After the sun had sunk into the sky, and it was left to sparkle with the light from the distant stars, Angel sat within Mark's room reading him a story before bedtime. Sitting cross-legged in a too small chair, she read the story aloud as her son fought sleep that was creeping on quickly.

"Night time is the right time, for us all to dream," she recited from the book, "No matter how distant some of it may seem. Close your eyes now and sleep your dreams come rushing in, behind your tired eyes a whole new world begins."

Closing the book, she glanced toward Mark who was now out like a light. Standing from the chair, she lay the book down in the seat of it and then, after kissing her son's soft forehead, she stepped from the room and closed the door, but only slightly. With a sigh, she started down the hallway and into the living room where she looked at Jack on the couch laughing at some show he watched on the television. Quietly walking over, she took a seat next to him watching the show along with him, but alas he was no longer watching the screen. His eyes had shifted toward her now as he stated, "TV here is pretty much the same as my world."

"Well, maybe our worlds aren't as different as we had thought." She nodded, "Aside from the anthro's, but nonetheless, you must still miss things from your world. Right?"

"Uhm," he thought and then nodded, "I do. I miss my evil lair… where I created my robots, and planned world domination. I miss my mom," he quieted for a moment trying to hide the tears that welled up into his eyes, "And… I do miss a lot of things." he allowed his eyes to shy away from her, "But, I like it here a lot too. There are things about this place I will miss too if and when I get home."

"Like what?" Angel asked him, her eyes refusing to move from him now.

"Well," he sighed as his eyes slowly rolled upward toward her, though it was hardly visible in the living room lit only by a television, "You… mostly." He kept his gaze intact as he then only shook his head, "No, you only. I'm not sure there's much anything else."

A tender smile crept onto Angel's face as he spoke, and she suddenly found herself taking in all the details of his face. Though the dim light made it impossible to tell the color, she still found his reddish eyes amazing. He was unlike anything she had ever seen, and certainly a very unique guy. He had captured her heart since that day in PJ's, though she hadn't actually admitted it to herself until the moment they had kissed on the sidewalk the night before. The kiss that had been so soft and innocent it had practically taken her breath away. Something she knew she couldn't find anywhere else, no matter how long she may search. Slowly, she closed her eyes, so to keep his image clear within her mind, but she opened them quickly again as he asked, "Angel? You can't go to sleep on me."

"No," she laughed, "I'm not going to sleep."

"Well you looked like you were." He stated.

"I wasn't." She assured him.

"Then what were you doing?"

Angel blushed, though in the dark it couldn't be seen, "I was… I was keeping your face in my mind."

"But I'm right here." He shifted himself toward her more, "Why would you need to do that?"

"…because there might be a time when you're not right in front of me." She now said realizing how it actually made her feel at that thought. Jack noticed the frown that had begun to seep through, and he nodded, "I see what you mean, but you can stare at me longer if you want."

Angel's smile returned, and she nodded, "I do want. I find you such a fascinating person, though I know you doubt these things. I have these doubts too, about myself."

"You?" he seemed shocked, "But you're so… so…"

"So, what?"

"So… beautiful." He finally looked away. However, quickly, his eyes made it back up to her, "I find you one of the most beautiful people I know, and there's not really anything else I can say about it. You are perfect… to me."

"Perhaps I could say the same about you." She told him. Again, he seemed shocked. All he had ever really had to share his affections with before were robots, and though it had kept him mollified, he had always known they would never show any more affection than that he could program in. Even from upon meeting her, Angel had been easy for him to love, and now as she returned the feelings he had for her, it made his heart soar. She was quickly becoming the most important part in his life, and without hesitation he allowed himself to succumb to that.

"Jack." She lowly whispered.

"Yeah." He whispered back.

"No more words." She said in a breath as she then leaned in pressing her mouth onto his. His heart seemed to explode as their lips once again touched, but somehow in this moment the kiss seemed so different. Warmly and longingly, her hand found his and without warning, she placed his palm face down upon her thigh. Closing his eyes, he let out a raspy sigh as he felt her skin under his fingers and he then gave her flesh a firm squeeze. The aching had once again returned to his hands, and their breaths had begun to slip further and further until the both of them thought they were going to suffocate.

With one last warm lick of his tongue, Jack finally had to part his mouth for a breath of air, but as soon as it was taken, they both dove back in seeming unable to remain apart now. With a smack however, their lips separated again as Angel stood up from the couch and took his hands within hers. After meeting her in the middle of the room now, the two of them made it down the hallway and into her room where the door was then shut behind them.

Behind the closed door, a wet kiss passed from her lips to his as she then went over and pushed him back on the bed. Jack fell back, his head coming to rest upon the pillows there, his body trembling at what he knew was about to take place.

Angel proceeded with turning the light off, but flicked it back on as he called out, "I don't like the dark!"

"Okay," she slightly laughed and then went over to her dresser where two candles, within jars, sat and after taking them in her hands, she carried them over and set them upon the nightstand. Jack watched intently as she then reached into the stand and pulled out a lighter, which she lit the wicks with.

As the two candles began to glow brightly, she then went back to the light and turned it off as she asked, "Is that better?"

"Much," he sighed and then observed her as she crossed the room again. Climbing upon the bed, she straddled him and then leaned in grasping his wrists in her hands before planting another kiss upon his awaiting lips. Jack's nervousness of the situation returned as the condition grew intense again, and upon their lips parting again, he stated, "I'm worried Angel."

"I know," she nodded with a whisper, "But if you just put your trust in me, I promise everything will be alright."

"I've never done… this… before…" his voice faded as she then reached down and pulled the red sleeveless shirt over his head. As it slipped over his head, he felt very embarrassed at her seeing his body and couldn't help but blush, but his face grew burning hot as she then reached around and removed her own shirt. The most discomforting thing to him was the fact he couldn't take his eyes off her now bare breasts. Though he tried to sway his eyes away, they kept coming back just like the night at the dance with her skirt.

Slowly now, Angel leaned into him, her skin upon his as she then gently sucked at his neck with her lips. Jack's eyes closed as he tried to contain the feelings he was experiencing, and with his still aching hands, he finally reached up and allowed himself to touch the skin of her lower back. Angel sighed out as his touch filled her emotions and then raised back up, removing herself from on top of him. Before him now, she slowly began to remove her lower garments, which eventually rested in the bedroom floor. Now having to look away, he felt very ashamed as she stood before him totally nude.

"Angel wait!" he called out quickly though, as she then came over and began to work on his pants. She couldn't help but grin at his reaction, but honored his request of, "Let me do it… but don't look at me."

Turning her head away, she waited until he gave his approval before joining him once again. Climbing back over him, the blankets now between them, Angel leaned down resting her lips next to his ear as she whispered, "Jack, why are you so scared?"

"I just," he whispered back, "I just don't want you to laugh at me."

"I don't want to laugh at you." She replied and then flicked her tongue out licking at his earlobe. Jack's senses went haywire as her mouth now began to caress his ear and the side of his face, until she had reached the other side. Whispering in his other ear now, she requested of him, "Won't you touch me?"

At this, he reached up placing his hands upon the curves of her waist, closing his eyes once again as she kissed more on his neck. Finally, he showed her the affection she was consumed by as he leaned in pressing his lips to her neck and shoulders. Little by little, the blankets between them were removed, the both of them swearing they may catch fire as their bodies eventually came together in a passionate frenzy.

Autumn leaves slipped from the trees, covering the area around them in a blanket of earthy colors. The sun still shone in the sky, but the weather had turned off colder so quickly overnight. The warm sunshine grazed through the window touching Angel's exposed shoulder and stirring her awake. Yawning huge, she slightly sat up in the bed and looked across from her, but was slightly confused when she saw Jack was gone. She had no doubts that it hadn't been just a dream, her lack of clothes being proof enough to convince her, but sliding out of bed, she dressed and then went out the door of the room.

Stepping into the living room, she looked around but still saw now sign, thus causing her to open the front door where she immediately saw him sitting on the front porch. Somehow though, she saw him differently as she glanced upon him and it caused a smile to spread across her lips. Her presence alerted him, and as he turned and looked at her, her heart began to beat rapidly. He closed his eyes as he then merely reached over beside him and patted the area next to him. Angel let a breath out as she then walked over and took a seat next to him on the porch. He was looking down at his feet, and had been peeling an orange, but now he only picked at the remaining leftovers of the white that had stuck. Sticking his finger slightly into the soft meat of the fruit, he pulled out a small piece and brought it up and to his mouth and after chewing it a little, he spoke, "Angel… last night was…" he seemed to struggle with the words, "How can you describe something like that?"

"Brilliant," she nodded to him, "That's how I would describe it. Everything was brilliant. Being with you was…"

"Brilliant." He smirked as he picked at the orange some more, "I don't feel it was me that made it brilliant. I couldn't have been more dumb to the situation."

"Jack," she reached out and touched his cold arm, "I didn't expect you to be perfect. Why do you worry so much about it? I knew it had to be a first for you, but please don't tell me you regret it because I certainly don't."

"Regret it, no." he shook his head, "I don't regret it at all. I guess I just feel awkward… because I know…"

"Don't worry about it." She leaned her head in on his shoulder loving his soft skin upon her temple. He turned his head to look at her, and somehow he couldn't help but smile at her face which seemed too serene and perfect. Sighing, he pulled another piece of the orange off and placed it to her lips. Angel slightly opened her mouth and allowed him to put it on her tongue, but upon her eyes meeting with his, she could clearly see that something still troubled him. Swallowing the thing he had put her mouth now, she kept her eyes on him as she asked, "Something still bothers you, what is it?"

"Nothing." He seemed to just fiddle with the fruit now. Angel sat up straight and reached out placing her hand to his face as she stated, "Jack, you can tell me. I wish you would tell me."

"Well, it's just that now, I feel something strange with you." He sighed knowing he must not make sense, "I mean it was one thing before, but now after last night…"

"Are you trying to say you feel differently about us now because of what happened?" she seemed concerned. Jack only looked toward her and nodded his head now as he informed her, "I do see it differently."

"I ruined it… didn't I?" her eyebrows drew down in worry.

"Angel, no," he shook his head, "Nothing is ruined; it's just that now all my desire of wanting to go home is gone. I mean yeah my parents are there, and everything I used to care about is there too, but to be honest… my parents never really knew I was there anyways. In fact…I think they were some of them that viewed me as a weirdo. That's not to say I don't still care about them, but well… I only want to stay here now. To leave you behind, would be far too hard on me and I don't want any of that anymore. I'm tired of being emotionally abused, by myself and by others. To stay here, would be good for me."

Angel leaned forward, looking at him as he spoke, and in all the times he had ever talked to her, he seemed most serious in this moment. Realizing this, she was overcome with guilt and shook her head, "Jack, I'm not trying to persuade you to run away, that's not what I wanted at all."

"I know." He assured her, "But I can't leave you behind. That place I would return to was a place I was unhappy in. Everything I did was in vain, and I only convinced myself I wanted it. The only thing I'm sure of now is you, and right now that's what I want to strive for. The world doesn't matter anymore; I want to make you my world."

"You don't know what you're saying Jack." She disagreed with him, "That night we talked under the tree, you told me of your dreams, and there is no way anyone should change those… not even me. I don't want to get the blame for stealing your dreams away from you."

"No. This is what I want now. All that other is in the past… I just want to stay here with you, nothing else matters." He stood firm. Angel got up off the porch, and took a place in front of him as she looked him in the eyes, "Jack, I know you say this, and if you really believe this is what you want, nothing would make me happier, but… I just have one request."

"What?"

"Think about it first. Think about it long and hard. I want you to live for who you are, and not just for me. I'm not worth throwing everything away for. Please, take a walk, something… just take a little time by yourself and think about this long and hard. If you do this and come back still feeling the same, then we'll talk about it more." She told him.

"But…" he argued.

"No buts," she reached out and placed her finger to his lips, "Do it Jack… please."

He sat for a moment, just staring up at her and wondering why she pressed it on him so, but after seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he gave a nod and stood up from the porch also. Still holding to the orange in his hand, he agreed, "Okay, I'll do it, but this time I think I'll take the less traveled road."

"Yeah," she nodded, "I want you to come back to me in one piece."

Leaning in, he gently placed his lips to her cheek in a kiss, and then without another word, walked off down the sidewalk, eventually disappearing.