She looked down into his deep brown eyes, so earnest -- certain of her response, but nervous, with his heart out in front for all to see. She had anticipated that this would happen. She'd known it would happen. It was a complication. There were other matters to attend to, other problems, problems that could destroy not merely him and her but everything. She had no time for this. She'd broken her word, she'd turned on those closest to her, she had groomed and planned and spun and waited, all for a cause that was literally the size of everything.
He looked at her, nervousness gone, hands steady, his eyes showing only love.
Her heart melted. She'd planned. She'd rehearsed. She knew this was a problem. But despite herself, despite everything, she was the woman she'd become. And the woman she'd become was in love, terribly in love, and sure despite herself that love could conquer all.
Tears started to trickle from her eyes. She worked to find her voice. "Yes. Oh, God, Rick, yes!" He stood up and folded her in his arms. Everyone in the restaurant applauded. They kissed, a kiss even sweeter than any before, even their first.
She wanted to have his children and forget everything else.
Slowly, Katarina Sheridan came to. Late afternoon sunlight was poking through the blinds. She stretched, her body still glowing, her mind still guilty -- but trained; that was always to be the effect, though she hadn't expected she'd be one of the trainees -- as she heard young voices in another part of the house. She was of course naked, but she dressed quickly, letting her hand linger on the tiniest of bumps where new life was growing. She had to get back to South Lake Point, to Rick, to dinner, and more importantly, to the events she had set in motion again.
Cheryl would come in her own time.
Drawing from the power so long put aside, only recently used again, she disappeared, leaving only crumpled sheets, the smell of sex, and an empty guest room behind her.
--
"How many times?" His voice was ragged, the words slurred through burnt and broken lips, his teeth sources of heat in their own right.
"Too many," a thousand, a million, no one could count how many voices, responded. Yet they all spoke in unison, and so he knew he would have to try, even though he doubted he could succeed.
