It was late at night when Kyle woke up to the sound of someone coming into his room. He started to get up, looking toward the door and saw Jessi in the doorway. She smiled at him and then gently closed the door, quietly locking it behind her.
"What are you doing?" Kyle asked. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm being discreet," Jessi explained. "Nicole said we should be discreet."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"I want to sleep in your arms again," Jessi said. "I can get back to my bed by morning."
I remembered the last time Jessi had slept in my tub with me. It had felt warm and comfortable. Jessi wanted to have that feeling again. So did I.
Kyle opened his arms invitingly and Jessi climbed in, gently resting against his shoulder and placing her hand on his bare chest. Kyle put his arm round her and she looked up at him and they gently kissed. Then Jessi sighed and rested her head against his chest.
Kyle said in a quiet voice, "I've been thinking about the other night at your apartment when we shared our experience of each other. We've shared memories, but we've never shared our conscious perception, except possibly when we've sent a message."
"That was more like sending a memory," Jessi said thoughtfully. "This was as it was happening. I could see what you were seeing. We were still separate people but I had access to your senses."
"That was how I felt, too," Kyle paused for a moment and then continued, "Since then, I've had an impression that our connection has strengthened. I seem to be sensing your emotions more clearly than before."
"I've felt yours too," Jessi agreed. "I thought that maybe it was just that I wanted to be closer to you."
"Maybe it's part of us becoming a couple," Kyle suggested.
"Are we a couple?" Jessi asked, her eyes sparkling.
"We're becoming one," Kyle said. He hesitated.
"I know you still have feelings for Amanda," Jessi said. "At 'Pockets' Mark said that when you're close to someone it never goes away completely. That will be stronger for us with our holographic memories. Lori also told me I should be patient." She smiled at him, "You're worth waiting for." She gently kissed his chest.
Kyle shivered, "That electrical current again. I feel your energy. When we are close it's like two magnetic fields combining to make a stronger one."
"That's what we are," Jessi said, "stronger together."