As the night progressed Sang was feeling more and more tired. The day had been a very emotional one and after the shopping marathon with Gabriel she was feeling ready to drop.

The sudden touch of fingers slipping over her shoulder and pulling her against a warm chest made her jump a little bit.

"Sorry. Did I startle you sweetie?" asked Kota. They were both sitting on the couch now, she in the middle with Kota to one side and Nathan on the other.

After dinner they had all settled down to watch a movie, but Sang couldn't keep her eyes open.

Resting her head on his shoulder she let out a quiet sight at the feeling of his fingers rubbing soft circles on her shoulder. The sound of her boys talking and laughing quietly on the background, the low lighting in the room, the sounds of the television and the comfort offered her by the sweet boy by her side were all lulling her to sleep. She closed her eyes promising herself that she would only rest them a bit.

......

Kota smiled at the tiny girl that had just drifted off on his arms. He could feel the moment her body went completely lax against his own, her head falling against his neck, her breath on his neck making him slightly uncomfortable.

He shifted in the couch, trying to adjust himself and caught Nathan's amused stare. He glared at his friend who just smirked in answer. With a narrowing of his eyes Kota threatened him with hours. Nathan lowered his gaze to floor in compliance but never lost the smirk. Kota just sighted at his own predicament.

Sang would be a font of ribbing between them, he knew. Their family was very tight-knit but they were all competitive too. He wasn't worried about jealousy, but once they began to settle in this relationship the jokes and competitiveness would start. He needed to keep the situation controlled or their girl would become offended.

The boys were all adapting themselves to the new additions to their family and the changes that were going on with their oldest brother. It was interesting to them how Mr. Blackbourne had been acting since Sang came back. He acted more his age now and seemed more open.

Kota smiled down at his sweetie. She really was something else. He'd always know she was incredible, even as a little girl she had impressed him. He just hoped she felt a little of the same way with all of them.

It was hard to tell sometimes because she kept changing from being all shy with them to being more open and sassy. She was a contradiction, perfect in her imperfection.

Looking up he caught Victor's gaze and signaled for him to take Sang. They had all already agreed on their sleeping arrangements, which meant he got to spend the night with her.

He almost wished to kick Victor out of the room so he could stay alone with her.

Bad Kota, you know he cares about her too, and it might help with nightmares if there are two of us around.

......

She was half asleep when she felt strong arms hooking under her thighs and around her back, lifting her off the couch and into someone's arms, her head resting against a firm chest, the scent of berries and moss filling her nose and warning her it was Victor who had her in his arms. As he walked around the house the sounds of steps walking ahead of them and the scent of spice alerted her to Kota's presence as well.

They came into a room and she felt herself being lowered to what she soon noticed was Nathan's bed. She turned on her side when she felt Victor and Kota slipping in on either side of her and snuggling close before pulling the blankets over all three of them. Kota, who was at her back, reached with his arm and draped it over her side, his hand on her belly, and his nose pressed against her neck. Victor leaned against her, his leg throw over hers, and his hand holding hers.

She was going to sleep with her boys, and this time she awake enough to know about the fact before it took place. She didn't know what to think. She had growing feeling for all of them, but wasn't sure how they felt about her even if she knew that they had all agreed to the plan.

Was this okay? Would the others be jealous?

Feeling their warmth heat her body, the security they made her feel with their proximity and the certainty that at least these two were with her now because they truly cared and wanted to stay with her, she started to really fall asleep, the tiny smile at her face a testament to her happiness at having a home, finally.

......

I dreamed I was in a prison. Locked away in a cell where I was forced to watch in silence as thousands and thousands of girls were tortured right before my eyes. I could do nothing to help them, my arms were tied and my feet as well, and even if I freed myself from my bonds I knew I'd never be able to bend the steel that made up my jail.

I woke up trembling and sweating, my subconscious still crying for those girls. I knew what this dream meant. It was my guilt at not being able to help the girls in Hell faster. It took me years to shut down that place and every day weighed in my mind.

Motion in the bed made me turn around. It was just me and Kota now, Victor having already gotten up to go somewhere. My body was cold from the sweat and the air conditioning in the room. I must have drifted away from Kota in my sleep and in my distress I had kicked off my blankets.

For a moment I considered getting up and going to the bathroom. I knew that taking a shower wouldn't lessen my guilt or remove the traces of the nightmare from my mind, but it would remove the sweat and make me look better. I didn't want to worry the guys.

Turning to Kota I watched as his chest rose and fell with his breathing. He looked peaceful, his arm throw over his eyes, his mouth slightly open. I wondered if he was drooling and I couldn't see it in the dark.

With a mischievous grin on my face I searched the room with my eyes until I found my phone in the nightstand. Reaching with one hand I grabbed it, trying not to move the bed too much, and knee walked closer to him, opening the camera feature on the phone.

"What are you planning to do with that?" Said the husky voice, startling me enough that my fingers fumbled and I dropped the phone on his face. Ouch, that must have hurt...

With a grunt he removed the arm from his face and grabbed the offending phone, all the while his emerald green eyes squinted up at me. I realized that without his glasses and in the darkness of the room it must be very hard for him to see.

I gave him a sheepish smile "So sorry about that. I was just going to take a photo before you startled me."

Reaching out I ran my fingers over the cheek that had been smacked.

"It's okay." He said, his other hand reaching for my own that was still caressing his face, interlacing our fingers together. "How did you sleep?" he asked, his voice still a little husky from sleep.

"Very well." I lied.

His hand let go of mine and he curve it behind my head, tugging me down until our foreheads met against each other. There was no way he didn't notice how clammy my skin was.

"Don't lie to me, Sang." He begged. "Tell me to shut up, ask me not to discuss it at the moment, but don't lie to me."

His green eyes were pleading for me to talk with him. I could see his need to help there. It was part of what attracted me to him and his friends as children, but now I wanted to hide. I closed my own eyes, but the memory of his green ones burned in my mind.

I sighed and gave up. I knew what was best for all of us even if I didn't like it. Exposing my fears and emotions, leaving myself open and vulnerable after having to protect my heart for so long wasn't easy, but for these boys I'd tear my chest wide open and let them see everything no matter how scary.

A part of me knew, deep down, that they would never hurt me. They would take my fears and vulnerabilities and protect them with their own hearts.

"I had a bad dream, Kota." I couldn't help the tremble in my voice, or the whining note that slipped on it.

I didn't like complaining. Helping others was so much easier than accepting help for myself.

He pulled me down to lie beside him, my head over his chest, listening to his beating heart while his hand caressed calming circles on my back. I snuggled as close as I could to him, my leg falling over his own, my arm wrapped over his stomach. I was a koala wrapped around Kota.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked, his warm breath spreading over the top of my head before he kissed my brown. I closed my eyes and told him everything.

His arms wrapped more tightly around me and he turned on his side so he could pull me even closer. Our heads close together, sharing the same pillow.

I had started trembling at some point, the memories of my past too much for me to handle, but the feel of his lips meeting my brown again made me pull myself out of those memories and come back to present. His warmth registered, thawing my cold and shaky bones, his lips slipping over my forehead telling me I wasn't alone.

I sucked in a deep breath, my lungs filling with spice and started to calm down.

Sensing that I was back in control he took his arms from around me and brought both palms to my cheeks, making me look up at him.

He green eyes looked at me seriously, not allowing me to hide from the truth he was about to tell me.

"Sang Sorenson." He started, almost sternly. "None of what happened at that place was your fault."

I opened my mouth to protest. It might not have been my fault, but I should have worked faster.

"No." The command had slipped onto his voice, completely stopping my train of thought. "It wasn't." The finality in his voice left me reeling.

It wasn't? But surely...

"No."

But...

"No, Sang."

My, it seems that I've met someone more stubborn than me...

I lowered my eyes from his, feeling confused and frail. He wrapped his arms around me again and I felt his lips on my cheek.

"Sweetie." He mumbled against my skin, his lips trailing over my face. "Please, please believe me. None of it was your fault."

His lips moved back to my forehead, "You did all you could." The corner of my eye, "You did more than many managed to do." The tip of my nose "You are amazing."

He stopped, I could feel his breathing falling over my face, his mouth very close to my own. I lifted my eyes to meet his emerald green ones and what I saw in them made my heart melt and soar at the same time.

This boy eyes held a world of respect and caring for me.

He smiled and came closer so the tip of his nose met mine. He glided his nose back and forth, rubbing against my own in a Eskimo' kiss. I started giggling.

And then he kissed me.

Our eyes closed as our lips made contact. My lips parted in surprised and he licked my lower lip, sending tingles down my spine. My breath caught in my throat. His hands on my back were rubbing up and down in a soothing motion that contrasted with the tiny bit he gave my bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth and going back to kissing me.

My body was warming quickly, goose bumps raised in my arms and another shiver went down my spine. His hands on my back became firmer, massaging deeply, but never moved from their place. Kota was a gentleman.

The sound of a door closing in the distance made us tear apart, our breathing heavy.

A knock on the door sounded before it was opened. I hid my face in the pillow, a little embarrassed at being caught with what I had no doubt was a "I just got kissed" face. Kota chuckled beside me and ran his fingers through my hair before getting off the bed.

"I will use the other bathroom, sweetie. You can use this one." He said before disappearing down the hall.

The sound of footsteps drawing near to the bed and the smell of oranges warned me to Meanie's presence before his body landed on the bed at my back.

I squealed, still feeling a little out of breath and flushed from Kota's kisses. That had been my first kiss.

An arm went around my waist and pulled me against a warm chest. A nose found its way to the back of my neck, taking a sniff.

"Are you up to no good again, Trouble?" he asked with a thread of amusement to his voice. I could feel him gathering my hair on his hands and pushing it up, leaving my neck exposed.

I pouted. "I don't know what you are talking about, you Meanie."

A chuckle came from behind me, followed by a tiny bit at my neck that made me gasp and tremble in his arms.

"I am talking about Kota leaving this room while walking strangely and with a dazed expression on his face that one would normally find on Luke's face." He said, his voice proving how amusing he found the whole situation.

Knowing that he didn't seem jealous of his brother made me relax instantly, and I turned around on his arms, my own going around his neck, my face burying on his chest as I nuzzled.

"Huuummmm..." I mumbled because I didn't know what to say.

What does a girl say in this situation?

Gabriel slapped my tight and moved to get out of the bed. "Come on, Trouble." He said standing up. "Rise and shine. I've got your clothes separated already."

I groaned, having been feeling perfectly content to stay in bed all morning. Preferably with company...

"Luke has made chocolate chips pancakes and North prepared some bacon and scrambled eggs. I think there was some fruit too." Gabriel kept on his monologue as he moved over to the closet and started to rummage in it.

I rose from the bed and moved over to him on silent feet, stopping behind him so he wouldn't see my wicked smile before i raised my hand and slapped his butt. A very firm butt...

He jumped and let out a tiny squeak before turning to stare at me with wide eyes, his fair falling into his open mouth making him sputter. I laughed. "That's what you get for ending my fun, Meanie."

I winked at him and walked off to take my shower, feeling lighter than I had in years.

......

Holy shit! She just spanked me!

Gabriel didn't know whether to feel amused or stunned. The only thing he was sure of was that this sassy Trouble was a damn sexy one.

Grinning like a fool he went out of the bedroom and back to the kitchen where all of his brothers were now gathered with the exception of Kota.

North was still at the stove, cooking up a mountain of food. Silas was leaning against the counter, listening quietly as Nathan babbled on about a game he'd seen on the television.

Dr. Green and Mr. B were sitting on the table conversing quietly and Victor was standing by the door and staring at Luke with suspicion.

The most mischievous memberof their family had been distracted since yesterday. His eyes were distant and unfocused with dangerous ideas swirling in their depths.

We knew to be wary. Victor was currently the one in charge of keeping one eye on him, because when Luke got like that there was no telling what he would do. Or who would be his next victim.

Kota came into the kitchen and Luke's attention snapped his way, his eyes suddenly focused and serious.

"So, how did she sleep?" he asked our family leader. He'd asked the same question of Victor who assured all of us that she'd slept peacefully while he was still with them until he'd had to leave to complete a mission. That had been three hours ago.

Kota pursed his lips and frowned. "She had another nightmare." He said, his tone displeased, his eyes already calculating a solution to the problem at hand. "When I woke up she was already awake, but I could tell something was wrong." He paused for a minute, gathering his thoughts. "She thinks she wasn't quick enough at helping those girls in the boarding school. It makes her feel guilty." The sour expression on his face showed clearly that he didn't agree with her opinion.

None of us did, which was made obvious by the sudden raising of voices in protest. Mr. Blackbourne was the only one not shouting, really, but his expression was as displeased as the rest of us, which was enough to show that he felt as strongly about this situation as we all did.

"What the fucking hell?" I shouted at Kota, even knowing that it wasn't his fault. The thought of my little piece of Trouble feeling guilt over something that was not her fault didn't sit well with me. No fucking way...

He raised his hands to signal for us to calm down and we did.

"Don't shout. She doesn't need to know that we are discussing about her behind her back. She might not understand."

I huffed. I knew he was right, but I still felt like cursing. The look Mr. B shot me thought made me clamp my lips shut. I didn't want to get hours.

He couldn't stop me from cursing inside my head thought...

Motherfucking, shit, fuck...

Hummm... Maybe I should spank her for thinking less of herself.

I grinned at that thought. Luke caught my eye and smirked, nodding in agreement; he knew me too well and could guess what was going through my mind. The slap that North delivered to the back of his head proved that he knew his brother's mind just as well too.

When he turned that deadly glare at me I gulped but didn't back down. She was my girlfriend too, damn it, and I wasn't going to hurt her.

He just smirked and I let out a sight. The motherfucker was just playing with me.

I didn't know what warned me to her presence, there was no sound at all coming from behind me, but perhaps that slap she'd delivered to my butt was making me hypersensitive to her presence. 

Like prey was sensitive to a predator's presence. I felt my ass cheeks clench and turned slowly to face her, my hands almost moving to cover my behind.

The amusement in her eyes told me I hadn't been able to hide my inner thoughts from my eyes. The smirk was proof that she was enjoying herself far too much for my peace of mind.

Well, shit. Guess I am in trouble. And I am loving it.