When James reached the beach, he saw Lillian had set up a blanket on the sand and set her things next to it. He didn't see her at first, but then he looked towards the shallows and saw her pop up for air.

"You finally made it!" She called when she saw him.

"You started without me!"

Lillian chuckled. "Well then hurry up, slagtoth!"

James rolled his eyes and slipped out of his gear, setting it next to hers before joining her out in the shallows.

"Wonderful isn't it?" She asked, her smile growing when he nodded.

"It's nice."

Lillian looked up at the sky. "We still have some time before nightfall." She looked back at him. "Are you sure you want to wait for the shower with me?"

James chuckled. "Of course, Lily, why wouldn't I?"

Lillian smiled. "Good. Come with me, there's something I want to show you."

James took a deep breath and dived under the water after her, following her towards the deeper parts.

Lillian led him towards a cluster of coral that looked very similar to the kind in the highlands, then pointed towards where there were pearl oysters and conch shells decorating the coral walls.

James looked where she pointed, seeing the pearl oysters and conch shells decorating the coral walls similarly to how they did in the Coral Highlands, the various fish ranging from the small goldenfry to gastronome tuna swimming in and out of the coral.

When they resurfaced, Lillian looked at him with a smile. "So, what'd you think?"

"It's amazing how similar it is to the Coral Highlands."

"That was my thought, too. Though, it's far more interesting that there can be that kind of life out of water, too." Lillian said as they made their way back towards the shallows, but then she noticed how he was looking at her and blushed a bit. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

James shook his head. "No, I just love watching how excited you get about stuff like this."

"It's so different here in the New World than it is in the Old World. Things still surprise me."

"I suppose it takes an outside perspective to appreciate things in the same way as you do."

Lillian chuckled. "No, it just takes time and effort to see things differently." She looked at him. "Thanks for coming out with me, James."

"Of course. Can't have you watching the meteor shower alone, can we? That'd just be sad."

Lillian glared at him playfully and splashed him. "Jerk."

James splashed her back, only to earn another in his face. He looked around and saw that she had disappeared under the water. He waited patiently, listening for any sign of her location. Behind him, a small ripple sounded and just as Lillian was about to ambush him and try to dunk him under the water, he spun and wrapped his arms around her.

Squealing, Lillian couldn't help but blush in surprise as James pulled her into his arms and held her firmly against his chest. Her hands rested against his chest, feeling the toned muscles and his heart racing. She looked up at him, her blush deepening when she realized how close his face was. "J-James?"

James looked down at her, the sunlight making the water droplets in her hair and on her face glisten. "You've been a good friend for quite some time now and I really appreciate you helping me stay grounded."

Lillian smiled. "I wouldn't be a very good friend if I didn't, now would I?"

James chuckled. "That may be true, but still. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Lillian's smile grew, even more so when she heard James' stomach growl. "Why don't we dry off and eat?"

James chuckled, rubbing his neck in embarrassment. "That'd be great. I guess I was a lot more hungry than I thought."

"Come on, then."

As they ate the meal that Lu Shen had prepared- which consisted of a dish made with diced steak and rapscallions and a bottle of star brandy, James and Lillian talked about everything from what the Commission's next moves were going to be and any new missions that had been set up to personal day to day things. Before long, sunset had come and gone, dusk turning into complete night.

"Thanks for being patient with me, James. I know I've been a real pain since getting injured."

"Not at all." James replied, chuckling. "Besides, even if you were, I'd still look after you."

Lillian smiled at that and leaned back on the blanket. "I'm glad I've got someone like you to watch my back. As much as I like Sarah, she gets herself in more than enough trouble."

"She means well, but I agree that she's really excitable."

Lillian took a swig from the bottle of star brandy, then offered it to James. "I just wish she'd get her head out of the clouds every once in awhile." She looked up and gasped excitedly, jumping to her feet abruptly. "Look, James, it's started!"

James smiled at that, getting up to stand with her and watch. "It sure has."

They stood there, watching the shower for a few moments in silence.

"Lily?"

Lillian turned to look at James. "Yeah?"

James, thinking back on what his grandfather said earlier, took his chance and leaned in to kiss her. His lips pressed against hers gently and he lingered as long as he dared before pulling away.

Lillian was caught off guard and touched her lips when James pulled away. 'He just kissed me..!'

"You've come to mean a great deal more to me than I ever thought possible. I've been trying to find the right moment to tell you, but I kept missing my chance. Until now."

Lillian searched his eyes, seeing he had that look again and finally understanding what it was. "James..."

James sighed, wondering if he overstepped his boundaries. "I understand if you don't feel the same way, Lily, but I had to tell you."

Lillian searched for something- anything- to say, but she was stunned speechless. James started to turn away, but just as the meteor shower peaked, she grabbed his hand and stopped him, leaning forward and returning his kiss.

James' arms wrapped around her as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. When she pulled away, he looked down at her. "Lily, will you be my girl?"

Lillian smiled and nodded. "Of course I will, you big softie."