-----Disclaimer: I don't own the book Count Of Monte Cristo. Notes: ^^Thinking^^. -----

Chapter Four: Gentle And Passionate

A Claudia road home all Claudia could think of was Albert and how much she knew Zatara's plan would hurt him. She couldn't help but think of her and Albert's experience in the garden. She was infuriated with Count Mondego. Had that man no honor? What kind of man fell for a young woman, that his own son had feelings for? Claudia didn't need to answer the question, she knew the answer. A coward, for that's what Mondego was. As she was deep in though, the coach stopped abruptly. Claudia was startled to see Zatara sitting in the seat in front of her. She gave him the look over, and she found that his expression was upset.

"I thought you had left?" She said softly.

Zatara nodded. "I had gone to the bathhouse it is not to far from this spot, and I saw your carriage. So I decided to get a ride home with you. I hope you do not mind."

Claudia shook her head. "No, it is fine." She glanced out the window. "Zatara?"

"Yes?"

"Do you plan on hurting Albert?"

"If he comes between my vengeance then-"

Claudia stared at her friend, he eyes pleading. "Please do not hurt him."

Zatara was taken aback by the young woman's response. The girl he knew never fell for anyone, was always distant from any man, except for himself and her brother. "Am I dreaming or do I detect feelings for the boy?"

"I know, please do not lecture me. It was unavoidable, you asked to be the seductive young woman, and I could not-"

"You took it upon yourself to come tonight. I did not ask it of you. You have brought this upon yourself." He told her firmly.

"You could not have possibly thought that your own actions would not have an effect on others." She replied curtly.

"And what if I did?"

Claudia fumed with anger toward her friend. She pulled the lever to stop the carriage, and she got off and before telling the drive to continue she glared at Zatara and retorted. "Then you are a fool." She then nodded to the coachman to proceed leaving her on the road alone.

She stood alone, and watched as the carriage drove out of sight. She was so furious with Zatara, even though she knew he was right. She had decided to come to see Albert again, and what ended up was an emotion she never expected. Claudia walked back toward Albert's house; she had to speak with him.

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Claudia was equipped with many skills, one of which was a thief. Using this skill allowed her to enter the Mondego residence without them knowing. She had slipped past the guards like a fish would slip through a bare hand. She walked the hallways, and found Albert's door, well she was not sure it was his, but the door was slightly cracked and she peered in. She saw a figure lying on the large bed. And by the pale light from the moon, she could see the figure of the young man. It was Albert. She slowly crept toward his bedside, and shook him gently. She didn't want to wake him, but she knew that she must. The young man's eyes fluttered open and his eyes widened when he saw the figure in front of him. He reached out to Claudia's face to see if the figure was real. When his had met her cheek she smiled warmly. He smiled as well, but was still surprised by seeing her in his room.

"What are you doing here?" He asked her.

"I-" Claudia did not know how to explain, and now she was regretting coming here. She was scared of Albert's reaction. "Oh, Albert." She burst into tears, and bent down over his bed putting her head in her hands. How could she tell him? He would hate her forever, and she wouldn't be able to stomach it. She hated herself for falling for him, how she had tried not to. But one cannot help who they love.

Albert was confused by Claudia's crying. The girl was always so confident, and now what he saw was completely different from what he had seen before. He smiled, and took her hand "What is wrong?"

She stared at him, and frowned. "I can-" she sighed. "Albert I never expected this. It was not supposed to turn out this way. I tried so hard not to, I really did. But-"

"It's alright." He wrapped his arms around her and into an embrace.

She melted in his embrace, she kissed his cheek. "I would never hurt you Albert. You know that; please tell me you believe that I would die if I did." She whispered into his ear. She rested her head against his shoulder.

He smiled when she said this, and moved her face to meet his own. "I know. Why do you think these things?"

Claudia smiled and kissed him. "I love you Albert, and I always will even if you do not feel the same."

Albert cocked an eyebrow. "Claudia? Can't you see how much I love you? I thought it was too obvious."

Claudia's heart beat harder in her chest. ^^He loves me. ^^ She placed a hand on his cheek. "I guess I just did not see it. But I am so happy that you feel the same way." She smiled brightly. "Oh Albert if only things were simple." He began to kiss her hand, wrist, and was working his way along her arm. "You are making this harder for me." She told him firmly, but melted to his kisses like warm butter.

He smiled playfully, and grabbed her by the waist pulling her down onto the bed. He landed on top of her. "Do you know how much I want you, and how hard it is to resist you?"

She blushed and turned her face away from him. "Albert I must tell you something. I am no-" She was unable to finish. A passionate kiss had broken her sentence.

When the kiss ended she saw the love and passion in Albert's eyes. "And I must tell you something." He smiled.

She cocked an eyebrow "What?"

"This." He told her, and it was all he needed to saw. The two soon found themselves merged as one in passion. The act in itself was something she had experienced many times before, but it had never been so heart felt. She could tell by his deep passionate but at the same time soft kisses, and touches that he held her in the highest of respects. She knew that he loved her, which he most certainly did. She could tell if someone was in love by they way they were in bed. If one was rough, all they thought of was lust. But if one was gentle and passionate at the same time, it was clear that they held that person dear to their heart. And from what she had received form Albert, her heart cried with joy, for it was gentle and passionate at the same time.

------Please review. Thanks! ~Alana-----