It's been so long since I first had that dream, but I still have it often. I'm always running through the Labyrinth looking for my baby brother, he was so grown up now almost an adult a teenager. I still dream of that man looking down at me taunting me with time. I've come to realise that there really isn't much of it, time, for any of us, after all our parents time was cut so short. They went missing five years ago we still have no idea what happened to them but they've been gone for so long we… we had an empty casket funeral. I had already finished my four years of college and I wanted to be the one to take care of my brother. So I sold the old family home and we moved into a slightly smaller home a new location with less memorys. Something new, it turned out that new wouldn't last I got transfered into a different branch of the publishing company I work at and I had to move him again and they continued to move me and I had to move Toby again and again. He was always the new kid for four years he was always the new kid. I had thought it was starting to tire him out but, today waiting at his buss stop I saw something I hadn't seen in so long. His smile.

"Toby buddy how was your first day of school"

"Don't call me that but, It was fine I mean It was everyone elses first day to" he smiled "No one knew anyone, middle school is kinda cool"

"that's good" I laughed we continued to talk as we walked to the new place "did you make any friends?"

"Yes" he said trying to sound manly to try to cover the blush spreading across his cheeks.

"Oh really?"

"yeah" he continued "She's really nice"

"A girl…"

"Um, her name is Linda but she goes by Lindy" his blush returned.

"You like her!"

"No" his voice cracked.

"Lier"

"No! And even if I did how would you know" it cracked again

"I'm your sister I know all."

"The truth Sarah"

"Magic"

"whatever." The truth was his voice cracks every time he lies it was a recent thing but I caught on. "Hows work?" he asked changing the subject.

"Fine"

"And the book?"

"The book is stuck." My book was about two lovers separated by worlds, gushy shit like that. "I've been having fun drawing them though maybe someone else should write it I'm really no good."

"Yeah you suck."

"Hey!" we continued to talk long after we got home.

A few weeks later I met Linda they were spending the day together doing their weekend home work and claiming to be in love. She had light blue eyes and platinum blond hair, she was cute she had a cute face one that you know will turn into a stunning one when it slims out when shes older , she would be the envy of all the girls in her school when they were older, to top it off she was a sweet-heart.

"Hey miss Sarah?" she said shyly.

"Sweaty you don't have to call me miss just Sarah is fine."

"Really." she said excitedly "well um… Sarah I was wondering if you would like to go out with my big brother."

"What" I was shocked.

"Well you see me and Toby were talking and from what he said I think you guys would really like each other, his name is David he's twenty-eight and he's an artist like he likes to write on draw and play music and stuff he's really nice but he hasn't been able to get out there you know like he should. and I don't mean to be invading your business but from what Toby said you should really get out more to." She was right I really should get out more the last time I had a date was in college I think I was a sophomore… No junior. There was a long pause "umm.. well?" she sounded impatient I was shocked from what I've seen of her this was out-of-character.

"Huh?"

"You didn't answer" her tone changed back to her usual one, as if nothing happened.

"um yeah sure set it up." I had to get out.

"Oh my gosh" she sighed with relief "thank goodness"

"Why?"

"'cause we were scared you wouldn't agree, and he'll be here at nine to pick you up tonight."

"What!?" there was a honking outside.

"that would be my ride thank you for having me have fun on your date bye!" with that she was gone.

"Toby!" I screamed

"What?" he shouted back.

"Get your plotting little ass down here!"

"Sarah I'm shocked at you" he said making his way down the hall "language. I mean seriously you are my role modle."

"Toby You. You."

"I am infact me is that all 'cause I was just texting Linda…"

"You set up a blind date for me without asking?"

"No we asked just after it was set up. I mean you agree you need to get out more?"

"Yes, but that was not okay on so many levels!"

"You said yes right"

"yeah"

"Than what's the problem."

"It's just- I just…" I had nothing

"exactly. you have like six hours. I met him last week when I was at Lindas he's a cool guy. Nice, fun and he has a nice night planned" he started pushing me towards my room and I was too stunned to do anything "Take a nap or bath or something get ready doll yourself up do whatever girls do before a date" we got to my door and he opened it pushing me inside "and when David gets here have fun." I was about to say something when he shut the door and I gave up it really wasn't worth it to argue with him and I guess he was right I did agree what did it matter what day the date would be but it just doesn't seem far to spring this on me all of a sudden either… I lied down on my bed facing the wall and drifted.

"We're coming for him Sarah" that man was talking to me from everywhere and nowhere.

"No, No you can't have him you can't take him from me"

"You will be alone Sarah" He appeared in front of me a few steps his mismatched eyes looking into me burning me from the inside out. How could something so beautiful scare me so much…

"You have no power..." he rushed over and placed a gloved hand over my mouth

"Hush you precious thing that won't work this time." next thing I knew I was in the middle of the labyrinth alone. Every time I turned a corner I would end up in the same spot I ran But I didn't go any where I heard baby Toby screaming crying I grew tired but I kept running I had to find him.

"Toby, Toby I'm coming for you wait for me." my legs started to give out. "No I have to keep going" I tripped and I couldn't get up... I had to find him I had to have my little brother back... I had to I stood. I clock was ticking in my mind and it got louder as it became visible I didn't have time to find him I only had fifteen minutes and I had no clue what way I was going.

"Sarah Sarah" It was Toby my twelve year old brother Toby calling me.

"Toby where are you? Toby!" I cried into the labyrinth.

"Sarah he is the only one you have left and now he will be mine this time he will be mine" His voice was everywhere nowhere and my head. I had seconds 10… 9… 8… 7...6 ...

"No, No I can't be alone I can't please" I said weakly as tears slid down my face… 5...4... "You can't have him" I screamed. 3… 2… 1...

The next thing I knew I was being shook awake screaming bloody murder with a tear soaked pillow and drenched in sweat.

"Sarah Sarah wake up Sarah." Toby was practically yelling in my face.

"Toby." I hugged him.

"Dude you were screaming like a freak that musta been the worst nightmare ever."

"You're okay" I whispered

"yeah why wouldn't I be?" I let him go.

"What time is it."

"like seven you should get ready kay?"

"Yeah, and ah thanks Tobs"

"yeah no problem" he just sat there

"Hey Tobs buddy?"

"What?"

"Get out."

"Oh yeah." after he left I started rummaging through my clothes to find a casual but fancy outfit because I had no idea what I would be doing to night. I settled on a dark pair of jeans and a nice peach colored blouse. I put the out fit onto the bed and went to my ensuite bathroom for a bath so I wasn't sticky on my date. As I soaked I thought about what this date might be like, and what this mystery man David would be like. After a relaxing thirty minutes I felt I should likely get out. I got dressed and started to dry my hair, once it was dry and brushed I settled on just letting my hair flow naturally I put on some eyeliner and called it good. I still had thirty minutes to wait so I decided to watch some TV while I waited I walked into the living room and as soon as I picked up the remote there was a knock at the door.

"well then thats that I'm leaving now."

"Have fun" he said. walking out into the living room taking the remote from me.

"Don't answer the door only answer numbers you recognise on the phone. No girls no parties no drugs or alcohol." I said knowing that he knew it all

"Crap you like totally ruined my night I was totally gonna drink myself dumb on cough syrup and stuff." he said sarcastically. I laughed. "Now get out." he said suddenly trying to be serious.

"Yeah fine" there was another knock at the door. "Be there in a second."

"Bye Sarah"

"Bye" I opened the door to mismatched eyes. I slammed the door immediately in his face, "Toby no no no he's not standing there he's not real." I said.

"what's wrong with you. You just slammed the door in his face." it took me a second to realize what I just did. Shit he was right what's wrong with me this man is real ,David is real. He wasn't. I mouthed 'sorry' to Toby opening the door again. David stood there wide eyed and freaked out, Oh my god.

"I am so so sorry I thought you were some... someone else. Sorry if I scared you..."

"No right now I'm just so very glad I'm not him to be on the bad side of someone like you." he sighed with relief, his accent was just the cutest thing it was british. He had a kinda corky half smile on his face he still looked so nervous and I felt bad.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be… But if you must be I'll let you make it up to me." his eyes seemed to glow, with something excitement… mischief. It gave me chills I couldn't tell if it was good or bad.

"Leave already!" Toby was so impatient. I stuck my tongue out at him as he shooed us out shutting the door behind us.

"Well than we best be on our way. Shall I lead you to my valent stead?"

"Please do." I said trying my best to imitate his accent. He laughed looking down at me smiling.

"Oh darling that was the most charming thing I have ever heard" he led me down the driveway to the street where he parked " well here she is."

"She?"

"Ah. well um yes, please I'm not a total loon."

"uh huh so what is she"

"shes a 1972 romeo spider I got her when I was fifteen when I started fixing her up I even brought her over to the states when we moved here, that was ah twelve... thirteen years ago. Well any way we've been together for quite some time." He said opening the front passenger door for me.

"Thats nice" I climbed in "she must be special to you."

"she is" he said lovingly getting behind the wheel of the car. Aw… "well we are going to have a great time I found this wonderful little whole in the wall greek food place, with the best lamb."

"I've never had greek food."

"oh well your first will be with me then." he winked. I gasped and then laughed.

"so tell me 'bout your self"

"well my name is David I'm a Leo I like long walks and to snuggle by a warm fire." I hit his arm at a red light. "hey driving" he laughed.

"no real stuff"

"Okay what do you want to know."

"Well I don't know what do you do? like a job."

"Well nothing, theres this little coffee shop I perform at for free of course and when someone is interested I sell them my paintings and drawing and such some pay handsomely, but thats not often."

"I see so you have the whole starving artist thing going on hot."

"you think?"

"Oh every one thinks" I laughed

"Really." he said with a sexy as hell rumble on top of the accent it was like his shy nervousness just vanished for a second.

"uh huh." he looked up and that confidence I saw for just a second was gone.

"Well we're here."

"Oh" I started to open the door.

"No wait." he said I stopped.

"What?"

"wait right there."

"kay?" he ran around the car to my side once I realised what he was doing I started to laugh, he opened the door for me.

"let me help you out m'lady." he offered his hand and I took it.

"thank you very much sur." He led me inside like a perfect gentleman. He pulled out my chair and everything.

"David you are back, friend." A man possibly in his forties with a thick greek accent stood up from one of the chairs.

"Alexio, how have you been?"

"Eh" he shrugged "slow night but fine none the less."

"Well this is my date tonight Sarah."

"Ah yes I see. I can put up the closed sign"

"No Alexio I couldn't"

"No my pleasure my friend we give you a good night good food good music good service like I said night has been slow anyway."

"Well thank you but" David looked at me like he was asking for permission. I nodded. "I guess it's fine with the lady so thank you."

"Thav̱másios!" Alexio threw his hand in the air."érchontai mazí tous fílous mou, ti̱n oikogéneiá mou" people started to kind of gather in the center of the room and they were all chattering in greek. Then they all put there hands in the middle of the circlethey make and did the one two three break thing.

"David" I whispered.

"Yes Sarah?"

"What did all that mean?"

"I haven't the faintest idea" we watched them scatter moving tables and chairs and set one table in the center. three young kids ran outside and came back in with guitar looking things and volin looking things lots of winds and strings. I looked over at David he looked very amused I grabbed his arm feeling a bit uncomfortable in all the commotion, he looked down and smiled tenderly, and I felt my cheeks warm up quickly.

"érthei na kathísei" Alexio walked over to us grabbing our hands. I looked up at David, he understood.

"Alexio my friend I know this is your first language but to us it is utter gibberish."

"Oh yes, sygnó̱mi̱… eh i mean sorry." he smiled "I am sorry I am just excited for my friends! Ah!" he put a hand on both of our shoulders. Twenty minutes and was already a friend I think I like these people. "Come sit." he led us to our seats. "please enjoy yourselves." some of who I assumes to be his family started to play the instruments it was music fit for dining.

"Did you plan all of this." I whispered across the table.

"I would love to say I did but no this is simply coincidence my dear." we sat there talking and I learned that he's got a degree in art history his nanny growing ups name was Beverly cause his parents were never around and him and linda are the two youngest of six kids, Most of siblings were married by his age. Some how we got on the topic of exes and past dates.

"I had a date with a guy it was good for the first like twenty minutes-"

"Sorry it took so long friends but here is the food best our kitchen can offer." he placed three plates of food and an empty plate for both of us. The food in front of us was strange one was meat wrap one was a type of flaky bread with green and white stuff under it and one I just couldn't name it was green. He pointed out the wrap "it is Turkey Souvlaki" he pointed at the bread stuff " Spanakopita" and then to the green stuff "Dolmathes" Once Alexio left I looked at the food questioningly.

"It is good Sarah I promise."

"K but um what is it?"

"the Turkey Souvlaki is just a turkey wrap with a garlic yogurt sauce, the Spanakopita is like a pie with spinach herbs and cheese in it, and the Dolmathes are stuffed grape leaves with an lemony egg sauce."

"what is it stuffed with?"

"Well I never really asked I know it's good though." He was about to grab one when Alexio came back with a bottle of what I would say was wine in hand.

"Here is the Nama" I looked at David for clarification.

"A sweeter wine with less alcohol" David explained, I nodded.

"Now please eat." Alexio said walking over to join the band. David helped me fill my plate and we talked, ate, drank and taught me the proper greek table etiquette.

"How do you know this stuff?"

"Alexio absolutely drilled it in to me the first three times I came here."

"How do you know Alexio any way?"

"I dated his daughter and after we broke up we stayed friends and they absorbed me into the family."

"I see?"

"Speaking of exes you were in the middle of a story."

"hm? Oh yeah." I took a sip of the wine "well it was fine at first he was an awful listener and a not the best conversationalist holy hell was he full of himself, but he had the best stories. The place where we went, they like to set their food on fire. He decided he wanted to show off..."

"No"

"Yep, not only was he juggling my shish-kabobs but they were on fire. So he was doing well no problems until he caught himself on fire and while he was freaking out he dropped one on me. I wasn't injured in fact I didn't know my shirt was even on fire until it was pointed out to me but it was this whole ordeal needless to say there was no second date."

"Oh my" he leaned back in his chair holding back laughter. "I am sorry thats not funny."

"No no go ahead I laughed at the time to he was running around like a chicken with his head off."

"So" he cleared his throat "Where would this date rank?"

"This is definitely one of the best first dates ever," can't wait for the next one.

"There will be a next one?" He looked thoroughly amused.

"Huh?" shit that part was supposed to be in my head I blushed scarlet. "Sure I mean if you want."

"I would love to have a second date with you Sarah." he grabbed my hand and lead me to an empty space. "Alexio play something slow." David twirled me around the dance floor I felt like a princess, then he held me close I liked the way I fit up against him. "If it all right with you darling I would like to have many more dates with you."

"I'd like that." the music sped up and the two young kids started dancing and soon the whole room was filled with laughter and dancing.

I got a doggie bag while we were getting ready to leave Alexio and his family were setting the restaurant back up, they looked like they had a good time to. I walked over to help but a young lady shooed me.

"No miss it is our job."

"well I had a lot of fun"

"Our pleasure"

"We had much fun as well" Alexio said placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thank you for all that you did Alexio" I said turning away from the young lady.

"Yes Alexio I owe you."

"No no you owe me nothing we are simply glad you enjoyed the service."

"Bye" We walked out to the car "we should go there again David."

"Yes I believe we will." The car ride was to short and soon he was walking me to my front door.

"So this is me" kiss me...

"Yes I know."

"I guess I should go in then." Kiss me!

"I guess you should" Damn it. I started to unlock the door. "Wait Sarah"

"Yes" I turned back to him. Is he gonna kiss me?

"Would you like to come over to my place tomorrow."

"I might." I teased

"Ah but that's not an answer my dear."

"I would love to should I bring Toby?"

"By all means" He beamed, his hand found it's way to my hip lightly pulling me to him and he leaned down and placed a whisper of a kiss on my lips it was barely a second but it felt like magic. He pulled back and scanned my face as if gauging my reaction, when I pulled his head back down and kissed him back. It started out timid like he thought he was going to fuck everything up in that moment but soon it got fierce and hungry like a starving man given a feast. It was intense but then he pulled away I was kinda stunned that he could pull away cause I was no where near being able to. He looked down and gave a small chuckle at my expression. "I will see you tomorrow you precious thing."

He left me standing there shocked, but now for a whole new reason. He's not real he's not real David isn't him. I just had the best night of my life and I can only think about that man, that man and David and their mismatched eyes. I was alone now standing in the chill of the night holding myself conflicted and scared. Stuck between fear and missing Davids warmth...

So what do you guys think I'm feeling this one more.