Eoric didn't know who she was, but it was clear she was behind the mental attack on the wizard and he feared that she was being successful. He didn't ...now why, but he sensed Merlin was important to him in some way and he increasingly felt the need to try and protect him.Merlin became increasingly aware that he was connected to the apprentice blacksmith once more. He could feel the boy working inside his head on something and as Eoric's energy increased and some of the mental webs collapsed,. “And I love creating my reputation with YOU!” I added, stealing a quick kiss from her.She laughed, and we kept walking, hand-in-hand. We walked along the river and then finally back to the apartment to wait for Joyce, who arrived about ten minutes later. Joyce immediately checked everything that we’d purchased as well as what she’d brought with her and realized she was missing something.“I need four tomatoes,” she said. “I should have put them on the list for you and Kara to get, but I forgot.. The place I was staying at belonged a friend of mine,and he wasn’t due home from work until at least 6pm,so had the afternoon to ourselves, when I got back outinto the lounge-room, Jeff was sort of standing aroundlooking a bit lost, so I walked over and put my armsaround his waist from behind and gave him a cuddle,what happened next surprised me a bit, he twistedaround and the next thing I knew was his lips pressedagainst mine, out tongues and lips saying hell then hekissed down the side. .. how ... well, how beat up your clothing got from the explosion, I would have arranged for everything to be delivered to the hospital. As it is, we're going shopping, and then were getting your hair done. Whoever cut your hair needs to go back to barber's school. I will not take you home looking like I don't care about you."She was emphatic, and since she was not looking for an answer, I didn't give her one. Our driver seemed to adjust on the fly, and soon we were pulling up to Dillard's.