Ben woke up feeling his cheeks, lips, and then his chest being kissed, but he didn't say anything, enjoying Ryan's touch. He was interested also to see what she would do next.

Ryan touched the medallion around his neck lightly. She kissed his cheek. "Angels watch over you and protect you," she whispered.

Before Ben could pretend to wake up, he heard buzzing under her pillow. Ryan answered it quietly. She was close to him, and he could hear the speaker on the other end.

"Hey. It's Kyle," he heard a voice say.

"Yeah."

"Let me get this out," then a blow of breath. "I wanted to say Merry Christmas. And I hope that you're having fun. You deserve it. I love you, angel. Don't forget that. I know I can be a jerk sometimes. Okay, most of the time. But I'm sorry for most recently. I just want to see you happy, and frankly, alive," the voice said.

"I love you too," she said softly. "No matter what. Even when you're a jerk."

"How are things?"

"Fine. I'll be home soon, and we can talk. Work things out."

"Alright. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas"

"Bye."

Ben heard the beep of the phone as she turned it off. Ryan sighed, and he felt her move and put the phone back under the pillow. He felt lips on his forehead. "I love you," she whispered and kissed his forehead again.

He felt her slip off the bed. He heard her slip on a shirt and open the door and shut it again.

Rob blew out a breath. Kyle? Kyle as in the Kyle she was having a nightmare about a few days ago? And what the hell was he talking about keeping her alive? And what the hell was he doing telling Ryan that he loved her? And her saying she loved the guy when she and him had just slept together.

Ben sat up and hung his legs over the side of the bed. Was this Kyle why Ryan didn't want to be exclusive with him?

They had made such great love the night before that Ben couldn't believe she was in love with someone else. It was the greatest sex he had ever had. Ben was head over heels in love with Ryan, and he wanted to make love to her every night. She had just told him she loved him. Well, sort of. Ryan thought he was sleeping. But it seemed that she gave out her I love you's pretty easily. And that he wasn't okay with at all.

"Hey, gorgeous," Ryan said as she came into the room and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

Ben pulled her onto his lap and kissed her passionately.

"You are incredible," she told him, smiling.

"You too," he said, touching her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

Ryan studied his face."What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Rob, come on," she insisted, concerned.

"I just...I don't want to lose you," Ben replied, hugging her.

"You won't lose me," she told him, kissing the top of his head.

"I...uh, better get dressed," he said, collecting himself.

"Do you have to?"

"Considering that I hear my mother puttering around in the kitchen. Yes, I do," he answered, kissing her softly on the lips.

"Okay," Ryan complained, hugging him.

*****************************

Rob's relatives came in and out throughout the day, and Ryan was exhausted with learning everyone's names. She heard a couple of people slip up and call him Ben, but she ignored them, pretending that she was listening to someone else's conversations. That was exactly why she didn't bring anyone outside her family, or outside the agency, into her family's house. No matter how many times you tell them, someone would always mess up.

She was grateful that Kevin kept Thanksgiving to a minimum, and that everyone was very cautious with what they called her. Their Thanksgivings usually had ten times the amount of people. Her cover would have been blown then, for sure.

Everyone was opening gifts and chattering about. Her eyes met Rob's and he smiled at her. His smile made her weak. She walked over to him and slipped onto the couch next to him. "You have a lot of family," she said, putting an arm around him.

"Yeah, I do," he said, looking at her. "I'd like more," he said softly.

"Is that a proposition?" she asked him with a smile.

"More like a ...proposal," he said softly with a serious look in his eye.

The smile quickly left her face. "Are you serious?" she asked, looking at him.

"Very. Marry me," he said, kissing her lightly on the lips.

"Last night you said that you don't want to be exclusive."

"I know. I changed my mind. I have a lot to tell you, but the most important is that I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he told her sincerely. She looked at him bewildered. "I don't expect an answer now. We have a lot to talk about. Just think about it, and then we can talk about it later."

"Okay."

"Okay, you'll marry me? Or okay, we can talk about it later?" he asked, smiling.

"I don't know...I need time to think about this," she said, shaking her head.

"Good enough," he said and slipped a small wrapped box into her hand.

"You didn't," she gasped.

"Think of it as a friendship ring. For now. That was the original intention."

"This isn't the time to talk about this," she said quietly.

"I know. Just open it."

She sighed and opened it. It was a gold ring filled with a mixture of sapphires and diamonds. "It's beautiful," she said, tearing up.

"Put it on your right hand," he told her. She nodded and slipped it on. "Maybe someday you'll put it on the other," he said, kissing her hand.

"Please don't pressure me."

"I'm sorry. We'll talk later. When we're alone."

"I, uh, I need to be alone for a little while. Do you mind?" she asked, closing the box.

"Take your time."

She kissed his cheek lightly "I love you."

"I love you."

She turned and went down the hall to his room.

Ryan closed the door and leaned on it taking deep breaths. Tears fell, and she slid down the door to the floor. He wanted to marry her. But he didn't know her, not really. At least she had the advantage of at least knowing his real name. It was time to tell him, and hopefully, he wouldn't be too upset about it.

First, she needed to clear things up with the FBI. She couldn't stay being undercover. She knew that. Especially with him. She wouldn't jeopardize his safety.

*****************************

"You asked her to marry you?!" his mother exclaimed.

"Yeah," he said, taking a deep breath.

"And what was her answer?" she demanded.

"She wants to think it over. Wants to talk about it later."

"Honey, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, you're the one who was saying she's only nineteen. Do you really think she's ready for marriage so young?"

"I can wait."

"So why bring it up now?" his father asked.

"Because I love her. I want her to know that now."

"We know you do, sweetheart," she said, kissing his cheek.

"Where is she now?" his dad asked.

"I think in my room."

"Why don't you go talk to her, honey. We'll fend off the relatives."

"I'm a bit nervous."

"Why?"

"What if she says no?"

"You'll handle it," his father said.

He knocked on the bedroom door. "Ryan?" he asked, opening it.

He frowned not seeing her. He opened the closet. Her things were gone. He walked past the dresser and saw a note.

"Ben, I had to go home to think. I'm not leaving you. I just need some space. Please, don't look for me. I love you, and I promise that I will be back to the dorm by the start of school. I just need some time. Please tell your parents thank you from me for everything. And please, stay in Florida, and finish your visit with your family. I don't want to ruin their time with you. Just make an excuse that I had a family emergency. Lauren's due any day, anyway. I don't want to miss it. I'll contact you when I'm ready."

"Ben?" he repeated, re-reading it. How on earth did she find out?