Immaculate

Pancakes with no sugar

Goodness! I figured out why my story is so slow moving! I have so many guys to work through. I feel like a teacher on a school outting to a museum. I have to stop and take a head count every now and then, make sure no one has wandered off to play with the exhibits.

Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you're out there and reading this.

Part Twenty-Nine

Sang's POV

"Lift your head up for me, Trouble," he spoke softly and I could see there was a slight shake in his hands as he wiped the cotton over my face, removing the make-up.

Dr Green was making me some pancakes behind us. Victor had taken one look at me and dragged me into a hug that I had returned; he kissed me, let me go and without looking back he had raced up the stairs with Mr Blackbourne on his heels. I had wanted to follow Victor, wanted to let him know that it was ok, because I'd seen the fear and anger in his stormy eyes. But Gabriel had reached me by then. He had taken one look at my face and had hoisted me onto the island in the kitchen, grabbing the make-up bag he had put together for me.

I heard them banging about above my head and I looked at Dr Green over my shoulder.

"They're taking all the units and the bed apart up there," he said by way of explanation.

"Where is everyone else?"

"North, Silas and Kota have just left with the van taking the boxes from down here," Gabriel informed me, his tone light and airy but it was forced. "Nathan and Luke are running an errand downtown."

He wiped at my face gently, taking all the black makeup and whatever remained of the spider's web that had ghosted over my cheek. He was biting his lip as he worked and his eyes were brighter than normal.

I slid my hands onto his waist and turned my head so I could catch his eyes. His hand holding the soiled cotton stilled in the air.

"It's fine," I whispered, I wanted him to know that I was ok. He took a step back, shaking his head at me. His breathing was hard, his eyes glittered with unshed tears.

"No, it's not fucking alright," he grated. "It's NOT fucking alright!" He threw the cotton wool onto the floor, turned and kicked out at the chair sending it crashing over onto its side. He shoved his way through the door, sending it banging back on it's hinges.

"Gabriel!" Dr Green's concerned shout came from behind me, but I was quicker than him. I dropped down from the island and took after Gabriel, he was crouched in the now empty living room. His hands thrusted into his hair and he was tugging it as he swore a blue streak.

I was on him instantly, curling over him, trying to protect him from his feelings.

He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me down beside him. He sank into a cross legged position and pulled me onto his lap and wound himself around me. He was holding me too tightly, his hands were hurting my back and hip, but I remained quiet and hugged him back just as fiercely. I needed this as much as he did.

Whatever had happened last night might always be a dark hole to me, but here, with them, grounded by their touch, I was safe.

"I thought you were dead," he sobbed into my neck and I felt his tears against my skin. "I saw you lying on that desk, so fucking white and I thought you'd died on me. Then they were saying about rape...."

"Meanie, I'm fine. Nothing happened. Dr Green knows what he's talking about, and he says nothing happened to me."

"I can't lose you as well," he mumbled and I thought about the rings in his ear, one for each of his family he had lost and my heart broke for him. I hugged him tighter and rocked him slightly.