Vaan sighed. She was going to be a tough one.

"Sorry Penelo. I have to change as- Penelo?"

She had locked the door to his room from the bathroom. The only other way was for him to go through her room. And now she was locking the door leading out of her room.

"Penelo!"

She grinned. "Don't worry Vaan. I'm not going to be all that bad of a girl."

Her towel was slipping a bit, her hair flying behind her.

He sighed inside. He wanted to go, but how far would they go without meaning to?

"Vaan? Don't worry. We'll have to be married before I let you go that far."

Well, if she said so.

He followed her, a little more self conscious than he should have been.

And then he was in for the shock of his life.

Penelo dropped her towel.

He shut his eyes. He DID NOT want to see that.

"Vaan? It's okay. I'm putting on clothes. Open your eyes."

He did. Penelo was standing before him looking worried. In a huge T-shirt. What a relief.

"I'm sorry…I should have told you."

"……"

"Vaan? Vaan? Don't be mad.'

All he did was draw her into his lap. He kissed her and said "Penelo…I love you"

She smiled and said "Vaan, I love you too. But your towel is wet. Here, I have shorts for you." She threw them at him and he struggled to put them on, forgetting he had no underwear.

Penelo danced around the room and jumped on Vaan when he stood up.

"Vaan, you've been bad."

"Me? What did I do?"

"You stole from Migelo. Again."

He stuck his tongue out. She pushed him on her bed and sat on his stomach, her legs spread to either side.

"I'm going to have to punish you for that…"

She leaned down and kissed his collarbone. Then she gave him butterfly kisses on his mouth. He let out soft groans and he pulled her lips closer to his.

She pulled away. "Uh uh. I said punishment."

With that he flipped her over until he was on top of her. He stretched himself out so she couldn't really move. "Punishment? Well you deserve one too, for lying to me."

So he tickled her and wouldn't stop. He loved her laugh. It was so musical. Finally he stopped. She was out of breath. They rolled over on their sides and Penelo caressed his face, while Vaan just lay there enjoying the mingling of their body warmth.

Penelo spoke. "Vaan. Sleep here with me tonight."

He sat up "Whoa. Whatever happened to being married?"

She pulled him back down. "We won't do anything you dummy. Just sleep with me. Lie down with me. Hold me like mom used to."

He relaxed. "That I can do. C'mere" He opened his arms and Penelo crawled into them.

Thy fell asleep. Two hearts beating as one.