Wake Up

Please, enjoy! And REVIEW!

-Luky

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Chapter Eight

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Enter the Guardian

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She’d been home for a few hours, preparing a lonely dinner for herself, in hopes that the smells of cooking would arouse some feeble response of hunger from the scent. It hadn’t been working so far.

She’d prepared a lovely slice of tender chicken breast-- steamed cooked with fresh herbs, tomato and garlic- sautéed in a light, but expansive white wine to give it a hint of tangy flavor. Her puree mixture of cheese, bacon, sun dried tomatoes and more was starting to bubble noisily so she added more cream to the mixture and gave it a quick stir. She wandered around her kitchen, searching in her cabinets for the Italian fettuccini noodles she needed to get into the boiling pot of water she’d already prepared.

There was no real sense in preparing a meal like this-- not just for one person-- but she found that the task kept her busy and occupied her. She’d been cooking for about two hours, preparing all the ingredients and making sure she’d chopped up her spices and herbs to tiny little portions so as not to get an offending peace of rosemary to stab her in the gums. But she felt it was important to actually create something that was better then the normal garbage kids her age ate and so she didn‘t mind the preparation. Nothing beats a home cooked meal.

Plus it was one of the things she was extremely good at. Her father always insisted that if she does anything that doesn’t require that “big head” of hers then she should be a chef and run a restaurant. However, unlike her father, she had not taste for dictating the actions of other people. In fact, she hated being in control of things like that-- every time she tried she came out as pushy. Still, it would be nice for somebody to try her food once in awhile to reaffirm just how good she really was.

Humming lightly to herself, she danced around the candlelit kitchen, twirling and beating her cream slathered spoon in the air as if she was a conductor of a great orchestra, or choir. It could have been she was pulling in her childhood memories of Beauty and Beasts and willing the pots and pans to continue to cook for themselves and after Spain, she wasn’t sure what the limits of the world really were anymore.

She had tried all day to relax away her stress-- going to the library had been unpleasant to say the least, and she’d tried to steer her thoughts away from Spain and from Leon-- but it hadn’t worked very well.

Humming to herself, she danced around the candle lit kitchen. The overhead light seemed to dance on her body and the overhead light was shining down on her long hair, making her whole face sparkle. It was late-- past 5 and she was just finishing dinner for the day. She was firm believer in eating early was healthier then eating late-- but cooking for her hadn’t always gone that way.

She was busy stirring her puree in the pan when she heard the doorbell ring. Startled, she dropped the spoon in the pan, causing the puree to splatter up into the air around her face. She jumped back from the stove, and turned her frightened eyes towards the door. Terrified she grabbed a knife she’d been dicing tomatoes with and crept towards the door.

Stepping to it she stood on her tippy toes, her feet immersed in feathery soft cloth as she slid in her pink bunny slippers. Straining, she managed to peek one eye up through the eye hole, and was shocked and relieved when she saw Rick’s face mirrored in the view- a brilliant smile across his lips. Heaving a heavy sigh, she relaxed and opened the door slightly-- her fingers grazing the hidden alarm switch against the door frame.

“Now if I didn’t know any better-- I’d say you were stalking me, Ryan was it?” she asked, feigning disinterest and not remembering his name. He made a face, his mouth moving to form an O of shock before he laughed and, holding up a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers said, “The names Ryan and well, since you can’t go to the party-- I figured I’d bring the party to you!”

She laughed despite herself as she had to ask, “How did you know where I lived?”

He grinned, holding out the bouquet for her to take and once she did, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny card. Upon closer inspection in the light she realized it had her face on it. It was her driver’s license. She couldn’t believe how stupid she had been.

“You left it on the counter and I saw it when I was finished in line so I picked it up-- being the only gentlemanly thing to do would be to return it I decided since you weren‘t a ‘clubbing type of girl I’d do the only thing a handsome young bachelor would do-- and that’s bring wine and flowers.” He paused for a moment while she gave him a pleasantly bemused look, “I also brought along my dashing looks and remarkable wit incase any of that interested you?”

She laughed, feeling her tension in her body start to slip away. He was so light and easy-- that it was almost like she was able to just forget about all her issues. It was a relief, even if her senses told her to be guarded, to let them down every once in a while. As she thought to herself she felt her hand slip away from the emergency button.

“Well I thank you for the wine… and the license… but I’m pretty busy right now…” she trailed off trying to shut the door. He moved quickly, placing his hand against the door frame effectively stopping her from closing the door on him and gave her a wicked smile.

“No a man comes over expressing his complete interest and you shut the door on him?” he said with a laugh and then added, “honey-- I’m wounded!” and placed a hand on his heart looking genuinely beat minus the obvious sarcasm in his voice. Giving a little laugh she relaxed and felt her insides churning at the small endearment. The only person who’d called her names like that had been her father and Leon.

‘Leon…’ she thought sadly, remembering the way that he looked even when they’d spent days out in the heat and feeling sick.

Taking her by surprise she felt the door push open as he peered over her shoulder, sniffing the air and looking highly interested about the interior of the studio-like apartment, “Smells like somebody knows where a woman’s talents really lie…” he said, pushing past her and walking straight into his apartment.

She felt her attitude flare at the sexist comment but stuffed her temper down. She’d been too tired all day from everything she’d been doing that she didn’t feel like letting him hear her opinion on the matter. Plus, he’d been nice enough to bring her license but it seemed like it was more on his way of finding out where she lived. That was a little weird…

“Well my father wasn’t much of a cook so I learned after my mother died,” she said softly, a bit of her attitude coming out into the open despite herself, “otherwise it would have been take out every night.”

“Or charity dinners?” he said without looking at her.

Insulted she said, “Key word being, charity.”

A little perturbed that he’d invited himself in and been a little odd since entering her apartment, she took her license and carried it over to her purse on the counter, putting the cutting knife behind it. Despite herself, she didn’t want to take any chances-- and she’d die from embarrassment if he saw she was carrying a knife. He’d probably call her a maniac after seeing her library list this afternoon, she thought humorlessly.

“Look I‘ve had a long day and thanks for your help but I really didn‘t need it. I‘m sure you knew I could get another license…” When he didn’t answer she continued, feeling a little rude, “I wasn‘t preparing enough for two people but I might be able to make it work for two if you‘ll accept a home cooked meal as repayment.” Despite having just met the man she felt oddly connected to him. He made her feel odd, almost nervous but not really and not in the kind of nervous butterfly affect when you met someone you might be attracted to. She didn’t trust her instincts after her run in with the Los Illuminados. It was hard for her to trust anyone, let alone a complete stranger.

“I’d like that.” he said, smiling at her with the same award winning smile he’d been giving her each time she saw him. He turned to study her desk and moved confidently around the room. He was so cocky and sure of himself. It was almost relieving to have that kind of personality around her even if she didn’t appreciate it to much.

“To go, right?” she said to herself, her hands on the counter where she’d set the knife behind her purse.

“Looks like you just moved in,” he said, completely ignoring her comment and looking around the room. His eyes had a strange way of taking in every little detail that reminded her of her bodyguards. It made her wonder what he did for a profession. It was unnerving but at the same time interesting, and she wasn’t about to throw away company-- even if she’d already brought some home a few days earlier.

“Yeah… I needed something a little bigger even though it’s just me-- plus I really wanted to be by the school and by the ocean…” she said looking towards the balcony where she’d been setting up a table to eat at. Thinking about it she grabbed the candles on the counter that she’d been planning to light and put outside on her little table and headed for the door.

“You like the ocean?” he called out to her. She had disappeared with two candle holders onto the balcony behind the white sheer curtains that were floating eerily in the wind. It was a great night to eat outside and even though she had been looking forward to a peaceful evening alone. She came back into the room, looking a little flustered but otherwise high spirited as she came to the counter-- giving her boiling pasta a turn.

“Well… yes. Something about it makes me feel safe. I never really went into it much as a kid but it was always refreshing to hear the waves breaking against the shoreline. It sooths me and helps me sleep.”

“You have trouble sleeping?” he asked and she chided herself for being so forth coming with every bit of information. He was really good at that.

“I… well, not really…” she lied as she walked over to the pasta and dumped it into a strainer. “How about you? Like the beaches?” she asked, turning to look at him, a noodle she’d tasted to see if it was cooked all the way dangling from her mouth.

He sighed, “I love the beach. I’m always there-- not much for it now though. Every time I go on the beach I have bad memories. I‘d think with your bad history with beaches you wouldn‘t want to be anywhere near them?” he asked her.

When she was finally able to make out some of the faces on the beach she stiffed without realizing it, instantly afraid that she may face danger on those banks. Her haunted eyes shown a glimmer of brightness at the realization that the people on the beach were in fact, normal human beings-- people who weren’t trying to kill her, but who were trying to see what was going on. Not to mention, Leon wasn’t going to let any of them hurt her, duty or not.

“Well it seems you know a lot about me and I don‘t really know anything about you, Rick was it?” she said giving him an odd glance and he shrugged, looking away and back out onto the balcony towards the water…

“I try not to let those memories hurt me, you know? I think my mother would have wanted it that way in the end? It’s best to put the past behind you and move on with your life and she wouldn‘t want me hating it forever. Funny that everyone seems to know everything about me.” she said slowly, trying to pull away from her hazy memories. She didn’t want to remember-- hadn’t wanted to in more then a few months. A few years.

She watched as he turned away from the balcony and strutted towards her. It was impossible not to notice the obvious swagger he had in his hips. She could tell he was a real lady killer even though his nose was pretty awful looking. She wasn’t much for blonds but she’d decided that she wasn’t really interested in dating anyone, or even going out at all. Not for a while anyway. Not for a long time.

He was watching her closely, as he opened the bottle of red wine he’d bought, popping the cork out with the cork screw she’d had out for her own wine she’d used to cook. Pouring it into the class she watched the way the red liquid seemed like blood swirling from the tip of a pistol. He was twirling the delicate stem between his fingers and eyeing her closely. She felt like his gaze was trying to see into her thoughts and it made her uncomfortable.

“Well I‘d like to know everything about you, Ashley.” his tone had changed, dangerously so as he eyed his glass, admiring the way the warm sparkling liquid danced along the curved cup. Ashley felt a dizzying rush flood her head as she remembered all the blood. So much blood.

A little dizzy she laughed to herself, refusing to give in to that obvious charm as she said, “well pick a book and turn on a TV. I’m sure ET has lots of interesting things to say about me and you can decide from that what’s true.”

He smiled, twirling the glass in his strong fingers. She felt her insides quiver-- and she chided herself. She shouldn’t be afraid of him, but she, try as she might, couldn’t help her fingers that slowly slid along the counter towards her purse which was beside her. Something about the atmosphere in the room was changing.

“Well why would I talk to ET when I have the real source right in front of me? And you’ve been unreachable for weeks- months. Nobody’s heard a peep from you in months and why would that be, Ashley?”

She groaned inwardly at the question and her defenses kicked in. “I don’t believe I’m here for an interview.” she said, snapping at him angrily as fear went ablaze in her heart like a wildfire. He was different. He was acting different. Forcing her voice to be as steady as possible she said, “I really think you should take your meal to go Mr. Rick.”

His eyes suddenly flew to hers-- having lost their shine, all traces of laughter gone as his brows lowered dangerously and his voice dropped in pitch. “Well that’s what I’m here for, you know? Not for a meal. I came for information. I came to figure out what it was you were doing almost 4 months ago. Where were you Ashley?” he asked without a smile, his eyes glinting in the overhead light. The wine looked like blood now.

“I don’t know what your talking abo--” she started but her interrupted her calmly, his voice laced with reserved anger.

“Well you see, we all have our bad memories but my worst memory seems to be when I first saw you on the beach in Spain. I was supposed to be on vacation and imagine my shock and surprised when America’s sweetest face was being dragged up the beach, covered in blood and passed out?”

She froze, her utter horror reflected in his mirthless eyes. It was as if he’d disappeared behind a mask with a bulbous face that was twisted in anger behind that broken nose. Her insides shrieked for her to run-- flashes of memory exploding in her vision as her adrenaline surged through her veins. She watched, stunned as he got up from her brand new swivel chair and stalked slowly towards her-- the kindly smile and swagger gone.

“You see-- I can’t manage to forget about the beach, Ashley-- I can’t forget seeing you on the beach with that man-- covered in blood. What were you doing there that day??”

She inhaled sharply, her defensiveness kicking in, “Who are you?!” she asked in a flat, angry tone.

“I’m Rick Reynolds-- Do you remember my name now? Oh, don’t remember me? I remember you-- that’s how my nose got broken, you don’t recall?” He said as he advanced towards her, his voice shifting to the more familiar upbeat tone before dropping again. “I used to work for ET but I got fired when I disappeared without any notice for 3 months in a fucking dungeon.”

“Your… you’re a reporter?” she asked, whispering it like a dirty word. How the hell did he find her? How the hell did he know about Spain? She tried to recall the faces she’d seen on the beach but she’d been too far away and too exhausted that she’d just passed out. She didn’t even know who this man was and what had happened to him. A dungeon? Was he insane?

“That’s right. And because of you I was thrown into a tile room for coming in contact with you. I lost my job-- my girlfriend-- my apartment-- everything! Your dumb ass bodyguard even broke my fucking nose!!” He spat the words angrily but his face didn’t deviant from its tortured mask. She couldn’t feel pity when she was awash with fear-- couldn’t feel anything but terror as he advanced slowly on her.

‘Well it doesn’t look that bad…’ she thought numbly. The thought popped into her mind and it gave her the insane urge to laugh at the ridiculousness of it.

“What do… what do you want?!” she asked weakly backing away from him as he closed the distance between them.

“Well I’ve only got a couple of questions to ask, if you will Ms. Graham. Scratch that-- a lot. Starting with what you were doing on the beach? Who was that man who was carrying you-- secret service? I need this story you see to make up for everything you‘ve done to me. If I get a good story from you without any trouble then I might just not have to hurt you…“ She felt her insides turn to ice as his obvious rage showed through the calm mask of his face. She trembled, paralyzed to the spot by those crystal blue eyes. How could she ever think they reminded her of Leon-- Leon never glared as this man was doing now? Leon wouldn’t hurt her. Not on purpose.

‘Leon…’

“He…lp…” she whimpered as he stepped closer, taking one shaking step back, unable to see the knife hiding behind her purse. Suddenly she was overwhelmed with a sense of dread. Leon wasn’t here to help her-- nobody was. Leon wasn’t coming; he hadn’t called or even tried to contact her since the last time she remembered seeing him on the beach. He didn’t care and it was obvious. And she was in this tiny apartment with all its fancy gadgets that meant nothing when she couldn’t reach them to call for help.

“What’s that you say?” he whispered lowly, creeping towards her. She was so confused-- what did she ever do to this man? How did he know her from the beach, she couldn’t even remember most of it… all of it practically. She knew that Leon had been there and had taken her out of there but that was it. She hadn’t done anything to this man.

“Help me… Leon…” she whispered, unable to break the habit of reaching out to the only man she felt she could. But he was nowhere near her now-- and she had nobody to depend on but herself. She was completely alone.

‘Alone…’

‘Alone just like when Mom died.’ she thought wildly.

She hadn’t moved in what felt like ages. She tried to stop the furious beating of her heart but despite herself she couldn’t seem to relax and couldn’t move from where she stood next to her purse. As he took a steady, powerful step towards her she felt her inside shudder in fear.

“You see, it’s because of you that I was thrown into a little cell for several months-- I couldn’t go anywhere, do anything. They watched me shower and shit in their and fed me slop to eat while you were off fine dining with Daddy, or isn’t that right? A Charity dinner was it?” he asked stepping so close she could almost reach out and touch him.

Suddenly he pounced and her vision blurred as his hands whipped around to cruelly grab her arm and twist in towards him. She gave a cry, feeling her heart flop over as he pulled her close-- too close-- too close. She had to protect herself; she was the only person here to do it. If she could just get to an emergency button…

As he was speaking she reached over him with her free arm towards her purse, biting her lip in determination as her hands grappled with the slippery knife still slick with tomato juices. He was too slow to see her turn and bring the knife slicing down against the skin of his arm that was gripping her, bruising the fragile skin on her arm. Blood seemed to suddenly blossom from the wound that was at least 2 inches long, but shallow.

He gasped in shock, staring in shock as the blood flowed freely down his arm. She used that opportunity to squirm away, stomping on his foot and running as fast as he could around the island in her new kitchen. She was running to her nightstand where there would be an emergency button and intercom. She was just about to reach it when she felt her head snap back-- painfully making her scream out in shock and fear.

Her vision blurred as Rick grabbed her by the hair, swinging her around and slamming her against the wall-- both of his hands reaching up to press her against it hard. She was slightly dizzy from having her long hair jerked but tried to regain control as quickly as she could to hear him hissing in her ear.

“You BITCH!” He screamed, slamming her against it again making her stomach roll with nausea and fear. Dizziness flooded her vision as her head made another sickening THWACK against the hard drywall. She moaned in fear as he held her against the wall with his own body. She felt like a trapped animal as she felt her memories sweeping up from the depths of her subconscious where all her worst memories were hidden…

Memories she had buried-- horrible memories of being held down-- hurt and humiliated radiated through her causing her to shake violently. Blood staining her skin and dripping along her thigh. She was screaming. Screaming for Leon. Screaming and screaming and screaming-

“No… leave me alone!” she cried, starting to struggle against him but his breath was hot in her ear as he pinned her flailing body against the wall. She gasped as his face appeared, inches from her face, and she could see the anger and pain within the man’s dazzling blue eyes-- once so friendly but now so blatantly angry.

Trying to get away and feeling his warm blood washing over her arm and chest she gave a desperate kick at his knee and groin but missed as he jerked his body to the side. Rethinking his position he placed both knees between her legs, in effort to stop her from kicking again. She felt the blood pouring from his arm drip onto her exposed thigh and for an awful instant she was back in the castle…

…sitting in the room she felt sick and wanted to puke. Blood from her ordeal had been smeared against her thigh, making it impossible to forget what had happened. It was okay, she’d forget… she didn’t want to remember it. Her skirt was torn and her legs shook as pain continuously throbbed from her stomach up, her entire body aching…

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” She gave a sudden, earth shattering shriek that was full of horror as the memory threatened to resurface. An inhumane strength filled her as latent strength pulsed through her veins and she lifted her knee as hard as she could against his side, using her nimble body to kick him hard enough to make him drop her. As she felt her shaking legs connect with the floor she pushed away from him while he was desperately trying to gain his breath back.

She bolted, her eyes bulging as she ran towards her bed, blindly reaching for any kind of weapon to defend herself. She grunted like a trapped animal as she grabbed a pillow from her bed, disturbing its occupant and sending her scuttling to the floor with a yelp of surprise. Rick advanced quickly, “You fucking bitch!!” He yelled, getting close to her again grabbing her by the arms and throwing her against the bed.

She scrambled against the bed, trying frantically to run away from the horrible memories that were swimming past her eyes feeling the sheets reach up and trap her it‘s many folds. “No!” she screamed, “I don’t want to REMEMBER! Stop! Leave me alone-- don’t TOUCH ME!!”

She gasped as his hand grabbed at her ankle, pulling her down her silken sheets making her feel as if she was floating. She slid against the sheets, her hands flying to her skirt to keep it from flaring up above her waist-- to preserve her modesty, what little left she had. She’d made it out of Spain just to be abused at the hands of a damned crazy man? She was desperate to get away, almost feral in her fear. He was going to hurt her like she had been-- she couldn’t bear it, she’d rather die then be hurt like that again!!

He reached for her thigh, his blood covered hand still gripping her ankle when she saw a blur of blue and black flash behind him. Closing her eyes she felt the pressure on her legs immediately cease as she saw Rick’s eyes widen in surprise as he seemed to float into the air above her, his hands cart wheeling in the air before he flew to the side towards her couches. She gasped, shocked as she opened her eyes, hardly believing what she saw as she watched him crash into the leather couch.

“Leon?!” she cried out, staring in disbelief at him as he pounced on the other, smashing his fist angrily against his face, sending him flying again. He seemed to ignore her-- he was consumed with a rage she’d only seen a few times before while in Spain and her shock at what was happening and finally seeing him again was too great to allow any real excitement and joy. Just shock.

Rick gave a futile groan of pain as Leon hefted him to his feet, kneeing him hard against the groan before pushing him back against the wall. He looked exactly the same as he did in her memories, only now he was wearing a dark blue pair of blue jeans that fit him well. She was amazed at how good he managed to look even while furious. Realizing how things must have looked she shamefully tried to cover herself as he leaned over, examining the man and pulling out a cell phone.

“Seth.” she heard him say.

“There’s been an issue at my apartment, have Hunnigan send over a SP to come retrieve him.” he paused, listening; “how the hell could you have hid this from me?”

She listened with a half ear, feeling on the verge of fainting as the adrenaline in her system seemed to cause her to flow to the brink of exhaustion. He talked angrily into the phone for a minute longer before looking over his shoulder at her, catching her eyes with his.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him but he turned away and she was left feeling oddly put off-- and she maybe even a little lost. She wanted him to turn around and address her-- pay attention to her-- she needed him… God, what would have happened had he not come? She felt tears spring to her eyes and felt her body moving before she realized it.

“Well thanks a lot for the warning; you can tell the President I am done with these games.”

“Leon?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. He turned to see her walking towards him on shaky legs. She seemed so lost and frail-- so womanly. He tried to fight the thought from entering his mind but the only thing he could see was the way her eyes seemed to devour him with their gaze. It was as if she was the window to a completely different world and he was being sucked right in.

He didn’t hesitate, he quickly closed the distance between him in a few short strides, abandoning the man on the floor and forgetting all else, including the backup that was coming. He stopped just short of her, his arms aching to take hold of her-- to keep her steady and hold her up. The urge to hug her was so strong but he held her arms length away from him, lightly touching her so as not to hurt her.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, looking her over quickly.

She couldn’t tell what he was thinking from the look on his face but she knew she just had to make sure he was real-- she’d been through so much…. She had been so lonely these past few months without even so much as a word. She’d longed for this moment everyday-- to say thank you for everything he’d done for her-- for protecting her… for so much…

“Ashley…I-” he stopped as she suddenly seemed to tip forward against him, her face pressing against his chest as she wrapped her slender arms around him. He stiffened, his eyes widening, and was unsure of how to react but his arms moved without him realizing it to press her against him, holding her closer against him as she seemed to sag in relief.

He could smell her hair… it was so light and utterly feminine, like the soft curves that he could feel pressed against him. He hadn’t known she felt this good until he was holding her again, and no memory was enough. Even as warning bells rang in his head he looked down at her as she tilted her tear filled eyes to meet his. The swam in the darkness of the room, mesmerizing him as he moved one hand to her cheek, lightly wiping the tears that had spilled there. The soft texture of her skin against his seemed to freeze his hand there, cherishing in the feel of her--

“Leon…” she whispered, her heart swimming and her heart fluttering against her chest as she felt him smooth his hand across her cheek, his other coming up slowly to gently cup the back of her head. She felt the warmth of his breath fan across her tear streaked face. She felt a small choking sob come from within her as she felt the tenderness in his hand against her face.

She was crying… Damn him, it turned him on. He was so relieved. He’d heard the screaming and it wasn’t something he could ever forget. Hearing it again was like a memory-- a nightmare of his own that he hadn’t thought he’d hear so soon. But as he stared down at her he felt his boundaries start to crumble beneath the intense yearning he saw in her eyes.

Liquid heat pooled inside him as he struggled against the intoxicating warmth of her body pressed against him and he felt his hands tip her face towards him. The sound of his name passing from her lips was enough to draw his eyes there, flickering upon restraint and need. He watched her eyes flutter closed with trust, desire and something else he couldn’t name.

Before he knew it, he was leaning over her-- their lips touching. His control sputtered out and died like a failing engine and he was drawn into the unrelenting waves of relied, need, fear, lust, and so many things he never let loose ever before. They brushed lightly at first, hesitantly, yet shaking with a restrained need as she breathed softly, looking up at him startled and trembling in his arms. He felt her breath catch in surprise as he looked at her, pressing against her silkiness again, her eyes swimming dangerously as he deepened the kiss, wrapping one arm around the small of her back and anchoring her in place.

Her mind went blank as she saw the look in his eyes as he kissed her, watching them fall closed with passion. As she felt his mouth sliding hungrily over hers she felt something inside of her break loose like storm wave crashing on the sand. The emotions swarmed through her, fogging her brain as she felt his soft motions against her lips and she gave into him willingly-- wantonly. She was breathless, but they didn’t stop as the kiss became more and more intense. She was clinging to him as her arms somehow found their way around his neck, pulling him against her weakly.

Distantly he was aware of the blue and red lights beginning to fill the room. It had only been a moment but it felt like hours as she felt his hand tease the skin of her hip where her blouse had slid up and the touch sent fire racing along her skin to her heart, where it burned intensely in her heart making her head light and her body limp in his arms. She would have fallen over but as always, he held her in place, enjoying the taste of her as she did him and protecting her-- strengthening her.

‘I can’t believe… you’re here…’ she thought as tears slipped from her closed eyes, her lips trembling as she felt the urge to cry with relief. As she felt the kiss start to stop she opened her eyes, startled to see that the room was filled with light. People would be here any minute. What would they say? Would they take him away again??

He slowly tried to pull away, easing his way out of the kiss and withdrawing from her as his hands fell to her arms, away from the sweet temptation of her skin. She stopped, her lips swollen from kissing and her head swimming with too many emotions to name-- she felt as if she were floating, the butterflies erupting as he lightly placed his forehead on hers, trying to hide from her questioning eyes still shimmering with tears.

‘What have I done?’ he thought, horrified at his self. He couldn’t deny what he’d felt and it felt damn good. It felt damn right that was for sure. But Jesus… what had he done?!

“Leon..?” she questioned as he leaned back, his hair partially obscuring his eyes. She looked up, hope and tears shining in her eyes. It was something… wasn’t it? Surely that meant he cared after all this time… maybe he did care about her after all… Her eyes searched his, seeing the emotional storm that waged there and she immediately felt guilt flare in her heart.

“I…” he started, stepping awkwardly away from her, leaving her feeling oddly deflated and cold. She watched him as he mumbled something and turned away from her. She watched him stop, his back to her as he reached up and scratched his head and she felt her heart leap into her throat as he started to walk towards the door.

Seizing her moment she cried out to him--

“Leon-- I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to p-push you aw-away… wi-with my… of-offer…” her voice transitioning to barely above a whisper as she stuttered out a response. She felt her heart suffering as she tried to excuse herself-- but she couldn’t find the words for what she wanted to say. She couldn’t pull herself together.

“I‘m wasn‘t pushing you away...” was his soft reply as his eyes fell to the man on the floor that was just beginning to stir. He hadn’t known what had come over him when he saw her there, trapped against the bed. He was afraid-- afraid that he had come too late and he had afraid that his inability to accept his duty, his desire to protect her had caused her more harm that could have been prevented had he been a stronger man.

“We shouldn’t have done that…”

She sighed, feeling lightheaded as tears ran down her face as he spoke again, “People will be here in minutes-- we’ll discuss this later, okay--” the sound of a thud on the floor caused him to turn, seeing Ashley sprawled on the floor, apparently having fainted. He didn‘t hesitate as he turned and plucking her off the floor, set her down among the white sheets while her lips, ever so inviting, parted with the gentle repose of exhausted sleep.

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Finally… the moment we’ve all been waiting for and I hope that I made it worthwhile for the wait. I hope this long entrance has done a good job of convincing you that this story is not about just sex. They’ve got a very tangible relationship between these two and from this I hope that we’ll be able to see them take off. They both have a longing for each other that I feel was pretty well established and they needed the break. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I believe that in the case of people who are truly meant for each other!

And almost everyone picked up on how weird Rick was! Does anyone remember me mentioning Leon smacking a reporter on the beach? Yep, he did-- that was in Chapter 2! And although the beginning it weird-- I’ve started rewriting it to make it more believable where they land on a beach in Spain and fly home and everyone, including the plane they fly home in (with everyone they came in contact with on the beach), goes straight into quarantine. I’ll post it eventually but hopefully that clears up that confusion.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me fill out and fix the major plot holes (the part about them riding the jetski from Spain to the US being the biggest and silliest on my part... I think... well, ever)! So thanks again!!!

Oh and sorry for making her pass out-- I’d pass out after some shit like that too... Honestly…

Thanks so much and as always, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!

-Luky