*I was worried when you weren't there Beka . . .*

I woke up the next morning to the feeling of a pair of strong, warm, naked arms holding me against a strong, warm, naked chest. Now, normally this wouldn't have phased me much, but it was the fact that I was naked as well the made the panic set in. I remembered what had happened last night and I wasn't sorry that it had happened. I was really glad that it had, but then again, I also knew that it meant heavy commitment. I also remembered the ground rules we had set, but I couldn't shake that feeling. I can't even describe what it was, but it made me feel like I was drowning and had to get away. I untangled

myself from him enough to scan the room for some article of clothing and the closest thing were his pants. Well, they wouldn't do, way too long in the legs and far too big in the waist. I sighed and slid out of his embrace completely and crawled to the end of the bed to retrieved my pants which I had forgotten were at the foot of the bed. I held in a groan as I stood up. This was the first time I had ever had to deal with a guy with 300 years of pent up sexual tension and lets just say, I have a pretty good feeling he got rid of most of it last night. I think I'm actually thankful for the negotiations today. They mean lots of sitting. I looked down at them and changed my mind. I fished a pair of shorts out of my bag and threw his sweater on as I made my way out to the balcony. I snickered to myself as I leaned against the railing. The sun was just starting to rise. It had just started to set last night.

"Beka?"

"I'm out here." I called to him.

"I was worried when you weren't there Beka. I had visions of you taking the Maru and running off," he said as he came out with a pair of boxers on. He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on the top of my head. I leaned back against him. "Any regrets?" he asked hesitantly.

"I don't think so." I grew quiet.

"What?"

"It's nothing." He pulled away and turned me around.

"No, it's something and I want you to tell me." I looked into his eyes and saw the fear of rejection in them. All I wanted to do was turn and run, but there was something that made me not want to add him to the Valentine Loved and Left List.

"I, I don't know. This is the first time in a long time that I have stayed around long enough to have `the morning after' talk. It's kinda weird and I feel like running and not comming back and it's taking a lot of will power not to."

"Do you want me to let you go?" he asked quietly.

"No, I want you to hold me here against my will." I looked at him. "I'm serious. I haven't even felt the desire to stick around in a while and I think we should work on that." I gave him a sexy little look. "Even if it means skipping the negotiations." I kissed him.

"Hmmmmm . .. we should work on this . . ." he said as he kissed back. "But after the negotiations. . . I'm over 300 years old and don't get me wrong, I loved last night, but I need some time to recouperate." he said with a smile at the look of displeasure on my face. "I must admit, I had NO idea that it was anatomically possible to do what you did last night." I laughed as he kissed me.

"It was just a little something I picked up. I had a friend who was a contortionist and she taught me a few tricks."

"Would you like to show me some more?" he asked as he backed me into the room again.

"Do I still have to go to the negotiations?"

"Yes." I stopped cold.

"Oh well. Then I guess you have to wait. Besides, didn't you say something about needing time to recover?" I said over my shoulder as I made my way into the shower.

"I lied!" he called.

"About what?" I peaked my head out the door.

"Needing to recover?"

"Ehhhhhn! Wrong answer!" I said as I closed the door. I heard him grumbling as I started the shower. "Oh you're kidding me!" I said to myself as I passed by the mirror and saw the mark he had left in his fit of passion. It was on my neck and very purple and I don't think I packed any high neck shirts at all. I looked at it again. Was I desperate enough to borrow something from Trance? Maybe Rommie? Then again, maybe some make up will do the trick . . .I have hid hickies before. . . . I shook my head and got in and started thinking again. When I let things get a little more serious with us, long before last night, I knew what I was in for. That first time I let him spend the night was when things got complicated. I didn't mind it then, but I minded it now. I mean, how long would it be now before he wanted a solid commitment? I mean, like moving in together or, God forbid at this point, engagement or marriage?!?!?! Ok, calm down Valentine. You've slept together one night, but lost count of how many times you orgasmed in that one night. It's still all good though because, because, because you're still in control! Yep, still in control. Dylan won't do anything I don't want him to and I know it because he's mister high and mighty High Gaurd captain. It's okay, he isn't some quick fuck you picked up on a drift while you were drunk. It's all going to be okay. . . . . I hope . . .