The song in this chapter is "Flames" by VAST. I don't won them either.

Sullen and Haunted

IV: Delirium

I stumbled from my bedroom and looked around.

No Connor.

Damnit, he took off.

I mentally flew through curses and approached the couch. There he slept in a semi-fetal position with a Home Decor magazine open on his legs. His arm was straight out off of the couch where someone could trip over it. I went over to him and repositioned his arm and he shifted in his sleep.

"How did you find me, Connor? How did you find me?"

He mumbled something.

"What, Connor?"

"Followed you home..."

He followed me home?

"Why did you follow me home?"

"Protection...vampires..."

So he was protecting me...

"Did you help me the night before you came in my apartment?"

"Yeah...you were beautiful..."

He moved again in his sleep and I brushed stray locks of his tousled, beautiful hair.

Not nearly as beautiful as you, Connor...

I felt myself smile as his eyes fluttered open.

"Alexa? Is something wrong?" He groggily sat up. "Is he back?"

"No, it's just us. You never told me you spoke in your sleep." I smirked as I rose.

"What do you mean? Did I say something to you?"

He followed me into the kitchen. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard. "Yes, you did."

"What did I say?"

"What if I don't want to tell you?" I grinned mischievously.

I hope he knows I'm joking with him...

"Then I'll just have to force it out of you." He grinned back.

Yes!

"And how, pray tell, are you going to manage that?" I asked as I turned and poured some iced tea into my glass.

Just as I set the pitcher down I felt his hand gently creep against my side. My breath was caught in between my lungs and my mouth. My eyes were forced closed. He ran his index finger along my back in an unidentifiable design. The shivers sent through me couldn't be held in.

"I have my ways..." He whispered.

He came closer to me. I could feel his warm breath against my neck, I could hear his sigh as he breathed. I wanted to lean against him and just let everything else disappear. That's when it happened.

He began tickling me.

Between the screams and the laughter, we somehow tumbled into the living room. I dropped to the floor, on my knees, and crawled trying to get away. He was much too strong, and fast. My last resort was the couch. I climbed up, only to find as soon as I flipped face up he was there on top of me.

As we both breathed heavily, he caressed my cheek with his palm and smiled. I laughed from rerunning those imagines in my mind...and from nervousness. His eyes caught mine in a sudden flash. I could see his jaw tighten and his breath catch. He rushed down quickly in a fit of passion, pressing his lips against mine.

It felt as if our tongues battled each other for the upper hand. He wanted to make me feel everything he felt, but I wanted to make him feel more. Or so it seemed.

He pulled away from me. "Alexa..." He breathlessly whispered.

"Sh," I pressed my fingers against his lips. I ran my fingers through his hair. "Let me look at you. Let me hold you."

He searched my eyes. I tilted his head to my lips. I kissed his forehead and smiled, gently touching his face.

Don't let this happen, Alexa. You'll only break his heart.

I kept my smile, not wanting him to see me frown from my thoughts.

That was a long time go. Things change and time goes on.

"Alexa?" Connor asked.

"Connor?" I smiled.

"What's it like to go see a movie?"

My face lit up.

"Allow me to show you first hand!" He sat up and I stood up. "I'll take you there myself."

I grabbed my car keys. We were both still in our jeans. Our hair was a bit messy but it didn't matter. I was taking this boy to his first movie!

He fell in love with the fight scenes. I chose an action film knowing he would love it. It was almost like looking at a child on their first visit to Disney World. I couldn't get over it.

"How did they do that, Alexa? Did those men really die?"

"No, Connor. Movies aren't real. They're made to look real by talented people. They use special effects to make everything seem like it truly happened."

"People are truly entertained by them. I loved it."

"I'm glad." I smiled.

I arrived back home and a thought entered my head. I smiled and turned on a CD. Connor's attention was now to the music playing.

"What is this?" He asked, touching the stereo gently.

"This is music."

A voice suddenly came through the speakers. He was startled. "Who is that?"

"That's the lead singer of the band playing. The band is VAST."

"Vast..." He repeated, touching the speakers. "His voice sounds sad."

I nodded. I took his hand and pulled him close to me. We gently swayed to the music.

"We're dancing?" He asked.

"Yes, we are."

"My father in Quar-Toth taught me how to waltz when I wasn't hunting. He taught me a lot of things."

I rubbed his back when I heard the saddened reminiscent tone in his voice. I wanted to talk to him about the vampire that said he was his father, but I didn't want to ruin this beautiful moment. I had him in my arms, resting my head upon his shoulder, moving slowly to this beautiful music.

When I am with you, there's no reason to pretend...and when I am with you I feel flames again...