Eyal looking in on Annie who still hadn't awakened up since he came home. He couldn't believe how she had hidden her injures for so long from him and he was angry with himself for not see she wasn't moving as quickly as she should have. The running, and night in the cave could have only made her hurt worse and how damn brave she was. As he looked at her and even with the huge bruise covering her face he couldn't deny she was so beautiful. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face and then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. A small smile played across Annie's face as she opened her eyes for a brief moment and looked into Eyal's eyes. He watched her as her eyes closed again and she was back to sleep.

He was relatively sure she would be out of it for a while and as much as he wanted to cuddle up next to her on the bed, to hold her safety in his arms he knew that would be a mistake. So instead he headed to the living room to read. Trying to relax on the sofa he picked up a book and started to read, not really taking in the words because his mind was with Annie. Putting on some music and turned low as not to disturb Annie he decided to laid back and also catch a short nap.

Annie woke up, trying to remember where she was and the last thing she could remember was a sweet white-headed lady feeding her chicken soup. Not being able to concentrate or thinking clearly she was having a troublesome time focusing on items in the room, she started to feel anxious. Her body aching as she tried to roll over, a painful moan escaped her lips. Thinking she was alone and no longer had to hide the pain from anyone, she became emotional and tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Opening the door to check on her, Eyal's heart broke as he watched her struggle to move and seeing the tears. "Hey Neshema, are you okay?"

Annie turned when she heard Eyal voice and saw a blurry figure standing in the doorway. At first she didn't know who he was and became infuriated. "Who the hell are you?" She yelled out.

"Eyal and don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you."

"Oh Eyal I sorry, I didn't know anyone was here. How long have I been asleep." Her speech improving a bit but still sluggish.

"Since lunch, about six hours." He was moving slowly closer to the bed, his low calming voice smoothing her anxiety.

Once more trying to be the brave Annie, she tried to blink back her tears and hoping he wouldn't see them but too late, he had already stepped closer to her and she could feel his hand on her face gently wiping them away.

"Annie please stop trying to hide the pain from me." He said softly.

"I'm sorry..."

"No Annie, I'm the one who is sorry. I should have noticed how hurt you were but I was so preoccupied about getting us out of there I didn't pay attention..."

"Eyal don't blame yourself. You know I worked hard to hide the truth from you."

"I know you did and please Neshema don't ever do that again."

The two of them stayed quiet for awhile just looking into each other's eyes. Eyal wanted to reach down and kiss her but he pulled away from their gaze and stepped back, clearing his throat and thinking of anything, just something he could do to distract himself, "Ummm... can I get you anything? Something to drink like ginger ale.?"

Annie feeling a bit dizzy, looked down at her hands to steady herself and knew precisely what she wanted. It was for Eyal to hold her, to tell her everything was going to fine and to kiss her. She was also beginning to believe that he just might wanted the same thing but as always he would pull back. At times this would leave her feeling very confused because he could be such a big flirt. Trying to move again she winced and Eyal immediately was at her side.

Annie half-smile at Eyal, "I thought a hot bath might help, relax the muscles but I'm not sure I can make it."

"I'll go start the bath water and then come back and help you up." Eyal smiled at her and then headed towards the bathroom.

Annie head still hurting as she watched Eyal walk away she couldn't help but to think, 'One day I'll figure you out Eyal Lavin but not today'.

"Your tub awaits Neshema. Let me help you up." Eyal reached behind Annie's back to help her but stopped short when she let out a yelp of pain.

"I'm sorry Annie..."

"No, I'm okay really. Just moved a bit too fast." Trying to catch her breath as the pain faded momentarily.

Eyal raised his eyebrows, knowing she was still trying to hide how much pain she was really in. "Annie didn't we just talk about this? Please stop trying to hide the pain from me, okay?"

Annie gave Eyal a sheepish grin. "Let me just hold on to you for balance."

Eyal guiding her to the bathroom and when reaching the door she stopped. Eyal unable to keep the worry from his face.

"What's wrong? You not going to faint on me."

"Umm nothing. It's just well unless you plan on helping me undress and then lifting me into the tub..."

"That my dear Neshema is precisely what I'm going to do. How do you think you got into those pajamas in the first place."

"Oh, well uh right I guess I'll... Keep your eyes closed." Annie knew she need the help and now wasn't the time to be modest, besides Eyal has always been the perfect gentleman with her.

Eyal himself working to control his emotions helped Annie slip out of her pajamas. When she saw the bath she was totally impressed. "A bubble bath."

"Hope you like the scent of jasmine and a touch of oil to help smooth your bruised skin. Picked it up at the market today."

As he lifted her into the warm water and watching her relax he could only keep in check his growing feeling for her. 'Come on Lavin that is a dear, sweet and trusted friend. Try and keep it together'.

Annie leaning back in the tub, closing her eyes and relaxing to the feel of the warm water covering her body, she too were having emotional feelings. 'He is a sweet kind person and don't go and do something you will regret'.

"You okay for the time being while go and find you some clean pajamas." Eyal asked.

"I'm okay."

As luck would have it, she had only packed two pair of pajamas and both now had been worn. Well tomorrow would be laundry day. Pulling a T-shirt from his dresser this should work he thought. From his closet came a dark flannel well-worn and very soft long sleeve shirt for her to use as a bath robe. As he stood in his bedroom his thoughts drifted to Annie. Closing his eyes he could picture her soaking in the bubble bath while he stood behind her, running a sponge down her back.

'Damn it, stop it Lavin, she is your friend and needs you to behave more than ever. You shouldn't be thinking about her in this way '.

Bringing himself back to reality, he was glad to find the shirt clean, it was the middle part of March and the nights could still be cool. Going back in the bathroom he found Annie still soaking, she glanced up at him when he came in.

"Had to improvise a bit." He held up the T-shirt and flannel shirt. "Laundry is on the agenda for tomorrow. You ready to get out?"

"Yes."

Eyal holding a towel for her with on hand and helping with the other she managed to stand, a little wobbly she fell against him. He holding Annie in his arms, water dripping from her he slowly helped her from the tub, picking up the fallen towel and with sensitivity wrapped it around her. As she stood there, he with a second towel dried her arms and legs, found a wash cloth and washed her face being extra careful not to hurt her bruised side.

"I should wash my hair." She holding onto Eyal as he helped with panties and the T-shirt.

"Not for a few days Neshema. You have a concussion don't want to jolt your head anymore than needed." Taking her back to bed, "It is dinner time, how about I make a pineapple smoothie with ginger ale and some chicken soup with French bread."

"Sounds good, yeah. My stomach is a little unsettled."

"Forget the pineapple as that isn't great for an upset stomach. We'll just do ginger ale and soup with bread." He adjusting pillows behind Annie, "I'll be back shortly."

Eyal headed to the kitchen and finding some of his mom's homemade chicken soup, he began to heat it up, also starting the oven to heat up a loaf of homemade bread his mom had brought. A moment of distraction wasn't enough though. He couldn't get his mind off Annie and tried think of other things, his missions, his son Avi or anything to calm his own emotions.

Feeling slightly better after the bath, she tried hard to remember last night but was a blank and she hated not remembering. She remember seeing an orange colored cat and not much else. Did she really want to know or not. Just file it away for future topic of conversation. Her head was really hurting now with all the movement and when Eyal came to the room carrying a tray of food all she do was cry and start to vomit. Eyal rapid reaction with a plastic trash bin, holding her head and hair out of the way, the bedding was saved from a huge mess.

If a distraction is what he needed well a distraction is what he got. Sitting on the side of the bed, rubbing the back of Annie's neck and she once more heaved again. Pain really gripping her intensely now and she starting crying.

"That's okay sweetheart, go ahead and let it out."

After she was finished, and laying back on the pillows and tears stopped, "I am so sorry to be so much trouble."

"Don't even think like that Annie. Here take some ginger ale it will help calm you stomach. I going to stay here with you, just let me put the soup away and get an ice pack."

"An ice pack?"

"For the back of your neck, it keeps the nausea away."

And so that's how they spent the night, Eyal crawled up on the foot of the bed with his pillow and blanket and Annie in a restless sleep. At one point he got her more ginger ale because the nausea came back but with little vomiting this time.