"That’s it isn’t it inspite of all the protests and denials he grew on you. Maybe even love him he leaned forward trying to force her to look at him. Why? Why the games?"

"What games, she said wanly I’m just trying to survive. Michael bulldozed into my life and every time I found someone that interested me there he was a sentinel silently watching." He wont be what I want or need but wont cut me loose to find it either." I want love I’ve seen the look in Tom’s eyes for Sloan I know its possible if he can the others can as well."

"Others? Not others Princess you mean Michael." Your so much younger than him he gently reprimanded, and much more protected than the others. Whether you acknowledge it or not your mother and he protected you." He smiled ruefully; the urge to comfort her was strong but then she had that effect everyone. Softer emotions were something he never allowed himself the luxury. Anything more complicated than amused contempt at the world was too much work. Impulsively he lifted his hand it hovered briefly, before lowering to still her restless picking at the towel. Raine startled froze, like a reflex her senses tapped into his gradually the stiffness left her, relaxing her mental walls disappeared all together.

A genuine smile softened Cy’s face at her trust. " Raine Michael has a history, you’ve heard what they say about him, you know what he’s capable of." You mentioned Tom; Daniels at his worst doesn’t come close to what is said about Michael, we don’t know for sure what they did to Michael and he’s not telling. " But if rumor is accurate they used Michael for entirely different things than Daniels." Rubbing her hand soothingly he leaned closer, " I don’t know if he loves you, I wont lie to you I’m not sure if he’s even capable of love." I do know this much Princess, he doesn’t allows anyone or thing to affect him as you do." He squeezed her hand affectionately before releasing it to push her hair back behind her shoulders.

Tears clogged her throat making her voice sound choked and hoarse. " I wont settle for less Cy, nor do I buy that bullshit the others pass out, we are not that different from humans to many of us feel her hand fisted rising to rest over her heart."

Ed opened the door. Two sets of eyes focused on him, he halted awkwardly feeling the tension in the room " I’m finished."

Cy nodded, " OK we’ll let Raine change and get some rest lets go make that phone call Dr. Tate."

Raine cleared her throat, " Cy I’d like to speak to Dr. Tate privately please."

" Raine I think you.."

"Cy," she warned.

Cy lifted his eyebrow. " Alright then he stood to leave, sweet dreams princess."

Ed moved to the bed. " What’s wrong?"

" Dr. Tate."

He held up his hand, "I thought we agreed on Ed, please I feel like my father every time you do that."

"Ed then." she smiled slightly. "Ed I’ve already taken enough advantage of your generosity but I’d like to ask one more favor. "When you return please make a point of seeing Sloan if not tonight then tomorrow."

" Sloan," he said confused?

Rubbing the side of her temple she mentally picked her way through the latest minefield. " Ed when we were taken there was a brief time Sloan and I were separated." I don’t want to intrude, but I have grown fond of her. I wouldn’t wish her desire to not worry anyone to cause her to neglect her health."

"Are you saying they tampered with her," he ventured?

She grabbed his hand. " I am not telling you anything. I sense Sloan is someone who always thinks of others first." Her desire will be to ease everyone’s fears about her abduction the quickest way to do this will be to resume as if it never happened." Ed, I’m not trying to frighten you."

He shook his head his concern growing. " No your not," clenching her hands he swallowed with difficulty. Sloan his mind screamed in fear.

Raine whispered in dismay," Ed." He looked up blankly still lost in his fears. She smiled wistfully; "your feelings for her are strong" cupping his cheek her thumb rubbed back and forth stroking. " Sloan will be fine she has all of you to care for her believe that." His eyes closed drawing in a shaky breath he reached up to cover the hand on his cheek, suddenly his gaze locked with hers searchingly. Eyes the color emeralds suddenly widened. Reading his intent she titled her head watching him expectantly he slowly leaned in, giving her the chance to refuse he hesitated a second before he gently touched his lips to hers in a kiss.

Withdrawing her hand slowly from his cheek, she brushed her fingertips lightly across his lips. She smiled gently, take good care of yourself Ed I’ve grown fond of you as well.

Humor lightened the worry in his eyes, " I’ll do my best, just be sure you follow the same advice" he stood moving to the door. He hesitated looking back over his shoulder, "don’t loose contact with us we don’t have that many friends that we can afford to loose any." She nodded solemnly as he silently closed the door.

Entering the kitchen Ed stood watching Cy’s conversation, a sidelong glance confirmed he had felt Ed’s presence. Ending the call quickly Cy smirked, "mission accomplished he’s on his way. "Once he’s here I’ll take you back and deal with the van." She alright?"

Ed smiled fondly, "she’s quite a woman she’ll be fine with proper care."

Cy’s expression shifted from his usual smirk into a serious one. " I’ve always thought so she’s the best of both worlds." Cy shook himself in lightening swift mood change motioned. " Theres a TV and stuff out that way doc go for it kick back and relax a bit until Mr. Gloom and Doom gets here then we’ll be on our way." I’m going to check on Raine, make sure she’s comfortable then I’ll join you since I can’t get at Michael’s, computer" he said mournfully.

Ed nodded reluctantly, weariness weighed him down, walking into the living area he clicked on the set. Collapsing into a chair that was the last he remembered as sleep wrapped him in her soothing folds.

He jolted awake, feeling as if he was being watched opening his eyes they unerringly locked onto a set of violet colored ones Michael stood there silently staring at him. O God Raine Ed cried mentally, I thought you were going to protect me. Without shifting his eyes, Michael asked coldly. " Where is Raine Cy? "

Ed blinked, darting a quick glance he noticed Cy coolly leaning against the doorframe before his eyes snapped back warily to Michael.

Cy merely shrugged at his tone " asleep."

Still he stood staring at Ed, suddenly turning as if he didn’t trust himself to stay he brushed past Cy.

He was halfway there, when Cy called out "in your bed." Michael halted suddenly before continuing on. Cy laughed. Ed slumped further in the chair.

Cy smiled wickedly, "shall we go now before he changes his mind?" Ed stood nodding.

Once in the van Ed looked out through the windshield, " I thought your people were suppose to be unemotional, coldly logical?"

Cy started the van studying Ed quietly. "You’ve been a good sport Dr. Tate you really have." Michael is a bit primitive in his approach to Raine don’t you think? "

Ed shook his head, "That’s one way of putting it. I don’t see those characteristics in Tom."

" No. I don’t suppose you do." Cy put the van in gear and eased down the drive. " The difference is there’s no doubt about the Doc’s feelings she’s an open book where Daniels is concerned." I suspect if Michael were more confidant in Raine’s feelings for him, letting any male under the age of 60 around her wouldn’t cause him to go into orbit."

Cy continued casually, " Michael has always been very predatory where Raine is involved. "Not having what one could call a conventional frame of reference to work with in handling her leaves him operating on instinct."

Cy glanced quickly at Ed before looking back at the road. " You look lost Doc." He chuckled, " don’t worry about it no matter which Species, I’ve never yet met a helpless woman where males are concerned." Cy grinned evilly, " poor bastard maybe you should be worried more about him than Raine."

Ed stared fascinated inspite of himself. Cy scowled reaching for the radio, "gag its getting to deep lets have some tunes ehh Doc?"

Closing the door quietly, his eyes locked on the figure in the bed and never wavered as he moved closer. The vice that had threatened to crush him the last few days eased around his chest, she was deeply asleep oblivious to him or the havoc she created within him. Crouching beside the bed he reached out lifting a handful of her hair bringing it to his face his nostrils flared taking in her fresh sweet smell. And… Tate for a brief second his hand tightened on the hair reluctant to let go he closed his eyes grappling for control after what seemed ages he expelled his breath slowly then gently placed her hair back against the bed.

His glanced slid down caressing her features noting the pallor, and the smudges beneath her eyes that told just how hard the last few days had been. She seemed so small and fragile in his bed never more so than now laying on her side as she was the shirt had slipped down exposing the edge of the bandage a stark reminder of just how close he came to loosing her. He stood suddenly fists clenched, his eyes slits against his face his breathing unbearably loud even to his ears.

Things can’t go on like this he thought, there have to be some changes made unconsciously his eyes drifted over the source of his concern his expression softened kneeling his fingers lifted to push her hair away from her face exposing her ear and the curve of her neck. Sliding his hand down along her neck, he cupped the hollow between her neck and shoulder. Her breathing changed slightly merging with her he sensed her gradual ascent into waking, regretfully he withdrew his hand allowing her to sink deeper into slumber she needed rest. He could wait she was here now. He stood heading for the shower this time there was no need to rush.

Pulling up in front of the apartment building he turned, " well Doc is been a blast we’ll have to do this again sometime."

Ed groaned, " I don’t think so if it’s all the same with you.

Cy smiled slyly, "gee Doc you’ll hurt my feelings if you keep acting like that."

Ed hopped out. " I doubt that."

Cy nodded, " take it easy Doc" as Ed slammed the door he drove off.

Sighing Ed watched the taillights disappear before heading into his apartment building. Entering his apartment he closed and locked the door before heading straight to the phone. Confirming Sloan had left for the night he immediately called her apartment.

" Hello."

" Sloan."

Ed her voice warmed perceptibly, " I’m glad you back. "You ok? Is Raine?"

He laughed ruefully, "she was the last time I saw her. As for me let’s just say it was touch and go but I survived."

The silence lengthened for a moment. "Sloan we need to talk."

Her sigh drifted through the receiver, "I know but not tonight I’m so tired."

" Soon Sloan," the intensity of his voice got through to her.

" Ed? "

" Raine he emphasized, is concerned about your time away from her at that facility."

He didn’t hear anything but her breathing. "Sloan? "

" I understand," she said finally "I promise we’ll talk tomorrow."

" I’m holding you to that Sloan."

He could hear the smile in her voice as she said goodnight.

Ending the call he wearily rubbed the back of his neck, considering whether or not to grab himself something to eat. He walked over to the couch landing on it he mentally pondered what was in his fridge. It was the last thought he had as he surrendered to the arms of sleep.

###

To be continued…