Deneira was speechless. What in the world had kept him going? yes, she had lost alot, but Shawn... he was a completely different story. She would have broken a long time before if she had endured anything he had. She wanted to hug him, or kiss him, or something, anything. She just wanted to let him know how much she cared. She could still his arm around her, and she saw him look away. She knew he was in pain, she had already seen it in his eyes.

 

Before she could stop herself, she reached her hand out to his cheek, and turned his face to look at hers, and his eyes to stare into hers. His eyes looked about to cry, and so did she, and she blinked softly, a few tears falling. "I would never hurt you." She whispered. Now why did she say that? She almost took it back, and her cheeks blushed red, and again, her body acted. She leaned forward, and her lips pressed to his softly. A few more light pecks, and she pulled back. "Never." And layed her head gently on his shoulder.

 

Her heart was racing, and for a moment, she was very glad she hadnt slept with him. Perhaps he would be different, and not a lover, but a friend. She would enjoy a friendship with him, and she could see it being beneficial. His arm was still wrapped tight around her, and the other rested in his lap. She slowly picked up his free hand with hers, and then wrapped it around the matching hand, his fingers linking with hers. She looked up at him, smiling, then settled her head back on his shoulder. She could almost see the writing on the wall. What was she doing? This wasnt anything like her... why was she behaving so foolishly?

Now that their respective pasts were out in the open neither one of them could ignore the emotions that had surfaced. They tried several times to restart their conversation but each was more futile than the last. Those moments when Shawn was able to see past his own memories, and the emtions they stirred within him, he was still unable to bring himself past the horrors she had experienced. She'd been through so much. He continued to struggle as they ate to bring the conversation back to a happier note but he just couldn't succeed.

 

Soon enough it was well past dark and neither of them had succeeded and Shawn knew it was time to leave. He had to be up extra early tomorrow and thus he had to get back. He didn't want to leave but he couldn't stay.

 

"Dene, I hate to call it a night so soon but I really need to get back to the room. I guess I'll see you in the morning."

 

He took her hand, raised it to his lips and gave her a kiss. Then he made the long trek back to their room. He didn't know where this night would lead but he needed to explore how he felt for her on his own. He couldn't think clearly when she was in the room with him.