You guys will hate me, but I have to do this.

This is kind of an extension of the last chapter that didn't quite fit, so it's a little short.

The next chapter is something to wait for, I promise. It'll just take me a while to write. Plus I have a seriously packed schedule this weekend.

So don't be surprised if there's a good break between this one and Chapter 11.

Thanks for the reviews, guys! Keep them coming. And enjoy!

It had to be now.

Pavel took one last, steadying breath before turning the corner and walking purposefully towards the door. Her door.

He stopped right in front of it and waffled over whether he should ring the bell or knock. Which would be better? Which would convey his feelings more accurately? Which would she prefer? And did any of that actually matter?

Pavel raised a fist and knocked.

~*~

There was no better time.

I allowed myself a few quick, scared breaths before leaving my room and rushing towards the door. My door.

I stopped right behind it and debated whether to look confused or sad. Which would be better? Which would be more truthful to how I really felt? Which would he believe more? And did any of that actually make a difference?

I crossed my arms and looked how I felt.

~*~

"Go away." I said quietly from the doorframe. This was so much worse than on the bridge this morning. I didn't have to look to him then, I could pretend that my heart wasn't pounding in my chest. Basically, I could lie to myself. Just seeing him, knowing it was him before I even opened the door, there was no way I could look honestly confused. And I didn't want to lie to him. I couldn't lie to him.

"Ayleeote." Pavel said, looking at me nervously. I just melted; how long had it been since I had heard that adorable accent? How long had it been since he had last said my name?

I wasn't usually one to break down into sobs in front of guys my age, or anyone really; except Scotty and McCoy, they were family. And even though I knew I had creeped him out, maybe I still did, just standing here, looking at him so intensely, I flung my arms around his neck and cried. I think I may have said some things, but even I couldn't understand myself. I think he may even have hugged me back, but that's just something people do when someone else is crying on them, right? Kind of like how people will tell you how wonderful and beautiful you are on your parents' graves...

Eventually I calmed down enough to let go and he led me inside to sit down. I sat in a single chair, thinking anything else would be quite right; I didn't want to give Pavel the wrong idea. He gave me a look on his way to the couch, but sat down on the coffee table instead. He sat right in front of me, leaning in close and staring right into my eyes.

"You aren't making this easy." I whispered so softly he may not have heard me. Did I even want him to? Would admitting my feelings be admitting defeat? I could deny them to the end, and never have to get hurt. I didn't want to get hurt.

Pavel dropped his gaze and reached for something behind him. I looked down and recognized my PADD. I hadn't thought of it much, and how I'd left it. I had so much else to worry about, but seeing it was a kind of comfort. I could hear the music in my head already. It made me feel safe.

"Yoo leff zis at ze partee." Pavel explained, still looking at it, running his thumb along the edge, "I waunted to reeturn eet." He handed me my PADD and our hands brushed. Something electric, like a static shock but much more pleasant, ran between us in that second. I think it's called a spark. A spark set off by this hint of love.

"Thank you." I said weakly, sadly. I pulled the PADD close to my chest and dipped my head downwards, towards my lap. I hid my face behind my bangs and cursed the blush creeping across my cheeks.

"Ayleeote." Pavel said just as softly, moving my bangs behind my ear and tilting my chin upwards. His eyes really did amaze me. He may not say much about how he feels, but I could read his eyes like a book. A really good book, one with deep messages and real emotions. If only the love in those eyes was directed at me. There was so much of it; it always seemed to be over-flowing. The yearning in my heart made it ache and quiver.

"Yes, Pavel?" I asked. My voice was a little hoarse, because my throat was very tight, and barely there. It amazed me how vulnerable I sounded. I think I saw him smile in the corners of his mouth ever so slightly when I said his name. I couldn't be sure, because my vision was fuzzy with hot tears. I knew it was coming, and I just couldn't bear to hear it. Not from him.

"Ayleeote... I hauve bean wonderink..." Pavel took a moment to pause and averted his eyes. He was unreadable, aside from his uncertainty. My heart hammered until he eventually looked back to me. I think I read something else there. I couldn't be sure. But I felt my heart swell with something I surely hadn't felt in weeks. It was hope. Was that what was in Pavel's eyes, too?

"Yoo wood go on a date weeth me, da?" He asked me, touching me hand, just barely, "Pleece?"