A/N: Another LEMON is posted below. For Disclaimer, refer back to the PROLOGUE

Chapter 5: Nostalgia

Serph and Argilla sat on a bench at Svathisthana Park with Serph's arm around her shoulders and her head leaning on his chest. Argilla loved this park. This was the park where they had first met. This was the park where he had proposed to her.

It was a cool fall evening and they were stargazing then when he told her that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. And now, they were back in the same park.

"What are thinking of?" Serph's voice ran through her ears.

"About us…" she whispered.

"Do you remember when we first met?" Serph asked; his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Argilla smiled, closing her eyes and nuzzling at his chest, "How could I forget? You were the most annoying and arrogant person I've ever met!"

Serph chuckled, he remembered those days…

Flashback

Argilla walked through the park inhaling the cool breeze with Sera and her dog Max. The sisters enjoyed spending time with each other. Sera thought that this was the time that she should spend with Argilla. She was graduating soon and wouldn't have the time when she started working and started her Master's Degree. Sera knew that Argilla loved parks. It always brought about a feeling of serenity and tranquility to Argilla.

Sera was very thankful to her. It was Argilla after all who had put her through her education, both in high school and college. It was, after all, unavoidable, as their father had died when they were younger, and her mother, having suffered an accident, was unable to support them.

But, Argilla was still lucky as she had managed to complete her nursing degree just before her mother had her accident.

"So, you're graduating soon Sera. Any plans?" Argilla asked, a proud smile playing on her lips.

Sera smiled back, "Of course! I plan to work at Muladhara. But, I would have to move out as soon as I graduate."

"So soon?" Argilla asked, surprised at her sister's words.

Sera nodded and stopped walking to secure Max's leash, "Uh huh. I already received my contract from them. I'd start my job a month after I graduate! Isn't this exciting?!"

"That's great! I'm so happy for you Sera!"

Sera grinned at her while petting Max, "I knew you would! I want to start working immediately so I can help with mum's medical expenses."

Argilla waved her hands, "Oh no Sera. You live your life. I'll take care of mum."

"But…"

"No buts! I don't want you to end up like me."

"Argilla…"

"Don't worry about it Sera…"

The two, having been so emotionally charged from the serious talk that they were having, didn't notice the jogger at the sharp turn on the left. Argilla had been so preoccupied that she didn't notice she was heading for someone until she bumped into something; or someone.

Sera gasped and pulled Max away as he started barking at the intruder that had "lunged itself" against his master's sister.

"Max! No! Down boy!" Argilla heard Sera yell.

"My apologies," said a voice, a male voice. Upon hearing the voice, Argilla was brought back to reality and found that she was flat on the ground with a male on top of her.

He quickly got off of her and offered her his hand as he stood up, "Again, my sincerest apologies."

Sera, on the sidewalk just couldn't help a giggle as she noticed that her sister was, momentarily tongue-tied as she laid eyes upon the young man with whom she collided. Sera, too, had noticed what her sister did. Indeed, he was pleasant to the eyes and ears. Sera's eyes forced themselves to turn to her mortified sister, who, by now was standing and was having a chat with the stranger. She also noticed that Argilla was silently evaluating the stranger just as she had done.

Argilla suppressed a blush to creep upon her face as she regarded the man in front of her. His elegant silver hair was very uncommon but not unheard of. His eyes too were silver but they were not cold, Sera mused, and they held a lot of raw emotion in them. His eyes were pleading in nature but could harden at its master's beckon. His lips full at the bottom and were very inviting indeed.

He wore a pair of grey jogging pants and a matching grey sweater. His voice brought her back to the present, "I'm sorry, but I know I am quite a person to be looked at, but really, all this staring is unbecoming of a lady."

"Excuse me?" Argilla's eyes twitched. 'Huh…and I thought he was decent! It looks like he's just one of those arrogant jerks!'

"Well, I suppose there is no further need to detain ourselves here. But, I do suggest that you keep both eyes open. You never know, you might not bump into me but to a tree or fall into a ditch and seriously injure yourself. Why, for all the staring, I would think that you have better eyesight Miss."

Argilla's eyebrow elevated, "I beg your pardon." she said through gritted teeth.

The said person shrugged his shoulders and brushed past her, "Well, don't tell me you didn't hear what I said. Well, see you around!"

His snickering voice had annoyed Argilla and alas! She had heard another snicker coming from behind her. Sera.

"What?" she asked, her eyes glaring daggers at her sister.

"He was cute huh?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows

"Shut up Sera! And no, he wasn't cute; he's just an arrogant jerk!" Argilla said through gritted teeth as she stomped off.

Sera petted Max behind his ear, "Oh well. We better be careful Max! You know how she is!" she chuckled and jogged to catch up to her sister with Max in tow.

End Flashback

"What? I didn't say that! That's not fair Argilla…you made that bit up!" Serph laughed and feigned hurt.

She lifted her head from his chest and playfully pushed him, "No I didn't! You were so annoying that your arrogance had effectively masked your looks!"

Serph smirked, "So, are you saying that I'm still irresistible?"

Argilla blushed, "I-I said no such thing! And besides, you really were arrogant!"

Serph crossed his arms defiantly, "Hmph. Well, that's not the way I remember it!"

"Oh?" asked Argilla, her eyebrow raised; "Well, then, how, pray tell, did it go then?"

"Alright...it went like this…"

Flashback

Serph Sheffield was on the phone that day, whilst jogging through Svathisthana Park. The cool air brushed past his cheek and the morning dew, he tasted in the air. Today was a good day for exercising. He had just been doing his second lap of the park when his cell phone rang. Stopping momentarily, he grabbed his earpiece from his pocket, put it on, and started to jog once more.

"Talk to me Phil."

"Sheffield, we just got a break."

"A break? What do you mean?"

"They had just found a new strain of the virus. You better come and see…it looks like you were right about its transmission and origin."

A smirk appeared on his face; he was right. Again.

"Give me an hour. I'll be there."

His mind began to drift about the scenarios that he deemed plausible and his lips found its way to a smile. He thought about new possibilities and uses that the virus would have for him when he suddenly bumped into someone.

Because of his weight, he completely unbalanced the female he bumped into and they tumbled onto the ground, in an undignified heap.

"My apologies," Serph muttered.

"You should look where you're going!" came the angry voice of the female.

"I offer you my sincerest apologies." Serph said, offering her his hand. The woman in front of him struck his senses senseless. She was easily the most striking woman he had ever seen. Her pink hair gave her an exotic look. Her pink hair had been done in two Chinese buns that made her look exceedingly quaint for his tastes. Her full lips, that pouted made him want to feel them. Truly, she was quite a sight to look at. She wore a baby blue tennis shirt with a matching tennis skirt. She had a good height; easily a 5'6", her eyes were a gentle pink, and had curves in all the right places.

"What are you looking at?" she roared.

Her voice had broken him out of his trance but her long creamy legs tempted him right there. Her tapping foot and crossed arms brought back his attention to her and out of her body.

"Well? Aren't you going to apologize?" she asked impatiently.

"You ought to have more manners you know! You just don't bump into women and ogle them!"

Serph sweat-dropped. So, the woman had fire. She intrigued him easily and he wanted to get to know her. But now was neither the time nor the place for such an event. And as much as he wanted to appreciate the sight before him, circumstances forced him to be elsewhere. And so, he muttered his apologies again, "I'm really sorry."

He brushed past her and began to jog again when he stopped midway, "Oh and by the way, you might want to take care in the future! You could get hurt!"

End Flashback

"That's not how it went! You're twisting it!" she pointed her finger at him accusingly.

Serph grabbed her hand in his and pulled her closer, whispering into her ear, "Does it matter?"

She blushed beet red, "…No…not really…"

"Good."

He stood up suddenly and she raised an eyebrow at him, "Where are you going?"

"It's nearly lunch time. Come on, let's get some lunch."

xxxxx

Heat was beginning to worry. It was nearly lunchtime and there was still no sign of Argilla. He had asked around for her, but none of the staff saw her. He asked at the information desk and they had said that she had not come in at all. She was absent.

He walked back to his office, albeit a bit hastily and plopped down on his chair. Heat then rummaged through his calendar and schedule to see if any patients had their appointments. He had five appointments that all commenced after lunch. Lunch. He groaned in frustration. Heat was looking through his schedule to divert his attention from Argilla but the mention of the word 'lunch' easily reminded him of his forbidden fruit.

'God…she obviously made her decision…' he shook his head hopelessly, 'Why do I even bother? She's obviously happier with that asshole…' he thought bitterly.

'Because,' he reasoned out, 'I love her and I can't give her up without a fight. I know that she feels something for me…and that's enough to keep me going.'

Another person who would have heard Heat's silent justifications would tell him or believe him to be crazy and delusional. Slamming his fists on his table out of frustration, he then hastily got up and retrieved his cell phone from his coat.

Her cell phone rang; and rang, and rang.

'Damn it! Where could she be?' he thought frantically.

xxxxx

Argilla sat across from Serph in their favorite restaurant, the Varnani. They often dined there on their dates, Argilla mused. Serph was looking at Argilla with a longing expression. Argilla recognized it as a look of love. She hadn't seen that look on his face for months. Argilla, without breaking eye contact with the man across from her, pinched herself on her left arm. Serph blinked as he saw her wince in pain at what she had just done.

"What are you doing?" he asked, confused.

Serph could see Argilla's eyes widen at her, apparent, unknown discovery; unknown to him that is.

"Oh, I was just pinching myself…"

Serph didn't say anything but his eyes held a pleading look in them and Argilla once again drowned in them, "I-I…was…just…" she stammered and he chuckled. He loved it when Argilla stammered. She was just so cute!

"I just…want to make sure that all this," she looked around her and then resting her eyes on him, with a determined yet dreamy look, "and…you…are all real; that I'm not dreaming…"

Serph's eyes left hers, as if uncomfortable at what she had said. Her words had brought to him memories of what he had been doing the past few months. He had put her through agony. It was so ironically bitter that Argilla had to actually wish to have a decent married life when it was suppose to be a necessity and not a luxury. He forced his eyes to meet hers, "I'm sorry Argilla…I apologize for my behavior."

She smiled at him tenderly and looked at his hand that now grasped hers tightly, "I know…I love you Serph…"

Love.

Serph liked that. She loved him and that was all that mattered. He sighed in contentment. This was what he had forgotten. This was what he had abandoned. And for what? For power, prestige and recognition. Was it worth it all? No, he decided, it wasn't. This, right now, with the woman he loved and who loved him, with no interruptions from the outside world-this was how he wanted to live life. Now that he thought about it, none of it really mattered now. His work, his assistants, his deadlines…his clients; none of them mattered. He realized that on the way to greatness, the most important person to him had been lost, and he didn't even notice until she almost left him.

Left him.

Yes, Serph Sheffield hadn't forgotten. He had a suspicion that she had been seeking comfort in another. He frowned at the thought. His jealous rage was beginning to set in, but he needed to control it. For her. He couldn't lose himself; not here and not now. He was assured that she loved him and would choose him but all the same, it still unnerved him that there was someone else who was trying to share her with him. He inwardly scoffed; Serph was generally generous, but she was one of his possessions that he dared not share with anyone.

He had faith in his wife though; she would do right. And with that thought, he smiled at her once more.

"So, what shall we do tonight?" she asked cheerfully.

He chuckled, "Whatever you want to do…" he replied huskily. Argilla blushed a beet red; she knew what he meant.

"Erm…what about that bar we used to go to?" she quickly suggested, hoping to throw him off topic. Serph brought his forefinger to his chin in careful thought, "Hm, you mean the Seismic Wave?"

"That's the one!" she replied with glee.

Serph nodded in agreement, "Well, I suppose we could go. We haven't been there in a whi-" He didn't get to finish his sentence as the ring on Argilla's phone had distracted him. "You better get that honey." he said slowly, taking a sip of his tea.

"Oh! I'm sorry. It'll just be a minute."

She rummaged through her purse and Serph noticed her brows were furrowed. It seemed that she was anxious. Over the cell phone? Serph's chest began to constrict and his jealous rage began to resurface. 'It's probably him.'

He tried to look impassive and indifferent towards her but, at the corner of his eyes, he watched her and even tried to catch a bit of their conversation.

Argilla grabbed the ringing phone and smiled apologetically at him, mouthing out the word "sorry".

"Hello…?" she said slowly, putting her hand in front of her mouth as to muffle out her voice.

"Argi…? Thank God. I thought something happened! Where are you? It's lunch time already."

Argilla froze; she had completely forgotten about Heat! What was she supposed to do now? She simply couldn't leave Serph here. That was inconceivable. But on the other hand, he didn't have the heart to hurt Heat again. That just wasn't fair. But, on the circumstances present, she would have to make a decision and make it fast.

She chose Serph.

"Oh Heat…" she muttered slowly, trying to lower her voice, "I'm sorry. I can't right now. I'm going to have to cancel…I…well…I'm kinda busy. I'll talk to you later okay?"

She heard only silence and she knew at that moment that Heat knew of her whereabouts. His silence meant that he was hurt and hurt bad. After a few seconds of tensely waiting, he finally spoke, his voice low and forlorn, "Alright. I understand. I just thought that you should have told me sooner, so I didn't have to wait like this."

Argilla bit her lip and Serph was now beginning to feel agitated. 'What the hell are they talking about?' he fumed silently.

"I'm sorry…Heat…goodbye…"

Not waiting for a response, she terminated the connection and turned back to her husband, who, by now had masked his annoyance.

"So, who was that honey? It sounded like you were having an argument. Is everything alright?" he asked, his eyes feigned concern and truly wished to test whether she would lie or not.

"It's just one of the girls…I forgot that we were supposed to go out today…"

"Oh!" she gasped, "What about the party tonight Serph? We can't leave if…"

Serph chuckled and put a hand up, shaking his head, "Forget about the party Argilla. We don't have to go if you don't want to…"

Argilla bit her lip, "No it's okay. We have to go. It's too important for you. Besides, the inauguration happens only once every three years and we can go at the Seismic Wave anytime."

"Are you sure?"

Argilla nodded again, smiling, "I'm sure."

xxxxx

Heat was staring off into space and he felt his entire body shake. 'She…chose him…I've lost her…' he thought pathetically. It was nearly the end of the break but he didn't care. He lost his appetite anyway. He couldn't eat now; now that he knew that she was with him.

He felt his chest constrict at the pain that he was experiencing. He was angry. He was angry at himself. How careless could he have been in telling her about what he felt? Now, this mess was created. He took a gamble; a big risk that didn't pay off. His wager had been faulty; she didn't love him. At least, not in the way he wanted her to. He had thought that she did, and perhaps she did, but she obviously made her choice.

He sighed; remembering her words. She loved him. It was all for him; whatever she did, she did it for him.

The frustration was eating Heat up. He didn't know that it would be this painful. But what if Serph hurts her again? Would she come running to him? Would he even care?

He scowled; of course he would. Why? Because he was a friend first and a lover second. He could never think of abandoning her. Even if that meant that he would have to get hurt; he wouldn't abandon her.

"Why do I always get myself into these messes?" he asked miserably, thrusting his hands up to the air. The knock on the door forced Heat to return to reality.

"Enter."

The nurse poked her head in, "Dr. O'Brien? Are you alright? I heard you from outside. Is there anything wrong?"

'Is there anything wrong…' If only she knew. He smiled at her, "No, none at all. It was nothing. I just thought of something weird. Anyways, is my 2 PM here yet?"

"No Doctor. Should I call up Miss Evelyn?"

"No, that's alright. That will be all."

The nurse nodded and closed the door gently, leaving the distraught doctor to his thoughts.

'At least she isn't here yet. I need to gather myself,' he thought with conviction and stretched his limbs. 'I need a walk.'

He left his office, "Cindy, I'll be back in 10 minutes. Should Miss Evelyn arrive and I am not here as yet, just let her wait in my office and inform me immediately."

"Yes Doctor."

xxxxx

Argilla walked through the streets holding her husband's hands. They were warm and provided her with security. She felt happy and complete but at the same time, she felt that there was something wrong. Heat. She knew that she had to talk to him. She knew that what had transpired between him and her could not be undone. Passion was passion; need was need; a kiss was a kiss; and regret was regret. But, despite this, she would have to try. She would have to try and repair the damage that had been suffered. She had to end whatever it was they were doing.

'I'm sorry Heat…'

"Hey…you ok?" Serph asked, concerned, "You spaced out."

She grasped his hand tighter, "I'm okay. Don't worry about it. Let's just go home…"

"We're there honey…"

xxxxx

Argilla slowly rose from her peaceful slumber, feeling a warm sensation of contentment. Her eyes roamed lazily on her surroundings and her vision stopped at the sight of her husband, who was tightly pressed against her body; his bare chest against her own nude form. They were both lying on their bed, naked, with only their white sheets to preserve their modesty.

'How did I get here?' Argilla thought confusedly, her mind a blank slate.

'He must have carried me here…after we…' she trailed off.

Blood gushed through her veins as she recalled the previous three hours.

Serph had only held onto his sense of self-control until they reached their front porch. And as soon as they did, he ravaged her mouth as if he was a starving man who hadn't had a meal in weeks. Argilla felt slight pain as Serph slammed her into the wall of their house, slamming the door behind him recklessly. Argilla wanted this; this was what she had wanted from Serph all these months. She wanted him to see her.

Argilla could only latch her arms onto his shoulders as if she were at the mercy of a furious storm. Serph's hands traveled up and down her body, roaming vigorously under the fabric of her clothes to touch the hot and smooth flesh of her body.

Serph felt jolts travel to his manhood at the feel of her plump breasts in his hands, and he pressed himself closer to her, earning him a gasp from her already invaded mouth. Hearing her gasp, he released a low moan and immediately proceeded to rip the dress that she wore. The simple dress fell before his merciless hands and he carelessly threw it on the floor.

Argilla's protests came out as incoherent muffled sounds as his tongue continued its invasion in her mouth.

Argilla grabbed a fist-full of his polo shirt, popping its buttons along the way, peeling it off of him with a fervor that nearly matched his enthusiasm. Serph chuckled at her behavior; his little wife was beginning to see things the way he did. She was finally able to enjoy sex, erm, their copulation. But she wasn't going to win. No, Serph was selfish. Generally, Serph was generous, but when it came to matters of intimacy, he wasn't going to throw in the towel without a fight. He chuckled again, against her mouth and grabbed her breast, roughly groping it. Argilla groaned, half in pain and half in pleasure.

She knew that she would have to please him. Whenever his mood was highly elevated, his approach to sex was anything but gentle.

Serph freed her mouth to catch his breath but very soon settled on her neck. She squealed as he bit her soft skin, drawing blood. He sucked every drop of it and Argilla felt her body involuntarily press itself closer to his. He deeply inhaled in her scent and it nearly drove him mad.

Serph's hand now had also shredded her pink underwear and was currently massaging the small of her back. Argilla's hands trailed over Serph's torso, looking for his belt buckle. She quickly undid his belt and undid his pants, letting him slide it off of him.

Argilla momentarily opened her eyes to discover that they hadn't even reached their bedroom! They were still in the hallway. She blinked rapidly and gently pushed him away from her, trying to put some space in between them. Serph looked at her eyes squarely and could see nothing but pure animalistic lust fogging his silver eyes.

"Serph…?"

"What…?" he asked; his voice husky.

"We…we're still in the hallway…"

"I don't care…"

He didn't bother to let her respond as he once again ravaged her already swollen lips. She knew that it was a hopeless case; once Serph had made up his mind, there was no changing it. She let herself drown in his kiss, surrendering.

Serph, feeling his control slip away, lifted her body, forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. Argilla gasped as she felt herself being lifted. This was new for her and it scared her quite a bit. She followed his silent instructions and encircled his waist with her legs. Serph pressed Argilla harder on the wall so as to not lose their balance, and with one fluid stroke, forced his entry in her wet entrance. He left her mouth and opened his eyes to get a look at his wife. She had her eyes tightly shut, and for some reason, he felt annoyed.

"Argilla," his voice softly spoke, "open your eyes and look at me." he commanded. Argilla did as she was told and was met with piercing silver eyes. She felt a lump build in her throat but said nothing.

Satisfied that she had done what was asked of her, Serph then proceeded to carry on the onslaught that he had initiated in her body, allowing his body to go to into an uncontrollable frenzy. Argilla could only hold on to Serph as tightly as she could as he continued his thrusts in her. The pain that she felt that resulted from her back being repeatedly slammed onto the wall was ignored as she only took notice of the pleasing sensation that he provided.

Serph, feeling that the end was near, gathered up all his remaining energy and focused them into his final thrusts that were more urgent and furious than the previous ones.

"Serph…!" Argilla cried out as she had reached her nirvana. He allowed himself one final thrust before joining her in her nirvana. Serph emptied himself in her and he slowly slid their bodies down the wall, his grip on her not losing their hold on her body. Serph lay down on his back, taking Argilla with him.

Argilla panted heavily, lying on her husband's chest, completely drained of energy. She could feel his heart beating rapidly but soon, it slowed down, being normal again as he composed himself. She smiled; she had finally made love to her husband again after waiting for so many months. Serph gently stroked her now disheveled hair and back, "Sssh…just rest…"

She heavily sighed then slowly drifted off to slumber.

Out of habit, Argilla bit her bottom lip in feeling of embarrassment. It was quite silly, Serph would often say, as Argilla would still be terribly embarrassed and shy when the topic and activity came on to ahem, copulation and procreation.

She preferred Serph use the words "copulation" and/or "procreation" rather than sex as she deemed the word to be vulgar. Serph found that cute in her; cute but silly.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Serph shifted from their position, groaning slightly.

"Hey…" he muttered sleepily, gazing into her eyes.

"Hey there yourself…" she smiled lazily up at him.

"Did you get some good sleep?"

"Yes…did you?"

"Not really." he said curtly

"Why is that?" she asked, surprised.

He smirked, "You had a good sleep. But I on the other hand, had to stay awake to carry you all the way in here. And may I remind you that you were heavy."

She smacked him playfully in the arm, "Ow…I was just being honest."

She feigned hurt and pouted, her full lips emphasizing her cause. Serph suddenly grabbed her hands and shifted their positions so that he was on top of her once more, "Don't do that Argilla…" he warned, his eyes once again becoming misty, "You know what that does to me…Or are you in the mood for another session?"

Argilla pulled on her wrists, testing his grip. He tightened his grip as a response to her and she let out a squeal. Serph smirked again, "I didn't think so."

He released her wrists and got off of her, lying, instead, beside her. He grabbed the clock on the bedside table and groaned, "It's 5:15 already. Come on Argilla, we have to get ready for the party."

"Oh, right! Let's hurry Serph!" she said, suddenly bolting from their bed, rushing towards the lavatory, wrapped only in their sheets. Serph followed suit behind her and grasped the door firmly, as she attempted to close it. She looked at him curiously and he wiggled his eyebrow suggestively, "Want some company?"

Argilla grinned back, "Sure…why not?"

xxxxx