When she had wanted to fly as a child, it wasn't like this. Sadly she stared out at the clouds as the plane gained altitude. These last few days she couldn't erase from her mind and she wished she could. When she was sixteen, Sammy would have helped her through this and she missed him badly, God rest his soul. It didn't matter if she tried to sleep, watched the movie or looked at the sun setting. The image was burnt into her eyes. Calling Kat, had been the first thing she had done, but her friend was in the middle of filming a movie. Next she called Abigail, but the company was touring in Europe and the call was cut short. Going home wasn't an option either, because he'd spent every holiday there with her. What had made Ethan call her when he had, she didn't know, but it was perfect timing. He needed inspiration and she needed to escape.

"I'm glad you had the time to come," Ethan said as met her at the arrivals airport terminal.

She nodded, "thanks for inviting me."

He took her luggage and she followed him to his car. Ethan knew immediately something was wrong, but didn't ask. Instead he filled her in on his life in Barcelona and his work. The car ride from the airport was only 20 minutes to his apartment near Park Guell. Then a short walk and they were at his studio flat. Tara liked how it was modern and yet elegant. The layout was efficient and open concept. It had a small balcony overlooking a courtyard. But best of all, it had big windows to let the sun in.

"This is a nice flat," Tara complimented.

"Thanks, my favourite feature other than the view, are the hardwood floors. Wes and I use to move the furniture to the wall and then Abigail could dance. It helped when planning our choreography." Ethan led her to another door, "and this is the guest room…er.. your room, for as long as you want it."

"I hope your girlfriend doesn't mind me here," Tara said, fishing for information.

"Who has time for a girlfriend?" Ethan laughed.

Tara turned around and looked him over from head to toe. "Okay who are you and what have you done with Ethan?"

He gave her his trademark smirk, "too many girls to tie me down to just one."

She smiled for the first time and threw the pillow at him.

"How goes it with Christian?"

Ethan watched the smile fall and her emotion turn off. That was the face that Abigail had worn most of the time at the academy. He was sorry he'd asked and changed the subject. "Get unpacked and I'll show you around Barcelona, unless you're jet lagged."

"No I'm fine," she replied. Tara was glad he left her alone for a few minutes. After she had put her things in the dresser and closet, she came out of the room. "I'm ready if you are."

He nodded, "Barcelona has lots of impressive parks and buildings. I hope you're up for a walk."

Tara raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief, "says the guy who drives a car."

Ethan's tour took them to Parc de la Ciutadella. Tara's smile came back at the zoo and the Natural History Museum. She didn't really care about the church or boating lake, but she did like the bandstand. It was a big park and as expected, she liked the green space. Next they went to Castell de Montjuic, which had once been a Military museum and now the castle was home to the International Peace Centre. They walked through the castle, climbed the battlements to look out at the fabulous view and then had a picnic lunch in the wide moat. Ethan bought them coffee at the cafe in the Plac de Arms.

"Wow, Barcelona is so beautiful. I can see why you love it here," Tara said.

"Are you glad now that we rented bicycles?"

She nodded, "my knee and back thanks you."

"How have you been?" Ethan asked with concern.

"As you know learning to walk was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Starting again at square one with ballet, was difficult, but not as bad as you'd think. It's weird being the oldest in the class, but I'm glad I took the time to get back into shape. Second time round, I know what to expect too. Every day my back gets that much better. But being off for the whole summer, is still a relief."

"That's the only thing I miss," he chuckled.

They returned the bicycles and got back into his car. Next he showed her the modernist architecture and works of Antoni Gaudi. The buildings were impressive both inside and out.

"The last place today, is very close to my flat. The Park Guell, feels like you're in a fairy tale and is kind of like an English garden city."

"Are you sure you're not a tour guide?" Tara teased.

It was a functioning village, where obviously the very rich lived. The walls, roofs and statues were all covered in mosaic artwork. As he expected the two gatehouses reminded Tara of Hansel and Gretel, especially the one with the red and white mushroom roof. The gardens were beautiful and the circular concourse was surrounded by benches in the form of a sea-serpent decorated with shattered tiles.

"This place is magical with all these twisted stone columns. It just blends so well with the natural hillside," Tara said, feeling joy for the first time in days.

He grinned as she twirled around. "There's plenty to see and I have moved my schedule around to give us time to explore. Tonight we'll go and fill up on Tapas and Pintxos. I use to hate them, but that's another thing that has changed."

"I don't know what that is, but I trust you." Tara realized that is why she had come, because he'd always been there for her when he was needed most.

Ethan had helped her with rehab for her knee and back. Her first time flying, was because he had got her in the rope harness, so she wouldn't be scared to dance again. He'd encouraged her to be a better dancer. Even though he'd come for Kat when Sammy died, he'd made time for her grief too. Before she went into surgery for her back, his call had given her peace. Ethan returned again, when she'd had to re-learn how to walk. He had dropped everything and came to help. When she'd been sinking into that dark pit of depression quicksand, he pulled her out. It was all because she trusted him more so than anyone. He'd forgiven her for choosing Christian twice and had been man enough to still be her friend. This time she doubted he could rescue her, but maybe he'd help. He'd done that for Abigail and she'd come back from Barcelona, as a better person.

"Pintxos are just plates of bite-sized goodies served on top of a piece of bread. They're popular here in Barcelona. You use tooth-picks to eat the food. There is ham, chicken tempura, mini-brochette pork and even baby squids. It's a good variety, to say the least."

"Will we go to Raval?" Tara had read something about it.

"Of course, that's where Barcelona's contemporary centre is. Not to mention a good place to experience urban culture and music. Actually I'm working on a piece for a dance exhibit there at the end of the month. The CCCB likes fusion of genres, to explore different dynamics of expression. But I've lost my creativity, I'm stuck. That's why you're here, you've always inspired me," Ethan confessed.

"I'm your muse?" She asked.

"Exactly!"

"At least someone appreciates me," Tara mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. I'd love to help and meet your dancers."

"Is ballet your main focus still?" Ethan asked.

"Before my back injury I would have said a definite yes. But now, so much has changed. I'm a little confused, not sure what direction I want to go in. I love dancing, but I don't know if I want to spend 5 years just doing ballet. I spoke to Grace a while ago and she's bored with it already."

Ethan frowned, "you can't go by what she says. She gets impatient with life, unless she's able to observe human behaviour with mind games. Being in such a structured environment, I'm surprised Grace Whitney of all people, has stayed with the Austin Ballet as long as she has."

"It's probably because she's in love with Ben. He got the contract with them first. After Grace backpacked around the globe, she returned to find him. She hasn't looked back since," Tara explained.

"Love.. it changes the texture of your life," Ethan sighed.

"Wow that was profound," Tara teased.

He looked at her and said, "I'm glad you came."

She replied softly, "I'm glad you asked me."