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Max's POV

I sat by Molly's bed, gripping her hand tightly in mine. Jack had taken us to his town, a small community right by the ocean. His house consisted of a shack built right on the beach, just away from where the tide could get to it. Jack had given Molly his bed, me the couch in his living room and he took the porch swing outside. Apparently it was that warm here all the time.

As soon as we got here, Jack called the doctor. I hadn't left Molly's side the entire time while he was here, watching him give her a shot, some pain medication and a sedative to help her sleep. Now I was just sitting here, holding her hand. I had lost count of the hours I had just been sitting here.

"I'm sorry Molly," I whispered to her sleeping form. "I'm sorry for calling you useless. You were right, I was being stupid. Without you I'd probably be dead, or powerless…or both. If you pull through this I promise to listen to you more, you'll call the shots and everything. I'm so sorry." there was no answer.

With a sigh I stood up, deciding she would need quiet to rest. I walked outside the shack and sat on the porch swing, staring at the ocean. The breeze fluttered through the shirt Jack leant me, the buttons open as it was way to hot here for comfort.

I never thought one girl would get me this worried over her.

"You know a speech like that deserves a least a tear at the end," I jumped at the voice, looking up to see Molly smirking down at me.

"Molly!" I cried, jumping up and crushing her in a hug. She let out a surprised giggle as her arms encircled my shoulders.

"Whoa, looks like someone was worried about me," she said through her giggles. I gave her an extra squeeze before letting go.

"I'm so sorry Molly. I-"

"Save it," she said, stepping out of the hug. "I heard the first speech," she said with a smile. I smiled down at her before grabbing her hand.

"Come on, the water looks great," I said, pulling her with me while already shrugging out of my shirt.

"Max no, I'm still tired," she moaned but I just ignored her. When she started to pull away from me I lifted her into my arms again before running into the water. "Max!" she shrieked/laughed as a wave crashed over us. I dropped her in the water as I fell over, laughing before another wave crashed over my head.

We continued to fool around in the water, dunking each others heads, getting into splash wars. At one point Molly climbed on my shoulders as a particularly large wave came up to us. I held her legs tightly as it crashed over us, sending us spinning. When I resurfaced Molly was next to me, laughing merrily.

I paused, staring at her. Her hair dripping wet and clinging to her face while her green eyes shone with life. I felt frozen, captured by her beauty. Without thinking my arm went around her waist, pulling her to me.

"Max?" she said warily.

"Molly," I said back, taking a deep breath. "With everything that's happened to us so far, and what's probably to come, I just want to say that you're really important to me. If you died…I wouldn't know…I…" Molly gently touched my face, bringing my eyes back to hers.

"It's ok Max," she said softly. "I'm fine…I…" she trailed off as her fingers lightly traced my chin, looking almost lost in her actions. This was it, another perfect moment. It couldn't possible get ruined this time. She even looked like she wanted me to kiss her this time. As I slowly inched closer to Molly, her eyes closed while her hand cupped my chin, pulling me in closer.

Three inches between us.

Two inches.

One inch. I could feel her breath on my face, my wet skin prickling.

"Well it looks like the little Sheila's all better!" a voice called. Molly and I sprang apart, me turning to Jack.

"Yeah, thanks man!" I called rather irritably, striding out of the water and grabbing my shirt all the while keeping my back to Molly. I wouldn't let her see the disappointment on my face. As we reached the shack, Jack threw me a towel. I handed it to Molly. "Here, dry off," I mumbled as I walked inside, still dripping.

"Did I interrupt something?" Jack asked me as I sat on the couch. I shook my head.

"Nah, it probably would have ended up like last time," I said.

"Last time?" Jack asked with a smirk.

"Don't ask," I said just as Molly walked back in.

"Uhh do you have any spare clothes mister…"

"Jack and of course darling. Let me see what Katy left," he said, getting up and heading into his room. I kept my eyes on the floor until he came back. "Here ya go," he said.

I heard a door close and looked up. Molly was gone. "Mate, you got it bad." I looked up to see Jack smiling down at me. I shook my head.

"I don't know what you're talking about." before he could reply I stood up. "Now can you help us or not?" I asked firmly. Jack nodded.

"Sure," he said, sounding a little hurt. "I did some research on what ya asked while you were worrying over ya girlfriend and it turns out there's a circus ship leaving tonight that's headed for Kenya. It's not as close to the states as ya liked but it's the best I got that leaves either tonight or tomorrow." I nodded.

"Thanks Jack. Can we get a ride?" I asked.

"I'll go talk to the ringmaster after his show tonight. I saw it last night and talked to the ringmaster so I'm sure he'll see me again," he said. I smiled up at him.

"You have no idea how much Molly and I appreciate this," I said.

"Appreciate what?" I turned to Molly's voice and felt my mouth go dry. She was wearing a bikini top and a pair of short board shorts, covered by a white cloth that was what I think is called a sarong. I couldn't tell where my eyes wanted to be more, her legs or her flat toned stomach.

"Uh…J-Jack is going to get us a ride further west on a circus ship," I stuttered out. Molly's eyes widened.

"A circus ship? That's so cool," she said. Jack smiled.

"Yes it is little darling but I gotta talk to the ring master first. You two make yourself comfortable in my room while I go," he said before heading out. I could hear his truck starting up and waited for the sounds of the motor to disappear.

Getting up, I walked outside and sat on the porch swing. I gotta clear my head. Molly and I are getting way to close and if this trip has taught me anything it's that it can get very dangerous. I can't let feelings get in the way of my better judgement, especially when Molly is concerned.

"It's a nice evening," I turned to Molly as she walked out side, a blanket around her shoulders. I nodded, scooting over as she took a seat by me on the porch swing. "And the ocean is just beautiful," she murmured as she stared out across the waves. I nodded again. "Max?" I tore my gaze from the waves to look at Molly. "Are you ok?" I gave her a smile.

"Yeah I'm fine Molly. Just tired," she sighed, curling her legs under her and leaning her back against my chest. I instantly stiffened as she lay the blanket over both of us.

"Yeah me too…" she mumbled and I watched her eyes close. I couldn't take my eyes off of her as her breathing evened out and she fell asleep. As soon as I was sure she was asleep I lifted her up into my arms, carefully walking her back inside and into Jack's room.

I lay her down on the bed and pulled the blankets over her. Just as I was walking away, a hand grabbed my wrist.

"Please stay?" Molly begged in a small voice. I wanted to say no, say that it would be better if she was alone to rest properly after her bite, but I couldn't say no.

"Ok," I said, pulling the covers back and slipping in beside her. Instantly Molly curled into my side and I wrapped my arm around her waist. Almost instantly she was asleep, her day having drained her completely. I sighed as I stroked her hair out of her face, earning an appreciative sigh from the sleeping beauty. "Oh boy…" I breathed. Jack was right.

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