To the readers:

I have decided that the story I've written (or typed rather) has not lived up to the storyline in my head and am in the middle of a massive re-write. The plot is still the same, as are all the characters. I just felt as if I didn't do this story justice with what I had written. Basically, I'm making some much needed improvements. Please bear with me and as always feedback would be appreciated. Yours, DDW

[Setting: Congo jungle, abandoned building, somewhere near Matenda. Early night. April 2003. (About the time Carter first arrived in Kissangani.)]

Luka pushed his way through the heavy underbrush, trying to find a safe place to wait out the night. He had become separated from his group some time ago. A violent clash between government soldiers and a small group of rebels had forced them to flee the clinic. Weapons did not discriminate between armed combatants and innocent bystanders. He was lost, with no supplies and little hope of finding the others until daybreak.

Through the darkness he spotted the vague outline of what looked to be a building ahead. The closer he came the more it seemed he had found a place to hole up for the night. It was a single-story cinderblock square with a corrugated tin roof. It was badly derelict and seemed to be abandoned. For a brief moment he thought he saw movement in one of the large gaping windows. He hoped it was just rats and not something larger. Not the best accommodations but, he didn't have any better alternatives. He desperately needed a place to rest. He began to fumble for the small flashlight he always carried with him. Walking slowly but loudly (hoping to scare off any large animals) up to the entrance. Just inside the doorway a bright beam of light blinded him and he halted. Raising his hands, Luka silently prayed that whoever was holding the flashlight on him was not armed or would not shoot.

"How did you come to be here?" he asked, tilting up her chin to look into her eyes.

Sarah relished the touch of his fingers upon her face. It was pure pleasure; as was the rest of his body. She had spent the last few hours learning the curves, muscles and lines of Luka's form nearly as well as she knew her own. And he had used his lips, hands, tongue and body to gain equally personal knowledge of her. The physical intimacy they shared leading to a bond that was both mental and emotional. They bared not only their bodies but their hearts and minds as well. Complete honesty being the one (unspoken) rule. With astonishing frankness Sarah shared her secrets with a man she had met less then ten hours ago. Luka's quiet acceptance of all she told him stunned her. She didn't know that he (maybe more so then anyone she would ever meet) could truly understand.

"I've already told you so many things, how do I know I haven't said too much?" she questioned him, turning her head to kiss his fingertips.

"What do you mean?!" Luka demanded, eyes flashing. "Do you think I am the type to, as they say, kiss and talk?!"

"No! That's not it at all! The things I have told you are secrets though. And when a person tells a secret they give away more then just that secret, they give away a piece of their soul as well. Do you understand? I have trusted you with a part of my soul."

"Yes, I think I do understand. I hadn't thought of it that way, but what you say is true. I'm sorry for being so unkind. To be honest I'm amazed by the"

"The extent of my fear and neurosis?" she interrupted, trying to make light of the situation. Uncomfortable with the vulnerability she had shown.

"No, Sarah. I'm amazed by the courage, endurance and trust you have displayed. What you went through, that night, because of the rebels… it would be very easy for you to hate and fear these people, this land. Instead, you have chosen to do the exact opposite! You came here to help and have continued to do so despite everything."

"Oh yes, I'm a veritable saint! So pure and well-adjusted that I went completely crazy and begged you a perfect stranger to make love to me! All because I couldn't stand the noise and the violence and the darkness."

Her voice was filled with anger, doubt, and bitterness, all self-directed. For Luka it was painful to hear. He had spent years torturing himself with those very same emotions. Something he did not want Sarah to end up doing to herself. The wounds it created never quite healed, they were always there, festering, just beneath the surface. Gathering her closer to him he knew he could not let that happen.

"Well I know I'm not perfect, but I do have my good points. And you didn't beg me to make love to you, you ordered me to do so. Not that I minded." Luka answered, desperate to soothe her. "Beside, you aren't the only one who can't stand the noise and the dark and the violence. Nights like these remind me of things in my life I would rather forget. But no matter how hard I try I can't forget, don't forget."

"That's why you moved to America and why you came here isn't it?" Sarah softly asked. "All this done to forget. What is it you are so desperate to forget Luka?"

"My past."

I'm having trouble with formatting, just to let you know. I hope it doesn't take away from the story but there is not much I can do.