Jack was sitting on the couch, eating leftover pasta and sauce while waiting for Ara to come back into the room with a bowl of water and a cloth. She appeared now and sat down next to him, being careful not to spill the contents of the bowl. Carefully she dipped the cloth into the liquid and dabbed it onto the wounds on his face. It felt heavenly, the soft material on his skin with the moisture soaking into his scars. Closing his eyes, he focused on the feeling, sighing in pleasure. Few minutes past and Ara was done cleaning his face and was pouring the blood tinged water down the sink, rinsing out the cloth while she was there. He felt much better now, good as new. A few more minutes and Ara was back by his side, resting her head on his chest and his arm around her shoulders. His head balanced on hers, her hair tickling his cheek. They stayed like this for what seemed like forever, until Ara tilted her head back to look at Jack.

Slowly he lowered his head to place his lips on Ara's. Finally he was home. Ara fully turned her body to him, sitting on his lap as she did so. Her hands were on his cheeks, holding him closer to her. Jack placed his on her waist, gripping onto them like he never had before. Their kiss deepened, lips sliding over each other in a dance that they knew off by heart.

'Where was this going?'

Ara was now undoing the buttons of his checked shirt, looking down at his torso as she did this.

"Ara, stop!" he said. She did, and looked at him with a questioning stare. Slightly out of breath she rolled off his lap.

"You don't want to?" Jack slapped his hand onto his forehead. He let out an exhausted sigh and began to chuckle to himself. He looked at her sulky face.

"Of course I do, Ara! There is no questioning about that." He faced away from her.

"But will happen to us after this?" Ara got up from the couch and knelt in front of Jack. She placed both hands on his knees and looked up at him.

The look of despair was written on his face. She understood what he was saying, but she wanted this so badly, she wanted him so badly. Years she had waited for this moment; she did not want to loose this one chance.

"Jake, look at me" she said softly. He didn't, he was hiding his face in his hands, from the world, from her. With her hands, Ara pulled his towards her, gripping them hard, holding them just above her left breast. She pressed his palms against the place where her heart was beating. He was still looking away from her

"Jake, please. You mean the world to me. In this horrible world you are the only thing that has made me truly happy. Ever. You have made me feel special like nobody has done before, and I can only hope you feel the same way with me. I have waited for this moment for a long time, I want this, I want you!" With resistance, Jack moved his head to look at Ara. His eyes were brimming with tears.

"Of course I feel the same! You have always brought joy to my life, even when it was nearly impossible. You are my life, my savior, happiness.." he stopped short. The brimming of his eyes started pouring down his face and fell off his chin.

"My love." Suddenly his lips were on hers, kissing her fiercely. It took her with surprise, but only for a second. She kissed back, clutching his hands still on her chest. Soon after this Ara was abruptly whisked from her feet and into the air, strong steady hands holding her. From what she could gather she was being carried from the living room to the bedroom as only a few seconds later she was being placed onto a soft surface; the bed. Shortly Jack was on top of her kissing her on the lips. Ara pushed herself and Jack up into a kneeling position. Once again she set herself to undoing his buttons, hands shaking with nerves. Finally the damn shirt was open and off. She traced her fingers over Jack's torso and chest savoring the sight of such beauty. How was this hers? How did such perfection belong to her? Within the next few minutes there was no material between them, their bodies entwined together in a mess of skin and bones. He was on top of her again, kissing all over. On her lips, down to the crook of her neck, traveling down to hover over her chest. They moved to her stomach, giving a wonderful sensation. She gasped. Once again he was kissing her on the lips, his tongue sliding into her mouth. Seconds flew by. There was a pause, Jack looking down at Ara.

"Aria, if you want to stop.." She shook her head.

"No Jake.. Don't stop."

*****

Ara and Jack lay in the bed, looking into each others' eyes. Her right hand was relaxed over his cheek, drawing over his face with her fingers. In the glow of the lamp on the table he looked absolutely gorgeous, his hair golden in the light, his eyes bright and energetic. She lived in the moment, never wanting it to end.

"If I had to choose one moment to live in forever, it would be this moment right here" she said. Jack grinned his dazzling grin, completely throwing her off-guard.

"Are you sure you wouldn't choose a more... earlier moment?" he said. Ara laughed quietly. She shuffled closer until her body was pressed up against his. Slipping her leg in between his, she nestled her head into the gap of his chin and chest. She kissed his torso and up to his lips, separating only to say:

"I love you."

"I love you too."