Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne.

Rated: T just in case…

Author's Notes: This one is a little longer. I decided I would not torture them the entire chapter …well maybe. I hope everyone enjoys this so please leave a review! It would be much appreciated! Thanks.

The pillar of light dispersed leaving Van hovering above the secluded lake. The beats of Escaflowne's wings created ripples across the waters still surface. He stayed that way for several heartbeats adjusting to his new surroundings. His mind suddenly locked in on a presence, a familiar presence a presence he longed for. A quick snap on Escaflowne's controls and the armor shot across the water towards the shore. After a quick circle of the beach he set the armor down a short distance away and he took a deep breath trying to compose himself..

"Ok" he mumbled to himself "don't say anything stupid'"

Van hopped down, boots sinking in the soft sand as he slowly stood to his full height. He gazed down the shore from beneath the hood of his cloak at the person, the presence he desired.

"Ok Kanzaki steady, steady…" she whispered to herself again as she took sever steps towards the cloaked figure.

They both began to slowly close the distance until they were almost at arm's length. Her green gaze searched the confines of the hood for his chocolate gaze. As if he heard her thoughts he lowered his head and pulled the hood back. He raised his head as chocolate brown meet emerald green and the heartbeats that passed seemed the longest in their lives.

She tried to take in the person in the red and gold cloak that was before her. Tall black boots, black pants and a grey long sleeved tunic trimmed in white. She felt his presence and knew it was him; at last he was here…really here.

"Van" she breathed

"It has been far too long...you are no longer the young girl I remember" Van paused. He smiled the smile the he only showed to her… "You have grown into the woman I always dreamed you would become". He took a step closer as he reached out to her. "Hitomi I have missed you so much…"

She took a step closer as well her stomach in knots her heart beating so hard she was sure he could hear it. He placed his gloved hand on her cheek "Hitomi I…I…"

As his words reached her ears her vision began to blur…as he reached out her legs became weak...at his touch everything went black.

As Van touched her cheek to his surprise she dropped into his arms…He quickly caught her and scooped up her unconscious form bridal style. He held her close taking in the sent of her hair the warmth of her body as he stood motionless for several heartbeats. He snapped out of his euphoric moment and quickly made his way back to Escaflowne. He removed his cloak and wrapped it around her as he sat down removed his gloved and rested her head in his lap. He couldn't resist the urge to brush several strands of hair away and let the tips of his fingers glide across her cheek…

He shook his head and mumbled "not the reaction I had planned, I hope this is not a bad thing…" he thought for a moment "oh great it must have been something I said. Damn it I am here less than fifteen minutes and already screwed up".

Hitomi felt so warm, so comfortable, so at peace. The feeling of safety was so familiar and she could smell the field…Vans' smell. She slowly became aware that he was mumbling to himself. He seemed to be berating himself as if he had done something wrong. Dear god she thought he left his Kingdom, traveled to another planet just to see her…He had spoken to her the way she had dreamt he would…God he had grown even more handsome. He was no longer the boy she had left on Gaea he was a man, a man that she desired, a man that now cradled her in his arms. His touch, his presence, spark she thought HA it's more like a lightning bolt strapped to the front of a truck.

"Van" she called softly as she shifted slightly. "Van, sorry to be so much trouble, I guess the moment was a little…umm…a little" she trailed off blushing as his chocolate gaze focused on her.

He was not ready to release his hold on her and she was more than content in his arms but neither expressed this.

"Here, let me help you up" he replied blushing slightly as he helped her stand. "Are you sure you are ok"?

"Yes just fine now" she replied with a smile as she held onto his arm to steady herself. She looked up to meet his gaze again as they both stood motionless trying to read the other.

Van opened his mouth to speak but was cut short as she rushed into his embrace. She wrapped her arms tightly around him as he paused for the briefest of moments and then wrapped his arms around her. Hitomi buried her face in his chest and began to weep softly.

"I…I…God I've missed you so much" she stated her face still buried in his chest. "I…I wanted to visit or have you come here but I was…I was afraid you might not want to see me". She felt him chuckle and she pulled back slightly to see his face. "Are you laughing at me" she asked with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"No…I am laughing at myself" he replied. "You see, I was thinking the same thing and until lately lacked the courage to even bring the topic up". Van met her gaze as he brushed his thumb across her cheek and then traced her lower lip with the tip of his finger. "I just couldn't be apart from you any longer…I…I had to come"

She closed her eyes as his words gave her comfort, fueling her desires and his touch was …was well electric didn't even describe it. He found the courage now it was her chance…her chance to show some guts take a chance…damn it she thought as she inched up on her tiptoes, when did he get so tall?

Van seemed to understand for once and pulled her closer lifting her against his body up to eye level with him. She was amazed that he was able to read her so easily. The thought was quickly lost as she could feel his breath tickle her lips as she leaned a little closer. This moment in their lives proceeded in slow motion and just as her lips brushed his…

"TOMI…TOMI!" a voice called from behind them…

The moment lost they quickly separated both looking away and both showing more color with each passing moment. Their reactions to the new arrival were vastly different. Hitomi cursed her friend's arrival…

"Damn it Yukari you have been late every day of your life and today…NOW…you decide to be early" she grumbled.

Van on the other hand had slipped between her and the surprise arrival, hand at the hilt of his sword ready to protect her from whoever or whatever was coming. After several heartbeats he felt a gentle touch on his arm and he relaxed his stance.

"A friend of yours I assume" he said.

"With timing like that …not anymore" Hitomi grumbled "could I borrow your sword for just a moment" she replied with a lopsided grin.

Understanding what she meant he responded with a wicked smile "Well there is always feeding her to the dragons". He reached out and took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. The contact, simple as it was, the gesture innocent as it was made her smile and blush lightly.

She watched as Van ran his free hand through his still unruly raven hair. When did her desire for him become so physical she thought? She had to force herself to look away as her friend out of breath from running in the sand made it to her side.

"Did I make it in time, am I late" Yukari asked as she looked at Hitomi then her eyes fixed on Van. "Well well it seems I am a little early, sorry about that" she teased as she noted their proximity and flush of color they both wore. "Hitomi, I have to hand it to you were right he does look good enough to e…uuufffff" she gasped as an elbow made contact with her stomach.

"Yukari" Hitomi hissed glaring at her friend. "Yukari Uchida this is Van Slanzar de Fanel"

"Oh I remember him…the last time he was here a dragon tried to eat me".

They both chuckled and she looked at them not understanding the private joke.

"Hmmm" she purred as she walked a little closed giving him a once over. "It seems you have grown a little since your last visit your majesty" she stated as she winkled at Hitomi which made her color come out even more. "WOW so that's your flying dragon robot thingy…its huge…can you take me for a ride" she pleaded looking to Hitomi?

"Yukari no…" she paused looking to Van "that reminds me, how are you going to hide Escaflowne"?

"That won't be a problem…I made a few modifications…" he said with a smile. "There's a small clearing in the trees over there and I thought that would be a great spot to hide it."

"I don't understand someone might see it…" she said.

"I'll show you, wait here" he replied as he jogged over to the dragon armor.

Yukari watched him leave and turned to Hitomi with a big smile. "I want one" she stated.

Hitomi glared at her with a hand on her hip "you already have one remember Amano, Amano Susumu you know the man you are supposed to marry next month" Hitomi shot back.

"Relax Tomi, just a joke" she give her a mischievous smile "…he is super hot though".

Van pulled a small pack from Escaflowne and took several steps back. He closed his eyes and reached out towards the armor and Escaflowne immediately responded. The armor lifted into the air and hovered low over the small clearing then transformed. Escaflowne settled down to a kneeling position…Van then made a gesture with his hand and the armor flashed and disappeared into the woods.

Van walked back to Hitomi with a grin "How's that, hidden enough"?

"What did you do and when did you develop that kind of control over Escaflowne" Hitomi asked?

"After the war we did a little research into Folkens' tech and came up with this prototype. It's a modified stealth cloak but it only works when the armor is stationary and powered down. It enables the armor to simply blend into its surroundings" he replied. "As for control I have been dealing with some border issues and some raiders the past few years. The bond with the armor seems to have just gotten stronger" he said with a shrug.

Hitomi reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. "I hope you are being careful I remember how dangerous that bond can be. If anything hap…." she was cut short by a finger on her lips.

"Not to worry" he said letting his hand move to and linger on her cheek.

"Ok you two time to go" Yukari commented taking note of how these two looked at each other.

"Ummm yea…Ok lets head home it's not far but I would like to get back before dark" she said. "Yukari where is Amano I thought he was coming with you"?

"He said he would meet us at home around six so we could all spend some time together before dinner. "So" she said checking her watch "that gives us an hour to get home and get cleaned up before we have to start dinner."

They walked back to the apartment that overlooked another part of the lake making small talk along the way. Mostly questions about Fanelia and the weather and other off topics. Van politely answered the barrage of questions Yukari threw at him but his real focus was on the young woman beside him. They reached the appartment that the two girls shared and Yukari took a reluctant Van on the nickel tour.

"This is a nice place…great view" he said looking out over the lake form the deck.

"It belongs to a business partner of my dad's" Yukari responded. "He never uses it and said we could stay here for the summer".

"Hitomi where can I…umm… change" Van asked shyly "It's a much warmer here then it was in Fanelia".

"Right here is fin….uuufffff" Yukari gasped as another elbow made contact with her stomach.

"This way Van" Hitomi said as she took his hand and led him to her room. Once in her room Hitomi looked down ashamed of her friends' behavior. "I am sorry Van she started getting like this after she and Amano got engaged. She never used to…ummmm"

Hitomi lost her train of thought as she now caught a good look at Van, now minus his heavy tunic. He was standing there shirtless his back to her rummaging through his bag. Hitomi sucked in a breath between her teeth as she took a step back and bumped the door closed. He looked up at her and noted her color and dropped the shirt he just found as he took a step toward her.

"Is something wrong" he asked as he was now dangerously close.

"No…no everything is just dandy" she squeaked as she looked away making a gesture with her hand.

He was closer than she realized as her hand brushed across his chest and shoulder; mistake number one Hitomi thought. She turned to look; mistake number two she thought as his deep chocolate gaze was now fixed on her. Her breathing was now a little ragged and she wondered why it had gotten so hot in there. She ran her hand back across his shoulder and onto his chest as her other hand unknown to her had somehow come to rest on his other shoulder and was moving across his chest towards the other…Hitomi unconsciously began to trace the outline of the muscles that made up his torso as they both took a step closer. Van leaned down as if to whisper something to her and she could feel his warn breath across her ear. He gently placed one hand at the small of her back as he pulled her still closer. Her legs were feeling a little weak as she felt the heat of his skin through her dress.

Here I am again in the arms of the one I desire most she thought …Hitomi brushed her lips across his cheek in search of his…

"Hitomi" Yukari called as she walked into the other girls' room. "Amano is here and he is going to start the grill if…eeeekkkkkk…..sorry guys gotta go" with that she quickly backed out of the room closing the door behind her.

Hitomi and Van quickly separated both looking away…

"I...I should ummm go, I'll see you in a few" she blurted out as she hurried out of the room. She leaned against the wall in the hallway. Real smooth Hitomi, she thought…I'll see you in a few…she shook her head, I am so hopeless.

"Hitomi" a voice called out…"sorry to have crashed your little party" Yukari teased.

"It's not like that, he's just a good friend…" she mumbled.

"I want friends like him then…easy on the eyes, looks at you like he can't exist without you…Wants to take his shirt off for you and hold you…" Yukari teased.

"Yukari stop it's not like that, it's not…" she trailed off as she lowered her head. "I…I wish…" she sighed "this is not his home this is not where he belongs; this is my home where I belong."

"Who are you trying to convince me or you…His feelings are pretty obvious even if he can't express them. I see how you look at him… Remember dear friend we already talked about this…The answers will come to you. She patted her friend on the back "let's go make sure Amano doesn't set the deck on fire again" she said with a wry smile.

Van sat on the bed thinking about what had just transpired. He rubbed the back of his neck and tried to get his emotions and hormones under control. "Does she know the effect she has on me…" he mumbled "when she is close I can't even think strait. Ok get it together Van time to go out there…just don't do anything stupid…"

He got up and made his way to join the others. He was shocked how much this Amano looked like Allen but that where the resemblance stopped to a point. Where Allen was proper and reserved, this one was improper and anything but reserved. They did share one trait as they both seemed to have a way with the ladies; he was just as smooth an operator as the Knight Caeli. Van shook his head as he watched him operate, typical he thought laughing to himself.

The evening was very pleasant as the group talked and shared stories about the destiny war, school and Hitomi much to her chagrin. They sat outside for several hours talking more until the other couple having had a few drinks too many slipped away to Yukari's room.

Van broke the silence first "They are quite the pair…" he commented

Hitomi chuckled at his observation "Yes they are. They are good friends a little wild at times but good friends."

Van leaned back and looked up at the sky. "Interesting how it looks so much the same as it does from Gaea" he commented. He closed his eyes trying to decide how to bridge the topic; how to talk to her about…

"So King Van what has you so deep in thought" she asked as she stood front of him.

He blinked several times as he tried to respond but was too captivated by those green eyes. The best he could do was smile and reach out to her as an invitation to join him. She smiled hopping she was reading him correctly as she took his hand and turned to settle into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her slender form as she snuggled closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

She looked up at him and emerald green meet chocolate brown and she thought to herself …so it's not like that right Hitomi…you just naturally snuggle up to a friend like this. Being in the arms of a friend has this kind of effect on you right Hitomi. She took a breath as his sent made her mind swim…Who was she kidding she desired him, she wanted him …she… loved him. How was she going to tell him, should she tell him…?

Van thought how perfect this was, how comforting her form was next to him. He was no fool whether he could admit it to her or not his feelings were very clear. He needed her; he desired her…he truly loved her. How would he express this…should he even complicate her life because of his feelings…?

They held this close gaze for a few heartbeats and both turned away again failing to understand what the other was feeling.

"I should get to bed it's getting late and I'm a little tired" Hitomi lied not really wanting to leave his embrace.

"Yea it has been a busy day" Van lied in return not ready to give up the closeness they now shared.

Hitomi helped Van with the sofa bed assuring him it would not close on him or try to eat him during the night. With that taken care of she made her way slowly to her room. Hitomi closed the door quickly changed and sat on her bed pulling her knees up to her chest. Oh how she wanted Van in here with her. How she wanted to be in his arms again, safe, warm, to feel his touch…

"Ok Kanzaki" she mumbled "this is a dangerous line of thought"…she covered her head with a pillow and hoped sleep would take her quickly.

She sat up in bed shivering slightly "only asleep for an hour, oh come on" she grumbled setting the clock back on her nightstand. Maybe I should check on Van she thought, just seeing his sleeping form would definitely make her feel better. Must resist the urge to climb into bed with him she repeated to herself as she left her room. She quietly slipped down the hall and peaked around the corner. It seemed that the object of her desire was unable to sleep as well. Typical she thought as she watched him work through his training forms. She chuckled to herself he still trains when he can't sleep. Hitomi leaned against the door drinking in his form as he moved through his sword drills. She watched the muscles move under his tanned skin as the perspiration made him seem to glow in the dim light of the living room.

Van unable to sleep decided to do what he always did, train. As he moved through the form he felt something in the back of his mind as he paused in mid swing a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The pendant around his neck was glowing lightly as he spoke "It's not polite to stare Hitomi" he stated without turning around.

She shrunk back, how did he do that she thought. "Sorry I was …ummm just checking in on you. I wanted to make sure the bed didn't try to eat you" she said faking a laugh in a vain attempt to cover.

Van sheathed his sword and ran a hand through his hair. He turned to face her and she noticed the pendant. She made her way over to him and reached out and ran her finger down the pink stone.

"You still wear it after all the years" she asked in disbelief.

He smiled down at her "I have not taken it off since the day you gave it to me". He reached out to touch her face. "It was my strongest link to you, my hope that I would be able to see you again". He stepped a little closer "that I could feel your touch again". He stated as Hitomi realized that she had placed both hands on his chest.

She leaned a little closer her stomach doing flip flops. Her heart was racing her breath coming in short gasps…

"Hitomi" he whispered his breath tickling her nose.

As their lips finally met and brushed in a gentle almost teasing manner for the first time Van noted how soft her lips were. The second meeting showed their desire as the kiss deepened and her tongue softly traced his. Van wrapped both arms around her lifting her against him negating the difference in their height. The intensity of the kiss and the feeling of her body pressed against his only encouraged her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The passion and intensity seemed to strengthen their connection as they seemed to know each other's unspoken feelings and desires. This revelation only encouraged them as continued until their minds screamed air…

As they broke for air Van muttered "Why didn't we do this years ago"?

Hitomi smiled as she rubbed her cheek against his and whispered "Stop talking and kiss me again".

He was more than happy to comply as fate seemed to be directing this night in an interesting direction…