Muahahaha. I'm not evil, you're just sensitive. Or maybe I am evil. Oh! By the way... How many people think that it's sane to think that licking blood off a knife is somewhat seductive? I know any random Bakura fans will agree with me that it is a perfectly sane thing to think. Anyway. On to the fic.

Liz woke to a pleasant weight on her stomach.

She rolled over slightly and was met with a pair of ice blue eyes.

"Morning, love." Tala smirked, pulling Liz into a kiss. Liz pushed him away slightly.

"What are you doing here?" Liz asked slightly sleepily.

"Sleeping with you." Tala murmured, nuzzling her neck. Liz moaned softly before attempting to push him away again.

"We didn't..."

"No, love... But if you wanted..." He trailed off suggestively, his lips never leaving the soft skin where her neck and shoulders met. Liz gave up trying to dissuade the Russian blader, prior experience had taught her that he was very persistent. She sighed and let his lips roam over her neck and face.

She barely noticed when his hands moved up and began slowly unbuttoning her pajama top.

"Tala..." She said, her voice coming out a breathy whisper.

"Yes, love?" Tala asked, unfastening another button.

"We shouldn't..."

"You're right..." Another button.

"Then stop!"

"But you're too beautiful." Another button.

Her shirt was halfway undone now, and Tala's kisses were falling further below her collarbone than was decent.

"Are you insane?" Liz asked, trying and failing to keep the desire out of her voice. Tala moved up to kiss her lips.

"You may be right... I may be crazy. But..." Another kiss, this time more possessive, "It just may be a lunatic you're looking for."

"Isn't that a song?" Liz asked. She blinked, and in an instant it was all gone. She sat up, looking around confusedly. Her radio was, in fact, playing said song.

"Stupid song-leaking-dream-thingy..." Liz muttered, throwing the covers off her. "Was I just dreaming that?" She asked aloud. She shook her head. "A manifestation of the possibilities had last evening go too far. That's all." There was a sudden knock on the door.

"MIMBULUS!" Liz cried jumping.

"Are you alright?" Tala's voice floated through the door. Liz groaned. He let himself in, casual as anything. As if he hadn't practically seduced her the night before.

"Everyone else is still sleeping. Want to go out and get doughnuts for everyone?"

"You're nuts."

"No, doughnuts. Get your hearing checked." Tala said playfully, pulling Liz's robe off the hook on the door, sliding it onto her shocked form, and tying the sash into a bow. After Liz refused to move, he picked her up and carried her downstairs. He took her outside and dumped her almost carefully into the passenger seat of his BMW. He then went around to the drivers side and climbed in himself.

"Tala! It's still dark out!"

"I am aware."

"No doughnut shop will be open."

"I am aware."

"Then where are you taking me?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

"What time is it actually?"

"Nine thirty." Tala said. Liz's eyes shot open.

"NINE THIRTY??? As in, I've only been asleep for about an hour?"

"Yes." Tala said. Liz rolled her eyes, sat back, and decided to just enjoy the ride.

"Have you given any thought to my proposition?" Tala finally asked. Liz looked at him.

"I've been sleeping."

"So?" Liz sighed and shook her head.

"No I haven't."

"How come?"

"I've been sleeping!"

Tala fell silent. For a few more minutes they drove in silence, until finally Tala pulled onto a dirt road that led out into a field. Eventually, the road disappeared. He finally pulled the car to a halt at the bottom of a large hill. He killed the engine and got out, coming around to open the door for Liz. He held out a hand to help her out of the car, which she accepted.

Liz was vaguely annoyed then Tala didn't release her hand, rather, he help onto it as he led her up the hill. Once they reached the top, Liz gasped.

Laid out on the ground was a large red and white checked blanket. At the edge was Tala's silver boom box, as well as a silver wine bucket and a small box. Tala led her to the setup and turned the boom box on. Soft music began playing, seemingly muted by the vast night. Tala opened the box and pulled out two wine glasses.

"Tala... I don't drink!" Liz protested when he pulled the wine bottle from the bucket. Tala laughed lightly.

"I know." He said, turning the bottle to reveal that it was, in fact, White Grape Sparkling Cider. Liz laughed slightly nervously as Tala opened the bottle and poured them both glasses. He handed one to Liz, who stared at it blankly.

"What is all this about?" She asked.

"We need to talk." He said, leaning back, propped up on one elbow. Liz mimicked his position, holding her glass up.

"Hear, hear." She said before taking a sip. "What all about. We got that whole couple thing cleared up."

"No we didn't." Liz tore her gaze from the sky.

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah, you said 'no way'... but you can't tell me that... that didn't mean anything whatsoever. There was something, if only physical attraction."

Liz thought for a while before speaking. "You're wrong. There was nothing there except instinct. And maybe a bit of hormones. Nothing more. At all."

"Why do you keep resisting me?"

"Why shouldn't I?" Liz countered. Tala seemed taken aback.

"Several days ago... When I first kissed you..." Tala began, as though it pained him. "I had just woken from a dream... You had killed yourself. Cut yourself several times... and hung yourself from the railing."

Liz looked vaguely horrified. Tala continued.

"In your hand was clutched your last words to everyone... And you blamed it on me... Claiming that you took your life because I wouldn't give you my heart."

"I don't really want to sound... insensitive... but it was just a dream. Get a grip. I don't freak out over every dream I have."

Tala shifted uncomfortably. "I just... It disturbed me that my psyche could come up with something like that. So I did a bit of soul searching.."

"Like what you prevented me from doing?"

"Point taken. Sorry.... But I discovered... that... well, I..."

"If you say that you think you have feelings for me, I'm going to slap you, take your keys, and head home." Liz deadpanned. Tala stopped. He closed his eyes and fell silent. Liz looked at him incredulously. "You were going to say that, weren't you?" Tala didn't respond but to look at her. Liz groaned and flopped on her back. "As if life isn't complicated enough."

"You're telling me..." Tala sighed. The two lay in silence for a while, mulling over the conversation.

"Perhaps—"

"Hey Liz—"

They both started at the same time. They chuckled nervously and began telling the other to go first. After about two minutes of argument, Liz gave in.

"Fine..." She sighed. "I was thinking... maybe... I'll give you a chance. A chance, mind you. Prove yourself worthy and maybe I'll consider it. Maybe."

For all the chances and maybes in that sentence, Tala was rather happy. He barely restrained from virtually jumping her right there and settled for a peck on the cheek. Liz sighed. 'What did I just get myself into? After swearing I wouldn't fall in love... am I?'