I was not unconcious for long. When my eyes fluttered back open they were still at it. Mother and son in a shouting match that should have brought the house down.

Then abruptly silence fell. I lifted my gaze to find blue hues trained on me with an intensity that was unexpected. But before I could say a word his back was turned and he headed for the door.

" Where are you going? "

I cried out but in vain for the door had already slammed shut behind Damon's back before I even got to the end of what I was saying.

"I don't want this for him," I said a little desperately to Cassie wanting her help and understanding.

" I know but you have to trust that Damon knows best. He is the eldest and if he feels Lucian needs a trashing to the very inch of his life I can't say I find that all objectionable. His mother I may be but I raised him to be better than this. At least I thought I did," she said the last disappointedly.

I groaned inwardly.

This was not playing out like I had imagined it. I had pictured it all quite differently. Damon had not been factored into the equation. That was a clear oversight on my part.

"Where is Cynthia? " I asked instead of Damon's vampire wife. The last I had heard was that she'd been expecting their child.

"She's moved backin with her family and took Brian with her. Damon is rather strained on all fronts at the moment. His son is not here and he feels that he has failed him in a way," said Cassie staring into the distance. Abruptly she turned to face me, " And he has failed in every way. This is his to make right now. I will not interfere. Get some rest. I'll have some food sent up."

Once again I invoked the keen sense to feed me in all I met. I sighed and tried to get comfortable in Damien's bed. I would rather be shifted along to the guest room but I guess they all have matters to attend to first.

I dozed off unexpectedly and was roused a short while later to yet more slices of pizza. I ate in hunger. Emotional upheavals were rather draining on the energy banks. And I had so little of reserves to spare.

I found myself drifting in and out of sleep and at one point opened my eyes to find I was being carted in someone's arms. I started to say, " Luc...." But stopped in time instinctively sensing that it wasn't him. I pried open a tired lid then and saw the deep blues belonging to Damon staring down at me.

" Damon," I sighed his name out then offered him a tired smile. His arms held me secure against him and he moved slowly careful not to jostle.

"How is he?" I couldn't help the worry that coated my voice but his warm blue hues hardened to ice.

"He will be fine again soon enough," said his deep tone coldly dismissive.

"He is pining for you," piped in a female voice over his shoulder. I turned my head to find Natasha walking beside him. I was thankful it was her and not Lolitha. Lolith was not know for her nice nature. She was not someone I could encounter and then live to tell the tale after, especially not in my current weakened condition.

"Hushh," said Damon soothingly as I moved to rise from his arms. I had to get up. Lucian needed me. Damon must have done more damage than I thought if Lucian had been reduced to pining as Natasha implied.

" He is fine and we need you both to stay apart. The longer the better but this ne t twenty four hours will do. Dad will do it. What you have requested will be done. But to ensure its success I need your promise that you will not go seeking him out. Will you make me that promise? "

I stared up into Damon's intense gaze and couldn't help but nod my head. He was here to help. He would help Lucian.

" Will I forget too?" I asked wanting to know.

" Do want to?" He asked me.

I pondered that through. Forgetting that I loved Lucian and that he loved me would set me free too. But I was kn deaths door anyway. Did I want to die not remembering my only love?

"Can I have a think about it? " I asked instead and received his mere nod in response.