Elizabeth sat watching her sister sleep while her mind was miles away. An idea had come to her. Words and a melody that she played with in her head, repeating, changing, moving around. It was there. Not fully formed yet, but an idea. It was a good idea; something about 'change'.

She was humming when her phone rang. Swearing, she raised the hated object to her ear as she left Jane's darkened room.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Lizzy?" A young and oddly accented voice came to her.

"Yes, this is Elizabeth Bennet."

"Lizzy!" the voice cheered. "I've been trying to talk to you for so long. This is Spike van Zoest, from Di-rect."

Elizabeth recognized the name of the band she had been trying to contact. They were a Dutch pop group, popular in Europe, but they had failed to achieve any success in the States. That was Pemberley's hook. Richard had discovered them and felt they would do well with Pemberley. "Oh yes! It's nice to finally speak to you."

"You will have to forgive me. My English is not so good."

"Oh, no. You're fine."

"Cool," Spike's voice was enthused and Elizabeth dropped her estimation of the man's age a few more years. "Lizzy, I'm so happy to talk to you. We are big fans of yours. We love your music."

"Oh really? I wasn't aware that I was known in Europe."

"Not so much. But Pemberley records sent us copies of your music. So we would see what you were like. Slurry, of course, we already knew. Everyone knows Slurry."

He laughed, and Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Yes, everyone on the friggin planet knew Slurry.

"But Pemberley sent us the picture of Long Borne Suffering and your music, and we wanted to meet you, Lizzy. I hope you don't mind if I tell you that you are very beautiful."

Elizabeth felt her mood sinking with every word. "Ha, no, I don't object. Thank you."

"Good! I know some American women are sensitive, but we are Dutch. We are 'direct', ja?" He laughed at his own joke and Elizabeth felt obliged to chuckle along.

"So, Lizzy," Elizabeth was starting to hate her name, "I hope I'm not keeping you from anything?"

"No, no. I have time. I've wanted to talk to you and your band about Pemberley Records. Were there any questions you had? About the company?"

Rachel walked by Elizabeth, slowing her steps as she overheard her conversation.

"We would like to sign with Pemberley to release our music in the States. You know, we are very big, here in Europe. We have many fans. Not as much as Slurry, of course, but we are very interested in going to America. We were hoping we could tour there, perhaps with LBS?"

"Um, I'm not sure about that. LBS is going to take a break from touring after the Grind tour is over."

"Oh? That is too bad. Perhaps you could tour with us solo, Lizzy?"

"Perhaps. I, ah, really don't know what my schedule for next year is going to be like." She frowned, knowing she was blowing it. "But I'm sure there are other bands you could tour with."

Rachel sighed and held out her hand for the phone. With a confused look, Elizabeth passed it over. "Hello?" she said in a brisk, businesslike tone. "This is Rachel Brown, Fitzwilliam Darcy's personal assistant. Can I help you?"

Rachel listened for a moment, and then said "I'm sorry, but Ms. Bennet is needed for a private meeting with Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth frowned a question and pointed to where Slurry was playing on stage. Rachel shook her head, and her tone softened. "But I'd be happy to discuss Pemberley Records with you."

Elizabeth smiled and leaned against the wall, watching Rachel slowly twist the eager young man around her finger. "I'm aware you already have a record company, Spike, and clearly, they have done so much towards advancing your career here."

"Yes, it is very exciting being a part of the successful team that works around Slurry. As you well know, you don't get to the top of this business just by being lucky."

"Ms. Bennet, you mean? Well, I know she has expressed an interest in working with other musicians professionally, but personally," Rachel's voice dropped to a confidential whisper, "she's involved with someone at the moment." She paused, "Yes, it's quite serious."

Elizabeth muffled the giggle that threatened to escape her.

"You will talk to Alex? Very good, Spike. When you come to the States, please let me know. I love your work and would like to meet you. Bye." Rachel hung up the phone and handed it back to Elizabeth with a grin.

"Thank you!" Elizabeth sighed. "I had no idea that they were a bunch of 20 year olds."

"Actually, I think he's only nineteen. " Rachel grinned. "I've seen their pictures. They're kind of cute. "

Elizabeth pursed her lips, "So you were serious about wanting to meet them?"

"Maybe," Rachel grinned enigmatically, "But why were you talking to them in the first place?"

"Oh, they wanted me to. Alex thought it would help them sign on. I don't think he knew they just wanted to try and talk me up."

"Okay, in the future, you let your PA handle that."

"You know about that? The PA?"

Rachel nodded, not willing to volunteer that she had suggested it to Darcy and Alex. "Lizzy, even if you weren't the success you are, you would need one just being Darcy's wife. With that kind of fame, there are too many people who will try and get close to you. Your PA not only helps you stay organized, but she's a barrier that keeps the wrong people from getting to close to you."

Elizabeth paused, she knew that Rachel was smart and efficient, otherwise she wouldn't be working for Darcy, but this had surprised her. "Thanks Rachel. I never thought about that." An idea struck her. "Rachel? I'm going to be interviewing possible assistants tomorrow, would you be willing to help me look over their resumes?"

Rachel smiled warmly. "I'd be happy too. At breakfast then?"

Elizabeth nodded her thanks and went to the dressing room.

There she found Charlotte, who was clearly waiting for her. "Hey," she greeted her friend. As Charlotte smiled in response, Elizabeth was filled with the knowledge of how much this friendship meant to her, and she looked forward to spending a few minutes touching base with her friend.

They sprawled on the couch; each with a bottle of water and Charlotte said, "So, twins, huh?" Those three little words and the emotion behind them effectively summed up Charlotte's feelings on the matter: Surprise, concern, and resolve. "I thought she was on the pill?"

Elizabeth nodded around her bottle and finished her sip. "She was. But she got an infection when we were off the tour and was on antibiotics. When she got back together with Charles, she totally blanked on the fact that her pills would be useless."

"Damn."

"Yeah, scary to think that it could have been any of us."

Charlotte released her breath in a sharp hiss. "Not me." At Elizabeth's look, she explained, "Richard and I are currently relying on a different form of birth control."

Elizabeth could tell that despite her flippant tone, there was something there bothering her friend. "Really?"

Charlotte nodded, "It's part of his therapy. He has to use condom all the time. That way if he slips up, I'm still protected from, you know, disease and shit."

"Wow."

"Yeah," she smiled for a moment, "They're kind of like his training wheels."

"How long does he have to keep using them?"

"Until he feels like he's back in control," she shrugged.

"He's not in control now?"

"Oh hell no."

"Char, I'm sorry. I thought everything was good between you two. I thought he was okay."

"It is good between us. He's been doing great, frankly. But, he doesn't feel like he has control over himself yet. That will take a while."

"Oh."

"It's okay, Lizzy." Charlotte said confidently. "I knew what I was getting when I signed up for this deal and I'm okay with it."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. " She grinned. "And at least this way I don't have to worry about twins." She shuddered, "Ugh!"

As Charles had promised, Jane was fine and back to her usual cheerful self at dinner. She had worked with their costume mistress and had now abandoned her halter top for a gauzy, loose peasant top, which took advantage of her improved cleavage. The dinner crowd greeted her new look with approval.

"Those sleeves won't get in the way of your playing, will they?" Elizabeth asked critically, as she played with Jane's dangling, pointed sleeves.

"No, I tested them and had Mrs. Wong shorten them," Jane answered.

"This will give us a few more weeks," Charlotte observed.

"Thank God the 'maternity top' look is in," Elizabeth added.

"It doesn't look too bad, does it?"

"Oh please," Elizabeth sighed.

"Jane you could be the size of a house and you would still look better than me," Charlotte added.

Jane smiled, clearly mollified.

"Jane?" Richard said quietly, approaching her. "Could I talk to you?"

She looked at Charles uncertainly, and then smiled politely, "Of course, Richard." Together they moved to a quiet corner.

"I wanted to apologize for my outburst earlier, Jane." Richard said sincerely. "I was out of line and I'm very sorry."

"Thank you, "Jane said softly, with a more natural smile. "I know this is a sacrifice on everyone."

"No it's not Jane. I realized that this afternoon, it's a good thing. Our family is getting bigger and we're all pretty lucky to be a part of it." He smiled and looked down. "If anything, I was angry because I was jealous. You and Charles seem so happy, and really, I want nothing but the best for you."

Jane's face expressed her bittersweet feelings at Richard's words. She put her arms around his neck and took him into a hug. "I never thought of that. I'm so sorry, Richard."

Richard wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Thank you, Jane. You are much kinder than I deserve."

"Richard!" she admonished playfully. "You're family, and believe me, these babes are going to need all the family they can get."

"I promise I'll do whatever I can to help." Jane smiled brightly and kissed his cheek. "I even told Chas I would take them to get their first inks done."

"Over my dead body," Jane giggled, and Charles appeared at her side. "Everything good here?"

Jane was tempted to kiss Richard again, but she knew it was a bad idea to encourage him, so she let him go and slipped her arm about Charles' waist. "Uncle Richard was just telling me about his plans for our boys."

"Oh," Charles said, visibly relaxing.

"You could tell they were boys from the sono?" Richard asked.

"Oh no. That's just me calling them something other than 'them'," Jane explained pleasantly.

"Sweetheart, you need to eat," Charles told Jane gently. Jane let him lead her to the buffet while Charlotte moved next to Richard.

"I'm guessing that went well?"

"Yeah," Richard nodded. "I'm lucky she's the forgiving type."

"You're lucky all over," she teased.

Richard, recognizing her tone, pulled her close and kissed her deeply. "Sure am."

The evening proceeded normally; after dinner, they separated to get into costume and make-up, coming together again for the Meet & Greet. As usual, the fans came in, making polite conversation with LBS, then going over to drool on Slurry.

Slurry had re-arranged the way they normally stood when they resumed the tour. It used to be Charles, then Darcy then Richard, but it was decided it would be best if they changed it to Darcy, Richard and then Charles.

Their strategy was that Darcy would disarm and distract any potential groupies, then move them right past Richard, to Charles who could charm them into going away, while letting them think they had gotten something.

It worked 90% of the time, only women who knew of Richard's reputation as a lady killer even noticed him between the twin suns of Darcy and Charles. But it seemed with every show, there was at least one lady wanting the (in)famous 'Golden Dick' treatment.

To them, Richard would politely refuse and if they didn't take the hint, Charles would run interference. Luckily, the women craving Richard's wickedness were completely turned off by Charles' golden smile and sunny California charm. They usually left in a hurry, the band snickering at their retreat.

Darcy watched as that night's siren sighted her prey. She was tall, trim and pretty, with dark hair, darker eyes, and a mischievous smile that seemed to tempt a man to 'come & play'. Darcy introduced himself, smiling warmly, and got her name for his troubles.

Darcy sighed inwardly as Cindy introduced herself to Richard. She smiled dazzlingly, knowing her charms and selling what she had. He watched Richard's face, and grew cold. His eyes flashed to Charles, who luckily was already on it.

Charles introduced himself to Cindy, smiling brightly, and trying to distract her. But he was stymied when Richard did not leave the conversation as he had always done in the past. Instead, Richard was happy to continue chatting with Cindy, who was inclined to ignore Charles as much as possible.

A silent conversation of looks took place amongst the performers in a matter of seconds. Elizabeth had observed the goings on at the Slurry table and was trying to get Charlotte to cross the room to Richard.

Charlotte however, had locked her jaw and would only give a tiny shake of her head to Elizabeth's mute entreaties. She was fully aware of what was going on, but if Richard didn't ask for help, she wouldn't interfere. This had to be his decision. Instead she watched silently, waiting and ready.

Darcy was growing more uncomfortable by the moment. The conversation had only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough for everyone to see where it was going. He recognized that look on Richard's face. The playful smiled which meant he was interested. The look in his eyes, as he courted danger and the rush it gave him.

Cindy said something to Richard that caused him to laugh out loud, then he looked up and his expression changed. He found Charlotte and their eyes met, and with it came a flash of communication. Charlotte released the breath she didn't know she was holding and went to him. Sliding her arm around his waist and placing her head against his chest, she let her scent wash over him.

Taking a deep breath, Richard asked Cindy if she had met his fiancé? Cindy's eyes narrowed, but were met with the steel in Charlotte's that told her to leave-now.

Realizing there was nothing for her there, Cindy left gracefully, with a wish for "better luck next time."

Richard pulled Charlotte close, finding privacy in her embrace, neither of them being able to speak yet.

Darcy watched this all, and realized this couldn't go on. He recalled Richard's words from their meeting that afternoon and he made a decision. He would sacrifice his own privacy for his friend and cousin. He had too.

"Do you trust that reporter from today?" Darcy asked as the elevator descended to the pool level.

Elizabeth looked at him with mock confusion. "Trust? Reporter?" She lifted a disbelieving eyebrow before breaking into an amused smile. "Actually, I did, as much as you can ever trust one. Why? Are you thinking about spilling the big secret?"

Darcy nodded, his lips tightly compressed. "It's not fair to Richard to keep the engagements secret and it will be safer to announce them all at once."

"Safety in numbers?"

"Something like that," Darcy agreed as they exited the elevator and entered the pool area. It was empty, as they expected. Darcy let Elizabeth strip off her outer clothes and pulled her tight.

Elizabeth had recognized Darcy's silence and cryptic remarks as signs that there was something on his mind. She could guess what. "Will," she said kindly, "what's going on? What are you thinking about?"

His voice was muffled in her hair. "I was just thinking about how much I love you."

Elizabeth knew he was thinking of a lot more than just that. She waited him out, knowing he would talk when he was ready.

"Lizzy, I've got to make a confession. I don't know what I'm doing here any more than you do. I'm just used to acting like I'm in control, I sometimes forget that I can drop that around you. I don't mean to ever shut you out."

Elizabeth looked up to him surprised. "Thank you. What brought that on?"

"A couple things. I realized today that we were trying to make decisions that affect all of us without talking to you and the girls, and I was ashamed of myself. I thought I had learned my lesson. I'm not comfortable when we're not talking, and when I do actually get a chance to talk to you, you seem to make everything better."

Elizabeth smiled and reached up to kiss him. "Funny, talking to you makes me feel better, too."

Darcy returned her smile then kissed her again, deeply. "So tell me, " he said, stopping before their kissing went too far, "How do you feel about coming out with the engagements?"

Elizabeth frowned, considering. "You mean all of us? Not just Charles and Jane?"

Darcy nodded. "I thought you could talk to the reporter and see how she would feel about it."

"How much would we be telling?"

Darcy saw the unvoiced question in her eyes. "Just the engagements and Jane's pregnancy. Richard's addiction would remain secret."

Elizabeth nodded. "I think that would work. The guys are all good with it?"

"Yeah, we think that's the best solution." It was clear he wasn't pleased with it.

"I'll talk to Jane and Char tomorrow." Elizabeth said, easing herself back into his arms.

"I don't think you'll need to. I think Richard and Charles are handling that."

"Oh? Is that the way it's going?" She pursed her lips, "I still think I'd like to talk to my band."

Darcy sighed. "It's confusing, isn't it?"

Elizabeth rested her head against his chest. "Sure is. Our relationship, your band, my band, our family. It's very strange."

"Come on, otherwise we won't get our swim in." Together they dove in, both tempted to forget their laps and return to each other's arms, but restraining themselves, by remembering how necessary their exercise was.

When their laps were finished, he gathered her into his arms and enjoyed the feel of her wet slippery body against his. Elizabeth was content to rest against him, feeling his chest rise and fall with each breath, as they bobbed in the water that was as familiar to them as air.

He was being extra touchy tonight, and Elizabeth knew it was more than the trouble with Jane. Richard she thought. She studied his face, finding the points of similarity between their faces. Darcy and his cousin were two sides of the same coin; essentially the same, but at the same time, made up differently. Both were intelligent and strong, but where Darcy had always embraced responsibly, Richard had fled it, until now.

The incident at the Meet & Greet had rattled everyone. Elizabeth knew somewhere in the hotel, Charlotte and Richard were having a very difficult conversation and Elizabeth shivered at the precariousness of their situation. Darcy pulled her tighter, and she knew he was aware of it too. She pressed her face into the crook of his neck, their usual position for comforting each other, and let the closeness work its way over them.

Elizabeth had to have faith. She had to trust that love, this force that she could feel so powerfully in Darcy's arms, was strong enough to support Charlotte and Richard. It was hard to trust, but at the same time, it was impossible to deny. Like gravity, it was there, measurable and constant, moving them like the tides in predictable patterns.

Elizabeth felt Darcy's hand on her chin, and she reached eagerly for his kiss, as he sought it with equal need.

Jane relaxed on the large bed, wearing nothing but one of Charles' tee shirts and eating her cup of yogurt. As she ate, she watched her lover check his email, then strip off his clothes and join her in the bed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I'm good," she smiled. "A little tired." She put the empty cup on the bedside table and snuggled close to him.

"You have every right to be tired. You've had a big day."

"We've had a big day, Charles," she corrected him affectionately. "We're a package deal, remember?"

He smiled as he kissed her lightly on the lips, then moved to lift her shirt and gently kissed her belly twice. "How could I forget?"

"Are you okay, Charles?" Jane asked, her eyes expressing real concern. "Everyone is making a fuss over me, but this is a big deal for you too. You've got a huge weight on your shoulders."

Charles chuckled softly. "Actually, I feel like my weight's been lifted. I always knew you were carrying twins. It was keeping the secret that was killing me."

"You could have told me."

He frowned and shook his head. "Told you what? Jane, I've got a gut feeling that's backed up by my family line, but with no real proof at all that you are carrying twins?" He wrinkled his nose. "I don't need you thinking any worse of me."

Jane's smile faded into outrage. "Think worse of you?" she demanded. "Charles, I think you are the bravest, best man I know, and if your gut tells you something, that's good enough for me. I trust you, otherwise believe me, I would not be here in your bed with your children stuffed up inside of me."

"Shhh," Charles calmed her, then broke into a grin. "It's a good thing you are so fierce. You're going to need it with our kids."

Jane smiled back, slowly.

"Jane," he asked, as his fingers trailed lightly over her skin. "Now that we know about the boys, maybe we should make some adjustments to our plans."

"Like what?" she asked, curious about his sudden change in tone.

His eyes met hers pensively. "The wedding." He licked his lip nervously. "I wonder if you want to get married earlier?"

"How early?" Jane asked doubtfully.

"Well, I was thinking maybe, we have these two day off coming up. We could do it the day after tomorrow."

"WHAT?" she demanded, sitting up. "What are you talking about?"

Charles looked miserable. "It's just that if we go ahead with the wedding in February, you are going to be huge and I worry you won't want to look like that for your special day."

"Do you really think that matters to me?" she argued, then a thought occurred to her and she set her mouth. "Charles? Are you ashamed of us? Of the babies?"

"No, I just want you to be happy."

"Well, if that's the case, why don't we just wait until after the babies are born and do it then?" she replied angrily.

"We could do that," he offered.

"Charles! I can't believe how materialistic you're being. "

"Jane, I'm just trying to be sensible. I don't want you feeling badly about yourself when you walk down the isle. I want you to feel as beautiful as I think you are." His voice dropped, "I want you to be happy."

Jane felt her indignation crumble and with a soft swear, she returned to his embrace. "I know Charles. But I don't want to get married on tour. I want to do it right, with my family and friends there."

Charles nodded understandingly. "I just don't want you to hate me when you are waddling down the aisle."

Jane laughed at the image. "Yeah, that wouldn't be too glamorous, would it?" She laughed some more. "But when you think about it, most brides look like their wedding cakes, I'll fit right in."

Charles laughed with her, as he stroked her soft hair. "I just want you to be happy, Jane. I love you so much."

"I love you, Charles. And I love our babies and we are going to have a wonderful, happy life. Don't worry."

He agreed with her as he kissed her and held her tight. "It's hard sometimes, you know? Not worrying."

"I know," she breathed as she switched out the light and held on tight in the darkness. "I know."

It was strange, the silence between them. Usually silence was something they avoided. It was easily conquered by the clever little quips that they traded without half a thought that served as a constant indication of each other's status.

Now, though, words weren't being trusted. That in its self was a sign. They were relying instead on touch to connect and communicate. Except for the time they had been onstage, they hadn't let go of each other all evening.

As the door to their suite closed behind them, Charlotte knew it was time to talk. They were alone and safe. No interruptions, no interference from outsiders. The others had been great about leaving them alone, trusting them to work things out on their own, but still, a discussion this intimate, this dangerous, required complete privacy, and complete trust.

Charlotte let go of him, and sat on the bed. He pushed his hands though his hair and sat in a chair opposite her.

"What happened?" she asked softly.

Richard's eyes unfocused as he thought, "She was there. She looked like fun, and I felt it again. That rush," he stopped and bit his bottom lip. "It's like when the light is just changing and you run it, knowing that you can make it, but that you are still breaking the rules. I felt that, talking to her. I knew I was pushing it, and I wanted it. I wanted that feeling to continue. I knew Will and Chas were trying to stop me, and that made it better." He stopped to look in her eyes, searching them for anger or recrimination. There was none.

"You were going to go for it?" she asked, still softly.

He looked down and nodded. "Yep, she was selling and I was buying."

"What happened?" There was a tiny tremble in her voice.

"She told me a joke. It was just a really lame joke, but it made me laugh and without thinking, I went to share it with you. I didn't think about it. It was just instinct. I looked up into your eyes and suddenly I hit the ground, hard. I knew I was in trouble. And then you were there." He stared at the floor, his voice cracking, "You were there, ready to stare down the devil himself, and I realized what a shit I was."

Charlotte knelt on the floor before him, taking his hands in her own and looking into his face. "I didn't want her. I need you to know that!" His voice was harshly intense. "I wanted the danger, I wanted the rush, but I didn't want her!" He closed his eyes and drew a shuddering breath. "I want you."

Charlotte pulled him out of the chair and into her arms and together they held each other on the floor.

"I'm so sorry, Char. I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to see that."

Charlotte shook her head. "It's okay. I have seen this before, you know." Her face warmed. "You did it, Richard. You said 'no'."

"I did not. You said no."

"But I wouldn't have if you hadn't asked me to. Trust me, I watched it all and I wasn't moving unless you asked for it. You did it."

Richard blew out a deep breath and sagged against her.

"What? Don't you think I knew this was coming? Don't you think I've talked with the therapist about this? I really thought you were going for it, Richard. I was getting ready to get my own hotel room tonight."

Richard got to his feet and started to walk away.

"But knowing all that, I still love you," she said brokenly. "And you did it. You fought off that temptation and you said no. So I don't know why you're walking away instead of holding me," the tears were running unchecked down her face now, "Cause frankly, I think I deserve it."

"Char," he gasped as he snatched her up. "I'm sorry Char, I love you so much, I'm sorry."

"Shut up and kiss me," she cried.

Richard did as he was bid. This he could do, he thought, he could love her and make her feel better and at that moment he needed that. He needed to feel her tremble and gasp and make it all go away.

Richard drank in her kiss like it was the sweetest water. In all his exploits he had never been a great fan of kissing. He could do it, and do it well, but it never moved him enough to not want his (or her) mouth somewhere else.

Charlotte was different. Her mouth could excite him until he was literally weak in the knees. They kissed, their tongues and lips exploring, stroking, exciting, as their hands quickly stripped off their clothes.

They helped each other onto the bed, so that they wouldn't have to break contact. When they were laying side-by-side, Richard finally realized the sensation of her bare skin and her tiny body beside him, touching him.

With a soft needful sound, she pulled him close. Richard felt the hot points of her breasts pressing into his bare chest and lost his mind. She felt so hot and soft and good. He rolled with her, so his body was against hers, never leaving the sweet insanity of her mouth.

Her hands were in his hair, raking his scalp and forcing him close, Richard felt a great hunger to be closer and sucked her tongue up into him, hard, as she cried out under him.

He pulled free, holding out his hand. "Just a moment."

"Hurry, hurry," she moaned, her eyes shut tightly.

Richard found and applied a condom in record time and returned to her arms, which embraced him hungrily. Again he sought and found the delight that was her mouth, and again he lost himself in her pleasure. He felt the tip of his hardness rubbing against her, but that was secondary to sweet torture of her lips.

Sucking and pulling, they pleasured each other as he entered her, until she suddenly gasped with the sensation of fullness. "Hold me," her lips spoke softly, "so close."

He held her. Their mouths locked in a fountain of ecstasy, his arms and hands wrapped around her arms, her hands grasping his back and buttocks, his chest and stomach in full contact with hers, his erection buried in deep inside of her, even their legs twined together. They moved slowly, but not with any leisure. The feelings they were drawing out were powerful and intense; their movements fierce as they pulled closer, harder tighter. Time spun out and lost its meaning as they moved, each pulling the other deeper into an ocean of sensation, blinding them and stealing their breath and they moved closer and closer, the movements slowing to throbs and pulses, then moans and cries as the tension broke over them and carried them to release.

They pulled back to breathe, their lower bodies still locked together and in each other's eyes, they found understanding and love that banished their pain as if it never was.

"I'm yours," he said with greater confidence then ever before.

Charlotte nodded, letting her fingertips touch his face. She knew he meant it; he was hers, all his love and all his pain as well. She pushed that out of her mind, along with the horrid knowledge that some day he might stumble and relapse. He loved her, with an intensity that matched her love for him, and it was enough.