Hearing the quietness settle around the place for the night, he left his window and stepped out of the parlor. The lights were being dimmed and he climbed the stairs. Glancing down the East Wing, he turned left. He could hear hushed voices as he approached the West Wing and stopped when he turned the corner. The door was open to Kara's room and the light was shining into the hall. He stepped up to the door and leaned back against the wall. He could hear Kara climbing into bed and being tucked in. "Can we go back tomorrow?" "I think you should rest first." Kara yawned and quietly asked "How are you feeling?" "I'm fine. Now get some sleep." The room fell quiet and he watched the light disappear. Eve stepped into the hall and shut the doors behind her. She met his brown gaze and he saw the brief smirk on her face. He watched her cross his path and head toward the library. Silently he followed her into he room and shut the door. She sat down by the fire place and he looked back at her. Her head was rested on her hand and she was watching him. "What?" She smirked and asked "Well?" "I haven't decided yet." She shook her head with a soft laugh and took a deep breath. Her body was exhausted and she craved a night dip in the ocean. Glancing back at the man, she knew she would have to play it careful with him. He held her gaze and she pushed her thoughts aside. "The school will be finished as soon as the books and supplies arrive." He walked over to the window and looked out onto the ocean. The evening waves moved quietly across the beach and the evening breeze was cooling off. "How long?" She shrugged and said "Maybe a week." He glanced back at her and watched her slowly stand up. She held his gaze and he leaned into the wall. "It was nice having you there." He looked away and she quietly joined him at the window. His pulse jumped as she stood inches from him and he forced his gaze out the window. "They didn't need me." She looked up at him and said "Those people always need you, Johnathan." He slowly turned his brown eyes on her. She saw the hair slowly falling into his face and couldn't stop from brushing it aside. His eyes never moved as her fingers barely skimmed his face. She felt them tingle from the contact and pulled her hand back. His brown eyes held a small spark and she took a calming breath. "What is with the light wave of brown?" He looked out the window and she wished she didn't have to fake the question. She knew all too well how he got that streak. "The accident." She watched him focus on the ocean and think. He always withdrew whenever his past was brought up and she couldn't blame him. "You don't have to tell me. I shouldn't have asked." He kept his eyes away and said "Doesn't matter. People always ask." His voice was growing empty again and she carefully placed her hand on his arm. The muscle rippled under her touch and he looked down at her. "Think of it as a reminder." She watched his eyes as he spoke and kept quiet. If he was willing to open up a little about his past, then she knew she was finally getting to him. "It fits you." "What?" She smirked and said "If you didn't have it, then all the ladies wouldn't want to run their fingers through it." An eyebrow went up and he asked "And you know this how?" She slowly smiled and said "They told me." He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. She laughed and pulled her hand back. It was still warm to the touch and she felt it rippling with power. Slowly she turned away and headed for the door. "Eve." She looked back at him and he slowly met her gaze. "Thank you." "For?" Slowly he turned his body to face her and she felt her pulse begin to quicken. He crossed the room and stared down into her ocean eyes. "Everything." She smirked and said "You'll have to enlighten me." His eyes began to spark and he said "You brought this town back to life." Her eyes closed as his hand slid along her face and settled in her hair. "This place sounds like a home again because of you." She slowly looked up at him and smiled. "You aren't a cold statue anymore." He smirked and his hand fluttered along her pulse. He could feel the rapid beat under his hand and felt the power swarming beneath his skin. Her eyes were glowing in the light and he caught her chin. "Johnathan." "What?" Slowly she looked away and pulled his hand back. Her eyes lost their spark and she looked almost broken. "I can't." He heard the covered reluctance in her voice and watched her step back. His body was humming with the power and he watched her walk to the door. She caught the door handle and he snatched her wrist. He spun her around to face him and saw her fighting to keep a calm face. "It's too late." She shook her head and said "We can't let this go any further." "Tell me why not." His voice was quiet but deadly serious. She closed her eyes and tried to think of a simple excuse. "Tell me." Slowly she looked up at him and said "I care about you too much." His eyes sparked and he said "That isn't a reason." She nodded and said "It is." He caught her chin and forced her to look him in the eye. He could feel the same power in her and ignored her warning. His mouth skimmed hers and the room filled with electricity. Her hands curled into his shirt and he ran his hand through her soft hair. His entire body felt like it was going to explode and he slowly pulled back. Her blue eyes looked up at him and he could have sworn he saw tears in them. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I need to go." He caught her wrist again and she kept her back to him. Her body was on fire and her pulse was pounding in her ears. He pulled her back to him and she found his eyes glowing for the first time. She let him kiss her again and threw her caution aside. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he devoured her taste. When he looked down into her eyes again, she took a deep breath and he felt her rest her head on his chest. She fought to regain her composure and strength but was failing. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her and she breathed him in. Footsteps came from down the hall and she felt him release her. He moved back to the window and she slowly sat down in a chair. Her body was still shaken when the door opened but she had recovered outwardly. Grace entered the room and her smile grew when she saw them. "I wanted to inform you that my brother is safely back home." The content feeling still humming through her dissipated instantly. She looked up at Grace and the woman winked at her. "Will you be joining him?" She shook her head and said "I was hoping to stay a little longer." Glancing at her cousin, she watched him nod and left the room. They watched the door shut and she let out a sigh. Her head was filling with all her responsibilities again and she stood up. His eyes followed her to the door and she looked back at him. "Where are you going?" "To my room." He crossed the room and opened the door. She stepped into the hall and looked back at him. He joined her without a sound and shut the door. "Good night." His brown eyes looked down at her and she crossed the hall to her room. He watched the door shut behind her and could feel her on the other side. Smirking, he left the hall and headed to his room.