Michael snapped awake after the vivid nightmare ended and glanced over to the alarm clock sitting on the nightstand next to the bed. It was nine o' clock. He'd spent six hours resting, but it felt like so much less. Still, Michael wasn't about to go back to sleeping. He didn't want to dream anymore. Not when it played on his fears, and made him even more bewildered than he already was.

Why did he cry for April in the nightmare? What did it all mean? The dreams? His feelings?

Michael pushed himself up out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself before heading down the stairs.

Toby met him at the bottom and followed him into the kitchen where Michael gave him more food and water, after seeing that the bowls were both empty again.

Michael gave Toby a pat as he ate his kibble then headed out through the front door. He traveled on foot to the hospital and by the time he laid eyes on the building he was tired again. The sun was strong on his back, and he'd broken out in sweat. The heat of summer was starting up.

When Michael entered the hospital the cool conditioned air acted as instant respite.

He headed straight for April's room and found her sitting on top of the covers of her bed, dressed and comfortable.

April heard Michael's footsteps and looked up in his direction. Again, like during the previous night, at the sight of him she grinned, and added a wave.

"How'd you sleep?" she questioned as he walked up to her.

Michael frowned.

"That bad?" winced April. "Was it the mattress?"

"No, dreams," said Michael.

April seemed to mull over that for a moment before brightening up. "Guess what? I get to go home."

"Today?" asked Michael.

"Yes today," April confirmed happily.

Michael smiled. "That's good."

"How'd you get here?" inquired April.

"I walked."

April's eyes bulged out of her head. "It's like eighty out there isn't it?"

"Yes," nodded Michael.

"Why didn't you take my truck?"

Another lie was necessary. Michael huffed. "I didn't know where the keys were."

April blushed. "Oh yeah. Sorry about that. I should have told you before you left."

Michael leaned against the wall behind him. "It's alright."

"I guess I'll have to call Jerry then," decided April.

"Who's Jerry?"

"The bartender at my work," April answered. "He's a good friend of mine."

Michael gave her a nod as he remembered.

April turned to the table next to the bed and picked up the phone that was on it. She dialed Jerry's number while balancing the object on her knees and after a few seconds began talking into it. She gave Jerry the basic story of what happened to her and got him to agree to pick her up in ten minutes before hanging up two minutes later.

Michael was impressed.

"He's coming," said April as she placed the phone back on the table.

Michael sat down in the chair next to her and waited quietly.

When April realized he didn't have anything to say she turned on the TV and flipped through the channels using the remote until finding a show on dog breeds.

Michael joined her in watching as the narrator spoke about the history and characteristics of the Foxhound and the screen filled with the dogs running in a field in search of a fox while their owner followed on a dark bay horse.

At the end of the show Jerry stepped into the room. "You ready to head out?"

He noticed Michael and grinned. "Hello stranger, April told me you saved her again?"

April rolled her eyes. "He just brought me to the hospital Jerry."

Michael knew it was for show. Jerry wasn't a hunter. He couldn't know the truth.

"Still…" Jerry shrugged it off then turned back to Michael. "Come by again some time. I'll give you free rounds for a night."

Michael shook his head. "I don't have the taste for alcohol."

"So that's what that expression was on your face yesterday!" laughed Jerry.

April giggled.

Michael did not see what was so funny but returned a smile anyways.

After April had collected herself she stood and they all left to get into Jerry's dark green pick-up truck.

April sat between Michael and Jerry for the trip back to her house.

When they arrived Jerry stayed in the vehicle as Michael hopped out then helped April by keeping her steady with his hands. She was still weak from her injuries.

April waved good-bye to Jerry and he drove away.

"He's in a rush to stock the bar," April excused him.

Michael kept silent, his expression unreadable.

They slipped through the entrance of her home side by side and took off their shoes.

When the soles hit the ground they made thumping sounds and Toby came bounding to them on three legs, his tail wagging so fast it could hardly be seen.

"Hey Toby!" exclaimed April.

She kneeled, and hugged the dog's neck as he gave her a quick lick on the cheek.

"You know the rules Toby, no licking," April scolded light heartedly.

Toby woofed in seeming agreement and April scratched him behind the ear. "Adda boy."

It was then April noticed the bandage on the dog's paw.

She stood and twisted around to face Michael.

"You fixed it?"

"I just bandaged it so he wouldn't injure it farther," said Michael.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

It was then Michael noticed how close April was. He could feel her breath on his skin. He felt his hair stand on end.

"I don't know what I'd have done without you in the last day," April whispered.

Michael didn't say anything back. He wanted to but he couldn't. April had locked eyes with him in a way that caused him to have trouble remembering to breathe. April's eyes were a muddy brown, but they were intense, an intense that sucked him in.

Without thought Michael lowered his head as April took a step forward. They met, and their lips brushed. Michael felt something tighten in the pit of his stomach and it urged him on.

Complying, Michael pushed his lips against April's and moved them. April did the same, deepening their kiss even farther.

Suddenly before things could progress Michael was able to think again. What the hell are you doing? Was the first thing to pop up in his mind.

Michael then remembered God's last words to him. 'You shall not become intimate with this woman, or you will not get your grace back.'

In an instant Michael yanked April away from him.

April gave him a puzzled and hurt look. "What is it?"

Michael closed his eyes. "I can't April."

He opened them up to see that her expression had changed to just puzzled. She had seen that he was sorry.

He bowed his head until April touched his cheek and said "It's okay."

But Michael knew it wasn't. In fact, it couldn't be farther from okay.

A/N: Heads up to viewers who don't have an account this story will become Rated M after a future chapter. Just so you know where to look.