A week went by and Taylor found herself outside of the Silver Guardians headquarters. Eric hadn't called, and she feared that she had pushed him away. Hopefully she could talk to him.

She walked into the building and up to the receptionist.

"Hi. I'd like to see Commander Meyers," she said to the girl behind the desk.

"I'm sorry, but he's not to be disturbed," she said without even looking up. Taylor knew this wasn't going to end well.

"Could you just let him know that Taylor Earhardt is here?" she asked again.

The receptionist looked up at her. Taylor had to admit, she was a very pretty girl but that was about it. "The Commander is a very busy man," she said. "I don't think he has time for… you," she said with her nose in the air.

That was it for Taylor. "Look, I really don't have time to put up with this. All I want you to do is press that little button and tell him that Lieutenant Earhardt is waiting for him. And trust me, if he finds out that I was here and you wouldn't let me pass he won't be too happy."

The girl smirked. 'Who the hell does she think she is?' she thought. 'Eric would never go out with a girl like her.'

"Fine, Lieutenant," she said as she dialed Eric's extension.

"Sir, there's a Miss Earhardt here to see you," she said smiling. Taylor watched as the girl's smiled faded and her face went blank. "Yes sir." She hung up and handed her a pass. "Go down the hallway and it's the third door on your right," she said defeated.

"Thank you," Taylor said as she walked through the double doors with a satisfied smile on her face. She followed the directions and saw Eric's name on a large wooden door. She took a breath and knocked.

"Come in," Eric said when he heard the knock. Taylor entered and Eric motioned for her to sit. He was completely engrossed in his work, and he wasn't sure as to why she was there. "Have a seat."

Taylor was a little surprised at his demeanor, but figured this was Eric being Eric.

A few moments went by before Eric placed his pen down. He looked at her and folded his hands. "Was there something you needed?"

Taylor furrowed her brow. "I needed to talk to you, but if you're going to give me attitude, I might as well leave."

"Taylor, I don't know what you think I was going to do the other night, but if there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I would never do anything that you wouldn't want me to." Taylor was about to say something, but he cut her off. "Now I'm not sure as to what kind of person you think I am, but I thought we were having a good time."

"We were," she said. "I just… I just," she struggled. "Damn it Eric, sometimes I get nervous in situations like that okay?" She sank into her chair. This was exactly what she didn't want to happen. She didn't want to seem weak.

Eric got out from behind his desk and walked over to her. Taylor looked at him and rose. This position seemed all too familiar and was getting old in Taylor's opinion.

"Is that it?" he asked.

"That's it. That's all I came here to talk to you about. And now that it's out there, proving me to be a complete moron, I'll be going." Taylor went to leave, but felt Eric take her hand.

She was pulled to him and felt his lips on hers gently. His hand cupped her cheek and she held onto his waist, returning the kiss. Eric broke away but held her cheek.

"Meet me here later tonight around eight," he said.

"Since when do I take orders from you?" she retorted. Eric kissed her again. There was something about the way he kissed her that made her brain shut off and made her want to agree to anything.

"Eight, out front," he said. Taylor just grinned and moved for him to kiss her again. Eric pulled away. "Later," he whispered.

Taylor pouted a little. "We'll see about that," she said as she walked out. Eric just sighed and smiled. For some reason he was more motivated to do his work…

Eight o'clock came around and Taylor waited impatiently outside of her car for Eric. She was a very punctual person and she had no idea what Eric was planning for the evening.

The doors opened and she thought she was seeing things. Eric was walking out in a black suit and tie. He saw her and noticed the odd look she was giving him. He smirked.

"You ready to go?" he asked.

"What the hell is going on? And, why are you in a suit?"

Eric just went over, and in a swift, unexpected move, swept Taylor into his arms and kissed her cheek.

"Eric, you're scaring me," she said smiling a little. Eric straightened her up and took her hand.

"We're going over to Wes's," he said as he opened his car door for her.

"Who are you and what have you done with Eric?"

He just closed the door and got into the driver's side. "Believe it or not, I'm not a complete asshole."

Taylor just shut up and let him drive. It was about halfway to Wes's estate that she realized she wasn't dressed for the occasion.

"If you haven't noticed, I wasn't planning on anything fancy tonight."

Eric glanced over to her. "Oh I noticed all right, but don't worry. Everything's being taken care of."

Taylor just stared at him in amazement and let him drive. A few minutes later they pulled into the gate and parked.

They walked up to the door and were greeted by Phillips.

"Good evening Commander," he said to Eric. He looked at Taylor and smiled. "And you must be Lieutenant Earhardt. Miss Jennifer has told me a lot about you and I'm pleased to meet you at last." He took her hand and she shook it.

"I hope it wasn't anything too bad," she joked as they were led inside. Taylor just stared at the grand entryway. 'Wes is better off than I thought,' she said to herself.

"Eric, Taylor!" Wes said as he and Jen came down the stairs grinning like idiots. "Glad you could make it." He shook hands with them both, and Taylor felt even more out of place in her black pants and Wildforce jacket.

Jen noticed her discomfort and decided to take her to get changed. "Taylor," she said. "Come on. Dinner won't be ready for a little while." Taylor silently thanked her and she and Jen went upstairs.

Wes saw Eric's face as Taylor left and just grinned. Without even looking at him, Eric knew what Wes was doing.

"Don't even say it Wes," he said as they went into the bar area and got drinks. He ordered Taylor a drink and Wes's smile just grew.

"So, you somehow managed to get her here, and I saw that look you gave her when she walked upstairs," he said.

"What look?" he asked defensively.

"Like she was never coming back. Geeze Eric, I never thought I'd see the day."

"And what day would that be?" he said getting annoyed slightly.

Wes put his arm around his partner. "The day, my friend, when you finally realized that maybe being a loner all your life isn't what you want anymore."

Eric had to admit that he had a point… in a way. "Shut up Wes," he said as he shrugged him off playfully.

Upstairs Taylor was in Jen's bathroom putting on a yellow dress shirt and black blazer to go with her pants.

"I don't know about you, but I don't see why we have to get dressed up for dinner," Jen said from inside her bedroom.

Taylor laughed. "How do you stand it? Being all…"

"Girlie?" Jen suggested. At that both woman laughed a little as Taylor emerged from the bathroom. Jen was dressed similar, with the exception of her wearing a skirt and pink blouse.

"So what's going on anyway?" Taylor asked as they descended the stairs.

"I honestly have no clue. All Wes said was that he wanted to have a nice dinner with a few friends… he has been acting a little weird lately though… like he's hiding something."

"Ah, ladies," Phillips said as he saw them enter. He carried over a tray of drinks to them, and Taylor was surprised to see that Eric had told them what she wanted. "The gentlemen are in the dining room." They thanked him and walked into the large dinging room where Wes and Eric were sitting.

When they entered, Wes stood up and motioned for Eric to do the same.

"This is a little too much for me," Taylor whispered to Jen.

"Tell me about it," she replied. As they sat, Mr. Collins joined them and they all had a wonderful dinner before retiring to the living room for dessert and coffee.

Eric was looking over at Wes anxiously and Taylor noticed it. "What's going on?" she whispered to him. Eric just took her hand.

"Just watch," he whispered into her ear, lightly kissing it before he pulled away. Taylor smiled a little and watched as Wes stood and faced Jen who was sitting on the couch.

"Wes, what are you…" Jen began, but was stopped short when Wes got down on one knee and took a ring box out of his pocket.

"Jennifer Scotts, will you marry me?" he asked her in front of his father, and friends.

Jen felt tears of joy in her eyes. "Yes!" she nearly cried as she hugged him. Eric, Taylor, and Mr. Collins began to clap as Wes placed the large pink diamond on her finger. "Oh Wes it's gorgeous!"

Eric took Taylor's hand and they went to congratulate the happy couple.

Later that night Eric drove Taylor back to her car at SGA headquarters. He parked the car and helped her out.

"Wow," Taylor said. "That was quite a night," she said. "You knew he was going to do that didn't you?"

"I had an idea," he replied. He was holding her hand and led her to her car.

"So I guess this is goodnight," she said as she leaned into him.

"I guess it is," he said as he leaned in and met her lips. They kissed gently for several minutes before Eric's hands began to roam to her breasts and then down her front towards her crotch.

Taylor placed her hands on his chest and gently moved him away from her. "I… I don't think," she began breathlessly.

He removed his hands and held her to him, kissing her neck and ear. "I'd wait forever for you," he said suddenly.

Taylor took the meaning of his words to heart and hoped that she wasn't imagining all this.

She kissed his lips and hugged him. "I'll hold you to that." She kissed his cheek and got into her car, driving away with a smile on her face.