Back in the living room, Stahl was back on the couch, a pillow and blanket now next to him. He wanted to stay but decided against it. "Goodnight", he said at the door. "You too", he heard her quietly whisper. He imagined her brushing her hair, water dripping onto his shirt, her bare thighs and her shins. The thought made him ache in his groin and he found the feeling uncomfortable. He flung himself onto his bed, lips frowning slightly. She was here, with him, in his space... Alive and not fully unwilling. He turned on his side and tried to sink into sleep.

But, still, she was yet to call him by name...

"Robert". He felt the mattress shift under him and his mouth went dry. He stayed still, listening. Her gaze was soft on his back. His logical brain fought for control: "Do I want her to do this? Now? Why scream at me earlier, throw insults in my face?" He let go of his lip and breathed "Harlee...". She stilled. How did he know how to get to her quickly, both frighten and tempt her? She knew the gifts of his job. She sat, too embarrassed to answer. She felt him get up and a softness descended on her. "Stay here, Harlee".

It's not the first time she thought of going to him, of giving herself over to his naked abyss. It wouldn't have been foreign to her. The last time she loved someone, it did not turn out too well. "Love, Harlee? Love?", she caught herself thinking.

He returned with a glass. "I thought you could use this..." She took it, her damn hand shaking, careful not to touch. The glass still held warmth. He turned around to go. She could not and didn't want to let him. "Don't you leave me", she thought. The man had incredible senses! He dropped to the floor with a sigh. "Harlee", he knelt by the bed. "What in hell is the matter with you? You keep turning cold and then hot, keep telling me not to see you, yet you are here..." he pushed his hands into the bed. She felt both confused and divine, her breath trapped somewhere underneath reason. His hands tightened in bedsheets. "Don't do that. Don't do that, Harlee, if you don't mean it. It's no longer a game, at least not for me". She couldn't stand it and, sinning, she breathed out "Touch me..." She felt him lean in and claim her back with his chest, no hands. His skin faintly smelled of whiskey, sweat and purely Stahl. She loved it and kept breathing in...She found his hands and allowed him to hug her. He smiled in relief as Silence and Stillness descended and the World let them be.