Elizabeth followed behind Shawn as he showed her around the Center. She had been surprised by the sheer size of the complex and was completely awe-struck by its beauty. She only half-listened as Shawn talked about the 4400 Center and their mission. She was too busy trying to take in all of the visual beauty around her.
"This is Devin," Shawn said. "She was supposed to be the one showing you around."
"Why isn't she?"
Devin slightly smiled at the question, looking over at Shawn for a moment before she looked at Elizabeth again. "Shawn insisted he be the one to give you a tour," she replied. "You must have made quite an impression on him, Miss Davenport. Now, if you excuse me, I have some business to take care of."
Elizabeth watched Devin walk away, her posture perfect and her head held high. She wished she could be more like Devin. "I don't belong here, Shawn," Elizabeth softly said.
"Of course you do," he replied. Shawn squeezed her shoulder and smiled. "You're one of the 4400. If this place isn't for someone like you – like us, then we're not doing something right."
Elizabeth sullenly shook her head. "That's not what I mean. I love it here actually. It's beautiful, fascinating. I just feel so out of place."
"So that's the only problem?" Shawn laughed. "Trust me. You fit in just fine."
"Look at them, Shawn, and then take a good look at me. I don't belong here."
Shawn took her hands in his and looked her right in the eyes. "You belong wherever you believe you belong, Elizabeth," he said, "and personally, I think you belong here ... with me."
She shook her head a bit, unsure about any of this. It was all so confusing right now and Elizabeth didn't know what to think anymore. "I don't know ..."
Shawn took her hesitation to mean she was starting to believe what he already knew. He softly smiled. "Come on," he said, pulling her down the hall, "I want to show you one more thing before you decide anything."
Elizabeth was surprised by Shawn's behavior. Her mind was reeling from everything that was happening. Even though she wanted to, she had no time to figure out what Shawn was up to. "Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see."
"Shawn? Shawn!"
He stopped abruptly on the stairs. He caught Elizabeth before she tripped down them. "Just trust me," Shawn said, holding her closer than was really necessary. "I need to know you trust me."
"I do trust you but I want to know where you're taking me."
"Trust me."
Elizabeth walked around the garden for the second time while Shawn sat on a bench and watched her. He softly laughed as she ran over to a lilac bush to smell the flowers. She walked back over to him, smiling like a child. Her innocence was amazing to see. It seemed to make her look even more lovely.
"It's been so long since I've been in a garden like this," she breathlessly told him. Her eyes were wide with wonder and excitement. "Thank you for taking me here."
Shawn stood up and tucked an orchid bud behind her ear. "You could spend hours out here – everyday – if you decide to stay."
"I need time to think about it."
Shawn slowly nodded. He lovingly caressed her cheek. "Then what about that charity event? Will you go with me to it and keep me from being bored out of my mind?"
Elizabeth felt the heat rising to her face and her breath seemed to catch for a moment. She couldn't remember the last time a guy had paid as much attention to her as Shawn was, the last time she had felt like she truly belonged somewhere with someone. "I don't have anything to wear to something like that," she admitted.
"That's not an answer."
Elizabeth laughed, the sound a little breathy. "It's my answer."
"If I can get you a beautiful dress to wear," Shawn asked with a sly smile, "then will you go with me?"
She sighed, rolling her eyes a bit. She already knew what her answer was but didn't want to say it out loud. Elizabeth smiled a bit. "Honestly?"
Shawn nodded. He caressed her bare arm. "I always want you to tell me the truth."
"If you can get me something to wear," she finally said, "then I'll definitely go."