A/N: Continuing thanks to CherryBlossomAwesom who PM'd me about continuing this story. Thanks for reading! :)

Chapter Twenty-One

My fingers wavered as they moved between two pieces as I tried to decide on the best course of action. I found it was difficult to execute any kind of strategy with Peter sitting a mere foot from me, but, I was doing the best I could.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior." Peter's rich voice rolled through me and I fought a shudder.

"What do you mean?" I asked with a frown, not quite knowing what behavior he was apologizing for.

"Upsetting you. It wasn't my intention. Not today or... Or any other day."

"You didn't..." I began, but I stopped myself before I could finish. It wasn't exactly true that Peter hadn't upset me, as much as I wanted it to be. "You don't need to apologize. I don't blame you." I finished, more honestly, tucking a stray tuft of hair behind my ear.

"I'm sure that you don't." He said, so quietly that I wasn't sure if he was saying the words to me, or to himself.

Finally, I decided to move my knight over my bishop. Both had been in danger of being taken by Peter's pieces, and I hoped keeping the less predictable, freer moving piece would help my game in the long run.

"Did Jack talk to you? Did he tell you that I was... Upset?"

"Yes, he did."

"I asked him not to." I sighed, heavily. "Although, I guess it's my fault for thinking I could tell Jack not to do anything."

Peter smiled wryly, speaking with what almost seemed like pride. "He has a mind of his own." He faltered a little, after a moment. "Don't be angry with him. I'm glad he told me. If he hadn't..."

"What?" I asked, dying to hear what he said, to hear more of his voice, when he trailed off.

"You deserve to be treated well, Emma. I just want to do right by you." Peter continued, gently.

I furrowed my brow in thought. "What does that mean?"

"I'm still trying to figure that out." He looked down at the board between us, taking the bishop I had chosen not to move, as I'd predicted.

Several games passed. I lost every single one, but I was enjoying myself beyond words. Just being close to Peter was invigorating. I hardly noticed the time passing at all. But, when I saw Ezra coming up the steps behind Peter, I glanced at the clock over his shoulder, and I realized it had.

Ezra smiled warmly at both of us as he approached. "How's it going?"

Peter spoke up first. "Emma is a very talented player. You should try her sometime. I'm sure she'd give you a run for your money."

I felt my face heat up at the compliment. "Peter's just being nice. I've been loosing terribly."

Ezra shook his head dismissively. "Peter's a very good player. Don't be so hard on yourself."

I watched Peter's eyes as they diverted over to the clock as well. He sighed a little, almost resignedly, as he saw where the numbers its arms pointed to.

"It's late. I should be getting you home. You have school in the morning, don't you?"

I shook my head a little. "No. Tomorrow's Sunday."

Although, with it nearing midnight, I know it didn't make much of a difference. I was exhausted, whether I wanted to admit it or not.

"Right." He hesitated, like he might change his mind and take me home a little later. Then I yawned, and his face harden in resolve. "Come on. Let's get you home."

Peter stood and headed for the stairs, and my body followed more or less automatically after him. I smiled a little sadly—and probably tiredly—at Ezra as I passed.

"Thank you for having me." I said, hardly able to make my feet pause as Peter continued down the stairs.

"It's always a pleasure." He assured me, as warmly as ever. "Goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight." I echoed, before racing down the stairs after Peter. I would have followed him straight out to the garage, but I was aware enough to realize I should say goodbye to everyone else first.

I made my way into the living room where Milo and Jack were still playing video games. I vaguely recognized the game on the screen as Halo, something the boys at school were so obsessed with that they taped posters of it inside their lockers and chattered about it near-constantly. Mae looked utterly disinterested as she looked on, watching Milo and Jack take potshots at each other with rocket launchers. Although, she lit up when her eyes fell on me.

"Peter's taking me home. I just wanted to say bye before I left." I explained, as I lingered off to one side of the room.

"Oh. That's good." She said, smiling. "I hope you had a good time tonight, love."

"I did." I confirmed.

"Well, don't let the doorknob hit you on the way out." Jack teased, from his place on the couch.

"Jack!" Mae chided, reaching out to smack him. "You shouldn't say things like that!"

"I was joking!" He cried, in his own defense. "Jeesh."

Jack paused the game, so he could give me his undivided attention, smiling that charming smile of his as he turned to me. "I'm glad you had fun." He said, earnestly.

"We should do it again soon." Milo said.

"Yeah, of course." I agreed.

I heard the telltale noises of a car starting and before I knew it, I was backing away in the direction of the garage door. "I'll see you guys soon." I waved, before I made my escape.

Peter was already waiting for me in his silver Audi. Absentmindedly, I grabbed my coat and purse off of the hooks they hung on, swinging both of them on before I made my way to the running car.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked, as I got in.

I wanted to say no. But, instead, I forced myself to nod. I couldn't really explain it, but I just wanted to be close to him. I never wanted this moment, this night, to be over. I craved him, the way flowers craved sunlight.

He pulled out of the garage and I noticed with some relief that like Ezra, he was a much more cautious driver than Jack. The ride was smooth, and much like our recent chess matches, mostly silent. I didn't really mind the quiet. I couldn't think of anything to talk about, anyways.

He didn't appear to need directions, and even without speeding the way Jack tended to, we made it to the apartment quickly. I wondered belatedly if Ezra or Jack had told him where I lived ahead of time.

Peter pulled up against the curb and put the car in park. "We're here." He announced, as if that much wasn't already painfully obvious.

"Yeah." I murmured, softly, letting him know I'd heard him.

I knew I should be getting out of the car, but I couldn't seem to make myself. Being this close to him just felt so good, it overrode any kind of logic. Peter seemed to eclipse everything else for me, and I couldn't explain it, but somehow I couldn't find it frightening. It was comforting, soothing, just basking in his presence.