Hello, everyone. I haven't forgotten about this story. I've been writing it little by little while away at school. With the long holiday break coming up, I'm hoping to publish new chapters frequently- the ideas are still flowing. Thank you for your reviews! Oh, and you may have noticed that this story has moved; there is now an official 'Blood Diamond' category. No more Misc. Movies! More on the way!

Chapter 11: Nesting

Chapter 11: Nesting

The next several days were spent lounging around one place or another. We'd wake up, eat a few bites and usually head out to the balcony. I fixed us a sort of nest made of blankets and pillows on the hammock, and we spent hours out there watching the tide come in and out.

We made a game out of who could spot the most breeching sharks in a day- a sight that scared me to death when I first saw a Great White burst through the water, mouth open and teeth glistening in the sun. "It must have spotted a seal," Archer said matter-of-factly.

"Jesus…" I was still wide-eyed from seeing the beast up close, and my man was quick to catch on. "Ja, and he's coming after you next, love. Land shark!" (A/N- 'Land Shark' is an old Saturday Night Live skit). He started to laugh and then remembered how painful it was.

"Aren't you funny today," I laughed as I lightly nudged him. "I love those old skits."

"Ja, me too. So, you want to go for a swim, huh?" He grinned, referring to the shark-infested bay. He saw the mock-terror spread across my face. "Don't worry, I won't let them get you, love."

He took my hand, laid it on his chest and closed his eyes. This had to be just like heaven…except for one thing- I needed to touch him. While his eyes were still closed, I loosened my hand from his grip and slowly let it wander under his shirt. He opened his eyes and searched mine, almost unsure of the unfamiliar gesture. I kissed him softly and tried to communicate silently. I just needed to feel closer. My fingertips lightly grazed his torso, feeling each muscle flex and relax…up and up to his chest until I found the place where I could feel his heart beat forcefully under my palm. This was exactly where I wanted to be. His skin was so soft until my fingertips found the tiny hillock of a scar. "What's this from?" I asked quietly. "That's just a little souvenir from Angola, nothing terrible." He must have decided to spare me the details. Either they were unimportant or too painful to recall to mind.

"I love your touch," he whispered after a moment. ."…So warm and soft…I feel safe. I've never felt anything like this." He sounded so innocent. I remembered the promise I'd made to myself several days earlier- that I'd always be there to help him heal. Would he come home with me?

"Would you come back to New York with me?" I must have vocalized my thoughts out of nowhere without even realizing it because when I came back from my reverie, he was staring at me awkwardly.

I almost panicked, but he spoke first. "You mean…you want me to come with you?" he asked quietly.

I had to smile. "Baby, there's nothing I want more….except to stay right here spotting sharks with you." That was the first time I'd ever called him 'Baby.' What if he doesn't like New York. What if he doesn't want to be tied down to somewhere? But, wait, he did say that he wanted off this 'godforsaken continent,' didn't he? We're similar enough…I love that city, so he will too, won't he?

"I love you, Maddy. So…wherever you are is where I want to be. I swear you're the only woman I've ever said that to. Christ, I never thought I'd settle down…then there you were. I don't have much to offer, but you have to know…I'm yours.

"So…is that a yes?"

He smiled, "Ja...yes. It would make me the happiest man barely alive to go to New York with you. Is your place big enough for the two of us?

I kissed his cheek, "Yes, the two of us and more." Wow, did I really just imply children?

"As long as your bed's big enough for both of us…that's really all I'm worried about, huh." There was that sexy smile again.

"You just need to worry about feeling better before we talk about beds being big enough and such.

He laughed softly. "Ja, ja alright. I love you, Maddy. You called me 'baby' a minute ago. You know that?"

"Well, I do recall that I'm not allowed to call you 'Danny.'" I exaggerated my begging eyes.

"I guess you can call me Danny now," he was trying to sound stern, but he wasn't a very believable actor anymore.

"Wow, we're really making progress, aren't we?" We both laughed softly and settled into each other.

Those were the last words we spoke before the sun swallowed the bay, and our eyelids grew heavy with sleep.