Standard disclaimer. Don't own anything except perhaps the naughty thoughts about Duncan Macleod. This is PG for sexual innuendo and, gasp, underage drinking.

How can I possibly describe that kiss? The standard description involves things like floating on clouds or seeing stars or fireworks, and it really was like that, but more so. It was…Imagine meeting a genie or a fairy godmother who grants you one wish. Imagine how happy, how joyful you might feel when that wish came true. That's how it felt when Duncan kissed me, like a wish come true.

The kiss got me through the remainder of the weekend that was, unfortunately, spent without Duncan. He and Connor had planned some three-day nature hike or something ages ago. That was okay though. It gave me time to re-group and get my mind around the fact that I had a romantic relationship with Duncan Macleod. Well, the beginning of one. Hopefully.

I did go see Joe to tell him what happened. I thought a pre-emptive strike was the best defense. He was a bit upset and worried that I might be getting in over my head. Actually what he said was, "Dammit, Molly, you're only eighteen," and "Do you even know what you're getting into? Duncan is a great guy, yes, but he has an absolute talent for attracting trouble," and "He's one of the best Immortals left you know, that means guys with swords are constantly seeking him out, mostly evil guys. More than one innocent bystander has gotten caught in the crossfire, believe me," and "I'm certain your grandfather didn't have this kind of relationship in mind when he sent you here."

I, in turn told him that yes, I was eighteen, and perfectly capable of making my own decisions, that I am very skilled in self-defense, and my grandfather would probably support my decision, as he always did and anyway I wasn't worried about evil immortals. I'm sure that kind of thing didn't happen that often. I also gave him my whale analogy for good measure.

It went like that for awhile, then we made a sort of unspoken agreement not to talk about it any more and moved on to safer subjects. I really like Joe. I wouldn't tell him this, but it's nice to know he's around to worry about me.

For awhile I couldn't wait to tell Maggie and Anne, but by the time Sunday came I was feeling a little apprehensive about the whole thing. It was, after all, just one kiss, and maybe he'd just had too much to drink that night and it didn't really mean anything. By the time they both came back to the dorm and we were happily camped out in our room with junk food and some wine (courtesy of Maggie's sister) I wasn't even sure I should mention it, in case I jinxed it or something. Instead I listened as Anne reviewed her weekend with Richie and her parents. He charmed them, and he, in turn, seemed to honestly enjoy her dad's sense of humor. "Anyone who can listen to bad puns for an entire evening is a hero in my books," she said. "I think Richie really may be 'the one'."

For answer, Maggie threw a pillow at her. "Well, Marcus (Lord Byron's real name, apparently) is a pretty cool guy. He called me every night over the holiday just to talk."

"Good for you, Maggie," I said nodding a bit too vigorously. We'd all had quite a bit of wine at this point, "Lord Byron's a hottie."

"Speaking of hotties," Anne said, turning to me and arching her eyebrows, "You've been awfully quiet. How'd it do with Professor Hottie? Did he like the dress?"

"He said I looked stunning." This was met with hoots and squeals and prompting to tell the whole story. I was feeling a lot less apprehensive, thanks to the wine, so I gave them an edited version of my evening with Duncan. When I got to the part about the kiss, Anne and Maggie squealed again, and then I squealed, and then we laughed at how stupid we sounded, and then we squealed again. Girls are fun.

"Well, get to the good part," Anne said eventually, "How was he? And don't spare the details!"

"He is a fantastic kisser."

"Annnnnd?"

I just looked at her stupidly. "And what?"

"What else is he, hem hem, good at?"

Oh. That. "I wouldn't know. We just kissed, and then we talked a bit more, and then he brought me home." I laughed at the expression on their faces, "Sorry to disappoint you."

"You have been lusting after this guy for months, you're alone in his apartment, and nothing happens?" Maggie asked, "Why?"

"Nothing didn't happen...I mean...Oh, come on. This isn't a sit-com. I don't have to jump into bed with a guy right away just because we kiss, do I?" Anne and Maggie just looked at each other. "Fine. I admit it, I' a virgin, okay, and I wasn't ready to just go at it, because," I grinned sheepishly, "I guess because I don't really know how one goes about going at it."

"Well, look at it this way," said Anne as she poured the remaining wine in each of our glasses, "Odds are your first time will be with Duncan Macleod, and I'm guessing he's a pretty good place to start."

"That was the plan," I said, only partially joking. I'd dated Jack the last two years of high school, and naturally he eventually wanted to sleep with me, but it never felt right. I know on some level I was holding out for, well, if not exactly Duncan, someone like him and Jack just wasn't it. Of course now that the prospect of losing my virginity to the actual Duncan Macleod was looming in the possible future, it was a bit daunting. But, it was something I'd worry about another day. For the moment I was just happy with the kiss.

Monday after classes, I went to see Duncan, feeling really nervous. I really didn't know what to expect, and my imagination was swinging from him meeting me at the door with roses and champagne to him telling me curtly that it was a mistake and I should just go away. When I finally got into the Dojo it was empty except for Duncan practicing his Kata. His shirt was off and he was wearing these wide flowing trousers called Hakama. Samurai's used to wear them. He looked, well, good, to say the very least, and watching him made me think of all the things Anne and Maggie said the night before about sleeping with him, so I hastily turned away and got ready for my own workout, trying to get the naughty thoughts out of my mind.

Duncan was concentrating so hard I don't think he knew I was there until I joined him on the mat and started doing my own Kata. I'd learned slightly different moves than what Duncan was doing, but as we practiced we fell into a sort of synchronized pattern. Kata is a specific series of motions intended to train the body to react in a certain manner in specific combat situations, but as Duncan and I moved in silence if felt like we were doing a sort of graceful, almost sensual, dance. It was very hard to keep my concentration.

When we were through, Duncan gave me a low bow, which I returned, and then he asked, "Care to spar with me?"

I smiled at him. "You're on."

I'd never sparred with Duncan before, outside of him teaching me Kendo, and I still wasn't very good that. Finally I had the chance to show him what I could do. We bowed again, and I started off with a basic roundhouse kick that he sidestepped easily and countered with a jumping side kick. I blocked that and countered with an elbow strike. I kept remembering what Joe said about me being in danger because I was with Duncan, and I think I wanted to prove I could hold my own in a fight, so I didn't hold back at all, and eventually Duncan didn't either. We fought seriously, with Duncan offering the occasional suggestion, but mostly just countering my moves. He stayed purely defensive, and it was rarely that I got past his guard, but I did it enough times to be rather pleased with myself when I did. Finally he managed to get behind me, wrapping his arm around my neck. It's one of the first moves I learned, and I flipped him, well, if not easily then effectively. Unfortunately I didn't get down in time to pin him (the two ending moves, my instructor used to say, is to immobilize your opponent, or run like hell) and he swept my feet out from under me. In one swift movement he had me pinned under his body, with one hand holding my hands above my head. His face was once again inches from my own, his body pressed against mine. I knew I could probably get out of the hold but face it. Who'd want to? We stayed like that for a moment, our breathing ragged, gazing into each other's eyes. "Good fight," He said finally, and kissed me again, a long lingering kiss, and I knew then my fears were groundless. Duncan and I were, well, whatever we were for now and I was happy.

I was also still pinned to the ground, my hands trapped above my head, I couldn't move, and wasn't sure I wanted to, but I did eventually say, "Are you ever going to let me go?"

And he smiled at me and said "No."