Disclaimer: Take a guess

A/N: Well I got that annoying plot out of my way fairly quickly only problem now is where to take the story. I considered this from a lot of angles but my main problem is I can't write Zoe/Dan smut like I was sorta planning...it just doesn't work so I'm going to write Zoe/Dan fluff instead...sound good? I hope so...I read an A/N by another author the other day (can't for the life of me remember who) and they said something about being unable to write smut because it would be actors doing it (okay I can't explain it but I know what I mean...I think... and that's all that matters. If I find out who wrote it and what they said I'll add it to my next chapter) so now all I can think is how I can't see Joely Fisher and Chris Potter doing anything my warped imagination can come up with so yeah I don't know why I felt the need to share all that but I did and that's that. Now enough of my useless, pointless rambles. On with the story!

Dan's hands, which had wound their way into Zoe's curls stilled at her request. "Zoe...Not that I don't want this but you raised a pretty good argument a few minutes ago so why don't we take this slow okay?" Zoe looked up at him with big eyes, both shocked and somewhat relieved he had turned her down.

"Dan all I want is for you to kiss me...I love the way you make me feel, like the whole world just disappears and I'm the only one that matters. I've never been with a guy who could make me feel so safe and loved and comfortable that I just wanted to sink into his arms and for him to never let go but that's how I feel with you Dan." Zoe sat up so she could look into his eyes more directly, "No man has ever kissed me and left me feeling as dizzy as you did this morning." She stared into his eyes waiting for him to say something, anything.

"Zoe you are the most incredible woman I have ever met and I promise you here and now that I will never, ever do anything to hurt you." Dan leaned in slowly, eyes never leaving hers as he kissed her for the second time that day. Zoe sighed softly into his mouth as she shut her eyes, revelling in the sensation of his mouth on hers. The kiss seemed to go on forever, neither wanting it to end but both knowing it had to. Dan's lips moved from hers and they kissed a path down her jaw to her neck, stopping to nibble gently on her earlobe. "I think we better stop now Zoe," he was breathing hard. Zoe nodded, knowing that if she didn't stop then she wouldn't be able to stop at all. Dan lay down on the bed, gently pulling Zoe with him so most of her body was pressed against his. "G'night Zoe," he murmured softly into her ear.

"Mmm," was the only sound that came from Zoe as she squirmed into a more comfortable position, still with much of her body pressed against Dan's.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains as dawn broke and Zoe yawned, stretching her body out before cuddling back against Dan. "Morning beautiful," he whispered softly.

"G'mornin," she replied, her body moulding perfectly to his. "What time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Almost eight o'clock," Zoe groaned and pulled the blanket up over her head, eliciting a soft chuckle from Dan.

"I'm on holiday," she moaned, "I shouldn't be up this early!" Her voice was muffled by Dan's chest as she asked, "can't we just stay here all day? I mean no one would miss us!" Dan laughed, pushing the blanket down,

"C'mon sleepyhead I signed us up for a boat tour. It'll be fun I promise." Dan flashed a grin her way, ducking as she threw a pillow at him.

"You suck, you know that? I hate early mornings, especially when I don't have to work!" Zoe braced herself as she felt Dan sliding his arms underneath her so he could lift her out of bed for the second time in as many days. Dan felt her arms wind their way around his neck and took the opportunity to scoop her up and spin around before gently placing her on her feet with a chaste kiss and a pat on the bum, sending her towards the bathroom. The couple got ready for their day, Zoe grumbling the whole time about wanting to crawl back into bed until Dan caught her around the waist as they headed to the door. She cried out, a momentary flicker of fear in her eyes caused Dan to release her immediately.

"Zoe I'm sorry."

"It's all right Dan, you just surprised me. You could give a girl a little warning you know!" She turned and stepped into his arms, rising up on her toes to kiss him softly before pulling away, "Now come on! You got me up early to go on a boat tour so let's get it over with so I can get back to bed." Dan laughed and followed his beautiful partner from the room.

"Welcome to the StarlightCatalina's premieresemi-submersible vessel," they were greeted as they boarded the boat.

"Thanks," Zoe smiled at their greeter, turning to look at Dan, "We need to talk mister." She gave him her best 'I mean business' look as he followed her aboard. "Okay Dan since we're getting to know each other on this little trip of ours I think I should tell you that I am claustrophobic when I'm surrounded by water so today is not looking very promising for me." Zoe slumped into a chair as the boat pulled away from the dock.

"Oh Zoe I had no idea...do you want to ask them to go back and let us off?" Dan sat down beside her.

"Nah I'll stick it out," she replied, smiling bravely.

"Okay but just so you know I won't leave your side the whole trip okay?" Zoe smiled and cuddled into Dan's shoulder, allowing herself to relax and enjoy feeling safe in his arms. This is so not me...I've never been the clingy type and Dan comes along and I can't let go and this damn boat is only part of the reason. "Zoe look!" she couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm as he pulled a fish identification guide from his pocket, riffling through it to find the fish. Eventually Dan's enthusiasm rubbed off on Zoe and she began to relax and forget about the fact that she was six feet under the water with only a few panes of glass between her and the Pacific. "How're ya doing Zoe?" Dan asked as the boat turned to head back to the dock. She smiled brightly at him,

"Surprisingly enough this was a lot of fun," he smiled back at her leaning down and kissing her gently. "But Dan?" He looked at her expectantly, "you ever bring me on a submersible boat again and you're a dead man, got it?" Dan laughed,

"Yes ma'am," he said with a mock salute. Zoe stuck her tongue out at him before turning to rest her head on his shoulder as the boat docked. "I'm hungry," whined Dan.

"Yeah well so am I but there's nothing we can do about it until we get off the boat so sit there and..." Zoe caught herself, "God can you tell I'm a mother or what?" Dan grinned and pulled her to her feet,

"C'mon dry land and food!" As the couple disembarked they were met by a hotel staff member, armed with a picnic basket and blanket.

"Mr. Lennox? Here are the things you requested," the young man handed over the goodies as Zoe dug into Dan's pocket to retrieve his wallet to tip him. "And may I recommend that you walk about a kilometre down that way as there is a beautiful grove of palm trees that is perfect for a picnic."

"Thank you," Dan juggled the basket and blanket until Zoe reached up and grabbed the blanket from him. They walked down the beach, finding the grove where they enjoyed their picnic, Dan keeping the basket away from Zoe telling her he had a surprise in it that she couldn't see until the end of the meal. He caught her trying to sneak a peek into the basket more than once during their picnic. "Well I see where your nieces and nephew get their insatiable curiosity from!" She stuck her tongue out at him again,

"Okay food done. I want the surprise!" Zoe looked at him expectantly, eyes glittering with excitement. Dan reached into the basket and withdrew a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream, causing Zoe to blush. "You're evil you know that?" she said to him. "Lemme guess...you want an explanation right? Well fine I'll have you know that I had a dream that involved the two of us along with those two food items," she said, pointing accusingly at the bowl. Dan cracked up laughing, finally understanding her earlier reaction to the strawberries and whipped cream. Zoe punched him playfully on the arm, "It's not nice to laugh you know Dan." She pouted,

"Aw Zoe I'm sorry... It's funny!" Dan tried to regain some semblance of composure as he reached out to grab a strawberry, dipping it in the whipped cream before bringing it to Zoe's lips. They spent the remainder of the afternoon on the beach until Dan said, "Okay we better get going or we'll miss our sunset cruise, and before you ask Zoe, this boat is not submersible."

"Ooh sunset cruise? That sounds fun!" Zoe allowed Dan to pull her to her feet and they walked towards the hotel.

TBC...

A/N 2: The semi-submersible boat "Starlight" really does exist, along with it's sister ship "Emerald" and the Sunset Isthmus Cruise our couple will be embarking on in the next chapter exists as well but most of the details are invented by me... oh right one kilometre is just over half a mile... I really should just use imperial since Catalina Island is part of California but I can't help it! I have two essays to write over the next few days so my update might not come for a while but I'll do my best.