Face snapped his eyes open. Some things never change, and being conditioned to wake at the crack of dawn was one of them. He could just see the sky beginning to lighten out the window. He was a little stiff and sore from staying in the exact same position in bed with Amy, but it was worth it for him.

Every so often throughout the remainder of the night, she would stir in her sleep and mumble words that he couldn't quite make out, but she was obviously frightened and broken-hearted. He would hold her close against him and murmur words of reassurance in her ear until she could settle back down into sleep again, usually with her head pressed up against him and an arm wrapped tightly around him.

He tipped his head down slightly to allow his lips to graze her forehead in a barely-there kiss. She didn't stir, and he was thankful. She had been put through so much, all, in his mind, because of him. He took note of the black eye, the large bruise on her cheek, and the various other marks and bruises he could see.

He should have known sooner. He should have found her sooner. As much as she tried to be one of the boys, she wasn't, and they all knew it. He should have protected her, knowing that she wasn't trained for this. She had always been afraid to die, even all those years ago in Jamestown.

He smiled at the memory. She had been so young then. So eager to be one of the boys, to prove herself. 10 years had passed. She was a bit jaded around the edges, but she was still the same Amy.

The same beautiful Amy that caught his eye then and still captured him now. He knew he had a reputation as a player, but he seriously doubted if anyone guessed that he would hang it up in a New York minute to be with her. They were close, but not apparently in *that* way.

"Morning, Doc," Hannibal breezed in Maggie's front door with the morning paper, slipped an arm around her, and kissed her like he meant it, grinning wickedly at her.

"John!" Maggie pushed him away, but he caught the smile. "I have other people in this house!"

Hannibal's eyes twinkled. "Makes it more thrilling that way, doesn't it?"

She shook her head laughing and walked away from him. "Face stayed the entire night. Neither have come out yet. I was about ready to go check on them."

"Wait." Hannibal grabbed her arm. "Maggie," he raised an eyebrow at her before he continued. "If Amy needed a doctor's attention, he would let you know. Leave them be. Maybe," he paused to light his cigar, knowing full well Maggie would make him put it out seconds later, "Maybe what she needs most is already in there with her."

Realization hit Maggie. "No! You think?"

Hannibal chuckled. "Leave them be."

She eyed the cigar, then wordlessly pointed outside. He smirked and stepped out on the front porch to watch the sun rise.

Amy slowly opened her eyes and blinked a few times, taking a few seconds to realize where she was. She sighed with relief. She was warm and comfortable, in a bed.

She was safe.

And intertwined with Face.

She jerked her hand out from around him with lightening speed, suddenly realizing just *how* close they were to each other, practically touching from head to toe.

"Face!" Amy croaked as she scooted away a few inches, rapidly smoothing her hair and straightening her clothing. "I don't know how that happened. I am so sorry." She sat up in the bed and gingerly crossed her legs under her. "Really."

She had dreamed for years about waking up with him, but suddenly she was mortified. She didn't want to ruin what they did have, a perfect friendship. He wasn't interested in her in that way, anyway. She wasn't his type - the high society perfect Barbie doll women she always teased him about. He didn't want to be with her.

Amy hung her head in her hands in embarrassment, blushing. "I am so sorry," she whispered again.

Face stood up and stretched, brushing his hands over his now-wrinkled clothes. "Amy, it's fine. Nothing happened, nothing to be embarrassed about."

She eyed him, an apology on her face. "I got scared. I'm sorry."

"Amy, Amy, Amy," Face's smooth confidence was back as he sat down on the bed beside her. "It was fine. How are you feeling this morning?"

She scrunched her face up, taking a mental evaluation. "Ok, I guess. Sore. My head hurts. And everything's sore."

"I'll send Maggie in with some aspirin."

Amy nodded her agreement as he stood and started for the door. "Face..."

He stopped and turned to her.

Her heart raced at the sight of him there with her, at the memory of his arm around her all night. "Thanks."

He gave her a wink then left the room.