Portia lay awake as the clock on her mantle struck one in the morning.  Her mind wouldn't rest.  The events of the day replayed themselves over and over again.  From the moment he walked into the manor her heart was pounding.  She forced herself to keep busy throughout the day so that she could keep him at a distance in her mind but the task was impossible.  Every movement she made she glanced over her shoulder to make sure that he was in her sight.  Even now the thought had her pulse racing again.  Her mind fell back into the afternoon along with her heart.  She had lost sight of him when Jake, her bartender, asked her about some more wine.  She scurried down to the cellar to retrieve the wine so that she could get back and find him again but when she turned he was there.  He was standing at the base of the stairs larger than life.  Determination and courage oozed from his appearance and made him look even more masculine than before.  She watched him approached in swift, sure movements.  The seconds lingered in the air but the moment right before it happened disappeared before she knew it.  Than the event that will forever change her occurred.  Filled with passion and desire he stole her lips and for a brief instant the world stood still.  She was as sure as anything in her life before, that time had stopped and every living thing burst in complete joy along with her.  She felt herself lift in the air as if they were floating, his arms wrapped securely around her waist.  The kiss deepened to depths she had never known and she felt her body shiver in pleasure aside the cool wall that was suddenly supporting her.  His body pressed into hers and she absorbed the heat that it was emanating.  It melted her body into a puddle at his feet.  Their embrace grew tighter and tighter until she could no longer breathe.  The sensations that his kiss caused rippled through her like the waves of a skipping pebble.  She wanted to wrap her arms around him and never let go but he had them held securely above her head.  Not a single drop of blood was left in any of her fingers.  They strained to grab at something, anything.  Her skin bubbled and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.  She drifted into another world only to be brought back by the sharp voice that now echoed in her head.   Why?  Why had he interrupted them?  Why had he chosen this time to throw her into oblivion?  The sound of that voice shocked them out of their embrace.   In a harsh voice she did her best to answer Jake.  She felt him back off as she spoke and as he did her knees collapsed.  His hand instantly steadied her and fear flashed in his eyes. 

His voice was soft and sorrowful when he spoke.  The words haunted her.  He had apologised.  Apologised for giving her every emotion she had never had the pleasure of receiving before.  What she now regretted the most was not saying something in return. Her mind was clouded over and all she could do was grab the wine and head back up the stairs.  All she wanted to do was be back in his tight embrace.  She dropped the wine at the bar, gathered herself together and casually walked back downstairs.  However by the time she reached the cellar he was gone.  Fear, doubt and regretted filled her. 

Piper's emotions were reeling as much as Portia's.  It had been a long time since Leo had even kissed her that way.  Their last embrace was nothing more than a hug.  Of course a hug that she would never forget, but still it left her lips wanting to taste his once more.  Had she had any control over her body she would have ran out the house and chased him into the streets.  Portia just let him leave.  Lying still next to Gordon was frustrating her because all she wanted to do was be in Leo's arms.  The differences between her Leo and Leopold were so few it was hard Piper to think of Leopold as someone new.  He was as magical and loving as Leo and his touch still warm and gentle.  The memory of their first kiss came flooding back into her mind.  She had had the courage once before to act on her feelings, could she do it again?  She had to touch him, be held by him. 

"Go to him, go to him, go to him."  She started scream over and over again.  "Go to him, go to him, go to him."  If only she could get control of Portia's body.  "Go now, before he is lost forever, go now." 

Piper became more determined than ever to get Portia out of bed.  She forced herself to concentrate on connecting to Portia.  She felt Portia tighten up and knew she was getting through.   Within seconds Portia was on her feet getting dressed.  Without thinking twice about it Portia carried her shoes downstairs and to the backdoor without making a sound or looking back.  She eased the keys out of the drawer and made her way outside.  She climbed into the Gordon's car and started it up.  When she was first born women weren't allowed to drive, however her father decided when she was 14 that it was necessary for her to learn to drive.  So out they went father and daughter to pass one piece of knowledge on.  As she pulled out the driveway she silently thanked her father for teaching her.  With his address flashing across her mind she turned right at the base of the street.  Within fifteen minutes she edged onto his street and into the driveway.  As she closed the car door an upstairs light flicked on. 

Still insure of how she arrived at his front door she took a deep breath and a step forward.  The grand door creaked open as she approached.  With warm lights surrounding him Leopold's frame stepped forward and concern became evident on his face. 

"Portia what are you doing here at 1:30 in the morning?"  He asked in a groggy voice. 

"Ending my curiosity and apologizing for today."  She replied throwing her arms around his neck.  She didn't have to force his head down to hers, it came easily and his lips were wet and warm in anticipation.  She eased against him pushing her way into the house.  The heavy door swung closed as Leopold bumped into the central hall table. 

"Portia we can't, you can't."  He said pulling back ever so slightly. 

"I can and I am."  She pulled him down to her again this time with more force. 

"But . . ?"  He asked again.   

"No buts.  I know what I am doing.  I would be living a lie if I didn't.  Now take me upstairs."  She demanded.  Leopold obeyed swinging her up into his arms and climbing the large stair case to the upper level.  With each stair her breathing became more laboured and her mind cloudier.  This would change all the rules in her life and she welcomed the change.  For she knew if she didn't her life would be no more than a front for the publics enjoyment.  As odd as it was she felt her mother's presence and a sense of permission flow over her.  That was the last bit of reassurance her heart needed. 

Gently he eased her onto the already chaotic mattress.  His sheets still felt warm from the sleep she had stirred him out of.  His robe was quickly shed leaving him in the base of a silk pyjamas set.  She had not taken the time to dress herself in a full outfit when leaving the manor and was now extremely grateful for it.  Once the rear zipper was dropped her dress loosened about her body and Leopold gracefully freed her from its restraints. 

"This is your last chance to change your mind."  He reminded her never taking his eyes from hers.  She answered with a slight shake of her head and a connection between their lips that made his insides explode.  Buried in a shamble of sheets and pillows he traced every square inch of her body with the gentle tips of his fingers.  He hesitated at her flat, solid stomach drawing circles around her belly button than continued up her center, encircling her breasts and tilting her chin back so he could grab her lips yet again.  The sensations he had stirred in her earlier that day were mere whispers to what he was sending throughout her body now.  For a second she drifted back to a sleeping Gordon and the thought of how much better Leopold was at this than her husband.  The thought was instantly squashed when his hands entangled themselves in her hair and his tongue darted through her mouth.  'No man can know a woman's body this well', she thought.  He had hit every point of pleasure on her with the exception of one.  Was it his doctor skills or the possibility that theirs was the deepest love possible, she could not answer?  Her ability to concentrate was disappearing at an alarming rate.  It didn't matter, her body was reacting to each movement he made, and no concentration was needed. 

He was acting on impulse.  To think and plan this kind of passion was next to impossible.  She made it so easy.  Every moan, shiver, cry of pleasure showed him where her most sensitive places were and increased his 200 percent.  She had no clue of the emotions that were ripping threw him.  It took all his strength to control himself and be constantly aware of her need for fulfillment as much as his.  The mattress surrounded them as the last point of pleasure was explored.  Her cries became louder and stronger with his matching each and every one.  The world spun by them and issued the two lovers into an unparalleled universe.  One filled with lust and love, dignity and shame, passion and an uncontrollable desire to be held.  Neither to be fulfilled enough.  This only increased their demand more.  Neither one had ever experienced such a sense of completeness before.  From the first time their eyes had locked the tension had been building and one would think their immediate explosion would allow the release of that tension but instead the flame only rose higher and burned hotter.  Their breath stolen they collapsed into each others embrace.  The minutes flew by as their minds grounded once again. 

"Portia."  He whispered still barely able to speak.  "I love you."  He eyes closed ever so slowly. 

"I love you too."  She whispered in his ear.  His eyes fluttered opened for the briefest moment and a slight smile emerged from his lips than he was gone.  She nestled into the nook of his arm and exhaustion swamped her as well. 

Leopold started to stir at the feeling of having another body next to him in bed.  He glanced up to the clock that sat upon his wardrobe as the chimes rung 5 am.  The sun was still a long time from rising.  He turned back to the body that occupied half of his bed, a half he was pleased to share.  Her long curled hair was out of its usual up do and tossed about the pillow.  He twisted a curl around his index finger.  It was soft and moved like silk around him.  Gently he placed his other hand across her bare stomach.  The sheets of the bed were tossed around them offering very little warmth.  Thankfully the heat that was radiating between their bodies kept them toasty.  He traced circles along her hip leaving a wave of tingles in their wake. 

She could feel his breath on her neck and the shivers he was adorning her hip with.  She kept her eyes closed allowing the harmony that consumed them to fill every vain in her body.  She never wanted to forget this night.  Carefully she committed every scent, touch, taste, feel and sound to her memory.  If this was to be the one and only night she wanted to remember it for the rest of her life.  Still not really wanting to open her eyes but dying to gaze upon his frame and face again she turned her body to face him.  They locked eyes and she knew this was never going to remain a one night event.  She never wanted to stop looking into those eyes. 

He instantly became aware that she had woken up when he felt her start to shift.  Those chocolate brown eyes staring directly in his make his soul shake.  Even through the darkness of the bedroom they shone.  He pulled her tighter into his body afraid that she would slide out of his reach.  He knew he never wanted to let her go. 

"Leopold, I really must go."  She whispered not wanting to break the silence that filled the room. 

"I know."

"I have to get back before Gordon awakes and finds me gone."  She started to pull away. 

"Stop!  Just another minute?  I don't think I can let you leave."  He said tightening his grip.  Her smile agreed to stay another minute but she knew that Gordon would be up in two and a half hours and that at the very least she had to be in the house.  Plus she was nervous that the sound of the car would wake the whole manor up if she didn't arrive home soon.  The last five minutes of their embrace was nearly 70 years too short.  Portia eased her way back into the manor as the crest of dawn was just breaking the surface.  Instead of returning to her bedroom where she was sure that Gordon would wake up at the slightest noise she started to get breakfast together.  She was really only an hour earlier than normal.  Her day would be perfect living in the memory of the last 12 hours.