Author's Note: Thank you to all the lovely people that have given me reviews. This story has taken on a life of its own, and I'm just as on edge as you are to see what happens next!

The days passed, one seeming to melt into the other, and still they walked the thin line between two people thrust together by war, and something more. Cassandra was becoming more uneasy as the days passed, she knew their time together was limited, and she didn't want to waste one minute of what little time they had left. When she awoke that morning, it was to the sound of thunder in the distance. Cassandra lay in bed for several minutes, listening to the rain pelt the windows, trying to talk herself out of what she knew was inevitable. Today would be the day that she would go and speak to the Colonel. What was more, today would be the day she would make him listen.

Cassandra dressed in a hurry, not bothering to do anything more with her hair after a few quick brushes than pull it up into a messy bun at the nape of her neck. Cassandra strode from her room and down the hall, walking with a purpose. Reaching the first floor, Cassandra made her way to the back of the house, hoping she would be able to see if he were outside with his men, although, given the nasty weather outside, she very much doubted it.

Impatient now, Cassandra tapped her fingers against her thigh as she looked outside. There were several men milling about, but she did not see him. 'Of course not' she mused, 'that would make this too easy".

Cassandra started to turn from the window when a flash of color made her stop and look back. Her heart began to hammer as she spotted him standing in the doorway of the barn. His arms were crossed over his chest as he stared back towards the house. Cassandra couldn't tell through the rain, but it looked like he was watching her. Taking a deep breath, Cassandra crossed to the back door and flung it open, steeling herself as she walked into the heavy rain. Cassandra walked briskly towards him, noting the exact moment he realized she was heading for him in the way he dropped his hands from his chest, choosing instead to fold them behind his back.

"A bit nasty out today for a stroll don't you think Miss Davies?" he asked as she approached him, water running down her face.

"A bit Colonel" she conceded as she stepped towards him, mildly annoyed when he took a slight step back from her.

"Running away again Colonel?" she asked raising an eyebrow at him.

"Hardly Miss Davies" he said in the same unreadable tone he used when they had first met.

"Then why are you moving away from me?"

Colonel Tavington shrugged, and keeping his eyes on hers, took a step towards her, putting him a bit closer to her than she expected.

"Is that better?" he inquired, a hint of what might have been a smile turning the corners of his mouth up.

"Yes, thank you" she replied haughtily as she wiped the water from her eyes. "I wish to speak to you Colonel, and it is not a conversation that I wish to have standing on opposite sides of the barn"

"Very well Miss Davies" Tavington replied gesturing to her with one hand. "Here I am, and there you are, so why don't you tell me what is on your mind?"

"I want to know what you think of me William" Cassandra said, placing her hands on her hips and staring at him in a way that showed him she would not take him walking away for an answer.

"I am very….. unsure of you" William said at last, tilting his head to the side and studying her as she watched him.

"Unsure of me?" she repeated watching him carefully.

"Yes… you are unlike anyone I've ever met. I never know what to expect from you…."

Cassandra smiled in spite of herself. So he was every bit as unsure of her and she was of him. That at least put them on even ground.

"So you're unsure of me, but ….. do you like me William?" she pressed watching with mild surprise as his eyebrows drew together at her question.

"I certainly enjoy your company Miss Davies" he said with a slight inclination of his head.

"That isn't what I meant William" Cassandra said softly, taking another step towards him so that they were practically touching.

When he did not respond, only continue to stand there watching her with a mild amusement, Cassandra ran a hand down his arm and tried again.

"What I wanted to know is…. Do you have feelings for me?" she asked hesitantly. "Sometimes… it seems as though you do" she added watching his eyes carefully.

"You're a beautiful girl" he said quickly.

"That isn't what I asked"

Tavington sighed, it was just as he had suspected, she was not going to let him off the hook easily. But how could he tell her what he was feeling? She was an American... he was a soldier with a duty to his country. They could never be... and yet......

"You're a beautiful girl" he repeated bringing one hand up and stroking her face from hairline to chin. "And certainly, I enjoy being around you. You present a … challenge… to me. One I'm not sure I understand. But ….. Miss Davies… Cassandra…" he took another deep breath. "There can never be anything between us. Not in the way that you are thinking. Not now. I am a British Officer, in the middle of a war. I cannot afford the luxury of attempting a relationship with you. I'm sorry Cassandra… I…."

Tavington did not finish his thought, he didn't have to, Cassandra had watched him as he spoke to her, her eyes searching his even as they filled with tears she didn't bother to hide. Tavington cursed himself and reached for her, but she pulled away and turned from him, running back through the rain without a backwards glance.

'What have you done?' he thought to himself as he watched her go. 'Why didn't you tell her the truth?'