"She must be asleep."

Without another thought he vanished to watch over her in her dream state. He found her outside her house, sitting on the pavement drawing with sidewalk chalk. She was writing his name over and over in different colors and styles. He decided to just watch her unless she indicated that she needed him.

"Julian I need you."

So much for the shadows, he thought wryly.

"Miss me already?" he asked as he appeared in front of her.

Startled, she fell backwards. She accepted the hand that was offered to her and stood up, only to find herself hauled unceremoniously up against his chest, his arms tight around her.

"So what do you need, Jenny? Dare I hope it's the same thing I do?" he asked, his lips nibbling just below her ear.

"Mmmm," was all she could get out. The she unfortunately remembered their previous conversation and why she had called him and she tensed up. Julian noticed her shift in attitude and sighed as he straightened up, still keeping her within the circle of his arms.

"Sorry. I was in the middle of a rather pleasant dream when I felt you here and I'm afraid I brought some of it here."
"What sort of dream?" she asked, distracted in spite of herself. Julian shook his head and smiled.

"If we go there then we won't get to the reason for your call and it seems like you want to talk. Shall we?" he said, indicating the pavement. As soon as they were settled Jenny turned to him.

"So why did you answer when I called?"

He looked confused.

"Was I not supposed to? Jenny I will always answer when you call."

"I just thought you wanted to take a break from our nocturnal visitations."

He hung his head for a moment. When he looked at her his eyes were serious.

"You're right. I should not have made my presence known unless you thought you were in danger. Knight-in-shining-armor and all that. I'm going to leave."

And with that he stood. Jenny stood as well and placed a restraining hand on his arm.

"Hold on a second! I wasn't finished!"

"Yes?"

"It's just that I think it's too soon."

"What is?"

"Too soon to say au revoir to our dreams together. I don't want to leave you."

She held up her hand to stop his protest.

"I know, I know. I need to live and all that jazz. And I understand that, I really do. I am just not ready yet, okay? Could you give me some more time?"

"It doesn't work that way. The sooner we stop seeing each other the easier it gets, not vice versa."

She let out a laugh.

"Easy? It will never be easy. The bottom line is that I want you in my life, and if the only way that can happen is through our dreams well, then, so be it. I'm willing to risk it if you are."

"Jenny," he began then stopped as if reconsidering his words. Finally he let out a breath.

"You know I can deny you nothing. I know I'm being selfish but I admit I want you any way I can have you."

"Good. It's settled then." Jenny said, letting out the breath she had been holding. He still looked a bit unsure so she hastened to reassure him. She moved so she stood in front of him and looked him in the eyes.

"I know I'm the one being selfish here. I already know that I can't be with you in the real world. I just need to pretend this," she gestured around them, "is the real world for a while longer, okay?"

"All right. But if it becomes too much then I'm going."

This time he held up a hand to silence her protests.

"No I'm serious. If you're not living your life like you should then all bets are off. You being happy is everything to me. I won't interfere."

"Fine. I'll make daily status reports on my life if that will keep you satisfied."
He grinned and leaned down to her until his lips were a breath away.
"It will take more than that to keep me satisfied." He laughed as she blushed and looked completely mortified. She sought a way to distract him.
"So you were going to tell me about your dream?"
"I don't recall saying that," Julian replied, still laughing. She waved her hand dismissively.

"Semantics. So will you tell me about it?"

"No."

She blinked.

"No?"

"No, I won't tell you. But I'll show you, if you think you're up for it?"

Something about the way he was looking at her made butterflies dance in her stomach.

"All right."

She put her hand in his, hesitantly. The scenery started to shift and she felt off balance. She fell back with a cry and shut her eyes, waiting for impact.

[[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]][[[[[]]]]]

AN: At the end of today's installment.

Disclaimer: If you don't know what isn't mine by now I think it's time someone took a trip to the guidance counselors.

AN: So I was having problems figuring out a way to get Jenny and Julian to recover from the temporary insanity they were in. I mean, not see each other? Let's be serious people, it's not going to happen. Not in a story I write, anyway.