A/N These two belong to Tamora Pierce, and we all know that if it was her writing this scene they'd be perfectly in character, so obviously I am not her and do not own them.

I am aware that this fic is terribly out of character, but writing these two helps me work things through in my muddled up head. I can be pondering just about anything, and if I put these two into the situation I can always find a resolution. It's not the best – I'm sorry to make Daine such a whiny little b*tch – but it needed to be written. And since I know that I'm always appreciative of a well written story, in character or not (oh, artistic liberties), I figured there would be people out there who would enjoy it regardless.

Now, as promised, here's the lemon. A thank you to EccentricShadow for being the first to review, and to my dear friend imaginationrunsfree for reading this over, even though she doesn't know the characters. Enjoy!

"Lead on, magelet," he whispered. He'd give her the reins so he'd know that he wasn't pushing her past what she wanted.

Daine pulled her breast band off, letting it fall in a sodden heap next to the tub. Tentatively, she placed one of his hands over her breast. He squeezed gently, kneading his fingers, and she sighed. With agonizing slowness he caressed her breasts, pressing them under his hands and rolling each nipple between thumb and forefinger. Never had a reaction excited him as Daine's did now.

He knew she'd feel the desire rising in his breeches, and he flushed a deep crimson. He was experienced, but everything with Daine felt so new. When she turned around and cupped him through the fabric, it was like he'd never been touched before.

"Daine, are you sure?"

"Stop asking." She smiled, and it was so good to see happiness on her face again. He buried his fingers in her wet curls and pulled her in for a kiss.

When they surfaced for air, Numair's heart was thrumming against his ribs like an owl caught in the chimney. Lazily, Daine dragged her tongue along his bottom lip and he nipped her with his teeth.

Down her hands slid, her fingers tucking into his waistband. She pulled, releasing his erection and exposing his muscled thighs. He kicked them off, leaving them abandoned at the bottom of the tub. He took over for her as she struggled to remove her loincloth.

Even through the distortion of the water, the form of Daine's naked body made his breathing hitch. He knew she'd heard when she smiled shyly and ran her hands down his chest. She stopped before she reached his groin, and he understood the fear in her hesitation.

Taking her by the wrists, he pulled her forward off her knees and turned her around. He held her against his chest, running his hands down her sides. The curves of her waist and hips sent blood coursing to the centre of his desire.

"Numair? Can we?"

He pushed down on the rim of the tub, using his arms to lever himself up from under Daine. She looked at him with eyes full of nerves and concern, so he kissed her, sliding his tongue in between her moist, pink lips.

"I'm not leaving." His voice sounded husky. He laughed; it had been a long time since anyone had stirred his desire as Daine did.

He walked quickly to his workroom, grabbed one of the just-in-case charms he kept and walked back to her as quickly as he could without slipping on the wooden floors.

Daine smiled radiantly up at him, then gasped as the cool metal of the pregnancy charm settled between her breasts. Numair almost moaned seeing its glint there – they were really going to do this.

He stepped into the tub and knelt between Daine's legs. She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a lingering kiss to the flushed skin of his neck.

Numair was often ashamed of his sexual past but, in a way, he was glad that Daine was not the first virgin he would make love to. He'd hurt her, he knew, but he wasn't afraid of tearing the mythical barrier and the rush of blood and pain. He'd keep her relaxed, and make sure things were plenty wet to prevent any bleeding. If he was careful, she should only experience some discomfort at first.

He braced an arm on either side of her head, leaning in so his words brushed her lips. "I love you, Veralidaine Sarrasri." She needed to know that he meant to be with her far beyond this night.

She breathed in his promise, exhaling her own declaration of love. He kissed her forehead, then watched her face carefully as he positioned himself at her entrance. She nodded.

He pushed into her, agonized by the need to go so slowly when she felt so hot and tight around him. Daine's eyes widened, but he saw no trace of fear. She smiled, her eyes rolling up as her lashes fluttered down.

"It feels good," she paused to draw a shaky breath, "to have you inside me." Numair chuckled as the myth was dispelled for her, as well.

Slowly he drew out and pushed back in, out and back in. When he was sure she felt nothing but pleasure, he drove in until their hips met. The head of his erection pushed against her, and she moaned and ground down onto him.

"Numair?"

"Yes, my magelet?"

"I want to feel you come inside me." The words slipped out from lips as pink as her cheeks, and she turned her face into her shoulder in embarrassment.

He kissed her cheek and her lips, drawing her face back up facing him. Knees braced against the sides of the tub, he put his arms around her and hooked his hands up over her shoulders, holding her as he thrust into her. With every thrust came a soft gasp from Daine, getting louder and louder as he drove in harder.

Her gasps became sighs, then moans, then muffled cries as she pressed her lips against his shoulder. The look of bewilderment in her eyes made Numair smile, sure he was giving her pleasure beyond any she had imagined existed.

Numair's whole being trembled as he came, thrusting in time to his body's spasm. Daine cried out, surprised that the experienced pleasure of her own from his climax.

When the tremors stilled, Numair slid slowly out of her. He got out of the bath and held his arms out to Daine for the second time that night, who stepped eagerly into them under very different circumstances. He dried them both with a towel, then put a clean white shirt on Daine and tucked her into his bed. He put on a pair of loose breeches before sliding in behind her, holding her against him as her breathing slowed and evened.

Not even in Numair's wildest dreams had he imagined the events of tonight. He pressed a soft kiss into her damp curls. Next time, he promised her silently, she'd get hers, too.

And he was certain she wouldn't be crying herself to sleep anymore.

Well, I do hope everyone enjoyed. Review and tell me what you think. Things may be quiet here for the first bit of November, but assignments are going to start picking up and then I've got exams in December... What I'm trying to say is that I'll write when I can, but please don't hold your breath. I'd had to have any deaths on my conscious.

Just a final note before I say farewell: if, somehow, you're I've-Seen-the-Fairies and you find yourself reading this, I miss you. What have you been up to? Still writing? I do hope so.