It was Chuck's idea actually. I had to give him credit for it. It was brilliant. We had spent the first twenty minutes of the movie on separate ends of the couch, trying to share the same blanket so we could attempt to keep from freezing. The temperature in the larger room had dropped considerably and the little heater was doing its best, but it was fighting a losing battle.

So Chuck decided our best option was to redecorate.

We spent an hour clearing off the entertainment center so we could move it to the bedroom. Then we reassembled it carefully, returning everything back to the shelves. Once we got the furniture arranged, brought the heater into the smaller room and closed the door, the chill in the air became bearable. My teeth were no longer chattering and I wasn't shivering uncontrollably. So it was a good idea.

The only problem with the plan was the new seating arrangement as we settled in to restart the film.

Chuck stripped down to a pair of pajama pants he found amongst the clothing and I found a night shirt that was several sizes too big and hung nearly to my knees. Then he got into bed and propped himself up on his pillow with his back against the wall. I did the same at first, but I couldn't seem to get comfortable. I wasn't sure why. I tried to ignore it and concentrate on the movie playing. It was one of my favorites, after all, but I couldn't help but wiggle as I tried to find a more comfortable position.

Chuck kept glancing at me with a annoyed look in his eye. I did my best to pretend he wasn't watching me. But it turned out to just make my jitters worse. I had no idea what was wrong with me. Any other time I would have lost myself in Tara and forgot all about the world around me. But this time, I could just couldn't concentrate.

Halfway through, Chuck paused the DVD. " What is wrong with you ?"

" Nothing." I lied quickly.

" You're ruining the movie. Why can't you sit still ?" He pressed.

" I just can't get comfortable." I admitted.

" How can I help ?" He offered. " What can I do to make you comfortable ?"

" I don't know."

He looked at me carefully before sighing and raising the blankets that lay between us from the bed. "You're still cold. Come closer."

I looked at him doubtfully. Then I remembered the bathroom and the way he hadn't tried one time in our conversation to ogle me even though I was completely naked in front of him. He hadn't once looked anywhere but at my face.

I moved closer, sitting with my back rigid and my arms tucked into my sides.

He started the movie again and I let myself sink into it finally. Slowly, I began to relax, letting my shoulders slump and without my noticing, the tension was easing from my back. I leaned back against what I thought, at first was the pillow, but then, when it moved, realized was Chuck's chest. His arm snaked around my waist and he drew me closer still, but his hand stayed resting on my stomach.

Normally, he would have tried to cop a feel. Normally, he would have made a move. I expected any moment to feel his breath brushing over my shoulder. I expected to hear him sighing into my ear. I was anticipating the moment when he would lean closer and whisper something obscene.

But none of that happened. He just watched the movie. He watched and held me against him and did nothing at all Chuck-ish.

I was shocked.

I had no idea how to react to him at the moment. The moment I moved into his arms, I'd felt the electricity that always seemed to vibrate through me when we touched. The wonderful, heady jolt of pleasure that rocked me whenever we came into contact.

But apparently, he hadn't noticed it. Or he was ignoring it. Or maybe just wasn't feeling it any longer.

I wasn't sure how I felt about that prospect. I know I told him to leave me alone. I know I told him that I never wanted him to touch me again.

But had I really meant it ? Did I really never want to feel him holding me ever again ? Was I really ready to pronounce our relationship well and truly over ?

Obviously, he had. Obviously, he was taking me at my word. He wasn't pushing me like he always did. He wasn't bombarding me with seduction and tempting me into giving in.

He was leaving me alone. Chuck was leaving me alone.

I suddenly felt very, very lonely, a little hurt and definitely abandoned.

How could I be mad at him for doing just what I asked him to do ?

How was I going to handle that ? Could I just sit up and slap him on the shoulder and tell him I hadn't really meant it ? Could I pout and throw a fit until he demanded to know what was wrong ? At which point I would say what ? I was only teasing when I said don't ever touch me again. My other personality is the one that hates you. I changed my mind.

No, none of that was even close to reasonable. I made my bed, now it was time I laid in it. This was how things between us were going to be from now on. There was no changing that. I couldn't go back.

No matter how much I wanted him to hold me tighter. No matter how desperately I wanted to feel his hands brushing over my breasts.

It was just lust that was driving my desires. I had dealt with lust before. I could overcome lust. I was more than just a walking hormone. I would not give in.

Suddenly, he sat up straighter, nearly knocking me over in the process and his eyes were wide with horror.

I glanced at the screen, bringing my mind back to the movie and saw that Bonnie, Rhett and Scarlet's child, had just died.

It was a very emotional part of the movie. The climax of the entire three hours. The look on his face was priceless as he watched the scene play out in front of him. I nearly laughed out loud. He was very close to tears himself.

I think, since Bonnie had died by being thrown from a horse, if there had been a horse nearby, Chuck would have shot it. Regardless of whether it was the offending animal or not.

He settled back finally as the mood of the movie carried his emotions in a different direction. I watched in fascination as his shoulders finally relaxed and he unconsciously pulled me back into his side.

His chin was resting on my shoulder and his arms were wrapped a lot tighter around my waist this time, as if he were clutching me like some kind of defense against another shock to his emotions.

When it came at the very last scene of the movie, he tensed again, his eyes completely transfixed on the screen as Rhett Butler spoke his infamous line, Frankly, My Dear, I don't give a damn.

Chuck was blinking rapidly, watching the television with something close to outrage written on his face.

As the scene faded to black, he raised me off of him and ran his hand through his hair, clearly distressed. " That's it ?" He asked, his voice higher than normal. " That's how it ends ? They don't end up together ? He just leaves her like that ?"

I laughed finally, unable to contain myself any longer. I had found much more enjoyment in watching him experiencing the movie for the first time than I ever would have watching it myself.

I hadn't expected him to become so engrossed, so enthralled.

" Yes, that's it. That's all there is." I told him.

" Well, that's ridiculous. How could he just take off like that ?" He demanded, jumping from the bed and taking the DVD from the player. " He had to know that he won't ever be able to live without her."

I nearly gasped in shock. Chuck was a romantic. Where the hell had he been hiding that all these years?

" But she pushed him as far as she could. There comes a point when the best thing you can do, for your own survival is to walk away." I explained.

" But it's him and it's her and they can't be who they really are without the other one. It's just a lie, just passing time." He babbled, clearly upset.

" I don't understand. She was Scarlet before she met him. He was Rhett before he met her. They can exist without the other one. It is possible. They might not be happy, but they can exist. And eventually they'll move on and find someone else that makes them just as happy." I argued, though how I ended up on this side of the argument was beyond me. Normally, I'm the romantic, idealistic one in the group.

" No," he protested vehemently. " They aren't who they really are without the other one. Without her, his just a deadbeat, scoundrel that's always in trouble. She makes him want to be better than that. Without him, she's just a spoiled, self-serving princess that's never happy no matter what. He makes her see that the world is bigger than her. That caring about someone is more important than herself."

I gapped. My mouth was hanging opened and I was staring at him like he had just admitted to being an alien or killing J.F.K. Or something equally as mind shattering.

" Are you on your period or something ?" I asked, not even realizing I was talking out loud. I was just so taken aback by this man that never showed any real emotions other than hate and lust, I had no idea what of think of this insightful, fanatical, deeply impassioned person in front of me.

He shot me a hateful glare, then turned to the library of movies on the shelf. " I'm picking the next one. I think I saw Rambo here somewhere."

I jumped up and went to touch his shoulder. " I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting that reaction from you."

" Well, maybe there's more to me than you think." He muttered, still hurt at my outburst.

" You picked that one. It was your idea. I get to pick the next one. It's only fair. Besides I am not sitting through Rambo." I told him as I shoved him out of the way.
" I'm not sitting through another movie like that one." He argued, shoving me back.

" We'll just have to agree on one then." I answered, sounding perfectly reasonable as I shoved him again.

He returned my shove with a little more force than he meant to and I nearly toppled over as his hip connected with mine. He grabbed for me, and stepped forward as he tried to catch me, but somehow our feet got tangle up together and we fell backwards onto the bed in a heap.

He managed to shift at the last moment and I landed squarely in the middle of his chest with a humph.

I heard all the air go out of his lungs as my body came full force down on him. His arms were wrapped around me, shielding me against the fall.

When I finally managed to get my bearings I found myself inches away from his lips and staring straight into his startled eyes.

I was frozen and so was he, neither of us knowing exactly what to do next. For a moment, all I could think about was how wonderful his arms felt. How much I loved the feel of his breath skating over his cheek as he struggled for air. How strong and solid and divine his chest felt as it moved against mine. I wanted to sink into him, to let myself fall into his kiss and his embrace and just him. I wanted to fall into him, to everything about him, to be surrounded by him.

But I held myself in check, having no idea where I found the strength. I pulled back and smiled down at the bemused look on his face. " How about I let you pick the movie as long as I get to approve it ?"

I struggled around until I was laying by his side and he finally smiled back at me. " It's a deal."

We argued over several titles until we finally both agreed on 'Titanic', another one he had never bothered to see.

We went through the same process with this one. The love scene made me nervous as I laid back against my human pillow and I swear I felt his hand twitch where it was resting at my waist. But again, he made no move. He just sat relaxed and still and watched the movie.

We got up once in the middle to pop some popcorn and grab sodas, but other than that, neither of us budged until the huge ship sunk and Rose lost her love forever. I was beginning to see a pattern emerging. Was it our subconscious trying to tell us something that both movies we picked were deeply romantic and both turned out badly ?

At the end, as Jack drifted out of her hands and faded into the icy waters, Chuck abruptly sat up and snatched the television off. Then he ran his hands through his hair roughly. " What the hell are you trying to do to me ?" He demanded, turning his gaze on me sharply. This time I knew I saw the signs of moisture in the corners of his eyes.

But then, what kind of person can watch Titanic and not be emotionally effected by it ? I remembered when Nate took me to see it. He was crying nearly as much as I was by the end.

" I'm not doing anything to you." I answered. " You picked both of the movies. Not me."

He huffed and tossed the remote on the bed. " I think I'm done with the movies for tonight." He announced testily.

" Oh, come on," I pleaded. " Don't be like that. Let me try this time. Just one more then we can go to bed. I promise I will pick one that will restore your faith in movie romance."

He laughed. Well, more like chuckled, but I was glad to see he wasn't really upset.

I scanned the titles in front of me until one in particular jumped out and I stopped on the spot. It was perfect. A romance to end all romances. A love story that prevails against all the odds. Sword fights and pirates, kidnappers and torture. A fight to the end and good triumphing over evil. If there was ever a movie to lift one's spirits and reaffirm their faith in love, it was this movie, to be sure.

I slipped ' The Princess Bride' into the player and settled back in my spot against him.

" You'll like it, I promise." I whispered as the tale began.

We were both completely transfixed by the screen. It had been years since I'd seen the movie and I fell in love with it all over again as each scene played out.

As you wish

Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

Good night, Westley, Good work, sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning. Chuck found this line particularly hilarious.

Inconceivable !Another of Chuck's favorites. The entire scene between Westley and Vizzini drinking poisoned wine made him laugh out loud.

He clutched me tightly as Buttercup and Westley struggled through the forest and fought off the R.O.U.S.. He grabbed me again as Westley plunged into the quicksand to save her.

He tensed as Prince Humperdinck and Count Rugen snatched her away from his side.

He sat up straighter as Buttercup announced to the Prince. Westley and I are joined by the bonds of love. And you cannot not track that, not with a thousand bloodhounds. And you cannot break it, not with a thousand swords.

He eyed my suspiciously when it was announced that Westley was dead. But laughed uproariously when Miracle Max waved the heroes on their way, telling them cheerfully, Goodbye, Boys. Have fun storming the castle.

But the last part of the movie, the climatic scene between Prince Humperdinck and Westley, quieted him completely and he watched with his shoulders tense and his mouth agape as Westley told the smug Prince, To the pain means the first things you'll lose are feet below the ankles. Then your hands at the wrists. Next, your nose.

Prince Humperdinck looked bored as he commented, Next, I suppose will be my tongue. I killed you too quickly last time, a mistake I don't wish to duplicate tonight.

Chuck grabbed me as the scene intensified.

Westley shifted slightly on his bed as he continued, I wasn't finished, the next thing you'll lose will be your left eye, followed by your right.

The Prince waved his sword at him impatiently. And then my ears, I understand. Let's get on with it.

Chuck jumped slightly as Westley shouted, Wrong ! Your ears you keep and I'll tell you why. So that every shriek from every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out " Dear God ! What is that thing !" will echo in your perfect ears. To the pain means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery forever.

" I have got to remember that speech." Chuck muttered as he continued to watch without blinking.

The Prince looked unsure but shrugged and uttered, I think your bluffing.

Westley shrugged in return, It's possible, Pig. I might be bluffing. It's conceivable, you miserable vomitous mass that I'm only laying here because I lack the strength to stand. But then again...perhaps I have the strength after all.

As Westley slowly rose and pointed his sword at the Prince, Chuck's hand gripped mine so tightly it was nearly painful as Westley said, DROP...YOUR.....SWORD.

I heard him gasp as the words rang out in the quiet room.

When the credits rolled he turned to look at me intently. " That was the best movie I've ever seen." He whispered so quietly I nearly didn't hear him.

I just nodded and smiled at him.

" That last scene. Oh my God !" He exclaimed. He was like a child suddenly, no longer brooding and World-wise. He had a look of wonder and innocence on his face that I had never seen there before.

" Okay." I announced. " Now I know you've turned into a girl."

He picked up his pillow and threw it at me.