Walking on air. That was the only way Lux could explain the feelings she had at this particular moment. As she locked the front door to Cate's house, it was as if her feet never even touched the ground.

Eric had called a couple hours before to see if Lux could get away for the evening and as Cate and Ryan were at the station, she was free and clear. When she asked what the plans were, Eric would only tell her that it was a surprise but that they would finally be able to go out and have some fun.

Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, Lux couldn't wait to tell her best friend and enlist a little help on the off chance anyone got curious. Pressing number one on speed dial, Lux crossed the street, marveling at the beautiful weather; very uncommon this time of year.

"Hey chick, what's up?"

"Hey Tash! Best friend, partner in crime; I have a favor to ask of you." Lux exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement.

"This never ends well. Let's have it!" Tasha said, hesitation in her voice.

"I need you to cover for me tonight."

"Now what?"

"Eric's taking me out somewhere, but he won't tell me where we are going. It's a surprise!" Lux practically squealed in to the phone as she made her way past the gas station, then down a small alleyway.

"What if your parent's call…or what if they come over here, expecting us both to be here and finding that we are short one blond."

Since when had Tasha become such a worrier? She was always the one who was willing to push her luck with just about anything.

"Cate and Ryan are at the station working on promotional campaign ideas for the show and Baze is over at Emma's so no one will be showing up. But on the off-chance someone actually calls, I told them that we were going to hang out and then go see a movie." Reaching a busy intersection, Lux leaned against the crosswalk pole.

Maybe it was a little too cold not to wear a heavier jacket, but Lux had wanted to look nice and a bulky jacket did not a pretty picture make.

"What if they ask what movie we saw?"

The light signaled for her to continue, looking both ways, Lux hurried across the crosswalk, pulling her blazer tightly around her.

"Make one up. Come on Tasha, you've always been the queen of lying. Are you going soft on me all of a sudden?" Lux was starting to take offense to her friend's negativity. Why was she all of a sudden so against breaking a few rules?

"It's not that Lux, I just really don't like this. And I really don't like lying to everyone about what is going on." There was clear aggravation in Tasha's voice now.

Lux was only a few blocks from Eric's apartment; the busy streets were starting to give way to the small neighboring town. Sensing this conversation was heading in a different direction then she had hoped, Lux sat down on a nearby bench.

"Come on, Tash, you used to cover for me all the time. Besides, it's just a date – we used to do a lot worse together and we always had each other's back." Lux and Tasha had been inseparable since they met that night at Sunnyvale. They had fought together and lied together – it was their thing.

"That was different and you know it. We didn't have then what we do now, don't you get that? We have the chance for the first time in our lives to be normal, and you're acting like we used to when we were at Sunnyvale."

Lux didn't like remembering Sunnyvale, or the foster homes that she had lived in, but she couldn't exactly forget them, either. Truth be told, Lux was jealous of how easily Tasha had settled in to a "normal" life once she came back this last time. Lux had been at Westmonte for months before Tasha showed up and she was lucky to have Jones and a few of his buddies to talk to. Tasha showed up and suddenly she was the star of the girl's basketball team, she was dating the popular quarterback, she had even managed to be voted onto the Homecoming court.

Lux could count her friends on one hand, and still have room to spare.

But she just couldn't help that she sucked at "normal" and in all honesty, she didn't see the appeal to being a normal kid, anyways.

"What if I don't want to be normal? I spent nearly 16 years not being normal so excuse me if I don't feel like hanging out at the bowling alley, eating pizza with the kids from our school on a Friday night; the only worries on my mind being whether or not someone is wearing the same jeans as me. That's really just not who I am, and I really thought if anyone would understand that, it would be you!"

"Don't try to make me feel bad for acting my own age. You're almost 17, Lux, not 20, not 23 like Mr. Daniels. This thing between you guys can only end one way, and it's really bad, especially for him. He could go to jail if someone else found out about you guys." Tasha stressed.

"You don't think we know that? Believe me we know what can happen but we also can't help how we feel, either. I finally found someone who challenges me and cares about me…Did Bug ever treat me this way when he managed to even stick around? He never pushed me or himself for that matter, to do better. Tash, he wanted the four of us to run away, for me and you to quit school and basically go on the run but the first time things got too real for him, he bailed. See, this is what I don't understand; you pushed me to be with Bug, even after he left that first time. Remember? Jones brought me out to your foster home that day and you told me to take that phone number even after I said I wasn't sure if I wanted it. So what, Jones is good enough for you now but was he too good for me back then? Is Bug as good as I should ever get? A lot of people think so…do you?"

Lux couldn't believe how quickly this conversation had gone from bad to worse. This was really not like them to fight like this, but she couldn't ignore that the frequency ramped up after Tasha found out about her and Eric. She knew that what she was doing was viewed as being wrong, but she really thought that Tasha would be able to look past that and see it for what it really was.

"Lux, I never said that. I never really understood how Bug was until after he left the last time. But it's not fair to ask me to do this. To lie to the people who are helping me, and the only family I've ever had."

Lux did know how much it upset Tasha to lie for her, but she didn't know what else to do. Not being with Eric wasn't an option. She did understand how hard it was for Tasha to be stuck in the middle, but she also couldn't help that it did still upset her when Tasha was less then supportive.

"I guess it is unfair for me to expect you'd have my back when I really needed you. But don't worry, I won't make that mistake again." Jumping up from the bench, Lux angrily stalked off in the direction of Eric's apartment. She really didn't want to be in a bad mood when she got there.

"Lux wait…I'll tell them you are with me if they call, ok? Just, please be careful, alright?"

Why did it suddenly feel like a weight had been pressed against her chest.

Shame was something Lux had grown accustomed to feeling in her past. There was a lot she had felt ashamed about, but she couldn't shake the feeling of shame she felt at that moment. She wasn't ashamed for wanting to be with Eric, but, she realized, she was ashamed at how poorly she was treating her best friend.

She would make it up to her, Lux resolved as she whispered her thanks to Tasha, her hurried gate slowing down considerably as she hung up the phone. She would enjoy tonight and come tomorrow; she would do whatever it took to make it up to Tasha and try to repair some of the damage she had committed to their friendship.

"Please just tell me we are not going to some island, again! That was really not a high point for us." The door to Eric's apartment was no sooner opened before the blonde rushed through, a virtual blur of nervousness and slight irritation.

Closing the door, Eric shook his head in amusement as he grabbed on to Lux's shoulders, forcing her to stand still, her body humming with uncertainty. The last time they had attempted to go on a "date" it had ended horribly and nearly broke them up. He was determined to correct that mistake.

"No islands and no missed ferry boats this time around. I'm not about to open that can of worms for a second time." Eric promised as he took note of her outfit.

Relieved by his admission, Lux noticed him eyeing her clothes. "What?"

"I probably should have mentioned that it's going to be a little cold where we are going." Eric stated, running his hand down the arm of the blazer Lux had picked out specifically for the night.

"You don't like? I wasn't sure if I should go dressy or comfortable so I opted for a little of each." After hours of tossing clothes over every surface of her room, Lux had finally settled on a nice pair of dark washed jeans, a glittery top Cate had given her and her trusted black blazer that fit perfectly.

Cute yet sophisticated. At least that is what she thought at the time. Now she wasn't so sure. Was she underdressed? Overdressed? What?

"No, I like." Eric said with an appreciative grin. "Like I said, it's just going to be a little cold, and this outfit, while I like it very much, will not be comfortable or warm."

"Well, I can run back home. Cate's isn't that far way, I could be back in a half an hour." Lux shrugged as she headed for the door.

Eric reached for her hand. "You don't have to go all the way back to Cate's just to change your shirt. I'll be right back."

Eric disappeared down a small hallway before returning within a few minutes, carrying a faded University of Minnesota hoodie. Lux recognized it as the one he had been wearing last week during their basketball game with Jones and Tasha. "It's clean, I swear." He laughed as he tossed it to Lux.

Pulling her hair in to a quick bun, Eric slipped behind her to help her out of her blazer before she started to pull the sweatshirt on. "Hold up! What happened to your shoulder?"

Damnit! How could I have forgotten.

"Oh, it's nothing." Lux exclaimed in a hurry as she pulled the sweater down and quickly pulled her hair out of it's confining tie, allowing it to fall over her shoulders.

"Lux, that's not nothing. Those scars are pretty rough, what happened? Were you in a wreck or something?" Eric asked as he turned Lux around, his eyes a mixture of concern and sympathy.

She hated sympathy.

"Yea, I was in a car accident when I was younger. I covered my head before we hit but the glass still cut my shoulder up pretty badly. No big deal."

Please just take that explanation. This can't ruin our night; please don't let it ruin tonight!

"Is that why you are always wearing sweaters and blazers? You're always layered, but I just figured it was a statement thing." Relieved that he seemed to accept her story at face value, Lux took a deep breath.

That was too close.

"You know, less questions if no one sees them." Lux said with a nod desperately wanting to change the subject. "So where are we going?"

Grinning, Eric shook his head, the previous subject leaving his mind. "I told you, it's a surprise." Reaching for Lux's hand, they walked in to the hallway as he locked the door behind him, with what looked to be a heavy bag flung over his shoulder.

"Can I get one hint?" Lux pleaded, wrapping her arm around his, glad catastrophe had been avoided.

Eric shook his head; Lux pretended to pout for good measure.

"You know, I must say; you look good in my sweater. Maroon and gold suits you." Eric smiled, pulling Lux in to his side as he kissed her temple lightly.

Lux rolled her eyes. "Yea right, I'm practically swimming in this thing." She laughed as she held her arms up to emphasize how large the sweatshirt was on her small frame.

"I don't know, Eeyore, it's a good look." Eric laughed as they made their way out of the apartment building.

It took thirty minutes to arrive at their destination.

"A skating rink? We could do anything in the world, and you want to go skating?" Lux asked incredulously.

"Have you ever actually gone skating before?"

"On pavement, with wheels. Not on ice with knives strapped to a pair of poorly fitting boots." Lux was clearly nervous.

This was exactly how I wanted to spend the afternoon with him. Falling on my ass. Great!

Sensing her insecurities, Eric tried to calm her fears. "I'm pretty familiar with the ice; I used to play a little hockey back home and I taught a youth hockey team for a couple years. I've taught quite a few people how to skate."

"Oh great, you're comparing me to your youth kids?" Lux groaned as her head fell back against the seat dramatically.

Eric got out of the truck, grabbed his bag and went to the passenger side door, opening it. "Come on, you're going to be just fine. Remember when I tried to teach you how to swim? You didn't drown did you?"

"That is what qualifies you as a good teacher, because you didn't kill me in the process?" Eric laughed at her statement; he could tell that Lux was warming to the idea and not nearly as reserved as she led on to be.

Looking around, Lux noticed that the parking lot was empty, save for Eric's truck.

"A buddy I know manages this rink; I rented it out for the night, so it's just you and me." Dangling a key in the air, Eric unlocked the door, waiting for Lux to go in. When they entered the second set of door, Lux was struck with the odd mixture of smells that hit her all at once. Pizza, ice, and feet.

The lights were all on and the rink was massively bigger then Lux figured it would be. It was completely intimidating. Eric squeezed her hand, silently assuring her, as he led them over to a wooden bench just off the ice.

Eric sat down the bag he had brought along from his apartment as he unzipped it and started pulling out random objects. "Provisions."

"Good lord, it's like a magician's bag in there. Are you going to pull out a large floor lamp or something?" Lux asked as she peaked in the bag, noting what he was taking out of the cavernous sack.

A blanket, some knee pads – she assumed for herself – a large, heavy pair of black skates that had definitely been worn in, and a smaller pair of white skates that looked brand new.

"For me?" Lux asked, amazed at the amount of thought that Eric had put in to this trip.

"Of course." Eric stated. "Did you think we were going to have to hunt down a pair of busted up skates from the back room?"

"I actually hadn't thought about it, but I didn't think you would buy me a pair of brand new skates. How did you know my size?" Lux asked

"That part was actually pretty tricky. You can't exactly go in and say 'I need skates that are this big'" Eric laughed as he motioned with his hands. "Lucky for me, you have a tendency of forgetting things at my place. I swear I find a different floppy hat of yours every other day. Remember a few weeks back when it was raining so you wore your rain boots but brought your shoes?" Lux nodded. "Well, when you left, you forgot your shoes so I was able to figure out what size you were."

"I can't believe you went through all of this for our date." Lux whispered as she looked around, fully appreciating for the first time the magnitude of what putting this night together really entailed. No one had ever done this much for her before.

Lux rose from the bench and wrapped her arms around Eric's waist, her head resting on his chest as she silently thanked whoever was responsible for bringing them together. More and more, she was becoming a big fan of fate and all it could bring to a person's life. Fate had managed to come through for her during a time when, even if she hadn't realized it then, she really needed the intervention.

"Well. Let's see how you feel once you've hit the ice a couple times." Eric said, smiling against her hair as he hugged her tighter to him.

"I thought you weren't going to teach me how to skate, not fall?"

"Well, I can't promise you won't fall, but if you fall, I fall so we'll figure it out together." Lux liked the bigger meaning behind his words. Together was all she wanted. She was willing to fall if it meant falling with him.

"Alright, let's do this." Lux said excitedly as she pulled away from Eric, heading back to the bench to get ready. Eric was constantly pushing her to try new things and she was ready and willing to experience anything he threw at her.

"Wait, wait, wait, don't let go!" Lux squealed, grabbing frantically for Eric's hands on her hips desperately trying not to lose her balance. They had been skating, well more like walking and falling, for the past hour and a half, but Lux was starting to get the hang of at least remaining upright.

"I'm not letting go." Eric tried to say through uncontrollable laughter as he guided her from behind, making sure to keep a clear distance so her feet wouldn't get caught up with his. "Lock your ankles or your feet will bow outwards. That's it, push off with your feet. Great, now I'm going to let go, but I'm right behind you, ok?"

"Ok!" Lux exclaimed, focusing every ounce of energy she had on remaining vertical. Eric's hands slowly let go of her waist as she tried to talk herself through the motions. Gliding along the ice, she remembered to push off at an angle to keep her momentum; she was quite successful at first until her feet seemed to grow a mind of their own. "Not ok, not ok. Eric, help!"

Waving her arm behind her, trying to make contact, Lux turned her head slightly to find Eric, almost losing her balance completely with the sudden movement. Eric quickly caught her before she went down, steadying her against him. Stopping them both, Lux turned to face him as he locked his fingers behind her back.

"I bet your wishing you were with that youth group right about now, huh? They'd put me to shame." Lux laughed, her cheeks and nose red from the cold. Eric pinned a strand of her hair behind her ear with his gloved finger.

"Are you kidding? And miss all of this, no way!" Securing his grip, Eric started skating backwards, pulling Lux with him as he slowly made their way off the ice, helping her up on to the carpeted floor.

Lux plopped down on to the bench, exhausted; pulling the blanket Eric had brought over her legs. "You used to do this all the time?" Lux asked as Eric nodded. "I don't know how you did it, my feet are killing me. You very well might be responsible for carrying me around for a while."

Lux rotated her ankles trying to stifle the soreness.

Lifting her feet on to his lap, Eric's fingers made quick work of unfastening the criss-crossed web of laces that traveled the length of the skates. He gently slipped the skates off before he went to work massaging her feet.

Lux felt like she was going to pass out from how good it felt.

"This isn't even right." Lux moaned softly, his hands working to loosen up the tension in her ankles.

Eric silently worked on her feet for a few minutes. "So did we finally manage to go out on a successful date?"

"Well, I am definitely going to be sore from all the falling, that's for sure." Lux grinned, scooting closer to Eric so she could wrap her arms around his neck. With a quick kiss, she continued. "But this was definitely better then our first date. I still can't believe you did all of this just so we could get out for a bit."

"I just wish I could do more, because you deserve so much more then anything I can give you right now." Eric sighed, his eyes dark; pained at the circumstances they'd found themselves trapped by.

"Stop that. Stop beating yourself up over the things we can't control." Lux whispered as she traced her finger along his jaw, noticing how he had the habit of biting his lip when he was unsure. Her thumb ran lightly over his bottom lip before she kissed him, wanting to remove every doubt he might have.

Lux maneuvered her way on to Eric's lap, tempting her luck when he didn't push her away, his hands falling down her back to rest on her hips. Deepening the kiss, all the emotions of the day culminating in her attempt to show him how much she loved what he had done for her today. His hand tangled in her hair as he broke away from the kiss, if only somewhat.

"We need to stop," he breathed heavily, yet making no other move to end the torturous contact. "We REALLY need to stop."

Lux pulled away slightly, kissing the corner of his mouth as he rambled on about them needing to take it easy. His hands found her hips again, but this time he gently removed her from his lap, positioning her beside him, his hand lingering on her leg.

Lux knew he was right, but that didn't mean she agreed with it. Kissing his neck once more, she slowly pulled away, resting her forehead against his.

"You, my dear, will absolutely be the death of me, mark my words." Eric exhaled deeply as he closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure…and his sanity.