused on the pounding of his heart, counting the beat, 1...2...3...4... He imagined the blood pumping through his veins, ...5...6..7...8..., leaving his thoughts behind as he sought clarity deep from within.

This is ridiculous.

Suddenly he felt… something. A pleasant warmth in his chest began to swell and his nagging thoughts became background noise as intuition took over. It didn't give him all the answers he was seeking, nor did it make the situation feel any less insane, but it did ease his doubts somehow.

Picking up the ring, James understood what he had to do, and slipped it on. "Stop gloating," he grumbled. He could almost sense his father standing there, arms crossed over his chest and a smug expression on his face.

"What was that?" Rose asked as she stepped out onto the balcony. She was still wearing his clothes which hung loosely off her small frame and her hair was a mess, but her eyes were bright. She was a welcome sight.

"Nothing. I was just talking to myself," James replied, feeling foolish, and quickly changed the subject. "You seem to be walking better now."

Rose gave him a warm smile. "Yeah, I guess I just needed to rest."

"Right." Remembering their night, tangled together, James shied away from the topic and changed the subject again. "Are you hungry? I have plenty of food so you have your choice for breakfast."

"I am, but…" Rose looked down at her filthy skin, "...I think I really need a bath first."

"Oh, yeah..." He was just now realizing how right she was. "Do you need any help?" Judging by the burning in his cheeks, James could only imagine how red his face must have turned. He swallowed. "Not with the bath, but… er…"

Rose laughed. "I think I'll manage."

"Ok." He watched Rose wander away before smacking himself in the head for once. "Idiot."

Rose returned to the bedroom to gather her things. She didn't like the idea of wearing her clothing from the previous day, but she didn't have a choice.

After carrying everything to the bathroom, she set it aside and stared at the tub. They had tubs and showers back home, but based on what she'd seen of this world, she didn't think a spell would work to bring her water. Even so, it wasn't very difficult to figure out how to manipulate the various knobs and pulls, and within moments, she had the shower running.

She undressed and considered the bandage on her arm. She decided to remove it so she could clean the wound along with the rest of herself. Slowly, so as not to harm herself, she unraveled the fabric and prepared for the worst. As it fell away, she gasped. Her arm was completely healed. The only evidence of the injury had been the blood staining the bandage and her skin, and that easily rubbed off.

It wasn't unusual for wounds to mend overnight back home in Powell, but only after a healer had tended to them. Having it heal on its own in this world made Rose wonder if there could still be a bit of magic within her, or if perhaps the stone had helped in some way...

She tucked the thought away: it was just another mystery to solve another time. For now, she was eager to get clean. Stepping into the shower, she was welcomed by the warm spray. She hadn't bathed properly in ages and the murky water flowing down the drain told Rose just how filthy she was.

Her family had been in hiding from the Master for weeks, so the only bathing she had done recently was in icy cold streams and waterfalls, and then, only enough to get by. Now, Rose was in heaven, and she took a moment to relish in the sensation as the warm water pulsed against her skin, kneading her tired muscles.

Her bliss was short lived, however, as guilt set in and she thought about her people, friends, and parents who were still suffering back home while she took refuge and was now indulging in such a simple pleasure.

Were they safe and did they worry about her as much as she worried about them? What would they think about James and how would they feel about how things had been happening between them?

That was a mystery, indeed. What was happening between them?

Picking up a flannel, she lathered it up with soap and breathed in the aroma which she associated with James. It calmed her. She brought the cloth to her skin and began to scrub away the layers of dirt that had been weighing her down.

She'd met plenty of boys while growing up and although many had shown an interest in her, she had never felt anything more than friendship with them. Whatever she was feeling with James was far more intense and like nothing she'd ever felt before.

Did James have these same feelings? He did seem genuinely concerned for her, far more than she'd expect from a stranger. He had consoled her after her nightmare and stayed in bed with her, which was not something her parents would have approved of. If her mum ever found out, she'd probably drag him back through the portal to her world just so she could slap him back into this one.

She laughed at the idea of James meeting her mum. Except that could never happen. This was a different world, and she was only here to protect the stone and somehow, eventually, get it back home. She couldn't put that burden on James; he had his own life and his sister to worry about. Not the fate of some stranger he had just picked up in the forest.

She shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. As she dried off she told herself she should leave immediately, before her feelings for James became stronger. At the very least, she should distance herself from him. No more hand holding, deep conversations, and definitely no more sleeping in the same bed. He was just a friendly stranger she had met along her travels and once she was back home, she would tell tales of his kindness.

Resolved and with emotions in check, Rose dressed and returned to the kitchen where she found James setting the table. He looked up, smiling broadly as his bright blue eyes twinkled with adoration. The silent vow she had pledged to herself got chucked into the cosmos. So much for remaining detached. This was going to be harder than she had thought.

James laid out the food, chuckling to himself when he realized how much he had made for just the two of them. He had started with ham, eggs, and toast before wondering if she could be vegetarian, so he put out an assortment of cheeses and yogurt. Then he thought she should have some fruit, since she had been so weak the day before, and added some apples and bananas.

Since he already had a kettle boiling, he made her a cup of tea, but didn't know if she wanted cream or sugar so he put both out for her to prepare the way she liked it. Unless... she didn't want tea with breakfast, so he poured some juice too, and just to be sure she was properly hydrated, he set out a bottle of water.

Now that the table was full, he laid out two plates, along with silverware. As he made some final touches, Rose returned to the kitchen. He looked up to see her freshly clean. There was a glow about her that made the room feel lighter. He smiled.

She was back in her clothing from the day before, because, of course, what else would she wear? That's when he noticed her arm. Furrowing his brow, he strode over to her and took it, hearing her slight gasp at his touch.

"It's gone," he uttered in disbelief as he examined the spot.

"It must've happened overnight," she shrugged it off as if it were normal.

James traced his fingers across the skin. "Yeah, but… there isn't even a scar. It's like it was never there." He looked up at her, then at her arm, and at her again. "That's imposs-," snapping his mouth shut, he gulped. "Sorry, but… is this normal? For you I mean?"

"Yes and no." She freed her arm from his grasp. "With proper magic some wounds can heal rapidly, but not on their own."

Magic. "Right… so…" Clearing his throat, James stepped over and pulled a chair out for Rose. Looking hesitant at first, she came over and sat. Noticing her gawping at the spread before her, he rubbed the back of his neck. "I wasn't sure what you would like to eat, so I made a bit of everything. Don't feel obligated to eat it all. Or any of it. Or..."

"No, it looks good." She began to fill her plate, taking a bit of everything. "I'm actually starving."

Sitting in the chair opposite her, James did the same. It had been years since he'd cooked for anyone and he worried she wouldn't like it. After watching her take a bite of eggs and sighing contently, he relaxed.

They ate silently for several minutes as James watched Rose, noticing how she sat with her back flush against the chair. It was as if she were trying to create distance between them to avoid touching him. Although she smiled, it didn't quite meet her eyes. Not that she was looking at him very much to begin with.

Maybe he had made her feel uncomfortable after all. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah," she forced another smile and looked up before her eyes fell back to her plate in front of her. "Everything's good. It's just I need to build my strength before I continue my journey."

James' shoulders sagged, feeling his heart drop. "You're leaving?"

"It's not that I don't appreciate what you've done, but I need to." She swallowed, although she had not taken a bite, and sank lower in her seat.

"You don't have to," James paused, not wanting to sound desperate. "Where would you go? Being so far from home, I doubt you know the area."

"I… I don't know," her voice shook, "but…" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she looked up at him. "How do you know how far I am from home? You have no idea where I came from."

Oh, right. I heard that in my dream. "I don't, not really, but if you tell me, maybe I can help you find your way back."

"I told you, I can't go back," she growled. "But when it's time, they'll send for me. I don't need you to help me."

"Well, I can't just let you leave," his voice rose. "You have no idea what's out there."

Rose got to her feet, eyes flaring. "It can't be any worse than the things I've encountered back home."

"How do you know?" He snapped, leaping to his feet. "We may not have ogres or dragons here, but it doesn't mean some of the people can't be dangerous!"

She tilted her chin up defiantly. "I can take care of myself. I may not have my magic, but my father trained me in many forms of combat since I was a child." Rose stormed off toward the bedroom, stopping in the kitchen doorway to deliver one final remark. "And of course there aren't any dragons here! These trees would've burned down long ago if there had been!" With that, she exited the kitchen.

"What?" James muttered to himself, bewildered. He hadn't been making fun of her, but he hadn't been completely serious either.

Although, her reply had seemed confident and genuine... It was almost as though she believed in what she'd been saying.

His eyes widened, fixed on the empty doorway she had just retreated through. She didn't just seem to believe it, he realized; she did believe it.

Rose bit back tears, brought on by James' hurtful remarks and all around ignorance, as she hurried toward the bedroom to collect her belt, dagger, and most importantly, the stone. Eager to see its progress, she grasped the pouch it was stored in and slipped it out.

Grateful for the comforting weight of it, she turned the stone over in her palm and envisioned her world. This small piece of home was all she had, but it was enough to centre her, calm her. A soothing sensation, almost like a hug, came over her.

Now that she had calmed down, she was able to examine it properly. Although glowing slightly brighter than before, it still felt dangerously weak. Worried the stone had exhausted some of its precious energy to comfort her, she quickly tucked it back into its pouch to sleep and heal. Putting on her belt, she secured her dagger on one side, while attaching the pouch to the other, ready for her travels ahead.

She didn't know where she would go, but anything was better than staying here, where she would be ridiculed.

Is it really better, though? Why does it feel like I'm making the wrong decision?

James was right, she had no idea what this world was like or how other people would react to her. Although James' remarks hurt, at least he wasn't laughing at her the way he had the night before. But she worried if she remained here with him, her heart would be at risk.

Feeling eyes upon her, Rose turned to find James her from the doorway.

"Sorry for yellin'," he said humbly. "I was just worried."

"Why?" Rose asked. "I'm a stranger. You've only known me for less than a day. Why would you worry what happens to me?"

He shuffled his feet a bit but did not enter the room. "I don't know, all I know is I feel like I should help you."

"Oh?"

"I may not know where you came from or how you ended up in the forest out there, but…" he paused, "...I think I was meant to find you. I'm not forcing you to stay and if you need a lift, I will take you wherever you need to go. But, until you go back to wherever it is you came from, you could stay here... if you want."

"I don't know," Rose muttered, staring at her feet. She knew if she looked into his eyes, she was bound to buckle. "I'm worried if I do… I think it's best that I go now before things get... complicated."

Looking defeated, James stepped back. "Ok." His face darkened with grief and he turned to leave.

Rose sighed. Why is this so hard? Because I really am making the wrong decision, that's why.

"Actually, it's not ok," James announced with newly found conviction as he swaggered back and into the bedroom. "It's been complicated since the moment I found you. Leaving now won't change that. I could let you leave and probably spend the rest of my life worrying about what happened to you, or I can try again." He grasped her hand and Rose felt her knees buckle from the surge of energy flowing between them. It was warm, reassuring, and felt so right. "Stay here, with me, until you are called back."

In the past, whenever Rose had faced difficult decisions, her father would often tell her to ignore her head and listen to her heart, but to do that she needed to quiet her mind and focus. Closing her eyes, she let go of James' hand, and reached deep within herself to find her answer. Even without contact, her connection to James was palpable which meant it was growing stronger.

James was right. Things were already complicated, and like him, she didn't want to spend her life wondering about him and what this force between them was. She needed answers and to get them she had to stay, which wasn't a bad thing, she now realized as she looked up at him and her lips curved into a smile. "Okay."

"Yeah?" His eyes widened. "I'm not forcing you or anything."

Rose giggled at his uncertainty. "No, you're right. I can't explain it, but I agree. I think I was meant to be found by you."

She didn't know who initiated the hug, but in an instant, the two of them found themselves in a tight embrace.

After only a few seconds, James took a step back to create some distance between them. "Sorry." His face contorted in confusion over their seemingly natural intimacy.

But only a few seconds later, he broke into a grin and his mood lightened. "Ok then. How about a trip?"

"What?" Rose was surprised by his sudden change in demeanor.

"A trip," he repeated as he headed out of the room. "To the village. Maybe shop a bit." Stopping at the doorway, he gave a pointed look to her outfit. "Unless you want to wear that every day."

Rose looked down at herself and stammered, "I… I suppose not."

"Good." He pointed toward the kitchen. "I'll just clean up and get ready. There's more food if you're still hungry."

"No, I'm fine." Not completely fine, she admitted to herself. Everything had changed so quickly, and she was still trying to process what had just happened. "I'm just gonna fix my hair a bit and try to make myself presentable." Now, painfully aware of the tangled mess on her head, she began running her fingers through the strands, trying to straighten them.

"Oh, right…" James walked across the room and looked through a chest of drawers. "My sister may have a brush, or a comb, or something… Aha!" He pulled out a hairbrush and tossed it to her before pointing at her belt, "You may want to leave the dagger. People around here don't tend to carry weapons with them."

Rose nodded. The stone would stay with her regardless, but she would keep that to herself.

As he left the room, he pointed toward the other bedroom. "And if you want, you can grab one of my jumpers. It'll probably be more comfortable, plus the weather tends to cool down a bit later in the afternoon."

"Thanks," she told him, watching him wander off down the hallway.

As she sat down on the edge of the bed, Rose let out a sigh. She had told herself she would leave, but James was right, things were already complicated between them and had been from the instant they met. The question was, how much more complicated were they going to get? There was a powerful force drawing them together, like two halves becoming one. That attraction seemed to be growing with each passing moment they spent together. Which led to her next question: what was going to happen when the day came she needed to go back home to her own world?