The halls buzzed with people running around doing daily jobs. The computer on the desk made a small clicking sound as it was working through a group of files. The hand controlling the mouse was stiff and sore from exhaustion. The eyes studying the monitor in front were burning in pain and dry as a day in the desert. A rugged sigh escaped from her body and she leaned back into her chair.

Her hands ran over her face in hope of calming some of the pain and only ignited the fire. She closed her eyes and tried to find some way back to the peaceful world her entire body longed for. Then the sound of the blasted phone rang and she groaned. Slowly her hand found its way to the phone and she answered it. Just the sound of a voice against her ear made her hang up rather quickly.

The silence was soothing and she let her muscles slowly search for peace. Her head pound without mercy and she let her hand fumble in a drawer. She pulled out a pack of medicine and her hand searched for her glass of water. Then the pills were popped down her throat and she emptied the glass. When she put the glass down, the door opened and she forced her eyes open once more.

He stood leaning against the frame as casual as normal and she knew the reason for the sudden visit. She watched him close the door and approach her without saying a word. His movement rested behind her chair and she felt his massage on her shoulders and neck. Then she let out a sigh and she could feel his breath on her neck.

After the relaxation had settled in, she asked, "How long are you going to be gone this time?"

His hands kept kneading her shoulders and he said, "Give me a week before you come looking."

She sighed and asked, "So,are you leaving tonight then?"

He chuckled and said, "I have tonight before I must go."

PGS

A smirk crossed her lips and she mumbled, "Good. I'd hate to see you go before a night had past."

Another chuckle reached her ears and she sighed. He kissed the top of her head and slowly removed his hands. The instant lack of touch made her almost groan, but she held it in. He knelt in front of her and she let one hand slide through his hair while she studied his face. The time length of a year since they had re-encountered one another had changed both of them.

He was still cold and always giving the vibe of wanting to be alone, but after a month with him she knew otherwise. He had explained everything up till now to her and she only wanted to hold him to her like a mother holding a frightened child. However, she knew he would resent it, so she kept her space and watched him move through the day as another shadowy face. When he had gotten her out of that camp, she had only wanted to find him and get her questions answered. She couldn't believe what those bastards had put her through and whenever his touch had overwhelmed her, he had instantly known and removed it.

Now she'd have to go at least a week without it and she knew it would be painful. When she felt his touch on her arm, she came back from her thoughts. He was studying her with interest and she forced herself to lean forward. She ran her hands along his face and he pulled her to him with a stern gentleness she had only experienced a few times. Then she rested her head on his chest and let her eyes drift closed.

He whispered something and said, "If you fall asleep here, we'd have some difficulty of getting back to the apartment."

She smirked and said, "I'm not afraid of that. I'm just so exhausted."

His arm slipped around her waist and she was lifted out of her seat. With her head resting on his chest, she wrapped one arm around his neck. He moved to the door and opened it without a sign of trouble. Her eyes fell closed again as they slipped down the hall through the shadows. When she woke again, she found herself lying on her warm bed.

Slowly she sat up on her elbows and found him watching her from her side. She rolls over until they faced each other and he brushed loose hair from her face. She sighed as she savored the time together and then she felt his breath mere inches from her. Then she closed the space between them and fell into his spell of tranquility and peace.