So no reviews yet, but please send them in! I hope you like the plot, and yes, this will be quite long winded and have quite a few chapters.

James

I woke up early in the morning, too early actually, so early that there'd be nothing to do. I positioned myself differently on the bed and stretched. I stared at the clock, slowly cursing to myself as I realised that it was 3 o'clock. I turned to face Natalya, her peaceful face resting against the pillow. I pulled her closer to me, cuddling her in my arms. She groaned a little and pushed her head against my neck. Her arms brushed against my back as she aimed to cling herself to me. She murmured my name and I pushed her head closer into my neck, muffling her words, calming her down, rocking her gently to sleep again. But to no avail, I'd woken her now, and she wanted to talk.

"James... My leg hurts."

"Shhh. I know it does honey. I know." I stretched my hand over to her thigh and pulled her leg over my body, caressing the small cut on her thigh. I kissed her forehead and sighed. She was so beautiful, and yet so damaged. Damaged because of me.

"James." Her eyes stared at me. Oh god I loved those eyes; bright, emerald eyes. She batted her eyelids at me, not seductively, just casually.

"Yes." I tried to be calm back. Inside I was a whirlwind of emotions. I loved Natalya so much, but if my love would cause her so much pain, I'd have to leave her. And her next question wasn't much help either.

"Will you stay with me? Forever?" She was so innocent. An innocent girl thrown into un-innocent situations. She was so naive too. Didn't understand most things, my hints in our conversations were missed. Everybody had thought we were complete opposites when we were first together, but our love was strong and we stayed together. After all, you know what they say, opposites attract.

But now was the decision. To stay with Natalya, and risk her health, just to satisfy my lust for someone to hold or to let her go, push her away and save her from the dangers of my life. She stared into my unforgiving eyes, waiting for a reply. I let out a hard sigh and tilted my head towards her. I tucked a rogue strand of hair behind her ear and ran my fingers through her hair. It was so soft and beautiful. I was going to miss that hair. Natalya already had a worried expression, fearing the worst. I opened my mouth to speak, wishing for it all to go smoothly, for her to understand, for us to have a lovely last night in each others' company.

"Natalya." I paused. Could I do this? "You know how... how dangerous my job is, don't you?" She nodded in reply, my hand still caressing the back of her neck.

"And you know that you could get hurt, even worse than tonight." She solemnly nodded again. She's guessed what was coming, and it was killing me.

"And I've been thinking. That maybe... maybe you being with me isn't... isn't the best idea."

"Don't say that. Don't say it." She snapped back, grabbing my waist and slamming herself against my body in an attempt to cling on. I silently pushed her away from me. "James..." Her were eyes swelling up with tears. It wasn't the way I wanted to remember them. Those beautiful eyes. She desperately tried to hug me, but I couldn't. Not now, I'd get too attached. I wouldn't be able to leave her.

"I love you." She whispered. That did it. It broke me. My eyes started to water. I couldn't cry. I never cried in front of women. Not now. Not now. I dug my head into her shoulder to hide the tears, but I knew she could tell.

"We make these decisions together James, as friends. I made a decision to love you. Don't think that this didn't cross my mind." She spoke with a smooth, warm and wise tone. I could feel her breath against my ear. "I want to stay with you James. I always knew it was dangerous, but I love you. I want to stay." Her fingertips traced the folds in my back. I pushed her away gently, only slightly, we were still close.

"If you are sure you want this..." She smiled in reply and nodded, relived.

"Well then, the answer to your question." I paused and gave her a short kiss on her ruby red lips. "We will be together, forever." I began to beam at her, flinging both hands to the side of her face, drying her eyes with my thumbs and pulling her towards me into a deep kiss.