Kael woke up with Gabrielle still in his arms, the blankets strewn around the bed. The left side of her face was bruised and dry tears left streaks down her face, reminders of what had happened. Looking further down her body, Kael saw her hips were bruised. 'I should have beat the bugger senseless when I had the chance.' He thought. There was no need, no point in what had been done. Kael couldn't understand Christian's motivation. But he knew he wanted to kill him for it. Gabrielle shouldn't be put through such pain. It was needles. Waking up in a haze, Gabrielle at once thought of Christian, as he had been the night before. Rough, drunken, abusive. He'd never been like that towards her before. Breaking into sobs at the thought, she clung to Kael.

"What the hell did I do to him?" She wailed. "What did I do?"

"Gabby, nothing. Love, you did nothing. He wasn't himself…He didn't know what he was doing, you said so - "

"No!" She screamed, lifting her head. "You don't get it, do you? I did something! People don't just rape people for no reason Kael! He said…He said I was a slut…Kael?" He frowned. "He talked about how I screw everyone, but I don't - "

"You don't understand why you have to play by mortal rules?" Gabrielle again raised her tear-streaked face, and met his blue eyes, nodding. "But you know, and that’s enough." He drew her closer, kissing her bedraggled hair. "Tell him then. Tell Christian, if you need to, tell Edge. Tell them how you feel about this. It’s the only way."

"Will you be there?"

"Gabby, they want to kill me."

"But I need you there. I can't do it without. You make me strong…"

"Sh. I was there for you in Cardiff, and I'm here now."

"What if they hate me?"

"They love you."

"What if they don't understand?"

"Then we can move out."

"But - "

"Don't think anymore, love. You're giving me a headache. Go to sleep."

"It just that - "

"Gabby, I love you, but go to sleep. You need rest." She sighed, and put her head down on his chest.

"You really mean it?"

"What?"

"That you love me?" He was silent for a moment, thinking.

"Of course. Now sleep."

"I love you too Kael." Gabrielle told him in a small, childlike voice. But he didn't hear. He was already sleeping.