"Gabby, love…. You're alright." He spoke calmly, but even in those words there was the unspoken question of 'why?'. Opening her mouth with intent to speak, she was silenced by his finger over her lips. "Don't. I understand. Edge is upstairs. He's got burns of his own, but of course insists on taking care of himself. He's not as bad as…" Kael silenced himself, and Gabrielle closed her eyes just as the knock on the door came. Kael frowned, determined to ignore it until it grew louder and more persistent. Signing again, he let go of Gabrielle's hand and walked to the door. Upon opening it, he saw Christian on the other side, and sneered.

"Get lost. You've done enough"

"I just want to know if she's okay - I heard her scream out and - " he stammered, eyes flying around the house.

"She's burnt badly…but she'll make it." Christian nodded, not turning away from the door. "And no, you can't come in."

"The suns out though…Its already pained me enough to come here and - just until the sun sets?" Kael stared at him in annoyance then stood back, defeated.

"Stay in the kitchen." Kael mumbled, "Don't go near Gabrielle." Christian nodded again and seated himself at the window of the kitchen, watching Gabrielle laying on the couch, her hand clutching Kael's as he knelt beside her. Occasionally, she would let out a soft, painful moan, and Kael quieted her with a word and a kiss to soothe her feverish skin. Christian wished it were he comforting her, softly telling her to sleep. All were unaware of the front door, slowly creeping open, and Aspen swiftly traipsing in carefully.

Edge sensed the presence of two more people in the house, his brother, and someone he didn't know. There was something peaceful about Christian's presence, but still sad as it had been before he left. Moving slowly, for the blistering wounds that were his battle scars from saving Gabrielle hurt too much to move with regularity. Standing at the top of the stairs and looking down, he saw the door still open and thought he could make out a small figure dark in the house through his sun blurred vision. But when he focused in there was no one. Surely, it was his mind and his eyes deceiving him, so he continued on his way to see what Christian wanted.

Aspen saw Christian in the kitchen and followed his fixed gaze to Gabrielle, and then to Kael. There was a hall to her right, and a study. She determined it as the best place to hide until Gabrielle was alone. Already, she was vulnerable enough to get rid of, but Aspen has to wait until her sentinel left and until Christian was gone. Only then could Gabrielle be disposed of.