Chapter 3:

17 1/2 years earlier…...

It was pouring out as Cassie made her way down the steep path down the bluff towards the beach. It had been 3 weeks since Adam had attacked them and stolen the Crystal Skull. 3 weeks of endless searching for him, three weeks of her being unable to sense his presences…. But that was to be expected when you were corrupted by the black magic housed inside the crystal. If it wasn't for her and Diane, Adam would not have been taken control of by the stupid piece of stone.

She shivered as the water from above rain down the nape of her neck, and slowly crept down her spine.

She had long since stopped trying to keep the rain from soaking her, she just needed to get away.

They had all given up. The circle had admitted defeat when it came to finding Adam. They wanted her to stop too. But stopping meant risking the chance of never seeing him again, and that was something she could not live with.

As she made it to the bottom of the path, she headed towards the water. No doubt the present storm was the result of her emotions. She had learned long ago that she and Diane could do much more than just regular circle magic. After all she had darkness within her, just like her father.

The waves lapped at her feet soaking her boots to the point where her feet became drenched.

She took a step into the waves and was splashed up the front of her. She could taste the salt on her lips as she licked them.

"Cassie!" a voice in the wind called.

She ignored it as she took several more steps into the water, the waves lapping at her breast. The lighting lighting up the dark grey sky, as a loud crash of thunder followed. As her emotions got the better of her, she was losing her control on her magic.

"Cassie Stop!" yelled the voice again.

Cassie looked over her shoulder, to find Nick standing on the beach ankle deep in the water.

Another flash of lighting light the sky, and a massive wave knocked Cassie off her feet, sending her into the dark water.

"Why fight it." Cassie thought as the salt water stung her eyes. The waves kept rolling above her as she did little to nothing to stop them from knocking her around and dragging her out further into the water.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and began to hoist her up towards the surface.

They continued to carry her as they moved closer and closer to the sand away from where she wanted to be.

Nick collapsed down on his knees beside her, "Dammit Cassie! What do you think you were doing?"

Cassie just stared up at the sky. Rain hitting her face.

"Cassie look at me!" Nick demanded.

Turning her head slowly she looked into his brown eyes. He held a look of concern.

"I can't give up." She all but whispered.

"Cassie…." Nick sighed lifting her up so she was sitting, "Adam made his choice when he stole the Crystal, now you need to make yours. Don't hold on to something that might not ever happen. He's gone."

Cassie didn't realize she was crying till Nick wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she was burying her head in his chest.

That was the first time he ever held her…

"Why are you trying to comfort me?" Cassie whispered not looking up at Nick.

"Because you don't deserve to be treated like that." Nick stated moving from his seat beside her to crouch between her legs.

Cassie looked away.

"Hey." Nick said using his hand to move her head back so that she was looking at him.

"You should hate me just as much as he does." she whispered.

"I can't hate you Cas. Was it stupid of you to lie to Adam about everything yes, am I a little mad yes. But, I don't hate you." Nick said.

"I did it to protect you." Cassie said, "Adam still has darkness in him, even when we destroyed the Crystal of part of it still held residence in him. I could feel it. If i had told him about you and I then he would have killed you. So when you left town, I just pretended nothing happened between us." Cassie took a breath, "But then I found out I was pregnant and I got scared of what Adam would do if he found out it wasn't his. By then you had vanished off the face of the earth, not even Diane and my powers combined could find you."

"I shouldn't have left you." Nick said, "I should have stayed."

"You had to grieve for your brother. Diane told me not to expect you to return, that like your brother you need to run away to grieve."

Cassie turned away from him, "It didn't matter in the end, because Adam's anger got the better of him. I couldn't protect her. Because of me Adam might very well turn into the monster i have been fearing for the last 17 years."

"Do not take blame for Adam's actions." Nick said getting to his feet, "If anything I am to blame, I started us down this bath, when i kissed you that day on the beach."

Cassie closed her eyes remembering the calm after the storm so many years ago.

The cloud above head began to break, and the stars began to shine above them, as Cassie's cries slowly turned to shivers. The cold October air began to bite at her wet clothes and sting her exposed skin.

Nick noticed this and tightened his arms around her hoping to generate some heat for them to share.

Cassie turned her gaze out onto the now calm ocean, "He's really gone isn't he?"

She could feel Nick nod in response.

"When my mom died I thought nothing could possibly feel any worse, but i was wrong." Cassie said.

"You will heal." Nick replied, "It took Jake and I years to come to grips on what happened to our parents but the circle helped us mend. We'll help you mend too."

Cassie lifted the corner of her mouth to smile a bit, "Nick?"

"Hmm…" he replied.

"Thanks for not letting me drown." Cassie whispered.

A chuckle erupted from deep within him, "Anytime, just promise me something."

"What?" Cassie asked looking up at him.

"No more late night thunderstorm swimming." Nick whispered.

She gave a simple nod.

She doesn't remember what made her reach up and wipe a piece of hair of his forehead but she does, and Nick smiles down at her before leaning in a gently placing his lips upon hers.

She tastes like salt water is the first thing Nick thinks about, as her lips start to move against his.

His tongue darting out to push it's way past hers. She doesn't put up much a fight, and grants him passage. His tongue claims her mouth as she lets out a moan and raise her other hand to grab hold of the hair at the nape of his neck.

Nick takes this as a good thing and grabs her by the waist pulling her into his lap.

"This is crazy" Cassie thought as she fought him for control over the kiss.

Nick was the first to break away. A small smile on his face before he buried his head in the crook of her neck behind her messy sand infested hair.

"I should probably be heading back home." Cassie finally whispered after they had been sitting there for a few silent moments.

Nick gave a gentle nod, and released his grip on her waist to allow her to climb off his lap. Getting to his feet he picked up his leather jacket from behind him and offering his hand.

Cassie hesitated at first but then entwined her fingers with his, as they slowly made their way up the bluff, back to the road.

Cassie touched her fingertips to her lips. Nick was about to say something, but was interrupted by some clearing their throat behind him.

So what do you guys thing. Hit me up with a review, and i might just continue updating.

xoxox

-Cassie