Disclaimer: Dagnamit!

A/n: Ah darn it. My life is ruined again because of my current problem. :c I hate feeling this way.

Anyway, the story.

By: Aningme

Chapter 42

Dilemma

"Draco." Hermione called out, worry present in her face. "It's a little late for walking around the city, don't you think?"

Draco stared at her and smiled. "C'mon. I want to show you around. And besides, we still have an hour before night falls. That would be enough time."

Hermione winced and sighed in defeat. She didn't feel like walking around the city right after what happened to her in the bar. She just felt like staying home for now and relaxing with him by her side. But she guessed he had other plans.

"Let's take the subway." He smiled at her, stopping short on the sidewalks.

She stared at him and had to laugh at his excitement. He seemed to be really… happy. "Of course. You think I would let you drive your fancy car around?"

He laughed at that. It was good to be with her again. "I'll pay for the tickets."

He literally pulled her to the station and excitedly got the tickets. Getting inside the trains, he pulled her to the slightly crowded space and got two seats.

Hermione watched him as he absentmindedly held her hand for the whole time.

Having the shushed ambience of the subway, Hermione stared at him and watched his gorgeous face, as the shadows run over him. She studied his features, his incredible silver eyes, his pale cheeks, and his beautiful hair. He was staring out into the window, his mind suddenly drifting into a deep memory. She didn't mind the silence. She was already contented, having him beside her.

Moments like these always reminded her of her life with out him. She remembered the lonely nights, the hopeless dreams, the horrid nightmares when he was away. At that moment, she realized how she needed him in her life.

He could feel her heavy gaze at him, studying him as he studied the night. He turned his head and stared back at her, waiting for her response. Usually, she would turn away, and pretend he hadn't caught her staring. But now, as he held her gaze with his, she stared back, her eyes filled with unreadable emotions.

There were lots to say. There were things to explain. But having those mysteries around makes him more comfortable than actually knowing them. He would be asking about why she left her house and her hospital. He would be asking her if she would really take chances. And, of course, he would be asking about the question. But thinking of all that, and having known the answers to them just scares a lot of him. He wanted to take in everything slowly.

His eyes were incredibly warm as he stared at her. The steely coldness that was once in his eyes was gone now. His face looked rather different, peaceful, contented. And she knew he wanted to say something to her.

"Where are we going?" She muttered, as she squeezed his hand a little.

He caressed it. "Someplace. I need you to see it."

The sun was already turning orange already, streaking the sky with a bloody shade of orange. The wind was swooping around them almost gently, and the trees were swaying graciously with it. He still held her hand as he walked her through the green grass of the small hills of Ontario, Canada.

"Where are we?" She was asking. But then, like moments ago, he wouldn't answer.

He would just grin at her and assure her. "You'll see."

She was getting a little worried of rain coming on them as they walked a few minutes more. She hurried by his side and held on tighter on his hand.

"Don't you see that it'll rain?" She asked, pacing a little.

He was still smiling. "I can see that."

Thunders were starting to grumble in the skies already. She was now really getting worried.

"Where are we going anyway?" She insisted again.

This time, he stopped, held her shoulders and faced her. "Here we are."

She looked around, studying the bare trees and green grass that were now eddying almost furiously along with the winds.

She turned back at him. "Draco," She started. "I don't see anything."

He still smiled at her-and it amazed her to see him make it wider-and turned her body to their right.

They were both staring into a dark murky shadow ahead, blanketed by the darkness of the young night.

Hermione squinted at the scene at first, but as the thunder momentarily lightened the vast area like it had been morning in a second, she saw the vast McKay lake of Ontario, spreading out, stretching out into other blankets of trees on the other side. She almost staggered back to see they were merely a step ahead before the lake, almost feeling a slight twitch of her stomach.

But Draco held her shoulders tight, reassuring her.

"Go on, look." He muttered, pointing at the waters.

She hesitantly did so, but finally stepped forward because he said so.

After a while, she finally relaxed.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

She turned to him again, noting that he really liked places like this. It wasn't much too different from the vacation cottage he owned back in England. Maybe he was thinking about it.

"Do you still remember? Our vacation at the cottage?"

She turned back to the scenery and sighed. "Every detail." She replied.

He smiled at that. "I always remembered those moments." He started and shifted his weight on his other foot. "I remember the night we stayed in the inn, and the afternoon you punched me because I did something to you."

"You insulted me." She reminded, chuckling at that.

He laughed. "Well, I must say, that was a good punch."

"Thank you." She smirked.

"Well, most of all, I remember the night we flew."

That was one of the most incredible moments of her life. She was always scared of flying-yes, she admits it now-but when he assured her, when she heard his voice, she actually forgot her fear and faced the winds.

She remembered the exact thing he said.

"Trust me! Just try it!"

"I'm… I'm flying!"

"Yes you are!"

She didn't know a smile was carving up her face.

"I knew you were really scared of heights. Your face was showing it." He chuckled.

"I wasn't afraid of heights!" She countered. "I was just… thinking what if one of us falls?"

He shook his head. "Thinking that is obviously fearing it." He smiled. "But, you were so happy then."

She sighed. She agreed. "I guess so."

He glanced at her for a moment before he spoke again. "I want you to be happy like that night." He suddenly said. "I want to make you happy."

She turned to him, not knowing what to say.

He was quite sure he saw that slight blush on her cheek. He just turned towards the scenery and brooded again. "It's really beautiful."

She stared at the sky for a moment, not wanting to look down at the waters. She didn't want to admit it, but she had grown afraid of big bodies of water. Ever since that incident, when she almost lost him…

She quickly turned away as she found herself staring down wide eyed at the waters. She breathed heavily and tried to calm herself down, pushing all of those past thoughts and past fears away.

Draco was startled. He took her shoulders again. "Hey, hey, what's wrong?"

She was still breathing hardly, but she was able to stare at him steadily. "I can't look."

"What?"

"The water. I can't."

Draco furrowed his brows. "Are you scared?"

"Terribly!" She finally admitted. "I just don't… I just can't…"

"Hermione…" He melodically cooed her name. "It'll be fine. It won't come up and eat you alive."

"No, it won't." She muttered; her breathing still labored. "But…"

He took her face in his hands. "But what?"

She stared back in his eyes. She saw streaks of concern in them, also dashes of worry. "I…" She began to speak, but she wasn't so sure how to put it. "I… I still remember that day… the accident… when I almost lost you…"

Her voice cracked. Her eyes started to shimmer. Draco abruptly pulled her and held her tight, wrapping her in a tight embrace, cursing himself for reminding her that.

Hermione just closed her eyes and let his warmth wrap her. "I could still feel the way I felt when I thought… you were… gone…"

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" He apologized, rocking her softly.

The raindrops suddenly started pouring on them, the drops splashing excitedly on their coats.

But they didn't mind. They just stood there, holding each other.

"I didn't mean for you to remember that…"

"It's okay…" She smiled and pulled back to have a good look on his face. "Why did you take me here anyway?"

He watched as the rain washed her slipped tear away from her face.

"Well, I wanted to ask you something." His heart suddenly started to take its pace.

"What is it?" She whispered.

God, how beautiful she was that night.

"I want you to come back with me to England." He muttered.

She smiled at him. "Of course I would."

"But," He quickly added. "As my wife."

He slid his hand beneath his coat and showed her a ring.

A square cut diamond ring.

A/n: Tada!

I was actually so looking forward to post this and answer your very amusing reviews. But bad news guys. My damned life is screwed up again and I can't type personal messages again.

Oh, before I forget, there's also an issue in that they won't allow author's to reply back to their readers, as in author's notes/messages/nonsense-insane-words-that-authors-like-me-really-love-to-write. I don't know. Who makes these laws anyways?

So, I am really sorry guys. Punish me all you want, it is fine… I can take the load since it is one of the last chapters already and I can't afford to NOT reply to all of you one of these days. I HAVE TO! Lol.ü

I will try to do that next time. But to all of the new readers! WELCOME ABOARD!ü The reviews this week was actually full of new people.ü That was quite nice.ü Anyway, Until next update!ü TC!ü (And sorry again…)