Ronan listened as Pandora traced along the scratch marks she had left on his skin last night; evidence of the terrible dreams she had experienced while he tried to protect in the conscious world.

"Yes, you did try to leave. More than once actually, but I didn't want you to leave me. I wanted you to be safe with me Pandora." he replied quietly his own emotions beginning to take him over.

She felt like a jig saw puzzle. And Ronan had made her whole, that made a bit of him swell inside for he knew that Pandora felt confused about the whole thing because she had been alone all those years, taking care of herself, being independent.

Although he didn't know what it was like to actually not feel entirely whole, other than missing his mother for most of his life, Ronan knew what it was like be independent for an extended period of time.

"Rose, I'm just as scared as you are." he admitted looking square into her grey eyes. "You're my first real relationship in...well ever actually. And I don't know what I'm doing half the time. I just know I want to do it with you because it feels right."

Ronan stroked the cat gently as he sat on his lap and mentioned to Pandora, "You know, I really love that dress on you." hoping to lighten the mood just a little bit.

With her serious request Ronan smiled kindly and leaned in to kiss Pandora gently on the lips. Lancelot was slightly squished by the action and let out a cry. Ronan pulled away with a chuckle and said, "Bugger off then you nosy cat." and let Lancelot off of the couch and onto the ground.

"I was so desperate for you to believe me last night when I said that I'd protect you always." Ronan began. "I know that always is such a heavy word to use in a new relationship and all but know this: that no matter what happens between us, whether we go the distance or become just good friends, I will always be there to protect you."


He paused, reaching out to touch her cheek with the palm of his hand. Her alabaster skin felt so smooth under his touch.

"I love you Rose, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Pandora listened to the him, guilt rising in her as his voice became heavy with emotion. Her cool fingers continued to gently stroke the damage that she had inflicted on him.

"My nightmare was making me think that I was putting you in danger. The werewolf... it took all of them from me. And last night it was taking you too. I'm so scared that you are going to realise that I am not worth all this trouble and end this. I couldn't just be your friend now Ronan. You've said it before, with us it's all or nothing. Always is a big word, but so is love and I love you. I always will love you. This is very new and we're just going to have to find our own way."

She returned his kiss, smiling against his lips. "Your kisses make me dizzy." she whispered as he banished the yowling cat.

When he complimented her on her dress she smiled. "It's on of the ones I bought for Venice. I'm so glad you like it."

She stood up and held out her hand. "I think it's time we moved forwards a little, if you want to that is." She smiled at him hopefully.

"Rose, never think that you're not worth it with me." Ronan said firmly. He strongly disliked the fact that Pandora always thought that he wouldn't like her just because of her flaws. It wasn't like he was perfect either. Half the time he was surprised that Pandora didn't say that she was done with him.

'Well she has done that actually hasn't she?'he thought back to that dreadful day back at the ice cream parlour and then shook his head momentarily to rid himself of the bad memory.

"Well maybe I should refrain from giving you any. I wouldn't want you to faint on me again." Ronan replied with a wicked glint in his eye.

"Gorgeous." he complimented once more with a wide grin.

Ronan looked at Pandora's hand a little confused by her comment and finally putting together what she meant. Standing up and taking her hand, he led her towards his bedroom, the wide smile still on his face.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Lancelot was following the pair and with a twinge pulling at his heartstrings he shooed the cat away saying, "Not tonight Lance. Go on now." before closing the door behind him.

End of Scene

Pandora awoke the next morning wrapped up in Ronan's arms. It took her several moments to remember the events of the night before but when she did she smiled widely. She turned gently so that they were facing each other and kissed him on the end of his nose. She could not believe how lucky she was to be with him at that moment.

Ronan grumbled slightly when Pandora kissed him on the nose.

Sleepily, he muttered, "Oh bloody hell cat, I'll feed you in a minute." before rolling over slightly bringing Pandora's arms around him like she was a human blanket and falling back to sleep.

Pandora giggled at his sleepy response to her kiss and her laughter grew as he pulled her closer to him like she was the blanket.

"So, Lancelot is the competition is he?" She peppered his face with little kisses, trying to wake him up.

"Alright alright, I'm awake you stupid animal." Ronan said, sleepily looking around for Lancelot and seeing Pandora instead.

Consciousness hit him like a ton of bricks and he felt his face flush.

"Oh Merlin Rose, I'm sorry I wasn't calling you stupid." he said apologizing. "I'm just so used to Lancelot coming in to wake me when he's hungry." Ronan added leaning forward to kiss her gently on the forehead.

"Did you sleep better?" he asked her concernedly, smiling all the while like a giddy school boy thinking of the previous night's events.

Pandora laughed even harder when he still continued to confuse her with Lancelot. When he started to apologise she tickled him, giggling with glee.

"It's okay, you were asleep!" She leaned forwards and gave him a proper kiss, still chuckling as she did so.

"Yes, I slept wonderfully." She had taken a potion for a dreamless sleep as insurance just after Ronan had fallen asleep. "I had you and I had my potion so I was safe and sound."

She reached her hand up and stroked his stubbly cheek. How did I manage to fall in to the lap of someone so handsome? She thought to herself.

"We've got loads to do today, but I think breakfast would be the best start." She pulled away from him slightly, realising that the silk slip she had slept in was twisted around her and in danger of ripping. "It's a good job I went and bought clothes yesterday before I came here." She smiled at him.

Ronan felt comforted by the fact that Pandora was in such a pleasant mood, enjoying the kiss as much as he could. His face flushed hoping she wouldn't notice his morning breath too much.

"Breakfast." Ronan repeated was if he was still trying to wake up and comprehend his surroundings. "I'll make it Rose." he offered with an almost childish smile on his face.

"Are these clothes as enticing as that dress was last night?" he asked with a wink and a cheeky grin.

Pandora looked at the sleepy, child-like smile on Ronan's face. "Okay, you make breakfast. I'll go grab a shower if that's ok."

She kissed him on the nose once more and smiled, standing up and feeling the cool morning air for the first time. "Enticing? I don't know, I bought jeans. The only other pair I had were ruined at the World Cup searching for that damn niffler. I don't wear them very often, but I think they're good to have."

She went and grabbed her shopping bag and then showered, getting dressed in the bathroom in jeans, a white vest top with a grey cardigan. She inspected her reflection. Still modest, but rather unladylike. She thanked Merlin that she had also bought a new hairbrush for the holiday and she dragged it through her hair. She stepped into the hall and called out "Ronan?" trying to work out where he was.

"Yep shower's fine with me. Towels are on the rack between the sink and the shower." he instructed her, finally standing up half naked from the waist up and too tired to care at that moment how in Merlin's name he looked.

Walking into the kitchen rubbing his eyes, he heard the call of the real Lancelot meowing to be fed. Ronan bent down and poured some of the dry cat food into the dish and then washed his hands before looking for ingredients for pancakes.

He busied himself with that and began to cut up some of strawberries he found in the fridge and was surprised when Pandora called out his name, and as a result cut his finger. "Oh bloody hell!" he swore under his breath and reached for some sort of napkin to stop his bleeding appendage.

Pandora heard Ronan swear softly from the direction of the kitchen and so she opened the door, looking for him. She saw him reaching out for a napkin from the previous night's dinner.

"What have you done?" She looked at his hand and saw the blood. She unsheathed her wand and pointed it at his wound. "Episkey" She murmured. She looked into his eyes and grinned. "Do you need me to kiss it better?" She laughed."Are you sure you're awake enough to be handling knives?"

"Cut myself on the strawberries." Ronan responded smiling warmly as she healed his wound.

"Please do kiss it better darlin'." he said with a wicked grin. "I think I may have hurt my lips in the process as well." Ronan added with a cheeky wink.

"Probably not, but I'm still determined to make you breakfast so sit yourself down at the table and I'll fetch you what you want for a drink while you wait." he commanded her, just as she had last night when he offered to help with dinner.

Pandora laughed when he said he'd cut himself on the strawberries. She took his hand in hers and kissed the newly healed skin lightly.

"Your lips too? How strange." She kissed him gently, slipping her arms around his waist.

When he instructed her to sit down she grinned. "Yes sir. I believe you know how I take my coffee? There's a jar in your cupboard." She winked. She had brought the type of coffee she preferred. If she was going to spend time here, it made sense. She released him and made her way to the table. Half way there she turned and held out her arms. "How does this outfit look? Mugglish?"

Ronan felt like being a little bit fresh and nipped at her bottom lip playfully before pulling away, ducking out of Pandora's swinging zone in case she wanted to hit him because of his cheekiness.

"Alright." Ronan said knowing exactly what she wanted and reached into the cupboard grabbing the jar and preparing the drink as such.

He turned to look at her when she asked if her clothes looked Mugglish. "Yes, they do look quite Mugglish and very fashionable." he said complimenting her. It had been a long time coming for Ronan to be in such a pleasant mood in the morning and so far, all was going splendidly.

Turning his attention to the top of the stove, Ronan began to flip the pancakes over marveling at the fact that he had gotten one side cooked a perfect light brown.

When he nipped her bottom lip and then pulled back from her kiss she shook her head ruefully. "I'll get you for that Mr. Cavanaugh, just you wait."

She smiled when he told her she looked mugglish, "Well you know me, I like to get things right. Although I don't know how they can wear these clothes all the time, they're not very feminine."

She watched as he busied himself in the kitchen, reflecting that she really was lucky. She fiddled with the vase and looked around her. "Where is Sir Lancelot this morning?"

"Oh I'll take my punishment from you willingly Rose." Ronan replied with a light chuckle.

"See that's the harder thing for me. Wearing robes all the time isn't exactly my favorite thing to do. They're always so billowy, I like a good pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt any day." he added in regards to their clothing conversation

"Over there eating his own breakfast." Ronan said pointing with his spatula to the spot near the reception room that he had put Lancelot's feeding dish.

Pandora simply arched an eyebrow at him, giving him a look that should be treated as a warning by any sensible person. She then laughed.

"Well that's exactly what I mean. These clothes are so similar to what men wear, they're just not elegant." Somer of her snobbery was showing through now and she tried to reign it in a little.

The plan she had formulated in the shower came tumbling out in an excited rush. "While you shower, I'll go and collect Tajma and Tadgh. When I get back we can discuss what we want to do in Venice. Have you packed? I can't believe that we leave the day after tomorrow!"

She looked over at Lancelot tucking into his food. Turning back to Ronan she said, "The smell lovely darling, my mouth is watering."

"Well I think you look fantastic in the clothes Pandora so don't worry about it so much eh?" Ronan replied flipping the pancakes off the skillet and onto two different plates.

As he placed the strawberries on the pancakes, Ronan felt his face flush slightly realizing that he hadn't even packed yet and he didn't want to admit it. "Yeah, I'm really excited myself." he said, avoiding the question all together as he brought the plates of food over and then turned on his heel to retrieve the beverages.

Placing Pandora's mug of coffee with honey next to her plate, Ronan gave a small kiss to her cheek and whispered, "Bon Apetit." before tucking into his own meal across the small table.

Pandora was a little shocked at his comment, it almost felt like a reprimand. She took pride in her appearance without being overly girly about it. She fiddled with the oversized cardigan but didn't say anything.

She watched him shrewdly as he dodged her question. "You haven't packed have you?" Some of the lightness had disappeared from her voice. "Not to worry, it won't take long. I'm only half done." She was still trying to work out which shoes to take, but she was not about to tell him that.

When he set the food in front of her and kissed her cheek, she smiled. "Thank you darling." Her voice had warmed up again. She tasted the pancakes. "Just as I thought, delicious, just like the chef."

"I was thinking... would it be okay if I stayed here until we leave? I'm dropping the creatures with Dora this afternoon, I've got a suitcase full of things and... well I'd really like to stay." She blushed.

"No I haven't packed Rose cos I really haven't had much time." Ronan admitted with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "Would you mind helping me this weekend?" he looked at her hopefully, thinking that his natural charm would rope Pandora into helping him with his packing.

"Awh shucks." he said playfully as she called him delicious. Neatly, he cut up a bit more of the pancakes and a piece of strawberry and put it in his mouth. The sweet taste of the fruit brought back memories of the two of them last night eating chocolate covered strawberries in the reception room.

When Pandora asked if she could stay here for the next few days Ronan grinned excitedly. "Why of course I'd love to have you here. I actually prefer it." he admitted still worried about her well-being particularly when night drew near.

Pandora smiled at him. "Of course I'll help you pack. You been working so hard and I just want to take care of you. Why do you think I cleaned you flat yesterday?" She grinned.

She concentrated on her breakfast as her stomach growled with hunger. She stole glances at him across the table, smiling at the thought that she would be mortified fir anyone to know about.

"Why of course I'd love to have you here. I actually prefer it."

Pandora lit up as thought someone had switched a light on inside her. "Lovely. I'm so glad I fell into your lap you know."

"Why of course I'd love to have you here. I actually prefer it." she mulled his words over as she sipped her coffee. There were many possible interpretations to what he had said. To protect her foolish heart she chose to believe that he wanted to be around her because of the newness of the relationship and not for a deeper, more long term reason.

"I knew something was different!" he said pointing his fork at her in realization. Ronan hadn't noticed it at first in his sleepy stupor, but as he continued with his making breakfast he had noticed that everything seemed near to spotless and he was wondering how it happened.

"Ah well fate was on my side that day because I don't know where I'd be without you Rose." he said with a small grin before taking a sip of his tea.

Finishing up the last of his pancakes he brought his dirty dishes over to the sink and finished off the rest of the contents of his mug. Stretching his arms up over his head he subconsciously was giving Pandora a good look at his upper body.

"Y'know what I was thinking on the other day?" he asked Pandora running a hand through his messy bedhead. "I was thinking of getting a new tattoo. Perhaps of a Rose?" Ronan looked to Pandora, wondering if she would approve of it.

"I'll let you think on it while I take a shower." he decided giving her a small grin and turning on his heel to walk towards the bathroom and get refreshed and smelling nice for the day ahead.

Pandora laughed at his oblivious nature. "Yes, something is different. I was beginning to wonder if you were walking around with your eyes shut." She teased.

Pandora watched him as he cleared up, smiling at his comment about not knowing what he would do without her. "No, I wouldn't want to go back to how I was before I met you. I thought I was happy but I really wasn't living, I was just existing." When he stretched her smiled widened.

"Wh-what?" Pandora stammered. "A new tattoo? How big? And where?" She was a little taken aback. Marriages could be dissolved, property split between warring spouses, but she knew of no spell to remove a tattoo. That was... permanent. She gulped. Before she could ask him anything else he was walking away. "Hey, don't I get a kiss before I go and round up that mad kneazle of mine? I'm going to go and get my things, remember?"

"Ah you, such a tease to a sleepy bloke." Ronan said with a genuine smile.

Ronan blinked as Pandora explained how she lived in her former life. "That explains how I was perfectly actually." he noted with a nod of his head.

"Bout the size of a normal grown white rose and probably on one of my forearms, not really sure which one I fancy it on more." Ronan said looking down at his arms.

He turned around and rushed to her grabbing ahold of her quite tightly and planting a rather passionate kiss on her lips before loosening his grip. "I'll miss you Rose." he said, sounding a bit pathetic, like he'd never see the young woman again. "Hurry home soon." Ronan insisted.