Eli turned his head and looked at Grace, sitting in the arm chair opposite him; the light from the television cascading onto her face, bringing light to it, and exenterating her delicate, smooth features.

"…But you'll never take our FREEDOM!" Mel Gibson roared.

Eli turned back to the television, as Mel's blue and white face ran across the screen.

He glanced down at his watch, 9:30- he really should be leaving soon- but he didn't want to leave Grace. He wanted to be as close to her as possible, and the thought of going to an empty home didn't exactly excite him!

He glanced back over at Grace's still body, sitting in the darkness- only her face illuminated- and Eli heard the nagging in the back of his head again "you have to tell her"………it said.

Grace glanced over at Eli as he shifted uncomfortable in the chair; not being able to touch him, kiss him- hardly even talk to him! Was driving her mad………having him so close yet so far away, it was torture!

"I'm going to get something to drink" Grace rose from her seat "anybody want anything?" she asked.

Nobody answered, their eyes glued to the battle that was playing out on the television.

"Ok then" Grace murmured to herself, and she turned to go into the kitchen.

Eli watched her walk away out of the corner of his eye; and felt like he was going to jump out of his skin if he couldn't follow her.

And suddenly images of her naked body, hot kisses, dancing eyes……….came rushing into his mind- he had to talk to her!

But he felt Lily's eyes on him; daring him to make a move and get caught out……..thrown out………so he stayed where he was, images of Grace skidding by in his mind, making his body tense up with longing- goddamit!

"I need food," Eli announced, standing quickly.

Lily turned her head sharply, looking Eli in the eyes; "just wait until Grace comes back," she said flatly.

"Lily!" Rick looked at his wife, and as she opened her mouth to protest, Rick told his son "go ahead, we have loads of snacks", and dismissed him.

Eli smiled as he walked away, hearing Rick and Lily argue in soft murmurs.

He headed into the kitchen; Grace was sitting at the kitchen table, with some of the leftover cheesecake sitting on a plate in front of her.

"Wanna share?" Eli asked, grabbing one of the clean forks from the sink and walking over to her.

Grace looked up and smiled, it seemed that she'd been concentrating hard on the cheesecake and hadn't noticed Eli walk in.

"Do I have a choice?" she asked, and Eli shook his head and sat down opposite her, digging his fork in.

Grace smiled, watching as a piece of white cream escaped onto the corner of his mouth; she leaned forward and swiped it away with her finger.

Eli grinned, watching as she slipped her finger between her lips and licked the cream; "why do you have to look to tempting right now?" he asked, seriously, as he examined her red lips.

Grace smiled, blushing slightly as Eli stared intently into her face.

"Yeah well-" Grace motioned her head towards the lounge room, where the television was blaring, "-I wouldn't want to risk it" she said glumly.

Eli sighed, and took another piece of cake; "we could sneak up stairs……lock you're door…….." Eli flashed her a sly smile.

Grace stared into his eyes for a moment, and then shook her head "no" she smiled "-I don't think so".

Eli made a little chuckle; "Grace Manning……..you ACTUALLY considered having sex in you're parents house!" he smiled coyly.

Grace blushed slightly, and leaned forward; Eli did the same, hoping their lips would connect; "You wish," she teased, in a soft, sultry whisper, and then she pulled away just as their lips were about to touch.

"You cant do that to me Grace" Eli breathed, a smile still on his face, that grew wider as he felt Grace's foot make it's way up his leg.

"You know I'm proud of you" Grace smiled, staring into his handsome face.

Eli smirked "really?" he asked.

"Truly- I always knew you had a talent. And now the rest of the world is going to discover what I always knew was in you" she smiled wider, and Eli felt butterflies flutter in his heart.

"That means a lot to me" he said sweetly, with a faint smile.

Grace nodded her head slowly "I love you" she whispered.

Eli tried to smile, but that nagging in the back of his mind continued; until he couldn't suppress it any longer.

"-Grace, you need to know something" he began, and Grace pulled her foot away, staring at him with a serious gaze.

"What?" she asked softly.

Eli took a long breath, and then ran a hand through his tousled hair; "I have to go away," he breathed.

"Oh" Grace sighed quietly.

"For 3 months. To the New York recording studio, for the recoding, promotion……..all that stuff." Eli added, pretending he hadn't heard her take a deep sigh.

"3 months?" she repeated, staring into nothingness as his words brushed over her.

"Yep, 3 months in New York" Eli said, more to himself.