"Good morning, my love," Irene said, her voice softer than usual.  "I half expected you to be gone," she admitted, easing up after a kiss and a caress.  She smiled down at Sam and kissed him once more.  "I'll go place our breakfast order and request a few dozen buckets of hot water.  I need a bath."<br/><br/>Rising, Irene combed her long, sun streaked brown hair back from her face with her fingers and walked to the armoire.  She pulled out a dressing gown and some rather old, worn out slippers.  This dressing gown was made of sterner stuff than her silk Kimono and nothing was revealed as she swirled the flannel fabric around her and cinched in the waist with the belt.  She buttoned the two buttons above the belt and the one below and then, with one more look at Sam, headed down to the kitchens.<br/><br/><div align="center">***</div><br/>Irene was back before long, a bucket of hot water in either hand.  "They'll be coming shortly, Sam," she called, easing into the room.  "The food will be a bit slower."  She moved to the bathroom and set the buckets down and then sat down on the edge of the tub, running a finger over the porcelain surface to be sure she'd cleaned it.<br/><br/>Memories of their last bath brought a pleased curl to her lips.  And, then she yawned.  She could sleep for another day, she mused.  But, they'd been busy.  Physical and emotional tolls had been taken.<br/><br/>"Are we heading out to that fort? What was its name?  Merced...Mercy...no, Mercer. Fort MErcer.  The fact that the Marshall warned us off makes me want to go there twice as bad.  I must be first cousin to a fool," she muttered.