Healing A Soul

Ok, here’s the third chapter, hope you guys like it. Only a few more to go… read and review! Thanks guys.


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“Report please Sister Kate.” Caterina said, quietly taking her place behind her desk as Abel took a seat across from her to listen to the report about to be given on the progress made by Hugue and Nora.

“My lady, Sword Dancer has stated that the mission is complete and he and Sister Nora will have their report ready for you the moment they arrive back in Rome. However for now the weather is reportedly too dangerous to travel in and therefore both Father Hugue and Sister Nora will be detained until the weather conditions permit travel again.”

Looking up Caterina caught Abel’s eye, and noted the slight look of confusion and doubt in his features. A small smirk crossed her own features and she looked toward the projection of Sister Kate.

“Thank you Sister Kate, give me any update if Sword Dancer reports anything more.” With that said, the projection of the sister was gone and Caterina was left to her musings, and Father Abel.

A few more moments of silence passed by, and Abel was becoming more agitated and curious as time went on. Finally Caterina took pity upon the priest and acknowledged him.

Looking up from the paper work on her desk Caterina gave Abel the sign that she was at last paying attention to him.

However Abel surprised her, his questions weren’t quite what she expected.

“Did you plan this all along Caterina?” Abel asked, setting his cup of tea down and staring directly at the blond Cardinal.

“What do you mean Abel?”
“You know exactly what I mean. You brought Sister Nora in here for a specific purpose. Did you intend for Hugue to… Caterina…” Abel’s voice changed drawing Caterina back toward his gaze. There was no room for her denying anything to him tonight, he would see to it, and in all reality she had wanted to share this with someone. Abel would most likely be the best candidate, he would understand.

“What Abel? Did I intend for Hugue to what?” She asked, rising from her chair and turning from her companion to go to her window. Snow had begun to fall, ever so slightly, and she did enjoy watching it. Like a blanket of purity falling upon the earth to cover the scars man and vampire had created.

“Did you intend for Hugue to fall in love with her?”

She knew the words would come, and slowly she let them digest in her. Yes, in fact she had. There was something in Hugue that wouldn’t be satisfied even when his revenge was carried out. Vengence wouldn’t heal him, this much she knew. Nothing quenched his thirst for blood at times, and he had become reckless and a nuisance. Yet still she wasn’t willing to lose him. Hugue was a tortured soul that could only be healed by another. Nora could offer him that comfort no amount of bloodshed could ever hope to give. Yes, she intentionally had brought Nora here for Hugue.

Without turning to Abel she gave him his answer.

“Yes.”

Quietly Abel stood from his chair and made his way to her side. She didn’t hear him so much as feel him, but she merely continued to watch the snow fall. His hand came to rest gently upon her shoulder and slowly she took her gaze from the scene outside to his own.

There was no judgment upon his features, and while she didn’t think there would be any she was still afraid deep down that he would be disappointed with her. He gave her a small smile that she returned and quietly they turned back to the falling snow.

“Was I wrong Abel?” She murmured quietly, seeking his approval for her decisions. Not that she needed it, but truth be told she often sought it.

The smile that came to his face was warm and accepting, his hand grasping her own gently bringing it gently to his face as he laid a delicate kiss upon the glove covering her skin. His eyes shone brightly in the darkness as he gazed upon her.

“How could it ever be wrong to bring love into someone’s life Lady Caterina?”

There were so many questions that should’ve been asked, but it wasn’t in Abel’s nature to judge or questions a lot when he didn’t need to. He understood her and her unspoken answers. None of them were saints, and a few more secrets wouldn’t hurt anyone.

She returned his smile and the affectionate kiss he applied to her hand to his own. Quietly they stood before the tall window in her office chambers and watched the serenity of the snow falling outside.

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The snow continued to fall upon the city, almost as if nothing had occurred within the past two hours. But plenty had.

After giving his report to sister Kate, Hugue took a post at the window sill yet again watching the people outside. He had called room service to bring up some hot tea and soup for Nora for when she woke up.

‘When she woke up.’ He thought, turning from the window to gaze upon her sleeping form. She was wrapped securely in his cloak and the bedspread in an attempt to keep her warm after she had wandered about with less than desirable outside attire.

A scowl came to Hugue’s face as he recalled how careless she had been. He would certainly scold her for that. As if she could hear his thoughts, a soft noise escaped her and her reddened face scrunched up in displeasure as she rolled onto her side, burying her face against the warmth of the pillows.

The scowl he had worn only moments before disappeared and a smile replaced it as he watched her. She was childlike when she was sleeping, completely innocent. That never lasted whenever she woke up however, but that was how Hugue liked her. She was loud and passionate about her feelings, sometimes horribly insubordinate, and stubborn to a fault, especially with him. Yet somehow she warmed his heart and the very sight of her put him at ease.

He would never leave this place he sought so desperately to escape only hours before. It had been a futile attempt, but something he had to try, just to say to himself that he had done everything he could. His last and final attempt had been pointless and from this moment on, he was done trying.

With a sigh he pulled himself from the window and walked silently to the bedside of the sleeping woman. There were so many questions he had for her, and so many fears at what her answers might be. Did she think him a monster? What if she did? What if she didn’t? Perhaps this would be the only time he could gaze upon her without notable disgust from her.

The candle light from the table was dim and cast a soft glow upon Nora’s fair face. He had never seen her this way… peaceful and quiet. Smiling gently at the scene before him, he allowed himself a small guilty pleasure. Tenderly he brought his hand up to her face, grazing her smooth cheek with his fingertips. Her skin was smooth and warm like silk… something he always suspected, but something he never thought he would experience. He had touched her, but never this way. Never did he linger when he shouldn’t, never had he watched her in this vulnerable state. If she wouldn’t accept him after tonight, at least he could have this moment to keep with him always.

A soft knock came upon the door, startling Hugue from his thoughts and quickly he pulled his hand away from the smoothness of her face to answer the knock, hoping it hadn’t woken her. Quietly and quickly he made his way to the door, turning to gaze back at Nora… still sleeping.

Pulling his gaze from the room he turned to open the door and was startled at the person who greeted him.

“Room service sir.” Came a quiet voice, and slowly the woman’s red head moved to look up and Hugue found himself gazing into the face of the woman he had watched on the streets. Her smile was the same and her eyes were kinder than he could’ve imagined. Her smile widened at him and her eyebrows went up in questioning as to whether he would move or not. At last he seemed to move out of her way and allow her to pass.

Her movements were slow and calm, and she was quiet as she entered the room. Slowly she stood up and looked toward the lone bed in the room, staring at Nora. Quietly she turned toward Hugue, walking up to his stunned form and whispering quietly to him, shocking him out of his stupor.

“Forgive me sir, I hope I didn’t wake your wife. Was there anything else I could get you?” she questioned, smiling brightly up into his face. Her smile was full of warmth and genuine kindness just as it had been for her new fiancee. It was amazing to him, but what was he expecting? It wasn’t as if he had ‘Hey I kill vampires and I don’t care!’ tattooed on his forehead. Why wouldn’t she smile warmly at him? She was so innocent and it was refreshing. Just a half hour ago this man she was smiling at had killed five vampires mercilessly, but she didn’t know that. She only knew he was a quiet man staying in her hotel with his ‘wife’. Perhaps he really wasn’t that bad after all. Clearly she saw something in him.

Then her words sunk in and a confused look came to his face. She said his wife… who? Quickly he looked to the bed to gaze upon Nora.

Wife. She thought Nora was his wife. Quickly he wiped the confused look off of his face and turned back to regard the girl standing beside him. Of course she didn’t know she wasn’t his wife. After all they had come undercover and were sharing a room with one bed. Perhaps this was one more pleasure he could allow himself. With a smile Hugue addressed her quietly, “No thank you, not right now.”

With a nod the young woman walked past him, flashing one last warm smile at him as she closed the door quietly.

He continued to gaze at the closed door, completely unaware that Nora had woken up and was now watching him quietly.

“Pardon me Husband? I am hungry may I have my soup now?”

The words hit him suddenly and with wide eyes Hugue slowly turned to regard the amused woman staring at him.

A slight smile graced her features, her eyes alive with amusement at his expression. She wasn’t upset, in fact it was almost as if she was ignoring what had happened completely. He needed this right now, and with a small grunt that was his usual response to her out of annoyance, he set his face with a slight frown as he guided the cart to her bedside.

His scowl was greeted by her own usual expression and a sense of normalcy settled about Hugue for just a moment, putting him at ease and quieting his fears of her rejection.

Gently he sat beside her upon the bed, pulling the tray from the cart and setting it carefully on her lap. Handing her the spoon, she slowly began to eat, the room falling into a comfortable silence as Hugue watched her.

When finished Hugue picked the tray up off of her lap and set it upon the cart, getting up he pushed it to rest upon the far wall away from the bed. Without turning he knew she was behind him. She was as silent as he was in her movements, but he could feel her.

Here it was, the moment he had been dreading, but it had to be approached nonetheless. Slowly he turned, terrified to face the woman behind him. He had faced many trials in his life and nothing really scared him. This was so new though and desperately he wished he could just hold this moment at bay forever. He knew he couldn’t though and as he turned and gazed into her face, he saw something he never dreamt he would witness.

Tears had gathered in Nora’s dark blue eyes, and began to spill down her face as she trembled, searching for words to say to him. They weren’t tears of fear or disgust. They were tears of relief and a little pain. She was hurt… she was hurt he had tried to leave.

Before he knew what he was doing, he walked to her, and without a single thought he wrapped her in his strong arms, pulling her to rest against him. He could feel the wetness of her tears leaking through his shirt and could smell the sweetness of her hair and skin. She was warm and soft in his arms, and he felt his heart stop as her reddened eyes looked up into his, her face inches from his own. He could feel the warmth of her breath upon his lips and his body ached for her. He ached to know her in a way that was considered improper for people in their position. She searched his gaze still warring with herself for the words she desperately wanted to convey to him.

She had never been so close to him and he pushed all rational thought from his mind. She was exhausted and so was he. Perhaps this was her way of allowing him what he wanted so desperately… perhaps she wanted it just as much. Her body was so warm against his, and she was in no way portraying modesty as he felt her press closer against him. Time stood still, Hugue wasn’t sure what he should do and slowly rational thought coming back, he began to pull away… until she spoke, making him stop immediately.

“I’m cold Hugue.” She murmured brushing her nose along the side of his jaw, her warm breath tickling the skin on his neck.

The feel of her warm skin against his own and the softness of her voice speaking to him almost longingly awoke something in him he had held away for so long.

With a mind of it’s own his hand came up along her neck, cupping her soft beautiful face tilting her head back to meet his burning gaze. He saw in her eyes the same fire he felt within his own body. Slowly he leaned forward, brushing the tip of his nose against hers, a soft gasp escaping her mouth at the closeness they shared. Their eyes locked, and his question was immediately answered.

His thumb came up grazing the soft plump skin of her lips as his hair cascaded around the two of them, his mouth slowly descending toward hers.

A smile came once again to his face as he regarded her surprised and expectant gaze…

“Then I’ll warm you.” He murmured, closing the distance between them, he pressed his lips tenderly to hers.

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Ok, hope you guys liked it… oh please please please review! I am in desperate need of feedback. I wasn’t gonna put this up so soon… but I needed some reviews!

Anyway… done beggin… hope you liked it. Next chap up sometime the beginning of next week!