"How's the patient?" Wren grinned at the little woman, trying not to show his shock at her shaved head. Leah hadn't mentioned Fiona's baldness, but it made sense it needed to stay short to keep the wound on her head clean. She turned from her chair at the window, her face lighting upon seeing him in her doorway.

"Not a patient in about ten minutes, Butler Wren," Fiona smiled gently, "I almost thought you wouldn't make it in time...Where's Leah?"

"She needed to use the ladies room. She ordered me to come in here ahead of her as it would make her feel awkward to have some guy standing outside the door."

They both chuckled.

"Yes, I can imagine so. Honestly, I wouldn't like always having someone guarding me either. If I were her, I probably would have tried escaping myself more than a few times."

" I have thought the same thing myself." Wren moved to sit in the chair opposite of her.

There was a slight pause, before Fiona asked the obvious.

"So, just out of curiosity ... Why are you here rather than Edward or Charles. Last I heard you were assigned our lovely Miss Queen." Her tone held a bit of sarcasm at the word 'lovely'.

Reaching up, he rubbed a hand over his forehead, chuckling a little at the same time. " A lot has happened. Charles has pretty much disappeared; I haven't seen that guy in a week. Samantha has been a devil, but suddenly announces last night that she wants to change."

"Wait," Fiona interrupted with a frown on her pretty face, "Samantha? Change?"

"That is what Leah and I are thinking. It doesn't make any sense. I guess the one good thing is that she let me go back to Miss Kingsley as a form of an apology. She is sending for some butler of hers from England."

"Oh brother. I'll never understand why she can't just take care of herself a little. I thought it was ridiculous you had to tend to her at all. I guess that's what I love about Leah. She's always striving to be independent."

Wren softened as he considered her words. It was true. Leah wasn't needy or at least she tried to not be.

He opened his mouth to reply when suddenly the doctor appeared.

"Are we ready to get discharged?" His smiled contagiously at Fiona. "I just want to clean and dress your wounds one more time and we should be ready to see you home."

"Home sounds wonderful," Fiona sighed, rising to move to her bed.

Wren settled further in his seat to wait.

*****************************************

"Eek!" Leaping off the toilet, Leah glowered as it automatically flushed. She hated when they flushed before she was ready! Adjusting her pink dress, she slid out of the stall, and headed to the sink to wash her hands.

"I don't know why they can't have better smelling soap," She muttered as she watched the bubbles get larger on her tiny hands before rubbing them vigorously under the running water, enjoying it's coolness.

Her gaze rose to the mirror mounted in front of her and her heart leapt in her throat. As a scream tried to surface, one large hand clamped hard over her mouth, stifling the forthcoming sound. She was propelled backwards, her back slamming into the side of the nearest stall wall. Her azure eyes wide in a stunned shock and pain radiating through her shoulders, she stared into the darkest eyes she had ever seen.

"Hello, Little Miss," Her assailant smiled, one hand clamped over her mouth and his body pressing hard against hers, keeping her pinned to the cold metal behind them. Panic seized her when his free hand came into view holding a large knife. But it was more the wet red blood staining its blade that made her body freeze in fear.

One thought instantaneously rose to her mind. I don't want to die. Her body trembled from the terror lodged in her soul. She couldn't die! She had too much to live for... As she stared at the knife, her mind went further to Wren. Where was he? He was always there for her! If only she could cry out his name!

Sucking in as much air through her nostrils as she could, she screamed as loud as she could muster. It only came out as a muffled sound from the large hand clamped over her. She stopped her shriek mid sound as cold hard steel pressed against the side of her neck.

"No more." The man's smile faded as he glanced behind at the bathroom door. It was then Leah saw he had blocked the door with a door stopper that had previously been holding it open. A small tear escaping her eye, she whimpered and looked back at her attacker, struggling hard to breathe against the weight of his body and his hand blocking half of her airway.

Dark hair. dark eyes. A scar on his cheek. She mentally tried her best to glean information. Black shirt. Blue...

"How do you know Wren?" His growling question pierced her heart. Her eyes widened further as she tried to process what he was asking. Wren? How did this vile man know Wren? Why did he want to know? What would he do..?

Again the man broke her racing thoughts. "If you answer my questions, I might let you go without harming you. If you cause trouble..." His voice trailed off as he let his dark gaze travel to her neck as he pressed the knife a little harder to her tender skin for accentuation. "No screaming. Just answer my questions." His eyes ran back to hers, warning her.

What do I do? Leah felt her head would explode. Wren! Please help me! She let her gaze fall to the blocked door, half expecting to see the door knob move even a little or the door crash off it's hinges as her butler came flying through.

No. Nothing.

Another tear slid down her cheek and another.

"Nod if you understand." His voice was low with warning.

Wren!

Still nothing.

Should she agree to answer his questions? What would happen to Wren if she did? Her heart and fear struggled with the other. She didn't want to die or worse, but she didn't want to be the cause of Wren being harmed either. Where was Wren? Then she realized....perhaps she was reminded by the supernatural even....Wren was a human. He would never be able to protect her fully. But maybe, there was One who could.

God! Help me! If you do..If you do, I - I promise to give myself to you. Like that preacher preached. I will. Just let me live!

The knife pressed harder, and a sharp stab of pain pricked her. She had to stall for time! Forcing herself to calm down, she stared her attacker in the eyes, giving only a single nod.

He smiled just a touch. " Good girl. No screaming. Just whisper your answers." Slowly, he removed his hand from her mouth, and when he saw she didn't scream, moved off of her. Filling her lungs with much needed air, Leah grabbed at the sink as her knees buckled beneath her causing her to collapse to the tiled floor. The man didn't seem to mind her frazzled state. He just sank to his haunches, rocking back on his heels, and let his knife dangle in his calloused hands. Again, she glanced at the blood staining it.

"Why?" Leah swallowed hard, "Why is there blood on that knife?" Her voice was a mere whisper; She couldn't have been louder if she tried.

He chuckled, not bothered at her question. "I needed to take care of some business here. No more questions though. How do you know Wren?"

Leah hesitated; What should she say? "Who is Wren?" She finally asked, her voice trembling. Fear stabbed at her when his eyes darkened dangerously.

"Lie to me one more time, I will stab you. Each time you lie, I will do it again."

Suddenly, something filled Leah. Whether it was God helping her or her stubborn personality rising above her fear, she wasn't sure. She narrowed her eyes as her temper flared. "And what if I am telling the truth? Are you just going to stab me over and over until I find a lie that satisfies you?"

Eyebrows drawing together, he looked at her in confusion. "Huh?"

Leah turned from her sideways position to sit on her knees. Straightening her back, she raised her chin. "I don't see what there is to not understand, Mr..? " She gave a second for him to answer. He just starred at her in utter shock, before his mouth literally fell open. They were pretty much eye level now that she had risen from her curled up position on the floor.

God, I don't know what I am doing! She prayed before continuing. "Never mind then. I don't need to know your name. How about I name you?" She reached up to tap her chin as her gaze lifted to the ceiling in thought. Not wanting to leave too long of a moment for him to gather his wits, she rushed on. "Oh I know! Mr. Creepy Guy. Yes, that suits you well. Anyway, Mr. Creepy Guy, my question still remains. If I answer your questions as honestly as possible, but you don't believe that they are honest, are you going to stab me over and over? Seriously, how does that make any sense? Your logic is, by far, twisted."

A dangerous growl rose inside Mr. Creepy Guy and instantly the knife rose up against her throat again. "Enough!" he barked.

Leah jumped at his harsh voice, but a need to keep up her act surged through her. Surely someone would need to use the restroom soon? Rolling her eyes in sarcasm, she flicked the knife away with a simple touch of her fingers. She tried not to wince as one her finger tips stung from getting pricked. "I never said I wouldn't answer your questions, so chill out. Now...what was the first question again?" She gave him her best blank look.

Starring back at her, her attacker wasn't sure if he should laugh or get angry, but one thing was certain. He had never had someone react to him this way before. Pursing his lips , he pushed the knife against her again. "How. Do. You. Know. Wren." He said each word slowly. If she caused anymore trouble, he would stab her.

As if sensing he had reached the end of his patience, Leah looked at him squarely. "Wren who? I need a last name, please."

His eyes narrowed even more. "Adams." He said flatly.

"Oh! Wren Adams. Well if you had made that clear earlier. He works for my father."

"Who is your father?"

Leah starred at him. She couldn't give out her real name, but what if he could tell she was lying? She hesitated. "A very powerful man. He has taken a liking to Mr. Adams. Though, I don't know why. Sorry outfit. Such a loser." She sniffed in disdain.

Please God, let someone come by soon!

"So you don't like Wren?" He snarled.

"I can't stand him. I told him the first time I met him I would make sure he was gone before the three week period was up. I even twisted his ear almost completely off. Then," Leah giggled "I made him carry me when I wanted to go for a walk in the woods." She twisted the details, but her guilt was small. "He is much more stubborn than I imagined though."

Mr. Creepy Guy chuckled again before laughing heartily. He sobered just as quickly. "I'm done with you. You're amusing, but no more." His tone, eyes, body language...all of it spelled seriousness and Leah knew if she didn't give an actual answer this time she would be harmed. She swallowed hard.

I think I have done all I can do, God. She closed her eyes for a moment. Please, intervene.

"What is your Father's name?"

Feeling some of her old fear return as she looked at the man's angry gaze, hopelessness filled her. What could she do? Her lip trembled as the severity of the situation struck. There was nothing to be done. She couldn't give out the information this man wanted for anything. She would die with pride though!

"I'm not going to tell you. I know you will stab me, maybe even kill me. But, that is my answer." She closed her eyes, unable to watch.

Suddenly, a loud siren wailed throughout the large hospital, reaching to every corner, including the bathroom Leah and her assailant hid in. Leah snapped her eyes open as vile curses strung from the man. "They must have found the body!" he growled, jumping to his feet and rushing to the door. He looked at her. "I will find you again, little lady." His eyes took a different vibe as a tiny speck of lust sparkled. "It will be fun." His grin was back in place as his eyes grazed over her, making her want to vomit.

Then, with that, he kicked the door stop aside and rushed out, ducking his head to avoid people making out his features.

How long Leah sat there, stunned and absolutely in disbelief she was still alive, she wasn't sure. She tried to climb to her feet, her entire being shaking and her breathing coming in shallow gasps as a panic attack hit her full force. When darkness began to vanquish her vision, she didn't fight it and allowed herself to fall into a blissful darkness.