Hey! So compared to the last chapter, this one is quite short. However, as I was writing it I felt that they shouldn't have been separated but having already published one part. . . you know?

Well anyhow, I hope you enjoy Pt. 2 of Rationalization!

Arianna woke up abruptly. A warm light flooded the room, as she stared at the ceiling, waiting. When the bed shifted underneath her, she knew what had happened. Her breath hitched as she tried to sit up slowly. It was only then that she realized there was an arm around her waist, and it began to slide off. She looked back at the body next to her. Henry's eyes were closed, and his face was peaceful. Despite that, however, she was upset and could only think about getting out as quickly as possible. So, she carefully lifted his hand off her waist and stood.

Henry's eyes were heavy, and his mouth was desert-like. He was enjoying a warmth next to him, but when it was replaced by a sudden chill, he made a point to begin waking up. The jostling underneath Henry accompanied a voice that he was sure he was fond of, so he coaxed his eyes opened.

"Oh. . ."

"Aria?" He winced as he sat up, and squinted when the evening sun hit his eyes.

"Uh," she exhaled heavily, "Hey. . ."

"Are you leaving?" He cocked his head to the side.

"Uh. . ." she bit her upper lip, nervous, "Yeah, I, uh, I think so. . ."

He watched her nervously replace the same piece of hair he did, as she picked up her purse from the floor.

"What's wrong?"

"You, uh," she rubbed the back of her head, "you didn't stay awake."

Henry stared up at her, finally beginning to understand why she was upset, "I am so sorry." he began to strip the blankets from him to sit up, "I must have fallen asleep."

"Wait, wait, wait, Henry don't get up." She ran her fingers through her hair, "I just really need to go," she opened the door, "I will come back tomorrow."

"Aria, wait, please," He moved to get off the bed, and Aria in response shut the door and moved to sit on the bed.

He immediately relaxed as she sat down on the bed. He took her hand in his as she got within reach and analyzed her features, despite the harsh light. The warm light hit her skin and lit it orange. Her blue eyes were almost green in the light. He admired the freckles that trailed across her nose, hoping that he would have the opportunity to count them all individually. Buried in her eyes was a mountain of guilt, but more apparent was the worry. He wished that he would stop causing that to flit across her face.

"I am sorry, Aria."

"It's not your fault." Her eyes fixed themselves on the floor.

"Do you mind telling me why you are so upset? It's obvious that nothing uncouth happened."

She huffed, bringing her gaze to the ceiling. She stared for a moment contemplating her response.

"Rationalization."

"What?"

"Rationalization. I rationalized sleeping I the same bed as you because you said you would stay awake. I knew full well that it could cause problems."

"What problems has it caused?"

"Henry," she scoffed, "I think it's probably too early to have this conversation."

"What conversation?" He was genuinely confused and searching for answers in her eyes.

She sighed.

Then it was silent.

Henry waited patiently, feeling that he knew her concern. However, without certainty he was not inclined to question.

After a minute or two of silence, Arianna stood and began to pace back and forth. He watched, enamored of the fall of her hair, and the way her eyes grew brighter in the dark.

When she stopped Henry's heart did too. Suddenly, he was frightened. Did he make an error that he couldn't rectify? His fingers gripped his pants, immediately causing his knuckles to go white.

"Where are we going?"

His head snapped up, his eyes finding hers in less that a moment. When his brain caught up to his reflexes he realized, he had no idea what she meant, "What?"

"I mean us, what is this? What are we? Where are we going?"

He shook his head, "This is the conversation that you wish to have?"

"It's most definitely a contributing factor."

Henry wanted to tell her that he thought he may love her. However, he also felt that may be too much too fast. He knew that he had never felt this way with anyone, even Deena, whom he thought he loved. As he mulled over his response, he considered the sheer amount of affection he felt toward her.

"I want this relationship to go as far as you are comfortable, or willing."

She smiled at him, "That answer's a cop-out."

He laughed, "only if it is not true."

Arianna pushed some hair back off of Henry's forehead and smiled at him, "So. . . I need to go. . ." he sighed, "Please, Henry, don't worry. I will be back."

"I do not want you to leave under the circumstances, disappointed in me, or us."

She chuckled, "Henry, I am anything but disappointed in you or us. I am mildly disappointed in myself, but you?" she shrugged, "No. I could never be disappointed in you."

She rubbed his arm as he continued to look into her eyes, "Then I am sorry I encouraged you to compromise your principles."

"Henry." She laughed, "You did nothing of the sort, but I do need to go, before I stay again. I compromised my own principles, not you."

"I just do not want you to go ever. I want you within arm's reach." He intertwined their fingers, "That's all."

"Wow," she nodded, "that's a lot coming from the man who hasn't even asked me on a real date yet." She smiled.

He chuckled, "Well, tomorrow it will have been a week since Dr. Weston released me."

"Yes, it is."

"Then why not tomorrow evening? I can take you to dinner."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Well, I want to."

"Yes, well, I don't think that the amount of walking and moving around that going to dinner would entail is a good idea; especially after a week of limited movement." He sighed harshly and looked down at the sheets, "Besides, we need to get you home tomorrow."

"Yes, well I would rather take you to dinner."

She smiled at his choice of words, "Yes, well," he smiled back, "I have a previous engagement, moving this stubborn man back into his apartment."

"Yes, well," she giggled at him, "I'm sure he needs you to be there for him."

"He most definitely does." She carefully moved some hair behind his ear, "However, for now he needs to let me go home."

Henry sighed and slowly let go of Aria's hand, relenting. He knew he had failed to change her mind, "If you must."

She stood carefully and leaned down to softly place a kiss on his forehead. When her lips met his skin he sighed immediately, bringing his right hand to her waist. When she pulled back, she smiled down at him and he did in return. She hesitated for a moment, and he took advantage pulling her down a little further, taking her lips in his. A chill ran down her spine and stopped in the middle of her stomach, landing like a ton of bricks. She loved the feeling. She settled back on the edge of the bed his arms wrapping around her. As their mouths moved on each other she settled, carefully, into his chest and ran her fingers through his hair pulling his lips closer to hers.

When she ran out of breath she pulled away, dragging her hands down his shoulders and chest. Henry gasped for air and pulled her to his chest as he had earlier, kissing the top of her head as she sighed.

"Well. . ." he sighed.

"That was nice." She smiled.

"Well worth the wait." He closed his eyes and rubbed her arm.

"All the tension." She laughed and he chuckled.

"It was palpable."

"Quite."

She was still for a moment, relishing in the contact. She sighed then, however, refusing to misstep again.

"You still have to go. . ." he kissed her forehead.

"Yes, as magical as that kiss was Henry, I still have to go."

He shook his head and released his gentle grip, giving her more space to sit up with ease. When she did, she took two steps away, deliberately moving out of reach. Henry laughed.

"What are you doing over there?"

"Staying out of reach." She bent down to get her purse.

"Now why would you want to do that?" he rolled over to get a better look at her.

"Because" she giggled and took another step toward the door, "If you keep touching me, I'm never going to leave, so. . ."

"Drat," he feigned sadness, poorly hiding his smiled, "You have uncovered my plan."

"And it was so cleverly disguised." She laughed.

The door was ajar, inviting her outside. When she looked, she focused on the hills in front of her. She reveled for a moment in the warmth of the sunset's final glow. When she turned back to Henry, she met the same warmth in his eyes. In a moment of simple want, she ran back to Henry, kissed him again, then ran back out of the house, pulling the door shut behind her.

Henry was smiling.