I think we can all agree that Chapter 5 isn't my best work. In fact, I think it's some kind of Karma-styled revenge on me for writing my story at work. I lost the whole chapter, and I was sooo proud of it. So here's hoping that this post goes better (because I'm doing it at work, again).

KB owns it. I'm just goofin' off.

Zachary kissed her deeply, sharing her breath, her energy, her heat. It was all he'd ever wanted from Karigan. Her confession of love and her proximity to his body were overwhelming him. He wanted to have her now, have all of her, but he deliberately calmed himself. Zachary knew enough of Karigan to rightly assume that this intimacy was not something she would have shared with someone else. To speak so strongly of love and what's right, he knew she would not have given out this type of closeness freely.

Wanting to take his time, he concentrated on the rhythm of their kiss. The feel of her exploring his mouth as he tasted hers. Reveling in the quickened breaths signaling her own passion. Smiling into his kiss, Zachary slid one hand from around her back to her side and began its slow decent under the blankets. Lightly skimming her waist, hip, and thigh, his hand found a bit of bare skin just behind her knee. There his fingertips spent what felt like an eternity making lazy circles – starting small and slowly spiraling outwards. Down her calf and up the back of her thigh the circles went, slow spirals making Karigan shiver and press herself more firmly against his chest. Feeling her eagerness in her kisses, Zachary's fingers began to slowly circle their way up under her nightshirt, touching her outer thigh, her hip, and finding the soft skin of her waist. There, his thumb took the lead as his hand slid upwards, seeking more softness. Zachary's mind was nearly shut down completely when the silkiness of her skin was interrupted by something raised near her ribs.

Stab wound, the part of his mind still capable of reason supplied him with that knowledge. And then Zachary's mind regained control over his body. His hand stopped its northward progress and just rested, warm and gentle, against the old scar. He dipped his head away from Karigan's mouth to gently nuzzle her neck as he tried to think of a way to stop what he'd started without hurting her.

It wasn't that the scar disgusted him or even lessened his ardor. But it did remind him of what he'd allowed himself to forget in these past moments. Karigan has given nearly everything to serve her country. Many times she's nearly given her life. The only parts of her left to herself are nearly gone. She already gave him her heart. Admitting she loved him only rekindled his fervor to find a way for them to be together. And now her body, the last part of herself that was still her own… he literally had her in his hands. She was willing to give herself to him. And in that moment, he knew he wasn't worthy of the gift.

Holding her tightly to his chest, he whispered to her ear, "I love you. I have for so long now, it seems like loving you is a permanent part of me."

Her reply was so hushed he may have missed it if they weren't pressed head to toe, "I couldn't even tell you the moment I first loved you. It was just there, inside me, waiting for me to realize…" She trailed off, as if embarrassed by the sentiment.

"I want, I want so badly for us to continue, Karigan, but it's nearly morning. If we don't meet the Weapons by the crossroads in a few hours, they'll come looking for us. I wouldn't trust any warding at keeping out determined Weapons."

Karigan's amused chuckle was the sweetest sound to Zachary's ears. She wasn't angry, and didn't suspect him of stopping for any other reasons.

I would like to apologize for the two month gap between postings. Thanks to TheRoseandtheDagger for pointing that out. I honestly didn't realize it'd been so long. Whoops.

And here's a tip – if you happen to live in a subtropical climate – don't ever move to a new place in the summer. It's a bad idea. Trust me.