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"You may remain with me, but I'll not leave her" He turned on his heel and strode back to Belle's bedside She was breathing evenly It was a good sign He put his hand on her forehead Damn It was even hotter than before He doubted she'd be breathing so evenly in an hour's time

Caroline followed hi?" she whispered

John nodded He reached down, picked up a cloth which had been soaking in cool water, and wrung it out "There you go, sweetheart," he crooned, laying it on her hot forehead Shein her sleep and fitfully shifted positions She tossed about again and then suddenly opened her eyes wide Her expression was filled with panic

"Shhh, I' her cheek Belle seemed to take some comfort in that and slowly let her eyelids flutter shut John had the impression that she'd never really seen him

Caroline sed nervously "I think we should send for a doctor"

"At this tiht?"

She nodded "I'll see to it"

As John sat by Belle's side, carefully and worriedly watching over her, hiscomment she had made several hours earlier

Doesn't matter if you love me back

Was it possible that she loved him unconditionally? Even with his past?

Always love you

And then it suddenly occurred to him-no one had ever said those words to him before

John lifted the cloth from Belle's forehead and cooled it off in the basin of water He didn't have ti sorry for hione hungry or been abused He just hadn't been loved, and he suspected that thousands of children across Britain had shared sirown fitful John immediately turned his full attention to her

"Stop," she ently shook her by the shoulders "You're having a nightmare" Dear God, it tore him up to see her this way Her face was flushed and feverish, and her entire body was covered by a thin sheen of perspiration He tried to push her hair out of her eyes, but she batted his hand away He wished he kne to use one of those blasted hair things she always had lying around She'd be more comfortable if he could secure her heavy tresses away from her face

"Fire," Belle moaned

"There's no fire here save the one in the fireplace"

"Too hot"

John quickly wrung out the wet cloth