Author's Note: My apologies for taking so long in posting this chapter. I actually had one done ages ago, but I wasn't satisfied with it. Let me rephrase that -- I didn't even like it. Trust me, it sucked. So I started over. But it was worth it, this version is MUCH better! And quite a bit longer (6 pages as opposed to less than 2). As always, I humbly place it before you and sincerely hope you enjoy it.

P.S. Be forewarned, there is some major mushiness, as well as some rather hot and heavy action, at the end of this chapter. Nothing NC-17 (or even R, in my opinion), but it definitely gets the blood pumping.

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Chapter Fourteen

John hesitated as he pulled the Explorer up to the gates of the Wei mansion. He didn't doubt the sincerity of Ziyi's proclamation of letting them go unharmed, but years of mistrusting the intentions of every person he came into contact with had tainted him. He had come to rely solely upon himself.

And now Meg.

He looked over to the passenger seat where Meg was sitting. She was noticeably weary, but remained vigilant and alert. She caught his stare and gave him a small smile, reaching out her hand to cover his on the gear shift. She squeezed briefly before returning her hand to her lap.

The gate opened and they drove through. It closed behind them and no other vehicle exited. John looked over again at Meg as she stifled another yawn.

"We will stop at a hotel for the rest of the night," he said, already scanning the street ahead for appropriate lodgings.

"Why?"

"You need sleep."

"I appreciate the thought, John, but we don't need to stop just on my account. You tired, Mia?" she asked, turning to the back-seat.

"No, but if you are, I do not mind staying at another hotel. I can watch more television," she finished excitedly. Meg grinned and shook her head, turning back to John.

"Your sister, an American couch potato in the making." She sighed and grew serious again. "What about you? You had a long flight over."

"I slept on the plane. I did not think anyone was there to kill me." This was partly true. He had felt safe enough to attempt sleep, but worry for Meg and Miasu had plagued him. Were they safe? Had his message to Chien come in time? His slumber had been restless and intermittent. Meg chuckled at his statement.

"In that case, I'd rather just get the hell out of Dodge. I can catch a nap in the back."

John nodded and pulled into the next gas station he saw. While Meg filled the Explorer's tank, John and Mia went into the store for provisions. John bought a large coffee and US atlas while Mia picked up some magazines. After paying for the gas and other items, they walked back out to the SUV where Mia joined John in the front while Meg stretched out in the back- seat, as much as her height would allow.

John spent a moment studying the atlas, then started up the car and headed for Interstate-10. He proceeded east for the next three-and-a-half hours, occasionally chatting with Mia, though both were mindful of Meg sleeping in the back-seat.

After crossing into Arizona, the first sizable town they came across was Ehrenberg. John exited the interstate and stopped at the first hotel he drove by, a Best Western Inn. No suites and room service here. The sky was just starting to lighten from black to deep violet as he pulled up in front of the building. The sun would be up in less than an hour.

He put the car in park and left the engine idling while he entered the lobby to check in. He walked out a few moments later with a key card and the bill. He shifted the car into drive and drove around to the back of the building where their room was located.

Mia shook Meg awake while John retrieved their luggage from the back. By this time, John was feeling the strain of the past couple of days with little sleep and even Mia was yawning. Pausing only long enough to make sure the door was securely locked, the trio collapsed into bed -- Meg and Mia on one queen size bed and John on the other.

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It was well past noon before John stirred, apparently the first, he noted, seeing Meg and Mia still curled up in sleep on the other bed. He rose quietly, gathered some clothes and toiletries, and entered the bathroom for a shower. Mia had told him during the drive that she and Meg had bought him more clothes and accessories while they were shopping the day before.

When he emerged, Meg and Mia were both awake. Mia was sitting up in bed watching television while Meg sat at the small circular table looking thoughtfully out the window. John smoothed Mia's hair as he walked past, then sat at the table with Meg. She turned to look at him as he settled into his chair. They stared solemnly at each other for a few moments until Meg turned back to stare out the window.

"I hate the desert," she told him. "It's so dry and barren. I like humidity and trees." She looked back to him. "That's why I'm the only one in LA who never goes to Vegas."

"Las Vegas has trees."

"Yeah, but they're not natural."

"Los Angeles began as a desert."

"True, but there was still the Pacific ocean nearby." They slowly grinned at each other until Mia wandered over.

"I'm hungry," she announced. "Are you not hungry?" Meg eyed her and then John.

"There's an IHOP next door," she suggested, standing up from the table. "I haven't had pancakes in a while. And we can discuss our next move." They crossed the parking lot and entered the restaurant, where they were seated in a corner booth. It was nearly two and the lunch crowd had begun to filter out, leaving the tables on either side empty. The waitress took their drink orders and left them to mull over the menus.

"So, John," Meg said, taking a sip of her water, "where to after this?" Mia looked up from her menu, interested in the answer.

"Houston."

"Houston? Why Houston?"

"Chinatown. I know people there."

"This is the Houston in Texas, right?" John nodded. "TEXAS has a Chinatown?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes."

"Huh. Learn something new every day." The waitress returned with their drinks and took down their food orders. After she left, Meg continued with her earlier thread.

"So after Houston?" John hesitated, looking to Mia.

"I am not sure. Miasu and I are in this country illegally. Forging documents for American citizenship is very difficult."

"Try impossible," Meg interjected with a huff. "I've tried. Could've tripled my income." John smiled, then turned serious.

"My other option is legal immigration, but the process can take years and acceptance is not guaranteed." Meg nodded and looked at her water glass. She ran finger through the condensation, making patterns. John could tell Meg was thinking something over and so remained silent.

Mia turned to look at a family at a nearby table. A mother, father, a boy about five, and a toddler girl. The boy noticed Mia's attention and smiled at her. She smiled back. He then took his straw and removed the paper cover, scrunching it up and setting it on the table. He dipped the straw in his water, stuck his thumb on the end, and lifted it out to hover above the scrunched up paper cover. He glanced over at Mia to make sure she was still watching. Satisfied, he lifted his thumb from the end of the straw with a flourish and let a drop of water fall.

As soon as it hit the paper, the paper began to expand and lengthen, like a caterpillar inching its way across the table. Mia giggled in delight and clapped her hands appreciatively. The boy smiled wide, looking immensely pleased with himself, and waggled his eyebrows at her. The boy's father finally took notice of his son's actions and smacked him on the back of the head, telling him to stop bugging people. The family soon got up from the table and left.

John had watched the scene in amusement, feeling somewhat saddened that he had missed out on simple episodes such as this in Mia's life. Little things, really, but taken as a whole they constituted a significant part of her childhood and teen years. John was shaken out of his reverie as the waitress came back with their food and started setting the plates down. When the aroma wafted up to his nose, he realized how famished he was and dug in. Meg and Mia did the same.

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After they had finished their meal, they sat back and took a moment to breathe. Mia placed her hands on her abdomen and groaned.

"Oh, I am snuffed." Meg laughed and threw a wadded up napkin at her.

"You mean stuffed."

"Yes, that as well." They eventually rose from the table, paid the bill, and walked back across the parking lot to their room. Before they could open the door, the little boy from the restaurant raced over and yanked on Mia's shirt.

"Hey! Wanna go swimming?" He was wearing a pair of swim trunks with whales and starfish, goggles with an attached snorkel, and orange floaties on his upper arms. His mother trudged up behind him and grabbed his arm with one hand while holding the toddler girl in the crook of her arm.

"Nathan! That is very rude," she told him scoldingly, then turned to Mia. "I am so sorry." Mia shook her head and laughed.

"It is fine, I am not bothered," she told the mother sincerely, then looked down at Nathan. "And I would very much like to swim with you." She turned to John.

"May I? I bought a swimsuit yesterday." John nodded.

"Of course." Mia smiled and turned back to Nathan.

"I will change and meet you at the pool."

"Okay, cool!" the boy enthused, grabbing his mom's hand and dragging her towards the pool area of the hotel. "Come on, Mom!" John opened the door and they stepped inside where Mia went immediately to her luggage and pulled out a white one piece swimsuit. She went into the bathroom and closed the door, emerging a few minutes later wearing the suit, a caftan cover up, and carrying one of the hotel towels. Meg opened the door for her.

"Stay in the shallow end," she instructed as Mia walked out. "And wear sun block. And don't talk to strange men." Mia turned to look at her.

"Yes, Meg," she intoned solemnly, then broke into a grin and raced towards the pool.

"And don't run!" Meg yelled after her. She then closed the door and looked at John, who was watching her in amusement.

"What? I can't be worried?" John continued to grin. "Shut up," she said finally, sitting at the table by the window. John took the other seat.

"I am glad that Mia has someone like you to look after her." Meg shrugged.

"I like her. She's a good kid. Which reminds me, we need to talk about that. John, I meant what I said literally. Mia is like a child, the same mentality. Don't get me wrong, she is a very smart girl, resourceful. What she did with Steadham was incredible, but being isolated with just her mother and monks for company hasn't really prepared her for the real world. Not in America, anyway." John frowned and looked at the surface of the table.

"I know I was not with her while she was growing up, to guide her and teach her." Meg immediately shook her head.

"No, John, I didn't mean to sound like I was blaming you. It isn't your fault. You were barely her age when you went to work for Wei and you did so to provide for her and your mother. You've always her had her best interests at heart. But she has a lot of catching up to do." John nodded and looked at her.

"I know. What do you suggest?"

"Let her go to college. Alone." John looked doubtful and seemed about to protest, but Meg cut him off. "Hey, this is the time when most American kids go out on their own. Get away from family and familiarity and learn to function on their own." Meg paused. "But maybe not right away for Mia, I think she needs some time to adjust first. We can talk to her about it later." John nodded. Meg took a breath and clasped her hands on the table, pausing even longer before speaking again.

"I have a third option for your citizenship problem." John looked at her questioningly. She caught his eye before going on. "Foreigners are granted automatic citizenship when they marry American citizens. Well, technically, it takes two years after the marriage, during which time they must maintain constant cohabitation. I looked it up." John didn't reply, his expression unreadable. Meg started to get nervous, wishing she hadn't said anything. What if she'd misread his feelings this entire time? What if she wasn't even in the ball park? When John still didn't say anything, she unclasped her hands and waved them dismissively.

"It was just a suggestion," she stated, getting up from the table. "I'm sure there are other options. You are a rich man, after all, and the American government loves money. Bet you could buy yourself a legit citizenship." With that, she turned away from him, opened one of the suitcases on the bed, and started to pack. For the second time in two days she felt moisture gather in her eyes. Great, now I'm turning into a cliche -- wimpy weepy damsel. Ick. She heard him stand from the table, but she didn't turn around.

John crossed to her and put his hands on her shoulders, gently turning her to face him. She wouldn't meet his eyes, so he moved his hands to cup her jaw, tilting her face up to his. He frowned at her tears and brushed them away with his thumbs, then returned his hands to her shoulders and guided her into a sitting position on the edge of the bed. He pulled a chair from the table and sat across from her.

"Meg," John began, "I don't want you to feel obligated to help me in this way." Meg looked up sharply at him.

"Obligated?" she asked angrily. "You think I suggested this because I feel obligated?" She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at the bedspread, not really seeing it. John examined her bent head a moment before trying again.

"I can't ask you to part with two years of your life for me." Meg gave John a positively exasperated look and placed her palms on the bed.

"John, you didn't ask, I offered." She stood abruptly and began pacing between the beds and chest of drawers. "Okay, we've been tap dancing around this since the temple. I realize we've spent a grand total of six days in each other's company, I know that. I also know that we spent the year in between apart and I can't speak for you, but I was miserable. There was not a day that went by that I didn't think about you, wondering if you were hurt, if you were even alive . . . if you were dating." She returned to the bed and sat down to face him. "The truth is, if this business with Koy hadn't come up, I would've found another way to get to you."

"I was coming to find you," John said softly.

"What?"

"It is traditional to spend a certain amount of time in mourning," John explained. "After this time had passed, I intended to return to Los Angeles with Mia and search for you." He paused before going on. "I missed you."

John gazed at her intently for a few moments before reaching out his hand to her. She took it and he rose, pulling her to a standing position. His eyes never leaving her face, he released her and began sliding both hands upward along her arms. Meg shivered as his hands continued across her shoulders and toward her neck. Her breath came faster, her skin flushed.

John's hands had reached their destination and he began running his fingers through Meg's hair. She closed her eyes, relishing his touch and feeling major tingles begin somewhere in her middle and travel outward in all directions. When she opened her eyes, she found that John had stilled the movement of his hands and had concentrated the power of his eyes on hers. Not able to keep her hands to herself any longer, she reached up to place her hands on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat increasing beneath her palms and moved her hands down to clutch at his sides.

John gently pulled Meg towards him, his lips slowly coming to meet hers. He hesitated just before they made contact, leaving Meg the choice to back out if she wanted. She didn't. She closed the distance between them. The kiss was tentative at first, but soon grew in intensity, their bodies melding together so that the sunlight flooding the room had to find an alternate route around the intertwined couple.

Hands that had rarely come into contact with another human being due to years of mistrust and habit now roamed freely, exploring and caressing skin, hair, curves, and ridges. Wanting more of him to touch, Meg impatiently pushed his jacket off of his shoulders and yanked his dress shirt and t-shirt from his pants, placing her hands along his abdomen.

Following Meg's lead, John pulled her t-shirt from her jeans and let his hands slip around to her back, tracing the line of her spine with his fingertips. He moved his lips along her jaw line while Meg nipped at his earlobe. When she realized her hands were making their way to the buckle of his pants, she knew she had to stop before they went any further. She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed lightly.

"John," she managed, breathing heavily. He stepped back slightly to look at her and she shook her head. He removed his hands from under her shirt, then rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. Meg's fingers itched to touch more of him, so she motioned vaguely to the other side of the room. "I'm just -- I'm gonna --" She backed away from him and made her way unsteadily to the nearest wall, leaning on it. John lowered himself to the chair he'd occupied earlier.

"So, can I take that as a 'yes'?" Meg asked when she could breathe normally again. John looked to her, mildly confused. She smiled and walked towards him, kneeling in front of his chair. "To marry me, John," she explained. "Will you marry me?" He raised his hands and placed them on her either side of her head, smoothing his thumbs along her hairline.

"Yes," he told her, lowering his head to kiss her on the lips and then the forehead.

"We'll take a detour to Vegas on the way to Houston."

"You don't like Las Vegas," John reminded her.

"I'll make an exception in your case."

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Another Author's Note: Woohoo! Finally, John and Meg get to kiss! And other stuff, too! Honestly, it started out as a simple kiss, but quickly escalated and was soon out of my control. I don't know how it happened and I cannot in good conscience take any blame for it. . . ;) Anyway, we're not quite through yet. ONE MORE CHAPTER! The epilogue, as a matter of fact. We get to see what becomes of everyone. I have a general idea of the what, when, and where, but since I haven't actually started it yet, I can't say when it will be posted.

P.S. Yes, there actually is a Chinatown in Houston. Just east of downtown. How do I know this? Because I live there! Well, in Houston, not Chinatown;)