Her eyes flickered. Letting out a raspy breath Dodger quickly grabbed his girlfriend's hand giving it a long hard squeeze. He had stayed up the last two nights with her watching her wake up then drift off again. At least her breathing was detectable now and all though her words were mostly utter nonsense it was a good sign.

"Jack?" Her voice was far away and hazy.

"Yes."

"Where am I?"

He gave her hand another squeeze. "In bed."

"Why am I so sore?"

He shuddered. He could barely think about what that monster did to her let alone say the words. "Nothing, love just go back to sleep."

"No I-" She attempted to sit up but gave up with a small woozy groan. "It hurts..."

He sighed, he guessed he would have to tell her some time maybe if he did it when she was half conscious there would be a better chance of her forgetting. "John-your husband came and hurt you. The wardens came though and they're dealing with him right now."

And as far as he was concerned they could flog him with that little cat'o nine tails an inch of his life-no scratch that forget about the inch and just kill him.

She blinked seeming a bit more aware now. "You know..."

"Yes I know."

Long eyelashes lowered she was silent for awhile perfect pink lips pursed as if in deep concentration. What he would give to read her thoughts. Was she mad, sad, hurt or angry? Did she hate him for not coming soon enough, hate him for his icy words...

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Did she mean? A cool shiver ran up his back. He would kill him...and enjoy every second of it. "That-"

"Please don't swear."

At least she was coming around the bend now, only a completely aware conscious Brianne could scold him for his mouth.

"He did this to you before?"

"Doesn't every husband?" She let out a raspy laugh then gave her head a small painful looking shake. "Why are you here?"

"Your friend came and got me when she saw ..."

"Sarah? I remember that now."

"Yeah I think that was her name."

Jack would give anything to take away her pain right now. Kill that lousy no good husband of hers, show him how it felt to be so vulnerable. He was a creep a complete and utter creep, yelling at her, calling her those names behind the church. If only he had known he could have dealt with that wife beater before he could ever lay another hand on Brianne again. But no he had got mad, lost his temper like how he was so prone to do then exploded at the girl without even bothering to find out the circumstances. He was almost as bad as that John Kelly-worse even...

"I know that look in your eye, Jack Dawkins." Her hand reached for his now. "And I want it out."

"What look?"

"You feel guilty but you're not. You didn't do anything. I should be thanking you."

"I told him where you were Bri-without even asking who he was I-"

"Ah!" She attempted a limp smile. "You saved my life."

He did no such thing. "Bri..."

"Thank you."

"Oh Brianne. He almost killed you and it's all my fault. Why didn't you tell me?"

Silence again.

"I-I was scared."

Scared? Of him, her husband? "Why?"

"I-" She sighed. "You had this picture of me in your mind that wasn't true, you deserve someone innocent and and untainted and certainly not a girl who was too worthless to manage not being beat by her husband."

"You are not worthless Brianne Kelly."

"I am...I couldn't even make a man not hurt me. What kind of woman is that?"

"What he did to you is not your fault."

"It is too."

"Brianne."

"I tried his temper, Jack."

Pain waved over her face and not the type that came from bruises. "Nothing you did could be worth what he did to you tonight."

The look in her eye told him there had been times much worse.

"I'm sorry Jack."

"Don't apologize I-and I don't care about those things, untainted or whatever. I want to marry you Brianne Kelly."

"But I'm already married."

"I don't care. It doesn't count when you're here. We can get married as soon as you're feeling better."

She smiled again. "I would like that."

"So will you?"

"Are you sure you don't-"

He didn't care about anything now. "Brianne Kelly will you marry me?"

"O'Shanesy "

"What?"

"My maiden name is O'Shanesy. Brianne Margret O'Shanesy."

It sounded even sweeter than the name he had been calling her for the last seven months. Brianne O'Shanesy...hopefully soon Brianne Dawkins. "Brianne O'Shanesy will you marry me?"