a/n: Ok, so I'm reaching the end here...I have another chapter written after this one, but I'm kind of struggling with how to finish the story out. So this might be the next to last chapter, but I'm debating the effectiveness of an epilogue. We'll see I guess!

Also, what did you think of that premiere last night?! Overall, I was happy with it, but poor Tobes! I hate seeing him so sad. Now forget all of that before you read on, because my season 4 is on a much different track :)

LOVE THOSE REVIEWS!

No, nothing is as bad as it seems
We'll come clean

Toby drew a lethargic design onto Spencer's bare back, sure that she was asleep. Her breath was coming in spurts from where her head was nestled against his chest. He sighed sluggishly, the picture of contentment. Lying in a jumble of sheets, skin to skin with the love of his life, basking in an unparalleled afterglow? This was paradise.

Spencer had thrown a leg over him and curled an arm around his torso, anchoring herself to him. Her body had gone slack a while ago, motionless but radiating warmth. So she completely caught him off guard when he felt her lips brush his muscled abdomen. His fingertips ceased their route along her slender back.

"Don't stop." She commanded idly.

Toby grinned as he resumed his lazy movements. She was so cute when she was bossy. "My apologies, Miss Hastings."

Spencer snickered at his highbrow accent. She felt delightfully weighted down, her bones permanently sealed in a position of complete gratification. "Let's stay here forever."

Her soft murmur made his heart flip. "Mmm, I wish. Never go home, lay out on the beach every day and fish for our supper every night."

"Our friends could visit on the weekends. We'd have a big clam bake and watch the sunset. Who needs the real world?"

"You do, Spence." Toby tangled his other hand in her chestnut locks. "You're going to go to an ivy-covered institution, set the place on fire with all your brilliance, and then conquer the world."

She laughed, her arm tightening its hold around his middle. "It sounds like I'm becoming a superhero somewhere in the midst of that plan."

"Maybe you already are one." His voice was low, and Spencer felt like his bantering tone was slipping away.

"And what about you? Where are you in that story?" She had tried to keep her question light, but an unanticipated sadness nipped at her.

Toby exhaled slowly. He had always known Spencer was going places in life, places that he had never belonged. They were different in that way, but it was part of what made them compatible. "I never want to hold you back, sweetheart…"

Spencer jerked upward, twisting to see his face. "Toby! Is that really what you think? Because I want you with me, every step of the way. I—"

He smiled and placed his hand over her mouth. "You didn't let me finish. I never want to hold you back…but Rosewood isn't exactly home sweet home for me. So, if it wouldn't be too much of a distraction, I want to go with you. People need carpenters everywhere, right?"

She pressed a kiss to the center of his palm, which he then relocated to her cheek. Her almond eyes were achingly tender as she whispered, "You'd do that for me? Start over somewhere new?"

"It wouldn't be starting over if I get to be with you, now would it?" Toby leaned over and kissed her gently, their foreheads meeting. "So what do you think?"

"I think," she answered, glued to his azure gaze, "that we will be conquering the world together."

They kissed, a spark of the future lighting their passion. Spencer rolled over slightly and sat up, straddling him. Her lips sought his again, her hands palming his chest. His hands found her hips, and without parting their joined mouths, he flipped them over.

Spencer gasped as her back hit the cool sheets, startled at his seamless shift. She dragged her nails along his back, skimming lower toward his waist. He growled as her fingers glided further along the contours of his backside. Toby unleashed a flood of open kisses that began at her chin but quickly descended, his mouth hitting the sensitive flesh of her breast in no time. She moaned his name loudly, the sound accelerating his desire.

Their bodies rocked in a rhythm that only they knew, their feelings expressed in a language only they spoke. Spencer reached for Toby's head, pulling his mouth back up to hers. The escalating heat burned through both of them, a feverish spell controlling their every move.

"Toby, I need—" she huffed, her calves folding around his hips.

"I know, love, I know." Toby kissed her temple and threaded his fingers through hers. She wrapped her other arm around him, clinging to his frame as their bodies met. His breath caught as she tightened around him. "God, Spence—"

He couldn't muster another word, his mind completely blank of anything that wasn't her. They reached a rapid climax, both too overcome to hold on for much longer. Spencer's frenzied cries rang out through the room, bringing Toby over the edge with her.

As their bodies stilled and their breathing gradually became normal, a serene calm settled over them. Toby rolled off of her and laid back, keeping their fingers intertwined. He stole a glimpse in her direction, surprised to see her sated eyes looking right back at him. Spencer lifted their linked hands to her lips and kissed each of his knuckles, love shining in her eyes.

Toby leaned over and kissed her earlobe. He glanced up at the nearby window, noticing that dusk had draped itself over the dunes. "It's getting dark. And I think the rain stopped."

She hummed, a mischievous look crossing her features. "You know what we should do?"

"I don't like the sound of this."

"I didn't say anything yet!" Spencer exclaimed, swatting at his side. "Come on."

And with that, she was stumbling out of bed and tugging him behind her. Toby followed, shaking his head with laughter. She rummaged through the closet and shoved a towel in his direction, then wrapped herself in a matching one. He did the same, tucking his around his waist.

"Let's go!" Spencer slipped through the door and flew down the steps.

"Spencer, wait! This is not a good idea!" Toby knew his opinion was worthless at this point, so he trailed her through the house. She was already to the glass doors at the back of the cottage, hitching the cotton fabric higher around her upper body.

"Spence, the air temperature alone will give us hypothermia. This is insane!"

She spun around, angling her head to the side as she looked at him. "Tobyyy," she whined, "it is a symbolic representation of our relationship metamorphosis!"

"I'm sorry, what?" Toby snorted at her ridiculous choice of words. "Only you would make skinny dipping sound like an abstract religious experience!"

Spencer's big brown eyes trapped him. "Please, Toby? It will be fun."

Oh I'm a goner. He ran a hand through his hair, admitting defeat. "Okay. But I don't want to hear any pouting about how cold you are later."

Her whole face lit up. She kissed him swiftly then turned back and swung the doors open. "Well what are you waiting for?" Spencer grabbed his hand and took off in a run.

The stinging cold air greeted the pair with a shocking blow, but Spencer was unruffled. Toby matched her pace, their feet slapping in unison down the wooden stairs and through the sand. As they neared the water's edge, a sudden swell of water licked at their ankles.

"Oh my god!" Spencer yelped, jumping backwards.

"Come on, Spence! It will be fun," Toby teased, not at all surprised at her reaction to the chilly sea. "We have to commemorate our relationship's symbolic something or other!"

Her eyes narrowed at the hint of a challenge. "What? You don't think I'll do it?"

"Nope. We should just turn back now," he called over the breaking waves.

Spencer sauntered closer, her hand slipping up and down his bicep. "Toby, I love you, but you aren't getting out of this, sweetheart."

She drew back a few steps, then stretched her arms upward and let the towel drop in a heap. Toby's jaw dropped a little too. The pale moonlight cast an ethereal glow over the span of Spencer's skin, which was all enticingly visible.

"There is really no point in keeping yours on. I can see what's going on under there anyway." Her raspy tone forced him look down hastily. Toby reddened at his obvious attraction evident through the thin cotton towel. With a flick of his wrist, it joined hers in the sand. Spencer whistled in reply.

Time to teach her lesson. Toby charged at her, throwing her wispy figure over his shoulder and jogging straight for the ocean. Her squeals did nothing to stop him.

"Toby! Toby! Put me down!" It was too late. He was already knee deep in water when he unceremoniously dumped her into an incoming wave. Spencer sprang up seconds later, coughing and spewing. Toby just laughed and dove into the next frosty surge of water.

Her eyes searched for him, knowing he had to come up for air soon. She hopped over another crashing wave, but Toby was still out of sight. Just as fear began to creep in, Spencer felt something latch onto her ankle. She screamed and tried to yank herself free, but Toby popped up from beneath the dark tide and splashed her.

"TOBY! Not funny!"

He smirked and slicked back his dripping hair. "It was funny and you know it. Come here."

She felt his fingers grasp at her elbow and allowed him to haul her closer. "What?"

"We're going further out."

Panic swarmed her eyes. "This is as far as I go."

"You'll be fine, come on." Toby turned, but she stayed firmly stationed in her spot. "Spencer. I'll protect you. I promise."

Her gaze was fixed beyond him at the mammoth waves in the distance. She felt his strong arms wrap around her, drawing her into his hold. "I'll do all the work, okay?"

"That's the line you used about the motorcycle," Spencer grumbled under her breath.

"And how much did you love that? Trust me, you'll love this too." He caught her lower lip in a saltwater kiss.

Next thing she knew, they were trudging through the powerful waves. Her limbs stayed locked around him as he went further from the shore, carrying them to what was surely their death.

When Toby pulled back slightly, his crystal eyes were gleaming off the dark water. They bobbed tranquilly. "Look around, Spence. We're past where the waves break."

Spencer did as she was told, taking in the glasslike stillness that stretched on and on. She raised her eyes heavenward, gasping at what she saw. "Toby, the stars…there are so many of them."

He smiled at her reverent whisper, craning his neck to take in the infinite stretch of twinkling stars. "Wow, they don't look like this at home, do they?"

They remained like that for several minutes, their arms circling each other and their eyes to the sky. Toby broke the silence eventually, nudging her ear with his lips, "Can you feel anything at all? Because every part of me has gone numb."

"Are you kidding?" She returned, her teeth chattering. "I'm frozen solid. But I was given strict instructions—no pouting."

Toby laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "And you've been such a good sport! But I think we better get out of here before we become a headline."

He tucked Spencer close to his side as he began the trek back to land. She closed her eyes, committing to memory a night she never wanted to forget…a beautiful swirl of ocean, stars, and a blue-eyed boy.