Derek woke up the next morning to the sound of the car doors closing. He stretched his arms over his head as he looked out the front window. Everyone was in the car and they were leaving without him. "Hey guys where are you going?" he asked groggily as the car pulled out of the driveway. "Oh forget it. Go on have fun without me I'll just go back to sleep." Derek walked back over to the couch and laid down closing his eyes. Derek didn't know how long he had gone back to sleep for or if he had just closed his eyes for a second but when he woke up again he felt refreshed. "I wonder what time it is."

"It's around ten o'clock in the morning." whispered Alex from behind the couch.

"What? I thought you left."

"Oh yes you saw everyone else leaving. Nora and I went shopping and I picked up a few things but you were sound asleep. I'm surprised you even got up at all." Derek reached back rubbing her arm.

"What are you wearing?" he asked turning over to get a better look at her.

"What oh this little thing?" asked Alex playfully as she stood up. Derek's mouth dropped open there she was wearing only a black bra, black thong and a thin black cashmere mini robe. "I told you I bought a few things." Alex took one of his hands in hers as she started to walk away. "Wanna see the rest of it?"

"Uh huh." Derek got up and followed mindlessly after her. Alex looked back over her shoulder at him. "Aren't we gonna go in there?" he asked as they passed his bedroom.

"Nope we're going somewhere else first." Alex opened the door to the bathroom. As he walked inside Derek marveled at the scene before him. There was a warm steaming bubble bath and candles scattered around the room. "Come here." Alex whispered as she pulled Derek closer placing his hands on her shoulders. Derek slowly slipped the robe off her shoulders. As he looked down to unfasten the front of her bra he could see where the robe had pooled at her feet. Alex was standing still as Derek removed the small amount of clothes she had on. After Derek had removed both their clothes Alex climbed into the bath tub. Derek couldn't believe what was happening as he climbed into the tub. He stared down at Alex as he lowered himself into her. Alex let out a small gasp.

"What's wrong I'm not hurting you am I?"

"No" replied Alex smiling. "That was a gasp from pure pleasure." Derek smiled as he laid completely on top of her kissing her softly. Alex kissed back as she felt Derek deepen the kiss.

"Alex." he moaned in her ear.

"What?" Alex ran her fingers through his hair smiling.

"Can we go back to the bedroom?"

"You read my mind." Derek stood up and stepped out of the tub using the wall for support. Alex kissed him smiling slightly as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. Derek carried Alex back into this bedroom and stopped as he looked around. Again there were candles everywhere and the room smelled like an exotic flower. On the bed were rose petals. Derek looked back at Alex.

"Well you certainly were busy while I was asleep."

"Yes well you were sleeping long enough."

"What did Nora say when you bought all this stuff?"

"Let's just say she didn't know about it. I bought a few things and put them in the car when she was shopping. She asked me if I wanted anything and I said no I was fine."

"You're a sneak." Derek laid her down under him on the bed moving deeper inside of her. Alex moaned as she arched her back off of the bed and into his body. Derek moved slowly in and out of her stopping just short of pulling out before thrusting deeper and deeper.

"Derek I love you." He didn't answer her as he kissed her chest and breasts softly. Alex matched each of the thrusts as she ran her hands up and down his muscled body. Both her mind and body were focused on Derek everything about him as she felt her climax hit her. Alex let out a deep breath as she relaxed under his touch her breathing heavy. Derek soon spilled his seed inside of her and relaxed on her laying his head on her chest panting heavily. Alex pushed the hair that was in his face out of the way.

"There now I can see your face." Derek looked up and smiled at her and pulled himself up to kiss her lips. "Alex thank you." Alex smiled up at him sweetly.

"I thought that since our first time wasn't very special I would do something. Especially after everything you've had to put up with ever since I came."

"None of that matters anymore I love you with every ounce of my being no one can tear us apart. I want us to be together forever Alex say you'll stay with me forever."

"I will Derek until forever comes."

"Please take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you and one day will you do me the honor of being my wife?" Derek was staring at Alex waiting for her answer.

"Yes Derek I will but I want you to know it will not be easy."

"It can't be worse than what we're going through can it?" Alex wanted to tell him the truth she really did but she couldn't bring herself to ruin his hopes and dream. Life with her would never be easy the secrets, the pain others would cause, the danger that faced her. That was the only reason she was sent away. Who would think to look for her here? Jack didn't want any harm to befall his daughter so he regretfully sent her away to a exchange family for a month just until the danger was passed. Alex continued to stare into Derek's chocolate brown eyes. She would tell him the truth but not today when he was ready.

"No I guess it couldn't."

"Alex?"

"Yes."

"I have to ask you why me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you could have had any guy in the school and probably anyone you could want so why the player?"

"I said yes to you Derek because I could see what you could really be like. Oh yes you put on a big show at school and at your home but look at this us right here right now. Somewhere deep inside of you I knew you were different and I don't regret making that decision. Now I'll ask you why did you want me?"

"Well truthfully at first it was because you were a challenge. No girl in the entire history of my dating career had ever turned me down before. It was just a rule that every girl said yes to Derek Venturi. But you, you said no and it didn't phase you at all who I was. I saw that under your tough shove off exterior you wanted someone to love you, someone to care about you to prove to you that it wasn't just a show all that make-up and the clothing. You want someone to say that they aren't afraid to stand up no matter what will happen. That's why I wanted to be with you." Alex had started to cry he was right about everything. Derek noticed the tears on her face and he wiped them away. "I fell in love with you because you saw the real me. Don't cry you'll make me cry." Alex smiled up at him as she continued to cry.

"I'm sorry I just can't believe how lucky I am to have found you and I never wanna lose you ever."

"You never will. Now come stop your crying it'll be alright." He leaned down and kissed her forehead as he wiped her tears away.

"Thank you." Derek rolled off of her and onto his side facing her.

"You're welcome. Now what time are they getting back do you know?"