In some small back corner of Caroline's mind that had worried over Evander's lack of affection, his hesitation toward touch, the doubts melted. His hand gently touched her hair leaving her with the feeling of sinking deeper into him. It was amazing how much comfort a simple gesture could bring. A comfort that Caroline allowed herself to nestle into, safe and secure for the first time in what felt like her whole life. She lost track of time, of holding Evander, of Evander holding her. Time simply didn't matter.

When Evander stepped back the cold air blew back between them and Caroline's heart sunk. If she could have stayed like that all the rest of her days she didn't think she would have minded. When he only moved enough to see her face though, her mind calmed and a small smile crossed her lips as he gently wiped the tears away. His fingers left a trail of warmth behind.

Then his hands found hers like an anchor holding her sheltered in the harbor. "I am." In truth she wasn't sure, but she hated the lines of worry around his eyes, the wrinkles on his forehead that had creased him since she had left, she would not add to them. She would be fine in the long run, she was sure. "Just tired." And hungry and thirsty.... and scared.

His questions barely formed but she knew what he meant and squeezed his hands gently in reassurance. "A gentleman was kind enough to help me." She started, her smile tired on her lips. "When I reached the lifeboats they were almost all gone and all full and Elsie made sure I got on one." Otherwise Caroline was quite certain she would have been left to the waters and that ending would not have been as good of one. But that was where Caroline stopped. She was not ready to worry him with what it had been like on the boat of scared women with little food and little water. "Your brother finally found us yesterday." She ended tilting her lips into a smile.