Sanctuary- Three days earlier

All was quiet in the halls of Sanctuary; the only sounds coming from the television Emma and Jesse had been seated in front of the last couple hours. The atmosphere around them seemed to change suddenly as the romantic movie was reaching it's close. The two sat side by side on the couch; the alluring scent of incense burning on the nearby coffee table making it's way around them and filling the air with vanilla.

Drawing in a deep breath Emma shifted in preparation to stand. Her eyes quickly turned down to the hand gently resting itself on her exposed thigh preventing her desired action. Hey eyes remained frozen on the hand now beginning to rub the smooth skin of her recently shaved thigh, warming her with every soft, gentle caress. The molecular was taking his time, searching her leg with each finger. She couldn't help but sigh at his actions however shocked she was to feel him performing them.

Her eyes turned from her leg to meet with his only to find his eyes too were now searching her body for places he'd like to further explore. She could almost feel his eyes burning into her heated skin as they trailed over her knee and up her legs, under her black skirt, his hand soon following the same path.

Allowing herself to relax she leaned back into the soft cushions behind her; catching her breath as Jesse's curious fingers found their way into her silk underwear. She sat herself up suddenly, reaching down to catch his hand with hers. Instead of pushing him away, however, she just held his hand in hers, searching his eyes for explanation as to what was happening between them. Before she could discover an answer his lips were pressing to hers and she was concentrating on the surprising softness of his gentle kisses rather than questioning them.

Jesse's free hand moved up to cup the psionic's face as he deepened their intimate kiss. His fingers soon began to weave their way through her flowing, red hair until finally being content to resting on her bare shoulder. It wasn't enough for long and soon she felt his palm moving it's way down her naked arm, pausing for a moment when he reached her hip before caressing her smooth stomach.

As she trembled under his touch she gently pulled her face free from his. Despite how much she was enjoying the sensations he was provoking inside her something told her she couldn't allow it to continue.

"Jesse," her voice was soft as she spoke when she was sure she could trust her voice not to tremble too much.

Why was she stopping? She asked herself. She had liked what she felt of him so far and she knew she was curious to discover more. Deciding she should listen to her true intentions she dug deeper into herself though still unable to pin point the exact reason she knew she couldn't let this go any further.

"We can't," she finally stated, letting not only him but herself down at the dissatisfying acknowledgement.

A long sigh followed her brief explanation, if it was even considered an explanation, as she stood from the couch. She reached down and straightened her skirt he had ruffled and pulled it back down to the middle of her leg.

He watched in deep disappointment. He wanted to ask her why, why they couldn't push their close friendship to a deeper meaning. Was that was he wanted? He asked himself. He wasn't sure himself but he did know he was more than willing to find out if only she was.

Looking up from the cushion he'd been staring at he saw her now half way across the room, wondering if she was that anxious to get away from him.

"Why?" he asked, his words stopping the psionic in her tracks as she herself began to wonder the same thing. Did she even have an answer?

She bit her lip in nervousness and uncertainty his simple question hit her with. She couldn't come up with something concrete for her own knowledge let alone one he might be able to understand.

"I don't know yet," was all she replied with before continuing on her way leaving a confused molecular sitting alone on the couch.

He sighed, turning his eyes to the TV as he caught the final frame of the move they'd been watching to see the happy couple kissing.

Sanctuary- The night before the previous events

Leaning against the wall, she watched in silent admiration as the blonde woman blew off her pent up energy in the dojo. If that punching bag had been a person there was no way it would keep coming back for more the way it was with her fierce attacks. She always loved watching Shalimar work out. She thought the way she moved when she was training was nothing short of stunning and beautiful.

She smiled as she continued gazing upon the feral. Her skin was glistening with the sweat of her workout and Emma could tell she was close to exhausted but she refused to let up. That was one of the things Emma loved about her; how she never let her body control her, only her mind. No matter how much her muscles ached and begged for her to stop she'd continue until she decided she'd had enough. Her strength was nothing short of amazing.

She loved the graceful way she moved. Loved the way she always sensed an attack before it occurred. Loved the way her hair would flip when she turned her head and the way her eyes would light up, feral or not, whenever she walked into a room. She loved everything about her, she realized, and more than she had been, it was occurring to her.

"Quite a workout there," Emma said when the feral finally stood still in the middle of the mat. She was panting but trying not to let it show too much.

"I guess you could say that," Shalimar agreed as she removed the blindfold she'd been wearing, wrapping it around her left hand.

She sighed and continued to try and catch her breath as she walked over to the psionic. Emma pushed herself off the wall she'd been leaning on, uncrossing her arms as Shalimar stood before her.

"Wanna come take a break?" she asked the feral, knowing full well she did and hoping she wouldn't be too big to admit it right now.

"That's the best offer I've had all day."

Shalimar smiled and followed the psionic into the privacy of her room. Emma closed the door behind them to offer more security and turned to see Shalimar whipping down with the blue towel she'd left out on her bed.

"You know what I think I gotta take a shower," the feral informed, realizing she didn't seem to be cooling off any.

"Did you wanna use my shower?"

Shalimar paused to think for a moment. Emma's shower was bigger and a bit nice than her own. Why pass up a good opportunity, she decided.

"Sure."

Emma smiled and walked over to her closet, removing a purple towel and handing it to a sweaty and grateful feral.

"Isn't this mine?" Shalimar asked as she looked the familiar towel over.

"I don't know? Is it?"

"What'd ya do steal it out of my laundry basket?" the feral joked, whipping the back of her neck off, baffled as to why she was still sweating. She actually seemed to perspire more when the psionic moved closer to her.

Offering a sweet yet seductive glare Emma sat herself down on her bed, keeping her gaze locked with the feral's.

"I think you left it in here last time you took a shower," Emma offered.

"Hmmm…" Shalimar pretended to think about the explanation and stepped before the psionic. "You just sayin' that to cover yourself? 'Cause I'm also missing some hair spray."

"Really? I was wondering what was up with that look."

Emma laughed as Shalimar scrunched her face up to display the offense she'd taken at the statement before nearly pouncing on the woman causing them both to tumble to the bed.

"Please, honey, you wish you could get this look," Shalimar joked as she looked at the woman below her.

"Oh yeah, every night," Emma giggled at her sarcasm, rolling her eyes to further prove it.

Shalimar laughed and reached down to tickle to redhead's sides. Emma squirmed below her, trying to hold out as long as she could but ultimately caving.

"Ok, I'm sorry," she said among laughs.

"That's better." A cocky, arrogant grin swept across the feral's face upon saying the words.

Emma was almost sorry she'd said the words causing Shalimar to stop touching her. She caught her breath and looked up to notice the feral staring down at her still, not showing any signs of moving her position, which Emma seemed fine with herself. Boldly, she reached up and stroked the feral's face, slight dampness still evident upon it. Shalimar mimicked her actions, trailing her fingers along the psionic's smooth jaw line. She lowered herself closer to the woman, her face now an inch from the redhead's and closing.

Soft lips pressed to the psionic's cheek, tingling her delicate skin and causing her to crave more. She held her lips there for a moment, and soon her hot breath replaced her lips on Emma's cheek. When Shalimar finally pulled back, Emma starred at her. Not knowing what to make of the delicate moment somehow different then any they'd ever shared, Shalimar removed herself from the psionic's body and stood up before making her way into the bathroom, leaving a confused psionic still lying on the bed and now trying to catch her own breath.