Edge stalked into the house and headed for the kitchen, intent on a sandwich until his stomach turned at the site before him. Kael was cradling Gabrielle in his arms, comforting her. Kael looked up at Edge and grimaced.

"Your bother, " He whispered, "won’t even speak to her. He’s left her shattered, and didn’t do a damn thing about it afterwards." Edge shook his head.

"What am I supposed to do about that?" He whispered back harshly. "Christian has his own mind." Kael scoffed.

"I’d like to know what the hell was on his mind half an hour ago, or even three days ago." Edge walked closer, grabbing a chair from the table and sitting down to face Kael.

"He didn’t say a word to her?" Kael shook his head.

"He said her name, that was it. He won’t even look at the poor girl." Edge frowned deeply.

"Its guilt…that’s all."

"Well, its crushed her." Kael retorted matter-of-factly, pulling Gabrielle closer. "And she’s been able to put together a coherent thought or even a sentence fragment since. Her mind was fragile enough and now…" He sighed. "Who knows." Edge looked thoughtful.

"What do you mean by all that?"

"I’ve seen it happen before, mate. It won’t be the first time. Its in her eyes…her brain." Edge looked at Gabrielle’s pain worn face, seeing an almost blank look in her eyes.

"Is there anything we can do? Anything at all?"

"Take care of her. We have to take care of her the best we can, Edge. But there's nothing we can do."

"So…she’s insane?" Kael snapped his head around, and his eyes burned into Edge’s.

"Don’t you ever say that, Edge, never. She’s fragile, she’s not insane. No one ever goes insane. They fade away, but they do not go insane, remember that, and don’t ever think of saying it again."

"But….Kael, she’ll get better, right?" Edge asked with hesitant hopefulness, reaching out to stroke her hair as she nestled into Kael’s arms.

"She’s strong. I don’t know what else to tell you. You should take her to bed. She needs to sleep with someone more familiar for a while." Edge tried to suppress a smirk as Kael put Gabrielle on her feet, and Edge took her hand. She looked up at him, rubbing her eyes.

"I’m tired Edge."

"I know," He responded, leading her up the stairs. "We can sleep, Gabrielle."

"Good." She told him smiling innocently. "It’s been so long."