A/N:  I've finally decided to release this next chapter.  I've been on a role these last few days and writing the following chapters has come pretty easy and quickly.  I, hopefully, should have the next chapter up by next weekend.

A Time for Love is waiting on LSI's timetable.  Underneath It All is pretty slow going.  If anyone has any ideas on that one, write to me from my website.

Enjoy!

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                The doorman held the door as they walked out into the warm air.  Aeric leaned in closer to Sara and asked her if she wanted to take a rickshaw or the city tram.  "Most definitely the tram.  I'm not too keen on the idea of using a human being like a horse."  He nodded in agreement and they walked the couple blocks to reach the Tram.

                Once on board, they took a seat toward the back, with Sara sitting next to the window.  She hadn't ridden on the Tram yet, having done most of her site tours on foot.  She noticed that Aeric left a good several inches between them on the seat.  It was odd, to say the least.  There had been a feeling that she couldn't shake that this man was arrogant and overconfident, but what she was seeing tonight, within the last few moments, was a man that considered his actions thoroughly before he made a move.  However, she also saw a carefree spirit mingled within.

                Aeric grinned at her then leaned closer and softly asked, "Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?"

                Sara shook her head, but returned the smile.  "I don't believe so."

                "Hmm, well let me rectify that."  He reached up and brushed a tendril of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.  "You look beautiful tonight."

                She was breathless and looked shyly away.  A quick glance back at him and she saw him straighten in his seat, putting the distance back between them.  At first, it was reassuring, but in the next instant, she regretted it.  The regret was a familiar feeling and she could've remained there, wallowing in it, like it was an old friend.  However, something stirred within her, something akin to obstinacy.  Self-pity was quickly shoved to the back of her mind and locked away.  She was tired of playing it safe; it was time to take a risk.  Leaning closer to him, she asked, "So, tell me Aeric, where are we going?"

                "There's a restaurant, Sonargaon, which is part of the Taj Bengal's hotel.  Their cuisine is very close to authentic without actually eating in a private home."  Instinctively, as he watched her move closer, he did likewise.  Their thighs just barely touched and he put his arm on the back of the seat.

                "Do we have a while to travel yet?" she asked.

                He glanced out the window then nodded.  "Hmm hmm… it's a little bit further, close to downtown."

                "Since we have some time and you already know what I do for a living, why don't you tell me what you do?"

                "Okay.   I'm a photographer."

                Sara's eyebrows rose, not expecting that answer.  "Any specific type of photos?" she asked, now a bit suspicious.  He wasn't about to tell her he takes photos of models, was he?  That would be such a turn off for her.

                His deep-throated chuckle threw her off guard as she saw the twinkle in his eyes.  "Not those kind of photos.  I mainly photograph animals and sometimes landscapes.  I work for National Geographic."

                Sara's relief was audible as her held breath released in a heavy exhalation.  "National Geographic?  Really?  Nice!  Their pictures are awesome.  I've never seen a picture of theirs that didn't make me catch my breath.  Is that what brought you here?"

                "The Sundarbans National Park did.  I'm headed there for a shoot of the endangered tigers –"

                "So am I," she exclaimed, interrupting him.  "I mean… not to photograph the tigers, but I'm heading there tomorrow afternoon."

                "To Piyali?" Aeric asked.

                "Yes.  I'm staying at a new resort they just finished constructing."  She finished abruptly as she saw him nodding in agreement.  "You're going there too?"

                "Yes, but in a couple more days."  He was about to say something more, but the tram came to their stop and he stood and waited for her to precede him.  When they stepped down to the street, he thoughtfully guided her along the busy sidewalk.  He pointed upward to a large crescent shaped building and said, "The Taj Bengal, our destination."

                Soon after entering the restaurant, Sara found herself being seated at a cozy, candlelit table.  The little illumination from the candles produced an air of romantic interlude even within the large dining area.  She studied the interior, noting the mezzanine floor and a water well, tucked invitingly into a corner of the room, with the pulley and bucket hanging from it.  The walls were decorated with half-opened windows and other nooks and crannies.

                "It's enchanting, isn't it?"

                The deep voice beside her recalled her to her senses.  She'd been staring so intently at all the nuances of the establishment that she'd been ignoring her companion.  To make up for the small slight, she nodded with a huge gap-toothed smile and then, "It's lovely.  They've carefully paid attention to the details."

                "And they're just as attentive to the entrées.  Their main dishes consist mostly of shellfish and other seafood.  Would you prefer something with chicken or beef, or  –"

                "Seafood will be fine," she found herself interrupting again.  "I don't eat meat," she added.

                "But you're not a vegan then?" he asked.

                "No.  Eggs, milk and fish are all right.  I just don't… enjoy meat."  Her mind wouldn't allow her thoughts to remain idle.  The image of curly hair and rich blue eyes disturbed her thoughts.  She shook her head to dispel them.

                "Is something wrong?" he asked.

                "Uh, no.  I just remembered something.  It's nothing."

                Aeric surmised that wasn't true, but kept his thoughts on it to himself.  He'd noticed that this woman, who sat across from him, radiated a sad and lonely existence.  Deep in thought, he shifted in his seat; all the while contemplating if perhaps he could . . .  God only knew how much it had taken for him to pull himself out of the same rut.  His only hope was that what caused her despair wasn't the same reason for his own, just a few short years ago.

                Before he could succumb to the grief-filled memories, a waiter approached and the sudden awkwardness that had fallen about them was removed.  She'd barely had a chance to look over the menu and she noted that Aeric hadn't even attempted to.  "What are you having?"

                Aeric smiled warmly, pulling himself from the thoughts that nearly drowned him in despair once again.  Turning to the waiter he stated, "I'll have the Jhinga Hara Masala.  It's my favorite here."

                With a raised eyebrow, the waiter agreed, "Yes, it's truly delightful, very refreshing."

                Sara's eyes darted back from one to the other, unsure if it was a private joke or if they really meant it.  "What's the main ingredient in that?"

                Both said, "Prawns."

                With a small hesitation, she agreed to have the same.  She was in India; why not try something new even if she hadn't heard of it before?

                The waiter left after finishing their order, which consisted of an appetizer and a bottle of wine.  While they waited for it, their conversation diminished and they were left in silence.  It wasn't quite companionable and yet it wasn't uncomfortable.

                "You seem to know quite a bit about this city.  Do you come here often?" she asked, attempting to break the silence, but she hadn't intended on asking her question in quite that manner.  She felt the heat rise up over her cheeks and the smile on her lips wasn't one of amusement.

                But he was amused, and his chuckle made the heat of her embarrassment deepen.  "And I thought it was us men that used that line."

                The waiter returned with their wine and he poured a teaser into Aeric's glass.  Aeric swirled it around for a brief moment and then lifted the glass to his lips, breathing in and then taking a small sip.  It was a good choice and he nodded to the waiter to pour.  Sara, after watching him test the wine, did the same thing.  She'd never been one for drinking wine and preferred a cold beer instead.  But she lifted the glass and followed his example.  It wasn't like anything she'd had before.   She'd always thought that white wine was dry.  This wasn't dry, but it also wasn't overly sweet.   "What kind of wine is this?"

                Aeric took a sip and set his glass back on the table before replying, "It's made from the Riesling grape.  They can be dry, but most often you'll find they are fruity."

                "I usually don't like wine."  She took another sip and then set her glass down.  "I think I could get used to this."

                "What do you like to drink?" he asked.

                She would've answered, however, she remembered that she'd asked him a question and he hadn't yet answered it.  "I think you know more about me than I do about you.  How about evening that score?"

                At first, he wasn't sure what she meant and then he recalled her earlier question.  "Fair enough.  No.  I don't come here often.  But I have been here before.  I was here about a year ago for a shoot in Tibet.  I discovered then that I really enjoyed this country or at least this portion of it."

                Sara nodded in understanding.  "Yes, there are some areas that are breathtaking and others that, well, you hold your breath but not for the same reason."

                "There's no middle ground.  You're either wealthy, or not.  It's rather sad."

                "Depends on how you look at it.  I think I'd rather be without money.  It certainly doesn't bring happiness."  Sara's eyes drifted off a moment and lingered on a couple across the way.  They were of the wealthy type –older, but certainly wealthy.  At first glance, they appeared to have found that happiness even with their wealth.  She wondered if it was true.

                "They seem to have found it."  Aeric met her eyes then nodded in the couple's direction.  He'd watched her as she looked at them.  Remembering that she was an investigator, he wondered if she ever looked at anything, or anyone for that matter, without analyzing them.

                "Yes, they do.  I wonder how long it took them though."

                Their meal arrived and the aroma wafted up from her dish, titillating her nose.  If it tasted anything like it smelled, she was going to enjoy it.  When the waiter left, she took a small bite of her food.  Her eyes met his and then a smile lit her face.  "This is wonderful!"

                They finished their meal, with light discussion throughout.   Afterwards he asked her if she'd like to walk through the Botanical Gardens.  She agreed and they took another tram to the gardens.

                After a short stroll, they noted that the sun was setting and they, in silent agreement, remained where they were to watch it.  The sun changed from a golden yellow to a burnt orange-red, transforming the sky into a breathtaking view.   The sky appeared on fire and Sara thought of all the scientific reasons for it doing so.

                Their silence was broken when Aeric whispered, "The sunset dances across the sky."

                Sara moved closer to him, her interest piqued.

                "Red, orange and gold.  Nature holds its breath, as the colors coalesce softly in your eyes."

                She gave him a questioning look and he shrugged.  "I try sometimes."

                "You just made that up?  Just now?" she asked incredulously.

                He nodded.  She smiled a gap-toothed smile and he thought the sunset paled in comparison.

                They both turned and walked on silently until Aeric narrated a couple of stories he remembered about the gardens.

                Within moments they were completely enshrouded in darkness; the lights that were scattered about the park were nowhere near them any longer.  Sara began to realize the foolishness of being so secluded with a man she barely knew.  Her defenses went up and she stopped so abruptly that Aeric had continued walking not having noticed that she was no longer beside him.  When he did, he turned back around, but could barely see her.  "Sara?  Where are you?"

                "I'm here.  I, um, I think we should go back."  Her voice quavered a moment, then with a bit more decisiveness to her tone, she said, "No, I mean, we need to head back now."

                Aeric didn't miss the inflection and wondered what would have caused it.  "Is there something wrong?"  He walked toward her voice and was quickly able to see her expression.  It had gone from carefree to a hardened, defensive stare.  He reached out for her arm, but she backed away.  It was then that the dawning realization of the situation came to him.

                "Oh."

                Sara frowned.  "Oh, what?"

                "I understand."

                She crossed her arms over her chest and asked, "Understand what?"


                "You're right, we should head back."  He started to walk past her the way they'd came, but she didn't budge.

                "I'm right about what?"


                She heard him sigh and then slowly approach her.  His hands snuck out and captured her arms in their grip, though tender as it was.  "I'm sorry, I didn't think.  It's dark and secluded here and for your knowledge and what you've probably seen in your line of work, I'm sure this looks very… unsavory."

                Sara nodded, indicating that he assumed correctly.  He let go of one arm, but kept a hold of the other and guided her back to the main pathway that was subtly lit.  "Thank you," she offered.

                He shook his head as he released her other arm and held open the small gate where they were able to depart from the gardens.  "No, I'm sorry.  I should've thought this out a bit more."

                The evening continued on in silence with just a few barely audible mutterings from both, until they reached their hotel rooms.  He waited while she opened her door then said, "Sara, I hope you won't hold this against me.  I'd like to see you again when we're both in Piyali."

                She hesitated before entering her room then leaned back on the door jam.  "Aeric, it really is all right.  I just… I get uptight about certain situations.  You're right.  I have seen a lot of things in my line of work.  It's made me be cautious, sometimes overly so."  She bowed her head and sighed, and then with a tilt of her head she let her gaze fall on him, lingering momentarily on the frown that she knew she'd been the cause of.  "I don't really know you, Aeric, but I think I'd like to get to know you better.  Let's just take this one day at a time, okay?"

                With a nod he stepped back and said, "Good night, Sara.  Pleasant dreams."

                "Goodnight, Aeric," she replied, then entered her room and shut the door between them.