Yeah, chapter four, here we come! Thank you so much to everyone that reviewed, and again, thank you for being so patient with me. I know how frustrating it can be when someone won't update!

Title: Must Love Dragons
Rating: 'T', until further notice.
RFR: Language, alcohol, and some violent scenes.
Summary: Sarah Beth Adams was your normal college student. That is, until one day, she discovered a dragon in her backyard. What's a girl to do?

Chapter 4 Publish Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2007: 11:15pm

Sarah paced back and forth nervously in her hotel room. It was almost one-thirty, and Charlie was due at the hotel any minute. Sarah was getting anxious. Anxiety wasn't in her nature, and so the very fact that she was getting anxious was giving her anxiety. It was all very confusing. Sarah groaned and collapsed into the chair near the television set. I don't care how this date goes as long as I get out of this room, Sarah mused to herself, I've been cooped up all morning!

It was true. Before Sarah was allowed to go digging anywhere, Thomas was making her review proper brushing and digging techniques. It was, unfortunately, dreadfully boring. On several occasions, Sarah thought she was going to poke her eyes out with the brush handle. Sarah cringed as she remembered Thomas berating her for stroking a brush too strongly.

"Artifacts are delicate, Sarah," he had said solidly, "You could damage them with the slightest pressure." Sarah frowned. Just imagining his voice was giving her a headache. Sarah brushed a stray piece of purple hair from her face and sighed, slouching down in her chair. Not a second later, a knock sounded on her door, and Sarah shot out of her chair like a bullet. She stopped suddenly before the door and smoothed her hair back, before wrenching the door open.

Charlie stood there with flowers in his hands. His red hair was a mess, just like it had been the night before, but he was dressed in nice slacks and a button up shirt, with a black wool coat over the top. Sarah couldn't help but find him incredibly sexy. She colored slightly at her own thoughts and cleared her throat.

"Charlie!" She said with a smile, "You made it!" Charlie smiled in return and held the bouquet of flowers out.

"These are for you," he replied with a bit of uncertainty. He was rewarded, however, with a bright grin from Sarah. She gestured for him to come in and shut the door behind him. Moving past him, Sarah searched for something to put the flowers in.

"I haven't been given flowers on a date in forever," she said excitedly. Charlie liked how his simple gift had made her so happy. He shrugged and scratched the back of his head.

"Er, I guess I'm just a little old fashioned," he replied. Sarah turned back and smiled once more.

"I like old fashioned," she said cheekily. She returned to her hunt for a makeshift vase, and Charlie took this time to examine his date in full daylight. Her hair was… purple. Very purple, like the color of a plum. He liked it. It was… different. It was pulled back into a messy bun with several strands framing her face. Her makeup was minimal, something Charlie was grateful for. She was dressed nicely, like he was, thank god. Charlie had wondered if the slacks and button up shirt was a little too formal for lunch, but she was dressed just as nicely, in a brown skirt and tank top, with a little pink jacket.

She was very pretty, Charlie decided. Realizing he was staring, he quickly averted his eyes to the rest of the room. Sarah turned back with a triumphant grin.

"Ta-da!" she announced loudly, holding up her makeshift vase. Charlie couldn't stifle his smile at her work. She had managed to stuff the bouquet into a rather small water bottle.

"It looks fabulous," he commented. Sarah beamed and set the vase on the windowsill, plucking a pink bloom out and sliding it behind her ear. "Ready to go?" Charlie asked. Sarah nodded.

"Just about, I need to feed Kirby." Charlie raised an eyebrow. She must mean that strange little rat she had yesterday. He followed her movements and watched as she pulled out a bag of something and poured its contents into a bowl. She then set it on the ground next to an odd looking water container. The pet was nowhere in sight, but she didn't seem too worried about this. She grabbed a heavy wool coat from the back of her chair and slid into it. Wrapping a thick scarf about her neck, she tucked it into the coat as she buttoned it up.

"Okay," she said as she straightened, "now I'm ready." Charlie held his arm out, and Sarah, laughing softly, took it. Such a gentleman compared to the boys back home…

"So, where are we going?" she asked excitedly as they exited the hotel. She still had yet to see Bucharest in daylight.

"Well," Charlie said as he pulled her out of the way of an oncoming car. She didn't seem to mind she had almost been run over. "I was thinking we would start with some lunch. That sound good to you?" Sarah tore her eyes from a fascinating building and blinked up at him.

"Yes, thank you so much. I am absolutely starving." Charlie, chuckling slightly, nodded to a corner café nearby.

"You think you can make it that far?" he joked. Sarah, glancing past him, put on a pained look.

"I don't know," she teased, "I think I might pass out right here." Charlie gave a mock gasp and began pulling her frantically towards the restaurant.

"Then let us hurry! Make haste! Make haste!" he said. Sarah giggled and suddenly broke out into a run.

"Last one there has to pay!" Charlie, at first was confused, because he had been intending to pay all along, but then realized her jest and shot off after her.

"I still say you cheated," Charlie said as they sipped at coffee and tea, waiting for their meals. Sarah shrugged and stirred her spoon absently.

"Whether I cheated or not doesn't really matter. You still got beaten by a girl." Charlie laughed and flicked a sugar cube at her. Sarah caught it and munched on it happily. There was a comfortable silence, which Charlie broke.

"So, tell me about yourself." He said. "I really don't know anything about you except that you are a student and your name is Sarah."

"Sarah with an 'H'," she added softly. Charlie grinned and conceded.

"Sarah with an 'H'. The most important letter," he said. Sarah smirked at him and set her coffee down.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" she asked. Charlie leaned back and stretched his arms, wincing slightly as his wand poked into his side. He ran through a few things in his mind before settling on some questions.

"Where exactly are you from? What are you studying? How old are you?" he asked rapidly. Sarah laughed and answered just as quickly.

"Seattle, Washington, USA. I'm studying archaeology and anthropology, and I can't believe you just asked me that!" she said, referring to the age question. Charlie smirked and took another sip of tea.

"I figured that you were young enough so you wouldn't be offended," he said, waggling his eyebrows. "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours." Sarah laughed and nodded.

"Deal. I am twenty-two," she replied. Charlie raised his glass to her.

"Twenty-seven."

"Ooh, old man!" Charlie made a pained expression and swatted another sugar cube at her. This time, she did not catch it, and it bounced off her nose. She wrinkled the offended appendage and glared playfully at Charlie. She couldn't hold the appearance for long and soon burst into wild giggles.

As she recovered, Charlie watched her with a small smile on his face. He could already feel himself really liking this girl.

"Thank you, Charlie," Sarah said as she spooned some blue snow cone into her mouth. After lunch, Charlie had taken her to a nearby market bustling with activity, despite the chilly weather. Sarah loved the chance to interact with the people and the culture of this foreign country. Charlie held back a laugh as Sarah's mouth quickly turned the color of her snack.

"You're welcome, Sarah." It was about seven o'clock in the evening now, and the pair was reluctantly making their way back to the hotel. Neither one wanted to leave the other. However, like all good things that come to an end, the Ibis Nord Hotel came into view, and their date was nearing a close. Sarah had learned many things about Charlie- such as his six siblings, his native home of England, and his love of exotic animals. Sarah chucked her snow cone cup into a nearby trash can and turned to Charlie. She couldn't help but smile at him. She had had such a great night. Licking her blue lips, Sarah tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, feeling the flower she had slipped there. She pulled it out and twirled it between her fingers.

"I had a really nice time," she said. Charlie nodded and shuffled his feet in the dirt. Sarah bobbed her head once and turned to go, but Charlie caught her arm.

"Do you think I could see you again?" he asked. Yes! Sarah shouted inwardly. However, on the outside, she nodded and gave him a small smile.

"I'd really like that."

Charlie silently thanked whatever gods were looking out for him and nodded back. "Okay then."

"Okay," Sarah replied. Before anything got more awkward, she decided to retreat back to her room. She turned and made her way to the entrance. Charlie watched her go, and once her hand touched the door, he turned to leave.

"Charlie?" As his name suddenly was called out, he twisted just in time to have Sarah knock the wind out of him. Stumbling backward, he managed to gain his balance at the last second. Sarah, on impulse, had decided to give him a quick hug. It was a little more enthusiastic than she had planned. Charlie felt his heart warm as he felt her arms close around his waist. He easily wrapped his around her shoulders and squeezed her gently. Sarah looked up at him and grinned cheekily.

"See you later," she said, suddenly breaking away and dashing back to the hotel. Charlie, dumbfounded by the quick hug, watched as her form disappeared.

"Later," he said softly. Looking down at his shirt, he suddenly grinned as he realized that Sarah had tucked her flower into his pocket. With one last glance at the door, he turned and swiftly apparated into the dark night.

Up at her room, Sarah was giddy with excitement. Turning the key in the lock, she stumbled inside to see Alison and Thomas playing with Kirby.

"Well, hi!" she said cheerfully. Alison raised an eyebrow.

"You seem awfully excited," she commented. Sarah nodded with a wistful sigh and dropped onto her bed. Kirby gave a disgruntled squeak as she disrupted his comfortable position. She picked up the small animal and cuddled him close.

"I just had the most awesome date ever." Thomas rolled his eyes.

"What happened to staying in the room?" he asked. Sarah scoffed flicked him on the nose.

"I stayed in the room… for a little bit." At his face, she laughed and sat up quickly. "I got bored," she whined, "And besides, I already know how to use my tools. I want to get out in the field." At this comment, Thomas and Alison gave each other a small smirk. Sarah was instantly suspicious.

"What?" she asked. "What?" Alison laughed and ruffled her purple hair.

"Look's like you got your wish, kid. Tomorrow we're leaving for Transylvania," she replied. Sarah shot up and began jumping on the bed. Kirby held on for dear life.

"Finally!" Thomas and Alison laughed at her excitement.

"We're getting up early though- so get a good night's rest." Thomas said seriously. Sarah nodded ecstatically and dashed into the bathroom, depositing Kirby in Alison's lap on the way there. She slammed the door. Almost immediately, it opened again and she reappeared in her pajamas.

"I'll start now," she said seriously. Alison checked her watch.

"It's only seven o'clock," she replied incredulously. Sarah shrugged and took Kirby back, sliding into bed.

"It's sleep time now. Go away."

Chuckling, the pair left Sarah to what was surely going to be a restless night, and returned to their own rooms. As Kirby burrowed into the curve of her neck, Sarah could feel butterflies in her stomach. This was the moment she had been waiting for.

Hopefully she wouldn't screw it up.

There you go!

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