Chapter Eight:

Love Is Madness

The night had been riddled with touches, magnificent, warm, delicious and tender; things that neither party had ever experienced before in their young lives but had danced so gracefully it was as if they had known just what to do. They stayed awake together until the late hours of the night before falling asleep together in a knot of limbs; legs and arms twisted together in a symbol of love; skin on show, not a single piece of clothing covering either one of their bodies; only the blanket shielding them from the cold of the night; not that they even needed it thanks to their shared body heat. Their hearts had pounded so quickly that both of them had questioned silently whether they were going to have a heart attack or not; they skin had shivered, their bones had trembled; all of which had happened within such a small space of time but it felt like a wonderful eternity. Their love had been confirmed physically as well as emotionally within those hours and when they awoke in the morning things had changed almost magically.

Faith was the first to part her lids, blushing almost instantly when she remembered the nights events, which was a memory that entered her mind without a second thought. And almost immediately Gaignun too woke up, as if her waking woke him somehow. He grabbed her tighter, somehow clutching her body closer to his own; an action that was almost impossible with how close they already were but he somehow managed to pull it off. She moaned gently, wrapping her arms around his neck and met his beautiful emerald eyes with her sparkling gold ones, smiling as sweetly as she possibly could. And then he broke the silence with an alluring;

"Good morning," his morning voice rough.

And she replied gently; "Good morning, Master Gaignun," and he quickly reached to poke her nose softly.

"None of that Master business," he scolded softly. "Just Gaignun."

"Yes," she replied sweetly. "Gaignun. Good morning, Gaignun."

"Good morning, Faith," he smiled; a rare occurrence for the chairman but a thing that was becoming common in the presence of Faith. "Did you sleep well?"

"Very well, thank you," she replied, meeting his smile with one of her own. "Did you?"

He nodded and ran his fingers gently through her hair. For long moments he stayed in silence, enjoying the feeling of simply cradling the woman who had become the love of his life. Never in a million years did he expect to find a woman, let alone in the way that he did, and the woman that he did. A girl that was hidden as a realian who was once belonging to his brother? No, never did he even expect to meet a girl like that let alone to fall in love with someone like that. And then it hit him. He loved her. He actually loved the woman he was cradling so tightly in his arms. He love the woman he had physically touched during the night and had kissed so passionately and made such love to. And he knew that she loved him too. He could tell with the way that she looked at him; the way she spoke, kissed, touched and acted with him. And all he had to do was say it and hear it and all would be complete. But of course he was nervous to. But why? Why was he so nervous to say such three small words? Before he could think more of anything she interrupted his thoughts with something that had ended his nerves-

"I love you."

And those three words melted all the nerves that had built up within him and he couldn't help but widen the smile he had. He was unable to clutch her tighter and instead began to shower her in kisses; starting on her head, running down the side of her face, down her neck; over her showers; so quickly that she had begun to giggle and before he knew it he too was giggling with her, laughter filling the once desolate and empty bedroom. After what was a never ending amount of kisses, he finished; bringing his face close to her own and whispered in the sweetest possible way;

"I love you too," and with that he took her mouth with his own, stealing another kiss from her.

All the questions about what Faith was were long gone when they shared their moment together, and absolutely nothing mattered but the two of them. For long moments they stayed together before the alarm on Gaignun's phone began to ring, signalling it was time for them to wake up for the day. Faith showered first; donning her signature look as well as her sword, and wearing her usual clothes, while Gaignun showered after her; choosing his usual uniform to wear once he was done. Once they were both ready for the day they exited the small room. Before Faith could take a second step in the hallway Gaignun quickly grabbed her hand, clutching it tightly. When he did such a thing she froze, looking up into his eyes in slight confusion and he smiled down at her and whispered softly;

"We are a couple now," he told her softly. "I-If you wish," and he couldn't help but stutter nervously like a child; his heart racing.

Faith turned her confused look into a smile and nodded. "Of course," and she tightened her fingers around his own. "I'm sorry, I'm just not used to any of this," her face began to redden as she spoke.

"I must admit I am the same," he replied. "But I'm sure that together we will work it out."

And she nodded in response.

Together they strode down the halls of the Durandal, before Faith came to the bathrooms. Quickly she stopped in place and turned to Gaignun; "Do you mind if I use the restroom quickly?"

"Go right ahead," he replied, letting go of her hand. "I'll wait right out here for you."

"Thank you," she smiled sweetly before going inside of the bathroom.

The stalls were all empty apart from one and Faith took the one farthest from the entrance. Once she had finished her business she went to wash her hands; head down, concentrating on cleaning her hands yet on nothing at all. The stall that had been occupied opened but Faith paid no attention to it at all. She moved to grab some paper towels from the dispenser and when she did she saw something in the mirror that caused her heart to sickly skip a beat.

'Ma espoir,'

The figured of Albedo leaning on the stalls caused her to freeze in the spot. She had no idea of what to do or what to say as she stared at his figure; breathing coming in sporadic gasps. Her hands trembled, and she remembered the sword that she had but then her mind raced back to when she had stabbed him; he couldn't die. Nothing could harm the man that was giving her the most feral of grins.

"Are you not going to speak to me?" he purred out to her, folding his arms over his chest as he took a small step forward. "I've missed you over these last few days, ma espoir. It's time to come back home."

All Faith could do was whisper a dry; "No," before turning around to him; eyes full of horror and fright. She couldn't go back to him. She couldn't. Before she knew it a manic laugh emerged from Albedo's throat that caused her to shake. His face darkened and before she knew it he threw her straight to the ground; causing her to wince, though she refused to make any noise of pain; knowing it would fuel his desire.

He stood above her, looking down at her almost curiously; one leg on each side of her frame to prevent her from moving away before bending down; straddling her. She wriggled and winced, trying to push him off her but it was all futile. He was immensely strong compared to her still weak and emancipated frame. His fingers ran along the side of her frame, exploring where Gaignun had been just hours ago and she felt sick to her stomach. Sensing this he laughed evilly once more and breathed out;

"Oh don't worry, ma espoir, I won't ever take you without you wanting me to," he whispered darkly. And his next words affected her more then she imagined them to; "I will take you when you want me to. And trust me that day will come. I will take you when you will beg me."

"That will never happen," she hissed out, squirming, trying to get free. "How are you even here with no one knowing?"

"Skill, my dear," he laughed once more. "Now come, let's take you home."

"No, I refuse," she yelled, as he began to pull her up to her feet. She twisted as he grabbed her tightly; so tight that pain began to emerge from his grasp. Before she knew what to do she screamed as loud as she could; "Gaignun!"

Within seconds the door had swung open and stood there was Gaignun, shocked too by the sight of his brother; so astonished he froze for a mere second or two before reacting. Albedo wrapped an arm around Faith tightly, still grinning; almost even more with the sight of his brother.

"Let her go!" Gaignun yelled at him. And before he could speak more Albedo glanced at Faith, then to Gaignun and began to laugh hysterically.

"Oh how hilarious!" he couldn't help but muster between his laughter. "You've fallen in love with a doll! Why do both you and Rubedo think you have to satisfy yourselves with these toys?"

"She is not a toy," Gaignun hissed. "Let her go, now, leave and there won't be any trouble, I promise."

Albedo laughed. "No, dear brother. She's coming with me," and before Faith could do or say anything Albedo lunged for his younger brother; punching him straight in the face with such brutality and force it not only knocked him out but sent his limp body to the ground. Faith began to cry as Albedo grabbed her by the wrists and dragged her past her lovers body and out of the bathroom.

"Let me go," she begged as she tried to tear herself free. "Please let me go," she whispered again.

She knew that there was no chance of her getting free this time. No chance of being free. That was unless she could do one thing. There was that one person she could connect to mentally that she hadn't had the chance to yet. Rubedo? Rubedo, yes his name was Rubedo! As she was being dragged out of the bathroom she opened up the communication link and whispered;

'Rubedo, this is Faith, if you can hear me, please help me. Albedo is here in the residental bathrooms. He's trying to take me back. Please help me,' And she prayed, oh how she prayed, that this Rubedo person would come and save her. Albedo had heard the words too that she had shared through the mental link and he punched her; sending her to the ground. He stood above her; shaking in fury.

"You stupid girl," he hissed furiously. "No one will save you now. Don't you understand? You're mine, and mine only."

But before she knew it, she heard footsteps; fast ones, running towards her. Was this Rubedo? And the next thing she knew she saw Jr. standing beside her, face furious; cheeks as red as his hair thanks to the running he had been doing. Within moments Gaignun too was at his side, having woke up from being knocked out faster than anyone would have thought.

"You're outnumbered, Albedo," Jr. told him, pointing his guns at him. Faith moved on the ground, pushing herself to sit up as she looked at Jr. Was Jr. Rubedo? No, no need to ask questions now, only later. She had to be safe first. "Just leave."

Albedo looked down at Faith, then at Gaignun and Jr. before he gave a huff and whispered; "I will be back for her." and disappeared down the hall.

When he was out of sights, Gaignun dropped down to Faith's level and checked her over, ensuring that she was indeed okay. Jr. stood still, a frown on his face as questions loomed over his mind; how did Faith manage to speak to him? How did she know his true name? How did Albedo manage to get onboard the Durandal with no one knowing? So many questions, so little answers.

He looked down to Faith and asked her; "How did you communicate with me?"

"I don't know," she replied, meeting his eyes with her own; honesty clouded in her own. "I've always been able to join in on the mental link that Albedo, you and Gaignun have. I don't know how or why. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologise," Gaignun told her quickly. "How in the world did Albedo get here without anyone knowing?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Jr. replied. "We need to up security."

Gaignun sighed softly. At least Faith was safe. For now.