Walker growled as they headed to their little home again, just the two of them, to try and ward off the day's sorrows.

"Are you hungry?" Roxie asked as they entered the kitchen, "I know I am.."

"I am hungry for you."

"As usual," Roxie smiled, "I meant for food."

Walker shrugged, coming up behind her and embracing her, "We've got tons of frozen pizza."

"Frozen pizza...." Roxie sighed, "I'm not interested.."

Walker kissed her neck, nibbling a little before she laughed and pushed him off, "Maybe...spaghetti?"

"I can make a mean sauce."

The two set about making dinner, small talk ensuing which came so natural to them. Walker enjoyed the way his mate kept his interest, everything about her was intriguing—delicious and delightful. She wanted to know everything about him and she made sure to ask.

"You are interested in me?"

"Walker, of course I am. I love you and I want to know everything about you—all of your hobbies, your fears, your dreams.." Roxie said, frying the beef, "I want all of you."

Walker was taken by her—he couldn't get enough.

"I'm sorry about prom."

"Why? I didn't want to go anyway," Roxie said, "I know! We could have one here."

"What? Prom?"

"Well, not a real prom, but I can make a dress and everything."

"I kind of want to see you in nothing all of the time, but I also liked you in that wedding gown."

Roxie glanced up at him as he scooted next to her, "Wedding gown.."

"Yeah, mouse, like when we get married—have babies...the future."

"Do you want a big wedding or a little one?"

"What do you want?"

"I want a little one. I don't need all the pomp and circumstance."

He fell more and more in love with her as each second passed. How could she be so much like him? How could he not see it before?

"So, are you feeling well?" Walker asked as he stirred the sauce, "I mean..with all that's happened. Are you physically OK?"

"I am," Roxie said, "I mean..I feel the loss of our baby. My body was so...different. I think it happened the first night we..."

"Made love?"

"I thought you didn't call it that."

"I make love to you, Roxie," Walker said, "And you're the only woman I want to make love to for the rest of my life."

Roxie smiled as she drained the beef and chopped some garlic, "So, Dante and Crystal?"

Walker chuckled, "Man, I don't know what's happening there, baby girl. I think she's definitely going to find comfort in his arms if you get me."

"That means your den was in on this the whole time," Roxie said, "And then Norman and Valentina. Who can we trust?"

"Each other," Walker said as he popped the garlic bread into the oven, "You trust me and I trust you, mouse."

"So, tell me about the blood orgies."

"No."

"Come on, Walker. Don't do this."

"Baby, I don't..it's not who I am anymore."

"Was there lots of sex?"

"Yes. Lots...I don't mean a little. I mean...like everyone knows what my cock looks like."

Roxie cringed, "Oh."

"Oh is right," Walker said, "I started young. Niles took me, actually. He was only 15 and I was 14, can you believe that?"

"You lost your...you...."

"Yes, mouse..I lost my cherry at 14 at a blood orgy."

"With you?"

"Some random chick. Her name was Meghan."

Roxie smiled, "It's OK to have a past, Walker. We aren't living there anymore remember?"

"Why are you so good to me?"

"Why not? I love you. That's what we're supposed to be for each other, Walker."

"I could hear that for the rest of my life," Walker said as they settled in to eat.

"What? I love you or me nagging you to take out the garbage?" Roxie mused.

Walker chuckled, "That's why we're having kids—so they can take out the garbage."

"Why do you think Jesse cheated on me?"

"Because he's a dumbass."

"No, really.."

Walker shoveled some spaghetti into his mouth and sighed, "Because he really is a jerk. He broke you while you were down and I..I couldn't tell you."

"Why?"

"You looked happy. I figured if I was making you miserable than at least Jesse was making you happy. If you said you didn't have many friends, at least Felecity was there for you. I didn't want to interfere. I didn't want to make your mom sad.." he shoved the plate of food away, "Fuck.. I've loved you for so long..."

It was evident to Roxie that Walker had indeed felt something for her before they felt the mate bond.

"I will never put my hands on you like I did before or treat you badly," Walker said, knowing the guilt was going to gnaw at him forever, "I could have been kind—I could have been understanding... Hell, you'd lost your dad.."

"It didn't occur to you that my parents were mated?"

"I didn't know until you told me. I was just a kid so I didn't care to ask. I thought...I just thought Maddy was tired of my father,-"

A rustling in the back room interrupted him.

He put his fingers to his lips to warn Roxie to not say anything else. Grabbing the blade from his boot, Walker got up slowly from the table. Roxie grabbed another knife—wishing she'd already gone through her awakening because then she might be powerful. She hid their scent as the two crept down the hallway. The rustling continued and then it stopped completely.

Walker looked to Roxie and then back at the room where the piano was and her paint supplies. Kicking in the door to startle off any would-be assailant, Walker glanced around the room and frowned.

"Nothing.."

"Huh?" Roxie slid passed him and looked around, "There's definitely something...here..Walker.."

Walker turned to look at the direction Roxie focused on. The painting of Maddy was still damaged, but not with just what he suspected were claw marks.

"What is that?" Roxie asked as red streaks rolled down the canvass from Maddy's eyes, "Is that.."

Walker dipped the tip of his finger in it and sniffed, "Fuck..it's blood."

Metgar and the others showed up later, as did Jaleesa and Jadis.

"No one was in here?" Jaleesa asked.

"No, but look at the fucking claw marks!" Walker said, glaring at Evans who rolled his eyes.

Evans shook his head, "I like Roxie, dip shit. Why would I ruin her work? And like this?"

Walker sighed, "I don't know...I...shit..I don't know anything anymore."

"Magic?" Roxie looked to Jadis, "I mean no one could have gotten in and out without us seeing them."

Jadis studied the painting, "It's not of this world, good soul...I can't place it. It's...not a bad..."

"Not a bad what?" Walker seethed, "Claw marks? Blood? Not a bad omen..I swear if you.."

Roxie placed a hand on his arm which instantly calmed Walker.

"Getting your attention doesn't necessary mean it's a bad omen, Mr. Wells," Jaleesa reminded him as Jadis settled in.

"Demons?" Evans chirped.

"Demons would be bad, idiot," Walker huffed, "Wait..what if this is giving us a warning about Maddy? Is she in danger?"

"I'll look into it," Metgar said, "I have to make a supply run up there in a few days and send word."

"You're really going into Myrtle?" Roxie asked, "Can you check on my mom?"

Metgar smiled, "Of course I can."

Evans laughed, "How the fuck did you get with someone as nice as Roxie?"

"You two behave," Jenny said, "Should we take this out?"

She pointed to the painting.

Roxie nodded, "I am not comfortable with it being here. Something is amiss."

Jadis grabbed the painting and started to walk out.

"You are the last person in this world who needs grief. I shall take it.."

"But Jadis!" Roxie tried to get the portrait back, but Jadis wasn't hearing it.

"Nay!" Jadis held up her hand as Jaleesa took the painting for her mother witch, "You are the soul that keeps giving while others have taken. I will not allow you to suffer. Walker, protect your mate at all costs—I know how much you love her. I can feel it—the energy is overwhelming between the two of you."

Jaleesa smiled, "She's OK, Roxie, I promise. She knows what she's doing."

Roxie didn't want the woman hurt if something was coming after them.

"But...I.."

"Hush, child!" Jadis called from the front door as the group followed, "My family leaves tomorrow as we'll be heading back to the mountain. I will take this with me—have Jaleesa and a few others make their rounds, but you—and YOU!" She pointed to Walker, "Make yourselves at home here for the time that you have. Little Annabelle says hi..."

Evans sighed, "This woman and her tangents.."

"Who the fuck is Annabelle?"

Roxie shuddered, "It was a name I chose to give to my daughter if I ever had one."

"Don't..." Walker said, running his hands through his hair, "Don't say that..."

"Why?"

"My sister Evie loved that name....I kinda got in stuck in my head that that would be at least one name I'd choose for my daughter...."

Jenny pulled Evans along, "Tangents, huh?"

The group departed, leaving Roxie and Walker alone once again as Roxie embraced him, holding on with all of her might.

"We're going to have an Annabelle..."