It was around 2am when Taylor and Eric arrived in Blue Bay Harbor. During the course of their ride, they spoke about almost everything. Neither one of them had ever expected something like this to happen, but they were now closer than they had ever been.

"So where are we staying?" Eric asked as he pulled into the parking lot of the beach. The moon was shining out on the calm waters, giving it a light glow. Taylor smacked her forehead.

"Shit," she muttered. "I never even thought of that. I figured Kanoi would let us stay at the academy, but it's way to late to be calling on his door," she said. Eric looked around.

"There's a hotel over there," he said pointing down the strip. Taylor sighed. . . she didn't have much money on her, and she really hadn't thought about spending the night with Eric. . . Before she could say anything, Eric backed out the car, and they headed to the hotel. "Don't worry about money- Wes said this trip was on him."

Taylor looked at him in shock. "Eric, you don't have to-"

"I want to," he said.

Once they were settled in the room, Taylor was restless. She kept going over to the window and looking out at the ocean- her ears fixed on the soft, lapping waves. Eric came out of the bathroom and looked over at her.

She was wearing her yellow pj pants and a white tank top- he had never seen her so dressed down. He was seeing a completely different side of her, and he knew then that he wanted to see more of it. He let out a small cough and she turned around. She blushed when she saw him in red boxers and a black t-shirt.

"A little underdressed," Taylor commented, quickly turning around.

"I could say the same for you," he shot back moving over to her. "What? you embarrassed to see me like this?" he asked.

"No."

"I see- so you like it," he said grinning. Taylor looked back at him, and was about to reply, but stopped. All she could do was stare at him. He was still the same Eric Meyers that drove her absolutely crazy at times, but he was showing her the one thing she had wished for since her mother died- comfort. She turned back and looked at the water.

"What? no witty retort?" Eric asked as he walked over next to her. Taylor didn't say anything, but kept looking out. "What are you staring at?" he asked looking where she had her eyes fixed.

"The ocean," she breathed. Eric looked and saw how peaceful she seemed. "My mum surfed here. . . she taught Tori, but I never really got into it," she said letting out a yawn.

"We should turn in if you want to get an early start," Eric said touching the small of her back. Taylor turned her head and looked at him. She gave him a nervous smile and began to walk towards her bed. Eric wanted nothing more than to grab her in his arms right then.

She was all he ever thought about. Taylor felt his eyes on her as she walked away. She could still feel his arms around her from the hug he had given her in the car. She turned back and began to walk to him. They were alone, in a hotel, and in their pajamas- she had never been more nervous in her life.

"Eric, I," she began to say, but Eric cut her off.

"Don't say anything. . . you might ruin the moment," he said smiling. Taylor twisted her face in a happy, annoyed expression.

"Fuck you," she said with a smile on her face. Eric smirked at her and moved closer until he was a few inches away from her face. the scene was almost identical to their first meeting. Taylor stared up at him, and Eric stared down at her. This time was different however- they were smiling, and what happened next was more than either one of them had hoped for.

Eric placed his arms around her waist and pulled her in tight to him, planting a hard, passionate kiss on her. Taylor was shocked for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it when she felt his tongue inside her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and returned the kiss with everything she had. After a few minutes they had to pull away for oxygen.

They were still holding onto each other, but were trying to catch their breath. Eric reached his hand up and cupped Taylor's face. "We should have done that a long time ago," he said, running his thumb along her cheek. Taylor couldn't belief that this was the same Eric Meyers that had given her a speeding ticket!

She looked into his brown eyes and felt her heartbeat increase. "Yeah," was all she could get out as she gently scratched at the back of his neck. Eric yawned this time and Taylor started laughing. "Glad to see I'm putting you to sleep," she said. Eric rolled his eyes and pulled her in for another kiss- this one was much softer than the first.

"Yeah- you're really boring," he whispered into her ear sending a shiver down her spine. Taylor pulled away slightly.

"Well, since I'm boring you that much," she said as she turned away. Eric smiled and tackled her onto one of the beds. Taylor quickly fought her way out from underneath him and pinned him on his back. Eric was shocked at how she maneuvered her way out so fast, but wasn't going to argue about her straddling him.

She grinned down at him, and slid off so she was lying next to him. Eric rolled on his side and faced her. after a few minutes of awkward silence, Eric placed his arm around her waist and pulled himself closer so his head was resting on the same pillow as hers.

"And just what do you think you're doing Meyers?" she asked. Eric closed his eyes.

"I'm going to sleep," he said. Taylor wasn't about to argue with that- she loved him being this close. "Goodnight Taylor," he whispered.

Taylor sighed and rolled onto her back with Eric's arm still holding her. She was the happiest she had been I a long time, but then her mind flew back to the reason they were here in the first place- Tori. 'Why did I stay away so long? I haven't seen her since she was thirteen for Christ sakes! and Sensei and Cam and Shane and Dustin. . . how am I going to face them all?' she thought to herself.

Eric stirred a little ext to her and she felt him pull her closer. A small smile crept across her face- she wouldn't have to face them alone.

((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))

After a long day of perfect waves, Tori was exhausted. It was getting dark, and this was their last night in paradise. Their flight left tomorrow afternoon, and they'd be back in Blue Bay Harbor later that night. Putting her board against the wall, she went and changed then lay down.

Blake watched her walk back into the house from where he was sitting on the porch. He was worried about Tori. She looked very pale and tired since this morning, but she wouldn't go inside- she wanted to enjoy her time here. He sighed and decided that he should get started on his other little surprise for Tori.

A couple of hours past and Tori had drifted off to sleep. She woke up when she heard music coming from the porch. Walking out, she saw that there was a small table set up with two candles and place settings for two and a white rose. She cautiously walked out and looked closer- the rose was white, but the ends were tipped with blue.

Blake crept his way out from around the corner and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Tori smiled and leaned back into his embrace. "I love you," he whispered in her ear, kissing her neck softly. Tori felt herself getting suddenly very weak.

"Blake," she said softly. He turned her around so she could put her arms around him.

"Tor? You okay?" he asked. He felt her begin to sink a little, but he held her up, and began to escort her back to the house.

"No," she said. "I don't want to go inside!" she said suddenly getting angry. "I'm so sick of not being able to enjoy myself dammit!" Blake held her closer and felt her hot tears on his shoulder.

"Tori, please. . . I'm sorry," Blake said stroking her hair. He moved back to the table and sat her in his lap. Her crying stopped.

"I didn't mean to blow up like that- I just hate being so weak," she said as her head lay on his shoulder. Blake felt his heart crack- he hated seeing her like this. She shouldn't have to go through this- no one should.

He kissed her forehead and she smiled a little. "Tell you what- you stay here, and I'll be right back," he said. Tori nodded and slid over to the seat next to the one they were in. Blake got up and went into the house. When he returned he was holding two plates in his hands.

"Blake, you didn't have to do all this," she said as he neared the table.

"Don't get too excited," he said placing the plate in front of her. "It's the only thing I know how to cook," he said. Tori looked down and suppressed a laugh. Blake sat next to her. "Well?" he asked. Tori took a bite and swallowed.

"This is the best macaroni and cheese I think I've ever had," she said leaning in to kiss him. He smiled and they met for a small, sweet kiss. They finished their meal, and Blake cleared the table. Tori sat back ad sipped her water. The sun had just set behind them, and the sky was beginning to change from pinks and red to the deep blue of night.

She looked at the candles and the rose- she had never seen anything like it before. The music's volume increased and Tori turned her head to see Blake turning the dial on the radio. He smiled at her and went to her.

Blake gave her a mischievous grin and pulled something from behind his back. He handed her another of the white and blue roses and offered her his hand. She took it and they walked away from the table and over to an open spot on the side of the deck facing the sea. He turned her so they were facing one another.

"Dance with me?" he asked. Tori smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, while he put his around her waist. Their foreheads met and they closed their eyes as the music played around them.

'It's a little bit funny this feeling inside

I'm not one of those who can easily hide

I don't have much money but boy if I did

I'd buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no

Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show

I know it's not much but it's the best I can do

My gift is my song and this one's for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss

Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross

But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song

It's for people like you that keep it turned on

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do

You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue

Anyway the thing is what I really mean

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world'