Once again, Jean lingered on the deck of the Destiny after they'd finished their battle.

Ronfar had taken to teasing Leo for the friendship the two were forming, and he was constantly insinuating that Leo fancied Jean.

So, Leo hesitated in the doorway that led to the deck. On one hand, he felt compelled to go to her, to help her with the misery that seemed entrenched in her spirit. But on the other, he no longer felt confident about his own motivations.

He'd thought they were friends—close friends, even. He cared for her.

I see the way she looks at you, Ronfar had whispered when they'd stood together, battling in the water ruins. She wants you. And you want her.

Did he?

His feet felt like lead, but finally he forced himself forward until he reached Jean's side.

"Lovely weather today," he said, perhaps a bit too loudly.

Jean raised her brows as she looked at him and then the giant storm clouds looming in the distance.

He coughed into his hand. "Lovely weather now," he clarified, "but the rain is Althena's gift of life to us—"

He stopped. It wasn't Althena's gift. Althena was dead.

Jean laughed. "It's okay, Leo," she said soothingly, and he found himself relaxing. "You don't have to try so hard. I like it better when you're relaxed here with me." She turned to look back at the water. "Do you think there's any future for us?"

He floundered for a moment as he tried to process her meaning. Was she suggesting the two of them become a couple?

His confusion must have been evident, because she quickly explained.

"Hiro has Lucia, Ruby has Nall, Ronfar has your sister, and even Lemina has Ghaleon."

"Lemina and Ghaleon?" He tried to think of them as a couple, but all he could see was Ghaleon zapping Lemina for annoying him if she tried.

Jean laughed again. "Not yet," she told him, "but everyone else can see it but them. Sooner or later, they'll get together, too, and where does that leave us?

"Ronfar think we are together," he blurted, and then immediately wished he could take back the words.

Jean would probably laugh again, and he was beginning to think that perhaps Ronfar had been right. Leo did care for Jean, and maybe it had turned romantic without him even realizing.

But Leo hadn't dated since he'd become the White Knight. He'd dedicated his loyalty and life to the false goddess, and there had been no room or time for anyone else.

And before, well, he hadn't been anywhere as successful as Ronfar with women, and so he hadn't really tried.

He couldn't read Jean's expression, which unnerved him further.

Had he ruined everything with his careless comment?

"You're kind, Leo," she finally said. "Part of me thinks you're too kind to be associated with someone like me, but then I remember your past is dark, too."

Neither of them said anything for awhile.

"I have nightmares," he finally offered. "Ever since I learned the truth about Mauri and the fake Althena."

Jean looked up at him with more sympathy and care than he'd ever expected as she gently put her hand on his arm.

"Have you ever danced, Leo?" Her words were soft, and she reached out with her other hand to pull his hand into her own.

He licked his dry lips. "The Chosen—" he stopped. "The fake goddess forbade it."

"Dance with me." She pulled him into her arms and he went willingly.

Together they moved to the center platform on the deck, and she positioned his hands on her waist as he swallowed.

"Follow my lead." She moved, and he followed until he began to get the idea of what she wanted.

Once he did, he lead, and she followed, and something seemed to shake loose within him. Though he ached to pull her closer, to see if she'd let him if he dared, he twirled her, reaching for her arm to spin her around.

She spun, and then as he let go and moved to pull her close again, she stepped back.

Momentary panic washed through him, but Jean didn't hesitate though he did. She danced around him, and he had to admit she moved fluidly even though she was no longer dressed as the dancer he'd first met.

Once she stood before him again, she reached for his hand, and he pulled her in close.

They repeated the movements, but there was no order or pattern. They seemed to simply move when the moment asked for it, and though there was no music playing, he felt a song from within carry his movements.

At one point they stood toe to toe, looking into each other's eyes, and Leo followed his instincts without thinking.

He bent down to kiss her.

To his surprise, she kissed him back with an agressiveness that suited her wild personality.

And when they parted, it was only to kiss again, and Leo was forced to admit that he did, indeed, want her.

But to his delight, he knew she felt the same.