Thank you to all who reviewed last chapter! Here's the next one, and please, don't worry...there's still more to come...the pairing isn't set in stone just yet...

As they lay together in her bed, side by side, skin against skin, Haruhi realized no matter how much she loved Kyouya, she just might love Mori more. Mori had always been there for her and showed he cared for her…not that Kyouya hadn't ever done the same. Kyouya's love, however, had only ever been physical, or, at least, that was all he'd ever shown her. He'd had many chances to prove his love…he hadn't.

She shifted slightly, waking Mori. His gaze fell across her soft face, finally relaxed. He couldn't fathom the girl in his arms, the events that led her to him. How she could have been with him the night before he could not even begin to guess. He loved her; there was no doubt in his mind. While she was with Kyouya he'd been hurt, pained, filled with, what he thought to be, unrequited love. But knowing now that she was with him, had turned away from Kyouya and to him, blew his mind and sent him into a frilly day-dream full of rainbows and butterflies. Ok, not really, but enough so that he was slightly loopy when he thought about her decision.

His hand brushed back hair from her neck so he could see her pale flesh in the moonlight. Her skin was unblemished except for a small red mark in the center of her neck from where he'd marked her the night before as they made love. She didn't worry about him making marks, didn't worry about people seeing them, because she was with him and it was out in the open. Or, it would be, soon enough.

Mori leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her skin. He loved the way her skin felt against his lips. Soft and silky. It amazed him how someone's skin could be so smooth. It reminded him of velvet.

Haruhi subconsciously pressed herself closer to Mori's body, spooning against him so the fit perfectly together. It also amazed him how comfortable she was with him, and he wondered if she had ever been this content with Kyouya.


She woke to an empty bed and a note in flowing Calligraphy on a piece of what looked like aged parchment on the pillow where Mori's head had rested the night before. She was disappointed after reading the note, but realized she needed this time to really think and possibly flesh-out her feelings. Actually, what she needed was to speak to a girl and get a woman's advice.

Marie and Haruhi became friends after the girl moved into Tamaki's house. They were cousins who were finally able to catch up after Tamaki's grandmother passed away in her sleep. Haruhi got up and walked lazily to his dresser, reaching for the house phone and typing in the number she'd memorized and knew by heart. Haruhi walked around the room, waiting for Marie to answer.

Marie picked up on the third ring. "Haruhi?" she asked.

"Marie." Haruhi sighed and fell back onto the bed, relieved. "I really need to talk to you."

"What's up? Is it a boy? Was it Kyouya? What did he do? Tell me everything, dear." Marie's voice held a mothering tone that wrapped Haruhi up like a warm embrace.

"It's Kyouya….I broke up with him last night…and then I slept with Mori."

"You what?" Marie was shocked.

Haruhi told Marie the entire story from start to end. "And then Mori picked me up and I was emotional and he knew exactly what I needed…and it turned out to be a little hanky-panky…and so we had sex," Haruhi concluded.

"Well. Haruhi, I've been in your position with Kyouya once. Back in high school, when we dated, he did the same thing to me. He's got issues with his father, and it's hard for him to open up completely and let others in…it sucks but it's the truth."

"What did you do?"

"I got out of the relationship, just like you did. Kaoru was there for me when I needed him and now we're very happy together. He's been good for me, and good to me."

"Do you ever miss Kyouya?"

"Maybe sometimes, but I mostly miss his company. I don't miss the physical contact we had. He was always a rough lover. My body can only take so much abuse. Like I said, Kaoru's been good for me. However, if you're still having feelings for Kyouya then maybe you should just take a break from it all and get away."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, sometimes it's good to take a step back and consider all of your options. Kaoru and I are going to Ireland for two weeks on vacation. You are welcome to stay at our apartment. It's not much, but at least no one would know where you were. It's better than that bed and breakfast that everyone and your aunt knows about."

Haruhi laughed outright. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. Want me to come pick you up right now?"

Haruhi considered this. "Yes, if that's not a problem. Mori's gone so I'll write him a nice long letter so he doesn't think I'm leaving him because we had sex…so that he doesn't beat himself up too, too much. Ten minutes?"

Haruhi told Marie where Mori's house was, then she hung up the phone and bustled about, grabbing another of Mori's long shirts and a pair of boxers that she didn't think he'd miss. Then she set herself down and the bar in the kitchen with a piece of paper and a pen and began to write.

Em =]