"Are we really gonna do this? Just pack up, leave our cell phones at home and leave for two whole weeks?" Vanessa asked, cramming clothes into multiple suitcases.

"We sure are. Now hurry up and pack so we can go to my place to pick up my stuff," Zac replied, helping her.

Vanessa stopped. "You're actually crazy wildcat," she laughed.

He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and leant down to zip up her suitcase on the bed.

"Where are we even going?" she asked.

"It's a surprise. I'm not telling you anything until we get there and you see for yourself," Zac replied, picking up her suitcase from the bed, taking her hand and pulling her out of the closet.

It was dark outside, considering Zac had woken her at 3am to avoid paparazzi.

"I don't want anyone to know where we are," he'd whispered seductively in her ear.

Now they were in the car on the way to the airport.

"Zac, I'm gonna know where we're going as soon as we check in so you might as well just tell me," Vanessa tried.

"Nuuuh. I'm going to check in for you. You aren't going to find out where we're going. I'll blindfold you if I have to," he replied.

"You wouldn't,"

"Oh really?"

"Really,"

"Well then I guess you don't know me as well as you think you do," Zac smiled crookedly, glanced over at her and winked. Vanessa smiled and looked out the window.

The sky was just turning slightly pink as they arrived at LAX. Zac got out of the car and went around to open the door for Vanessa.

"There you go Miss," he smiled, taking her hand.

Vanessa giggled and stepped out of the car.

"Please tell me where we're going," she pleaded as they took their bags from the trunk of the car.

"Is someone talking? Cause I don't hear anyone," he teased, covering his ears.

Vanessa sighed and smiled.

"Okay, I get it. I'll stop asking now,"

"Good," Zac smiled back, handing his car keys to a valet who had appeared at their side.

"Take care of my baby," he laughed, paying the valet and shaking his hand.

As they entered the airport the atmosphere changed. Outside was cool and quiet. Inside was a complete new story. For as long as she could remember, Vanessa had loved airports. The way everyone hurried around bursting with anticipation made her feel better. Besides, airports always meant travel, something she loved to do.

"You know you cant actually check in for me right? You don't look like my passport picture somehow dude," Vanessa said with a sly smile.

"Wait right here one second," he said, kissing her cheek and dashing in the direction of check in.

Vanessa watched him talking to the girl on the desk. Her forehead wrinkled. What is he up to?

He walked back over to her, a teasing smile about his face.

"What are you up to?" she asked, smiling.

He pressed a finger to her lips and kissed her forehead.

"Come on," he said, "They're boarding soon,"

Soon enough Zac and Vanessa had taken their first class seats on board Ajira Air. That was the only clue Vanessa had to where they were heading. The Middle East. She considered the options; Dubai? Abu Dhabi? Both beautiful, high class places. Surely Zac hadn't spent that much money on their vacation? She glanced over at him; he was obliviously looking out of the window. They'd already had the 'I want the window seat' fight which Vanessa had lost, playing stone to Zac's paper. She smiled to herself; she was going to let him sit there anyway but he looked so cute when they had their worthless arguments. She knew just what riled him and sometimes, she hated to admit this, but she did it on purpose just to piss him off. Leaving movies out of their cases, piling the cushion on the bed, putting butter and jelly on toast; all these things he hated and all these things made him mad but he looked so hot when he was angry. She smiled to herself.

"What are you smiling at?" Zac said, looking curiously over at her.

Vanessa felt herself blush.

"Nothing," she said, playing with her hair, a nervous habit inherited from her mom.

"C'mon, what are you smiling at?" Zac asked, smiling himself.

"Nothing honestly. I'll tell you later- So, uh, how long is this flight?" Vanessa rushed, changing the subject.

Zac didn't even answer her. He just laughed and pulled her in for a hug.

"Do you know how cute you are when you're nervous?" he whispered into her hair.

Vanessa sighed then smiled again. She moved a little so she was more comfortable, placed her head on Zac's chest and closed her eyes as his arms tightened around her. No matter how long the flight was going to be, she knew she was going to be happy.

"Okay, okay, okay! I'll close my eyes!" Vanessa giggled as Zac tickled her stomach.

"You promise? Cause I'll keep doing this until you do!" Zac laughed back.

"Yes, yes! I promise! Look, my eyes are closed!"

When he was quite satisfied her eyes were indeed closed, Zac took Vanessa's hand and led her into their hotel room.

"Okay, you ready?" he asked.

"Yes! Can I open my eyes already?" Vanessa laughed.

Zac watched as she slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. Her mouth formed a tiny 'O' shape, then stretched into a smile.

He had spent the previous night, while Vanessa was out at yoga, on the phone to the hotel, making changed to their room to make sure everything was perfect. He'd made sure that in every room, a vase of Vanessa's favourite flowers be placed. He made sure they had two bottles of her favourite wine already chilled and ready for them. He'd made sure the bed sheets were made from the finest satin Dubai could find as he knew she loved the feel of the fabric against her skin. He'd made sure they got an ocean view. He'd made sure their hotel suite had all her favourite movies in. He'd made sure the sound system was up to her standards and got the hotel suite more equipped with CD's than a music store, all Vanessa's favourite artists of course. He wanted so badly for this vacation to be absolutely wonderful, because he knew they didn't have much time left together before they both got crazy busy and would have to spend weeks apart.

He watched her walk over to the huge doors that led out onto their own private terrace and open them wide. She seemed to hesitate at the doors and breathe in the air before turning to him. She didn't say anything, just looked at him.

"So, what do you think?" he asked.

She didn't answer straight away, she looked over the room again.

"Its perfect," she whispered.

Zac smiled. He could tell she'd noticed the little things he'd made sure were there.

"You really think so? If there's anything you don't like just tell me and I'll ch-" But he couldn't continue because she was kissing him, so deeply and passionately. He twirled his fingers in her hair and pulled her closer to him, if that was possible. Her hands were underneath the back of his shirt, wrapped around his waist. Her lips moved from his to his neck and he kissed the top of her head. She stopped kissing him after a while and they just stood there embracing by the balcony. It was silent for a few long minutes before Zac said,

"You know, you can get arrested for showing any signs of affection in public here in Dubai?" he said with a smirk.

Vanessa lifted her head up from beneath his chin.

"You're kidding?" she said.

"Nope. Deadly serious. One couple spent the night in jail for kissing each other on the cheek outside the mall,"

"Zac, you're kidding. That's crazy,"

"I'm not kidding! I swear,"

Vanessa looked at him, still not sure whether to believe him.

"Ness, I'm not lying,"

"That's so crazy! Why the heck did you bring me here if I cant even hold your hand when we go out together?" she said, trying to stay serious.

Zac smiled and winked at her.

"Don't you wink at me mister," she laughed.

"I believe I just did," Zac laughed too, sweeping her up off her feet and into his arms.

"Hey! Put me down you crazy man," she laughed.

He ignored her, carrying her into their huge 5 star bedroom.

"What do you think of this room then Madame?" he teased, putting her down.

She reviewed her surroundings.

"Well, the bed's a little smaller than I would have liked, that picture over there is hideous and there is definitely not enough room in that closet,"

"Really? Well, if you like I-"

"Zac, chill. I'm kidding. I love it," Vanessa laughed.

"Oh, you're kidding. Ha ha very funny missy!" he laughed sarcastically and pushed her onto the bed, catching her before she could fall too hard. He laid beside her, still laughing together. Minutes passed and Vanessa composed herself first, rolling over and lifting her head up to look at him.

"Thank you," she said, stroking one finger on his stomach.

"For what?" he asked, placing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"For this, for everything. For being with me when you could have any other girl in the world,"

"Hey, where's all this come from?" he hushed, when Vanessa tried to go on.

"I don't know, I just, I don't know," she said, looking away.

"Hey, talk to me. What's wrong?" he asked, sitting up.

"Nothing's wrong, I just…" she stopped and sighed.

"Nessa, you cant lie to me you know. I know you. Tell me what's wrong baby?"

"Zac I… It doesn't matter. Really,"

"Sweetheart…"

"Hey, we're on vacation right? I wanna have fun okay? Please, lets just talk about this some other time?" Vanessa pleaded.

Zac sighed and leant down to kiss her softly.

"Okay. Forgotten, for now," he said.

"Thank you," Vanessa smiled. "Now, beach?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

Zac smiled. "Get waxing that surfboard beautiful,"

Night fell slowly into place in Dubai. The days were long, humid and bright and the nights were short, sticky and nostalgic. The air felt low and thick and the almost invisible ocean breeze was greatly appreciated whenever it arrived. After an afternoon of surfing Vanessa and Zac were sitting on the beach watching the sunset, feeling slightly jet lagged but for the most part, extremely content.

"Its so pretty," Vanessa said quietly, not wanting to disturb the moment too much.

Zac 'mmmm'ed in agreement and sighed. Vanessa was sitting slightly in front of him, wearing a beautiful dress and a cute flower in her hair. More than once tonight the realisation had hit him, that sitting here was the most perfect woman in the world. Vanessa seemed to feel him staring at her and she turned to face him. She smiled.

"Can we go back to the hotel please? This whole 'no signs of affection in public' is such a huge task for me right now," she said, placing a hand guiltily on his thigh.

"Nessa, don't, you'll end up in jail," Zac laughed, placing his hand over the top of hers.

"Well, then you're coming with me dude," she giggled, kissing his cheek quickly before standing up.

"Man, you're like a criminal today," he chuckled, standing up too.

"Oh are you gonna arrest me or something?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

"I think I just might have to do that miss," he teased back.

"Well, you'll have to catch me first!" Vanessa yelled, dashing off up the beach.

Zac sighed and bent down to pick up the towels they had been sitting on. He couldn't help smiling as he watched her run up the sand, her dress flowing behind her in sync with her hair. Seeing her here, in this environment, in this peaceful sunset on the beach gave him goosebumps. He took out his phone and took a picture of her, capturing this perfect moment. He smiled. She was his. He still didn't quite understand why, but she was.

"C'mon slow poke! I'm getting away!" Vanessa yelled, turning around to face him from up the beach.

He laughed. She was so cute.

"You wont like it if I have to get out my stun gun!" he yelled back, chasing her.

Vanessa laughed and ran ahead again. Zac soon caught up and wrapped his arms around her, picked her up and spun her around.

"Got'cha," he said softly into her ear.

"Don't! You'll get us both arrested!" Vanessa laughed, but even as she said it she was wrapping her arms around him.

"Come on, lets get back to the hotel. I can decide what your punishment will be when we get there," Zac teased, whispering in her ear.

Vanessa winked at him and unwrapped her arms from around his waist.

"Fine then," she simply said with a smirk. She took one of the towels from Zac and wrapped it around her shoulders before starting up the steps towards the street. Zac could feel the butterflies in his stomach. Tonight, would be a good night.