****This story begins in Episode 14 after Eun Soo speaks to Choi Young through the room door. She tells him that she'll miss him when she goes back to heaven and then she falls asleep…

Choi Young woke quickly, his senses reaching for the source that jolted him into awareness. He rose from his position against Eui Seon's door and listened. A faint whimpering slid through the cracks in the door. His heart skipped a beat.

"Eui Seon?" He said in a low voice against the door, his body tense and ready.

More whimpering and…words? Was Eui Seon talking in her sleep? He opened the door quietly and moved to her palette. She lay on her side, eyes closed, thick hair spilling across her pillow. Her face was pinched with pain.

"No! Don't die! You can't die!" She moaned in quick gasps, her small hands clenching the sheets.

His stomach felt hollow as he threw down his sword and dropped to his knees next to her. "Eui Seon!" He said urgently, shaking her shoulders vigorously. "Eui Seon! Wake up!"

She continued to moan and even began to thrash. He adjusted his position and pulled her slight weight into his lap on the floor, cradling her head on his shoulder. "Eui Seon! Wake—"

Her beautiful eyes suddenly popped open and her breaths came in staggered waves. "Choi Young!" She whispered harshly, placing both hands on either side of his face. "You're okay?"

He ignored her strange question and instead searched her pale face for answers. "What happened? Are you sick?"

"No, it was…a nightmare. I thought you were—" She trailed off, and he felt her body stiffen against his as she realized the position they were in, bodies touching, mouths only inches apart.

Just put her back in bed and go back to your post, Choi Young's brain ordered. She's nothing but a distraction.

Kiss her, his heart argued. Her lips are so close…

"Was I in your nightmare?" He couldn't stop himself from asking as he searched her eyes.

She nodded shyly, slowing lowering her hands from his face. "I thought you died."

His arms tightened around her. The thought of her alone in this world without him to protect her was unbearable. The thought of being without her was unbearable.

But you have to send her back. She doesn't belong here. Look at how this world has destroyed her happiness, said his brain.

His heart cut in quickly. But you can give her a new kind of happiness.

"I'm right here," he replied in a strangled voice, eyes trained on her pink lips. "I'll always be right here."

Her eyes flew back to his just as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. At first, she tensed, pressing her hands against his chest, but after only the briefest moment, her hands fisted in his tunic, pulling him closer.

Choi Young fought for control but Eui Seon tasted like pure joy. Her soft lips were a balm to his soul that soothed even as they set fire to his body. His hands sought her glorious hair, fisting in her sleek locks so he could deepen the kiss. God, he'd wanted to do this for so long.

He broke the kiss and stood swiftly, easily lifting her into his arms. She blinked at him owlishly, hair deliciously mussed and mouth swollen from his lips. "What's wrong?"

"Fighting outside." He gently placed her on the bed and grabbed his sword. "Stay here."

Eun Soo watched dumbly as Choi Young quickly left the room with purposeful strides. She stared at the closed doors as her heart pounded and her head swam. What just happened?

You kissed the psycho, that's what happened! her brain hissed in disgust.

Psycho or not, the man knows how to kiss! swooned her heart.

She gently touched her lips and shook her head. I can't believe he kissed me! He hates me…he has from day one. And I—well I don't like him, either. I mean, he kidnapped me and brought me to this crazy world where everyone wants to kill me or capture me. The only reason he's taking me to the Door now is because he feels sorry for kidnapping me in the first place.

Eun Soo dropped her hand and began pacing the room, talking to herself. "Sure, he's gorgeous, and strong, and an awesome kisser but there's no way I can like him! I can't be that pathetic!" She froze in her tracks and bit her lip. "Can I?"

A creaking noise sounded outside of the window and she started. "Who's—"

The window suddenly shattered and a man dressed all in black landed in a crouch next to her feet. Eun Soo screamed and ran for the door. She felt the man's fingers brush the back of her tunic as the door was wrenched open. Choi Young, black eyes glittering with fury, grabbed her and placed himself between her and the attacker.

Choi Young struck with his sword but the man blocked with his own. Eun Soo pressed herself against the hallway wall as the two men fought, praying Choi Young wouldn't be hurt. The man feinted left but Choi Young anticipated his attack and stabbed him through chest with his sword. The man fell to the ground and lay still.

Breathing hard, Choi Young turned to her, his gaze sweeping over her. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, grateful when Choi Young stepped closer and his wide shoulders blocked out the sight of the dead man.

"Captain?" Called Deok Man, jogging up to them. "There were five attackers, but one fled."

Choi Young gestured behind him without taking his eyes off of a visibly shaken Eun Soo, "There were six."

Deok Man noticed the man and nodded. "The bodies have been moved."

"Good. Our location has been compromised. Ready the men. We move soon."

"Yes, Captain," Deok Man bowed and hurried away.

Choi Young reached for Eun Soo and she jerked away, eyes tightly closed. Her small frame shook with violent tremors. His heart ached watching her suffer.

This is why you must send her back. She's not meant for this world, his brain said.

His heart said nothing.