Numair opened the door to his house and went inside, trying to be quiet seeing as it was late and he didn't want to wake Daine. He was surprised when he turned around to see Daine still up and reading a book.

"Hi, couldn't seep?" He asked glad to see her.

"Actually I wanted to talk to you about what Kara said."

"Daine don't worry about that. She's just young and doesn't have the slightest clue as to what's going on here."

"I know, but some of the things she said were true, you can't tell your friends and it would be a strain on relationships. So I talked to Dan about it and we both think it would be a good idea for me to move in with him." She was looking at the ground instead of him as if she was afraid he would get mad. In fact he was too stunned to be mad, He didn't think she would live with him forever, it just started so she would e safe, but for some reason her being here had really fit.

"Daine I don't want you to do this just because of something Kara said, you are welcome here as long as you want."

"It's not just that I mean me and Dan have been getting along really well and we both think this is a good step to make right now." He sighed still shocked that this was happening.

"Okay, if this is what you want. Let's get to bed I'll take you when your packed and ready." She paused looking nervous.

"Actually I'm going now. My stuff is already there and I would've stayed but I wanted to talk to you before you found out I was gone Please don't be angry this will be better for both of us. " She walked over and hugged him, kissing his cheek, before saying she'd call him and walking out the door.

1 WEEK UNTIL SCHOOL

Numair sat in the kitchen talking to Daine on the phone.

"How are you we haven't really talked since, well, since you left." He asked.

"I've been doing good, how about you?" She replied.

Lately their brief and very rare conversations had become very formal.

"I'm good. It's just I want to know, it's just that... where do we stand Daine?" He asked nervously unsure how o phrase it.

"What do you mean?"

"Well our arrangement was originally so that you could be safe, and here at our, I mean my house we were free to talk and be friends. But now that you've moved out we don't really see each other and the only time we will is at school and we can't let act like more than teacher and student there. So what I want to know is if we can still somehow be friends or if you just want to o back to the way it was before you moved in."

There was a pause at the other end of the line. Numair desperately hoped that it would be the first of the two, he didn't know how it happened but Daine had somehow become one of the most important things in his life and he didn't know what he would do if he lost contact with her.

''Oh Numair, I'm sorry I really should have been calling more. Trust me I do not want to lose contact with you, It's just with me moving and getting ready for my last year at school things have just been so busy. I know what are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing really."

"Ok great I'll come over and we'll have dinner and talk and stuff, ok?"

"That sounds great, what about Dan?"

"He's at work late tonight, so I'll come over around eight?"

"Perfect, bye."

Numair smiled that had been the best idea he'd heard in a long time. He went to the living room to clear away some of the books that had seemed to pile up recently so that the place would look at least semi-presentable for hen she came.

THAT NIGHT

Daine rang the doorbell waiting for Numair to answer the door. She was so exited to see him; they hadn't actually seen each other since the night she left. Even though she was happy living with Dan when she looked at the house she had stayed in for the last year she still though home. Deciding that the arrangement they had now was better and that she just needed to adjust Daine rang the bell again, wondering if she should just go in. Just then Numair answered the door and smiled broadly.

"Hi, you look great." He said closing the door and giving her a quick hug.

"So do you."

"I made dinner." He said indicating some plates of pasta sitting on the counter.

"Great thanks."

"So how have you been?" Numair asked sitting down.

"I've been good." She replied as she did the same. "Listen Numair I'm sorry if it seems that I've been blowing you off I really didn't mean to I guess I just didn't realize how much more effort we'd have to put into our friendship if we weren't living together, I mean before it just fell into place since we always saw each other. We can meet up anytime you want just ask."

"You really don't have to be sorry, I was just wondering what you wanted to do."

"Good, so friends?" She asked smiling.

"Always. Anyway how's Dan?"

"He's good, he's not around much though, you know between med school and the hospital, It's hard sometimes since I don't see him much. I get mad every now and then but then I remember he's doing this to help people and I'm going to be buy with work and school and everything so I guess I shouldn't be talking."

"Listen if he's ever away too much ad you don't want to be alone you can always just come here, even if im not home. You have the key and your room is still there so feel free."

"Thanks I might just take you up on that, don't mention it to Dan though I never noticed it before but he's a little touchy when it comes to how close you and me are. He likes you but I guess the fact that I was living with you does bother him."

"Oh. Well I guess having your girlfriend live with another man would be unsettling." He then put on a very cheeky smile. "Especially one as good looking as me!"

"Numair!" Daine said laughing. "Are you calling my boyfriend ugly?"

"No, no of course not he's just lacking my charm and grace that's all, he might be able to learn though."

The two talked until late into the night until Daine finally noticed the time.

"Oh look at the time, I should get going!" Then she paused looking at him. "Hey does that offer to spend the night apply tonight as well? Dan won't be home yet and I'm pretty tired."

"Of course, I'll make sure your rooms ready." He got up and went to her, former, room.

"I'm just gonna call and leave a message for Dan is that okay?" She called to Numair.

"Yes."

After leaving a message Daine went to her room.

"Everything's all set you don't have anything to sleep in though." He stated.

"Do you think I could just borrow one of your shirts?" She asked not wanting to sleep in her clothes.

"Sure hold on."

Daine slid on Numair's shirt after shedding all her other clothes, it smelled like him and was wonderfully soft against her skin. She sank into her bed sighing, again she was hit with that feeling of home she never felt at Dan's. Thinking of Numair and everything hat had happened in the last year she drifted off to sleep.