Chapter 10

In early hours of morning a nightmare gripped Elle.

She was in the building near the Erudite main compound that she had gotten intel on. Silas had Emma there along with Robert. She knew on some level it might be a trap. She also knew that Silas was a sick individual and the things he could and would do to them left her with no choice but to try anything to help them.

Tori stood beside her and for the first time in a few years it was all of her sister beside her. "I'm sorry Brielle. I am sorry I dragged you into this shit. It was my job to protect you and I failed."

"Don't Tori. We can't change the past but what matters is right now. I would do anything for you, sis. You know that right? I know you said that it was like I betrayed you for him…"

Tori grabbed her and spun her to face her. Looking at her for several minutes, searchingly before a sad smile crossed her face. "I know you would. I also should have realized a lot sooner what I see now. I just don't know how long it had been going on."

Elle shook her head in real confusion. "How long has what been going on?"

Her sisters smile widened knowingly before she clucked at her. "Bree. Look how hard you fought me, fought everyone, for him. It was all justified. I see this now but even Natalie didn't have as much as passion as you did and do when defending him. Seeing you with his nephew, it should have registered for me then. It wasn't until right now, looking in your eyes…."

Suddenly Elle knew what her sister was about to say and she started to shake her head…as well as her body...violently in denial. "No."

"Yes. You love Eric. It will only hurt to deny it, Brielle. You have a chance to be happy, take it. Don't live and die as I did. You don't need to stand alone anymore. Neither of you do. I love you."

Too late Elle realized it was a dream. She watched as her sister seemed to be blown away in the wind and a scream tore from her throat.

Her eyes opened in wide horror and a silent scream, the one from her dream, never made it to the waking world but her thrashing and tears did. It was to this Eric was responding as he brushed his lips over her forehead and tightened his hold on her.

"I've got you, Elle. You aren't alone now. I promise you." He was murmuring, not realizing she had roused from the dream she had been tangled in.

Her fingers digging in slightly to where they were at his back let him know. He pulled back enough to look at her with worried eyes.

"It was just a dream, Elle. You're safe here." Eric said and wondered if she had known what she was saying in her sleep during the nightmare. Just repeating the word alone.

She was nodding as he reached up to brush away the tears on her face. It had all been a dream but now that she was awake with Eric looking down at her, she almost felt her sister again. Urging her to accept the truth of how she felt. The words of the dream were settling in her mind as she calmed slowly.

Eric leaned in and pressed his forehead against hers, breathing in and out slowly. Coaching her through it so that she could calm down. Only he stayed that way even as she had slowed her breathing. He closed his eyes as he realized her arms wrapped around his neck and her body, more specifically her upper body, was pressed tight against his.

There was that tension again. The crackling in the atmosphere as if a storm was approaching. It electrified the air and had goosebumps breaking out along their skin.

Now his breathing became laboured as her breath fanned across his face. Slightly minty with hints of lemon. A combination of the tea they both drank at the end of the night mixed with her toothpaste.

He moved so that his nose brushed against hers, licking his lips slightly. He could swear he felt her heart skitter or maybe that was just his. He almost jerked back when his lips ghosted over hers, not even remembering moving in that direction.

'The last time was all an act for her. Her body might have responded but she never really wanted it. I did. I do...fuck how I do.' Eric thought and squeezed his eyes tighter.

"Eric." Elle said in the softest of breaths. She was trying to get the courage to ask for what she wanted so badly. What she hoped by his actions meant he did too. "Please." She finally asked in a slightly louder whisper.

She heard his intake of breath as if he couldn't believe it but only for the barest beat of her heart did he make her wait.

Then the storm broke.

Eric crashed his lips to hers not daring to give her a chance to take it back. That single word said in a pleading whisper filled every hope he had. Her automatically opening her mouth to welcome him in had a deep moan of pleasure escaping him.

They pulled each other closer before his hands went to tangle in her hair and frame the sides of her face. The kiss was deep and slow; a sensual slide of tongue on tongue while their breath mingled.

Elle moved her hands. One going to run through and lightly tangle in the riot of dark blonde curls. His beard brushing against her skin was a wonderful sensation all its own. Her other hand moved over and down the corded muscles of his back and soothed when she felt him shiver beneath her hand.

Eric moaned as Elle caressed him and took the cue to let his hand move from her hair to explore along her side. At first he moved over the T-shirt she was wearing until she reached for his hand and guided it under the shirt.

Elle moaned into the kiss and trembled slightly when his hand touched her bare flesh. A groan coming from him as well as he slowly explored. Using the tips of his fingers, the short scraping of his nails or the flat of his palm - he moved over and around every part of her; except for where she seemed most desperate for him to touch.

She was about to pull away from the kiss to give him a piece of her mind for that when she realized he had moved his hand and was lifting the hem of the shirt up until it reached the point where they had to break the kiss to achieve his goal.

Eric was caught in the need to have her naked under him. He needed to see her. To touch her without anything separating them.

"Only if I get the same." Elle panted out in a husky whisper.

Eric's eyes snapped to hers in confusion and she smiled at him. He didn't realize he had spoke out loud. His voice deep and husky and full of longing. But it hadn't been a request when he said the words, 'need to see now'.

No it had been a demand. And she had felt herself get wet at just the tenor of his voice alone but it was the look in his eyes. It was like she was the only thing that could quench the thirst of a dying man.

Realizing he had said that out loud but also that Elle was not only fine with it, wanted the same, had him moving immediately. He was already without a shirt but he moved back onto his knees and hooked his hands in the flannel pajama bottom. He swallowed as he looked at her laying there. Her tongue darted out and swiped along her bottom lip as if in anticipation.

"You sure?" Eric asked, his voice raw with lust. Inside he was just sending up prayers she said yes. She gave a small nod and his jaw clenched. "Tell me." He demanded horsley.

Elle took a breath before speaking. "Yes, I'm sure."

She was but she was also feeling nerves. When he didn't say anything else but started to lower his bottoms she moved up to her elbows to see better. Then she wanted to be closer as more skin was exposed and her breath was stolen. She knew he was fit but she never knew a man could be beautiful.

Eric saw her eyes go wide as she got to her elbows but then she did this, almost frantic scramble to try and sit up. He hurriedly shucked the pants and boxers and reached out to stop her only to have her shove his hands away. So he changed tactics and helped her to sit up.

She gave a blissful sigh that she wasn't being to stopped before Eric reached for her shirt bottom. She lifted her arms for him to pull it off and over her head and then went right back to her goal.

There was a v that needed to be touched, the smattering of curly hairs that she had first spied in that room in Dauntless that had taunted her as it disappeared into his jeans; those were free and she was determined to explore.

"Jesus" he murmured and pressed his forehead to hers as she ran her hands along his body.

She let her hands trace the well defined muscles of his abdomen then along his hips until she moved to the v that had her mouth going dry. Eric had snapped out of the haze her touch was putting him under and reached out to do some touching of his own.

One hand ran up her arm, to her shoulder then up her neck into her hair. The other he used to cup her breast in his hand softly before applying more pressure as he massaged and kneaded it. Rubbing the flat of his palm over her nipple.

"Yes." Elle moaned as her head fell back slightly but never stopped her hands from moving. Not even when one grazed the proud erection that was just begging for further inspection.

One hand wrapped around Eric while the other went to cup his balls and her intake of breath was overshadowed by his.

"Fuck that feels good." He ground out as she started to softly stroke him.

"Yeah?" Elle asked as she tilted her head back when he grabbed the base of it to look at her. She licked her lips slightly at the hooded look in his eyes.

Eric's nose flared out as he started to breath a little harder. "So good."

She smiled at him a little before her tongue darted out and licked her lips again. He could practically hear the wheels turning in her head and what her next move would be. It had him groaning but also spurring him into a move of his own.

He devoured her mouth hungrily as he slid his hand away from the perfect handful of her breast down to the mound between he legs.

She gasped into his mouth as his fingers eased the cotton protecting her away and slipped along her skin. When he came into contact with her moistened folds he was left growling into the kiss.

Elle pauses in stroking Eric as he began to rub a spot on her in smooth motions that sent sparks of pleasure through her entire body.

While he had really enjoyed what she had been doing to him, he was grateful that his own desire to please her had stopped what she had been doing. Without stopping from his working over her clit, he moved her hand from his cock and placed it on his chest instead. She left it there being so completely absorbed in the pleasure he was bringing her.

They were still kissing and he slipped a finger down further until he teased the entrance to her channel and her clit at the same time. He felt the deep vibrations of her moan coming from her chest and he let that finger continue its journey. At the same time as he did this he guided her gently to lay on her back with him still over her on his knees, kissing her deeply while he sought to bring her to a climax.

Elle felt it all building inside her until it felt like her toes were going to be stuck in their curled position forever, she was writhing and trembling on the bed. Eric had to lay practically on top of her to keep her in place. She couldn't decide if she wanted to run away from the source of the feeling she had or to try and move so she could get more of it.

It felt like she was going to break apart and she was desperately trying to hold it together. Eric could feel her fighting her release and him while at the same time she tried to push closer. Dragging his mouth away from hers he pulled back to look at her. Seeing the struggle playing across her face he increased the pace of him moving after working another finger inside of her. Her sex was slick and her channel was tight while it seemed to clamp down on his fingers.

Eric hungrily moved his mouth to her breasts and lavished them both with gentle kisses and licks then grazing his teeth against the nipple, tugging and pulling.

"Oh god." Elle cried out when she felt the strange sensation of pain and pleasure mixed together. It was like the pain enhanced the pleasure she was getting and then there was no holding back.

"Yes." Eric groaned and curled his fingers against a spot inside her that had her whimpering. He felt his own need for her release building inside of him. He wanted it so badly. To hear her crying out as she came undone for him.

He got his wish as her hands went to his shoulders, digging in and she cried out his name while her body arched up and froze in the throws of her climax.

Eric withdrew his fingers and moved quickly back to his knees before he ripped her panties down and off her. She whimpered at his withdraw but he had something else to replace that need to be filled.

He positioned himself between her legs and his sex just at her opening. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him to her for a kiss letting him know that she was ready and welcoming him.

He pressed forward slowly, wanting to savor the moment as they looked into each other's eyes.

Eric felt the tip brush against something that was stopping him from going forward and his eyes widened slightly. His body tensed.

"Elle, I didn't…."

Elle shook her head, biting her bottom lip in worry. "Don't stop, Eric." She pleaded with him as she raised her hips and he slid in further, pressing even more against her barrier.

Eric pressed forward more until he felt it give and then he was sliding in until he was completely inside of her. There was a pulse in his cock that seemed to be matching something inside of her.

He dropped his head to her shoulder groaning as he ran his hands up and down the sides of her body while still keeping as much of his own weight.

"Tell me when to move." He spoke against the crook of her neck while he kissed her there gently. She felt his body trembling while he held himself still and the pain she had felt was ebbing to a strange discomfort. Even that was fading fast.

She began to slowly move her hips to let him know she was ok and wanted more. He didn't need to hear the words; when he felt that and he matched her movements with his own.

He started out feeling like he was seconds from coming and that was gaining with every thrust and roll of his hips. Her mouth had found its way to his neck and she was moaning and against him as she used her teeth to graze and nip at his flesh.

There were soft moans from both of them and the sound of flesh sliding against flesh. Eric clenched his jaw and growled as he tried to hold off, wanting her to come before he did.

Elle took his earlobe in her teeth and nipped softly before moaning after he hit a really good spot.

"Eric...please...there." She gasped out in a pant in his ear.

"God please come for me Elle." He said as he moved in a repeat of what had made her gasp, a deep and powerful thrust of his hips that had made her body move with how forceful it had been.

"Yes just like that" her head went back, exposing her neck and Eric greedily sucked at it on her pulse point. She tightened around him once and he moaned. She tightened around him again and he jerked his hips harder against her, the rhythm becoming frantic and erratic.

She recognized the out of control feeling her body was spiraling to and instead of fighting it she gave in. A rush of heat radiated from her center as her body spasmed hard.

"Oh!" She cried out the start of her release as he moved in her harder and rotating his hips in a circular motion. Even as she was in the middle of her release the new motion triggered another one and she screamed out the added pleasure.

Eric's limit had been reached and he couldn't hold out any longer. Her heard her cry out even louder and her walls tightened around him, milking everything from him. His back arched and his head fell back as he grunted out his own climax. His body locked in that position while she continued to work her hips until her own finally started to ebb.

When he was capable of moving again seconds later he withdrew from her and collapsed beside her. She was moaning still slightly and fear as well as anger at himself flooded him.

He immediately took her in his arms and started soothed her. "Shit I am so sorry, Brielle. Are you in pain? Do I need to get some meds for you?"

She was still trying to catch her breath so she couldn't speak, only shake her head and pressed her face against his chest. Rubbing her nose against the hairs scattered across it. He ran his hand over her hair and down her arm while holding her closely.

When she could speak again she sighed and pulled back. "I'm not in pain, promise. Just really sleepy now."

Eric let out a puff of relief and smiled as he kissed her then pulled the covers back over them. "Sleep sounds good." He admitted with his lips against her forehead.

"Mmhmm" she said with a yawn and a nod.

They both drifted off to sleep with different thoughts in their mind. One telling them self that it would be wise to not read too much into things. While the other wondered if this meant the same for the both of them. Both resolved to enjoy the moments and wait for a sign on what should happen next.

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Eric woke to a naked Elle in his arms and sunlight streaming through the window. He could tell just by the position of the sun that it was later than they had been starting their day off. He thought about the normal routine and decided that today he would stay with her.

He couldn't bring himself to regret what they had done but he was worried he might have aggravated her injuries. It would be better if he stuck around close. Maybe even have her spend more time resting in bed just in case.

Laying in bed next to her sounded pretty damn good to him. He would just have to control himself. He ran his fingers through her hair as he watched her sleep. His thoughts turned to the things that had happened to them both. They had lost their family, their homes and the purpose that had driven them had been taken away as well with the fall of the city.

Grief hung in the air and weighed them down but somehow sharing it and talking about it with each other helped. He realized just the day before that he had something of his family...Brendan...to lessen that grief. He had the purpose of taking Brendan in and giving him the best home he could. To hopefully raise him in a way his sister would be proud of.

For Elle, she didn't have the same. George and Amar are alive, yeah but they aren't here and Eric wasn't sure if they even knew what had gone down.

A frown marred his face as he watched her lips part in a sigh when he cupped the side of her face and ran a thumb over her cheek.

He was getting to know her pretty well. Those late night talks more than hinted at her thoughts on what she wants to do when she is well enough. All those hints point to her leaving to go back to the city. She will be searching for another purpose unless he finds a way to keep her with him and that is all he wants now. Brendan and her; they are his purpose and family.

He just knows that he needs to start finding a way to make that happen.

His mind is already going through plans and the facts he knows about conditions in the city when she stirs beside him. Her eyes flutter open as he brushes a lock of her hair away from in front of one of them.

"Hey." He says softly with a smile on his lips. "How are you feeling?" The smile slowly lessens as the worry that he had hurt her earlier comes back.

Elle smiles shyly and stretches a little. "Hey." She returns the greeting first. "I'm ok, just - you know sore." Her stretching revealed that she was more than sore in her abdomen and back areas. The areas where her major injuries occurred.

Eric saw the wince she tried to hide away and raised up to look down at her midsection while cursing himself. "No you're not, Brielle. I'm going to get you your medications."

He went to fling the covers off of them both and get up but Elle reached out to get him. "Please no Eric. I don't want to be sleeping the day away. Can't we just give it a bit. Maybe...maybe I take a bath or something? Then if when you get back from seeing Brendan and I am still hurting I will take something."

Eric laid back beside her but propped up on one arm and was thinking about her suggestion. He placed a hand over her stomach and rubbed his thumb in small circles as he thought.

"I'm not going to see Brendan today." He started out and she immediately protested. "I was already planning on staying today. Johanna and Evan are bringing the things for you and Brendan tomorrow. The crib will need a place to be set up so I was going to stay here and get things moved around and ready for that delivery."

Elle bit her lip in thought. She nodded feeling better that he wasn't staying because of her. "Ok."

Eric sighs and looks around. Warm water might help with the ache she is feeling in her muscles, ones that haven't seen as much use as they did a bit ago. He had a better idea than just the bath and got a smile of anticipation.

"Ok, we can do soaking to see if it helps with the pain. Breakfast first but you stay here. I'll bring it in for us."

Elle sighed heavily but didn't object. She kind of forgot she wanted to object because he had leaned in to kiss her. Slowly and deeply again. Stopping and pulling slightly away before he would move back in as if he was trying to bring himself to leave the bed.

Elle let out a sigh with her eyes still closed when he did finally manage to tear himself away. He smiled as he slipped off the bed and looked down at her. Her eyes slid open and were glazed as she looked him over then frowned when she realized he was sliding his boxers and pants back on. He winked at her pout with a smirk and took care of cleaning up and using the bathroom before going to the kitchen to get a breakfast for them.

He also gathered a few things together for his next part of the plan he came up with. When breakfast was done he helped Elle to the bathroom first even though she grumbled the entire time. He could tell she was hurting and even she admitted finally that she was.

"Eric, the last I checked the bathroom was the other way and didn't require you strapping a bag to your back." She was about to make a comment on him carrying her as well but she had found out herself that she was hurting badly enough that she didn't mind his help.

Eric smiled down at her in his arms. "You said you wanted to soak in warm water but I am going to do one better."

He was walking out of the cabin when his intention struck her. "The hot springs?"

Eric nodded and concentrated on the path they needed to take to get there. "I went there once but haven't used it. Looked really nice though." He shrugged and glanced back to her. "Seemed like it would be nice to share it with you."

Elle blushed a little bit and wrapped her arms tighter around Eric's neck before laying her head on his shoulder. "It does sound nice."

The weather was turning colder. The wind was stronger going up the path they took to the natural cave and springs that was their objective. It danced along her bare thighs and sent little bumps along her skin. Eric pulled her tighter and looked at her to make sure she wasn't too uncomfortable. He had just slipped the shirt over her before they set out but made sure to grab warmer clothes for her for after they visited the springs.

If she was cold or uncomfortable she didn't voice or look it. She almost looked like she was asleep again, with her head resting where she had laid it on him. He didn't disturb her and concentrated on the rest of the slight hike.

It wouldn't take long and then he could get her settled quickly in the water that should help in not only temperature but also with the minerals springs are said to contain. He was looking forward to it as well now that he had her to share it with.

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Elle sighed in bliss and relaxed against Eric's chest. The steam from the springs hitting the cold air of the cave swirled around them and felt good on her exposed skin.

Eric had thought of everything it seemed. When he got them there he had set her down on the edge of the lip of the crater that the springs came in at. From his bag he pulled two solar lanterns to light up the area, towels, and a thermos with two cups.

The thermos had the tea he had gotten her hooked on and after he got her in, he got in after her. Eric had started out beside her, with her pulled close to him but it was Elle that had moved to kiss him. He didn't let it go beyond the kiss though he badly wanted to. Instead he settled her back again but this time positioning her so that she reclined on him, and he could hold her to take the strain off her muscles.

They sipped the tea and enjoyed the springs in the quiet at first. Then after they had finished their drinks and their hands were free, Eric began to softly stroke and caress her. At first it was just her neck and shoulders. Soft touches alternated with firmer as he worked the different muscles in her upper body. Then he started to place nuzzled kisses and nips. Soon his hands had worked further down and Elle was in a duel state of relaxation and arousal.

"You're driving me insane, Eric." Elle mumbled as his hands had slipped below the waters surface and he was running his hands softly over her abdomen.

"Hmmm." He hummed at first then smirked with his lips against the back of her neck. "Maybe this is payback for all those times it seemed you lived to aggravate me."

Elle huffed and went to move but he locked her in place. "I was kidding, Elle. I know I didn't make things any easier on you either."

Elle settled back down and had her lower lip pulled between her teeth in thought. "I did though. I tortured you or purposely pushed your buttons. It was just so aggravating that even though I knew it was wrong, I couldn't help myself."

Eric frowned as he turned her head to look up at him. "What was so aggravating. The stress of everything?"

"That was part of it but that wasn't what I was talking about." Her skin was pinked from the steam but it seemed to darken even more.

"OK. What did you mean?" Eric asked softly. It was something obviously embarrassing to her.

"It was frustrating to wonder what might have happened if I didn't have to act like I hated you. If maybe we could have…" Elle paused, unsure if she should keep going but she felt Eric press his lips to her forehead, causing her to close her eyes and let go. "...I don't know what we could have been or done. I just wondered and it was frustrating because I knew it didn't make a bit of sense to wonder; it would never happen."

Eric nodded a little against her as he pressed his lips one more time, taking a breath as he pulled back. "I wondered too and it made me even angrier with myself and you. Sitting in my apartment when all of Dauntless was out partying and my mind wandering to what you were doing. I would hear you going in and out of your apartment down the hall and it took everything in me not to go and see if it was someone with you."

Pleasure filled Elle at his admission at the same time as deepened her embarrassment. Last night would have told Eric just how painfully inexperienced she was. It made her feel rather pathetic really when looking at other Dauntless. Not to mention Eric's reputation.

That made her scowl a little. "Obviously you know now you would have found just pathetic me at home alone. Probably with my head in a book or something like that. Nothing exciting there."

Her tone was bitter and her could hear insecurity in at as well. Maybe even jealousy? But he wondered what she had to be jealous of and then it hit him.

"Elle, if you would have come to my apartment at anytime other than when I was working; you would have found pretty much the same thing. Like I said, it is like looking in a mirror." He tilted her head up to look at him, his eyes trying to will her to get the message without him having to say the words.

Her she inhaled for a second as it dawned on her. "You mean you never…"

He shook his head. "I know the rumors but that is all they were."

"Why?" Elle whispered in disbelief while trying to push back the happiness and the secret hope that maybe it was because of her.

Eric shrugged with a frown. "Most likely the same reasons as you. It wasn't like I was about to get involved with someone in Erudite. Then when I went to Dauntless...I just couldn't let myself get attached to anyone. Not when that was going to put them in or myself in danger. There was so much at risk that it didn't seem right or worth it."

She swallowed and nodded in understanding as she laid her head back on his chest and tried not to feel disappointed. She understood everything he said all to well.

Eric felt the mood shift with her but he didn't understand why exactly other than maybe it was a reminder of the duties they had before. Everything they had dedicated their lives too. He needed to bring her out of that and back to the now with him. He also was wanting to let her in on one more bit of information, one that he had willfully ignored so many times in their past.

He began to place soft kisses along her neck and shoulder. When she loosened up and her body started to relax and respond to them he moved his hands along her body to cup her breasts and ran his thumb along her nipples.

He moved his mouth to just by her ear and nibbled on it. "Then there was something else that held me back." He ran his palm over her nipple and gave firm squeezes, just like he found she loved. "You see there was this one person I couldn't get out of my mind. It drove me crazy with wondering what I would do to her if she gave me even the slightest hint she would want me too."

"You…" Elle gasped as he pinched and rolled her nipples between his fingers while he moved to suck and lick on her neck again. "You did?"

Eric nodded into her neck and slipped one hand lower. "Oh yeah." He replied in a low silky drawl. His fingers found their target and he tapped and stroked over her little nub that was becoming swollen with her desire. "There were times when we would be arguing that I would push her even more just so I could see her skin all flushed, breathing hard and the intensity of her eyes. I could almost imagine she would look exactly like that if I pushed her up against the wall and took her there."

He slid a finger inside of her as she turned her head to look at him. Eyes hooded and lips parted. He was watching her closely and she moaned at the sensations of it all combined. Coherent thought was fleeing fast as he began to move deeply in her and in a increased rhythm.

"Oh god…" She moaned. "You better not be doing this to me while talking about some other woman." Her arm reached up to loop around his arm and she tugged a little on his hair.

Eric gave a soft chuckle and withdrew his fingers just enough that he could reposition her and then slide another one inside of her. He kissed her deeply and swallowed her moans before he pulled back to watch her again.

She rose fast towards her climax, clinging to him and no longer fighting to move her body like she had been in the beginning. He held her firmly, letting her know he was going to do all the work. Her eyes were closed and her head was thrown back as she felt it crest for her.

"Look at me, Elle. Let me see in your eyes how good I make you feel." Eric demanded of her in a soft demand.

She complied as her eyes fluttered open and just as hers locked onto his it hit her. He didn't stop moving in her and it was like waves of pleasure washing over her. Not as big or scary as the night before. It felt different as Eric looked on her in wonder and happiness. Like she was safe and treasured.

He finally withdrew his fingers and placed soft kisses over her face as he pulled her in closer to himself. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as the last of her shudders passed. "All those fantasies don't hold a candle to how she came undone for me last night or just now in my arms."

His admission that it was her drew a smile and a shuddering breath from as a few hot tears rolled from her eyes. She didn't know why she was crying but she didn't try and shove them away angrily like she might have before. He just held her closer in the soothing waters surrounding them.

Until she was all wrinkled and more than half asleep in his arms, he held her like that. It wasn't until both their stomachs gave a growl that he began to get them ready for the journey back. Elle was feeling a little better so he let her walk a little beside him on the level part of the path back. He had an arm around her waist while she was clutching the other one. The pace was slow and he was so patient as they walked along. Letting her get her exercise and fresh air.

When the path starting a steep slope downwards, he swooped her into his arms again and picked up the pace. They were back to the cabin in no time. She protested his trying to get her to take a nap and wanted to be on the couch instead. He had no sooner got her settled then she drifted into sleep no matter how much she wanted to fight it.

He decided not to wake her to eat but would make up for the lack of lunch with dinner. He ate something quickly before he got done the list of things he wanted to ready for Johanna's arrival. He also made a mental note to himself to pick her brain tomorrow. He had ideas but would need her help to pull them off. Eric knew he needed to move fast though. Elle would be up and about sooner than he would like and he needed things to be in place or to happen before she was too well.

The end of the day saw them in bed together once again but there was a new level on connection and comfort with each other. The next few weeks would see it deepen in ways neither had dared imagine before.