A/N I own nothing.

Chapter Nine

She looked absolutely beautiful. Apparently, she had fell asleep reading; an open book lay next to her. She was still in yesterday's clothes, a pair of low- rise hip hugging jeans that fit her perfectly and a black thin strapped tank top that had pulled up slightly in her sleep. James could see the smallest sliver of creamy midriff. Lily's hair was in disarray and falling from her ponytail, framing her face which was pink from the warmth of the dying fire. He reached forward and gently pushed a single strand off her face. The warmth of her face felt so pleasant against his freezing fingers. She stirred slightly turning to her side. Her eyes flickered lightly as she opened them, blinking up at him.

"James." She whispered, her voice was thick with groggy sleep. She closed her eyes again for a moment before asking, "What time is it?" Lily seemed to look around for some indicator of the time, before her eyes fell again on him.

"Oh, about six A.M. I think." He told her passively. She nodded closing her eyes again before it sunk in. Lily looked at him intently, opening her eyes fully.

"James!" anxiety filled her voice as she pointed at his shoulder. He glanced down at his chest, which had blood trailing down it from the gash in his shoulder. He forgot he wasn't wearing a shirt, but Lily didn't seem to mind. "What happened?" she looked up at him, appalled.

"Nothing Lily, don't worry about it, I am fine." He told her, before adding tenderly, "Do you want me to carry you up to bed?" She knew he had changed the subject, but the question threw her. It occurred to her suddenly that he stood in front of her in just jeans. She had never noticed how tan he was. Lily openly let her eyes drink in the sight. James wasn't bulky, yet muscular and toned anyway. Lily's eyes travelled from his smooth chest down to his abs. they were gorgeous, tan and toned. His jeans fell low, baggy but still fitted somehow. She could see his hips, forming a V below his abs. Lily blushed thinking about what was just below the top of his jeans.

"Lily?" amusement played in James' tone. She seemed shocked to hear his voice, as if she had forgotten he was there at all.

"I…" she seemed dazed and groggy still. "What?" she asked, deciding to act as if she was not just gawking at his half naked body. He smiled broadly at her, finding this very amusing and deciding he really liked when she was sleepy like this. She seemed much less reserved. Lily blushed deeper, and it didn't go unnoticed.

"Do you want me to carry you up to bed?" James repeated himself.

"Oh… um, no." she seemed to think that was a very bad idea. "I'm comfortable here." She settled back into the couch, closing her eyes again. James hesitated not sure whether to stay or leave. "James?" Lily sighed, her eyes still closed.

"Yes Lily?" he whispered.

"I'm glad we are friends now." She smiled lightly.

"Yeah…" he hesitated, "me too." She was too sleepy to her the anguish in his voice.

A/N: Mwahaha. What will happen next? Only I the all powerful knows. Give me just one review and you could know too. Thanks guys.