I'm very glad to hear so many of you liked my last chapter. I surely enjoyed writing it! And never fear, that will not be the end of their "encounters…"

Fiona woke first, about an hour later. She stretched under the soft, warm covers, turning to her left and seeing Michael still sound asleep. She leaned over and lightly pressed a kiss to his forehead before quietly slipping out of bed. She tiptoed into the Master Bath, finding a soft robe in the closet and slipping it on.

She brushed her hair and found an extra down blanket in the closet, grabbing it and heading out to the terrace, making sure Michael was still asleep before leaving the room. It was approaching late afternoon and she could see the first signs of the sunset behind the spectacular view of the Washington Monument. She maneuvered a lounge chair so it was facing the sunset and sat down, hugging her knees to her chest and wrapping the blanket around herself. She sighed as she rested her chin on her knees.

She had resolved to be strong and guard her heart, but she was very glad she had given herself to Michael. It wasn't only what he needed, it was what she needed. It was no longer hanging over them and she could now start to figure out what to do from here.

As tender and emotional as Michael had been with her, she knew he still wanted back in. She would never be the woman who took that away from him.

Fiona thought about moving her luggage into the spare bedroom in the suite. It would allow her to be close to him but still remain strong. The fact was, whenever she was close to Michael she found it nearly impossible to deny him anything. Maybe a separate bedroom would help build her resistance.

After sitting quietly for a few minutes, she decided she wouldn't do that. This time together, however long it was to be, could help her get into a routine of how her life with Michael would be from now on. Whenever his handlers allowed it, they would get together somewhere safe. They would spend as much time together as possible, they would make love like their lives depended upon it, and she would smile through every moment.

And then when his handlers dictated it, they would part with no idea of when they would next see each other. She would stand behind him and be the supportive girlfriend, not asking too many questions and she would be grateful for whatever contact they were allowed to have in between their visits.

It would work.

It had to work.

So she decided that, whenever he woke up, she would smile at him, and go where he wanted, and be interested in everything he wanted to show her. She wouldn't pout and show that every second she was wondering just how long she would be allowed to be with him.

She knew it was the right thing to do. He once said that if she truly cared about him she should damn well want for him what he wanted for himself. She would will herself to wanting this for him.

Because if there was one thing that everyone who knew Fiona Glenanne knew about her, it was that whenever she set her mind to something, she did it.

The title of this chapter it taken from Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts," which I heard on the radio shortly after I wrote Chapter 3. I think it portrays the mindset that Fiona would feel she has to have with all of the uncertainty surrounding Michael's future. Here are all of the lyrics:

I know I can't take one more step towards you
Cause all that's waiting is regret
And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

And learn to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are
Dear, it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?