Chapter Seven:

Sure Sebastian had known a lot of women in his life, even since the blackout. He was a man after all and men had needs. It didn't mean that love was involved. Yet as he stood there, in the library, holding her in his arms, kissing her, tasting her, he knew that none of the other women had mattered. He was convinced that Claire had come into this world destined for him and only him.

At first she was reserved, most probably taken aback by his action, but slowly he felt her ease up in his hold and slowly return his kiss. He could have stayed there for hours, slowly discovering more of her body.

"Excuse me General"?

He gently removed his lips and pulled away from Claire but still keeping a gentle hold on her. He usually was more discreet when it came to his interactions with women around others but with her it was different. He felt manly when she was around and he had no issues showing her off to others.

"What is it"?

"General, we have found an explosive device in one of the buildings nearby".

His eyes widened upon hearing this. Miles and his troop were finally getting into action and he loved what it meant.

He felt Claire stiffen in his arms. He turned to look at her, sheer panic could be seen in her eyes and her lips were still parted from their kiss.

Sebastian turned to the soldier. "I'll be right there".

The soldier excused himself and left the library. Shortly after, the door of his quarters was heard being closed as well.

He turned his attention back to Claire.

She nodded 'no' as he looked at her. "Bass, you promised you would leave him unharmed".

"Claire, by promising that to you, I meant that I would not go after him. If he comes and threatens me or my men, I will defend everything I believe in and now that also includes you".

"Miles would never hurt me and you know that".

"At this moment in time Claire, I don't know anymore. Miles was my best friend, my brother and yet he tried to kill me. Besides, you are not the only reason he is in Philadelphia. You have to know that he was already on route, I just added an extra log on to his burning fire".

Claire looked at him. "What are you talking about? What other reason would drive him to come here? Is it Rachel? Is there something else that you have not told me"?

Sebastian wasn't sure he should tell her about the fact that Ben was dead, that he was also holding Danny hostage as a means of pressure on Rachel. Claire had obviously seen his dark side, yet he didn't want to add to it. In the end, his goal was to win her over and not just because of some stupid ultimatum she had put him face to face with. He wanted and hoped that in time, she would truly fall in love with him, just as he had fallen in love with her so many years back.

"Claire, Miles tried to kill me and I'm still alive, that is a good enough reason for him to come here. But I have to admit that now, I'm not sure it is his number one reason, considering that you are here".

Claire swallowed. Even if she had convinced Bass to drop things with Miles, it didn't mean that Miles was aware of this choice. Maybe she could convince him to remove her from the equation. He would of course probably not agree with her choice or change his mind on coming to rescue her but she had to try to preserve him.

"Bass, I beg you; let me write him a letter. Let me tell him that he doesn't need to come for me like he promised. Let me at least say goodbye, the right way this time. So many things have remained unsaid due to the fact that he thought I was dead".

Sebastian didn't know what to say or do. If she did write this letter, there was a minute chance that Miles wouldn't come for him and he would never get his chance to kill him on his terms. If he didn't let her write the letter, it would imply that he was too keen on Miles coming on the grounds, which went against what he had promised her, or so she thought. Yet, he knew that no matter what she would write to Miles, he would still come. He was too close to simply turn back and walk away, especially since his initial reason had been to come for Bass and Danny and maybe even Rachel.

He didn't want to lose Claire, yet he knew if it were to happen, he still had one card left to play in his deck. It was a strong card that would ensure that Claire would ultimately stop thinking or loving Miles. Infidelity was one thing and even if Claire could get passed it, how would she take it if she knew everything about Miles and Rachel?

Sebastian caressed her cheek. "Fine. I'll have someone bring you everything you need to write the letter. I'll have a messenger deliver it tomorrow morning in the hope that they are still in the same place. Now I need to go have a look at that explosive device. We can continue what we started later on tonight".

He bent down and kissed her again briefly before leaving the quarters.

Claire stood there, immobile for a while. She felt guilty. Even if she tried to deny it, she couldn't. There was something in the way Bass kissed her that made her feel butterflies in her stomach. She felt desired, she felt the passion and the love he felt for her the instant their lips touched. She hated the fact that even if she loved Miles with all her heart, he had never managed to make her feel something like that. Could she in time truly fall in love with Bass if she convinced herself that things were finished with Miles for good?

She heard the door open and close again just a few minutes later. She left the library and looked into the main room. There on the table were a few pieces of paper, a pencil and a piece of leather that would allow her to put it in, roll it up, tie it and have her letter delivered to Miles. She reached the desk, sat down in the chair, took the first piece of paper and the pencil and started to write, most probably what would be the hardest letter she ever wrote in her entire life.

Nevertheless, she went right to the essential, very carefully choosing her words to make sure that the message came across loud and clear that Miles was not to put his own life at risk to come and save her. She begged, prayed and hoped that he would understand and forgive her for what she had done and was going to do. In the end, she did feel as though she didn't deserve him or his love as she had literally abandoned him all these years.

Once she had finished her letter, she folded it and placed it on the piece of leather. She rolled it up and tied it and placed it on the desk in front of her. She looked down at her left hand resting on the desk, then reopened the leather envelope, added something and then again closed it and tied it. There was no turning back now. If she had thought that her life had changed 15 years ago, it was nothing compared to the life she was going to live now!