And Then There Was Light Chapter 3, a penny dreadful fanfic

A/N: You guys, I am so sorry for the delay of the 3rdchapter! I've been away on holiday this week and have had no time to write. But I'm back now and in fully focused writing mode;) This chapter will be from Ethan's POV again. Alrighty, onto chapter 3! Happy reading and R&R!

It has been three days. The light has returned and chased away the dreadful fog and the folks of London have gone back to their mundane routines. It's as if, over the course of three days, nothing had ever happened.

And so with the light, everything is back to the way it was.

But not for me. The light I so desperately need is laying motionlessly on the bed in front of me; her pale arms put gently at her sides.

Victor is here. He comes in twice a day to check on her. I watch as he takes her delicate wrist between his fingers, checking her pulse and then shining a light back and forth across her eyes.

I can tell by the line between his brow, that nothing's changed. Heck, I could've told him that.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when I sense the doctors stare.

"Ethan, you need rest."

"I'm fine."

I am not leaving her side.

The line between his brow deepens as he gives me a once over, but he doesn't say anything else. I know I probably look like hell. I haven't changed since that night, and my eyes sting in exhaustion with every blink. But I can't sleep. When I do, I dream of blood red eyes and raven hair. I dream of him, taking her away in darkness.

Leaning forward on the bed I take one of her cold hands in mine. I won't leave her side. Not ever. I've already made that mistake once, and I won't be making it again.

I'm awakened from a fitful dream by the soft echo of distant thunder. I'm gripping Vanessa's hand so tightly that my fingers have long gone numb. Quickly releasing my grip, I stand up and stretch my sore muscles.

Looking around the quiet room, I notice the fire going and a pot of tea is on the side table. Probably Sir Malcolm. He comes in every night, while I restlessly doze, and sits with Vanessa.

Rubbing a hand over my face, I pour a cup and make my way over to her side again. She could be sleeping; if it weren't for the ashy color, her pale skin has taken. Or the shadows underneath her dark lashes, giving her a hollow, empty look. She's almost too painful to look at.

I let my eyes trail over the light freckles dusting her forehead, making my way down to her lips. God, I miss her smile, her raspy voice.

I would give anything to hear it again.

A restless feeling creeps its way into my chest. The waiting makes me anxious. But all we can do is wait. Wait for her to wake up, to give us some sign she's okay, that she's fighting whatever battle is going on in that strange head of hers.

I pour myself another cup of tea, just for something to do, and head over to the window. I'm about to take a sip of the lukewarm brew when I hear it.

A sharp intake of breath.

I freeze.

Any other person would have missed it, with the rain drumming loud against the window. I didn't though. My sense of hearing far too sensitive to miss it.

I slowly turn to look at the figure on the bed, my heart pounding.

Her chest is rising and falling with quick, jerky movements, and the hands at her sides are clenching the sheets so tightly, they've started to turn white.

I'm next to her in an instant, cupping her face with my hands. Her once, cold skin is now like fire.

Cold dread washes over me when warm blood trails from her nose, making angry red spots on the pillow beneath her head.

No no no.

I rush downstairs and find Sir Malcolm and Victor in the main room, both still awake. They startle when they see me.

I look to Victor but freeze when a scream rips through the house.

They don't waste any time following me back upstairs.

When we get to the room, she's thrashing around, her face twisted in pain. The sheets that were clenched in her hands are now tangled at her feet.

Sir Malcolm and I watch helplessly as the doctor puts a hand to her hot forehead. Her eyes roll back in her head, and she cries out.

"What's wrong with her?" I ask. My voice cracks and I swallow back the lump in my throat.

Victor frowns. "I believe she's trying to wake up."

He looks to me, his face is grim. "But we need to get her fever down now, or she'll have no chance at all."

Victor immediately starts giving orders, detaching himself personally, going into full doctor mode.

He sends Malcolm to get cold rags from the kitchen and pulls out a syringe.

"Ethan, keep her down."

I do as I'm told and I hold her on either side with the gentle force of my hands. She cries in protest, tears streaking down her face. I want to pull her in my arms and tell her everything's going to be okay.

But that would be a lie.

I don't know that everything is going to be okay.

She goes limp beneath my hands when Victor inserts the needle in her arm.

The rest of the night is spent washing her down with cool rags and replacing the clear glass drip that the doctor says will help to rehydrate her.

It's all we can do. The rest is up to Vanessa.

Her fever breaks with the dawn, and we all breathe a little easier. After checking her over once more, Victor retires to the guestroom. Sir Malcolm follows suit shortly after, giving me a reassuring smile as he passes.

"The worst of it is over. Come and get me when she wakes up." I nod and close the door behind him.

I sink into the chair beside the bed and take her hand.

It's warm.

I smile and rest my head next to our intertwined hands, feeling myself slip into the deepest sleep I've had in four days.

I wake a few hours later, to a light pressure against my palm.

She's waking up.

I lean against the bed and stroke my hand down her face.

"Vanessa?" I whisper

"Can you hear me?" She frowns and tightens her grip in my other hand.

I feel a single tear slip down my face. "You can open your eyes. You're safe now."

I watch her face scrunch in concentration. Her eyelids flutter once, twice, and then open fully.

She blinks, rapidly for a moment, taking in her surroundings.

Then her eyes meet mine.

"Ethan." She breathes.

And I'm met with the most breathtaking smile. The red that once marred the beautiful blue irises is now nowhere in sight.

A/N: Vanessa has come back to us! Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Next chapter will be from Vanessa's POV.