Michael jolted awake. He immediately looked over at Selene and found her with her hip exposed and Varga holding her down. Varga gave him room but kept his hand on her chest to keep her from moving. The wound was exposed. The stitches were ripped and it had started bleeding again. She wasn't healing properly. Anger was swelling in his chest and he couldn't stop himself anymore.

'Why didn't you wake me sooner?' He almost yelled at Varga. But he knew he was yelling at the wrong person. 'Why didn't you?'

'I'm…' Selene started but he cut her off.

'Stop pretending you're fine!' He was really getting annoyed by her downplay.

He took a look at Selene and knew he just went too far. He let his anger get the best of him and regretted it immediately. To calm himself down, Michael got his bag to see what was still left. He was running low on supplies.

He carefully inspected the wound to see what he could do right there and it wasn't much. Selene let out a muffled cry. Shit, the sedative is wearing off.

Michael swallowed his pride and anger to sound gentler this time. 'You ripped your stitches. I know you hate it, but we have to move to the infirmary.'

'Just make sure nobody sees it.' Selene sighed. Whether it was out of relief for his tone or reluctance for the infirmary, he didn't know.

Michael turned to Varga. 'Go to the infirmary and make sure everyone is cleared out on my orders. We will be there in ten minutes.'

Varga nodded. As soon as he left the room, they heard knocking on the door. What do they want now!

'Get rid of them.' Michael said through the door to Varga.

While he collected his supplies, Selene barely moved. Michael had probably scared her a bit too much. He did feel guilty, but at this point it helped him do his job and he would apologize later.

Michael heard Varga come back into the room and he almost wanted to hit him.

'My Lord, a minute?' It was Vargas' official tone. Good thing I didn't hit him yet.

Michael looked at Varga. Both reluctance and urgency showed on his face. With a last look at Selene, he followed Varga into the common room. Connar was waiting for him with a sour look on his face.

'Did you find the blade?' He whispered, not wanting Selene to hear the conversation.

'Yes sir, we did. But I do have some bad news.' Connar whispered reluctantly. He removed a package from his coat. Inside was the blade.

'The tip of the blade is missing. During the cleanup nobody found it, so we searched the room three times over. No luck, unfortunately.'

'Show me the blade.' Varga held out his hand.

Connar handed it over to Varga with the cloth around it. 'Be careful not to get cut yourself.'

Both Michael and Connar didn't say a word as Varga studied the blade. He turned it over a couple of times and held it to the light.

'There are carvings in the blade. It reminds me of a utility knife. I think it was intended for the blade to break off easily.' Varga handed it to Michael.

Looking against the light he could see what Varga meant. Across the blade there were carvings. Using the cloth, he broke off a piece. He didn't even have to use force to do it.

'You're right, this seems intentional.' Michael mused.

'You do know what this means right?' Connar asked. 'This means the missing piece is still inside Selene. We need to get it out.'

He was talking directly to Michael now. Michaels' brain was working a bit slower due to the lack of sleep, but he knew where this was going. He and Connar needed to open Selene back up to remove the missing piece.

'Shit!'

'What's wrong?' Varga had been looking at their silent conversation.

'I gave Selene a sedative to numb the pain.' Michael tried to explain to Varga.

'I know, but she told me it's wearing off. Give her another dose.'

'He can't.' Connar took over. 'The sedative needs to be out of her system before we can dose her again. If not, she will go into a coma.'

'You're not saying….' But Varga didn't finish the question.

'Yes, we are.' Michael replied in a sad voice. 'Connar, go to the infirmary and send everyone away, my orders. Varga, go find David and come back here, we're going to need him. I will go and inform Selene.'

He watched Varga and Connar walk out. All the emotions tried to surface and it made him dizzy. He grabbed the nearest chair and took a few deep breaths to steady himself. Normally he loved the challenges in his job, but he would have loved to just skip today altogether. Michael swallowed his internal pity party and straightened up. He needed to be strong. He walked back to the bedroom but as soon as he saw Selene, his confidence was gone.

'Tell me!' I really can't hide anything from her.

'Connar returned from the safe house with the blade. The tip of the blade is missing. They flipped the place upside down to find it, without luck.' Michael said in a way too fast pace.

'It's still in there.' Selene sighed.

'Based on your impaired healing, yes. Connar is on his way to the infirmary and Varga will be back here.' Michael kneeled next to the bed and took her hand. 'I will get it out, I swear. Can you stand?'

'Give me more of that miracle drug and I can.'

Shit. Michael was hoping she wouldn't bring it up and only give her the bad news when they were in the infirmary.

'Despite the pain, there are still high levels in your system. If I give you more, I will be putting you in a coma.'

By the look on her face, she knew exactly what he wasn't saying. She kept her face straight, but he saw a hint of fear in her eyes.

'Help me get up.' Selene replied.

'Let me do most of the work so you don't strain yourself too much.'

Michael stood up and moved the blankets away. He had to swallow when he saw the bandages and bruises on her body. She was getting worse instead of better. The blade prevented more than her healing power as it seemed.

He moved Selene on her side and put her legs to the side of the bed. He saw her clench her jaw. She nodded at him to continue. He placed his arm around her back and simultaneously moved her legs down to get her in a sitting position. He let her sit like that for a minute to make sure she wouldn't pass out.

'Pass my boots. I don't think I can get them on while standing.'

'They are next door. Do not move.'

Eve had put all their stuff in the corner, including Selene's boots. Michael grabbed them and went back. Selene was still sitting on the edge of the bed, with her hand on her hip. Michael sat next to the bed and gently put on her boots. He was glad the things had zippers.

Michael almost forgot about her IVs. To keep up the appearance of them just arriving from their mission, she couldn't walk around with IVs sticking out of her arms. He disconnected and sealed them so they could reuse them in the infirmary if needed.

'Now comes the tricky part. I will get you up, you just straighten your legs and try to hold your body weight.' Michael explained. 'If you feel faint, lean on me.'

Selene nodded again. He could see the effort in her face.

Michael gave her an extra minute before he moved to get her standing. She let out a soft cry and he was almost certain she would pass out. Selene let out a breath and steadied herself. He slowly let her go and looked at her.

'How is the pain?'

'Less than expected.' Selene took a few hesitant steps and let out a sigh of relief. 'This might actually work.'

Michael still hadn't let go of her hands and watched her closely. Selene looked pale, but she didn't hold her hip as much when she moved. He guided her to the common room to retrieve her coat.

'I'll help you put on your coat. We can make it look like we just got back from our mission. Varga should be here any minute.'

Selene already reached for the coat and managed to get it on herself. 'The stains help keeping up the pretense. Where has Varga gone?'

At that moment, Varga knocked on the door and entered. Halfway through he stopped when he saw Selene.

'What kind of drugs did you give her?' Varga asked Michael.

Michael gave him a furious look. 'Is David with you?'

'I'm here. Varga, let me in.' David responded.

They both moved inside the room. David was more polite and tried to hide his shock when he saw Selene. Michael was also impressed by her strength. For outsiders, she looked like her normal self. She stood tall like the royal she was.

'Are you just going to stand there or are we going?' Selene broke the silence. 'Gentlemen.'

'Let's get this clear, we just returned and talk to nobody.' Michael said as he opened the door for Selene and David.

Michael was next, followed by Varga. Michael was a bit annoyed, but he had to follow the rules of the coven. When Selene was joined by another elder, he was supposed to move to the back. He was only allowed to walk beside her when they were alone.

The trip to the infirmary went as planned. They came across a few vampires, but they bowed and moved out of the way. David and Selene nodded and continued their way while Michael kept a close eye on Selene. They reached the infirmary and she was still standing. David opened the door for Selene and Michael to go through. Connar had cleared the infirmary as promised and even set up for the procedure. Connar had chosen the most secluded room and prepared screens to shield it in case someone would enter the infirmary.

Selene's steps were getting slower and Michael was just in time to catch her when she collapsed. He scooped her up in his arms and put her on the table. She was still awake, but he could see the pain in her eyes. Michael put his hand on her cheek.

'You made it, my love. Just hold on a little bit longer.' He kissed her on her forehead. 'I'll be back in a bit.' Selene smiled at him, probably unable to speak.

David, Varga and Connar had kept their distance. Michael walked up to them and started ordering them around.

'Varga, you are going to hold her arms and keep her from moving. David, to you the same with her legs. You have to hold them just above the knee so she can't move. Connar you will help me by holding onto her torso.' He looked them all in the eye. 'She cannot move. One wrong move can cause serious damage.'

Connar walked away and Varga and David were quiet for a bit. 'Are you really doing through with this?' Varga asked in a whisper.

'Don't start Varga! Make sure you have guards standing outside and do your job.' Michael was furious. He didn't need Vargas' doubt, he had enough of that on his own.

Varga dashed away to make room. David put a hand on Michaels' shoulder.

'You're doing the right thing.' David squeezed and walked to Varga and the guards standing outside.

Everybody in the room had cleared out to give Michael and Selene a minute together. From a medical point, he needed to explain what was going to happen. She had a right to know, but he was dreading every second of it.

Michael grabbed a chair and sat next to Selene. She was holding on, but walking had taken a lot of energy out of her. Connar had already removed her coat and reconnected her IV. The blood seemed to give her a bit more energy. He took her hand and she squeezed it lightly.

'You don't have to tell me. I already know.' Selene said.

'I don't want to, but I have to.' Michael sighed. 'I cannot give you any sedation without putting you in a coma or even kill you. I can inject local sedation, but that won't help much. You will be in a lot of pain even after I pull the piece out.'

'I can do it if you can.'

Selene was very calm and it gave Michael his confidence back. He felt like he was the only one who could help her and remove the blade. He just had to focus on the job at hand.

'I can and I will.'

'Close yourself off and do not feel guilty.' Selene ordered. 'You hear me? No matter what will happen, do not feel guilty.'

Focused on the job ahead, Michael didn't care that people overheard their conversation. He signaled for them to join him in his office.

'I do not know how long it will take for Selene's healing power to return after I pull the piece. That's why we will have to work more sterile. You will each get gloves and a mask. Me and Connar will gown up for the procedure.'

Connar grabbed their gear and distributed it. Everybody did their part without question. It was Michaels' turf and he was in charge. They walked over to the table and took their positions.

'Varga.' Selene said before they could start.

Varga moved his head next to hers so she could whisper.

'Cover my mouth so no one can hear me.' She whispered as quietly as possible.

Everyone had heard her, but nobody responded. Michael closed himself off and choose to ignore her comment. Varga did as he was asked. With one hand he held her hands above her head and the other was placed over her mouth.

He looked around the table and they each nodded in response. Michael removed the bandage and sterilized the field. As promised, he numbed the area with injections of a local anesthetic. Once her skin was numbed, he moved to inject inside the wound as well to take the edge of.

After cutting the remaining stitches, Connar handed him a clamp to spread the wound. Selene stirred, but they managed to keep her down. Michael started searching for the missing piece. It didn't take long for him to find. He pulled the piece out and put it in a tray. Connar had already placed the rest of the blade there as well and it matched perfectly. To be sure, he did another swoop but was sure everything was out and started finishing up.

Michael stitched the wound, put a new dressing on it and took a step back. It took about half an hour in total in which he had muted the world around him. Apparently, Varga and David were talking to him, but he couldn't hear a word they were saying. Michael finally dared a look at Selene. Varga had removed his hand her mouth and she was gasping for breath to try and numb the pain. Tears fell from the corner of her eyes.

He couldn't bear to look anymore. Michael moved backwards until his back was pressed to a wall and he slit down. People were talking to him, but his head couldn't process it anymore. His thoughts were muted and numb, he was running on instincts alone.

Something was tugging on him and Michael let it happen. He barely registered Connar taking of his gown and gloves. He was too numb to feel anything. Someone provided him with blood and his instinct forced him to drink it.

Slowly his awareness increased and he felt some energy coming back. Varga and David were standing around him. Connar kneeled beside him and watched his every move with a medical eye. Michael finished the bag and nodded at Connar.

'You good?'

'Yeah, just drained.'

Connar offered his hand and got him standing. He looked around the room and saw that Selene was moved to a bed. By the looks of it, she was sound asleep. Michael had no idea how much time had passed.

'Is everything set here?' David asked.

'Yes, Connar can finish up.' Michael said in an exhausted voice.

'Good. Michael, you are hereby relieved of duty. Connar will temporarily take over command of the infirmary.' David commanded. 'You are to stay in your chambers until you are fully rested and fed.'

'Can I make a request to stay at the infirmary?' Michael didn't fight David's request, but the thought of moving to his chambers was exhausting.

'Request granted.' David said in a formal tone. 'Varga, Connar, escort Michael to a bed and make sure he stays there.'

But Michael was already on his way to the nearest bed. He fell on the bed, lay down his head and fell into a dreamless sleep.