Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Noble, Fadewind, Bibika94, Alphabloodwolf, Alexsandra, Lsb123 and BellaNessieCullen


Mal and I had so many plans, and then human life got in the way. Firstly Dove was depressed over her break up with Dermot, whether she wished to admit it or not. She demanded time from me, time that would prove to be scarce.

I had almost forgotten the fact that Mal and I had papers to complete and hand in for assessment and exams to sit. Perhaps I was hoping the college would forget and pass us automatically, but there was no such luck. Therefore the first two weeks were filled with studying for the exams to cap the first module, while progressing onto the next. The workload had increased regardless, and I was finishing my work from last term on top of it. Mal was equally as busy and even when we found an hour or two alone, we were still busy studying, we merely happened to be occupying the same space.

Our plans to abscond to the cabin the following weekend whilst leaving Alec behind came to nought. Had it merely been a case of Mal's lesson upon the Saturday, we could have gone afterwards, just as he said, but with the amount of work we had to do it was impossible. We even planned to take our books to the laundrette on the Sunday to carry on studying, although this was to allow us at least a quarter of an hour of cuddling on Saturday night when I stayed in Mal's room.

Dove had decided against entertaining Steve again, stating that he was only in it for himself, and not feeling up to scouring the bars, she approached Jez once more and he was happy for another night with her. Dove thought him a perfect hook up in her rebound stage for he was satisfying, Dove went into explicit detail on the fact that left little to the imagination that I was certain she would have a great time, but didn't want a full relationship. I was jealous, not for the fact that she was with Jez, but for the fact that she got to have such blissful fun while Mal and I were rendered platonic for the foreseeable future thanks to our workload.

It was frustrating to say the least. My body wanted Mal's terribly, but we were both denied each other. Oh so frustrating, and the music from Mal's neighbour was intolerable! Could we not take my tent up to the trees and come back in the morning?

"If that's what you want to do." Mal replied and I realised I had spoken aloud in my frustration. "As long as we get back by eight in the morning so we can go to the laundrette and get on with studying."

"Yes." I said. "For I will be a nervous wreck tomorrow should I be kept awake by that horrid sound."

"Then let's go." Mal said and kissed my head. "We'll leave everything out and get back into it tomorrow."

"Yes." I said and I went to his closet where I had stored my tent after retrieving it from Alec on our return from the cabin the weekend previous.

"Is there anything else you want to bring?" Mal asked.

"The sleeping bags perhaps. But I would rather us travel as light as possible." I replied.

"Then that's what we'll do." Mal said.

"Let us go now." I said with excitement.

"You don't want to take any food with us?" Mal asked carefully.

"We will grab something on the way, something we can eat cold from the mini mart." I observed.

"If only we'd thought sooner." Mal murmured as he took up the sleeping bags and his backpack.

"Yes. But we can make it quick. Perhaps I could head on up into the trees and set up camp and you go buy the food and follow my scent up. I will hitch the tent and then we can eat, drink and be merry." I stated as I took the sleeping bags from him.

"By drink you mean?" Mal prompted.

"We could share a bottle of wine." I said.

"Ok." Mal said. "Then let's go."

We left his room and made our way quickly outside.

"Red wine." I stated once we were outside and far from Alec's room.

"Ok." Mal replied with a smile. "And I'll get us some spicy type finger foods."

"Samosas and such?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Delicious." I said with a smile. "Do not be long." I added and kissed his cheek.

We parted, Mal going over the bridge to the mini mart, while I made my way out toward the trees. When I was certain I was engulfed in darkness I began to run. I would find a nice clearing and make camp and it would be ready for when Mal reached me.

I did wonder whether I would have to build a fire, but when I reached a secluded spot I found that there was no need. The half moon provided enough light and I soon had the tent erected and the sleeping bags within for a comfy little get away. I sat and waited for Mal.

And waited for Mal…

And waited…

I was beginning to worry; it had been well over an hour since last I saw Mal, what was keeping him from coming to me? After an hour and a quarter I decided to phone him. Then I sensed him near and I felt such relief.

"Malachite, I was worried." I said, not holding back on my agitation as I shot to feet and hugged him.

"Sorry bach." He said, hugging me in return. "Alec was walking past the shop. He was following me so I went back to the room and pretended we were settling down for the night, but I knew he was hovering. I was waiting for him to go, but it was clear he wasn't going to settle." He added as he pulled away from me in order to slip his backpack off and place it near the tent entrance.

"What did you do?" I asked, taking his hand and looking up at him in concern.

"I jumped out the window." Mal stated. "Luckily it was open so Alec wouldn't hear me open it. Hopefully he's still outside the room now listening in."

"Won't he know we're not there?" I asked with a frown.

"Liza, I've spent years ditching vamps, having them stalking outside some room they think I'm trapped in." Mal said softly as he placed his hands either side of my face. "I got a recording of me sleeping, breathing and my heartbeat, it will play for the next five hours when the battery on my iPod runs out. I hope Alec doesn't catch on until then."

"Me too." I replied. "Put your shield up." I stated, and I pulled him to me and kissed him, giving him as much power as I could pull from within.

Mal shuddered and gasped.

"Wow." He observed. "I feel supercharged."

"I feel shivery." I said, looking at my arms in wonder.

"And empty?" Mal asked in concern.

"No." I said, looking at my hands. "I feel, I feel everything. Oh god I feel everything! The earth is moving so fast!"

"Yes." Mal said, and knelt before me, his hands on my arms. "That's what I feel. The earth moves, everything's connected."

"Yes." I replied in awe. "Oh Mal look at how beautiful you are! All connected and beautiful! We should be connected!"

"Yes." He agreed.

"But that must be solid." I whispered, moving my hand in an arc over us and I could feel it solidify. No Mal had done it, he followed my instruction. We were connected, it would hold for the night.

"What shall we do?" He asked carefully.

"I don't know." I said, although I was picking up the bottle of wine and I drank a mouthful from the bottle. "It tastes like a symphony." I said with awe. "Is this how everything tastes to you? Oh my, I need to eat, what is it that you suggest?"

"A symphony?" Mal said with a laugh. "Liza you sound high."

"Perhaps I am. But then you see everything so differently; it's like stepping into another world. Oh dear it is so orgasmic."

"Orgasmic?" Mal asked.

"Yes. I feel everything. And I feel you." I said, moving quickly until I was in his arms, my legs about his waist. "Oh Malachite how do I feel you!"

"Oh Malachite?" He questioned, and I realised it was the tone that I had used when saying his name that had made him curious.

"You are my god now my Malachite." I whispered into his ear. "The centre of my religion. I worship only you."

"Oh Elizabeth!" He sighed.

"No. Not Elizabeth, that is my great-great-grandmother." I said, pulling back enough to look into his eyes that were dark in the moonlight. "I am Liza."

"The goddess Liza." He stated.

"Oh my Malachite." I exclaimed, kissing at his neck.

"Use my full name always." Malachite whispered.

"Always in private my love. My wonderful Malachite." I said, looking into his eyes once more as I stroked his cheek.

"Oh my Liza." Malachite said as he put his hand to my cheek and his mouth covered mine.

I stroked his hair and his face, wanting to feel more of him.

"We should go in the tent now." I said dropping from his arms.

"Yes my Liza." Malachite whispered.

"Come my wonderful Malachite, my lover, my world." I said, taking his hand as a small part of my mind cringed a little at my current vocabulary.

"My Liza, my perfect goddess, my delightful lady of loveliness." Mal said, kneeling before me and I hugged him, thankful that he was talking the same language as me.

"That I am my love, that I am." I sighed, stroking his head and kissing along his jaw before I moved into the tent and lay back, my arm thrown above my head. "Now pleasure me greatly in this canvas dome."

"If that is your wish my goddess." Malachite said.

"It is my Malachite." I gasped. "Come to me."

Malachite entered the tent and placed his lips to my throat.

"You forgot the zipper my magnificent Malachite." I said as I moved my hand down as if I could move the zipper with my mind.

Malachite took my hand and took it up a moment before guiding it down and I watched in amazement as the zipper closed.

"You closed it." I murmured.

"We closed it." Malachite corrected as his lips went to my throat. "Together we can move the earth."

"Oh." I cried and a tear trickled down my cheek. "Let us move the earth my Malachite. Let us move the earth tonight."

That is the last I remember saying for the next thing I knew I was rudely interrupted by an annoying electronic beep. I lifted my head and glared blearily at the obnoxious technology on the wrist near my ear.

"Can you turn that off?" I demanded. "I wish to sleep more."

"We'll be off schedule." Malachite murmured still caught somewhere in sleep.

"I care not. Hold me my Malachite, I want to feel you." I said, turning to him and pulling myself as close to him as I possibly could. "I… Where did I go last night?"

"Into your dreams bach." He said as he laid me on my back and stroked my hair softly.

"Oh, yes, I remember now. I was in the dreams." I said wistfully. "The dreams with my deity, my lovable Malachite. He loved me, he loved me, and he loved me as I wished he would. He loved me as I loved him. But it's only a dream, I can never admit to my Malachite how much I love him, he might not love me back. I can't face that rejection."

"Liza! Come back to the present." Malachite said, stroking my cheek. "I love you Liza. Your Malachite loves you."

I opened my eyes and looked up into those emeralds gazing back at me.

"Oh my wonderful Malachite." I sighed, stroking his cheek. "Can we kiss?"

"If that's what you want." Malachite said and placed his lips to mine.

"Oh Malachite." I gasped, tangling my fingers into his hair as I pulled him on top of me. "I want more."

There was the bleeping again.

"But work awaits us and we must go." I said with a sigh.

"Don't be too down bach." Mal said, hugging me close. "It's only for the next two weeks and we can set some time aside to make sure we get a little alone time."

"You are right of course." I said and kissed his lips. "Besides, we could always go to the cabin next Saturday. We can take our study material with us, but still enjoy each other in solitude."

"That will be wonderful." Mal said and kissed my forehead.

"Yes. Now we must make haste and return to the campus."

It didn't take long to pack up the tent and we made our way down to the dorm building. It was still early on a Sunday morning so we passed no one on our way up to our floor and I thought we were home free until we were passing Alec's room and he opened the door.

"Here you both are." He said. "I was worried about you Liza when Mal came back alone."

"I am certain you were." I said primly, and angered as I was I decided not to waste my time. "Now if you will excuse us I must retrieve my clothing so that I may shower and begin my day."

Mal and I moved on to his room and he unlocked the door and we entered. Alec followed us for a moment, and then went back to his room as if he decided better. It was good he decided not to follow for I would have found it hard to hold my tongue when I entered the room and my nostrils flared.

"Alec has been in here." I whispered.

"Yeah." Mal said, and he picked up his iPod, or at least what was left of it. "I didn't consider my iPod might get damaged."

"He will buy you a new one." I stated.

"How about we not make a big deal out of this? Act like we don't know he was in here, see what he says?" Mal said as lowly as possible.

"It may be a little late for that." I stated. "He will have heard us. How did he get in?"

"How hard would it be for him to get in through the window when it's wide open?" Mal asked.

"We should have contemplated that." I said, looking to the window.

"If it's any consolation, I don't think he meant to break my iPod." Mal stated. "Looking at the damage I think he had a moment of anger when he was holding it and just didn't think as he made a fist."

"I wouldn't give him such consideration." I stated. "But to save the stress of confrontation I will accept your consolation. Although it does beg the question of why he would come in through the window when he thought we were sleeping."

"Obviously he was suspicious." Mal said with a shrug.

I reached up and pulled Mal's ear down to mouth.

"Next week make a recording of the both of us asleep. It was because he could hear only you." I said as quietly as I could while Mal would still hear.

"I guess." Mal said with a frown.

"Perhaps he thought you had done away with me." I joked.

"Kind of funny, but I can see Alec thinking something like that." Mal said.

"I wonder what he would do if he thought it true?"

"Kill me." Mal said without a moment's thought. "Then he'd probably go on a bloody rampage because there wouldn't be a you to take his punishment, and hoping that Catalina will take him out so Jane doesn't have to."

"Then you must promise never to kill me lest Alec causes all that trouble." I said in mock seriousness.

"Do you really have to ask?" He said, pulling me into his arms and kissing at my neck.

I giggled and wrapped my arms around him, meeting his kissing lips with mine.

"We should dress now." I muttered, still kissing him.

"Why?" Mal asked, pulling me down onto the bed and I felt a thrill of delight as we continued to kiss.

"But you're crumpling your papers." I reminded him as they rustled beneath us.

"They'll be ok." Mal said, his hand moving up the back of my leg and to my inner thigh.

"This is naughty." I murmured, allowing my hand to travel about his thigh, moving closer to his groin.

"You're naughty." He countered, his hand caressing me and I let out a sigh of delight.

"It's good to be naughty now and then." I whispered into his ear before I nipped at it.

"You're right there bach." He said, his fingers working beneath my top. "How naughty do you want to be?"

I sat up and pushed up his top and began kissing at his stomach and chest. He laughed, and I raised my head and frowned at him.

"You're not supposed to laugh." I said.

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Melt with pleasure." I stated, running my hands over his chest and grinned before falling into the feeling.

That made me smile and I leant down against him, hugging him as I leant my head on his chest.

"I thought you were trying to make me melt with pleasure." Mal stated.

"I want to hug you and then go shower and dress for the day. We will go to the laundrette and complete our laundry and then I think it's time we become official." I stated. "I know I was hesitant last week, but I want at least Dove to know. At least we can spend time together without having to think of excuses."

"Then let's go tell her now." Mal declared. "I've been waiting for you to do it."

"Then why didn't you say?" I asked, sitting up and watching his face.

"I didn't want to put pressure on you." Mal said, stroking my arms lightly.

"You let everything be about me." I said, looking at him in wonder. "Why?"

"You're younger and less experienced than me." Mal said. "And well…" He began but trailed off.

"Well what?" I prompted.

"Sometimes you can get contrary and do the opposite just to be bloody minded." He said quickly, sounding sorry he'd brought it up.

"Yes I can." I agreed. "And I will try not to be in future, although I can't promise anything."

"I like you're contrariness, it's you." Mal said with a smile as he stroked my cheek. "And I know you enough now to be patient and let you come to decisions on you own."

"Thank you." I declared and hugged him. "Now I will shower and we will go to the laundrette. And hopefully we haven't ruined your papers."

"I can salvage them." Mal stated and kissed me. "Now go shower. I will too." He said, guiding me to my feet. "And I want you to have this." He said and gave me his room key.

"How will you lock your door?" I asked.

"How do you think?" Mal asked and he caused the glass on his bedside cabinet to levitate for a moment.

"Of course." I said. "Then I am honoured to receive your key Malachite. If I didn't share a room with Dove I would give you mine."

"I know." Mal said, and he caressed my cheek and kissed my forehead. "Now let's do what we have to do."

I nodded and then left the room to shower.

Things did not go to plan that day, we didn't get chance to reveal all to Dove. Mostly because she was nowhere to be found and by the time she returned, I have no idea when it was, I was already in bed asleep. I did not see her until Monday morning, by which time I was busy fretting over my work and getting to lessons. Alec made it worse by complaining about his hoody, but what could I do about it? He needed it lest he sparkles in the sun.

It was a stressful week, but I was getting through it fine thinking of the weekend ahead that I would spend with Mal, until Wednesday when we both learned that we would sit our exams over the Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It would not be possible to abscond for some loving at the weekend, we were ever so busy.

Sunday came as a breath of fresh air, but I was somewhat drained and could find no energy for anything other than what had been the normal custom of Mal and I before Christmas. We spent the morning at the laundrette, had a brief stroll about the park and then an afternoon of ironing.

When I returned to my room Dove was nowhere to be seen, but this time she had left a note informing me that she was out with Jez and she wouldn't be back until late. I smiled as I put my fresh laundry away. If Dove had stated she would be gone all the night I would have gone to Mal, but even if Dove would be back this evening it gave me chance to finish the project I was working on without her knowing.

I went to my closet and pulled out my craft box. Stored under the false panel was the project I was in the middle of and could now complete in time for tomorrow when I would need it. I was sure Mal would be surprised that I knew of the significance of tomorrow and I was most certain he would have something for me.

I regarded my project and saw how to complete it. I was happy with the end result and I placed it in my bag ready to give to Mal when I saw him after my morning lesson. We were going to have a leisurely lunch together now that we had more time with our exams behind us. There was still our ongoing courses, but they were not as demanding on our time. We were going to treat ourselves to a Monday afternoon free of work.

I went to sleep that night dreaming of Mal's reaction and wondering what he had for me in return. What a wonderful thing it would be to exchange our tokens of love.

These wonderful musings occupied my mind as I rode the bus into college the next morning, Alec sitting beside me trussed up in his hoody. He hated wearing the hood up for it impaired the range of his vision, but it was required when we were outside and the sun might find him. And he hated the bandages and the gloves, he stated that they itched him, although I wasn't so sure a vampire could itch, and he complained the scent of the cream burnt his nose.

He was grumbling beneath his breath for the entire journey, but I ignored him in my lovely musings of what the afternoon would hold. I was certain to hear a repeat of this tirade for the duration of the year and I would start as I meant to go on by ignoring him.

"I like your hoody." A flat lifeless voice murmured without much enthusiasm.

I glanced across Alec to see a girl leaning across the aisle of the bus toward him. She was dressed as a Goth.

"Dead Tuesday know darkness." She observed.

"They know nothing of true darkness." Alec said flatly. "Their music sounds like rainbows and kittens compared to true darkness."

"What do you know about true darkness?" She asked.

"More than you will ever know child." Alec said solemnly. "I relish darkness so much that I avoid allowing the sun from touching my skin."

"Same here." The girl said, indicating a black lace parasol. "I am Lamia." She said, extending a pale hand with black painted nails.

"Alec." Alec said and he took her hand in his gloved hand and kissed it. "And what is your real name?"

"My real name is Lamia." She said, giving him a defiant look.

"I will find out what your mother calls you." Alec said softly. "I will have it out of you by the end of the day."

"I bet you won't." Lamia countered. "I never give it to anyone."

"A challenge." Alec mused. "I accept."

"I don't think we'll ever see each other again." Lamia said with a shrug.

"There is the bus." Alec pointed out.

"You won't see me again today and we're nearly at the college." She countered.

"I will see you when your lesson ends." Alec said firmly.

"You don't know what lesson I've got or what room I'll be in." Lamia observed.

"I will be there." Alec said intensely. "I want to know why you hide your name with that of a vampire."

"Because I endeavour to become one of the revered dead." Lamia stated solemnly.

"You should not revere vampires my dear." Alec said softly. "They are hard cold things containing the lie of living. It is the dhampir you should admire, all the strength and privilege awarded to the vampires, yet still warm, alive, vibrant."

"I like the cold." Lamia said intensely.

"A passing fancy is fine, but do not fall in love with the cold for once bitten it will never let you go." Alec said in an intense voice.

"Alec." I hissed lowly. "Tread with caution."

"Liza here was once enamoured by the cold." He said, taking my hand and tapping it. "But she was wise enough to flirt and find her fun but turn back to the warmth before she froze."

"I looked into the heart of darkness and it looked back and there was nothing but death in its eyes." I stated.

"Where did you read that?" Lamia asked intrigued.

"Nowhere." I stated. "It is what I saw."

"You'll have to tell me about it." She said, her eyes locked on mine.

"Perhaps, but Cousin Alec is a much better authority on the subject." I said, turning from her as tapped him on the back. "Tell him where to meet you at lunch time and he will meet you and tell you all about the darkness in this world."

"Liza." Alec hissed and I clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

"You are in college Cousin, no need to be shy now." I said joyfully.

"I know a place that's out of the way if you don't want to be with people." Lamia said. "If your tale of darkness is adequate then I'll tell you my false name."

"See Alec, you will win your wager." I encouraged him.

"Very well. I will meet with you." Alec said. "What room?"

"No, not my classroom. Meet me at the back of the art building under the shade of the oak. I will show you true darkness there." She said solemnly.

"Not more than I will show you." Alec countered. "I will meet you there at one."

"At the risk of sounding happy and normal, it's a date." Lamia replied.

"Then we meet in darkness child, I hope you won't be afraid." Alec said in a darkly seductive voice.

Lamia leaned close to Alec.

"It does not scare me." She said firmly and stood as the bus drew to a stop outside the buildings.

Alec watched her as she made her way down the aisle before he stood and I could stand too. As I made my way down the bus I saw Lamia jump down onto the pavement and raise her parasol over her head.

"You will have fun this afternoon." I stated. "But remember to be careful."

"Worry not Cousin, I will not expose my skin to the elements." Alec said as we left the bus.

"Very well." I replied and we made our way to our lecture.

I was almost expecting Lamia to be in our lecture, although I was certain I would have noticed her before. She was not and given that she had asked Alec to meet her behind the art building I decided that was her major.

At the end of the lecture Alec seemed nervous.

"You will be fine." I assured him. "You have had many years in the company of humans, you are strong enough."

"I know I will not harm her." Alec said. "But I have never had to woo a woman for my own gain."

"You wooed me, merely apply the same skill to Lamia. She clearly likes you; half your task is done. You merely have to continue in the same vein as this morning." I stated.

"With talk of darkness?" He asked, sounding somewhat perturbed by the idea.

"She is a Goth Alec, she loves to talk of darkness and the futility of life. Talk to her of vampires, although be careful not to say too much of the truth." I advised.

"I must use the human thoughts on vampires." He suggested.

"Follow what she believes. Carry on with your dhampir argument and you'll soon deduce her beliefs." I assured him.

"How far will she wish me to go?" Alec asked, and I realised he was no longer referring to conversation.

"If she wishes to go to a physical level remember what I asked you for." I stated.

"A condom?" He asked.

"Shhh. And yes. Say it's not wise without protection. If she says she is on the pill, then state that pregnancy is one of the nicer STDs." I replied.

"STDs?"

"Sexually transmitted diseases." I hissed, annoyed that I had to give this impromptu sexual health lesson. "There are also STIs, sexually transmitted infections. Either way, say that you always use proper protection."

"What if she has such protection?" Alec asked, looking somewhat daunted by the idea.

"Use two." I said, tapping his shoulder.

"But what if I lose control?" He worried.

"How did you manage it with the mothers of your children?" I asked, deciding that was my best tact now.

"I hindered my sense of smell."

"Then do that." I stated.

Alec looked unsure.

"Will it be so bad to get that relief?" I asked. "She is not hideous."

"No." Alec agreed.

"Then have fun if she offers it. Perhaps you will be more agreeable when you get laid." I said, and nudged him.

"It does calm one no end." Alec mused.

"But don't go along thinking you will get something from her. It should be at the pace she sets." I stated. "It is less likely that you will hurt her."

"Thank you for the advice." Alec said. "And I have advice for you."

"What?" I asked, suddenly feeling defensive.

"Stop worrying what other people will think and what they might overhear or you will never consummate your relationship with young Malachite." He said, placing a friendly hand to my arm. "I had moved a long way from the cabin once I spoke with Jane, and yet you felt the need to come home."

"It would have been better if you had kept your distance entirely." I said coldly.

"Stop planning and seize the moment." Alec said leaning in close to me. "Or I will begin to think you are not so serious about young Malachite and I will resume my place about the table."

"Do not seek to order me into something I would have done ten times over if you had but given us the space." I growled as I pulled away from him.

"My timing is off, but I wish you all the best with Mal. Why not treat him this afternoon? You have no lessons tomorrow, has he?"

"Yes." I replied. "And you know it."

"Then pitch your tent once more, I will be otherwise engaged." He said in a blasé manner, before walking away in the direction of the art building.

I was somewhat disgruntled and glared after him. How dare he do that?

I shook my head and remembered that my Malachite awaited me. I turned about and walked toward the town, but found Mal awaiting me on the bench. I felt elated and smiled warmly as he greeted me.

"I made us a picnic." He said. "Thought we could go into the woods and eat in peace."

"Have you the tent?" I asked.

"It's already in place." Mal said with a small smile. "I found a nice spot by a stream."

"How wonderful. Does it remind you of home?" I prompted as I took his hand.

"Not really, it's too hot." He said with a frown as we began walking.

"So there is no reason to think of home on this day?" I said, regarding him carefully for any sign that he had plans.

Mal shrugged and I decided he was playing at ignorance to draw out the surprise. He had no idea I knew the significance of this day.

"As long as we have some hours of solitude I care not." I stated.

"So how did you get rid of the third wheel?" Mal asked as we made our way through town.

"I didn't." I replied. "He found a fourth wheel."

"What?"

"There was a Goth girl on the buss who took a shine to him. They are discussing who knows most about darkness as we speak." I explained.

"Weird." Mal observed.

"Yes, but so suited to dating a vampire don't you think."

Mal chuckled.

"Do you know what it means to have so many free hours and a fairly secluded spot?" I asked as we headed toward the trees.

"I have a fairly good idea." Mal said.

"It must be something about this day." I hinted. "Alec has found a new love to interest him and we will finally know each other as we should."

"Yep. It's a good day." Mal agreed and he was beginning to annoy me, as he gave no indication that this was some form of holiday.

I would not say anything until we were sat at our picnic. I would give him opportunity to speak first. I wanted to show my preparedness when he presented me with his token of love upon this very special day.

Finally we were sat upon a blanket between the tent and the stream. Mal was busy opening boxes to reveal the food within. Where was his token of love? Why did he not present it?

I could wait on him no longer! I would start proceedings.

"Before we eat my Malachite." I said softly. "I have something to give you." I added and reached into my bag to pull out the card I had made and I gave it to him.

"A card?" He asked, frowning at the envelope before he opened it. "It's really pretty." He stated and then he seemed to freeze. "Santes Dwynwen?" He murmured. "That's today?"

"January twenty fifth." I stated. "As always it is today."

"Oh." He said. "I didn't realise the date."

"You have nothing for me?" I murmured in realisation. "Oh you wretched boy." I sobbed.

"Liza, I've never observed St Dwynwen day." He stated. "I've never had anyone to share this day with and my mind has been so focused on work these last few weeks I'm not so sure of the day never mind the date. If I'd realised the date I would have made you something, but they don't exactly announce this at the mall." He joked. "For Valentine's day, I've got something epic planned."

"But Dwynwen is the Welsh day." I protested.

"And I'm not denying that, I've just never observed it. Why would I when I had no one to love?" He asked, and his argument was reasonable, up to a point.

"Yet you still do not observe it with me." I said pointedly.

"You think that means I don't love you?" He demanded.

"It does nothing to bolster one's confidence." I murmured.

"Oh no, don't do this." Mal groaned.

"Do what?" I snapped.

"Search for an obstacle to put between us." He replied. "I screwed up! Ok! I didn't do it on purpose. I just didn't think about the date. And what are the odds that you would know about it anyway? I won't be demonised over this!"

"You hate me." I realised.

"I don't hate you." Mal said in a wary voice. "I just don't want us to argue about something so trivial. I don't need a woman who died a thousand years ago to dictate when I should shower you with love tokens, I will do that regardless. If it's love tokens you want then I will provide." He added in lighter tones as he brushed my hair behind my ear.

"You will?" I asked.

"Yes. Starting with this." He said and reached for his backpack, from which he drew an old biscuit tin.

He opened it and pulled out something that was wrapped in newspaper.

"Give me time and I will carve you one, but for now I will trust you with the one Dad made for Mam." He stated as he passed the bundle to me.

I untied the strings and unwrapped the paper. Inside was soft white fluffy material that had a faint scent of animal.

"It's un-spun wool." Mal supplied helpfully.

I nodded and separated the wool until I came to the thing it protected. It was a beautifully carved wooden spoon. A love spoon with intricate hearts and flowers, Jeremy had even managed the ball in a cage, which was quite impressive when you considered the fact that a love spoon had to be carved from a single piece of wood.

"It's beautiful." I stated, "But I can't possibly accept it. I should feel aggrieved if anything happened to it when it was in my care." I added as I held it out to him.

"But I trust you to look after it." Mal stated, placing his hands over mine, which meant that I still held the spoon.

"Yes, but this is a piece of your parents, it should stay with you. The mere act of you presenting this to me is sufficient. You would not entrust something so precious to someone you do not love, and for that I am grateful." I stated. "But how can I profess my love to you if I take this? It would mean I care more for trinkets than for your love."

"I wouldn't think that." Mal said softly.

"I know. But I would." I said with a sad sigh before replacing the wool about the spoon and wrapping the newspaper into place.

As I retied the yellowed string the date caught my eye.

"Monday. Sixteen. Three. Twenty-sixty-four." I read allowed. "Why that is three days after you were born." I realised. "The day your mother would have arose as a vampire."

"Yes." Mal agreed.

"Is there any significance for that?"

"Yeah." Mal said as he took the bundle from me and held it carefully in his hands. "Mam wrapped it up and put it away. I watched as she did it, smiling at me lovingly every time she looked up from her work. She could see sadness in the pattern because Dad had carved it for her when she was pregnant. She told him that he was to give it to me as a memento in the case of her death, but when she came through it she could put the spoon away."

"All the more reason for you to keep it safe." I stated.

Mal nodded and put it back inside the biscuit tin.

"And I am sorry for behaving in such an ugly manner." I said solemnly. "I was a brat to act so merely because things were not going my way."

"We all have tantrum moments." Mal said, placing his hand to my cheek. "Just remember that I love you. Whatever happens, even in the middle of a blazing row I love you. Even if I forget a card or the significance of a date, I will always love you."

"I suppose it is a man's prerogative to forget dates." I mused.

"Sorry." He said. "I'll make it up to you, any way you want." He added, leaning closer to me, and his hand began to travel downwards.

I giggled and leaned in closer to him, feeling a slight increase in pressure as his hand dipped below my neckline. My lips were inches from his and I was about to close the kiss when something occurred to me that made me pull back abruptly.

"What did you mean by search for an obstacle?" I asked.

"You seem to always find a reason for us to stop." Mal stated. "I know you don't do it on purpose and there have been times where other factors have been involved, but it can get frustrating."

"You think I am frustrating?" I demanded, and then gasped at my own anger. "I am sorry. I should not be around you today." I stated as I felt the roiling fog of annoyance swirl within me. "My monthly visit is due and I will not be good company, unless you want endless teasing tempered with moments of bitchy rage over the tiniest of infractions."

"Call me reckless, but I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie me, I'll risk your wrath if it means I get to spend time with you." He said with a smile as he turned my face back to him.

"I am glad to hear." I said with a smile. "Although this week will be frustration indeed. Finally our time is free but my body is not."

"Kissing is always fun." Mal stated pressing his lips to mine as if to demonstrate. "And at least we'll get more time together."

"That is true." I mused.

"And this weekend we wouldn't have gone to the cabin anyway, I've got a lesson and next weekend it's our scheduled hike. So we'll have all weekend to do whatever we want without anyone being any the wiser."

"Sounds wonderful." I mused, leaning closer to him. "And Alec will have no need to hunt so soon."

"Unless you take him somewhere on Saturday to hunt, that way he won't have any excuse whatsoever to come with us next week."

"It sounds like a good plan apart from the part that requires me to be alone with Alec while he hunts." I said flatly.

"Well you could always ask Catalina for help." Mal suggested.

"And hunt with a carnivore too?" I asked.

"It was just a suggestion." Mal said. "I will take him after my lesson if you want."

"But then we lose time together." I sighed, realising I would find fault with every suggestion at present. "Ask again later in the week, you might find me in a more agreeable mood."

"Ok. I'll ask you later." Mal said and kissed my forehead. "Shall we eat now? I actually made the food today, although it's only sandwiches and some pasties, but still I made them. And some Welsh cakes too."

"There is a griddle in the kitchen?" I asked.

"Nah. I bought one."

"To make Welsh cakes just for me?" I asked.

"Yeah." Mal said, blushing a little.

"Oh but this is better than any trinket money could buy. You made me cakes and bought the equipment when it was not available. I was a fool to call you uncaring." I said as I hugged him. "Can you ever forgive me?" I added as I pulled away and dropped my head apologetically.

"As long as you promise not to jump to the worst conclusion in the future." Mal said, placing his arms about me and pulling me into his lap.

"On my solemn oath I will give you chance to explain." I promised as I put my hand to his cheek and looked deep into his eyes. "And this I seal with a kiss." I added and I put my lips to his.

"I thought you were going to become a bitchy tease. I didn't think that included tender kisses." Mal observed.

"Oh I am very changeable at this time switching between moods with a swiftness to leave one feeling whiplashed. From the height of tender love to the fiery depths of hellish rage I move at this time on the whim of my hormones and I know not where they might lead."

"Unpredictable Liza? I like the sound of that." Mal said and nuzzled into my neck, kissing me and I felt the thrill of his action.

"I'm sure you will come to grow wary of her." I warned. "I have done much harm during this time. It was caught up in this heat that I shunned my family."

"You'll never shun me like that?" Mal asked and there was uncertainty in him that made my heart flutter in fear.

"How could I ever shun you Malachite? That is unimaginable." I said aghast.

"Even in a fit of rage? Earlier you looked ready to swing for me." Mal said sadly. "I was worried…" He began but trailed off.

"Worried about what?" I asked.

"You're not the only one who gets insecure." He said, hugging me closer still. "I've protected myself by never looking for love, but it's found me now. I can't just protect myself by never getting involved. Believe it or not Liza, but this is my first serious relationship. I love every minute of it, but there's still this core of fear that I'll put a step wrong and you'll reject me. That's what scares me now. That I'll lose you and won't be allowed anywhere near you. I've known loneliness Liza, and it was bad enough before, but to feel it again after knowing such happiness with you…" He trailed off, shaking his head.

"Oh Malachite, I am such a bad girlfriend, always thinking of myself and never of you. I never think that you have insecurities too. But know that I love you and always will. How could I not love you my Malachite? You who have done so much to protect me and to love me and to guide me back to sanity. My Malachite, I will never shun thee." I said, running my fingers through his hair in a comforting manner as I spoke.

"I hope so bach, or I don't know what I'll do."

"It will never come to pass." I stated, hugging him tightly. "I love you as much as it is possible for a person to love another. I love you my magnificent Malachite."

Malachite held me close in a manner that suggested he would never let me go. I wrapped my arms about him and again I wished that I could think comfort to him and reassure him that I loved him and nothing would ever part us. But I had always dwelled in pessimism and relied on the comfort of others. I knew not how to relieve Mal's pessimism, merely add to it. What could I do?

"Why am I telling you all this?" Mal whispered as he tangled fingers in my hair as he put his hand to the back of my head. "I was so sure I'd never let on how insecure I am. Just forget I ever said anything."

"That's not the best thing for me to do." I stated. "I must take on board what you've said. I have to accommodate you as you accommodate me. We're in a relationship Malachite, an equal partnership. If you don't tell me how you feel how can I hope to rectify my oversight."

"I don't want to burden you." Mal said softly.

"Yet you bear my burdens without argument. We are equal Malachite, you must never fear to tell me your ills."

"Then I'll tell you from now on." Mal said.

"Thank you." I replied. "And now I will reaffirm how much I love and adore thee." I said, slipping my hands beneath his t-shirt and feeling his wonderful skin beneath my hands.

"That tickles." Mal giggled.

"You are ticklish?" I asked, feeling the devil take me as my widest grin filled my face.

"Oh no!" Mal murmured and I growled and kissed his lips before I began tickling him.

Mal was caught in a fit of laughter, yet he managed to push me from him, and as I fell on my back he began to tickle me. That was it for me, I was done. I was squealing with giggles as the tickles travelled through my body. I was gasping for air and fighting him off until I overpowered him and I was lying on his chest, looking down and seeing the sunlight glint in the green once more.

"We must go to the tent." I stated.

"Why?"

"I may have a restriction to pleasure above the waist this coming week, but that does not apply to you." I stated as I stroked his thigh.

"Oh…" He said in almost a moan.

"So you see why we should adjourn to the tent?"

Mal looked up at me with questions, almost as if her were afraid. I kissed his lips, got off him and took his hand and led him into the tent. I closed the zipper and turned to him.

"Now undress me." I commanded.

"But you said…"

"Only the top half of me." I stated. "I want to know the feel of you undressing me. I want to know what it's like to undress you."

"How did we get from our conversation about insecurity to this?" Mal asked, sounding somewhat confused.

"Shhh." I cautioned as I kissed his lips. "Don't think on it. We will waste our lives thinking too much on things." I stated as I began to slide his t-shirt up.

"You're lecturing me on over thinking things?" He asked, kissing at my neck before he moved his hands quickly and my top was gone.

"Call me the proverbial pot." I whispered and pulled his top off.

Mal chuckled as his hands trailed up the centre of my back and in a flash he removed my bra. I felt a moment of excited fear due to the fact that Mal had never undressed me in such a way before, and then he was guiding me back against a pile of cushions.

Topless but still wearing our jeans we entangled for a delightful hour of making out that was most intense. Never had we kissed in such a manner whilst knowing nothing would come of it at the end. The relief of knowing our busiest time was behind us and although I was unable to do more than make out this week, we would soon have the time we craved to be together added to the sweetness of our kisses.

I lay in his arms for a long while after the kisses ran out. I enjoyed how his skin felt against mine, smooth and warm and slightly clammy, but in an intriguing way. I could have slept there in his arms, stroking his hair and breathing in his delicious scent. How I wanted this wonderful moment to never end, but my phone rung. I would have ignored it but it rang again immediately after.

I groaned and sat up and found my phone. It was a withheld number and I frowned wondering whether to answer, I really had no choice.

"Hello?"

"Liza, it's Hickman. I need to speak with you and Mal. Anywhere we can do it in private?" He said quickly.

"We're up in the trees above the dorm building if that's any help?" I stated.

"Ok. There's a little road that leads up into there. Could you meet me at the trailhead?"

"We'll be there." I promised.

"See you in an hour." Hickman said.

"Very well detective. Goodbye."

Hickman had already hung up.

"What's going on?" Mal asked, his arms about my waist as he kissed my shoulder.

"Hickman wishes to speak to us." I stated. "Do you know of any trail head about here?"

"Yeah."

"Then we must make our way there." I said, placing my hands over his and hesitant to move them from covering my modesty for they felt so good there.

"We'll pack up here and go back to my room after talking to Hickman." Mal stated.

I nodded and turned to kiss him once more on the lips before I sought out my bra and top and pulled them on. I had to try and pull my hair into place without the aid of a mirror.

It didn't take us long to have everything packed up and Mal suggested that we leave them where they were and retrieve them on our way back. It made sense, although I did take some sandwiches with me for I was hungry and lunch had gone by the way side when we started making out.

Mal knew the place Hickman had mentioned. There was a small parking lot there and we sat on a wooden barrier, waiting for Hickman to arrive. We didn't wait long and he arrived in his Porsche.

"There's a picnic area up that path." He said pointing before he began walking up it without waiting for a response.

Mal and I followed and there was a picnic area that contained three tables. Hickman sat at one and Mal and I sat opposite him.

"I want you to tell me everything you know about the West Coast killings." He stated.

"Why?" I asked, feeling suddenly wary.

"Because I'm still not clear what happened exactly." Hickman said gruffly. "Your vamp friend's not exactly forthcoming with the info; and frankly that Catalina woman scares the hell out of me."

"What is it you want to know?" I asked.

"Everything."

"There is not much I do know Detective." I admitted.

"Please call me Marve." He said.

"It happened before I was born Marve. They were destroyed almost two months before I was born to be exact. I was not even created at that point."

"What do you mean?"

"Her mother wasn't pregnant." Mal translated.

"Then how were you born two months later?" Hickman asked with a frown.

"I am dhampir Marve." I stated.

He looked perplexed and I had to allow for the fact that some information had not sunk in on the night we recruited him.

"I am a half vampire." I stated. "The gestation period is but forty days and then once we are born we age several times faster than humans. At seven years of age I looked like this and have ever since. I will for the rest of my life, however long that may be."

"How long will you live?"

"I have heard of a dhampir who is five hundred years old but I have never met her." I replied.

"Whatever age you are you'll always look like you do now?" Hickman asked.

"Yes."

"What about you Mal? You're a dhampir too right?" Hickman said, changing his focus to Mal.

"Yes." Mal replied.

"So how old are you?" Hickman inquired.

"I'm eighteen." Mal answered.

"How old are you really?" Hickman asked flatly.

"Thirty four." Mal admitted. "I was sixteen when the West Coast massacres took place. And I don't know about many of the individual cases, I was in Volterra at the time and there was a block on the information getting too us. We only knew there was anything going on because Essie's little brother Hunter contacted her and said there were vamp killings moving up the West Coast and possibly heading for La Push."

"Why there specifically?"

"Because it is widely known among the vampires that La Push is the home of the Quileute warriors. Shapeshifters dedicated to protecting their people and homeland from the threat of the Cold Ones."

"I remember you told me that." Hickman observed. "But the vampires knew?"

"It was hard to keep the secret from spreading through the vampire populace once the Volturi witnessed the pack. Or packs as there were two at that time, one led by Sam and the other by my grandfather, Jake. That is not important at present, Mal continue with your tale." I stated.

"Ok. Well Hunter informed Essie that there was something big happening in America and that they were going to need help and there wasn't enough time to get everyone there. Essie went straight to Aro and more or less demanded that she go to La Push to help and Aro let her. Some of the top members of the Volturi Guard came too, along with Essie, Tobias and me. Tobias' family had done some recon, managed to get their hands on some surveillance footage. The one in the warehouse."

"Oh yeah. Old Hank Lawson, they really made a mess of him. I was the officer on the scene and…" Hickman shivered. "It was a mess."

"I am sorry you have had to witness such things." I stated and placed my hand on his.

"It expect bad cases but you never imagine the overwhelming effect being at a murder scene has on your senses." He observed.

"It's the smell that's worst." Mal said hollowly. "The smell of blood and death and eternal fear."

"Been at many murder scenes have you?"

"I've seen one or two in my life. I was stuck in Volterra for years, you see stuff that no kid should." Mal said and he seemed upset.

I took his hand a placed my arm about him in comfort. Hickman seemed to notice Mal's state.

"Just tell me about what happened in La Push." He suggested.

"I didn't do any fighting there. I was up on the roof of the hotel creating a protective bubble to stop the Chiang-Shih getting at humans while the vamps and wolves did all the killing. Turned out there wasn't as many of them as we thought. One of them could replicate himself a hell of a lot of times. There was only about twelve of them after you took out the one who could multiply."

"So not much of an army then?" Hickman asked.

"No. It was a diversion. They wanted to get Essie and Jane away from Volterra."

"Who the Chiang-Shih?"

"No. They were being manipulated by the Fire Twins. These vamps who could take away memories and put new ones in their place. They used to manipulate Aro until Essie found them out, so they wanted vengeance and the Chiang-Shih, or Yao to give them their right name, were a means to do that. At the battle of Volterra I held them in place with my telekinesis while Essie reverse shield their powers so the guard could take them out."

"So just like that the whole thing was over?" Hickman said. "You vamps sorted it out for yourselves with no thought about the people grieving?"

"Would it be better to tell the world what happened?" I asked. "Would you humans handle the truth when confronted with it?"

"I guess not." Hickman admitted. "But it just makes me angry to think Mindy meant nothing."

"But Mindy did mean something." Mal said. "It was her death that first alerted the Quileute to the killings."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you ever meet her friend Portia Clearwater? They were training to be doctors together." Mal stated.

"Yeah." Hickman said his mind suddenly working fast.

"If she hadn't alerted the Quileute then more people would have died."

"What you're saying is that being Portia's friend she didn't die in vain?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." Mal said.

"That is sort of consoling." Hickman observed. "It sure is something to think about. Well I got to get going, thanks for coming to talk to me."

"Any time Marve." I said kindly.

"Unless we're in another state." Mal said. "But we'll chat on the phone then."

"So I can just go through you two, not Catalina?"

"If it is something informal like this then yes, however anything official you must go to Catalina." I stated. "This is her territory and it would put us in a precarious position if she thought we were trying to usurp her. The only reason she tolerates our presence is because we're vegetarians and will therefore not eat into her food source."

"Right. I won't compromise you both, you finally got me some answers." And with that he walked off.

I watched him until he rounded the corner of the path and was hidden by the trees, and then I turned back to Mal and he had his face turned from me and his body was rigid.

"Malachite?" I whispered, stroking his back.

He turned to me and there were tears in his eyes, but it was clear he was trying to hold them back.

"What's wrong my love?" I asked, stroking the tears from his cheek.

"Just reliving my past. It's not pretty." He said, shaking his head, and then wiped the tears from his eyes angrily.

"You can be upset in front of me." I stated.

"I know, but I don't want to be upset about something out of my control. I can't help thinking that we should have come up with a culprit the humans could blame to get closure. I feel like I should apologise to everyone who lost someone to the Chiang-Shih for taking away their chance to see justice done. It's stupid to be upset about that." He stated.

I moved to sit up on the table in front of Mal and I pulled him to me and cradled his head on my shoulder, stroking hair in comfort. He was still quite stiff, unwilling to appear weak in front of me. But emotions were not weakness.

"It's not stupid to be upset about such a thing. You witnessed a lot at a young age and have you ever had chance to really express your emotions about it?" I asked.

"I locked it all away and tried not to think about it." Mal murmured.

"And now Hickman has opened that box and made you look at that contents once more."

"I'll be ok in a minuet." Mal said softly.

I put my lips to the side of his head and held them there, breathing in his scent, it was so delightful. My arms were wrapped around his head and I loved being so close to him. To just feel him so near and my hand travelled beneath his chin and I realised I was trying to guide his mouth toward mine. He responded and I leant down into the kiss, marvelling how different it felt to be the taller of us for once.

I slid off the table and down into his lap, our kiss continuing, his hand behind my back to protect it from the edge of the table. It was delightfully thrilling as I felt the press of his body, if there wasn't that warning twinge from deep within my body I would have done more with Mal, but we would have to wait a few days now.

I pulled away from him.

"We will work more on you letting go of this great sadness when we are somewhere alone." I stated. "You are studying psychology, you know the merit of getting such things off your chest. And if we're a couple I want to know your demons in the hope that I can help you exorcise them."

"You're right. I have to tell you about all of this, but once college is over. I'd rather have three months for you to recover before you have to face school work again."

"Very well." I said. "And I must prove how serious I am about you."

"How?"

"We're going to find Dove immediately and I will tell her that we are a couple." I said firmly. £This time I will tell her for there will be no more distractions."

"We can finally be official in public?" Mal asked with a smile.

"Yes my Malachite." I stated and I kissed his lips. "And it will be a great joy."

"You're telling me." Mal said stroking back my hair and he kissed my lips once more. "Now lets go tell Dove."


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