All time stopped in the moment that Gomez reached to touch Morticia's limp body. His fingers uncurled slowly, his need to feel her was strangled by the fear that his beloved's soul had departed without him. Gently, he brushed the hair away from her face. Her alabaster skin was glowing in the pale moonlight that seeped in through the windows. His hand supported the back of her head as he maneuvered her so that she was laying on her back. Like a doll, she was bent to his will. Gomez examined her form, searching for signs of life. When he noticed the shallow rise and fall of her breast, he sighed in relief. He let his fingertips trace from her hairline down her delicate jaw then pass to her slightly parted lips. He wished he would see the flutter of her eyelids reveal her sparking sapphire eyes, yet they remained dormant.

"There's no use crying over a whore, Gomez."

Balthazar's words were kindling to Gomez's outrage, but he tried to remain calm and focus on Morticia. As he stared at her face, the moonlight exposed the vicious marks that Balthazar's wrath left on her pale flesh. Never had Gomez been so consumed by rage, as the moon drew his attention to the damage this man had done to his only love. Deep crimson was transforming into a dark wine color on her ivory throat displaying the shape of forceful fingers.

Fire ignited beneath Gomez's wild pupils as he tore his gaze from Morticia to look at Balthazar. He was still standing at the top of the stairs, casually looking at his wife's lifeless body. Gomez left Morticia's side to climb the stairs in a murderous rage. Balthazar was waiting for him, attacking him before he reached the top. The punch cracked Gomez's nose releasing a surge of blood, but Gomez didn't notice. He grabbed Balthazar around the neck, wanting to recreate the deep horrific bruises that were left on Morticia. Gomez squeezed, enjoying the way Balthazar's face turned from scarlet to blue. Hands desperately tried to push against Gomez, but it only made his grasp tighter. When Balthazar's eyes began to bulge out of his skull, Gomez found himself questioning whether to release his hold or crush Balthazar's windpipe between his fingers. Although he wanted to see the life leave Balthazar's eyes, he thought of the beautiful woman carrying his child. If he went to prison, all of this would be for nothing. He would be doomed to a fate worse than death, a life where his only contact with Morticia was through bullet proof glass. Reluctantly, his fingers opened allowing Balthazar to feel the blast of oxygen expand his deprived lungs.

"I never want you to speak to or about my wife again." Gomez spat at him.

"Your wife? You stole her from me! And what's worse is the fact that the whore went for it!"

Gomez punched him, enjoying the sickening crunch as his fist collided with Balthazar's cheek bone.

"She was never yours! How dare you act as if she is nothing more than an object which you can dispose of. You're only mad because she didn't wait up for you as you came home late from your various mistresses. You couldn't watch her heart break as you did as you pleased, because her heart was safe in my care!"

Balthazar lunged at Gomez sending him back against the bannister. Now Gomez was victim to the vengeful grip of Balthazar. The hard wood of the bannister pressed into his back, he could feel his shoulders being pushed over the edge. Thoughts of the fatal fall that was behind him caused his anxiety to peak. All Balthazar had to do was give one final shove, and Gomez's fight would be cut short. His vision was beginning to blur from the lack of oxygen when a voice rang out.

"Let him go!"

Suddenly Gomez felt the pressure in his face returning to normal. Balthazar was in front of him with his hands in the air staring at the stairs. When Gomez looked to see his savior, he was surprised to see Fester standing there with a double-barreled shot gun pointed at Balthazar.

"Come on, Gomez."

Watching Balthazar out of the corner of his eye, Gomez made his way to Fester while rubbing his abused throat. As his eyes searched for Morticia, he realized she was no longer on the floor. Instead, her ebony hair was cascading over Lurch's arm. His heart ached over the fact that she was still unconscious but, he was glad that she was safe in Lurch's protective hold.

"Now Gomez, you and Lurch go out to the car and be on your way."

"Fester, how can I ever thank you?"

Fester was surprised by the question, the amount of gratitude in Gomez's voice colored his tone with emotion. Fester offered him a smile, not realizing that the action made his hold on the gun to become lax. Balthazar watched sharply as Fester's attention was taken off him.

"Go take care of Morticia, Gomez."

Before Gomez could reply, the gun was ripped from Fester's hands. Immediately, Gomez yelled to Lurch. His only concern was for the precious cargo the butler held in his arms.

"Go!"

Lurch carried her outside to the already running car. Gingerly he laid her down on the leather cushion. Her slender form sunk into the seat, the sudden change eliciting a small moan of discomfort from her bruised throat. Lurch left the door open as re-entered the house, determined to get Gomez safely to the car. Alone, Morticia fought to regain consciousness. Her eyes twitched as her mind forced her lids to open. Everything was foggy, and there wasn't a part of her that didn't hurt. She glanced around, and realized she was in the back of the car. Panic crept into her heart when she noticed she was alone. Fear for Gomez forced her to sit up, which caused a wave of nausea to possess her form. As quickly as she could, Morticia leaned her head out of the car and dry heaved. The spasms that tightened her muscles were torturous.

The unmistakable sound of a gunshot echoed into the night sky. Morticia felt her heart stop as images of Gomez bleeding to death plagued her mind. With all the strength she could muster, she stumbled into the house just as another shot was fired. Cramps seized her body, she felt as if her intestines were being twisted and tied together in intricate knots. In the darkness, she saw a body laying lifeless on the staircase. A scream erupted from deep within her, it came out as a feeble, hoarse cry. Each second was pure agony, her tender larynx traumatized by its earlier abuse. The pain in her abdomen erupted as her voice released its tragic scream. She doubled over, her torso no longer able to support her weight. Crumpling to the floor, Morticia dragged herself towards the corpse as tears clouded her vision.

"Gomez! Gomez!"

His name was repeated on her tongue until her weary voice finally dissolved completely. Although no sound would escape her swollen throat, she mouthed his name with desperation receiving no response. When she felt hands wrap around her waist, she fought wildly. They lifted her off the floor and held her against a strong chest. That's when she realized she could hear him.

"Cara Mia. Cara Mia, shhh, it's okay."

He was stroking her hair, trying to calm her down. His hand held her face, guiding her eyes to meet his. As soon as they did, she melted into his embrace relief filled her tense body. Her fingers curled around his collar as she pulled his lips against hers. Tears fell between them, the added salty taste cementing the fact that her lover was truly alive. She pulled away, her face contorting in distress as her hand flew to her stomach.

"Tish?"

She couldn't speak, she only gagged with pain. Gomez watched in horror, not knowing what to do. Gently, he set her down on her feet. Morticia's alabaster face seemed even paler, her eyes wild with fear. A warm gush of liquid trickled down her thighs. Slender fingers tentatively reached down to touch the sticky liquid. Slowly she raised her hand to see what she had touched, and found herself and Gomez watching the thick blood slide from her fingertips down her palm.