(This is a split off of the Aftermath thread.)

Mihaela couldn't bring herself to leave his side for too long. She felt responsible for his condition. So she stayed at his side, soothing him when the nightmares were troubling him, making sure he was comfortable in his bed. She brought any work she had up to his room so she could sit with him.

It hurt to see him, once so strong, injured and needing to rest like this. She was strong and could hold thing together, but it had been a comfort to know he was around. The others did not like what they saw to be his *attitude* but she knew better.

There was a small number of people she trusted at her back. Viktor had been her partner for the longest and even with all the changes they had both gone through, they still sync'd up as if it was the old days.

Akiko has saved her life and had been her teacher in those first days. She was also the one female she could get close to on many levels.

Merrick she was learning to trust and cherish. The Baron had found a place in her life and heart and there was nothing that could dislodge him.

Yet of all of them, she felt the safest with him at her back. It looked strange given he had been Gregory's enforcer and threat. The only reason Gregory was able to hold the pard as long as he did was because of him. He had been his shield and his pawn. Gregory had him leashed as effectively as he held the other's to him. Gregory's failing had been in thinking he could leash her...

She shook her head and set her work aside. He was sleeping fitfully and she gave into the longing. She stripped from her clothing and curled up against him beneath the blankets. There was nothing sexual in the move, only the need to hold him and give him comfort.

She purred softly as she drew him into her arms. She settled into a light doze murmuring his name...

"(vsw) Damon."

"Lucas did?"

"Yes, he did."

"He shouldn't have. He's weak. He could have gotten hurt." The words came out before he thought about them fully. Maybe that was part of his problem.

"He's stronger than you give him credit for Damon. Even after insulting his mate, he still came to your aid." She waited to see his reaction to the word mate.

The reaction was a double flicked glanced and a minor frown that was fleeting. He licked his lips and looked away. Mate, huh? The meek leading the meeker. He shook his head, muttering. "He needs training then."

She nodded, "He does. Tycet was the one that tracked you. Viktor was my backup. As angry as they are with you, they still came to your aid Damon. You are pard... and that means more to them than bruised egos or pride."

"Tycet can track anything, can't he?" He rubbed the back of his neck then moved back toward the bed. Damon sat down on the edge of the bed, hands on either side of his legs and his head bowed. Things were all jumbled in his head.

She moved to sit beside him, "For better or for worse, we are a family now. We may get on each other's nerves, but we do not turn our backs on anyone." She tentatively reached out to run a comforting hand along his hair.

His tone might have sounded defensive, "I wouldn't turn my back on anyone." He closed his eyes. He didn't mean for things to get tense, it just happened. Other people could joke and poke at each other making fun but if he did it, he was a bully. Everyone got mad. His fingers dug into the bed some.

"I know, Damon. They don't understand you." She wanted to pull him close.

"Causes more trouble than anything else. You need .. you deserve quiet and peace."

"And if I told you it brings me comfort to know you are here?" She regarded him and gently moved his hair from his face. "Knowing you are nearby and protecting us?"

In spite of himself he felt himself leaning into her touch. "Maybe .. maybe just outside the house. I mean," he exhaled a sigh then drew in a deep breath, reveling in the scent of her. "Just be around but not in everyone's everyday life?" He didn't want to go but he didn't want to stress her out .

"You would exile yourself." She truly did not like that idea. "Damon, why?"

"It'd help you." He tipped his head a little, eyes sliding to her. "Isn?t that what I'm here for?"

"Would that really help anything? You would be alone for the most part."

He exhaled a sigh, shoulders sagging. "I don't know." He swung his eyes away from her. "I'm not exactly a part of the cozy group right now, am I?"

"Ahhh yes, a group that is still hurting to it's core and healing." She brushed at his hair lightly. "We wouldn't be a family if we didn't have our struggles."

His voice cracked twice as he spoke, "Just tell me what you want, Mihaela."

She searched his face with a gentle caress. She was confused a bit.

He cleared his throat, fingers drifting again over her cheek. "Where's your Merrick?"

"(vq) Busy as ever..." The understanding lit her face. "(vq) As ever stolen moments between us."

His fingers slid quickly from her cheek to circle around behind her neck so he could draw her into him. He gave in to the urge to kiss her. The moment was a fierce need, a thank you and so much more. She moved in returning his kiss. He needed him just as fiercely.

He ignored the aches as he drew her into him, his other arm tightening around her. His stomach ached from hunger but his body was on fire with another hunger that only she could satisfy. He'd tried to be good, to not invade another man's space but damnit, he couldn't keep it up indefinitely. A low growl vibrated at the back of his throat as he twisted them, lying them back onto the bed with her somewhat under him.

She drew him close to her, wanting him. She let him take control purring with the need within her. The beast within was still very strong after his ordeal. He gave in without further thought, needing to touch her and kiss her and devour her. She gave in as well, the need raging within her. She gave herself to him not caring of anything but him.

If he felt bad about it, it would come much, much later. He focused on her body, touching her in those intimate places he knew she liked. He took his time with making her feel good, licking and nibbling to help her along the path to pleasure. She pressed and arched with the pleasure he was causing, somewhere along the way her clothing was shed... or was that shred.

He didn't have a lot of strength or stamina but he had enough to properly thank her and express a deep gratitude for her just being her. She opened herself to him. She wanted to take away his pain. She cared deeply.

He was the big tough guy. He wasn't supposed to feel pain, was he? He lavished attention on her, giving her the delight and pleasure she deserved - enjoying how her body moved in response to his touches. Finally, though, he had no strength to continue. He lay next to her panting, his red hair sticky to his forehead - his own body sweaty from their stolen moments. She cradled him close to her as he rested. She had a soft little smile on her lips as she curled up next to him gathering her strength.

His dreams were uninterrupted by nightmares of cold bars and pain. He slept fitfully with her in his arms. She lay awake as she held him. She hated knowing he had been caged and abused like an animal. She wanted to take that away from him. His body would heal but the mental scars might take a while. He had hurts that he had not shared with anyone - hurts that were from years gone by, things he carried with him but the tough guy wasn't allowed to show pain or mourn. He slept, his breathing soft and even.

She carefully drew herself from his arms. She knew he would need food so she would see that is was ready for him when he awakened. She grabbed what remained of her clothing and Watched him rest. He stirred when she moved out of his embrace but he did not have the strength to wake. His arm lay limp on the bed, his face much younger in sleep than when he was awake. She leaned down and placed a light kiss on his temple and moved towards her room. Once dressed she headed for the kitchen to find him some food.

He didn't sleep too long. His hunger drove him from sleep, his stomach grumbling louder than before. He jerked when he realized Mihaela was no longer there, his eyes tracking to the door with a snap. She was bringing up the tray and gave a knock at his door. She was giving him a bit of a warning that she was coming in.

She purred at that thought. "You act as if I would object."

"Mmm.. doesn't sound like you would. Might have to try it."

She purred softly, "That you will. Though I was thinking of a shower personally." She was in an impish mood.

"Cats don't like water though." His grin was growing in spite of his 'objection'.

She purred, "I'm sure we can change your mind about that one."

"I might be able to be convinced."

"A little water, a little soap and a whole lot of slippery fun?"

"I could use a shave."

She grinned at him and scritched under his chin. He tipped his head up a little as she scritched, eyes closing. An exhaled growly purr followed. She was smiling as she scritched. "Like that eh?"

A shiver flowed over his skin, the growly purr continued as he nodded just a little. She leaned in to kiss him lightly. His eyes opened briefly when her lips touched his, then they closed again. He didn't object to the kiss in the least; in fact he leaned into it. The kiss was brief but full of heat. He shared it with her for as long as he could, leaning into it and continuing forward even after she drew away.

He licked his lips and smiled at her. "It's good to be back."

"(vq)It's good to have you back. I did miss you."

His face lit up, eyes starting to twinkle in a manner that she'd not often seen. "Really?"

She smiled back, warm and sincere, "Really."

"I don't plan on running off anytime soon."

"Good, otherwise I'd have to hunt you down again." She smiled softly

"That almost sounds fun."

She chuckles softly, "We'll have to do that one, probably put it together with the pin down naked."

"You're going to be the one pinned down.?

She chuckled softly, "Wrestle you for it." She grinned at him impishly.

"Deal." He smirked and lunched forward to try and grab her.

She turned trying to stay just out of his reach. He wasn't in a good position and she managed to slip out of his reach. Damon twisted and rolled a little, trying to right himself so he could try again. She smiled at him, she really wasn't trying all the hard to get away. He lunged again, arms trying to snag her into an embrace, wanting to draw her back against his body. She let him catch her, wanted to be held again. Especially by him.