"Skye! I left some chicken noodle soup on the stove for you and Jeffrey. And hey, if you decide to throw something at him, don't use the good china, alright?"

"Alright... It won't be easy, though. Have fun tonight."

"Thanks. You too. I'll be home at around midnight. Oh, and I'll make a lot of noise coming in."

"Don't bother. There won't be any kissing here tonight. I'm too mad."

"Famous last words, Skye... See ya!"

Sighing, Skye sat down at the kitchen counter, and rested her head in her hands. She would be lucky if she made it through tonight without damaging her relationship with Jeffrey. One of the traits that Skye valued most was loyalty, and to have him accuse her of not having it hurt more than she let on. She had given him no reason to doubt her, so why had he? She would never think that of him.

And then him saying that he couldn't understand why she would pick a man like him of Cooper. Oh, God. Did he really believe that? She loved him more than anything in the world, even if she didn't say so often. But she didn't say it to anyone, it wasn't just him.

She didn't know where she had gone so wrong. Wrong enough that he didn't believe she loved him. So know what do I say? If he doesn't trust me enough to believe that I love him, how will he believe anything I tell him?

There was a knock on the door. Forcing her feet to move forward, Skye got up and let her fiancé in.

"Hello, Skye."

"Hi." Shutting the door behind him, she walked back into the kitchen, silently.

"So, what's for dinner?"

"Dr. Breskow left us some chicken noodle soup that she just made."

"Yum. Should we start eating?"

"Sure. Why not?"

In a frozen silence, the two dished themselves out bowls of soups and sat down at the kitchen table. Skye's bowl was half gone, before Jeffrey got up enough nerve to talk again.

"Skye, look. I'm really sorry about all this. I know it was stupid of me, but I just couldn't help myself." Skye just stared at her soup bowl, unable to voice her feelings. "Hey, most girls would be thrilled to find out that their fiancé was jealous of them."

"It isn't the jealousy, Jeffery." Her tone was sharper than she had intended. Taking a deep breath, she tried again. "I mean, that's not what I'm mad about. It's ridiculous that you should feel that way, but it isn't really the heart of the issue. What makes me so angry is the idea that you don't trust me. No, wait - don't say anything yet. Please just let me finish. I know that, in all practical applications of the word, you do trust me. But let's face it; you seriously doubted my loyalty today. I have never given you any reasons to feel that way, and it hurts and scares me to think that this is a topic we even have to talk about. I trust you with all my heart, and I had hoped that you felt the same way, because honestly, Jeffrey, if we don't trust each other, there's no point in any of this. And that hurts, because I love you. I want this to work more than anything else I've ever wanted, but it isn't really up to me. I'm sorry."

"Skye -" she could see the hurt she was currently feeling reflected back in his eyes, and she looked down. "Skye - what are you trying to say?"

"I don't even know." Sighing sadly, she picked up her bowl, and took it to the sink. "But this is something we should figure out now, before you get too immersed with someone you can't trust."

Eyes flashing, Jeffrey leapt up from the the table and stode over to where she stood against the counter. He grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, and turned her to face him.

"Skye Penderwick! Don't you ever say that again! I do too trust you. I trust you more than anyone I have ever met before, and I don't intend to let you go this easily. For Pete's sake, Skye! I love you!"Full of determination, slammed his lips to hers, trying to get her to see that he meant what he was saying.

Skye had never been kissed like that. His mouth was rough and desperate on her's, and his hands held her so tightly she was sure she would have bruises on her shoulders in the morning. He took her breath away, quite literally, and almost, not quite, but almost made her weak at the knees. When he had her backed into the refrigerator, he let up a bit, finally pulling away. As they stood there, pressed together, panting, he just stared at her, the hurt and pain in his eyes visible. Closing his eyes, he rested his forehead on her's gently.

"Oh, God, Skye. What's going on? I love you too much to let this happen." She just shook her head slowly, leaning forward and setting her head on his shoulder, as he wrapped her into a gentle hug.

"I know I don't tell you this enough, Jeffrey, but I love you, too. I'm sorry about this whole mess. I should have told you he was married, but I just never thought of it."

"Enough. We could both apologize until our tongues wore out, and it wouldn't change anything. I think we've already forgiven each other."

Smiling gently, she leaned up, and met his lips in a kiss. Gentle and slow, it was what they had both needed all afternoon. All of the sudden, they were interrupted by the sound of a woman laughing.

"Ah, ha! What did I tell you, Skye? Famous last words!"

Sorry it's short. The next one should be up soon!

Mahogany night - Thanks! That's good feedback for me. I really appreciate all the time you spend reviewing. It means a lot and makes my day!