"I..." Her voice shook, and eventually she took his hands and ran his finger over the raised scars
Daniel frowned before he felt the scars and his breath hitched. His expression softened. "Oh Angel.." He hugged her.
"You know I used to get sick before? No meds, no family, no world, no hope."
He nodded. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"You didn't do this, I did."
"Still..." He tightened the hug briefly before leaning back.
"Wasn't worth it, without you," Angel murmured
Daniel reached out to touch her face. "I'm sorry I took so long."
"Don't, I'll cry and the kids don't need that."
"OK." He leant forward and kissed her softly. "Better help me the rest of the way then."
Angel supported him back up to the shack. "Honey, we're here, go for Buck, please"
"Are they OK? Did they wake up?" Daniel asked, feeling the bubble of panic swell in his chest.
"Still spark out, was I right? I was!" Honey beamed, before taking off in the direction of the village.
Daniel blinked as she didn't give chance to answer. "I go check on them and see if they're gonna wake up."
Angel hung back, scared to approach.
Daniel limped over and dropped down onto his knees by the two children. He brushed his fingers lightly through their hair, both stirring but not waking at his touch and soft inaudible words.
"Have they chosen new names? Have you?" She asked
Daniel nodded, wincing as he shifted into a proper kneeling position. "I forget a lot of the time, with mine... really not used to it. I only agreed to stop Dylan calling me Mr Carlisle," he said. "Scotch for me, Mensa for Dylan... Jessie chose Star."
"Why those names?" Angel asked, reaching out to brush Jessie's hair. She was scared that if she stopped talking she'd be swamped by the emotions of the moment.
"Sam used to call him Mensa," Daniel said softly. "Scotch because I'm part Scottish and Star... because of you."
"She chose my name?" Angel rocked back on her haunches. "I loved you both so much."
Daniel nodded. "We loved, love, you too." He let out a low groan and shifted to sit down, knees bent. "I don't think they're waking up anytime soon. Sorry."
"Rest, please. I can come back tomorrow?"
"Or you could stay? If you wanted to. If it would be alright with your friend?"
"I've stayed here before, when the village gets too loud, she'll be fine."