A/N: I don't own Anton, Valkyrie or Billy-Ray. And that's the way it should be.


After dinner Anton sat with me before the fireplace, keeping a polite distance between us on the couch. It was as if our kiss of the day before had never happened. He stared into the fire and I felt a breaking up speech coming on. Do something, stupid. Before you loose your one chance with him. I told myself, then dared to scoot over, even though I was right at his side and distinctly remembering his Gist.

Anton looked shocked, then pleased, and put an arm on my shoulders, drawing me into his warmth. "I thought I'd lost you today. For a moment I believed everything you told Billy-Ray." He said softly.

"I know. But I figured you were better off alone than dead. Doesn't seem like your Gist agreed with me, of course." I said lightly. "But it, well, he, never planned to kill me, did he? He was furious, but he had his chance."

"That Gist is all my hate, evil and anger personified, but you're right. Even that part of me couldn't kill you. Not for choosing a younger, more attractive man."

"Choose him? Please, your Gist probably kisses better. That kiss was nasty." I said and Anton laughed softly in response.

"I'm sorry if the Gist frightened you, Valkyrie. But he took what he saw as a betrayal personally. I think it should be obvious then how I feel for you, that I love you." He said, looking at me as he stroked my hair tenderly. "I know you don't feel the same way, at least not yet, but I'm a patient man. And you're the first woman not to run screaming from me."

"Liar." I said gently. "But let's let the past remain in the past. I have a jealous streak a mile wide, but I guess you know that already. And the only reason I'm having trouble saying how I feel is that the last time I said it, I didn't mean it. I don't want the past repeating itself."

Anton's gaze went tender. "And how do you feel? You don't ever have to be afraid to speak the truth, not with me." He said softly.

"I love you." I admitted. "But, Anton, I'm the bad girlfriend, I don't trust myself-" He interrupted me with a lingering kiss.

"I do. We let the past stay in the past, Valkyrie. This is a new chance for both of us. I'm not an angel, and I won't lie and say I regret my past, but I do love you and I'll be loyal. As long as you'll have me, Gist included." His eyes danced with amusement.

"Well, provided the Gist really does kiss better than Billy-Ray, it's a deal." I teased and as Anton drew me into another lingering kiss I thought we might just have a chance.


Yeah, a bit differently than I usually do this pair, but I like the slower progression.