Thank you so much for the reviews so far. I'll get around to replying soon hopefully. Sorry it took so long to update this. I had a problem uploading this file for some bizarre reason. Any who, here it is…

There's a small warning for sexual content in this chapter.
xo

Chapter Twenty

It was uncomfortable undressing that night. The shock, now wearing off, had left me feeling the burn from cuts and grazes across my skin, and the ache from tender bruises covering me. I daren't look in a mirror for fear of disgusting myself. I ran a hand down my arm, staring after where it travelled, examining carefully every inch. I sighed, turning to see Dougie standing before me, a shy smile gracing his quivering lips. He took my hand in his and pulled, gesturing for me to walk with him.

The bathroom was steamy, the air moist from the heat radiating from the full bath tub of bubbles Dougie had obviously just run. A shiver travelled up the length of my spine as the ties at the back of the hospital-like night dress I had been wearing were undone for me. Hands lightly resting on my hips, Dougie placed his lips to my cheek, mumbling that he'd check up on me in a few minutes if I wanted him to.

"Don't leave me." I whispered, hand catching hold of his before he'd even had time to turn for the door. His eyes remained fixed to my lips before I had made the move forward, joined in a small embrace, liplock as I fumbled with his belt. He knew I didn't intend for anything to happen. Not tonight. He unbuttoned his shirt as I removed my underwear, avoiding looking down at myself when I could feel Dougie's eyes travelling over the physical damage I'd received over the month I'd been missing.

"This is going to hurt isn't it?" I stated as I looked down at the water filled tub, the steam already making my skin damp.

"Probably." I sincerely valued Dougie's honesty. Brutal and straight to the point. I watched as he stepped in first and helped me in, a hand around my waist, the other entwined with my own. I followed as he sat down, my back leaning against his bare chest. I let out a sigh. The pain was near unbearable as the hot water lapped at my broken, torn skin. Two arms snaked around me, palms rubbing smoothly over my stomach. There was something extremely comforting about that moment. The rise and fall of Dougie's chest underneath me was relaxing, and his circular movements over my stomach soothed me. The pain, now, was a dull ache in the background of peace and tranquillity.

It was then that Dougie shifted a little, sitting up and reaching for a sponge and soap, rubbing the two together to build up a decent lather.

"I feel like a five year old being bathed." I giggled when he raised my arm a little, slowly moving the sponge over each area, leaving kisses up my neck when he knew it would hurt. A moan tumbled, escaped from my lips briefly and quietly feeling Dougie's hand cup my breast, his other dropping the sponge and moving down my torso.

Lower…

The bath was three times the size of any normal cast iron bath. I'd only noticed when I was able to turn around with ease, sitting on Dougie's lap when he straightened his legs out. It was deeper too, the water still reaching my chest, just underneath my breasts. I smiled, leaning over, pushing my lips against his, laughing lightly upon feeling a sign of how aroused he was poking me in the stomach.

"That's a little embarrassing." He blushed, holding my head in his hands, the tips of my hair now wet, sticking to my shoulders and chest where they'd dipped in to the water, which was still relaxingly warm.

"I'm flattered, Doug." I smiled. "I'm an ugly mess, and yet you're still turned on."

"A few bruises don't stop you from being beautiful, Claire." He spoke softly. "Nothing will, and that's a fact." I smiled bashfully, unable to take compliments well, I blushed.

"Make love to me." I whispered, kissing him as soon as the words had left my mouth, now feeling awfully self conscious feeling his eyes roam over my naked body.

"Are you sure?" He asked, looking a little concerned. "Do you not want to wait?"

I placed a finger to his lips sitting up on my knees, shuffling forward before slowly lowering myself down, sliding over him. It was painful, I had to admit, and I was pretty sure that Dougie had taken note of this. He sat up, arms locking around me, bodies tangled, lips joined. His hips bucked against mine, slowly at first, gathering a steady rhythm and pace.

"Oh my God." The pair of us froze, looking to the side of us, lips still pressed together when seeing a blushing Gabrielle in the wide open doorway, one hand clasped over her eyes. "I'm so sorry." She winced at her own shrieking fit previously, opening her eyes very slowly, cautiously to see Dougie holding me tightly to him, nothing explicit being shown. "The door wasn't locked. And I needed to pee, and…"

"Gabz, seriously…" Dougie tried to hurry her along. "There's a toilet downstairs."

"Well, I know. But I was already upstairs." She explained.

"I don't care!" He nearly yelled, with good reason too.

I'd be in pain too if my boner was throbbing that much. Although, lack of penis to begin with does prevent that. I giggled a little as Gabrielle closed the door, leaving the room. Two hands grasped my bum, slamming me down hard, a moan leaving my lips, louder than I wanted it to. He grinned, looking up at me, eyes seemingly smiling. I remained still again, refusing to move.

"Claire, come on." He groaned. "You have no idea how much it hurts to be this hard." I was too busy staring, lost in his pleading eyes to notice his hands had slipped under the water again. I lost my balance when his fingertips brushed over a particularly sensitive area, falling forward. Stopping myself, I was inches from his face, his breath could be felt on my nose. He grinned, taking advantage of the moment, capturing my lips in one of many passionate exchanges that were to follow that night.

I noticed the pain as soon as I woke up the following morning. The full extent of the damage was clear when I found many of my muscles had seized up. I wouldn't have been feeling so rough if it hadn't have been hunters. But what I don't understand is…

"They shouldn't have harmed you." Dougie was quiet, fingers stroking over my midriff as he lay at my side, his hand occasionally lingering a little while longer over my abdomen. "Unless it wasn't a hunter that beat you. It might just have been someone employed or…"

"Doug, I don't want to think about it. I'm here now. And I'm getting better, because you're looking after me remarkably well." I smiled, holding his hand to stop it moving anymore, holding it over my middle.

"I just worry." He stated.

"Well don't. Because for the first time in a month, I'm safe. Where I want to be." I snuggled back in to him.

"Do we have to get up?" I smiled, feeling his voice reverberating off my neck as he spoke, kissing it gently after each word. He pulled me closer so I was partially lying on top of him, his other arm wrapping around me. "Because this is comfortable."

"For you maybe, but I need to relieve my bladder." I yawned., rubbing my eyes with balled fists before turning over and pecking at his lips quickly. "Plus, I think I should talk to my brother."

I stood up a little too quickly, dizzy at the speed in which I'd done so. Probably not the smartest of ideas. I fell back on to the bed, a hand clasped to my head, eyes shut as I tried to rid myself of the sudden head ache, a distinct feeling of nausea settling in the pit of my stomach.

"You should feed." Dougie remarked. I went to protest, pausing when I received a 'You're looking after two people now' look. How thoroughly irritating. I climbed on to his lap as he lifted his head to leave his neck bare, ready for me to make my mark. "What are you waiting for?" he asked, no looking at me somewhat confused at my hesitation.

"In the dream… the thing… you were so cold about a baby. So unfeeling. You didn't want it. You refused to believe." I frowned, running a hand through my hair. "But in reality, you're so great about it. I just have a hard time understanding why, at the age of sixteen, you're so happy about me being pregnant…" I gushed. "We're still kids ourselves. Aren't you freaked out in the slightest?"

"No." Dougie merely shook his head with a smile. "At first I was surprised. I was still happy though." His smile grew wider. "I've always known I'd never lead a normal human life. And I've done a lot of growing up because of the way I am. I never expected anything less than out of the ordinary." His hands came to rest underneath my pyjama top. "If this is what's meant to be, that's fine. Because it's with you. If it was Sheena, I'd have killed myself by now, but lucky for me, whoever makes these prophecies got it right." He cupped my chin in his palm. "Because I get to do my growing up with you."