As Quinlan and Lianna approached their hideout she finally slowed, she was clearly exasperated. Although she had been weakened by the amount of blood Quinlan took she pushed through. She held herself together so that Quinlan could not see, "when we go inside...you should get some rest. Your body will need to heal, many of your bullet holes were deep." As she spoke she never turned to face him, when they hit the main floor she retreated into her room, where Gus still laid awake.

Quinlan wanted desperately to speak with her but every time he attempted to no words came out. He watched her walk into the room and listened as she talked with Gus.

"Lianna, you're back safe." Lianna just nodded as she tossed her weapons to a chair that sat in the corner of the room, and her jacket along with them. She sat at the edge of the bed as she removed her boots and socks, she still refused to say a word as she was lost in thought, do I some how repulse him? Gus spoke again, "Lianna?..."

Lianna looked up awaken from her thoughts, "yes?"

"Are you alright", she only sighed in response, "did something happen?"

"We did not find the Master, if that is what you mean." She stood to remove her pants and tossed them to the chair.

Gus noticed a new scar that had formed along her neck and pointed, "what happened there?"

She paused as she immediately stopped what she was doing, "...they knew we were coming they had to, they were prepared. They had almost killed Quinlan...", she was not sure yet if she wanted to tell him about letting Quinlan drink from her.

Before she could finish with an excuse Gus cut her off, "did it hurt?"

"What?" Lianna was thrown off by his question.

"Well, I'm assuming he needed to feed from you."

Lianna's eyes went wide as she looked at Gus finally, "it was my choice! I cut my own neck to tempt him with my blood. He was dying!"

Gus picked up on the frustration in her voice, "chill chica, I believe you he would never hurt you intentionally."

"He didn't hurt me though." She paused as she thought for a moment, "when he finally came back to consciousness the way he pulled me closer...", as she paused tears swelled in her eyes, "...if I was someone he loved I'm sure it could have been a very intimate act, but I am not someone he loves."

Gus smiled, "he may not love you yet, but I think he could if you let him."

Lianna tried to return the smile, "maybe you are right...but I don't think you are. There were a few opportunities posed for him to either confess or show he had feelings and he did not...he even had the chance to kiss me and he did not."

"Give him time Lianna, just like you I am sure he has not allowed himself to feel this way in quite some time."

"I know. Unlike me he hasn't had the chance to express any emotions, I have been able to walk amongst mortals. In order to seem normal I have had to adapt and share my emotions with people. While he has had to hide from the world his whole life. At this time he seems to only be able to convey a few emotions: disappointment and hatred. Even though he may feel the others, I am losing hope that he will ever be able to express them. He is so close to what he has yearned for for over two thousands years...I don't think he will let anything deter him now."

Gus noticed the tears streaming down her face, "you don't even see it do you?" Lianna looked at him confused, "I see the way he looks at you. For someone who has lived for over a thousand years I'm surprised you haven't noticed."

"Maybe you're right, but for now I just need to rest." Lianna for the first time in over four hundred years curled up under the arm of a man. "Just cuddle with me, I don't want to think about Quinlan right now. I just...I need to rest." Almost the second the words left her lips she drifted into a deep sleep.

Gus awoke early the next morning, Lianna still in his arms. He knew this act of affection from her was only friendly. He smiled as he brushed the hair from her face, he just wanted her to be happy, and he hoped that Quinlan could be that source of happiness. He thought they both deserved it more than anyone, they had both lived such long and treacherous lives.

Gus slowly slid off the bed to see who else was up. He walked into the common area and no one was there, he then peaked his head inside the training room, still no one. He shrugged and headed to the armory he figured he might as well clean some of the weapons and sharpen any that needed it. When he entered Quinlan was sitting down reading over the black notebook that had belonged to Simon. "Curious about the procedure?"

Quinlan did not look up but coldly responded, "Yes."

"Was it painful?" Gus had wondered about the procedure that had made Lianna immortal.

Again Quinlan was short in his response, "yes", a small grumble escaped his throat showing his annoyance.

Gus ignored it, "how did they do it?"

Quinlan finally looked up, his eyes piercing with anger, "short answer they tortured her, it is a miracle she is alive."

Gus stared back and finally broke the long silence, "you got a problem?"

"I had no problem with you sharing a bed with her, but if you ever touch her again, I will kill you." His voice was deep and full of hatred. He wanted her, he just was scared of taking her, but he also refused to let any other man have her.

Gus just laughed and shook his head as he stepped closer to Quinlan, "She asked me too." Vasily entered now stopping as he felt the tension in the room. "Maybe if you had not been a coward she would have asked you." Gus was not going to just stand there and be intimidated by Quinlan.

Fet saw the animosity growing in both men, "ight lets break it up!" He laughed hoping to lighten the mood, "Both of ya guess a number from one to hundred, who ever is closer gets to pursue the lovely lady. Yeah?"

Gus did not want Lianna like that but just to get under Quinlan's skin he said a number, "39."

Quinlan did not want to play this game but when Gus said a number one of his own left his lips without thought, "71."

Eph walked in as both men called out a number, he did not know what they were guessing for so thought why not, "56!!"

Fet let out a loud rumbling roar of laughter, "and we have a winner, Doctor would you like to claim your prize?"

"Hell yeah, what did I win?"

"Lianna!" Everyone burst into laughter even Quinlan cracked a small grin.

Eph had hoped for a bottle of alcohol. "I'm good, she is beautiful don't get me wrong but you know who", his eyes wide nodded towards Quinlan. "So thank you but I'm good."

Fet walked towards the door, "well then Gus ya win." He pushed Eph out the door with him, "We'll give ya some privacy."

When they left Gus turned to face Quinlan, "I only guessed a number to get under your skin. Lianna has become a good friend but that is it. Yes last night we cuddled but only because she was cryin' about you slick. It wasn't like that. Quinlan I don't know you really, but I see the way you look at her. Just tell her man. Plus hopefully when all of this shit is over I still have a girl waiting for me somewhere"

Quinlan just stared at Gus for a moment before speaking, "how could she possibly feel the same?"

"I don't know man, you have to ask her that." Gus left Quinlan in the armory alone, he knew he needed to think. He hoped that he planted a seed that would help Quinlan speak to Lianna and open up to her.

It was almost mid day when Lianna finally decided to come from the room. The room was dark and as the bright light of the common room hit her eyes she suddenly felt faint. As she collapsed strong arms caught her and she heard a deep voice that was soothing and inhuman, "Lianna are you alright?" Before she could answer she felt him pick her up to carry her back into her room.

Quinlan gently set her on the bed and pulled the blanket up covering her, as he did he felt her hand grip his forearm. Her eyes were still closed, she feared opening them would make the room spin. "Please stay...lay with me."

Quinlan was hesitant but complied and laid down. As he laid on his back he placed his hands on his chest lacing his fingers. "I am sorry, I know you feel this way because of me."

"Its alright, I will recover. Will you stay here with me for awhile?" She opened her eyes to see his face, he smiled and nodded. "Promise", again he nodded, "will you ease my mind?"

"How?"

"Make yourself comfy, so I know you have no intention on retreating." With that he removed his boots and laid back down beside her. "Will you do me one more favor?" He looked at her confused but nodded, "will you remove your shirt?"

He paused, "why?"

"Because I wish to know the stories behind each of your scars", a small grin graced his lips as he sat up and removed his shirt. He was hesitant to lay back down, could she truly desire to know all of my stories? Lianna did not like the pause so she grabbed his arm and pulled him back down beside her. She traced her fingers along a scar that was on his shoulder, "this one?"

He grinned, "that one is quite boring", her eyes remained on it as curiosity filled them. He simply smiled, "I was hunting for food for woman who was like a mother to me, I had found a bear for her to eat. Lets just say he almost got the better of me."

"You fought a bear?" she smiled as her fingers ran to another scar that sat on his ribs.

"Sort of..."

"I'm glad you won."

Her finger tips tickled his skin as she ran them gently along the next scar, he knew this would be her way of telling him which one she wished to know about next. "I fought in the Roman Colosseum as a gladiator. I usually defeated my opponents with ease, but this one almost killed me."

A small frown crossed her lips as she furrowed her brow, "how? You don't seem like the kind of man to be bested by a human."

"I was hungry for...", he paused, "I was in a weakened state."

"There is no need to feel ashamed of your hunger...I'm just happy you did not lose and are able to be here with me now." She smiled as her fingers now traced a scar that sat on his chest. They went on like this for hours, she would trace a scar she wished to know about and he would share its tale.

Although no physical intimate acts were shared, this was a very intimate moment to Quinlan. No one had ever been so interested in who he was, and he had never been eager to share himself with someone in this manor. He often slept with woman when he hungered for the touch of a woman, but he never desired to share himself with them, not like this. His wife loved him for who he could be, but he felt like Lianna could love him for who he was.

Lianna finally drifted off to sleep, her fingertips still on the last scar she wished to know about. Quinlan slowly slid out from under her hand, replacing his shirt and collecting his boots. He brushed the hair from her face, and she did not stir. He wondered if she was in a deep enough sleep for him to steal a kiss. He took the chance and gently placed his lips on hers. When he pulled away she stirred, but only to move to a more comfortable position. Quinlan sighed with relief as he left the room, so that she could rest.