AN: SORRY!!!!! I am so sorry! I just started working last week and I was on the night shift. I would have had this posted sooner but, the site was down and when it came back I wanted 2 make sure that it worked right then evil work came. It sounds lame but, I was at my friend's house all week. Thanx Licherdee, for putting up with me! Don't forget u owe me a few subs from Subway! Well, I hope u like this. I plan on getting into it in the next chapter. Some new ideas just made a break through my demented mind. Enjoy! ^__^

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Chapter 9





Hitomi woke to the feel of two warm arms wrapped around her. Smiling, she shifted to look at the face the two arms belonged to. For years she had wondered what it would be like to be wrapped in those arms. Now she knew. It was the best feeling in the world and she was the happiest she had been in a long time.

Van's light breath fanned over her cheek as she lowered her face to get a better look at him. His peaceful look made her smile brighten. His eyes began to move under the lids which held his long lashes.

He could sense her looking at him through his dreamlike state. She was with him in his dreams and in reality. Willing his eyes to the best of his ability, he opened them as far as they would go. There she was, smiling down at him.

"Good morning Van." She whispered. She could tell that he was still very tired. His eyes peered up at her in slits. He looked like a child fighting to stay awake long enough to see his parents come home or something.

"Mmmm..." He buried his face in her hair to seek refuge from the day. It only made her giggle.

"Go back to sleep Van. It's still early yet and you need it." She said. He hadn't heard a word of it as he was already sleeping again. Hitomi on the other hand, couldn't so she slipped out of his arms and left the room.

"Hey sleepy head! Have a good rest?" Kai asked upon seeing Hitomi exit Paige's room. She nodded and raised a finger to her lips.

"Still sleeping?" Sonya asked. Hitomi sat down beside them.

"Yeah, poor guy's exhausted. He woke up for a second but, he couldn't stay awake long enough to say hello." Hitomi replied. Sonya handed her a cup of coffee and they sat in silence for a moment.

"Things are...good then?" Allen asked.

"Couldn't be better." Hitomi said, crimson reaching her cheeks.

"Dost I detect thou had intimate relations with his majesty last night?" Sonya asked in a rich British accent.

"Better not have been in my bed!" Paige yelled from the next room. Hitomi gasped and jumped from her chair.

"I'm going to talk to Paige and...no we didn't do anything like that Sonya!" Hitomi said, blushing.

"Yeah, ok. Stop blushing then." Sonya retorted.

"Only if you work on your accent! Figure anything out yet?" She asked as she approached Paige. Looking over she got the tail end of a conversation she was having with someone.



Px: I've been trying to keep them busy since you filled me in on what's going on there. It's still heard to believe that a person can actually be connected to a machine like that.

LilP: That's all the more reason to stop him. If we hold off any longer... well you know. Please just keep them occupied as best you can.

Px: The generator won't be fix until tonight at the latest. Whatever you did sure set them back with that. It's the computers I'm worried about. There's other ways to skin a cat. If he doesn't get the generator working he'll find another way.

LilP: That's what I'm counting on you for. Buy us some time.

Px: Strike at midnight when security is at it's lowest. The guards switch about that time and it's the best time to sneak in without getting caught. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I'll try to keep them on their toes and away from your friend.

LilP: Thanks, I appreciate it.

Px: Gotta go before I'm found out. Be careful, I don't need to see you caught.

LilP: Don't worry about me. I'll manage. Good luck.

Px: Same to you.



"So?" Hitomi asked.

"Don't worry, we can count on him. We wait until midnight just like he said. It is the best time to strike. Until then, we wait and pray they don't decide to go cave man on Escaflowne. They'll do anything to make a discovery." Paige said.

"Have you had a break? You look awful." Hitomi stated.

"Why, thank you for pointing that out but, a crisis doesn't stop in order to give us a break." Paige muttered.

"It does now. You need your rest before we go out there tonight. I'm not letting you fall asleep and get yourself killed. Kai! Come get Paige away from this computer. I'm going to see if Van's awake yet." Hitomi said. Kai nodded and went to haul Paige away from the computer.

"Hey! Kai! I'm not done here! I've still got to plan this out!" Paige protested.

"Rest now, think later. Don't worry Hitomi, I'm going to bring her into the spare room!" Kai said. Hitomi nodded and went into Paige's room.

Looking in, she noticed that Van was still asleep. She was surprised that he could still be sleeping with all the commotion they had caused out there. As quietly as she could, she tiptoed over to the edge of the bed and climbed up. Making her way on all fours, she sat in front of him. She was content just watching over him. Knowing he was there while she drifted into a day dream.

Van opened his eyes shortly after he felt the bed shift under Hitomi's weight. He could tell that she was trying not to wake him but, he was already awake. He had woken up shortly after she entered the room. Catching her in a moment brought a smile to his face.

Hitomi gasped, slightly startled when she felt herself being pulled down toward something. She opened her eyes to see Van smiling up at her as he gently tugged her down toward him.

"Did I wake you?" She asked. He shook his head and hugged her tightly. She let her body drop so that he didn't have to move much. Giggling, she pulled away just enough to look at him.

"Stop hiding from me. I want to see your face silly." She said between giggles.

"I don't think I can move." He muttered.

"How do you feel this morning?" She asked.

"Like I'm being weighed down by giant sand bags. Answer your question?" He asked.

"Poor you. I'd feel for you but, I just can't reach." She said. This only caused him to pull her against him again.

"Van! You can't squeeze me all day you know." She stated.

"Why not?" He asked.

"Because...because...ugh! You!"

"No excuses. Besides, I've always dreamed of this." He said.

"What? Squeezing me to death?" She teased.

"Hitomi!"

"I'm just teasing. I know what you mean." She said.

"Good, then you won't mind lying here with me while I wake up."

"No but, I might fall asleep again and you'll have to wake me up." She stated.

"I wouldn't mind that in the least." He said.

"I bet." She muttered.

"What's going on out there anyway?" He asked, bringing all the seriousness he could muster into his voice.

"Paige talked to her contact and we are planning on leaving tonight at midnight." She could feel him tense up at the thought of waiting so long to retrieve Escaflowne.

"Don't worry, he's keeping them busy so they stay away from Escaflowne. We were told that midnight's the right time to go safely. Their generator is blown anyway so, they can't do to much damage." *Hopefully* She said, silently adding the last word. He visibly relaxed but, refused to let her go. That was until his stomach decided that it needed nourishment. Hitomi giggled and looked up at him with sparkling emerald eyes.

"A little hungry are we?" She asked. The answer was his flushed cheeks from self embarrassment. She giggled again and shook her head lightly.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about Van, if you're hungry, we can go raid Paige's fridge. She's always got some good stuff in there." She said. He cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"What is a...fridge?" He asked, pronouncing each syllable to make sure he said it right. She smiled again and pried his arms from around her waist.

"You probably have something similar to it on Gaea. It's just a big box like thing with a door. It uses electricity and food is placed inside to be kept cool. It also stays fresh longer. Come on, I'll show you and, while were at it, we can introduce you to the world of the living again." She stated, tugging on his arms.

"Wait! I can't get up like that Hitomi!"

Five seconds later they were in a heap on the floor. Van was unceremoniously sprawled over the floor with Hitomi laughing underneath him. He lifted himself on his elbows, blushing.

"My legs are still asleep." He muttered, blushing more. This only caused her to laugh harder.

"I'm sorry, I should have known that. I should have let you stretch first. I think I've had too much caffeine already. That coffee that Sonya made me was pretty strong stuff." She confessed.

"I didn't notice." He replied, sitting on his knees. Hitomi pulled herself together and sat on her knees in front of him.

"All honesty though, I think it's your fault." She said rather seriously.

"My fault! Why is it my fault?" He asked, quite shocked.

"When I woke up this morning, I was glad to see you beside me. I had thought I dreamt everything. Then, when I came back in here and saw you sleeping, I imagined waking up with you like that every morning. It kinda made me feel all giddy, happy and I couldn't contain myself." She said with a blush.

He looked at her and blinked several times trying to sort through what she had said. In some ways he felt the same way. He had always dreamt of waking up to her smiling face. Knowing that she would feel extremely embarrassed if he didn't say anything, he decided on just that. A smile played across his face as he took her hands in his.

"You don't have to be embarrassed Hitomi, I feel the same way. Well, everything except the giddy part but, you know what I mean right?" He asked. Her face brightened and she flung herself into his arms. The action caught his still slightly drowsy mind off guard and he fell on his back.

"I know what you mean Van. Silly, let's get you something to eat before you fade away on me." She said, poking his stomach. He jumped and grabbed her arms.

"Don't start that again. I don't think my body could handle it." He said. She stood up and helped him off the floor. They stood and walked out into the main sitting room where Allen and Sonya were sitting.

"I think something's going on between them." She whispered.

"You think? Ahem, are we interrupting something?" Van asked. Allen and Sonya turned from their heavy conversation and looked at the two that were standing in front of them. Allen was shocked at Van's attitude. It took him several minutes to realize that it really was Van and not some hallucination. The Van he knew hadn't smiled in years. This was definitely a switch.

"Is that a smile is see? Who are you and what have you done with Van?" Allen asked, humor evident in his voice. Van turned red and looked away from him. This only caused Allen to laugh.

"Hitomi, it seems you have an interesting effect on our young king here." Sonya joined in. Hitomi opened her mouth to say something but, Van grabbed her hand and pulled her in any direction but that room.

"Food." He muttered. She shook her head and told him he was going the wrong way.

"Don't care." Came his reply.

"You fool. This way." She said, taking the lead. Van was still hiding his face and she wondered why. It couldn't have been that embarrassing for him.

"Come on Van, it wasn't that bad. They've embarrassed me a lot worse. If you squeeze my hand any harder I think it will break. Look my fingers are turning red." She stated. Van stopped in mid stride and looked at her hand. It was quite red from all the blood rushing to the tips. He let go and she stretched her hand out.

"Sorry." He said. She took his hand back and led him out to the small kitchen Paige had.

"Don't be. It didn't hurt that bad. You just seemed like you needed a distraction. What goes on in that hansom head of yours?" She asked. He blinked then looked her square in the eyes.

"They're right. I don't think I've smiled since....well, you know and it's because of you that I feel alive again." He said.

"Oh ok, I think I get it. It embarrassed you because Allen had to point out the obvious." She stated, walking to the small cupboard.

"I didn't say that!"

"You didn't have to say anything. I can read it all over your face Van." She stated. Kai walked in at this point and placed his hand on Van's shoulder. He stopped in mid breath and Kai whispered in his ear.

"Let her think whatever she wants or you'll be sorry in the end. They're always right no matter what." Kai said.

"Funny Kai." She said.

"Oh hi there Hitomi. What's funny?" He asked. Van eyed him suspiciously but, all he did was grab a glass and get a drink.

"How's Paige?" She asked.

"Sleeping. She was up all night so she'll probably sleep for a while. You have the day to frolic and play. Do whatever. Just don't make a mess." He said as he left the room. Hitomi made a face at him as he left and sat down beside Van.

"You do know that there is nothing going on between us right?" She asked. He nodded looking out the door. She reached out and grabbed his face to turn it toward her.

"Right?" She asked again. He smiled and leaned in to peck her on the lips. Leaving her confused, he walked around the kitchen and eyed the things he had never seen before.

"I take it that was a yes." She said.

"Paige told me about your relationship with Kai last night." He replied.

"Oh really. What else did you talk about last night?" She asked.

"Nothing."

"Nothing huh? Well, lets find some food." She said.

After showing him the fridge and grabbing something that she knew he'd eat, they went back in with Allen and Sonya to eat. They had long since given up on teasing them. Allen wasn't about to get Van in a mood and Hitomi kept giving him warning looks so she wouldn't be the one to deal with his mood. A few hours later, Paige came out, ready to go.

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TBC...



AN: So, what'cha think? Sorry if it sucks. I wanted 2 add a little V/Hness. I'll try my hardest 2 get the next chapter out sooner than this one came out. Please review! Just so I know what u think. If u want. No pressure. Thanx 2 everyone who has reviewed so far and 2 those that will and do! ^__^ I'm very low on caffeine now so I'm going 2 con 2 get me some pop! Oh and if there r any mistakes, I didn't proof read it so.....oops....