Camino walked down the city streets and glanced at his watch. It was ten minutes until nine o'clock. Luckily, he had finished the homework that Pan had brought him and was able to get out of the house.

Hurry up! Dark's voice echoed in his head. I don't want to be late.

Camino jumped at the sound of the voice and then sighed. He still wasn't quite used to the idea of having another person in his head that could talk to him. If he hadn't known any better, he would have sought psychiatric help.

Would you relax? Camino thought. We're not going to be late.

For your sake, we'd better not be late! And why won't you let me out yet?

Someone might see you and recognize you as the jewelry store thief. I don't think I need to explain what will happen after that. Camino waited for a reply and was relived when none came.

Camino sensed a familiar ki and turned in its direction. He spotted Scatter in the sky. He looked like he was getting ready to land on the sidewalk.

Oh no, what's he doing here?

He's probably checking up on cousin, Dark teased. Get rid of him. I don't want any interference tonight.

How am I supposed to get him to leave?

You better figure out something... unless you want me to take care of him.

Camino let out an exasperated sigh and continued walking. Eventually Scatter noticed him and his feet touched down on the concrete in front of Camino.

"Oh hey Scatter!" Camino said. "What are you doing here?"

"Pan said she was going over to a friend's house," he replied.

"And..."

Scatter frowned. "I bet she went out here to meet that Dark guy."

Camino grinned and rubbed the back of his head nervously. "That's impossible. No one's heard from that Dark person in a while."

"I don't know..."

"Besides, Pan's smart enough not to get involved with a criminal, don't you think?"

"I guess so, but the other night when she came home I asked her where she'd been and she yelled at me. She said it was none of my business."

Camino could hear Dark's laughter in his head and hesitated. "Oh you know how girls are. She probably just got the feeling that you were being too nosy."

Scatter looked at him for a moment and Camino met his eyes, hoping that he would buy what he said.

Scatter smiled and then finally laughed. "I bet you're right. Now I feel really stupid." He shook his head and then looked down at Camino's clothes. "What are you doing out here?"

Camino glanced down at himself. Dark had instructed that he wear a pair of dark blue jeans with a jacket to match, a white shirt and a pair of black boots. He looked up at Scatter again. "Well...I was on my way to the store. Yeah, my mom forgot to get something and I said I would get it for her."

"Oh. I take it you're feeling better."

Camino blinked. He'd almost forgotten that he had been sick earlier. All he could think about now was getting to Pan without exposing his secret.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No!"

Scatter raised his eyebrows.

"I mean... no thanks," Camino said in a softer tone. "You should just go home." He smiled. "You're probably tired for worrying all day."

Scatter smiled back. "You don't have to rub it in." He levitated off of the ground. "Fine. I'll see you later."

"Later."

He waited until Scatter was out of sight and then let out a breath he hadn't even known he was holding. "Oh man, that was close."

Yes, you're very smooth, Dark said, sarcastically.

Camino frowned and started walking again. His mind was racing and after a while he spoke. Hey Dark, can I just tell Scatter the truth about you? I mean, he's a good friend and maybe he could help in some way.

No way! Absolutely not! You will tell no one about me. Got that?

But...

Not buts! Look, we're at the park now so let me take over.

Camino looked up and sure enough he was standing at the entrance to the park. All right, you can take over, but promise me you won't do anything that will get us in trouble.

I promise. I'll just take her for a moonlit walk around the park. No risks involved there, right?

With you I can't be too sure...

Dark stood on the dirt path in the park and spotted Pan standing by the fountain. He walked toward her and she looked up. She lifted her arm and looked at her wristwatch.

"You're late," she said, placing her hands on her hips.

Dark chuckled and touched her cheek. "You fail to look stern with that grin on your face."

This startled her because she hadn't been aware that she was smiling. Her smile widened and she shook her head. "I can't be mad at you." She closed distance between them and threw her arms around his waist.

He smiled and touched her hair. "I ran into some difficulties on the way here."

She raised her head to look into his eyes. "Did someone see you?"

He touched a finger to her lips. "Don't worry, everything's all right." He bent toward her and placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. "Do you feel like taking a walk?"

"Sure!" She pulled away from him and grabbed his hand. "This way." She pulled him along the path and he hurried so that he wouldn't be dragged.

"Slow down, love," he said, laughter evident in his voice. "We have all night."

"Right."

She came to a stop and he put his arm around her. He led her down the path in the cool air of the night. The stars were twinkling over head and there was a full moon to guide them.

"This feels so right," she said after a while.

"What does?"

"You and me together," she said, inching closer to him. "I've never felt so...so happy before."

Dark smiled. "Neither have I."

"But if people knew that I was seeing you, this would all come to an end. What should we do?" She looked up at him with an earnest look in her eyes.

"Don't worry about that. We're together right now and we will end up together forever. I know that your future is with me and I'll find some way to make that a reality." He stopped and took her hands in his. "When two people experience feelings like this nothing can tear them apart. And if perhaps they do become separated, they'll always be brought together again."

"Oh Dark!" Pan threw herself in his arms again and he held her tightly. "I love you so much." She laughed. "You know, you remind me of someone."

"I do?"

"A boy from school, a childhood friend. His name is Camino and he's always so optimistic. He can make you smile even if the world is falling apart around you."

Dark jerked away from her, his eyes suddenly wild with some emotion that she couldn't put her finger on. She reached out for him and he stepped back.

"Dark?" she asked. "What's the matter?"

"Camino?" he asked. "You're in love with someone else?"

"What?" Her eyes widened. "No! He's just a friend. I love you, Dark." She chuckled. "I didn't know you were the jealous type."

He scoffed. "Jealous? I am not jealous. I just don't want anyone else trying to take you away from me."

She reached out for him again and this time he let her touch him. She put her arm around his waist and he slid his arm over her shoulders. They began to walk down the path again.

Dark! Camino's voice came to life in Dark's mind. What was all that about? I thought you were winning Pan over for us, not just for yourself. I mean eventually we're going to have to tell her the truth.

Right, Dark said. I was just trying to keep her from making the connection from you to me because I'm sure you're aware that we share similarities. The next time she starts to think how you and I are similar, she'll remember the way I reacted and wave off the notion.

Camino didn't say anything else and Dark relaxed a little.

"Look Dark!" Pan cried suddenly. "A pond."

She wiggled out from under his arm and ran over to the pond. She went down to the bank and peered at the dark water. Dark followed her at a much more casual pace.

"Yes. What about the pond?"

She smiled and pointed. "There are ducks sleeping in the water. Aren't they cute?"

He gave a crooked smile and thought about how Camino would probably be much more interested in the ducks than he was. His only thoughts were of Pan, ducks were trivial.

Dark turned and found a bench to sit on. He watched Pan at the water's edge while she admired the nature around them. When she was finished, she went over to the bench.

"Don't you like nature?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I found something more interesting." He pulled her into his lap.

She let out a startled cry and then relaxed against his muscular body. He folded his arms around her and Pan snuggled against his warmth as the wind began to blow.

"How old are you, Dark?" she asked.

He blinked. He hadn't expected her to ask him that. Technically, he was the same age as Camino, but he probably appeared to be much older. "I'm twenty-three."

She smiled up at him. "That would have been my guess."

"You're very perceptive."

She turned her body so that she was facing him. "Thanks."

He pulled her closer and kissed her. She kissed him back and put her arms around his shoulders. He kissed her deeply, as if she were his life force and he was drinking energy from her mouth in order to survive.

He pulled her body even closer, forcing her to sit in his lap with her knees resting on the bench on either side of him. He slid his hands under her shirt and moved then across her back. She shuddered against him.

His fingers found her bra. He had begun to unhook it when she tore her mouth away from his. He looked at her, inches away from her face.

"What are you doing?" she asked, sounding outraged.

She moved off of him and struggled to fix one of the clasps he'd undone. "Please Dark, I don't want to do this now." She shook her head. "We can't do this yet."

"You're right," he said, standing. "I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry." He rested his hands on her shoulders. "We'll do this when you're ready."

"Good," she said, meeting his eyes for a moment and then turning away to hide a blush.

Dark moved his hands off of her shoulders and sighed. He didn't think she would be reluctant about giving herself to him. He loved her so powerfully that he'd just assumed that she felt the same way.

"I know this nice little place where we can sit and look up at the stars," Pan said, finally. "It's not too far away from here."

He looked at her and nodded. "That sounds nice."

Pan had taken him to a field of grass, where they lay down and looked up at the night sky. They lay there for hours and talked a little, but mostly relaxed in each other's arms.

Dark watched her while she slept and smiled. She was so beautiful and she looked so peaceful.

Dark? Why don't you let me take her home? That way if Scatter or anyone else is waiting for her they won't think she was out seeing you.

Fine, Dark said. I should rest anyway.

Dark retreated back into Camino. Camino felt himself come out of the darkness and return to the surface. He sighed, happy to be in control again.

Hey Dark? When he didn't hear anything, he called his name again.

Shut up, idiot! Didn't I say I was tired?

Camino blinked. Oh sorry.

So Dark needed to sleep, too. Camino looked down at Pan. Did this mean that he could do whatever he wanted while Dark was asleep and not have to worry about him knowing? It was worth a try...

He lifted Pan in his arms and she didn't even stir. He smiled at that and headed in the direction of her house.

He carried her until he got to her house. Then he shook her gently in his arms. She twisted in her sleep and finally opened her eyes. When they focused, she was surprised at who she saw.

"Camino?" She looked around. "I'm home?"

He nodded. "I was on my way back from the store and I saw you lying in the park. What were you doing out there?"

"Wasn't there someone with me?" she asked.

"No, you were alone. Why?" He set her down on the ground.

"Remember I told you that I was meeting Dark at the park tonight?"

"Oh yeah," he said, pretending to forget. "Did you see him?"

She nodded. "Yeah and I must have fallen asleep beside him. He probably left when he heard you coming."

"Oh sorry about that."

"Don't worry," she said. "I'll see him again. Thanks for taking me home." She turned toward the walkway and then turned back. "Camino?"

"Hmm?"

"What if you think you really like someone, but they do something to make you feel unsure?"

Camino knew exactly what she was talking about, but he fought to keep his face from showing anger as he remembered Dark trying to take off her bra.

"Maybe you should wait a while and decide if you really want to be with Dark."

Her eyes widened. "But how did you know I was talking about Dark?"

Camino froze for a moment and then laughed. "Well, who else?"

She smiled. "I guess you're right. It was pretty obvious. Thanks for the advice. I'll think about it."

"Sometimes when you think you like someone, you're actually seeing someone else within them. Someone close to you, someone that you can relate to." He met her eyes. "But maybe you never considered them as more than just a friend."

Pan watched him walk away and whispered, "It's like he knows about Dark. It's like..." She laughed at herself. "That's crazy. He doesn't know anything about Dark. He's probably still a little mad at me for turning him down. It's not that he's a bad guy, but I see something more interesting in Dark. A wilder side." She turned and walked to the front door. "But is that what I want?"