A/N: Thank you all who took the time to leave a review! This chapter is much later than I would have liked, but life got in the way this week, so I do apologize. I am so glad you all liked the new character, as I was a bit apprehensive about writing her in;)

This chapter is from Vanessa's POV.

Happy Reading and R&R!

Disclaimer: I do not own Penny Dreadful or its characters and storyline.

The room is shining with morning light. It is too bright to be the main room, and from the all too familiar ceiling, I know I must be in my room. But I don't remember how I got here.

Ethan must have carried me to bed at some point.

Thinking of Ethan, I glance over to the spot next to me. It is vacant, and apart from a few wrinkles from my sleep, the covers remain made.

Untouched.

He must not have slept here last night.

My heart sinks a little, and I frown, wondering how I slept so well without him lying next to me. I haven't slept alone since being back.

Feeling like a frivolous school-girl, I quickly push down my disappointment at the thought.

Perhaps Sir Malcolm made it home, and that's why he didn't come to bed…

And with that in consideration, I set about getting dressed for the day.

Opting for something a bit sunnier than my usual black attire, I choose a cream blouse and a dark plum skirt and pin my hair in its usual twist.

Feeling bare without some semblance of the dark color, I reach for a black felt belt and a pair of black dangle earrings.

Black has always felt like a shield of sorts. In an emotional sense. Like if I wear it, nothing can touch me. Of course, given my past experiences, it's not true, but it still feels like a small comfort.

With a last glance in the mirror, I go in search for Ethan.

As I'm reaching the end of the stairs, the front door opens, sending a blast of crisp air across my face. And I feel myself smile when I see who it is.

"Ethan." I breathe coming down the last few steps to greet him.

His eyes are bright, and his cheeks are rosy from the cold morning air, and I suddenly have the urge to cup his face in my hands and warm them. But I restrain myself. Instead, I stand at arm's length clasping my hands together.

He places his coat on the hook and turns to look at me. His eyes glancing over my dress before resting on my face. He doesn't say anything, but there is a soft smile playing on his lips.

I raise my eyebrows.

"I do believe, Mr. Chandler, that it is ungentlemanly of you to stare so blatantly." I tease, but my heart quickens at the way he is gazing at me. It is different somehow than all the other looks he's given me.

Shaking out of his thoughts, Ethan clears his throat.

"You are a vision this morning, Miss Ives." He says it in response to my jest, but his eyes betray him.

Something has changed since last night, I think.

Only, I just can't put my finger on what that change could be.

But it makes me nervous and excited at the same time.

He then offers me his arm, which I happily take without a second thought.

"Come," He says. "There is someone you must meet."

I'll pester him about it later.

OooooooooO

Looking curiously around the room, I spot Sir Malcolm sitting by the fire, engaging in what seems like meaningful conversation with a young girl I've not seen before.

Who is she? I wonder.

I glance up at Ethan in question, but he only squeezes my arm in response and looks to the two other people in the room.

"Mornin." He interrupts, causing the girl to turn to us.

She smiles in acknowledgment.

I take in a sharp breath when I see her familiar eyes.

She has Sembene written all over her.

His daughter maybe?

"Yes."

I blink, realizing no one else had said anything.

She was talking to me.

Shocked, I release my grip from Ethan's arm and move to the sofa where this peculiar girl is sitting.

"You can see into my mind." I don't say this as a question because I already know the answer.

She nods and takes my arm, pulling me down to sit next to her. I oblige.

"My name is Aseema, and it fills me with great pleasure to finally be able to meet you officially, Miss."

"Oh, please call me Vanessa." I insist, hoping to disperse any formalities.

She nods and places her hand over the one resting in my lap. "Vanessa then."

Her accent draws out the 's' in my name and I can't help but smile. Her voice is just as gentle as Sembene's was, and I feel a tug in my chest, wishing he was still here with us.

I let my eyes wander over to Ethan for a second. He gives me a bittersweet smile in understanding, and I know this must be harder on him than anyone else in the room.

Sir Malcolm clears his throat causing Aseema to let go of my hand and straighten next to me. Her attention focused fully on what he is about to say.

"Before you graced us with your presence this morning," he says this warmly and looks to me with affectionate eyes, "We were discussing the matters of the dream you experienced."

Oh.

I feel my cheeks warm with embarrassment, and I narrow my eyes towards Ethan.

How much did he tell them?

Aseema notices my stare and instantly intervenes.

"Ethan only told us what was necessary, Mis-, I mean Vanessa, I assure you." She expresses this in Ethan's defense. Though by saying so, I know she knows about my breakdown afterwords.

I blink, casting an eye over to Malcolm. He only nods in agreement.

Ethan holds my stare, unblinking. Silently communicating with those intense brown eyes of his.

Of course, he would never tell. It was a private moment for the both of us.

"I only thought it was best to seek some advice on how to handle it if you were ever to have another." Ethan explains.

Feeling my shoulders relax slightly, I give Ethan a small smile in apology, before turning to Aseema.

"Do you know what this demon wants from me?" I inquire.

Though in the back of my mind, I think I already know.

Aseema shakes her head.

"From what I can interpret from the vision, I believe he wants to control you, body and soul," She looks straight into my eyes, "But you already know that don't you?"

My throat constricts and I swallow hard.

"Yes." I reply, my voice raspy.

From across the room, I hear Ethan take in a sharp breath. I turn to look at him as he starts pacing the floor, dragging a hand through his cropped hair.

"The real question here is, what's stopping him?" He questions.

Ethan's right. We know what he wants, but we don't know what is hindering him. In my dream, it was almost as if I was just out of the reaching point.

Bringing my attention back to Aseema I ask, "Do you think looking into my mind will help?"

Normally I would hate the idea of someone picking through the dark corridors of my head, but given the situation, I am willing to try anything.

Aseema sighs.

"I've already looked last night while you were resting."

While I was sleeping! How did I not know someone was peeking around up there?

She must see the alarmed expression on my face because she laughs softly.

"The best time to search in one's head is while they are asleep, all the guards are down then."

"And could you see what could be blocking this demon?" I query.

She only shakes her head.

"You must have seen something." I press.

Surely she must have.

"Ethan." She mummers, "All I saw was Ethan."

Ethan's pacing ceases at this revelation, and I lean back against the cushions, perplexed.

"Wait, that's it!" Aseema exclaims after a short silence.

My brow furrows.

"What's it?" Ethan asks, equally confused.

"When I looked into Vanessa's mind and all I saw was you. But I didn't think anything of it until now." She looks to Ethan with a light of excitement in her eyes. "It's you. You are the blocking force between Vanessa and this demon."

Ethan blinks, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"It makes sense," He says.

He's right. It makes perfect sense. Ethan was the one who stood between Dracula and me, after all.

The Wolf of God. My protector.

Surely it must be the same for this demon.

"And how would we proceed, if I were to encounter him in my sleep again?" I ask. Ethan won't be able to do anything if he's inside my head.

Sir Malcolm walks over to the hearth, pouring himself a drink.

"I was thinking we should consult Miss Hartdegen on the matter," he offers, "It is after all her expertise."

I chew on a loose cuticle for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, I think that is wise. I will call upon her tomorrow."

Maybe she will be able to shed some light on what we are dealing with.

OooooooooO

We spend the rest of the day searching ancient books in attempt to find information about this creature who lurks about in the corners of my head. Unfortunately, we all come up short.

Aseema and Sir Malcolm take their leave a little after sunset, leaving Ethan and me alone in the dimly lit room.

After several long minutes I hear Ethan yawn, and close his book with a soft thud.

"Vanessa," His voice is gruff from lack of use, and he comes over to where I'm sitting. "Let's go to bed. We've done all we can for today."

I sigh, knowing he's right. So I hum in agreement and turn out the lamp next to me, sending the room into darkness.

Once in the room, I set about lighting candles.

When the last one is lit, I blow out the match and notice Ethan watching me. He's still by the door, and the look from this morning is back in his eyes.

"What?" I ask, feeling embarrassed.

He walks towards me and gently takes the used match from my hand and places it behind me on the ledge above the fireplace.

I take in a deep breath and close my eyes, letting his warm scent invade my senses.

"I want to tell you something." He whispers, "Something I should have told you a long time ago."

I feel him reach up and stroke a hand down my cheek.

"I'm in love with you Vanessa Ives."

I open my eyes to find his brown orbs already staring intently at me, searching my face for a reaction.

I feel myself smile at him, and I take a step closer.

"And I you, Ethan Chandler." I whisper back.

A single tear has escaped from his eye, and I bring my hand up to softly wipe it away. He catches my hand and holds it against his cheek while his other arm wraps itself around my waist, pulling me against him.

I inhale.

And then his lips are on mine.

It's fierce at first. Almost as if making up for lost time. He tastes like the whiskey he was drinking earlier, and warmth spreads from my chest down to the tips of my toes.

I groan quietly as he brings his hand up to run through my hair.

When we pull back for air, we are both breathing heavily. Our chests rising and falling in unison.

He cups my face between his hands and kisses me again.

This time, it is gentle and warm and safe.

A/N: They kiss finally! I hope I did it justice;)

Until next chapter!

-S