The common room was toasty warm. Outside, the snow had begun to melt and the sun had brought out new, fresh, green leaves. Birds chattered noisily in the trees and the sun was warm and inviting. Beth was studying. She glanced out the arched window and sighed. What would she give right now to be out there, watching the little rivers of melted snow trickle into the lake, the tiny sparrows hopping madly about on the slippery islands of snow. The wet snow fights.

She determinedly turned a page in her book, curled up tighter in the corner of the massive three seater couch, and read on. She would stay here and study crazily. However, she didn't count on Marcus.

He tore down the staircase and propelled himself on top of the couch, shifting it three feet towards the opposite wall. Beth looked down at him sprawled at her feet.

"You right there?" she asked, not looking up.

"Great!" He poked the book she had her nose buried in. "What you readin'?" he questioned, childishly.

"Something far beyond you're comprehension."

"In English..?"

"A book that doesn't have pretty pictures."

"Boring."

"Very. Only good for one thing…" She turned it over in her hands, examining it minutely, then whacked it over Marc's head.

"Hey!" he cried, clutching his head in his hands and pouting. Beth giggled. He sat up and started to tickle her until she shrieked. Beth twisted around too fast and sat up on the arm of the couch and, in the attempt to reach her, Marcus toppled off the couch.

"Oww, my ass!"

Beth doubled up, holding her stomache, almost in tears from hysterics. "You looked… so… funny!" she gasped.

He hauled himself to his feet. "Shuddup…" he muttered, pouting. "It's not funny."

Still perched precariously on the arm of the couch, Beth nodded, giggling madly. "It was so!"

Marcus sat down and tickled her again before she could prepare herself. With a shriek and a swooping feeling of horror that she's going to fall, Beth toppled onto him, landing in a tangle of arms and legs and laughter on the couch. She pushed herself up a little to look into Marc's face.

"Beth," he said. "If you wanted me that much, you just had to say so."

"Oh, I want you BAD!" she breathed sarcastically, poking him gently in the cheek. "Unless you want me to get up, that is…" She started to disentangle herself, sitting up, but Marcus grabbed her around the waist, his arms, wrapping tightly around her tiny body.

"No, no, no, no, no, no!" he said, pulling her back down and cuddling her against his chest. Beth felt his deep, throaty laugh against her cheek as she relaxed on top of him.

"So tired…" she muttered. She closed her eyes as Marc ran his fingers lazily through her hair, brushing the loose strands so gently off her forehead. Beth looked up at him, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Marcus..?" her voice trailed off as she leant forward and kissed him gently on the lips. She felt him smile and slowly kiss her back… until a sudden stab of guilt hit her square in the stomache and she threw herself away from him in self disgust.

"What am I doing, this is crazy!"

Marcus leant back, the previously puzzled look melting back into a disappointed acquiescent look. "Sorry…"

"No, don't be silly, it wasn't you…" Beth looked at him then bent down, scooping up all her books. "If anyone wants me, I'll be in the library. I should be studying." And with that she turned and fled from the room.