Evenly-spaced down lights embedded in the ceiling of the apartment floor where Emma lived emitted a warm yellow glow, just enough to light the way to her front door. The hallway was silent; only the soft padding of their shoes on the linoleum echoed around them.

Emma pushed her key into lock, turning it until she heard that familiar click. She opened the door and walked inside, Will following close behind. Closing the door behind her and fastening the latch, she was just about to turn on the light when Will put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, turn around."

She did as he asked and her lips met his almost instantly, those tender, pliant, but strong lips that couldn't seem to stay away from her body. Her clutch dropped to the floor as her fingers foraged through his curly hair and her tongue explored the inside of his mouth. Will leisurely swirled his tongue around hers, pushing her firmly against the door. He ran his hands up the length of her arms and removed her hands from his hair, pinning them either side of Emma at head-height between the door and his own arms.

He kissed her deeper and unashamedly slow. All the hidden fervour that had built up inside him was finally surging, rising and catapulting into one of – wait, no – the best kiss he'd ever experienced in his life.

And Emma Pillsbury was securely in his grasp.

She couldn't escape.

She didn't want to.

This wondrous feeling of helplessness engulfed her senses. Not knowing what Will was going to do next thrilled her. Gosh he smelled great. She breathed him in, so masculine and musky she nearly fell from her stilettos. He kissed her over and over, trailing them across her rosy red cheeks, along her jawline and lastly, lingering at her neck. Emma closed her eyes from the sheer enjoyment of Will nipping and sucking at her neck with his mouth, knowing full well there would be a mark there tomorrow. But she didn't care.

"Oh… my…Will…"

His lips ventured to her mouth again, marauding and gratifyingly tormenting with such unbearable precision. Emma's mouth became his possession. Chest on chest, mouth on mouth; the disarmingly guilty pleasure she was encountering propelled her euphorically skywards. She applied pressure to his bottom lip, making him growl with desire. As Will angled his head upwards to kiss her eyelids, her lips slid down to his chin and neck, endlessly torturing him with their delicate caress. So silky and moist, they felt like heaven against his clean-shaven skin. He curled his fingers around hers, squeezing tight from the sensation and the spontaneity of the stolen moment within the shadows of Emma's apartment.

Will rested his forehead on her bare shoulder, breathing heavily. "I've wanted to kiss you like that all night." His breath was warm against her skin.

"Will...?"

"Yeah?"

"Wow." I love you.

He released his arms from hers, gliding his hands down her sides, resting on her waist. Still a bit unstable on her shoes, her legs unsurprisingly tenuous, Emma fumbled for the light switch and flicked it on.

They smiled at each other.

Out of the lustrous darkness came a ray of light. Emma's lips were red and swollen, her neck, a similar shade. Her index finger rested precariously on her bottom lip as she gave Will an amorous stare. Did this just happen? She felt indescribably wicked, and so desirable. Will Schuester just kissed the living daylights out of me. And it was amazing. Out of breath, out of kilter, out of her mind. But definitely in love.

Furiously sexy, Will had decided. Emma was furiously sexy. Her body, her voice, her heart. The whole package. That come-hither look she so casually wore on her face was causing him indescribable fury, a fury so passionate, it was life-affirming. He returned her gaze, focusing on the contours of her cheeks and her beautiful expressive eyes. The earth could have opened up, swallowing buildings around them, tearing the ceiling from above, causing adverse destruction. All of it would have gone unnoticed. When Will looked into Emma's eyes, nothing else mattered; he saw all his dreams come true. He had never felt so alive and so in love.

Will ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing out the tangles. "Do you still want that dance?"

"Oh, yes, please." Emma bent down to pick up her clutch. "I just have to-to wash up…first. You can pick out some music, just in that drawer under the bookshelf." She fluidly ran her hands down his chest, patting his stomach. "I'll be back."

"Don't be too long." Will walked over to the bookshelf and opened the drawer. Expecting to see an alphabetized collection of CDs, to his surprise, the CDs were instead, vinyl records. In plastic slip covers. They were in pristine condition, not a mark, not a crease, hardly a speck of dust. He flipped through the records, admiring the collection. Emma had great taste in old music. He pulled out a couple that would be perfect for them to slow dance to and sat back on the couch to wait for her. He hoped he hadn't frightened her with the attack on her body, but after she said she wanted him in the restaurant, man oh man, it was difficult to keep his hormones in check. She seemed to like it though, maybe a little stunned, but the signals Emma gave were definitely positive.

The water felt nice and cool against Emma's face, which was still a little flushed. She dried her hands with a towel and looked at herself in the mirror. The red markings from Will's impassioned affection were striking again her white skin. Sweet, sultry reminders. She squirted hand sanitizer into her palm and rubbed it slowly over her skin. The gelatinous liquid dried quickly and her hands were now germ-free. Reaching for her toothbrush and toothpaste, she brushed her teeth replacing the taste of Will with peppermint. Emma rinsed her mouth and then stopped. All traces of Will were disappearing, except… that familiar scent. Will's after-shave surrounded her like early morning fog, caught in her hair, fused to her dress, ingrained in her memory.

She gripped the edge of the sink, staring into the plughole. Why, Emma? Sometimes she hated herself for being this way. But she was managing her illness as best she could. The medication helped immensely; however, she needed something more. She needed…willpower. Willpower. No. Will, just Will. And he was in her apartment, right now, on her couch, waiting to resume their magical evening together.

Lifting her head, she turned to look out into the main area of her apartment. She saw the beautiful roses Will bought especially for her. She saw the back of Will's head, those coiffed curls she fell so in love with. Emma smiled. He was her key to happiness and a wonderful life. I love you, Will.

Taking off her shoes, Emma tiptoed up to Will behind the couch and placed her hands over his eyes.

"Guess who?" she giggled, removing her hands, peering down at him.

"Hey beautiful," Will replied, bringing her down to his lips for a heart-stopping upside down kiss. It lifted Emma into a desirous whirlwind. So unexpected. Amatively satisfying.

"Mmm," she sighed, loving how amazing it felt to kiss Will this way. His hands sculpted around her head, her hair falling around his face, encircling their romantic greeting.

Will broke away from the kiss. "You brushed. Peppermint."

"I hope you don't mind," she questioned worriedly.

"No," he kissed her lips again, "I don't mind at all."

Emma smiled softly and walked around to sit next to him. "So Mister, how about that dance?"

"Boy, am I ready. You've got some great records here Em. I never imagined…"

"I like ballads, pop and metal like everyone else. But sometimes music sounds better on vinyl. The easy listening classics anyway. The music had such conviction; a certain romance to it all."

"And perfect to slow dance to," he added.

"Uh-huh. And you know what goes well with slow dancing?"

"What?"

"Candlelight. I have some tealights in the kitchen. Let's turn the lights off and dance by their glow. What do you say?"

He grinned. "Where are the matches?"

Emma walked to her kitchen and took a bag of scented tealights and book of matches from the pantry. They scattered them on the coffee table, bookshelf, and buffet; everywhere around the lounge area. Will began to light each one as Emma dimmed the lights. The tiny flames glimmered as scents of cinnamon, apple and vanilla filled the air. Emma grabbed one of the records that Will selected and placed it on the turntable. She moved the stylus onto the spinning vinyl; a few crackles, then the staccato of a grand piano began.

"Percy Faith. Such a beautiful song." As the violins surged in Theme from a Summer Place, Will held Emma close, kissing her full on the lips.

"Em, I'd kiss you all day if I could. I can't stop kissing you. I have to have you close to me."

"When you kiss me, I'm in heaven. Never stop."

He cleared his throat. "I hope my accosting you earlier didn't upset you."

"It was a pleasant and memorable accosting," she replied.

Will took her right hand in his left, placing his right on her bare back and twirled her around to the 6/8 time of the music. Emma's left hand rested on the upper part of his bicep. Strong and muscular, it flexed at her touch. The music flowed through their bodies like feathers floating on the breeze.

"Remember when we danced at the bridal shop that day during our lunch break?" she asked, as Will spun her out and in again, resuming the closed dancing position.

He nodded. "You looked so breathtaking in that wedding dress. I was speechless. You sang…"

"I Could Have Danced All Night!" they exclaimed together, laughing.

"And then I dipped you," Will said, as he dipped her in the darkness, "looked into your eyes and knew you were marrying the wrong man." He pulled her up part of the way, pressed his lips to hers, kissing her until they were both upright.

"You held my hand right over your heart, I could feel it beating fast, and I don't think it was entirely from the dancing. I had all these feelings and couldn't show you."

"And then Carl took you away from me."

"Holly came along…"

"We were in a hopeless situation," Will agreed. "But now, it's just us. Two single people, who can at last be together."

"I'm so glad it's you."

She wrapped her arms around his torso, her head on his chest. He embraced her whole-heartedly, rocking her gently, humming to the violins. There was something about the intimacy of touch while dancing that was so powerful for Will. Two bodies moving in rhythm, holding each other, letting the music sweep them to a distant land; it was the closest thing to making love than actually making love.

And if dancing with Emma was anything to go by, making love to her would be exquisite.

As Percy Faith's song ended, Etta James' began. The soulful, melancholy tune swelled to her dulcet tones.

At last,

My love has come along,

My lonely days are over,

And life is like a song.

The duo stood still, enveloping each other, silently concurring that this song was their song.

Oh yeah at last,

The skies above are blue,

My heart was wrapped up in clovers

The night I looked at you.

Will looked down at Emma; even with the lights down low, her eyes shone as bright as polished copper. Their foreheads touched, eyes never leaving each other's gaze. He slowly lifted her chin with his index finger. Licking his lips, Will closed his eyes, gently brushing his lips across hers, kissing her cheek.

I found a dream that I could speak to,

A dream that I can call my own,

"You are so gorgeous," Will whispered in her ear. She felt his breath on her cheek; her body tingled. I love you, she thought, unable to speak.

I found a thrill to rest my cheek to,

A thrill that I have never known.

Returning to her lips, he brushed past them again, kissing her other cheek, murmuring, "I am so in love with you. Will you be my girl?" The passion burned in Emma's smile like a lightning strike.

Oh, yeah when you smile, you smile,

Oh, and then the spell was cast,

And here we are in heaven,

For you are mine,

At last.

The string quartet took over from Etta as Will and Emma closed their eyes, barely kissing each other, then a little more, and then, full contact. He moaned into her mouth, sandwiching their lips together, so soft and supple. Emma yielded to the strokes of his lips, his tongue, and his husky voice calling her name. This was it. Courage built up inside of Emma's stomach. The moment had arrived to tell Will she loved him.

"I – lo – love –" Emma's voice wavered, catching in her throat. Her closed eyes brimmed with tears, and she broke away suddenly, slumping onto the couch. Her courage crumpled in an instant.

Will rushed to her side. "Em, baby, are you okay?" He was at a loss as to why she was crying; the tears definitely weren't ones of joy. He put a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"I don't want to lose you."

"What? I don't understand. Why do you think you'll lose me?"

"You know how I feel, right? About you, about us?"

He grinned at her. "I think I have some idea. But tell me, how do you feel?"

"I like you. Really like you. I like you so much it hurts. I've never felt this way before about any man. Except you."

"And I like you. I love you. You're the one. You're not going to lose me."

"How can I keep you if I can't say the words to make you stay?"

"What words?"

"The words I was trying to say at the restaurant before we were interrupted. The words I was trying to say right now and faltered. The words you've wanted me to say all night."

Finally it clicked. "I love you?" Will asked.

Emma nodded, wiping her eyes.

"Oh, sweetheart, it's okay, really. I know you love me. I'm not going to love you any less if you don't say it."

"But it's important to me. And not fair on you. I'm so sorry." She buried her forehead in the crook of Will's neck, trying to fight back tears that refused to be overpowered. "Can you hold me, please?"

"Sure. I'll hold you as long as you want me to. "

They sat in silence as the record played on. Emma cuddled up into Will's lap. He massaged the back of her neck, giving her time for her tears to subside. My poor baby. Will was trying to ponder what was going on inside her pretty little head. Maybe he was being too pushy. Maybe all this was too overwhelming for her. There was no denying they shared a powerful love, greater than what either had experienced before.

The collapse of the Berlin Wall had taken a standstill. Cradled in Will's arms, she clung to him, fear breaking from within.

"I'm scared Will."

"You shouldn't be."

"Tell me why I shouldn't."

"We're about to start something very special together."

"That's what scares me."

"Because it means you feel pressured to say I love you? I'm sorry if I've made you feel that way."

"It's just…I've only said it to one person in my entire life. And look what happened. We got married on a whim, in Vegas of all places. I still wasn't over you. I hurt a really nice person. The repercussions made my OCD return with a vengeance. I made a mess of everything. Don't you see?"

Emma had said it without thinking the first time she said it to Carl. Now, 'I love you' meant a heck of a lot more. It immersed her psyche. It was in every touch, every word and every glance when with Will. They were only words, but words that placed her heart on the line. They represented her true emotions, which took a beating the first time. She loved Will completely, yet those 'what ifs' still plagued her mind.

"You're afraid to admit your love to me in case it happens again?"

"Uh-huh."

She never meant to compare her relationship with Will to her relationship with Carl; Emma knew what she and Will had transcended anything she ever had with Carl. It was magical and beyond enchanting because there was a connection, a certain implicit bond that captured the essence of the other person. It was real.

"And maybe not saying it is going to keep that safety barrier up a little longer. It's been a part of you for a long time you're finding it hard to let go; not entirely in the physical sense, but verbally because once you say it, it's out there."

"Yeah…"

"And you feel guilty because you believe that if you don't, I'm not going to understand, or worse, fall out of love with you."

He had managed to read her thoughts exactly. "When did you get to be so good at this?"

"I know you, Emma Pillsbury. I know almost everything about you."

"I'm not perfect, Will."

"Nobody is."

"What happens if it all falls apart like before?"

"Emma, it's not going to be like that this time."

"You can't be sure of that."

"No, I can't. But I do know this. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I will love you until the day I die." Will kissed her forehead. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you love you?"

"Umm…" Emma had never really thought about it. "I – I guess I do. Although sometimes, when I'm having a bad day, I wish I was anyone but me."

"Remember, you have to love yourself before you can love someone else." Will hated repeating that old adage, but it was true. He had learned that after Terri, when he spent time alone, finding out who he was. It was only then he came to know and love himself, giving him the opportunity to move on and focus on what really mattered. His goals and aspirations. Education and the arts. Emma Pillsbury.

"And take it from me, she's a great person. I should know."

"Thank you. Thank you for being so understanding." She kissed his cheek.

"Hey, that's what good boyfriends do. You still want to be my girl, right?"

Emma beamed. "I've always been your girl."

Will held her face in his hands, their lips warmly uniting. Steady, satiating kisses sealed their commitment to each other. He turned his body to the left, rolling Emma backwards, lying on top of her. They tongues danced around each other as Emma rubbed her feet up and down Will's legs before entwining them with his.

"Mmmm… our first kiss as a couple," she grinned, so happy she thought her cheeks would burst.

"It feels so good." Will nibbled on her left ear.

The final song on the record came to an end and the duo were plunged into the silent candlelit darkness. The discreet murmur of their voices kindled the flames orbiting their bodies. Intensifying with each breath, their kisses quenched the years of longing and the thirst of a new, exciting adventure. Emma played with Will's sideburns, sliding her fingers around his ears, and then delved into the depths of his curly hair. Grabbing handfuls of hair, she lightly tugged on his short tresses, massaging his scalp with her thumbs. Will traced her lips with his tongue, blowing gently. She nipped back at him. They were having so much fun exploring each other, learning more about each other, that Will didn't realize how late it had gotten.

"Em, sweetie, I'm really sorry, I have to go." He loathed himself for saying it. How could he leave her now? Emma pulled him back down to her lips, trying to erase the words he said.

"Mmph," Will moaned, hands wrapped around Emma's face, kissing her back with a feverish passion.

Emma took hold of his arms. "Stay." Her pleading eyes spoke so much more than the solitary word Will heard.

"Y-you want me to spend the night?"

"Uh-huh. To – to sleep. Like a sleepover. You remember sleepovers." She bit her lip.

"Would you like me to sleep here on the couch? Or do you have an A-Team sleeping bag in your cupboard?" he teased.

"Well, I was thinking," she simpered sweetly, "maybe you'd prefer something comfier… like my bed."

"You'd like me to sleep in your bed?"

"I don't want to spend another night without you."

"Oh, oh Em, honey." She had just melted his heart. "Me neither. But I don't have any clothes or a toothbrush even."

"You're talking to Emma Pillsbury. I have boxes of toothbrushes. And, I – I'm sure you h–have boxers un–undern–neath." She slid her hands into the top of Will's jeans. He felt his nerve endings jump from her touch. "Yep, satin."

"Why Em, aren't we a little curious tonight?" He grabbed her wrists, tickling her palms.

"Hey, no fair! I'm ha-a-a ticklish!" She wriggled underneath him, a little too much and they fell onto the floor.

"Let me get ready for bed!" Emma leapt from the floor and ran to her bedroom. Will bolted after her, grabbing her by the waist and lifting her off the ground, spinning her around. She screeched with delight, batting him with her hands.

"Okay okay, you win! I'll see you soon," Will said, putting her down. She pecked him on the lips and closed her door. He walked back over to the light switch, turning it back to almost full light. I'm spending the night with Emma. He was beyond happy, so ecstatic to begin this part of their relationship. Maybe she'll move in with me over the summer, he thought excitedly. What a way to spend the holidays.

"You like?" Emma emerged in a mint green sleeveless nightie with lace edging and bow at her neck.

"Wow, that's so cute, I really like it," Will replied smiling. Not cute. Sexy.

"I'm not really tired, want to watch a movie? I have 'Singin' in the Rain'."

"My favourite movie!" He exclaimed.

"I know. I know almost everything about you too. I'll pop it in the DVD player. Get changed, make yourself comfortable."

Will retreated to the bathroom as Emma turned the record player off and blew out the tealights, placing them back in their packaging. In the kitchen, she poured a glass of ice water each and sat on the couch, hugging a pillow, thinking about Will and how good he had been about her not saying I love you. It still made her a little upset, but she understood it wasn't the end of the world if she didn't. There were other ways to express her love for him. And the words would come along one day. He was what she needed; the ideal man to make her feel special and loved.

Opening the drawer to the DVD player, Emma slid the Singin' in the Rain disc into place and closed it. The menu screen started playing the title song. Will emerged upon hearing the music and joined Emma on the couch, dressed only in his boxers. Emma hid her gasp, amazed at how wonderfully sculpted his body was; it looked even better in the light.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Turning the light back off, he sat down next to her and she snuggled up beside him. He placed his arm around her and kissed her forehead. Emma brought her legs up to the couch, tucking them underneath her. She pressed play and the movie began. Partway through, her head began to nod and she fell asleep in Will's arms, head against his chest. Will gave a long yawn and he too, soon drifted off to sleep.

Singin' in the Rain, just Singin' in the Rain…

The music repeated over and over in Will's head. He mumbled the lyrics, waking himself up. The title screen, emitting a bright light against the dark indicated that the movie finished long ago. For a split second he wondered where he was…and then he remembered. Emma had asked him to stay. He yawned and stretched, returning his right arm to behind Emma's back. He rubbed it gently.

He saw her face against his body, placid and at peace. She looked content. Her own body rose and fell along with Will's. This was how he pictured it. Two bodies, hearts beating so close you could feel the other. He had found the one and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Emma was his lifeblood; his soul mate.

"Emma, honey, let's go to bed, it's awfully late now," he whispered in her ear. She stirred slightly, a sigh escaping from her mouth. Her left hand fell across his stomach as she snuggled in further, her forehead crinkling from the disturbance.

"Come on Em, time for bed." Will moved away from her slowly, allowing her to fall gently onto the couch so he could pick her up.

"Nuoh…uh…mhm," was Emma's drowsy reply as Will scooped her into his arms.

"It's alright; it's only me, Will."

Startled, her eyes flickered open and she took in a sharp breath. "Mhm…Will…?" She yawned and rubbed her eyes, unable to focus.

"Yes, Em?"

"Uhm…what…mhm…time is it?"

"Late, sweetie, way past your bedtime." Will walked sideways through the entrance to her bedroom. It was an impeccably neat and feminine room. Her timber bed was still made; the matching pillows on the pink and white lace bedspread were placed perfectly symmetrical and centred. The bedspread did not have a wrinkle or a mark, having looked as if it had never been slept in. So precisely Emma.

"Can you stand up for me? Need to pull the covers down." Emma slid out of his grasp and yawned again, awaking from her sleep. Will held onto her waist until she steadied herself. "You ok?"

"Mm-huh. Sleepy, my neck's a little sore."

"We can certainly take care of that in a second." They removed the pillows and pulled the bedspread and sheet back. Will helped Emma into bed and kissed her on the forehead. He tentatively crawled in beside her. This was all brand new; an excited nervousness took over. He rolled to Emma's side, gently pressing his hands on her neck, kneading out the kink.

Emma lay on her stomach to give Will better access to her back and neck. "That feels so much better." His thumbs dug in between her shoulder blades, rotating in concentric circles; his fingers rested on the top of her shoulders. He moved his thumbs upwards to the base of her neck, keeping the same pattern, applying the same pressure. Emma contentedly sighed. The massaging was making her doze; it was so relaxing and peaceful. Will worked wonders with his hands.

"Enough?" Will asked, leaning down towards her ear.

"Mhmh," was her satisfied reply.

"Come here, let's snuggle until we fall asleep." Will pulled the covers up and cuddled up next to Emma, spooning her, kissing her shoulder. They laced their fingers together, holding onto each other. He listened to Emma breathe in and out. Calming and steady, an eternal happiness washed over the couple, finally together.

"I think I could get used to these sleepovers Em," Will's voice was low and gentle.

"Me too. Having you beside me is paradise." She gripped his hand tighter. Emma was thankful for Will. He was her everything.

"Good night, Em, sweet dreams."

"I certainly will. Good night." They lay there in silence, until Emma's voice broke quietness of the early morning.

"Oh, and Will?"

"Mmm?"

Emma turned to face him, placing her hand on the back of Will's neck and pulled him close for a long and fulfilling kiss. She gazed into his eyes, catching their sparkle, that distinguishing glint they flashed when looking only at her. Rubbing her hand against his jaw and cheek, she whispered the words, tenderly; sweetly:

"I love you."