Prince Bolkonsky turned to his son once more. "However" he said, and the smile that had stretched across Andrei's face started to shrink. Leave it to his father to ruin such a happy moment. The prince continued " I cannot help but notice that though your spirit may have been ..revived.. you have never fully recovered, physically, from your injury at Austerlitz. I cannot, as your father, allow you to marry in such condition."

"Father I'm really—" Andrei began to protest, but the Prince was not finished.

"Ah ah ah- You know what I'm saying is true. This girl doesn't wish to spend her first years of married life as a nursemaid!"

"Sir I—" Natasha attempted, but the prince went on.

"You, my boy, will go to Switzerland to clear up some of my business matters and take one of those cures I'm always hearing so much about- so you can marry with a clear mind and a clear bill of health."
Andrei was annoyed that his father had not chosen to speak to him about this in private-but he did always care little about social decorum and hurting people's feelings. He suspected this was as much about his health as it was about protecting his family's fortune—putting a delay on the wedding to test the strength of Natasha's feelings, and perhaps his own for that matter. The wily old fox..he sighed, "yes father, of course you are right" he said, wincing inwardly at the confused, hurt look in Natasha's eyes. He met her gaze with what he hoped was warmth and reassurance. "We'll discuss it more tomorrow."
"Mmhmm" the Prince grunted in agreement. "I think that's enough for one day, Goodnight all!" and with that, made his exit.
An unhappy silence was left in his wake and Nikolai, who had been watching the interaction with a keen eye, cleared his throat. "Anyone for a drink?"
~

Natasha felt too warm… was it the fire? Maybe it was the drink..drinks? Had she had too many? She nuzzled her head again the couch, ready to fall back asleep..when she realized the couch was much too firm and angular. She opened her eyes to see the staircase slowly moving by as she was carried up the stairs. She turned her head quickly and glanced it against a mans jaw.

"Oof, watch it there" came the quiet voice that Natasha instantly recognized as Andrei's. She was suddenly very aware of his strong grip on her shoulders and under her knees. Her head felt heavy and she once again rested it on his shoulder. "Wha, What are you doing?" she asked inanely. When he responded, she could hear the smile in his voice. "It would hardly be right to leave you asleep on the couch." Asleep? Had she fallen asleep in front of everyone? Heavens..she squeezed her eyes shut. "Why didn't you wake me?"
They reached the landing and Andrei turned right, down the guest corridor. "I tried" he said, again sounding slightly amused.

"Oh" Natasha said, at a loss for words.

"Would it be alright if I put you down now?" Andrei asked gently, having stopped in front of her door.

"Why..oh! Erm yes, of course.." Natasha mumbled as Andrei slowly lowered her feet to the ground. He held her shoulders to steady her and looked down at her face. "Are you alright now?" he asked, searching her face for any sign of distress. Natasha stared back, he really did have the most lovely eyes..little flecks of green in them..Oh! Why couldn't she focus, he had asked her a question. "No" she said firmly, having remembered what was troubling her before..well before the brandy.
"Why is your father sending you away?" she asked, feeling her mouth turn into a pout.

This was exactly what Andrei had been afraid of—now she was doubting him. "It's not as it seems!" he said, scrambling to reassure her. "My dear I'm afraid my father is right— I never completely healed when I came back. You see, there is a town in Switzerland that is famous for its health treatments. I never bothered to seek it out before, I felt I deserved to suffer, for the pain I had caused others…caused Lise.." he dropped his head in shame. Natasha lifted his chin with her finger, seeking his gaze. "But Andrei", she said, "you have so many people that care for you, so much to live for."

He met her eyes and let her see just how deep his emotions ran "I do now."

What Natasha saw moved her and it seemed natural to put her arms around his neck, dragging his mouth down to hers and fitting her mouth against his.

~2 hours earlier~

"I'll take one" Andrei said, moving to the liquor cabinet and fixing drinks for the four of them. Marya resumed her playing and Natasha wandered over, taking two of the glasses. She looked at Andrei, the question in her eyes- what did this mean for them? What would happen now? Andrei leaned in close "We'll talk about it tomorrow, after I've spoken to my father in private." He smiled at her warmly and, checking that no one was watching, softly pressed a kiss to her cheek."

A few drinks later and Natasha was asleep on his shoulder. Andrei felt guilty—he probably shouldn't have made the drinks so strong, but it was a force of habit, using the alcohol to numb the emptiness that had threatened to unravel him. On the other hand, he did enjoy having her so close to him, he could study her face at his leisure. Thankfully the appointed chaperone, Nikolai, was busy talking animatedly with Marya, the drinks seeming to have loosened their awkwardness. Andrei smiled, seeing his sister looking so carefree—how he hated the concerned look that so often wrinkled her brow. He cleared his throat " I'm going to take Natasha up to her room, it's been a long day." That finally turned Nikolai's head and he narrowed his eyes at Andrei. Andrei put his hands up in mock surrender. "She's fast asleep, I'm just going to leave her on her bed and ask for a maid to come attend her." That seemed to placate him, so Andrei reached over and gently shook Natasha's shoulder. "Natasha? I think its time you retired for the night" she murmured something in her sleep but did not awaken. Andrei turned to Nikolai, who nodded his head for him to proceed.

He was halfway up the stairs when he felt her stir. He hoped she would not think him too improper, waking up in her arms. She started, knocking her head on his jaw as she realized where she was. "Watch it there" he said, not wanting her to hurt herself. He explained he was only seeing her up to her room, as she had fallen asleep. He smiled at the embarrassment in her voice and enjoyed the warmth of holding her against his chest. All too soon, he reached her room and, trying to keep the regret from his voice, asked if he could put her down. As he had predicted, she was a little unsteady, so it was only proper-really- for him to hold on to her shoulders. She had woken enough to ask him about his fathers statement and he had tried his best to assure her , to explain. It would only be temporary and that now he had a real reason to seek out treatment—her. Then, to his surprise and delight, she kissed him.