Just before sunrise, Jigen woke. He sat up in bed, knees bent, and leaned back against the headboard. Beside him, Alexis was still asleep. He brushed a lock of hair from her face, and felt a heavy hand squeezing his heart. Damn, but he didn't want to go.
For a long time, he watched her as she slept, memorising the colour of her skin, the curve of her lips, and the sound of her breathing. They were things he desperately wanted to remember. Finally, Jigen picked up his cigarettes from the bedside table and lit one. He'd smoked it nearly to the filter before Alexis woke.
She wakened slowly, stretching like a cat before opening her eyes and looking up. She smiled with pleasure at the sight of him.
"You're still here," she murmured. Jigen stretched out his legs, and she curled up to him, slipping her arm around his waist and resting her head against his chest. He crushed out his cigarette and held her tightly, pressing his cheek to her hair, breathing in her scent.
"Where will you go now?" Alexis asked. Her voice was soft. She brought her hand from around his waist and brushed her fingertips over his chest.
Jigen looked down at her, wanting so badly to say 'with you', and knowing he couldn't. Instead, he shrugged slightly.
"Wherever the work takes us, I guess," he said, gazing out at the rosy sky. "Lupin will have his eye on something else soon enough." He gently stroked her hair. "What about you?"
"After Vienna?" she said. She purred softly into his chest, and he bit back a moan. "I think I might spend Christmas in New Orleans." Alexis reached across him and took the Blue Heart from the bedside table. She held it up so they could both see it. "Are you sure you don't want to keep it?" she said.
Jigen shook his head. "It would remind me too much of..." His words trailed off.
"Of me," Alexis whispered, looking up at him.
"Yeah." Jigen held her gaze. "And I have all the memories I need."
Alexis smiled tenderly. "Are you certain you wouldn't like a few more before you leave?" she asked.
Jigen grinned at her and took her face in his hands, pressing his lips to hers in reply. The Blue Heart slipped from her fingers and bounced unnoticed on the floor as they lost themselves in each others' arms.