Always

Chapter 14: Preparation

Severus looked right at her as she saw the nerves in his black eyes. "Elizabeth could not find a cookbook and needed to find one. I merely assisted, that is all." He said as Minerva looked at his hands in his pockets. "Where are you going?" She asked. He glared at her. "Why so pesky this morning Minerva? I am merely minding my own business and you should take that into consideration as well." He said firmly as he moved his hair to the side and stood a little taller. "What about the potion?" She asked as she was very skeptical as to what really happened last night. "That can wait." He said lowly as he had the eyes of a dark owl. "Good day." He finished as he walked away quickly and Minerva scratched her head. She needed something to track Severus' movements, because she was assuming that he had been doing some sort of activity with Beth last night.....in the library.

Beth did not have her wand, so she was unable to numb the pain she was in. She moaned loudly and weakly as she held her legs and she wasn't sure where Severus went. The door swung open loudly and a tall figure came into the room and shut the door quickly. Severus ran to her and he sat on the side of the bed and he took out the apples. "My love, I am so sorry." He said softly as he gave her the apple and she took it into her soft, small hands slowly as she said "Thank you...." He nodded as he ran through her hair watching her closely. He never let her out of his sight, not even for a second. She ate the apple and she exhaled feeling sore. "As painful as it sounds, Elizabeth, the more you move around, the less pain you will feel." He whispered as she groaned. "It hurts though.....it really does." She whimpered as he shook her head. "You must. It is for your own good. Eat first, then you can walk around." He said as he got up slowly. "I am to shower.....are you going to be alright?" He asked as she nodded. "I will be okay." She said as he nodded, emptying out his pockets. Some more fruit. "This is all I could manage. Eat it quickly." He said as he grabbed his towels and his clothes as he walked out of the room and locked it from the outside.

She sat up with a soft groan as she ate the apple and looked around his room. Not much of a decorator clearly, but that was okay. She yawned slowly as she rubbed her eyes. She then decided to get up from the bed. This was going to hurt a lot. She moved her sore legs to the edge of the bed and she groaned. Mind you, she was still very naked. "Ugh....." She continued to groan as she looked at her small feet and the ground. "Elizabeth, pull yourself together. You got this." She said to herself as she landed on the ground. She stumbled and fell hard on the ground. "Ow......damn it." She sighed as she stood up and she held the bed with her hands. Her legs were shaking so badly as she was trying to stay still. She was going to listen to him as she started to try and walk again. She was like a toddler learning how to walk all over again. She held her hips as she stumbled across the room and she fell hard to the ground. Seconds after that event, Severus walked in and he widened his eyes.

"Elizabeth....." He said in a very calm voice as he walked over and picked her up, placing her on her feet. He did not get mad at her for trying to walk even though she was hurting herself. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to try." She said as he nodded and held her cheek. "Do not apologize. I wanted you to move around." He said as he rubbed her cheek with his thumb and he smiled a little at her. She looked at his wet hair and she touched it slightly. "Your hair is so wet." She giggled. "A sound observation." He said gently as he looked down at her. "Sorry." She giggled again as she looked at him. "Did you run into anyone in the halls?" She asked as he narrowed his eyes and he dropped his hand from her soft cheek. "Minerva." He answered in a low voice as he walked over to his mirror and he got out his comb, going slowly through his hair. "Oh? What happened?" She asked as she wobbled to the bed like a toddler and fell onto the bed. "Questioned my activity in the library last night. I needed to help her find a potion for her last night, and the thought slipped my mind. You were on my mind instead, and frankly my dear, I do not care." He spoke as Beth smiled. "You are certainly a changed man, Severus. Not a bad thing at all, but I am so glad that you have found happiness in your heart.....I enjoy seeing you happy and I think so does everyone else." She said as he looked at her from the mirror and shook his head. "I do not care what others think of me anymore. I did once, but it no longer affects me." He said as he looked over his shoulder, his black eyes looking into her soul. "I only care about what you think of me Elizabeth. Your words healed me, and I would listen to you any time you wish." He added as she nodded. She had a blanket around her this whole time mind you. After all, she had no other clothes than the ones from yesterday night. "Do you.....have any plans today?" She asked. "Unfortunately." He answered and she nodded. "I think I will pay a visit to Minerva. You know, girl talk." She giggled as he nodded. "When you are done with it, I would like that blanket back. Please." He said gently. He used to never say please or thank you, but being around Beth, he wanted to be more of a gentleman. She nodded heading to the door. "Of course. Do send a letter if you need anything." She said as she waved and left his room. She shut the door and Minerva, magically, was right there. It scared her and Severus opened the door hearing her scream. He was upset to know who was there that scared his redheaded lover.