Author's note: Hello, everyone! I know it took me long to update but finally I did! Think this as a belated valentine's gift. I promise you'll like it.

Special thanks to my reviewers: Toboe-Angel, Blackraven-Ying, Blackdranzergurl, lil phoenix tears, chibiwolfgurl, Hikari, Armith-Greenleaf, Emi-chan and her 3 spirits, Azn-V-Kai, Shitza, Xx Shadow xX2, Moonlight Kitten, puppalupp2008 and Beyblade-gal.

Chapter 10

When Kai got to the Summer's residence on Saturday at exactly seven, very much to his relief, Jade's father wasn't home. He knew the man didn't like him much and was reluctant to let Kai date his daughter. But thanks to Ivy, here he was dressed in a black tux. With a bouquet of flowers in one arm, he knocked the door and waited patiently for it to be opened. When it did, Ivy Summers stood on the other side with a smile on her face.

"Good evening, Miss Summers." he said politely.

"Well, hello, Kai. Come in." the woman stepped aside to let him in and closed the door behind him. "Make yourself at home. Jade'll be down in a minute."

Kai nodded and glanced about the small but homely living room. Strangely, he found himself more at home here than his own house. His gaze drifted over the many family pictures on the wall. There were pictures of Jade as a baby, riding her father's shoulders and a pre-teen Jade accepting an award for something. On the coffee table was a framed picture of Jade surrounded by a group of children. In every picture she was smiling and Kai found her smile, well, enticing.

"Hello, Kai."

Her voice drew his gaze away from the pictures and to her. A stunning sight greeted him. Jade stood before him with her long silky dark hair pulled up in a Chinese style up-swept. She wore a simple red cheongsam that hugged every curve on her slender body. A fire bird decorated her skirt and a long slit ran up her left leg, just cutting off below the knee. A small smile graced her pinked lips when she took in the way he stared at her.

"How do I look?" she asked.

Kai blunted out the first word that came to mind. "Beautiful." he said, finally getting over his awe. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." she suddenly felt self-conscious and glanced at the floor, blushing. "You too. I mean in a guy way..."

"Here." he held out the flowers. "These are for you."

Her face lilted up as she accepted the flowers. "They're lovely, Kai. Thank you."

Ivy slipped the flowers from her daughter's arm and smiled. Well, these should brighten up the place for a while. I'll go put them in water. You kids have fun, okay."

"Thanks, Miss Summers." Kai said, opening the door for Jade.

"Bye, mom." Jade gave her mother a quick peck on her mother's cheek before stepping out. Quickly, she mouthed a thank you to her mother and allowed Kai to lead her to his car waiting for them at the curb. He held the door opened for her and after she had slidded in, got in himself.

"So where are we going?" she asked as he started the engine.

The grin on him was positively devilishly gorgeous. "It's a surprise."

The waterfront restaurant he took her to was beautiful. It held a sophisticated environment he thought she would love. She did. He could see it on her face when she saw the place. Her face had lilted up like an innocent child on Christmas day. Kai was glad he had chosen this place for their date. It was obvious Jade didn't come to places like this often.

"Oh, Kai. It's lovely here." she said breathlessly, gazing out that the open waterfront where they were directed to by a waiter.

Kai had made sure they got the best table out-looking the slow moving water and the bright full moon in the sky. Like the perfect gentleman, he helped her into her chair and sat down across her.

"I'm glad you like it here." he said.

"Do you bring all your dates here?" she asked teasingly.

"No. Only you." he replied with a wary smile.

A blush crept up her cheeks and she smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand in gratitude. "Thank you for asking me."

"My pleasure." he said sincerely.

She looked out the window and stared at a boat that as passing by the restaurant, its lights blazing. For a moment she seemed lost in wonder. "It's beautiful here."

"So are you." Kai said.

She turned her eyes back to him and there was a sad look in them. "You don't mean that."

"Yes." he said quietly. "I do. You're beautiful."

They held hands as they talked and waited for dinner. They talked about some of he things that had happened in the past between them and he apologized for treating her the way he did. She had forgiven him and laughed it off cheerily.

Dinner was delicious. They had both ordered sea bass and salads and when the waiter finally removed their plates, the music started up. A few old couples took to the dance floor and started to dance with their partner to the slow melody played by the hired band. Jade and Kai watched them for a few minutes before he offered a hand to her. She accepted it and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.

Being the only teenagers there, everyone soon started to watch them as they glided around the floor. There were wistful smiles as seeing a young couple fall in love brought back memories to the watching spectators.

Kai felt himself relaxed as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh. It felt peaceful just holding her. He wondered if anything in his life had ever been this perfect and knowing at the same time that it hadn't.

"Kai?"

"Hm?"

Jade pulled back slightly, looking into his crimson eyes. "Why are you doing this?" she asked. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because I figured you had something good coming your way after all you've been through." he said. "That you need someone to support and protect you."

She shook her head. "Kai, you can't be my friend. I've-." her throat closed painfully and she stopped herself.

"I don't want to be just your friend." he said with insistence.

"You don't know what you want." she muttered, looking away.

"Neither do you." he replied. "Maybe you're just too scared that someone might actually want to be with you."

She snorted quietly. "And why would that scare me?"

He touched her cheek gently and turned her face to him. "Because then you wouldn't be able to hide behind your books or your faith. No, you know the real reason why you're scared? It's because you wanna be with me too." he hesitated and added softly. "The same way I want to be with you. Jade...I love you."

Her eyes widened in disbelief and her gaze searched his face. For along moment she didn't say anything. Kai grew uneasy. What if she didn't have feelings for him the same way he did for her?

"Now would be the time to say something." he said uneasily.

A smile broke across her stunned face and she said very softly. "I told you not to fall in love with me."

Relief washed over him and Kai smiled too. He tilted his head lower to her and whispered against her lips. "I might kiss you now."

She smiled faintly, tilting her head back slightly. "I might be bad at it."

"That's not possible." he chuckled lowly, remembering clearly the kiss they shared during the play. It had been unexpected and nice but it was pale in comparison to the kiss they shared now.

They lips met gently at first, uncertain. Then it grew from there, becoming more passionate and filled with longing. She sighed softly, trembling in his arms. Their lips broke apart but only slightly.

"How was it?" she asked huskily.

Kai tilted her face closer to him again and smiled softly at her. "It was perfect. You're perfect."

They kissed again and she melted into his arms, sighing in contented pleasure as for once something in her life was perfect.

Later he drove her down the highway and pulled to a stop at a billboard that read 'Welcome to Cawil' in big bold letters. Jade was puzzled when he told her to follow him. There was a secretive look on his face that she has never seen before.

"Follow me." he said, helping her out of the car. He took her gently by her hand and led her to the middle of the road.

"What's it, Kai?" she asked laughing as he pulled her along until they stood facing each other in the center of the road. "Now would be a very bad time for a truck to come by." she said jokingly.

"Stand here." he instructed. "Spread your feet like this."

She followed, moving her feet to stand apart. "Okay...I'm standing."

"You're currently straddling the state line." he told her with a small grin.

She was still confused. "Okay..."

"You're in two places at once." he said.

She stared at him and a grin appeared on her face as she threw her arms around him, hugging him for all its worth. "Oh, Kai! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

He hugged her back, liking the way she fitted against him. Her hair was soft where his cheek brushed against it. Her sweet scent engulfed his senses. His heart swelled with love for her like he had never felt before for anyone else.

She smuggled her face into his shoulder and whispered softly. "I love you, Kai."

Five minutes to ten, the car drew up to the front of Jade's house. Kai turned off the engine and helped Jade out of the car. She was smiling so beautifully, her face radiating her happiness.

"I really had fun, Kai." she said as he walked her to the door hand in hand.

"I'm glad you did." he said.

She leaned in and brushed a light kiss across his cheek. "Thank you."

And her words filled with sincerity, gratitude and love meant a lot to Kai. They climbed up the two steps to the front veranda and paused, reluctant to part. Fortunately, Jade solved the problem for them.

"Would you like to sit down for awhile?" she offered cheerily, gesturing at the swing at the end of the veranda.

Kai nodded. They sat down, still holding hands. It was nice that way, just the two of them with each other and no worry in the world, at least for the moment.

"I have fun too." he admitted.

She smiled, laying her head to rest against his chest. "I know."

He glanced down at her, surprised. "You did?"

"I can see it on your face. In your eyes." she explained. "And I'm happy that you did have fun."

"Me too." he said, mentally reminding himself to never to underestimate her gift to see into a person's soul. It was what that made her special. Her heart. Her kind heart to reach out to others and love them unconditionally. Her heart to show compassion and love to where the world had abandoned. That was her gift.

And as much as he found it hard to admit, it felt nice to do something for someone out of the sincerity of your heart. In his mind, he could clearly remember and always will remember the look of joy on her face when he told her he loved her and when he helped her achieve one of her wishes. It was the nicest thing he had ever done for someone else.

"It's late." he said after a few minutes of silence between them, basking in each other's presence. "I should go."

She nodded. "You should."

He gave her a quick kiss on her lips and said with a wary smile. "I'll see you tomorrow."

For one brief second, she was confuses by what he meant then she smiled, remembering. "Okay."

With a delayed goodbye, Kai headed to his car and climbed in. He glanced back to make sure she stepped into her house safe and sound before he droved home with the memory of this night forever in his mind.

Author's note: Well? Did you like it? Happy Belated Valentine's Day, Beyblade Fans!