Wesley and I got home around six, well after Daniel was out of work. I was hoping he wasn't at the boarding house yet. When I pulled up to the house, I noticed his car was parked where it usually was. My stomach did a summer salt wondering if he'd be angry with me. We walked into the house to see he wasn't even inside with the others.

"Where's Daniel?" I asked.

"In the backyard last time I checked," Hogan said.

I crossed the living room to see he was sitting on the bench. I felt guilty for making him wait for me. I opened the back door and stepped on outside. He didn't make any indication that he had heard me. I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked over quietly.

"Please, make no deal about my arrival," I teased him casually.

Daniel looked over to me over his shoulder. He smiled when he saw me. He swung his leg around the bench to face me. He looked a little tired but much more happy that I had arrived. His brown hair looked especially dark in the night. I stood in front of him as he took my hands in his.

"Did you have fun?" he asked sounding not at all displeased and slid his arms around my waist.

"I did actually," I said. "You and I should go see a film from time to time."

Daniel chuckled with a nod. "Noted. Craving anything in particular for dinner?"

"Actually I was hoping we'd have a rain check on dinner. I'm kind of tired. Mind if we just eat in and cuddle?" I suggested as his arms untangled themselves around me. He grabbed both my hands again looking up at me still not bothered by my words.

"Sure," Daniel said standing. "I make a pretty mean macaroni and cheese."

I couldn't help but smile a little. He got to his feet and we walked back to the boarding house. The others were drifting off in various places of the house. Gabriela and Hogan drifted off down the hall to their room. Wesley went down to the library and Charlie headed up to his room carrying the consol in his arms.

"Just chill here, it won't take long," he told me as I took a seat on the couch. Daniel kissed me deeply making me squirm in pleasure. I felt him smile as he laid me down. Daniel pulled away only to leave me vying for more. I sat up watching him ascend up the stairs and soon he began to clinker around to make our simple dinner.

I waited patiently starring out the window. It was much darker out and I could see my reflection. My loose brown curls looked surprisingly neat compared to most days. My hazel green eyes looked greener than usual even a little brighter. Goodness, was it hope? Maybe love? I couldn't tell.

A few moments later, Daniel came down stairs with two bowls and two water bottles. He tossed me one and I caught it skillfully. He also handed me a bowl. It looked positively delicious since my hunger was so great. I swiveled my spoon looking at the yellow gooey noodles.

"This is a first," I said aloud.

"What is?" Daniel asked.

"You cooking for me," I said as he leaned back on the cushions. "I can get used to this." I curled up next to him as he chuckled.

"I'll cook for you until the end of time," he teased.

I grinned and began to dig in. We ate and talked for a while enjoying each other's company. It was nice to just be together without fighting or disagreement. And being with Daniel maybe I did feel a little more hopeful and restless to make sure that things between us worked this time. I wanted to hope that the worst would not happen and it was all behind us.

"I wish I didn't have to die," Daniel said as he set his empty bowl aside.

"But you'll just be reborn," I reminded him.

"Yeah but then I would forget this," he replied. "I wouldn't know who you are or remember these amazing moments where all I see, hear and feel is you near me. It'll be gone, all of it. What will we do then?"

I couldn't help but divert my eyes with a sigh. He was right. He didn't yet know that he dies after we fell in love. He suspected of having this long and happy life with me but that wasn't our reality. Then my mind drifted off to what Wesley said. Perhaps it had something more to do with than just a fight. Should I even bother to tell him? I didn't want to ruin this moment with him.

"What are you thinking about?" Daniel asked looking down at me. "Did I say something wrong?" He made me look up at him. He looked concerned for a second afraid that he may have made me upset.

"Nothing, it's nothing."

"Whatever it is it's bothered you. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just something Wesley said."

"What did he say?" Daniel asked sharply. Mentioning Wesley looked like it hit a nerve somewhere. I almost didn't want to continue on but I didn't want to hide things from Daniel.

"He doesn't think you and I are a good match."

"And how would he know that?" Daniel asked angrily.

I sat up a little. "He had a vision of you and I arguing. And he saw your temper with me. He didn't like the way you were treating me I suppose. Don't worry too much about it, alright? I didn't take him seriously. I know you better than him."

"I still don't like that he's saying things about us based on what a vision?" he told me. Daniel then came over me pinning me down to the couching preventing my escape. "I want our relationship just to be between us. Is that so much to ask?"

"Not at all."

Daniel and I kissed for a while. His lips still tasted like cheese but I didn't mind. My hands coiled around his head my fingers brushing through his hair. I didn't mind making out with him in the living room or getting caught. By now, everyone knew Daniel and I were a thing. No one would come out at this time. But I was dead wrong as if on cue. I heard footsteps coming up from the basement. He pulled away regardless to see it was Wesley.

Next thing I know, Daniel hopped off to confront him. I sat up quickly. There was no way I was going to prevent this. I stood nervously.

"Hey, what's your deal?" Daniel demanded from Wesley. "Where do you go off telling Luce I'm not good for her? You don't know anything about me or our relationship. She's with me, Wes, deal with it."

"You disrespect her, you treat her like your escape goat, is that any way to treat a woman?" Wesley shot back confidently. "Even if you don't want to admit it, you're not what's best for Luce." Wesley stood defiantly behind the couch. Daniel threatened to advance but I grabbed his arm.

"Wesley!" I scolded sharply.

"And I'm assuming that wasn't the first time you treated her that way," he went on. "You're really going to stand for that, Luce? You deserve better."

"Wes, just back off—"

"Feeling threatened, Danny?"

Daniel fused in my grip. He successfully managed to slip through and walked over. I jumped into action dashing over preventing him from advancing any further. "Daniel, stop, don't!" I looked up at him serious. His eyes were fixed on Wesley just behind me.

He reached for my arms but restrained himself from me. "Don't do that," Daniel warned me. "Don't physically get in my way when I'm angry."

"Daniel, calm down," I pleaded with him. "He's younger than you." I looked over to Wesley over my shoulder. "Wesley, please, I beg of you leave." Wesley glared at us and I was horrified that he would continue to stand up to Daniel. A second later Wesley took a step back and made his way out of the living room and over to his room.

Daniel relaxed a little once Wesley was out of ear shot. I dragged him back to the couch. He took a seat and I took a seat beside him. We curled up together once more. He wrapped his arms around me as I listened to his heart beat settle back to normal.

"Still like me as the jealous type?" Daniel asked me.

"Yes, I do," I said looking up at him. "Because I know you're serious about me."

"I was always serious about you," he chuckled. "You were never serious about me. Big difference. But Wesley was right, I really can be a jerk to you when I'm angry. I haven't appreciated all the hard work you put in to protecting me all these years. I don't understand why you stayed here all this time. If I were you I would have left years ago."

"You acting like a fool is nothing new to me."

Daniel smiled. He leaned in and kissed me softly. I tugged at his lips to deepen the kiss. I lay on his chest. I don't know what in this life attracted me to him but it was strong. It was far stronger than any bond we ever had before. I pulled away to smile up at him. Daniel shoved a few strands of hair behind my ear.

He pulled me onto his lap draping my around him.

"Seriously, if I see Wes anywhere near you these next couple of days I might have hurt to hurt him," Daniel said entwining his fingers in my other hand.

"Don't say that," I demanded slapping the back of his head lightly. "We need you and Wesley very much alive. I made it perfectly clear I'm interested in you, haven't I? I love you, Daniel. I do, remember that." I kissed him, beneath my lips I could feel his lips turn into a knowing smile.