Charles froze at the sight that met them when he reached the sitting room. Sarah, his Sarah was standing in the center of the room, shaking like a leaf, Warwick stood only a foot away from her, and most horrifying of all, he held a pistol, trained on her head.

"Not another step, Amesbury!" Warwick warned, and Charles felt fear and rage over come him as Henry and Amelia joined his side.

"Let her go," he roared, taking several steps forward, into the room, "At the very least, let us end this as men!" he challenged, he felt blood pumping heavily through his veins, but he kept his eyes on Warwick lest he lose his mind looking at Sarah.

"I just want the money, not your honor," Warwick spat, and Charles growled at the price the man's greed had cost him thus far.

"Fine," he said through gritted teeth, "Name your price, I will pay it," Charles offered, though he was not sure he would not kill the man with his own hands should he have the chance.

"Charles," he heard from beside him, and looked to see Henry standing there. His friend had somehow maneuvered Amelia behind him, and Charles felt a small moment of guilt over his lack of worry for his companions, but his mind was consumed with Sarah's safety.

"He can have it all," Charles insisted, looking from Henry back to Warwick, "Only release my wife, and leave us be," he threatened, taking another step towards them. He could feel Sarah watching him, but still could not bear to look at her. His heart twisted at the thought he would not allow himself to finish. Should Warwick pull the trigger now... Charles own life was on the other end of that gun.

"Warwick, don't be a fool," he heard Henry say from behind him, and saw the man waver in his thinking for an instant.

"How much money?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in on Charles carefully.

"Anything," Charles heard a strangled voice say before realizing it was his, felt that desperation in his chest and could no longer resist looking to Sarah. She was wavering on the spot, staring at him with those wide blue eyes and Charles swore to himself that should they both survive this moment, he would never let her doubt his love for her again.

"You lie," Warwick accused with a jut of his chin, his pistol repositioned on Charles now, and he felt an odd sort of relief. He'd faced down many a man with a gun to his chest, but never with a gun to his wife.

"Tell me your price," Charles said in a clear voice, his gaze boring into the other man's. George Warwick seemed to consider him for a moment, but then with a snarl he pulled the pack the hammer on his gun.

"Keep your money," he spat with a grin, "I'll take her as a wealthy widow instead."

Understanding of his threat sunk in, and without hesitation, Charles barreled forward to attack the man. The sound of a gun shot fired through the small room, he heard Sarah scream as he and Warwick landed together on the sitting room floor. Charles rose immediately to relieve Warwick of his weapon only to see scarlet blood pooling from his lifeless body. In confusion Charles looked to Henry, who stood stock still a smoking pistol at his side. There was a lifelessness in his friend's eyes that Charles knew too well himself. The darkness of Henry's demons was now evident in his face.

The room lay silent for several seconds, all eyes on Henry and the sudden change in his person, until,

"Your wife, Charles," Henry said in a short tone, so very unlike the man he'd been play acting these last long months. But regaining his senses Charles turned back to Sarah who had collapsed onto the floor, and stared wide eyed at him now.

"Sarah," he cried.

Scrambling to where she sat he pulled her into his arms, held her as tightly as he could, burying his face in her golden hair, touching her skin just to feel the warmth of life in her veins. Sarah sagged against him and wept. Charles heard servants begin to gather and buzz, Amelia was calling orders and Henry had disappeared. Charles himself was content never to move again. He tightened hold of his wife and closed his eyes in relief. He would die, he realized, he would become nothing should he ever lose her. She had redeemed him, brought him back to life again, to the living. He would never let her go.