A/N: So this is the second last chapter, folks. I've loved the reviews I'm getting on this story. They've been so insightful and eye opening for me about her character since what I'm working on with this story is developing her character. Thank you!

Reese began to feel herself return to the present as they lay in the motel bed in silence, her beside him, resting her head on his shoulder, her leg draped over his gently tangling her fingers in the dark curling hair on his chest. She watched the lights of the traffic from the highway play across her wall and ceiling in the dimly lit room. She dragged her fingers up over his collar bones, and he hummed happily, his eyes fluttering shut.

"Don't stop," he breathed. She smiled at how content he sounded. Turning so her nose pressed into his skin, she inhaled deeply as she continued to stroke his chest, memorizing his scent, willing away any anxiety that threatned to cloud her mind and ruin this moment for her. All she wanted was this one moment to be imprinted on her memory forever.

She smiled as Silver suddenly jumped onto the bed and meowed loudly. Kili's eyes flew open and he grinned, raising his free arm to pet the small round cat affectionately. "Hey girl," he said. He was met with a loud meow as Silver pushed her black pointed face against his hand, turning on the spot frantically so that her tail kept hitting Kili in the face. He didn't seem to mind and just kept petting the little cat while Reese in turned continued to stroke Kili's chest. She was sure if he could purr he'd match the loud rumbling coming from the small cat.

"Do you think people like us ever settle down?" he asked quietly as he stroked Silver's silky fur.

Reese stared at the cat. "I wouldn't know how," she said.

"Me neither," he said. "I've always had the itch to keep moving, never stay in one place too long." She murmured agreement and smiled as Silver pushed her head against his shoulder, green eyes half closed in bliss from the attention he was paying her.

"Could you ever see yourself being with one person?" he asked. Reese stiffened, her breath stuttering slightly as her heart hammered in her throat. She didn't answer him, almost as though she was pretending she hadn't heard the question, and continued to stroke his chest hair as her thoughts raced about what to do next.

"Come with me," he said suddenly, turning to look at her, Silver's tail obscurring his vision of her.

"Come with you?" she repeated. "On the road?" She looked at him in shock, her hand frozen above his chest mid-stroke.

He nodded. He looked anxious and afraid of what she might say, but he continued. "I want us to be together." He swallowed. "I need you."

She stared at him, dumbstruck. For a moment she just about agreed. For part of her, this was everything she wanted. A future with him. To share his bed everynight. To share adventures together. To love him. To b loved by him.

Then she started to panic. She would be stuck with him. She didn't know how to be in a relationship. She didn't know how to wake up to the same person everyday. She didn't even know how to have a family, how to consider others in her choices, to make decisions together. Her freedom would be lost.

Reese sat up in the bed, goosebumps rising on her skin as she broke the warm cocoon that had been around them. Her stomach had quickly become a knot, and her chest felt tight, her throat constricting uncomfortably. She took a deep breath, painful in her tight chest, as she tried to will herself to relax, to think clearly. She felt him sit up slowly beside her, and heard Silver thump onto the floor as she was displaced by their movements. She could feel him close to her, but was glad that he didn't try to touch her.

"No, I can't, Kili." Her voice was thin, tight, and she didn't make eye contact with him.

He was silent for a moment. "Why not?" he asked. She ignored the disappointment in his voice. She'd made a mistake, a huge mistake, clearly. This was supposed to be one night, supposed to remain within her control. She glanced around the room, frantically searching for a reason to stay, evidence that would be proof that she couldn't go with him. She off course found none in the bare motel room. She finally grasped a reason.

"I can't leave Julie in a lurch without someone."

"Someone would cover!" he exclaimed, still looking hopeful. Reese stared at him. She couldn't believe that he wanted her to come with him that badly.

"No," she said. "I'm sorry." He sagged back into the pillow and stared at the ceiling for a moment. She thought she saw a glimmer in his eye but he blinked, and it was gone. She laid back on the pillow, leaning away from him. After a moment of silence he rose from the bed.

It wasn't as though he wouldn't be back. But they both knew if she didn't go with him then that she would not be there when he came through town next. It was now or never.

"I better get to my truck, get some sleep. Early morning tomorrow." He seemed to be avoiding her gaze, and she didn't watch him so that she couldn't tell. She just stared at the ceiling, battling a war within herself. He moved around the room, gathering his things and pulling them on.

"Where's your phone?" he asked suddenly. She glanced at him in surprise.

"Why?"

"Just, where's your phone." He seemed slightly annoyed, and she pointed to the desk where her phone sat in a drawer. It was rarely out, or on. No one ever phoned her. He pulled the phone from the desk and powered it up.

"What are you doing?" she asked. He didn't answer at first and appeared to be typing something. She thought she should feel intruded upon, but it wasn't as though there was anything personal in there anyway.

Walking over to her he held the screen up for her to see. "This is my number," he said. "If you change your mind, call me. I don't care when, just call." He stared at her intensely. "Please," he implored.

"I won't, Kili," she said, feeling sad. She knew they both knew that this was about more than giving Julie notice to find another girl. "But thank you," she added, moved by the gesture either way. He nodded sadly, his shoulder slightly hunched, and tossed the phone on the bed. Silver followed him, meowing loudly, as he moved towards the door. He stood for a moment with his hand on the handle, his back to her.

After a moment he turned towards her again and strode across the room. He caught her up from the bed in a hard kiss, lightly bruising her already raw mouth. She whimpered as her hands cupped his cheeks and allowed herself to kiss him back hungrily, her eyes shut tightly as she breathed in his musky scent one last time. Her eyes were still closed as he pulled away, and she dropped her hands, opening them to stare at them in her lap as he quitely pulled the door shut behind him.