Disclaimer: I am NOT Stephenie Meyer and I don't own any of the Twilight series' characters or stories. I borrowed the dialogue and storyline from Breaking Dawn, but the rest is my own take on the story, as seen through Edward's eyes.

Chapter 8

Diversions

Brightly colored fish scattered as Bella reached her fingertips toward them. Frustrated and determined, she swam after them. I smiled to myself as I watched her glide through the water, floating gracefully above the coral below.

Her bruises had begun to fade and, although she tried her best to sway me, I had kept my promise to her and to myself not to be intimate with her again while she is still human. I swam toward her, but she waved me off. The creatures of the sea were wary of my presence and kept a safe distance. Of course, if Bella had any hope of getting a closer look, that meant I had to maintain my distance from her as well.

Strong legs kicking, she propelled herself upward. I followed and broke the surface of the water just as she was taking in a gulp of air. She took several breaths and shifted her mask to the top of her head before turning her attention to me. "You're scaring the fish," she complained, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout.

"Not intentionally," I said in an attempt to defend myself. "It's their natural instinct to evade a predator."

"Humph," she huffed. I swam closer to her, wrapping my arms around her waist and she reluctantly placed her arms around my neck. I pressed my lips to her temple, tasting the salty water on her skin.

"Done for the day?" I asked.

She sighed, resting against me as I kept us afloat. I could see the disappointment on her face. I had seen that look far too much in the past several days, although I had done my best to keep her entertained, to share the aspects of the island with her that I knew she would enjoy.

A dark shadow passed beneath us, capturing my attention. I turned my head and peered through the water to see a rather large sea turtle floating just a few meters below our feet.

"Bella," I whispered.

Her gaze lifted to mine. I nodded, gesturing to the water below. She released her hold on me and moved her mask into position, lowering her head to the water so she could see. She smiled widely when she lifted her head back out of the water.

"Go," I encouraged. "I'll wait here."

A moment later, she dove under the waves and cautiously swam up to the turtle, taking care not to startle it. I watched from above, certain that she would be sore with me if I did anything to frighten her newest find. The turtle seemed unaffected by her presence as it continued to meander slowly through the currents.

She reached out a tentative hand and I smiled as I watched her palm glide gently over the slick surface of the turtle's shell. He gave a cursory glance back at Bella, but must have determined that she wasn't a threat because he merely continued on his way.

A moment later, she swam back up to meet me. Her expression was animated as she regaled me with the details of her close encounter with the sea creature. Every trace of disappointment had vanished beneath the excitement of her newest discovery, like a child seeing something amazing for the first time. I smiled to myself, thinking about how many moments like this we would soon share when she was changed – when everything would be new to her again.

We began swimming to the shore and I swam ahead, running up the beach to fetch a towel for her. I stooped down, taking the soft terrycloth in my hand, and stood, shaking away the grains of sand that clung to it. I turned to see Bella walking toward me, her silhouette glistening against the backdrop of the setting sun. She was breathtaking and Alice's choice of swimwear left little to the imagination. I wasn't sure whether I should thank her or kill her for some of the clothing she had chosen to pack for Bella.

I swallowed thickly, feeling the familiar burn in the center of my chest that radiated out through my limbs like a wildfire. I gripped the towel firmly in my fist and dug my heels into the sand, suppressing every urge I had to take her in my arms and make love to her in the surf. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to conjure up an image, any image that would derail my current train of thought. The blessing of silence was almost a curse now, making it much more difficult to find distraction from my own thoughts.

"Edward?" Bella's voice broke my concentration. I felt her warm hand lightly touching my own as the fabric of the towel slid through my fingers. I opened my eyes and she was right in front of me, looking up with a quizzical expression.

I smiled weakly, shaking my head to dispel the thoughts that clung to the edges of my consciousness. I took the towel from her hand and wrapped it around her, cocooning her in the soft cloth, protection from the wind and, more importantly, from myself. I placed an arm around her shoulder and led her back toward the house.

Once inside, she went off to the bathroom to shower and change. As the sounds of the spattering water hitting her skin met my ears, I knew I needed to get out of the house. Needing to wash away the saltwater from my own skin, I quickly made my way to the outdoor shower.

The rusting spigot groaned as it twisted, the pipes shuddering as water rushed through them for the first time in nearly a decade. The ice cold spray hit my face and I closed my eyes, relishing in the refreshing sensation. The water cascaded down my back, soaking my hair, and washing away the remnants of the ocean that clung to me. However, the cool water did little to quench the fire burning within me.

What was I going to do? Like a new addiction, I'd had that first taste and I wanted more. It reminded me of the first taste of human blood after abstaining for so long - the way it quenched my thirst, satisfying me in a way that animal blood never could. It was much more difficult to go back to my family's lifestyle afterward. And here I was, in the same predicament. I had a taste of something wondrous and all I could think of was when I would have a chance to partake again.

I squeezed my eyes shut and splayed my hands against the wooden planks surrounding the shower, struggling to find the strength within. You can do this, I told myself. Certainly, if I could keep my composure with someone whose blood sang to me like hers did, I could keep my other urges in check. I turned off the water and shook my head, shaking the icy droplets from my hair. I listened and could still hear the spattering water of Bella's shower.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I walked through the back door and into the bedroom. I dressed quickly, eager to avoid any possibility that I encounter Bella while still in a state of undress. The sounds of the shower ceased just as I was moving into the kitchen.

I made quick work of preparing her dinner, busying myself with the culinary tasks in an attempt to keep my hands and thoughts occupied. A variety of scents drifted through the room, none of which appealed to me, but I hoped would appeal to a human palate.

"Mmm," Bella hummed as she came up behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist and leaning her cheek against my back. "That smells delicious."

"Thank you." I smiled to myself as I continued to stir. I did my best to focus on my task, but the heat from Bella's body and the sensation of her arms draped so delicately around my waist were quite distracting. Taking deep breaths, I steadied myself. The aromas from the kitchen wafted up to my nose, filling my head with a varied bouquet of scents – the salty sea air breezing through the open window, the faint odor of the pasta rolling in boiling water, the earthy scents of the vegetables sizzling in the pan, the familiar and comforting scent of Bella, and something else I couldn't quite place.

I spun around to face Bella. She was radiant in a pale blue sundress. I pushed her damp hair from her shoulder and leaned down to place a gentle kiss on the exposed skin. My lips pressed softly against the balmy skin of her shoulder, feeling the steady flow of blood just beneath the surface. The aroma of lavender and freesia filled my nostrils, evoking a familiar sense of longing, but there was a new scent laced among the others. I pressed my lips to her skin again, breathing deep the new fragrance. It was unlike anything I had smelled before, sweet like honey, but distinctly unique.

"New shampoo?" I asked, curious to determine the origin of this new scent. Perhaps when Alice had chosen Bella's wardrobe for the honeymoon, she included some lavish soaps as well.

Bella looked up at me, seemingly perplexed by my question. "No," she replied, drawing out the word as though she was unsure herself. "Why do you ask?"

I hesitated for a moment, trying to fathom where this enticing aroma had come from. It must have been her body's own chemical reaction to the prolonged sun exposure, I presumed. Perhaps the excess vitamin D was producing this new aroma. The weather in Forks was dreadfully dreary in comparison to our own tropical paradise. I had already seen the effects of the sun in the tone of her skin and the blush of her cheeks – even her hair had begun to lighten as a result of our many days spent basking in the sun's rays. It only stood to reason that the new environment would affect her in ways that weren't as easily seen.

I shook my head. "It's nothing." I smiled reassuringly. "Hungry?" I asked, changing the subject.

"I'm famished," she exclaimed. She reached up on her toes, kissing me lightly on the cheek, before taking her place at the table. I returned my attention to the stove, finishing up the meal preparations, before presenting the plate to an eagerly waiting Bella.

"Mmm," she hummed as she took her first bite. "This is fantastic."

"Thank you." I smiled as I sat across from her, watching as she enjoyed her pasta primavera. I watched with some measure of satisfaction as she proceeded to eat every last bite on her plate, even so much as soaking up the sauce with a bit of bread.

She finished so quickly that I wondered to myself if I shouldn't have made more. The endless parade of activities I planned for each day seemed to have her working up quite an appetite. I made a mental note to call the caretakers and request that they bring more groceries on their next visit.

"That was…wow," she sighed, sinking back in her chair and patting her full belly. "Remind me again why I never let you cook for me before?"

I chuckled. "Because I don't eat?" I offered.

"Hmm," she murmured to herself, her fingers gliding across her distended midsection. "Maybe I should do the cooking next time."

"Why's that?" I asked, marginally hurt that she wouldn't want me to cook for her.

"Because it's so good and you make so much that I'm going to start to get fat, that's why," she teased.

"Hardly," I scoffed. She was absolutely beautiful and my love for her was too deep to be affected by such a shallow factor as her weight. "Besides," I offered, "you're getting enough exercise during the day to more than make up for it."

She pursed her lips and the small space between her brows puckered. After a moment, she rose from her chair and walked over to me. I opened my arms as she lowered herself into my lap and lay her head on my chest.

"You know…" she began, trailing her fingers across my chest. "All of our activities don't have to be restricted to the daytime." A blush quickly rose in her cheeks as she looked up at me through her lashes. Her trailing fingers gripped the collar of my shirt as she leaned up, pressing her lips firmly to mine.

Her kisses were urgent, pleading, and it took every ounce of strength within me to take her hand in mine and gently push her away. Her lip began to tremble and she quickly tugged it between her teeth to hide her reaction. I kissed her forehead and, with her cradled in my arms, I stood and began walking toward the couch. I laid her on the cushions and leaned over her, smiling sweetly as I fought to maintain control.

I kissed her forehead once more before leaning back away from her. "How about a movie?" I asked, already moving across to the shelf that held the collection of DVD's, carefully avoiding her disappointed gaze.

"Sure, you pick."

I paid little attention to the movie I chose. It was merely another means of distraction; another form of entertainment to keep Bella occupied and, hopefully, keep me away from temptation.
I leaned back on the couch just as the movie began. Bella snuggled up to my side and I placed one arm over her shoulder, cradling to her me, and strategically wrapping a blanket around her with the other hand. The television screen glowed, but my attention was elsewhere. Taking slow, steady breaths, I struggled to push back the ever-present twinge of desire that pulsed within my chest. But fatigue, it seemed, was my new ally. Within moments of the film's opening, Bella's heart slowed and her soft breathing changed into a quiet snore.

With cautious movements, I scooped her up in my arms and carried her to the bed. She sunk into the downy softness of the pillows and I pulled the blankets over her before settling beside her for the night. Whether unconscious or intentional, I couldn't be sure, but she nuzzled herself next to me, her slender fingers lightly gripping the fabric of my shirt. I pushed a wayward strand of hair from her face and let my fingers gently glide over the contours of her cheek. Tiny hairs on her skin rose in reaction to my cool touch, but she didn't stir.

I lay there, in revered silence, admiring the creature that called herself mine. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, her steady heartbeat reverberating through me, reminding me of the sensation of my own heart that had long been stilled. Even in the moonlight, her alabaster skin seemed to glow from within, as though the beauty within her radiated out through her pores.
In sleep she was peaceful, all worries of the day wiped away, awaiting a fresh start with the rising sun. I wondered to myself how long I would be able to resist her, how long I could deny my own urges and her advances. Even more powerful than a physical attraction was the power she had over me. To see her disappointed or unhappy was nearly enough to break me, to cause me to give in to whatever she might ask. But how to remedy that?I had concocted every conceivable activity afforded to us by the island and it still wasn't enough. What else could I do?

The last person I imagined myself thinking of on my honeymoon suddenly came to mind. Jacob had never disappointed Bella in the ways that I had. Even when her requests were abundantly reckless, he gave in to every demand. Perhaps it was his lopsided manner of trying to secure her heart, but he gave her something that I never had – freedom. I was always so worried for her safety, so terrified that something might happen, that I often found myself stifling her. If I could wrap her in a bubble and keep her safe for always, I would, but what kind of life would that be?

As odd as it sounded, I wished I could be more like Jacob. I wished I could throw caution to the wind and be daring, give into spontaneity and do something for the thrill of it regardless of the risks. I wondered if I could do such a thing. Could I? And if I did, would that show Bella that I wasn't so rigid, that I could be just as fun and exciting as her friend.

All at once, the idea came to me. I cringed at the prospect, but as dangerous activities went, it was safer than some of the alternatives. On the farthest edge of the island stood a great waterfall, one that my brothers and I had frequented on our stays here. I remembered diving from the slippery rocks into the clear pool below and the brief rush that accompanied it. It was perfect. Although it would seem quite dangerous to Bella, I knew that the lake below the falls was deep and devoid of obstacles and, if I waited for her below the falls, I could be sure to catch her if needed.

Bella stirred, whimpering softly and throwing her arm across my chest before nuzzling closer into my side. I wrapped my arms around her and began humming softly until she settled back into a restful sleep. Tomorrow she would see a side of me she hadn't seen before. Tomorrow I would give her something to be excited about, something that, with a little luck, would be enough to stave off her disappointments.

-x-

Once again, Bella slept until the sun was high in the sky. She groaned and stretched beside me as she shook off the effects of a long night of rest. I sat up on my elbows, watching with amusement as she woke. Her eyes lifted to mine and she cocked her head to the side, the corner of her mouth twitching upward in a smirk.

"What?" she asked.

"I just enjoy watching you." I smiled when her cheeks flooded crimson.

She rolled her eyes and smacked me on the chest before leaning up to peck me lightly on the lips. "And what do we have planned for the day? Snorkeling? Swimming? Sand castles, perhaps?" She raised her eyebrows and smiled wider. She was teasing me.

"Cliff diving, actually," I replied with as straight a face as I could manage.

Her breath caught and her eyes widened. Hearing the words come from my own lips, I could imagine what she was thinking because my mind went immediately to the last, nearly disastrous, time she chose to dive from a cliff.

"Cliff….diving?" she stammered.

I nodded. "There is a waterfall on the other side of the island. Not to worry – the cliffs aren't nearly as large as those in La Push – and I'll be with you."

She pursed her lips as she thought over my proposal. I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind – determining whether or not I was serious about this particular venture. "You're sure?" she asked.

"Absolutely." I smiled, taking her hand in mine and kissing her knuckles softly. "I thought a little adventure was in order. We've done just about all there is to do on this part of the island. I thought we could use something new to break up the tedium."

"All right." She nodded. "If you're sure…"

I chuckled at her uncertainty. I hoped that her hesitation was a result of her disbelief that I would suggest something with an edge of danger and not because the idea dredged up unpleasant memories of past experiences. I leaned in to kiss her forehead before rising from the bed to prepare for the day.

I left her to dress while I, once again, busied myself in the kitchen. Since our first morning here together, she had requested that I make her an omelet at each breakfast. She walked into the kitchen just as I was sliding it onto her plate. I turned and faltered, nearly dropping the plate onto the floor.

There she was, mahogany hair cascading down her back, looking stunning in a white bikini and sheer powder blue sarong. I swallowed back the venom that flowed into my mouth as I moved to place her plate on the table, cursing Alice under my breath for the wardrobe she had chosen. Bella must have caught a glimpse of my reaction because the corner of her mouth twitched upward as she sat down.

"I'll be back in a moment," I said, quickly turning back to the bedroom.

Bella chuckled softly as I turned to leave. She had become quite the skilled temptress in the days since we arrived here. It seemed she had not given up in the least in her efforts to sway me. Entering the bedroom, I sat on the edge of the bed, running my fingers through my hair. I could still see Bella sitting in the kitchen, her back to me, her slender legs swinging effortlessly beneath the chair. I lay back and closed my eyes. Her scent still clung to the bedding and it surrounded me, filling my head, enticing me. I pulled her pillow to my face and breathed deep; the scents of lavender, freesia, and the new honey-like scent filling my nostrils. It was intoxicating.

"Edward?" she called from the kitchen.

I jolted upward and across the room, quickly changing my clothing before walking back to her. "Yes, Love?"

"Where were you?"

"Just changing." I lied, briefly laying a hand on her shoulder as I circled the table. "I don't know how long you will want to stay at the falls, so I thought we should take a few things." I removed a couple of bottles of water from the refrigerator and set them on the counter.

She walked to my side, placing her dishes in the sink, and proceeded to gather ingredients for a sandwich. "A picnic sounds nice," she replied, "even if I'm the only one eating it."

-x-

The wind whistled past us as we flew through the lush landscape. Bella had suggested we take the boat to circle the island, but I assured her that running would be much faster. In all honestly, I just wanted the opportunity to stretch my legs a bit, to feel the calming freedom that running always brought to me.

With Bella clinging to my back, I ran the length of the island, stopping periodically to show her some of the breathtaking sights that the island had to offer. Dense foliage and brightly colored flowers guided us to the falls. A group of colorful birds took flight and scattered as we broke through the trees. The falls had remained unchanged through the passing years - not unlike the family that owned it.

The sounds of churning water filled our ears and Bella's gasp was audible when the falls came into sight. I carefully set her down, taking care to ensure her footing before letting her go. She staggered a few steps forward, her neck craning to see the apex of the falls. Seeing them now with her, they seemed to tower a bit more than in my own recollections, but perhaps their height was exaggerated by the nervousness I felt at the thought of her jumping from the top.

"That's really high," she breathed, still looking skyward.

"It is," I agreed, "but I won't let anything happen to you."

She nodded cautiously as she shifted the bag from her back, setting it down on the banks of the small pool at the base of the falls. She kicked off her sandals and turned back to me. "Are you sure?"

I chuckled. "Are you scared?"

She glanced back up at the falls and then back to me before nodding hesitantly. I hadn't intended to frighten her and I hoped that, by bringing her here, I wasn't inadvertently dredging up painful memories.

"We don't have to," I began, but she shook her head.

"No, I want to. It's just…the last time…"

I crossed the small space and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her to me. "Shhh," I soothed. "If you want to go, we'll go. I just thought this might be something new and exciting we could try. I thought…"

"What?" she asked.

"You may think it's silly, but I thought that, because this particular activity has some painful memories tied to it, we could take this opportunity to separate ourselves from that history and create some new memories – happier memories."

She twined her fingers with mine and reached up on her toes, kissing me lightly on the underside of my jaw. "And that's why I love you," she whispered. I smiled, lifting her up and twirling her as her laughter echoed through the trees.

"You're absolutely right," she continued. "Let's make some new memories." She untied her sarong and laid it across the top of her bag. "I'm ready when you are."
I took her hand and pulled her onto my back once again. "Hold on." The moment I felt her grip tighten, I began circling the waters until we came to the base of the rocky ridge. I heard her breath catch as I quickly scaled the face of the rocks, reaching the summit within seconds.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" I asked, chuckling at her expression as I set her down.

"That's not the part I was worried about."

"You can back out," I assured her. "We don't have to do this."

"No." She shook her head. "I want to. I think I needto."

"Together?" I asked.

She nodded and smiled. "Together."

I took her hand in mine and began guiding her to the precipice. She stood close to my side, leaning ever so slightly over the edge to see the height of the drop. She shuddered delicately and curled into my side, her grip on my hand tightening until her knuckles were white.

I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I won't let go," I promised. I gradually moved toward the rim until we were teetering on the edge of the sheer cliff, looking down at the churning waters below.

"Ready?" I asked.

If it were possible, her grip on my hand tightened even more and she nodded shakily.

"On the count of three."

She squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath.

"One…two…three!" With my hand tightly wrapped around hers, together we jumped off the edge. She screamed as we began to fall, but kept her eyes tightly closed. I smiled at the sensation that pulsed through me, at the feeling of weightlessness and the accompanying excitement that followed. Within seconds, we sliced through the surface of the water, plunging several feet down into the cool liquid before beginning to kick back up to the surface.

True to my word, I hadn't let go of Bella's hand. We broke the surface of the water together and she rewarded me with a satisfied smile. Together we had faced our fear and, with any luck, created a lasting memory that would soon overshadow the other.

"That was amazing!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me fully on the lips. She leaned back, the look in her eyes unreadable as she scanned my face. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" I asked. "For not letting go?"

"No," she shook her head, smiling. "Thank you for this – for everything. Thank you for always thinking of me and for doing what you can to make things right – even when they're not your fault."

I pushed back a lock of hair that clung to her forehead, letting my hand cup her cheek. "You know I would do anything for you," I whispered. "My only purpose in this life is ensuring your happiness."

She arched an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"It is."

"In that case…" She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth and looked up at me through her lashes. She traced a single finger down the side of my face until it rested under my chin,
pulling me toward her. She kissed the corner of my mouth, her sweet breath washing over me. "You know what I want?" she asked.
Judging by her actions, I understood perfectly what she wanted and it was the one thing that I couldn't give. "Bella…"

"Edward…ask me what I want."

I breathed a heavy sigh, but complied. "What do you want?"

A mischievous smile grew on her face. "I want to go again."

We spent the afternoon diving and splashing together. It had been days since I had seen Bella so carefree. It was as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders – perhaps from mine as well. All previous conceptions about cliff diving were gone and replaced with the times we were enjoying together.

After stopping so that Bella could eat her lunch, we lay in the water together, floating gently with the currents. I held Bella's hand to my chest, absently drawing patterns on her palm with my finger.

"Edward?"

I turned my head to the side. She had a question in her eyes, but her lips were silent. I raised an eyebrow – an invitation for her to continue, but she hesitated. If we hadn't been having such an enjoyable afternoon, I might think that the expression on her face was one of guilt.

"What is it?" I prodded.

"I want to jump one more time," she murmured, sitting up.

"Is that all?" I asked, chuckling nervously. "The expression on your face...I thought…"

"Edward," she interrupted. "I want to jump alone."

Alone? Had I heard her correctly? I couldn't imagine why she would want to do so, but more importantly, could I allowher to do so? Was she testing me – seeing how far I was willing to go to allow her to exorcise the painful reminders from her heart?

"Bella, I don't know."

"Please," she pleaded.

"Why?"

Her gaze shifted downward, her fingers twining nervously with one another. "When you were gone…when I…"

I sat up, reaching for her hands. The pain was evident on her face – the pain I thought we had eradicated still had its hold on her.

"You weren't there that first time," she continued. "I can't explain it, but jumping together just isn't enough. I think I need to face my fear alone."

How could I deny her? If that was the price I had to pay for her happiness, I would gladly suffer through the fleeting moment of watching her fall without me beside her. We had already jumped half a dozen times without incident. Surely I could let go enough for her to do this once.

I nodded slowly and she responded with an expression of absolute disbelief. "Really?" she asked.

"Careful," I warned. "Ask again and I may change my mind."

"Then let's go before you do," she said, standing and reaching for my hand. Once more, we scaled the rocky cliff side together, but this time, she stepped up to the edge alone. I gripped her hand in mine, unwilling to let her go.

"I'll be fine." She smiled, squeezing my hand.

"I'll be right behind you."

Against my natural instincts, I stood still as I watched her step up to the edge. She glanced back at me briefly before turning forward and closing her eyes. She took a deep breath before opening her eyes again and, with a burst of energy, threw herself off the edge. An inkling of terror gripped me as I watched her plummet to the waters below. I watched as she made her splash, disappearing beneath the waves. I held my breath, waiting for her to surface. My eyes scanned the bubbling waters, but there was no sign of her.

No…A flash of panic began burning in my chest. How could I have been so irresponsible? With a running jump, I dove off the edge, anxious to find my wife. I burst through the rippling waters, my eyes frantically scanning all around me for any signs of Bella. She was nowhere. It was as though she had disappeared completely. Terrified thoughts pounded in my head, overwhelming my senses. I broke the surface of the water, eagerly searching to see if she had swam to the bank without my notice, but she was nowhere to be seen. I found myself fruitlessly searching for her thoughts, but naturally finding nothing.

I raked my hand across my face, bewildered and anxious. How could this have happened? How could she have just disappeared? How…

"Gotcha!" The sound of Bella's voice sent a jolt through me and I pivoted around so quickly that her expression quickly changed from one of excitement to concern. "Edward…what?"

I reached for her, needing to feel her, to touch her, to reassure myself that she was real. She was here. She was safe. I gripped her tightly to me, the urgency within me palpable. I cradled her in my arms, stroking her hair, and breathing in her scent. She was safe.

"Edward, I'm sorry," she breathed. "I didn't think…I didn't mean…it was just a joke."

I pressed my hands to either side of her face. Her brow was creased with worry and her eyes were brimming with tears. She gasped when I brought her face to mine, crushing my lips to hers with an urgency that I could not repress. All of our time together, all of our time on this island – the desire within me had built up and I had held it back for far too long – all at once, the floodgates opened and I could not deny it any longer. I needed her.

She responded in kind, knotting her hands in my hair, wrapping her legs around my waist. Her kisses became as desperate as mine. In the wake of specious disaster, the depth of our fervor became tangible.

A/N: I apologize profusely for the delay. Life sometimes has a tendency to get very hectic and time to write is scarce. It may, at times, take a while for me to update, but I won't abandon the story. I do sometimes give progress updates via Twitter, so if you're interested, you can follow me there sunray16. This chapter took me a bit longer than normal because it's all new material – my interpretation of some of what could have happened in the book that we didn't see. I hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks to my beta, NellyBear85, for her great ideas and tireless support. And special thanks to misticbutterfly for her continued encouragement – pushing me to keep writing even when writer's block takes hold.

One other note on the end of this - not is all as it seems. No worries, I'm not diverting from canon here - just a little tease...