Rebecca yawned, her mind trying to come awake as surely as the rest of her body was, but it felt like thick cobwebs were resting over it, making her thinking process slow, when it was even there at all. What had happened last night? She and Beth and talked while she had had drank one of the many teas she liked to have sometimes before she went to bed. But half way into the drink she had felt . . . what? Tired? No, the word did not quite cover it. It was like she was . . . slowly shutting down. Her body began to feel sluggish, useless. Her mind became blurry, spacious, she found it hard to focus on what Beth was saying, found it even harder to form and hold a response in her mind. She had eventually gave in and went to bed, worried about what was wrong with her but the main thought was that all she needed to do is lay down, close her eyes, and everything would be fine.

But she also had a horrible taste in her mouth. It reminded her of when she had to have surgery once when she was a child. The gas had the same affect on the mind, completely knocking it out without the person realizing what was happening. And when you awoke, without a single dream or thought to gauge the passage of darkness and time, your brain was thick with cobwebs and it was hard to pull yourself back to reality. There was also that taste, that horrible taste on the back of your tongue that was even worse than the taste when you had a really bad nap.

Speaking of, what time was it? Early? Late? Surely Beth would have come and woken her if it were late, so that had to mean it was early, right? She tried to pry her eye lids open, but they were resiting. And why fight them? If it were early she should just go back to bed and sleep more, even though she felt gritty and almost . . . violated. Her body and mind didn't like this feeling, but she was not aware enough to actually pull up reasons as to why she felt this way.

Just check the time, then you can do back to sleep and sort all of this out later. Her mind reasoned with her. Or maybe she would wake up later and she would not feel like this at all and she could just push it away as a bad dream. Yeah, sounded like a sound plan.

She was still laying on her right side, on the right side of the bed where she had collapsed, and with a moan, she forced her body to roll over, laying on her back. Her arm flopped, coming into contact with something hard.

Wait, hard?

And whatever she touched, moaned.

With a scream that was more air than noise, she jerked up, barley managing to avoid falling off the bed in her panic. Her heart hammering in her chest, she turned her gaze . . .

To find Kalin sleeping beside her.

She blinked, several emotions swirling through her at once. None of which she would name.

"Kalin?" she asked in confusion, and when he did not respond, she reached over and poked his chest, for he was laying on his back. At her touch though, he moaned again, and this time she could tell it was a moan of pain. She frowned at him, becoming more determined, when common sense said she should just let him lay there if he was hurting. But another part of her brain wanted to know why and to know if she could help him. Because he was a . . . friend. Yeah, a friend.

Friend with benefits? Her mind offered and she blanched. No, he wasn't a friend, stupid word substitute. Boyfriend? She made a face, but it fit better. Yes, he was her boyfriend. Yippee.

"Hey! Kalin!" she poked him again, wincing when he gave a louder moan, and then huffed out some air. God he was stubborn. "Just wake up." she poked again.

"Will you leave be? My sister already beat the hell out of me." his voice startled her, especially since she had seen no signs in his body that he had gone from asleep to awake, none what so ever. But his voice was sleep rich and made a shiver run down her spine.

"And why did she do that, oh handsome one?" she asked, a laugh in her voice. But the endearment made him crack open an eye to look at her before closing it again. Good thing, he missed her blush. But she wouldn't back down.

"Because I dared to walk away from her."

"How much damage?"

"She cracked several ribs, broke on of my legs, snapped several fingers, and even threatened to break my nose." he sounded nonchalant, except for the last when he spoke of the threat.

"Scared it will ruin your pretty face." she asked, laughing softly.

"I am handsome and you know it, woman." he said with exasperated humor.

"Yeah, you are." she shrugged. "But do you need me to do some healing? I can call Philip up if need be." At her admission, he went stiff, as if he were afraid to really admit that she had just said he was handsome.

Silly man.

"No," he said, his voice obviously forced. "I have mostly healed, but the bruises and smalls cuts remain."

"Small cuts and bruises, wow, you just admitted your a wimp." She strived for a nonchalant tone, and achieved it.

His lips curved into a smile, what she was hoping for, and his hand reached out and found hers and gave her a soft squeeze, making her heart leap in her chest. A blush spread along her cheek bones again, but she cleared her throat, looking away.

"So why do I feel like someone shoved cotton into my brain?"

"My sister drugged you." it was said on a growl, as if he was not pleased about the fact that she had done it. Rebecca pursed her lips, pondering on that for a moment.

"Was it because she wanted to give you a beating?"

"Maybe, does that sway how you feel about it?" amusement colored his tone, and curiosity. She suddenly felt like they were two normal people dating, just getting to know each other out of simple curiosity and need.

"Yeah, I am okay with it."

"You are okay with my sister drugging you so she could beat me up?" he exclaimed, his eyes finally opening and he sat up, staring at her with disbelief. "Do you really wish me harm, Becca?"

"Oh, don't be such a big baby." she gently touched his cheek with a smile, hoping to sooth his injured ego. She also didn't want to fight, and as defensive as she could get, one wrong word and it could happen. She was determined for it not to end like that. It always seemed to end like that between them. "All I meant is I knew she wouldn't beat you up without a good reason. And besides, it got you into my bed room on your own will, didn't it?" she grinned. "And I thought you weren't going to come until I called, whatever that means."

"Yeah," he looked guilty. "It was one of the things she was mad at me about. Since you haven't had any training, you wouldn't know what I meant. But I was hoping you would do it instinctively." okay, they had just stepped out her comfort zone, time to step back in.

"Hey, would you like to go out on a date?" she asked, watching as his gaze narrowed in on her face, searching for a sing of laughter or bluffing. Then he tilted his head, considering her, then he pursed his lips.

"Are you feeling okay?" was his only response. A blush once again sprung to her face, and she almost opened her mouth to give him a tongue lashing.

"Yes," she did snap, but she took in a deep breath to rein in the rest of her anger and insecurity.

"Don't get me wrong," he said quickly, noticing her struggle and realizing he had offended her. "I am thrilled, I am just wondering what brought on the change of heart."

"It is just . . . well I haven't given you a fair chance. So, I say that you erase everything that happened before and just start over. You know, like a normal couple. We can go out and get to know each other, have fun. And if things go deeper," the if hung in the air, because they both knew it eventually would. "Then I am thrilled to go there."

"What about your tests?" he was smiling now though, true joy in his face. It made her heart being to pound all over again, and she managed a small smile in return.

"I will drag those out along the way."

"Meaning you have no idea what they are."

Damnit! She blushed again!

"So?" again, she was defensive, and again she tried to reign herself back in. But then she caught a glimpse of the clock and shrieked.

"Its noon!"

Slowly, he turned to look at the clock at his side on the bedside table. He blinked at it. "So it is."

"Oh god!" she wailed and leapt from the bed, the blanket getting caught around her ankle and causing her to do a hard face plant, her legs still on the mattress. She ignored the sting though, struggling free, even though she could have sworn she felt Kalin's strong, silent fingers gently helping her untangle. She stumbled to her bed room door and ripped it over, finding Beth sitting on the floor across from her door, waiting patiently.

"Oh Beck!" she said in a rush, leaping up to hug her. "I was so worried when I heard someone yelling and fighting outside and I tried to wake you but you just wouldn't wake up! And then sex on a stick just came walking in and said his sister had drugged you and you would be okay! And he was covered in blood and I was so worried and I asked him if he needed someone to patch him up but he declined and then he came in here and locked the two of you in! I was so worried!" she said again, nearly choking the breath out of Rebecca.

"Sex on a stick?" the response came from behind her, where Kalin now stood. There was a laugh in his voice that he wasn't even trying to hide, and Rebecca was embarrassed as hell.

"Her nickname, not mine." Rebecca said at the same time Beth said "Of course."

Oh god, bury her now.

Kalin broke out into a full out laugh, and Rebecca found herself whipping around to face him, caught in wonder at the sound. When had he full out laughed with her last? She could not even seem to remember, since everything had fallen apart so quickly.

"Um, anyways," she cleared her throat, averting her gaze when she realized her and Kalin's gaze had locked, and stayed.

"About that date." he said, conversationally, obviously trying to put her at ease.

And she loved him for it.

No! No, she did not.

"How about five tonight?" she grasped her boldness to her, looking back at him, some part of her almost challenging him.

He accepted, with relish.

"Absolutely." then he frowned. "Why do late? We could just have lunch now."

She opened his mouth to tell him something, probably a lie, when Beth beat her to it.

"That is because Beck is going to spend some time with kids."

"Kids?" Kalin asked, focused now intently on Beth now he realized she would give him his answers.

"Oh yeah, her sister is a preschool teacher, and Beck is always going to take care of the kids so her sister can have a break. They adore her."

"Your sister?" he questioned, gaze once again moving back to Rebecca. She swallowed heavily, knowing very well what he was asking her in that gaze.

"No," she said softly. "She is nothing like my brother. She was always kind to me." but he sister had always stayed apart from her, helping her pick herself back up, yes, but staying her distance when the actual act was taking place. She knew very well that their brother was abusive to her, but she kept her distance and only helped Rebecca when it was all over. Still, she cherished even a small act of kindness and compassion.

That must have shown in her expression, because instead of being at ease, Kalin's expression turned grim, almost upset.

"Don't worry, I do it all the time." she said, but she didn't know what she was assuring him of. All she knew is she liked that he wanted to protect her.

"Anyways!" she said, after a long pause followed her statement. It was uncomfortable, and she was suddenly eager to escape. "I need a shower. Kalin, please stay to eat, I will be quick." and she dissapeared back into the bed room and then into the bathroom, firmly shutting and locking the door.

She didn't see or hear Kalin turn back to Beth, putting on a friendly smile as they went to the kitchen together.

"So tell me," he said softly, knowing she would latch onto his voice. "What kind of person is her sister."