The next morning I woke up and rushed out to work. I didn't even see him and didn't really want to. I was embarassed because of the night before, though I didn't really know why. I tried to think about it, and it all just seemed too intimate, too soon. I acted upon an impulse and ended up mortifying myself.

Not good, not good at all. I made a mental note to have more control over myself in the future if I planned on keeping my head and not making an idiot out of myself on a regular basis.

I came home that night, and he was wide awake, his nose practically pressed against the screen of my lap top. It seemed like he wanted to forget what happened the previous evening as well. He barely looked at me and hardly said a word. I was

fine with that, and let it be.

The next few days were silent, but soon, we began talking, everyday before I went to work and in the evening when I returned. Occasionally he accompanied me on my nightly walks. We talked about everything you could imagine.

He even told me what happened after the battle with The First, at least what he could remember. He said once the Slayer left him with the seal, he felt incredible pain, and truly believed he was dead for a time. He remained in a sort of limbo between worlds for the longest time before he was deposited in the cemetery by some magical, mysterious force. He recalled awakening, crawling, calling for help for a long time,

and obviously collapsing for who knows how long until I found him.

I was enthralled listening to him speak of such things, so I didn't know exactly how to

respond. What could I say, I'm sorry? Tell me more? It all seemed so inappropriate. So, I just listened, listened to every single word. He talked a lot, like he missed it, missed having someone to talk to. Or maybe, that was just me. Either way, I hung onto every word, every syllable. He was my friend, at least that's how I saw him. A very alluring, attention-grabbing friend, but a friend just the same.

Every now and then, his eyes would cloud over and drown in a profound, far reaching sorrow, I couldn't even begin to understand. I knew deep down who he was thinking of, and an icy hand of hard realization squeezed my heart achingly, painfully. It seemed so silly...I could never measure up to HER, but still, pangs of jealousy shot into me.

William remained my houseguest for several weeks. Seeing him everyday became something of pleasure for me. He walked about the apartment freely, like it was his as well. When he left, he was only gone for a few hours and always returned with some interesting story. I didn't know what to think or do about the situation. It wasn't that I disliked him being in my home, but he was...well...a distraction.

He had a hold and effect on me that I couldn't control or deny. I would be listening to one of his wild stories when he would come in at three in the morning, and my eyes would settle upon his mouth, his lips moving, and I would immediately think about how those lips would taste upon mine...ultimately missing half of his story. Not a night passed that I didn't have a dream about him slipping into my bed and well...you get the picture...it's so embarassing. I knew I was slowly growing infatuated with him...and I didn't know how to handle it.

Then, one evening when I came in from work, everything changed.

I was exhausted from the day, my nerves frazzled and my muscles screaming. Just as I came through the door, I heard music filling the apartment. William had turned my

stereo on and was playing one of my CD's. I couldn't recognize it right away. As I hung my jacket and purse, I listened, the full electronic bass pumping in my ears. It was one of my old Trance CD's I bought when I was in England. Absently, I sung some of the lyrics...

Don't try to run away...

cause I understand what you're feeling...

Don't try to run away...

cause I understand the pain that's tearing you apart...

Just stay here with me...

and so you will see...

that you belong to me...

we will be free...

I stopped humming, and saw William walking towardsme, greeting me warmly.

"What's with the music?" I asked casually. "I didn't think you'd mind." He replied. "Makes me think of home."

"Yeah." I agreed, not thinking of that. "I guess so."

I paused, not wanting to meet his gaze. I was tired, and all my defenses were down. "Listen, I'm going to go and have a shower...I'm zonked...I think I'm just going to

go right to bed..."

"Sure." He said gently. I turned towards the bathroom, but his voice made me face him again. "Paige..."

Give your heart...

feel like a bird in the sky, flying on the wings of love...

Come into my open arms...

Don't try to run away...

I had no choice. I looked up at him. I regretted it as soon as I saw his eyes, his expression, his beautiful face. I longed to run my fingers along the contours of

his face, press my body to his. I watched his lips as he spoke, standing so near that I could feel the heat rising from his body.

"I've been meaning to thank you." He began.

"For what?" I asked breathlessly.

"For saving my life...pretty much. I might not be standing here if it wasn't for you."

"I didn't do anything more than any other person would do. You obviously needed help."

"It's more than that, you must know that. You've listened to me...soothed my mind when I felt like going insane. Truth is, I'm not sure if I'm completely all right yet..."

"God, I know...I don't blame you...you've...you've been through so much..." I stammered as his direct gaze made my lower body tighten. I was too close...

much too close.

"Thank you, Paige." He repeated, his voice enveloping me in tingling warmth, my breath threatening to come fast, my pulse speeding.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could make a sound, he leaned in and kissed me. My body froze immediately, my heart thudding so fast, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I gasped against his kiss, his lips soft and gentle,

his arms encircling me, pulling me against him, his scent engulfing my senses. I couldn't believe what was happening...I thought I was in a dream, but I reached

out, and he was there, under my fingertips, his silky hair, his skin, his body, solid and muscular.

I gave myself up to the sensation, getting lost in the embrace. The kiss deepened, and I melted into him, his flavor intoxicating as his tongue massaged mine. I matched his fervor, and in my excitement, ended up nicking my tongue upon his fang. The pain

was sharp and immediate as my blood seeped into his mouth. The taste of my blood upon his tongue enflamed his bloodlust, and William clasped me tighter to his body, almost to the point of pain. He kissed me hard and fast.

I made a tiny sound of protest, but couldn't make myself push him away. I was turned on beyond anything I have ever experienced, but at the same time, I was terrified down to my very being.

William abruptly pushed me away, and the force of his strength nearly landed me on the floor. My back smacked against a wall of the apartment, my hair disheveled, my breath heavy.

He kept his distance from me, wiping at his mouth rapidly with his hand. "I'm sorry...I..."

I shook my head. "No, no, it's all right, it was an accident, honestly..."

He tried to protest, but I interrupted, shutting him up for a time. I didn't want him to regret kissing me, even if it was unexpectedly dangerous. Tasting my blood and the flavor of him on my tongue, and his scent wafting from my skin, I went to the

bathroom. I had to wash him away before I went mad.