A/N: Listen up, you awesome people. I am so grateful for your comments. This is the third story I have ever written and the second that I have ever actually published. I've been reading stories on this site for over a year and a half and finally gathered enough courage to write a fic of my own and put it up for public scrutiny. If you are an author and have published pieces in the L&O SVU, BTVS, STV, and/or (of course) R&I universes...chances are I have seen your work and been inspired by it. Thank you so, so much. I know you want to get to the story, but it's important to me that you realize how much I appreciate all of my readers & reviewers. Special shout out to mrj726...part of this chapter was inspired by one of our numerous PM conversations. ;-)

The storm lasted almost two full days. That entire time, we were stuck in our villa with only each other as entertainment.

It was the best two days of my life.

We woke this morning, tangled together, to find the sun finally shining through the bedroom window.

Even though we had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we were eager to get some fresh air and see more of the island. So, we ate breakfast and got ready to investigate the more touristy activities that were available.

There are only a few more days left of our stay on Koh Samui. The fact makes me sad, but I'm so grateful for every aspect of this trip. I learned a lot about myself.

I found Maura.

She found me.

We found each other and created something that no one will ever be able to take away from us.

After spending most of the day exploring the surrounding villages and looking at vendors, Maura talked me into going to the island's meditation center.

This leads me to my current predicament.

We're sitting cross legged on a dirt floor, under a large open sided pavilion. The only thing between us and the hard ground are thin cloth mats. There has to be at least fifty other people, all setting in organized lines and meditating peacefully.

I'm not good at this. I just can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that I'm supposed to sit here and do nothing. If I want to achieve complete and total inner peace...I take a nap. If I'm awake, I do stuff...not always productive stuff, but stuff all the same.

However, Maura did have a point. I need to learn how to compartmentalize.

No, not just how to compartmentalize, but how to open those compartments and clear out their contents when they get full. I'm a bottler; always have been. If I don't find a way to change that, I'll eventually end up in the same situation that drove us here in the first place.

So, despite the fact that my butt has fallen asleep and my lower back is now screaming in pain...I stay persistent.

After sitting in the meditative pose for what seems like hours and continually failing in my attempts to 'go within myself', I start to get irritated.

"Maura."

She doesn't respond to my whisper. Maybe she didn't hear me.

"Hey, Maur."

A little louder this time...accompanied by a gentle nudge with my elbow.

"Shush."

I peek an eye open and scowl sideways at her.

"You did not just 'shush' me."

She keeps her eyes closed but I can see a tiny smile pull at the corner of her lips.

"What it is?"

Her voice is soft, but I can hear an edge of playful annoyance.

I open both eyes and turn my head to look fully at her.

"Nothing's happening. I think my mat is broken. Isn't it supposed to be like a magic carpet or something?"

She inhales and exhales slowly. I'm sure it's some kind of method of keeping her concentration.

"Just close your eyes..."

How did she know they were open?

"...and breathe. Think of something...anything. Let your mind get lost in a thought or memory or fantasy, then take control of it. Focus."

Let my mind get lost in a fantasy? Why didn't she tell me that from the beginning? I've had plenty of practice in that department.

My eyes close once more and I relax my shoulders.

I think back over the last few days. We've been together almost none stop; sleeping together, eating together, bathing together, all while wearing nothing more than smiles and each other.

Yet...it's not enough. It'll never be enough. I have gotten nowhere near my fill of her. I crave her like a drug; as soon as I'm down from my high, I need another fix.

I let my mind wander to our shower this morning. I remember the feel of her hands and lips and...other physical attributes...sliding over every inch of my slick skin as water streamed down both of our bodies.

My back is pressed against the wall of the shower. My hands are on her shoulders. She is the only thing keeping me from crashing to the floor. The tiled stall is cold against my overheated skin and my head falls back as I moan my enjoyment of our building passion.

Suddenly, my mind snaps back to the present. My brow furrows in concentration but I keep my eyes closed.

...I feel something.

Hey, I think I've got the hang of this! I was thinking about being touched and now I can actually feel the physical sensation of fingers snaking over my skin. No, really! I can feel it like its happening right now!

…?

Wait a minute...

...?!

Wait just one damned minute.

My eyes shoot open and I look down at my arm, which has been perched atop my thigh. However, I find that it is now adorned with a snake that is slithering its way to my shoulder.

"OH SHIT!"

I give no thought to the volume of my voice as I spring from my pose, in a very impressive show of athleticism if I don't say so myself, and begin to whip my arm around wildly. Somewhere along the way, the snake is flung from my limb and I hear the exclamations of several other attendees as it lands among them.

I don't wait around to see what happens. I take off running out from under the structure like my ass has been lit on fire.

When I feel I'm a safe distance away from the scene, I stop and begin to brush at my arm like the snake is still attached. I'm a city girl, born and raised. I don't like snakes. Apparently, that dislike flares like a meteor entering earth's atmosphere when such a creature is actually crawling on me.

I continue doing my 'heebie jeebie' dance until I hear a familiar giggle from behind me.

I turn around, mentally preparing a defense for my actions in the hopes of salvaging what's left of my pride. But my train of thought derails as Maura approaches me, snake in hand.

"What the hell, Maura?! Get that thing away from me!"

I start to back away.

She slows her advance, but doesn't stop completely.

The reptile has to be over three feet long, but it seems really skinny for a snake of that length. Its head is small and its scales are green.

Maura has it wrapped around her forearm and its head is extended several inches away from her hand. Its tongue darts out every few seconds to evaluate the surroundings.

"There's no need to be afraid. This is a common green or grass snake. It's non-venomous."

"That's magical. Now, please get it away from me. Seriously, that's gross."

Her face falls a little and she drops her gaze to the animal in hand.

"It's just a living creature, Jane. I know how people look at it; cold, unfeeling, too different to be close to...it's not fair. What did it ever do wrong? It deserves to have a place in this world too."

She gently runs the pad of her thumb over its scaly skin.

Great. Fan-freakin-tastic. Of all the things Maura associates herself with...it has to be a snake? Now she's sad and I'm being a jerk by acting so standoffish.

"Maur...sweetie..."

I know she still struggles with abandonment and isolation issues. It's something I've wanted to address on this trip. But, when I finally got a handle on my own problems, I found myself in a passionate and loving new relationship with my best friend. Everything has happened so fast...it's been hard to focus on anything else.

But I will, starting right now.

We've both been hurt over the past years. We'll mend one another in the years to come.

I clench my jaw as I take a few steps forward. The snake seems to be interested in my progression and further extends itself from its captor's grasp to greet me.

I manage to get a few inches closer before I feel too uneasy and have to stop.

"...I'm sorry. I know there's nothing wrong with it...it just scared the crap out of me. It's...ah...actually really cool."

I meet the snake's beady-eyed stare and offer a smile, that I'm sure looks more like a grimace, as I give it a little wave with my index finger.

"Hey there little guy."

I hear her chuckle and I look up into her hazel eyes. She's smiling at me and I can tell I've somewhat redeemed myself.

"Just...please don't tell me I have to touch it..."

She laughs, a little heartier this time, and simply shakes her head 'no'.

She walks over to a nearby shrub, kneels down, and allows the snake to slither onto a branch. A shiver involuntarily runs down my spine as I watch it slide from her skin and disappear from sight.

My lover gets up, turns, and comes to stand in front of me.

"Now...this would have been a much different scenario if that were one of the other species of snakes that inhabit the island."

I shouldn't even ask, but I can't help myself.

"Other species?"

"Yes. Pythons, green pit vipers, and cobras can also be found on Koh Samui."

I feel the color drain from my face.

"Cobras? But...I... You think you could have told me this before we went hiking through the jungle?!"

She seems to carefully consider my question before answering.

She takes hold of my hands and intertwines our fingers. I manage to suppress my discomfort of the fact that one of her hands just had a snake in it.

I am immediately sobered by her next statement.

"If we hadn't braved the jungle, we wouldn't have gone to the falls. Would you change that? We may never have..."

An solemn expression crosses her face as her sentence dies.

I hear the words she doesn't say.

The fact is, I would sleep on a bed of cobras if it meant being able to share my love with her. I would gladly accept a fate of 'death by a thousand snake bites' if I were allowed to show her just how amazing and perfect and essential she is to my existence.

I lean down and give her a sweet kiss. I haven't gotten over my amazement of the fact that I am allowed to do this pretty much whenever I want. I'm not sure I ever will. I'm not sure I ever want to.

I pull back and give her hands a gentle squeeze.

"I wouldn't change that day for anything. I love you."

Her smile leaves me breathless.

"I love you."

I feel a familiar spark ignite the atmosphere around us. My skin flushes as I watch her pupils dilate. I blink several times in an attempt to defog my suddenly muddled brain.

I clear my throat and do my best to swallow. Despite my efforts, my question still sounds gravelly.

"Do you want to go back to the group?"

Her response is hushed but assured. The sweet timbre of her voice settles over me like liquid velvet.

"No, let's go back to the resort. Maybe take a swim in our pool?"

The mischievous glint in her eyes makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, steps into my body, and positions one of her thighs between both of mine, applying a slight amount of pressure...just enough to cause my desire to flare like a steadily burning flame that is mercilessly doused in gasoline.

"Oh shit..."

I say nothing more as I drop one of her hands, turn around, and hurriedly lead us out of the meditation complex.

A/N: Well, we don't have too much longer in Koh Sumai. Our ladies will start making their way back home...but I wonder what more Maura has up her sleeve? Seriously, though. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It really does mean the world to me! Take care. -SJR