*this chapter is rated M. i think that the events that take place in this chapter are important for the rest of the fic, but if u don't feel comfortable reading it, u can skip this chapter since what happens here will be mentioned in general in the next chapter :)

It was not until the beginning of spring break that Kahlan finally felt that she can breathe easy. Everybody was gone, including Richard. As much as she missed him, the last months silence made things awkward between them and all she wanted was to spend some time alone, without the fear of seeing him ran off once she entered the room. She could have gone back to Aydindril, but being among all the other confessors and constantly reminded of her duty was the last thing she wanted. She told her confessor friends she needed to study and didn't want to waste time on the trip. It was a fairly reasonable explanation since the trip to Aydindril was long and hard, and Kahlan did seem to have trouble concentrating lately. After saying their goodbyes, Kahlan took a deep breath and headed to her dorm for some rest. A few days later, after spending her time on sleeping and reading she decided to finally get some work done and went to the library. She was planning on afternoon of catching up but the minute she stepped into the library her plans changed abruptly. Sitting there next to one of the tables and reading was only one other person. When she walked in, he lifted his eyes from the book he read and looked up at her. Kahlan froze, looking directly into Richards eyes.

XXXXXXX

Without the need to avoid Kahlan all the time, Richard was able to catch up on some work and figured that in a few days he will even have some spear time. He was looking forward to getting some sleep and reading the letters his friend and family wrote. He felt quiet optimistic when he set in the library that afternoon, that is until Kahlan walked in. First, he too froze and his heart stopped. But when the seconds passed he suddenly realized that it was the first time in weeks that he and Kahlan were in the same room, and neither of them left. He got up quickly and walked up to Kahlan who averted her eyes yet did not move. Suddenly and without warning he took another step closer to her and wrapped his arms around Kahlan. He was so happy to see her, hold her and smell her scent. She was the missing part of his soul and it felt so good to be reunited with her. It seemed as if Kahlan felt the same way, since she returned his hugged. After a few long moments, the broke apart, and Kahlan was the first to speak.

"I missed you so much, Richard. It feels like ages since I was close to you."

"I misses you too, Kahlan. It's just hard to…." Richard's words trailed off and he stared at the floor. A minute later he felt a gentle hand squeezing his own and looked up to see Kahlan smiling. "Its okay, Richard. I know. But would it hurt if we talked for a bit? We haven't done that in such a long time…"

Richard smiled in return. He closed his book and followed Kahlan out of the library. They wondered around the campus and talked, and it felt almost like old times. When the sun set, Richard walked Kahlan to her dorm joking about how now that the school was empty, he was free to walk her to her room without worrying that he would be caught in the girls dormitory.

Than they were next to her door, saying goodbye. It was quiet and all of a sudden Richard realized that they were truly alone. In that moment, he felt like something in him exploded and he couldn't do it anymore. In a heart beat, his lips were on hers and the world was spinning.

XXXXX

She wasn't sure how it happened or how she managed open her door but there they were, in her room, kissing. She and Richard where in her room, kissing. It was dangerous and perhaps stupid but it felt so great. He felt so great. His mouth on hers, his hands around her waist, pulling her closer and closer until there was no room between them. She ran her hands all over his back, feeling his muscles contract under his shirt. It was so intoxicating, and she couldn't catch her breathe. She never wanted this to end.

XXXXXX

Richard could feel himself losing control with every kiss, with every touch, with every breath. Kahlan was so close and so warm. Their kissing continued and deepened as they neared her bad. When they could go no further, Richard broke the kiss and pulled back, gently laying Kahlan down on the covers. Slowly, he climbed on the bad and moved over her, resting on his elbows a few inches above her. He looked down at her, using the tips of his fingers to brush a strand of hair from her face. She had never looked more beautiful than right now, lying under him panting and vulnerable, her eyes filled with love and desire. He wanted her so badly it hurt but he wouldn't move until he knew she was completely sure.

His voice was no more than a whisper as he spoke. "Kahlan… do you want me to stop? We don't have to do anything you don't want to…" smiling, Kahlan reached up and silenced him with a finger on his lips.

"My Richard," she said softly "I love you. I love you so much. Please don't stop. I want you so badly."

"I love you too, my Kahlan. I will do as you wish." And then he kissed her once more.

XXXXXXX

Their clothes disappeared rapidly. Richards's shirt was the first thing to go. He moaned as she ran her hands on all over his back and chest, feeling his hard muscles react to her touch. Her mind was a blur, and all she wanted was to relish the feel of his warm and strong body. He continued kissing her and caressing her tongue with his while he ran his hands all over her body, reaching for the strings of her dress and beginning to pull at them. When her dress was discarded, his rubbed her bare arms and moved his lips to the sweet spot behind her ear. Kahlan withered and moaned, digging her nails into his back. He kissed down her neck and nibbler on her collarbone while he backed up and pulled her with him so he can undo the strings of her corset. Kahlan bit her lip and shifted nervously when Richard pulled the piece of clothing from her body. It was the first time a man saw her like that and she was afraid he wouldn't find her pleasing. But when he laid her back down and whispered "beautiful" in her ear, her nervousness quickly faded. The love and longing that reflected in his eyes made her feel so happy and safe that words could not express it. She arched her neck and captured his lips in a searing kiss and he took that as approval to keep going. He gently cupped her breasts in his hands and Kahlan thought she would die from the pleasure. As he kneaded her flesh, she felt bolder and gripped his backside through his trousers. The continued moving together, kissing and caressing for a long time, until Richard's hand move to her stomach and lower, and she gasped. He cupped her femininity through her under shorts and caressed her gently. Kahlan moaned with ecstasy and arched into his touch. Than, his fingers were on the waistband of her shorts and he looked deeply in her eyes.

"Kahlan, are you absolutely sure?" he asked, trying to ignore his burning desire to simply take her. Kahlan trembled as she answered yet her words were clear. "Yes, my Richard. I just… I never… I don't want to disappoint you…"

Richard kissed her forehead. "Don't worry my love. I will be gentle and you should not worry about pleasing me, just being with you is bliss…" he kissed her eyes, cheeks and lips as he continued to remove her shorts. His hand snack between her legs he caressed her there, moving his fingers through her folds and focusing on the nub that will bring her the most pleasure. The sounds that were coming from her were bringing him to the edge of his ability and he looked up into her eyes for the last time before backing up and unlacing his trousers. They dropped to the floor and then they were both bare. Kahlan gazed up at him, her eyes full of expectation, and when her gaze dropped lower, she moaned with want. Climbing on the bed and moving over her again, Richard spread her legs gently with his knees. Kahlan hands wrapped around his neck and she kissed him deeply for a few moments before breaking for air and looking into his eyes. Not losing the eye contact, Richard poisoned himself at her entrance and after a small nod of her approval he entered her slowly. She was wet and ready and the feel of her was driving him mad with need yet he noticed the small twitch of pain that crossed her face and stilled until the hands that were wrapped around his neck gently stroked his back and told him to continue. They moved as one, connected in every way possible, embraced in the ancient dance of lovers. Kahlan was sure that such happiness did not exist. Richard was bringing her to the brink of ecstasy and she never felt happier, knowing that she is with the man she loved more than everything. Richard's hand moved in between them and his fingers caressed her until she screamed with her climax. Her inner muscles contracted and drove Richard to his own release a few moments later. They laid their panting and trying to even out their breathing. Richard rested his head on Kahlan's chest and she stroked his hair idly.

"That was…"he started when he was able to talk.

"It was amazing, my love." Kahlan kissed the top of his head and smiled to herself.

"Too bad we ruined my favorite sheets" she giggled.

Richard smiled sheepishly and looked down at the spot between Kahlan's legs were a blood stain had appeared.

"I hope I didn't hurt you, my Kahlan. I tried-" Richard stopped as a hand covered his mouth.

"You did everything right, Richard. I was only joking. I hardly felt it at all and it was expected since it was my first time. I couldn't be any happier knowing it was you that took my maidenhood. I love you."

Richard smiled then, and kissed the hand that was covering his mouth.

"I love you so much, Kahlan. Not just now, but forever. From this moment, we are one."

"We are one". Kahlan repeated. She continued stroking Richard's hair for a while, but soon enough, they were claimed by sleep. Feeling happy and content, they spent the night in their lover's arms.