Skylar was fiddling with his keys and soon opened the door wide.

"What do you think?" he asked, then looked around his house. He liked it a lot. It was nice and bright so that the lights flashed against the light Yellow paint. He flicked a switch on the wall, and the ground shifted, moving the couch and huge screen tv so a large marble inground pool was visible.

"Wow..." *She said, then paused to look around* "Very nice....makes my appartment look like a shack."

He smiled. "I like it...But if you want, I can put some stuff in your place too. Just a few little simple spells. I did this all myself."

He tugged off his teeshirt. "Do you like to swim?" he kicked off his shoes and sat at the edge of the pool.

"I love to swim.....I didn't bring anything to swim in though...."

He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, then chuckled. "I can't even juke without laughing." He stood, then took her by the hand, taking her to a wardrobe. He opened it, and there were dozens of suits, both for girls and guys. "Here, pick one out and wear it. There's a bathroom around the corner."

"Well.....arn't you prepared." *She said, then picked a bikini that looked like it would fit and took it to the bathroom and changed into it. A few minutes later she came out in a simple black bikini that stood out against her pale skin. She grinned and ran, jumping right into the pool*

Skylar slid in and swam over to where she was. "I hope the water isn't too cold. I've always liked really cold water for swimming...considering Africa is so hot and all..." He slid behind Kiley, their bodies both very close.

*Kiley was already shivering* "No, it's fine..." *She said, obviously lying.*

He slid an arm, large from the physical labour he'd endured in the third world countries, around her waist, pulling her closer. "Sure?"

*Kiley bit her lip, loving the feeling of his skin against hers in the water. She felt a little warmer, but she felt a pang of guilt as well* "I think this is better....." *She said quietly* "Do you do this for everyone or am I just special?"

He slid around to the other side of her to look her in the eyes. "I've never met anyone like you before and to be honest...You make me nervous..."

He kicked his feet so he could stay above the deep water. "You're so different from anyone I ever met...Not just because you can speak english either."

He leaned forward and kissed the top of her wet head.

*Kiley continued to tread water with her legs as she looked up from the water and met his eyes with her own. She was debating on weither to tell him what she wanted to or not. After a moment of hesitation, she decided she better* "I know this probably isn't want you want to hear, but I don't think I'm ready for a relationship just yet." *She bit her lip harder, dreading when he asked her why not*

He raised an eyebrow. "Dear, with all due respect...I've know you less than two hours. It wouldn't be proper for me to even ask you yet...I hardly know you and you don't really know me. I wouldn't ask you for at least a month or so." He licked his lips and tilted his head to the side. "What's wrong? Why aren't you ready?"

*Kiley sighed* "Because about.....three or four months ago, I was engaged....and my finacee died right after he'd asked me. He fell down the steps and broke his neck. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know because I ....I don't know. I didn't want you to think I was just leading you on or whatever." *She had said this all looking back at the water and not at him, but she hadn't cried, so that was a plus for her*

He looked into her eyes. "I'm so sorry my dear...If I had known...I shouldn't have even asked. It was none of my business..." He turned and swam toward the ladder. "I'm so sorry..."

"No, wait, come back....." *She swam after him* "I'm sorry I brought it up....because I don't want it to ruin this because.....I like this.....It's nice..." *She said, refering to hanging out with him and everything* "So can you just pretend like I didn't just ruin everything by saying that? Please?"

He took a deep breath. "Kiley...I like you. I don't know if you realize this but every guy you ever meet will only live in the shadow of that fiance. He will always be number one, always. I could never blame you for that and I could never expect you to forget him."

"So what should I do? Waste away mourning over someone that yes, I cared about very much, but's gone now. Should I just, never try to get on with my life and enjoy myself ever again? Because if that's what you think I should do then I'll go home to my apartment and get right on that." *She said, over-reacting and then regreting it instantly* "I'm sorry....you're just trying to be nice and I'm being overly dramatic..."

He shook his head and looked down toward her. "You'll never get over him. Don't even try. What you need to learn to do is live with him in your heart instead of by your side. He's always with you Kiley, and the fact that he isn't a ghost tells you that it was his time. He loved you Kiley but do you think he'd want you to live the rest of your life in misery while he is in paradise? Live Kiley...Don't die along with him."

*Kiley sighed* "That's what I was planning on doing." *She grumbled, pushing back off the wall and going under the water. She pushed with her arms so she could stay under and brood for a couple seconds. Half of her wanted him to come down after her and bring her back to the surface and tell her that he isn't going to treat her differently.*

With one arm he pulled her forward and into him. "I'm here you know...When you're ready...I'll be here for you."

*Kiley half smiled.* "Thank you.....and thanks for not forcing me into anytihng. That means a lot to me."

"I'm many things Kiley...Paitiant is deffinately not one but for someone I care about I can defeat all odds...All of them."

"Well, I appriciate it. I'll try to be worth your while."

He leaned down and kissed the crown of her head. "Take your time...Don't make yourself fell you're ready before you really are. You'll only grow resentful."

"Then....in that case.....I'll take my time." *She said then added* "Can we get out, I'm freezing......I lied when I said it was fine. You're nuts for swimming in this water." *She said then laughed a little*

He gave her a final squeeze and smiled. "I like the cold. Africa was too hot for me. I make the water this cold on purpose."

He got out of the pool and held a hand out to help tug her with his right arm.

*Kiley stood there, looking like a drowned rat, shivering* "I'm dripping on your floor...." *She said, stating the obvious* "Do you have a towel or a blanket or something so I don't die of hypothermia?" *She asked with a smile, still shivering as she reached up and rung out her long hair*

With a flick of the wand he lifted off of a small love seat, he mumbled some words and Kiley was suddenly dry and in a short casual black dress. "If you don't like it just tell me what you do like...I can put you in it."

*Kiley looked down at the dress and shook her head* "No, it's lovely." *She crossed and sat on one of his couch seat chair things. She picked up a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders*

"Big wuss," he said, plopping hard beside her. "It isn't even that cold in here!" He leaned in and tickled her under her neck, remembering it as the place where he touched to get his favorite reaction from her.

"Is too..." *She would have gone on her argument more, but he tickled her. She brought her shoulder up to her face, grinning and squirming away from him*

He smiled but decided to leave her alone for the time being. "Hungry? Thirsty? Anything I can get for you?:

*Kiley shook her head* "Nope, just....content here with my new best friend...mr. warm blanket." *She smiled*

"Ah. I see." He ripped the blanket from her. "I like making new friends. Hi Mr. Blanket, how's it going!"

*Kiley pulled at the blanket to get it back* "No, mr. blanket is my friend. You're too late."

"Hey he lives in my house! If I want to be friends with him, I think I can be!" He stood with the blanket and ran, trying to run odd shapes that she couldn't keep up with so easily.

*After chasing him for a little, Kiley stopped and sighed dramatically* "Fine then. I'll just....freeze to death. Then you and mr. blanket can be happy together without me." *She walked over and plopped back on the couch and crossed her arms across her chest, pouting*

"Aww Kiley, I'll keep you warm," he said, wrapping both arms around her from behind, pressing a sweetly platonic kiss to the back of her neck.

"I still want mr. blanket..." *She mumbled jokingly, perfectly happy with him holding her*