Disclaimer: I don't own anything hereand am just doing this for fun and to pass the long months until Season 4.

Author's Note: Still working on my book, but this popped into my head at lunch the other day, so I had to write it. I've been obsessed with AA Bondy's song "The Pines Are Dancing". The title and all chapter titles come from the song.

I know I've been a negligent reader and reviewer lately but hope I will have the chance to catch up soon. Hope you enjoy the story and have time to leave a quick review. Thanks for reading. :)

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Chapter One: The Pounding of a Midnight Heart

Tim half-collapsed on Tyra with a contented sigh, careful to fall to the side. He rested his head on her chest, pressing his ear close so he could hear her heart.

He closed his eyes as he listened, the pulse fast and strong at first, then easing to a slower, more steady pace. Tyra's hand was still tangled in his hair, her fingernails lightly scratching small circles into his scalp. His eyelids felt heavy, so he gave in and slid off into that odd twilight between sleep and wakefulness.

The night was hot and muggy, and the heavy darkness pressed in around them. The scratchy blanket irritated his skin, but he didn't want to move. Ever.

This spot under the trees at the edge of the lake had become his second home. It was the only place he felt he could breathe easily. Even Tyra was different here – more relaxed, her mouth soft and warm instead of sharp and angry. However many times they broke up, they always seemed to end up here. It was the only place they made sense.

Tim drifted, nearly able to believe that no one else existed. Just him and Tyra, the trees and the water, the frogs and crickets singing a melody set to the steady bass line of her heart. He felt Tyra shift underneath him, struggling to get comfortable on the hard ground.

Lifting himself onto his elbow, he pressed a kiss into her collarbone. Tim shook the hair out of his eyes so he could see her. Half-lidded eyes still dark with desire looked back at him intensely enough to nearly derail his thoughts.

"What time d'you need to be home?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.

"Whenever," said Tyra with a dismissive wave.

"Really? But last week....your mom....she seemed pretty upset when you stayed out all night. You probably don't want to get in trouble again."

"That was last week." She sighed and rolled her eyes.

Tim cocked his head and raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.

"Last week, she was on that responsible motherly kick, all worried about where I was and what I was doing. But then she met a new guy and she hasn't even been home for three days. She called, a few times when they came up for air, so at least Mindy and I know she's still alive."

Tyra's voice was brittle. She turned her head and shifted her gaze so she was looking past Tim.

He didn't know what to say, but he knew what to do. Comfort was a bit outside his abilities but distraction was a service he could provide.

He ran his hand down her side, his fingertips skimming the surface, light enough to tease but heavy enough not to tickle. His hand grazed over her hip and continued down her leg. He watched her face, which was barely visible in the dim light. He thought he caught a twist to her lips, a fleeting smirk.

"Tim, at least kiss me when you do that," she said, her voice part playful, part exasperated. He grinned and pulled back slightly, the refusal to give in to her request a clear dare.

She caught his wrist in one hand while using the other to push him over, effortlessly rolling on top of him. Her fingers were tight around his wrist, nails digging into soft skin. She settled onto him and roughly stretched his arm above his head, no question but that she was now in charge.

Tyra leaned down to kiss him, pulling away at the last second. He grinned up at her as her smile went from amused to wolfish. He waited, patiently, and when she finally kissed him, he savored it, ready to drift off with her again.