When Astrid woke up, the rain had stopped and Adrian was no longer by her side. She sighed, somewhat relieved that he was gone but missing him at the same time. She didn't remember falling asleep, but there was a pleasant soreness in her lower half that made her crave him. What she wouldn't give to stay in bed all day. She inhaled deeply. If she was to be on time she'd have to hurry. She got up fast and with purpose, running herself a quick bath to freshen up. She ran the towel roughly through her hair, drying as much of it as possible, and then tossing it over her shoulders. Just as she was going to put her dress on, she caught her reflection. When she saw herself, she gasped.

Adrian was true to his word, and hadn't marked her neck. But the purple blotches that littered her chest and breasts were undeniable. Her heart raced. It was like with each bite he was claiming her, marking her as his. Would he brand her every time? Part of her hoped so. Maybe she should have been mad. But she couldn't bring herself to be. The marks excited her. They were proof that what had happened was real, that was she was feeling, was real. She traced them gently, drawing in shaky breaths, remembering the events of the previous night.

I want to feel your burning skin.

She was most definitely impure.

Her breathing hitched, and she realized the aching in between her legs had started once again. If she hurried, perhaps she could see him before he left for home. She shook her head and quickly put her dress over her head.

Once she finished, she did her hair in a neat braid once again, except twisting it up in a classic bun.

As soon as she was content with her appearance, she made her way upstairs, surprised to find that Sebastian had already prepared breakfast.

"Good morning," he said smiling.

"Well this is a surprise." She smiled back, "What's the occasion?"

"We will be traveling today." Sebastian explained shortly.

"Oh, I see."

"Young Master would like to see you, when you finish."

Her eyes widened. "Is he up this early?"

"Yes, miss."

She ate quickly, wondering what could be the matter, for him to call on her so early. Perhaps he was not feeling well?

She made her way into Ciel's office, where he sat behind his desk, lazily poking at a pastry.

"You called for me, my lord?"

"Mm." he nodded, beckoning her over.

She stepped up to his desk.

"Does the name 'Norton' mean anything to you?"

She shook her head. "Only that it was mentioned last night, my lord."

"Very well," he said, "What about Turner?"

Her heart stopped. She assumed Ciel had always known about her past. But perhaps Sebastian had never mentioned it. If he had only just found out about it now, it was reasonable cause for him to let her go, despite her being a faithful servant.

She lowered her head. "Yes, my lord."

"I thought so," he said, his blue eye sharp. "As much as it pains me to pull you from your work, you will have to accompany us on this trip. Hopefully Baldroy and the others won't burn the house down while we're gone."

"M-my lord? What is this about?"

Ciel sighed, leaning back in his chair, his hands sprawled out on the armrests. "There have been a series of murders involving the Norton family. A man by the name of Isaac Turner is fearful for his wife, as she was a Norton by birth."

Astrid had heard him. But when Isaac was mentioned her mind became muddled. Would she see him again? She couldn't. Not after everything that had happened. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears.

"But sir, what has this to do with me?"

"The paranoia has driven him mad. He continues to ask for his nurse maid, whom we believe was your mother, correct?"

She nodded.

"His wife hopes that your presence will help calm him."

She thought a bit before responding. "I haven't seen him in years. I may only provoke him further." She explained mechanically.

Ciel folded his hands in front of him, his family ring prominent. "Be that as it may, you have been requested. We leave promptly at noon. That should be more than enough time for you to get your things in order."

"Yes, my lord." She said, bowing her head.

With that she was dismissed.

She packed her bags in a rush, trying to make sure she wouldn't forget anything. A flurry of emotions consumed her. She had no intentions of ever seeing Isaac again, and suddenly she was being tossed back into her past. Worst of all, she knew that because she wasn't upstairs, she wouldn't be able to bid Adrian goodbye. She sighed. Maybe during some spare time she could visit him at his shop. And then…and then what? What would become of them?

As much as she wanted to fantasize, she couldn't realistically see their relationship grow into anything more than what it already was. Nonetheless, when she was with him, she was happy. And for now, that would be good enough. Or, at least, that's what she told herself.

She redid her hair, letting the braid fall loosely over the front of her shoulder, and put on her hat. It wasn't often she traveled, but she figured she might as well make the most of it, even if her attire was plain.

Once everything was packed away, she made her way up the stairs into the main parlor. She dragged her suitcase behind her, entering the room a bit out of breath, and when she looked up, she was surprised to see Adrian with her master and Sebastian.

The three men stared at her.

"Ready for the road dearie?" Undertaker grinned.

"Y-yes." She answered.

"Let's be off," Ciel ordered, "I want to get there before dinner."

"Yes, my lord." Astrid and Sebastian replied in unison.

Astrid helped Sebastian carry the luggage outside, but when he noticed her struggling, he carried them all himself. Her cheeks burned, feeling she had somehow failed in her duties as a maid.

"Do you have everything you need, Young Master?" she asked Ciel.

"Yes, I'm fine." He replied curtly.

"Sebastian will be driving the carriage, so please, do not hesitate to call on me." She told him respectively, her head bowed.

"Heehee, we'll be sure to do just that, love." The Undertaker replied for the both of them.

Before long, the four of them were climbing onto the carriage, ready for their departure. Astrid sat next to Sebastian up front, with their Young Master Ciel sitting comfortably in the carriage with Undertaker.

"But what does Ad- the Undertaker have to do with this?" she asked Sebastian, once they had trotted away from the mansion.

"He has a certain advantage in this particular case," Sebastian began, "He's cleaned and prepared all of the Norton bodies for burial."

It was a deeply morbid thought for Astrid to wrap her head around. She had simply disregarded the fact that he was an Undertaker, but with Sebastian putting it so plainly, it was impossible for her to ignore. This was a man whose every day was clouded by death.

It was a bizarre sort of thing to think about, since she knew how much he loved laughter. Both hearing it and laughing himself. So why would someone who loves something like laughter so deeply, choose a profession in which the only sound is eternal silence? It made her heart throb with sympathy for her green-eyed lover.

Suddenly she got anxious. Isaac and Adrian would be in the same room. Would it matter? She drew out a shaky breath. Certainly not, she thought, after all, all of that was in the past. But how would she handle stepping back into that world she used to know? Perhaps something would happen, and Ciel would no longer want her as a maid.

"You need not worry," Sebastian said, noticing her nervousness, "The three of us will be there should anything happen."

"It's not so much Isaac," she began hesitantly, "We have long since parted ways, and I have accepted my role in this life. But," she looked at Sebastian, "Does Master Ciel know? About me. About what I did."

"Master Ciel is perfectly aware of your situation." He said easily, "It is why he was so hesitant to bring you along. He does not wish to cause you any harm."

She couldn't help but give a small smile. Despite knowing of her past, Ciel had taken her in. She couldn't understand why, but she was deeply grateful for it, and the reverence she had for her young master only grew stronger.

"I'm humbled by his concern for me. I will do my best to help you all in this case."

Sebastian smiled at her. "I would hope so. A Phantomhive maid who can't do that much wouldn't be worth her salt."

She giggled at his words, as he repeated them indefinitely, and admired the scenery of the open fields they passed. "Do you think we'll make it before dark?" she asked.

"We should arrive with dusk." He explained. "Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I'm just worried. Does our young Earl always endure such long trips?"

"Longer still."

She exhaled. "It's rather impressive. He's so young. I don't think my soul could have borne everything our Young Master has been through."

At this mention she swore she saw Sebastian's eyes flash. Deciding it impossible, however, she blamed it on the recent and constant exposure to sunlight.

"Yes. His soul is rather…"

"Determined." She finished for him, smiling. "Although sometimes I wonder if it's not simply that of an average child, so terribly stubborn." She laughed.

Sebastian smiled. "Yes, perhaps."

She sat for a while, watching the road pass by as they trotted along and thinking to herself. Her thoughts drifted again to Isaac.

"He must love her very much, if his worry for her has driven him to madness."

"Indeed, miss."

"Do you think our Young Master loves Lady Elizabeth in such a way?"

"It's hard to say, Miss. They're both so young."

She smiled to herself. "Yes that's true," she began, "Still, I think she truly loves him."

Sebastian nodded.

Without realizing or intending to, Astrid fell into a pleasant sleep. When she awoke the sun was setting, and next to her was a small package, neatly wrapped.

"You looked so peaceful we didn't want to wake you. That's your lunch there, if you're hungry, but we will be arriving shortly, and will dine with the Turners."

She groggily unwrapped the package Sebastian had been so careful to prepare. She took a few bites of the simple sandwich, to silence her stomach, and leaned back against the seat. Had she really slept through the entire day? Maybe Adrian tired her out more than she knew.

When they arrived at the Turner Estate, a wave of nostalgia overcame her. This had been her childhood, her life, her everything. He had been her everything. However was she supposed to face him now? She shook her head, snapping herself out of it, and began helping Sebastian with the luggage.

"Heehee, not a bad place to grow up, eh dearie?" Adrian said, making her jump.

"Yes," she breathed, not looking at him. She tugged at the luggage, but it wouldn't budge.

"I can take it, you're no maid of mine."

He was stopped as Sebastian put his hand over the suitcase. He flashed them both a smile. "Allow me." He said.

Sebastian never failed to impress Astrid, as he was a man with many talents. Carrying multiple suitcases at the same time seemed to be one of them.

They were all greeted by the butler of the house, and were escorted into an elegant waiting room. Ciel removed his gloves, placing them on a table and walking about the room, stretching his legs after the long trip. Undertaker stood quieter than usual in one of the corners, his expression particularly ominous.

A lady entered the room, an angel of sadness, the eloquent fabric of her dark dress revealing that she was the head of the house. Ciel stepped towards her, taking his cane into his left hand so that he could greet her properly.

"Ciel Phantomhive, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." He said, taking her hand.

"Raquelle Turner," she said, giving a small curtsey, "Forgive me," her voice was like velvet, "but I'm afraid my husband is not well, and won't be able to properly greet you. Please accept my humblest thanks for you agreement to help. Do make yourselves comfortable."

Ciel took the seat across from her while Astrid and Sebastian remained standing. To her surprise, Undertaker did not move at all, and his silence was beginning to frighten her.

"Did you father have any enemies, Madame Turner?"

She sighed sadly. "I knew you'd ask me that. Too many to count I'm afraid. If I had to pinpoint it, I'd suspect Arnold Gover. His enterprise is one of our most formidable rivals."

Ciel nodded, turning his cane in his hand.

"In any case," she continued, "they seem to be targeting the males of my family. Though I cannot say I am not worried. To lose my father and brothers, all within such a short period of time-"

Her voice cracked, and she pulled a handkerchief out of one of the pockets of her solid black dress.

"Forgive me." She said, dabbing her eyes.

"It's quite all right, my lady. We will see to it that no harm comes your way."

The aristocrat sniffled and smiled at the Young Earl. "Thank you. But that leads us to my husband. I'm most terribly worried about him."

Ciel summoned Astrid. "This is my head maid Astrid," he said as she bowed in front of the lady, "She used to work for your husband."

"My mother was his nurse maid." She added politely, "Perhaps I can help."

The woman nodded. "Yes. We never officially met. But you were the wench who tried to steal him away. Nevertheless, I'm desperate. I'll try anything."

"With all due respect, Madame Turner, Astrid is one of the finest maids the Phantomhives have ever had the pleasure of employing, and I would request that you address my servants with the same amount of respect as you do me." Ciel's tone was hard an unforgiving, and a smile creeped onto Sebastian's face.

A high pitched laugh came from the corner of the room. The lady twitched in her seat, not noticing the Undertaker until now.

"What a complete drama!" he exclaimed, rolling his r's in the word 'drama.' Without notice he was right by the lady, and took her hand, then Astrid's. "The beloved, and the forbidden. Tied together by one who has lost his mind hehe! How exciting!"

"Earl Phantomhive who is this man!"

"You'll have to excuse my friend," the Earl replied calmly. "He has an interesting way of doing things."

Undertaker let the women go and went back to stand by Sebastian.

Astrid cleared her throat. "It should be known that I have no feelings for your husband. It was a long time ago, and we were both children then."

The lady gave a curt nod, her lips pressed together, with an overall taste of dissatisfaction.

"Yes, well, whatever the case, he's requesting your mother. So you're the next best thing."

Astrid nodded to show she understood.

"Surely you all must be hungry after so long a journey. We shall dine first, and then I shall make the proper introductions."

They rose, and with the Turner staff tending to both Ciel and Undertaker, Astrid and Sebastian went down to the kitchens to enjoy their share of food.

"I was fine, before," Astrid said, as she finished off her plate, "But now I'm so terribly scared."

"Do your best Astrid. If for no one else, then for our Young Master."

She smiled. "You're right, Sebastian."

After their meal was finished, they were called back up to the dining hall, as Ciel wanted a word with the both of them.

"Lady Turner has explained to me that her husband is in a very fragile condition. His anxiety has gotten the best of him, and he has reverted back to child-like tendencies. Astrid," he called,

"Yes, Young Master?"

"Be patient, and be gentle."

"Yes, my lord." She bowed her head.

"You were a core part of his childhood," Lady Turner said coldly, "if you can't bring him back then I don't know what will."

The group followed her down a series of halls to a large wooden door. She knocked gently, her voice like honey.

"Cherie? I have some guests with me. They'd love to meet you." She opened the door slowly, and motioned for the group to follow her.

There was a giant bookcase on the right that seemed to cover the entire wall from floor to ceiling. A large window was at the opposite end of the room, but the drapes were drawn closed, making the room dark and gloomy.

It was as though Astrid had taken a step into a morphed and twisted dream. The room was just as it had been, all those years ago. Save for one thing. Curled up in his office chair, whimpering, was the man she once knew. He was nothing like himself. Mumbling and rocking and blurting out speech.

"Nana…Nana…"

"Sweetheart," said the wife, "I've brought you someone." She said ever so sweetly.

Isaac looked up, seeing his wife and the three men before him. As Sebastian stepped off to the side, nudging Astrid forward, Isaac's eyes widened in disbelief and he began to cry.

"Nana!"

The wife ushered Astrid over to the desk, her eyes pleading for any sort of help.

"No," Astrid said gently, looking at him. "Nana passed away some years ago, do you remember? I'm her daughter, Astrid. We used to read together."

He eyed her thoughtfully, as though he were a child who was being told a new story for the first time.

"Sing the song, Nana." He said.

"He keeps saying that." Raquelle explained. "I've no idea what it means."

Astrid licked her lips, as her mouth had gone dry. "My mother used to sing us a song. But I'm not sure if-"

"Please. Maybe it will trigger something."

Astrid nodded hesitantly and looked at Isaac. How small and shriveled he looked. Terror struck her heart. What if he stayed stuck like this forever? And now she would be forced to sing, in her scared state. She took a deep breath, and began with a shaky voice:

My beloved sings a song

With a voice like a siren

Its brings me in and pulls me along

So I forget I'm dying

My nights are dark, the voyage long

This she can't amend

But she says

Close your eyes, soon it be dawn

Declaring journeys end.

Isaac blinked, his face like stone, facing the wall. There was an overall hush about the room, tied in with anxious waiting.

"As-trid." He said slowly.

His wife perked up at his words. "Yes! Yes her name is Astrid. Cherie, do you remember?"

He looked from his wife to Astrid. "As-trid," he said again, his lips forming into a small smile. "You always got the words wrong."

"I-Isaac?"

He blinked a few more times, shaking his head and putting his hands over his ears. "Raquelle. They're going to take her away. Don't let them. Don't let them."

Raquelle rushed to his side, embracing him. "I'm right here, darling. No one is going to take me away."

"Isaac," Astrid said, "We're all here to help. We won't let anything bad happen."

He shakily removed his hands from his ears, looking at Astrid.

"They killed her brothers. And father. If they taker her too…"

"We won't let that happen, Mr. Turner." Ciel said, stepping up to the desk. "Earl Phantomhive," he introduced himself, "As the Queen's guard dog, I can assure you, you are in good hands."

Isaac nodded. "Yes…" he drew in shaky breaths, "Yes I've heard of you."

"Oh Cherie," Raquelle cupped her husband's face. "Have you come back to me?"

"I-I'm so sorry my love. My fear…"

"Shh..shh.." she combed his hair with her fingers. "It's going to be all right now."

Astrid moved back, standing in between Sebastian and Adrian.

The man stood up, his hands on the desk for support. He cleared his throat and looked up. "You must excuse me. I have not exactly been myself. A million thanks, Earl Phantomhive. It would appear as though you have restored me." He smiled kindly.

"I appreciate your words, sir, but I have done nothing of the kind." Ciel explained, "It was because my maid."

"Yes of course!" Isaac blurted, "Astrid! Could it really be? It's been so long! How are you?"

"Very well sir, thank you." She kept her head bowed.

"Astrid, it's quite all right, we're old friends, you and I."

"No sir, I am simply a maid."

Isaac cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his attention back to the young Earl.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to have a word. I'm sure you have questions for me. I feel weak, but I shall try my best."

Ciel nodded. "Naturally."

Sebastian, Astrid and Undertaker left the room, giving the Earl a chance to talk with the Turners.

"Something is off." Undertaker sang in a haunting manner.

"As much as I hate to agree with you, I'm afraid I must." Sebastian said.

"Whatever do you mean?" Astrid asked.

"I can't quite place it," Adrian said, "But it's not often I'm left uneasy hehe…that wife-"

"A handful." Sebastian finished.

"Heehee. Yes, quite."

Astrid kept quiet. She wasn't quite sure what they meant by saying that, and she didn't want to interfere. She continued on in a sort of daze, stuck in a confusing muddle of nostalgia and deja-vu. It didn't help that once it was time to turn in, she was led to her old room. It gave her a strange sort of anxiety, almost as though she were being choked by the past.

She got ready for bed, deciding that she would feel better in the morning. But she had slept all day, and so felt wide awake. The room felt a bit too dark for comfort, and the walls seemed to be shrinking. Eventually she fell into a light sleep, tossing and turning and clenching the sheets. Her dreams were filled with confusing and convoluted images. She awoke with a start, breathing quickly, and she hugged the covers tightly around herself, getting the feeling that she wasn't alone.

"A-Adrian?" she called.

There was no reply. She looked around, but it was too dark to see anything. Worse than any sound is no sound at all. She got up and drew the curtains, letting the light of the moon flood the room. There was no one there that she could see. And yet, she couldn't shake that suspicious feeling.

"Adrian, this isn't funny." She tried, knowing him to be sly.

She made her way to the closet, trembling as she pulled the doors open quickly. It was empty. She exhaled with a shaky breath.

"I'm losing my mind." She mumbled to herself.

Now wide awake, she decided a warm glass of milk was just the thing she needed, and made her way to the kitchen to fetch some.

When she re-entered her room she practically screamed.

"Adrian!" she hissed, "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Are you alright?" he said seriously, not a single hint of his usual laughing-whines.

"Yes of course," she made her way over to the bed, "Why?"

He motioned her to come closer, and she crawled into his arms, resting her head on his shoulders. He wrapped his arms protectively around her.

"Something doesn't feel right."

She nuzzled into him, inhaling his scent. "Adrian, you're scaring me. Why didn't you answer when I called?"

"What do you mean?"

"Before. Were you not in here?"

His mouth was a thin line. "I was discussing the murders with Ciel. I only just got here, and was a bit worried to not find you."

"Oh."

"What happened?"

"Earlier. When I got up, it felt like there was someone in the room. I looked all around, and there wasn't, but...it was unnerving."

He lifted her chin and kissed her sweetly on the lips. "Just be careful. I'll be here. In case."

"In case of what?"

"I'm not sure."

She sighed. "I so much hate your riddles," she hugged him, "But I'm glad you're here. I was feeling uneasy."

He squeezed her arm and she closed her eyes, enjoying this strangely intimate moment.

"Adrian," she murmured.

"Yes, dearie?"

"I think I love you."

For a long while he said nothing, but she didn't mind, so long as she got to stay with him, letting their chests rise and fall in unison.

"That's a dangerous thing, love." He said finally, "The wife of an undertaker is a grim one."

She lifted her head up to look at him. "You'd marry me?"

"It depends."

"On?"

"Heehee. Too many things I can't explain to you right now, dearest."

She sighed, resting her head against his chest again. The slow and steady rhythm of her heart were like beats of encouragement, and as she felt the steady ba-dumps of Adrian's heart, she knew she was falling once again.

"Adrian," she said again, sitting up and tossing off his hat, so that she could run her fingers through his hair and see his eyes.

"We've," the color rushed to her cheeks, "had…sex."

Adrian chuckled. "Very good dearie, hehe. That is in fact a true statement."

She bit her lip. "Not now…I'm a bit too jittery, considering everything…but maybe when we get back…once this case is over, I…I want to know what making love feels like."

He blinked at her, and when he didn't immediately say something she quickly removed her hand from his face, blushing deeply and twirling her fingers nervously in her lap.

"Forgive me," she blurted, biting back tears, "I was out of turn. I thought maybe-"

He caught her chin, looking at her with those curious eyes.

"And just what did you think," he spoke softly, "We were doing all this time, if not making love?"

Her heart fluttered, and she fell into his arms, tangling herself into him, a few stray tears slipping from her eyes.

"Stay with me," she choked, "Tonight and every night."

He cupped her face and kissed her sweetly, holding their bodies close. "Yes, my treasure."

A/N: Thank you all for the favorites and follows ^_^ I'm glad to know I'm not the only one in love with this gray haired guy. Pushes me to keep writing for you all! Don't forget to comment telling me what you think ;)