How did he know? How did he know something was wrong with her? Meggie had tried to swallow the pain she was feeling-the fear, the bitterness, but still Dustfinger knew.

Mo bent down, and Meggie slowly slid off his back, hiding her expression, though she could feel her father's heavy gaze on her, knowing his expression would be one of concern and smugness.

"I'm sure you want to see your son, Silvertongue. I'll talk to Meggie." Dustfinger said in a low voice.

"But-" Meggie went to protest.

"No buts," Dustfinger snapped, cutting her off. Mo hesitated. He really did want to see his son, but Meggie…

"Go, Mo," Meggie finally said. Mo didn't need to be told twice-he bolted to the room where Resa was resting.

Dustfinger continued to look at Meggie.

"Meggie, your eyes…I see death in them." He said quietly.

Meggie just looked at him.

"You're wrong," She said defiantly.

"No. I'm not. Now tell me-what did you see to poison you like this?" Meggie debated with herself, should she tell him or not? She decided to just tell him-she really was at the point where she didn't care anymore.

"I saw it." She whispered. Dustfinger waited, knowing she had more to say. She always did. That was one of the reasons he loved her.

"And…it…I…" and then she broke down. Dustfinger had her in his arms in moments, kissing her forehead, her nose and her tears away.

She tried to muffle her sobs-they wracked through her body so hard that it hurt. He felt her legs buckle, and he held her tightly as they slowly slid to the floor. He sat her on his lap, as her tears soaked his shirt. He stroked her hair, wishing that he had the ability to say the right words, to heal her pain, to fix her. Finally her sobs slowed into whimpers, and then she hiccupped, signalling that she was finished.

"Pretty girl," he whispered. Meggie blinked sleepily, yawning.

"Darling you're exhausted. Why don't you go get some sleep?"

"If I sleep now, I won't be able to tonight," Meggie whispered, blinking her eyes open.

Dustfinger sighed.

"Alright." He lead her to Resa's door. Meggie stopped before she entered, forcing a smile onto her face. It was nowhere near as special as her real one was. Dustfinger sighed and pushed open the door, before Meggie raced in. Resa gave her daughter a smile and a hug before she sank back into the pillows, still exhausted, as she would be.

"What's my brother's name?" Meggie asked, excited.

"Brandon." Resa said, watching as Mo handed her son to her daughter. Meggie held him carefully, the glint now returning, even though it was only small.

"Silvertongue? A word?" Dustfinger spoke up. Meggie glanced at them suspiciously, but Dustfinger didn't even look at her. They disappeared, shutting the door and leaving a concerned Meggie behind.

They walked to the other side of the house, far away from the room.

"Okay. What happened with the bastard?" Dustfinger turned on Mo.

"Well, Farid continued lighting fires-the place was completely burnt down. Farid's men killed and were killed. The fight went on into night, and then it came…we all went down and went to sleep and then in the morning we managed to escape."

"Just like that." It was not a question, but a statement.

"I suppose Orpheus is planning something," Mo's voice was grim.

Dustfinger swore under his breath.

"When isn't he? We must be prepared."

"This wasn't he only thing you wanted to talk about." Mo stated wearily.

"I'm worried about Meggie," Dustfinger whispered.

"I know, so am I."

"Silvertongue, she saw the thing…" Mo's face paled.

"No," he whispered, horrified.

Dustfinger didn't say anything, just watched as Mo turned away, running a hand through his hair.

He turned back around.

"Dustfinger, she needs time to heal over that, all you, all we, can do is be there for her and show her that she has nothing to be afraid of. You have to protect her."

"Come, let us be a family. Who knows how much longer we have to be one?" Mo put his arm around the other man's shoulder, leading him down the corridor and back to the room, where Meggie was talking to her mother, and also playing with Brandon. Mo walked over to his wife's side, and kissed her forehead. She smiled up at him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there, Resa." She waved it off.

"Everything happens for a reason." Meggie looked at her mother. She was so strong-look at all she had been through, and still, she could say that.

She looked down at her hands, feeling ashamed of herself. How dare she act the way she was? She had to be strong, it was in her blood!

But she knew strength came from the heart, not from blood.

Dustfinger sat down heavily beside her, and she avoided her gaze as she watched her parents, who seemed to be in another world. She snorted at her thoughts, and felt Dustfinger look at her.

It felt so long since he had looked at her in amusement.

"I…my thoughts…" she trailed off, blushing. Dustfinger laughed, and everyone looked at him, confused.

Dustfinger blinked, looking caught, and Meggie giggled. Resa grinned at her, while Mo looked on lovingly, bouncing a gurgling Brandon in his hands.

This was how it was meant to be. A happy family…it was so easy to forget that they were indeed not in their world, and had just escaped a fight and a kidnap.

It all seemed bizarre to Meggie, her jumbled thoughts were giving her quite a headache.

She put her head in her hands, and Dustfinger touched her shoulder.

"Meggie?" She knew they were all looking at her.

"I'm just tired."

"When was the last time you slept, sweetheart?" Resa's voice filtered through her ears.

"Properly? Back in our world…I got a few hours sleep the first night we were here."

Dustfinger hummed out a sigh.

"I promise to sleep tonight, I just don't think I should now, or else I won't be able to sleep tonight." Truth be told, she knew if she slept now, she'd definitely be able to sleep later. She was scared to go to sleep, and be unaware of her surroundings. She bit back a yawn, trying to fight the sleep.

Dustfinger smirked at Mo, and Mo nodded before looking at Resa, who was smiling at her daughter.

"Meggie why don't you lay down with me sweetheart? It's a double bed and it is very comfortable, quite soft. It may be the last chance you get to, sit in a bed, darling." Meggie shook her head.

"No, thank you. I'm quite comfortable with where I'm sitting."

"I don't think you get a choice." Dustfinger said, picking her up and putting her beside her mother. Meggie shot him a dirty look, but he just smirked, pushing her head down gently on the pillows.

"You guys are just…" but her eyes dropped, and she rolled over, asleep now. Resa kissed her forehead and stroked her hair lovingly.

"I think we all need a bit of a sleep." Mo said, placing Brandon in the crib.

"I'll take Meggie to another room so you two can sleep." Dustfinger said, moving towards her.

Mo shot him a look.

"No Mo, no funny business." Dustfinger rolled his eyes, and Mo moved, allowing him to pick up his daughter. Dustfinger cradled her to his chest, keeping her close to him. She curled into him, letting out a little noise. He smiled down lovingly at her, and then blushed, aware that her parents were watching.

"Er, good afternoon, morning, whatever." And then he was gone. He walked into a spare room, and placed her down gently on the double bed. He pushed back her hair, smiling.

She was so beautiful.

He turned to go, but a hand caught out. It was his surprise, and not that movement, that halted him.

"Don't go…stay, please?" She murmured. Her eyes were still closed, so he could not be entirely sure if she was sleep talking or not.

But he didn't want to leave her.

"Alright."

She let go, and he moved to the other side and sat down on it.

Five minutes past of him watching her, before he too finally drifted off.

And for once, all was still.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

But not for long. That I promise.