Amazingly, Vicki was able to contain herself and not ravage Henry as she so desperately wanted to. This woman had nerves of steel Henry finally decided. That night was more proof of that. How anyone could resist him while clad only in a towel, having desired him so very much of late was beyond comprehension in his mind. However, Henry knew that Vicki was Vicki and it would be in her own time and her own way if she ever did give herself over to him completely. When he was done licking the wounds that were visible, it was apparent to them both that they were wanton for one another but Henry, again ever the royal gentleman, merely left the room leaving Vicki to dress alone. Vicki was puzzled that Henry would so easily leave her and not press the issue. She was somewhat confused and hurt by it then angered that he could leave her so easily while she was vulnerable.

"Don't kid yourself Nelson, you'd be pissed if he had tried anything," she mumbled out loud as she slid his clothes on. His scent was ingrained in the clothing she wore and so very soft against her skin. She inhaled deeply then climbed into Henry's bed. His sheets held even more scent from Henry. She truly wondered if there had been another woman since their last exchange when he had told her he was leaving. Henry wasn't a liar, not that kind anyway. He did lie to her about leaving and kept Mike's secrets for him. He had in effect protected Mike too knowing that Vicki would want to hate him for what he had done. As she lay there thinking about all of the things that had gone through her mind, tears flowed from her closed eyes. Henry had quietly entered the room to check on her before getting ready to die for the night.

"Vicki? You know I have to sleep here too. This is the only room that is completely safe for me," Henry reminded her as she felt the weight of the bed shift when he sat down on the edge. She nodded yes without answering. As she listened, still laying on her side, her legs drawn up and eyes squeezed tight, she knew Henry had stripped to his boxers. This would be strange, sleeping next to Henry so close and yet so far in emotional attachment at this point.

"Thank you," Vicki finally said as Henry climbed in next to her.

"For what?" Henry asked softly.

"For everything," she turned to the other side to face him. Henry was on his back but when she turned, he shifted by putting his hand under his head turning his upper body at an angle to get a better view. Vicki was getting a fantastic view. Her eyes slid up and down his body quickly and even what little she could see in the dim light was enough to make her hot for him once more.

"You're welcome, fair maiden," Henry said with a dramatic flick of his hand.

"Henry?" Vicki said as she stared into his eyes and his welcoming smile.

"Yes?" The smile never left his face.

"Did you ever come to my apartment, you know during the months when you watched me? When I was say..sleeping or anything?" She waited for his response but was surprised at his answer.

"Not in body, but in spirit," he said softly.

"What the hell does that mean?" she asked suddenly sitting up. Henry thought at that moment that she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen as she sat there in his over-sized shirt and boxers with her legs folded underneath her as she sat back on her heels.

"It means that when you wanted me there, I was there."

"Did you mind-fuck me?" she was angry now thinking he had invaded her privacy without her permission.

"Victoria, I am a better man than that. Haven't you figured that out yet? I would never enter your mind unless invited and there was one time, you wanted me there..you remember don't you?" his eyes searched her face hoping she would be truthful because it was a memory he kept close at hand.

She nodded and knew it to be true-the shower. She had wanted Henry there with her, inside of her, touching and caressing her. She wasn't going to be able to deny that part of it anyway.

"There are just so many problems to be concerned with," Vicki sighed. She wanted to be with him but her logical mind kept telling her it wouldn't work.

"Life is full of probems." He reminded her.

"So, what did Mike blackmail you with?"

Henry shook his head no,"I will tell you again, that is for him to tell you but it's over." Vicki frowned.

She then did something bolder than she'd ever done in her life. She decided to test Henry to see what his true feelings for her really were. Still having Mike to deal with, she could at least get one problem out of the way. Then, after he passed or failed, only then would she tell him the truth about how she really felt.

"Do you think I'm pretty?" Vicki asked.

"No." Henry replied. Vicki frowned.

"Would you want to be with me forever?"

"No." Deeper frowning and a snort, nostils flaring and mouth set.

"So, if I leave, will you cry?"

Again, no. That was all Vicki needed to know. He failed the test miserably. Throwing back the covers with such force they snapped, she started to leave when Henry grabbed her and pulled her to within inches of him. They were kneeling on the bed nearly eye to eye. Henry pushed her back down to a sitting position so that he hovered over her. She was pissed to the point of tears. Her mouth was set in a firm line and her eyes flashed as he held her there while he continued.

"I don't think you're pretty," he traced a line down her face with a soft touch of the back of his hand and smiled, "I think you're beautiful," his response was full of love, " I don't WANT to be with you forever," he picked up her hand and gently kissed the inside of her palm, "I NEED to and.." he laid them both down and got close enough to her face that she could feel his breath upon her cheek as he said softly and tenderly, with a tear in his eye as he finished with, "And I wouldn't cry if you walked away, I would DIE..." and with that, he slid over her and began to kiss her.

Vicki was stunned. Her heart which had begun to break upon hearing his original answers was now about to burst with the joy of his revelations. Vicki met his kiss eagerly for the first time. It was one she would never forget. Henry's hands never left her face, cupping it and holding it as though she would disappear. Her hands were on his face as well, her thumb rubbing his cheek.

"Henry, wait...I.." Vicki pulled away breathless. Henry's eyes searched her face for something, anything that would tell him what she was about to say.

"I want to tell you that I forgive you for not telling me you stayed and I understand why you kept Mike's secret. I didn't tell you about my tattoos so it's not like I'm completely innocent either." Close, but no cigar. She still didn't say she loved him nor that she wanted to be with him. But his mind wandered to what he had heard in the basement, "Mike I love Henry, you know it, I know it and he needs to know it. Is it going to work out? Hell if I know but I've got to try. I need to try..I want to try. Telling him..now that will be difficult and it may take me time but..I've got to Mike and you're just gonna have to deal with it." Henry had entered the room at that point. He had heard all he needed to hear and was full of happiness but hid it well.

"Vicki, I love you and I will tell you every waking minute if that's what it takes to make you believe me."

"I know you do." Henry smiled, kissed her lightly again and pulled her into a close embrace. She lay her head on his chest listening to his heart beat that would stop within the hour with his last breath of the night, her arm draped over his stomach loosely. Henry kissed the top of her head for good measure. He was willling to wait as long as it took, he did have forever after all.

"I love you too Henry," Vicki whispered as she felt his breath leave him for the day.

She wondered if he had heard her...