Sheena was finished with her bath. The lavish scent of gardenia and roses danced across her skin. The steam emitting from the bath had dissipated, but the scent still lingered. Trust Zelos not to buy a name brand soap…

She felt horrible. Here he was, saving her from bleeding to death and healing her wounds. And what had she done in return? She had yelled at him. And almost pelted him with a bottle of shampoo. It was her fault that he had fallen in; she just couldn't control that damn temper of hers. And…she was afraid of how much she longed for him…

"Snap out of it, Sheena. Just go and apologize." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She slipped the silken robe that Zelos brought her through her arms and tied the thin sash at the waist. The violet silk slid alluringly over her as she walked. Probably not the best attire for this type of situation…whatever.

She approached his bedroom. Sheena knocked lightly on the door. "Zelos? Are you still awake?" She creaked the door open and stepped inside. She took a moment to look around; the decorum was similar to hers, but everything was shades of red and gold. This is the first time I've been in his room…it smells like him… A luxurious fireplace was burning to her right. Sheena walked a few steps forward and found him lying on his immense canopy bed, asleep.

She sat down beside him, he didn't stir. "Hey, you're going to catch a cold like that," taking the blanket at his feet, she draped it over him. His hair wasn't quite dry yet and was slightly curled, falling loosely around his face. She had an incredible urge to run her hands through it. She smiled faintly, and brushed the damp hair from his face. She removed her hand from his face and took his hand lying at his side.His hand is so warm…

The memory of his body against hers, letting his warmth flow into her burned in her mind. He had saved her then too. "Look at this, I only let myself be like this when you're unaware," her smile faded. "I…I guess I came to thank you, for all you've done. Not just tonight, but you've always been there for me, even when I didn't want you or anyone…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I…" she leaned forward, her face inches from his.

What am I doing?

Her breath played against his sleeping lips, inviting her to come closer, just a bit closer. A little one wouldn't hurt…Sheena couldn't stop herself. The rise and fall of his chest was slow, meeting hers with a feather light touch. Her eyes filled with unexpected tears. A single droplet slid down her face, falling onto his cheek. He stirred. "W-why the hell am I crying? I guess…even after coming this far, I-I couldn't do it after all…"

"Couldn't do what, my hunny?" Zelos' eyes fluttered open. Sheena jolted and flew backwards, nearly falling off the edge of the bed.

"A-apologize! I-I came to say…that I'm sorry for the way I've treated you tonight," Sheena blushed furiously. "You…saved my life. And I haven't had a proper chance to thank you…"

Zelos sat up, placing his elbows on his knees. "I'm just glad you're safe, and despite your, well…" he chuckled, "aggression towards me, I've…missed you, Sheena. A lot. It's been lonely since our journey ended." Her eyes widened, her face reddening. She looked away.

Silence filled the room; only the crackling of the fireplace and the muffled sound of rain could be heard. The room was dim; Sheena watched how the light of the fire danced across his pale arms and back. He never took his eyes off of her face. That look of his again…it gets to me somehow…

"Zelos?"

"Mhm?"

"Do you think…I've changed?"

He smiled teasingly, running his finger over her knee. "Well, you've become a lot sexier, if I do say so myself."

Sheena blushed and smacked his shoulder. "N-not like that! I mean…since we were kids?" I've known him for that long…

"Hmm…" he paused, his lighthearted smile fading. "You're more serious, and much stronger. I remember when you were so scared and nervous to just summon Corrine…and hell, you're the village chief now." His familiar grin returned, "To be honest, I think you've changed the most out of everyone."

Sheena lowered her eyes, shaking her head. "You're wrong," she said quietly; tears filling her eyes.

"W-why? What do you mean?"

"During our journey…I was…so scared when I had to make the first pact. But…" she looked into his eyes, leaning forward towards him. Zelos was taken back. He had never seen her looking so vulnerable. "…I felt the weakest after you left us. When you…betrayed us."

"Sheena…"

"Don't bullshit me, Zelos! I-I…I'm a coward!" she slammed her fists on the bed. "After you left…I tried to bury my feelings by swearing revenge against the angels…against you. I became so angry…I hated you so much that I couldn't stand it, and I'm sorry. If only I could have stopped you…the things I would have said…things might have turned out differently." She could no longer compose herself; tears streamed down her face.

Zelos shook his head, "That's enough. Going to Cruxis was my decision! My own stupid, selfish, dumbass decision. You don't have to apologize about anything…I just didn't know that you felt this way," he moved gently towards her; she backed away.

"You're so strong and I…I'm so weak. After all that's happened, you just keep on fighting and smiling; you never shed a tear. Look at me! I'm a coward and…I can't even survive a solo mission or accept a helping hand when I'm down." She wiped her eyes harshly between sobs. "I-I'm so damn weak that I can't even…"

"Just shut up!"

Zelos took her shoulders and pulled her roughly towards him; his lips meeting hers in a desperate kiss. He demanded her body and mind through that kiss; she didn't move away. Sheena closed her eyes and let his impetuous desire flow into her body. She sighed, her tears ceased their flow. He suddenly broke away from her lips.

"I'm sorry, Sheena. I went too far." He moved a few inches from her; she stared into his cerulean eyes, breathless. She didn't shove at him or slap him; her body ached for him, she wanted more. And that scared the hell out of her.

"You need to know my reasoning for…betraying everyone. For leaving you." He took a deep breath and turned away from her. "Cuxis has been luring me, recruiting me if you will, for almost fifteen years now. It all started after my mother's death. They wanted me to do their dirty work and in return, they would pardon my duty as the Chosen of regeneration. I wanted so badly to lead a normal life without having those responsibilities…almost bad enough that I would betray my only real friends…"

He lowered his head. "Heh, I'm the weak one. Being fucked over by a bastard like Mithos. I completely lost myself, my humanity for a period of time at his hands. But you know what? I realized I was just kidding myself. That I was just running away from everything…"

Zelos…he suffered and suffered. "Zelos…I-I understand." Sheena moved towards him and tentatively slid her hands across his shoulders, wrapping her arms around him. Moving even closer to him, she laid her face against his back, burying her face in his hair. Her tears returned. "You…don't have to run away anymore. And…and even if you do, I'll run just as fast. I-I just don't want…to ever see you leave again." She tightened her grip on him.

Zelos placed his hand on hers and nodded. "But…there was one thing I realized I couldn't run away from, ever, no matter how hard I tried." Taking Sheena's hands from his shoulders, he paused and turned to face her. Her heart pounded in her chest.

"I couldn't escape my feelings for you. I had to come back to everyone because I…" he gazed into her eyes; his look of sincerity made a pain flood her chest. "…I love you. Whether you're being cute and shy or a violent demonic banshee…I'll always love you, Sheena."

W-what did he just say? Sheena tasted her heart in her throat, and it wasn't fear. He started to move in for another kiss, but she slid her hand along his jaw and turned his face away. She touched her lips to his neck and caressed him, he sighed under her touch. She felt his pulse quicken under her tongue. He tasted warm and clean; faintly of rain.

"…Then prove it to me," she murmured.

Zelos pressed her tightly against him; her breasts applied pressure to his warm bare chest "What was that, my hunny?" he inquired seductively.

Sheena's heart thudded against him. She couldn't stop herself. For one night she wanted to release all her inhibitions and give into what her heart had been telling her all this time. His hands slid down her back and pulled her onto his knees, Sheena gasped. She could feel his tangible arousal underneath her. She wanted him.

"I want you…to make love to me," she whispered softly into the nape of his neck, wrapping her arms around him.

He smiled keenly, "With pleasure, my dear." His voice came out husky and eager, thick with bottled need. His lips brushed hers, soft and chaste at first. Zelos cupped her face in his hands and flicked his tongue against her lips; she opened for him and the kiss became more ravenous as he tasted her. His hands slid along her arms; the robe falling around her shoulders. Sheena broke away this time.

She knelt in front of him, wanting to explore. Sheena ran her fingers along his pants and dug her nails lightly into the cloth over his thighs. She ran her hands over him, barely touching; he shuddered. He placed his hands on hers as she undid his belt. Zelos hastily kicked off his pants, throwing them to the side.

Zelos knelt completely naked in front of her. Every curve of his body was perfectly carved. He smiled teasingly, running his fingers downward while looking into her eyes; he was gorgeous and he knew it.

It was Sheena's turn to smile. She lowered her face, laying a soft trail of kisses along his abdomen. A small groan escaped his lips. She laid her cheek against him, feeling him smooth and firm against her skin. Sheena felt his whole body tense. She looked up and found his eyes closed, his head thrown back.

Sheena took him into her hand, his breath quickened. Her mouth spilled of the head of him, rolling her tongue along his curve. Zelos gasped and threaded his fingers through her hair. She flicked her tongue along his base and moved upward. Whimpers, soft cries, breathless words escaped his lips as she explored him slowly, almost excruciatingly so. He didn't know how much longer he could last. "Enough. It's you turn now." His voice was shaky; she released him with an unbridled sense of satisfaction.

He drew her in for another kiss, pulling the sash from her robe; she didn't protest. She let his hands slide under the robe and around her waist; the silk slid off of her like water. His hands ran up her sides, his fingers playing along her ribcage, his thumbs grazing the bottom of her breasts.

Zelos' hands moved over her breasts, her nipples hardening between his fingers. His hands slid over her shoulders and down her back, along the curve of her spine, and then over the swell of her hips until his fingers met her thighs. He lifted her; their lips still locked together, and lightly slid her forward on the bed. The movement of his hands spread her legs and pressed his length against her. The feel of him hard and ready against her drew ardent sounds from her; he tasted her cries.

He slid down her body effortlessly, arms locked behind her back. Zelos licked her stomach with quick, wet flicks of his tongue. He moved his lips along the line where her hips ended and lower thighs began. His fingers slid between her legs. He looked up at her, mouth still pressed low on her stomach. Sheena's mouth was suddenly dry. "W-what are you doing?"

"Now it's your turn, my sweet voluptuous hunny" he whispered, she gasped in succession. He put a hand on each shaking thigh, spreading them wider. She gripped the sheets above her tightly. He kissed down the inner part of her leg; Sheena's breath fell outward in a sigh. He caressed her inner thigh, running his tongue and lips downward. Zelos arched his back and leaned forward, kissing and exploring her with the same deftness he had done with her mouth. The movement of his tongue inside her mirrored his lips: slow and lingering, tantalizing her senses. Sheena felt herself reaching her climax; she tore at the sheets.

He wouldn't allow that just yet. He lifted himself from her thighs and hovered over her, panting softly. He pressed himself against her without entering. She gazed into his eyes, yearning for him "Please, Zelos." He couldn't deny that request, spreading her legs carefully and easing himself inside of her. Slowly, so slowly, as if he was afraid it would hurt. And it did. She gasped in a painful ecstasy, feeling her insides tear. But she didn't want him to stop. Sheena gathered handfuls of his crimson hair and held him to her; he plunged into her.

Pain became sheer pleasure as she wrapped her legs around his waist. The grip on his hair tightened as she watched his face from inches away as he grinded his hips into hers. His emotions seemed to vanish, his face filled with vehement need. He slowed the rhythm of his body, his arms and back strained, sweat beading on his brow. With every careful thrust, she could feel her entire body tingle and vibrate with passionate sensations. His body then lost its rhythm, thrusting harder and faster as if their bodies would meld together.

A wave of pleasure overcame her in a skin-tingling, body-sweeping rush. Sheena screamed and he echoed her. She felt Zelos spill himself inside of her, warm and wet; filling her. Every thrust, every movement of his body had reached inside her, caressing things never meant to be reached. For a moment, the world around her seemed to come to a halt in her exquisite moment of fervent ecstasy; a moment of total abandon. Sheena dug her nails into his back, raking them down his spine, her screams filling the room.

Zelos collapsed on top of her. She trailed her fingers down his shaking shoulders and arms, gripping his hands as she felt his rapid heartbeat against her own. He moved to the side and drew her close; she curled beside him as they lie, resting, holding one another. She was trapped in moment of peace, a moment of sheer contentment that she never wanted to escape. Before she would allow herself to fall asleep beside him, she leaned over and brushed the hair from his face. He looked so calm, so beautiful. Her lips touched his ear lightly, "I…love you Zelos…and I always will." He was silent. She smiled, not wanting to wake him and cuddled against his side.

Sheena gazed sleepily outside the window overlooking the city before closing her eyes. The rain…it's stopped…