"Come on, Derek. Don't make me get nasty," Alex teased him. "Let's go." He stood firm, and she swore the man was rooted to the spot.

"And leave our guests?" he said coolly. Damn, the man could be maddening at times.

She put her arm in his. "I don't think they'll miss us. Besides," she nodded in the ex-SEAL's direction, "I think Nick would really appreciate an excuse to leave." Nick was smiling at Suzette, who was wiping his lips with her napkin.

Alex drew Derek through the restaurant, out into the lobby, then down the steps. She presumed that he now wanted to go with her since he offered no resistance.

"Isn't it much nicer and quieter out here?" Her arm remained in his as she led him down the path to the swimming pool area. "It's a beautiful night for a walk. Oh, look at this," she breathed. "It's lovely."

"Yes, it is," he admitted, his arm tightening in hers. The pool area was outlined with lanterns of white candles, and white lights lined the edges of the open umbrellas above the tables. They walked underneath an archway which had several strings of white lights intertwined in its wooden slats.

"Where are you taking me?" His voice changed back to the one she was well used to in San Francisco when they continued to walk away from the resort. This was the Derek she knew and sometimes loved when he wasn't being a control freak.

"Don't you want to go with me?" she said as they walked past the pier. As if she could lead him somewhere if he didn't want to go. He shrugged in a dismissive gesture and she grinned. So he wanted her to take the lead, to spell it out? It made sense after last night when she left him hanging. What did he think after she did that? Was she even sure that he really said it?

"I thought we could go someplace where we can talk without being interrupted." She gazed at him as they walked. Was that what had brought this Precept Derek back? It couldn't be due to her dance with Jeroen... No, he didn't get jealous, at least she didn't believe so. She had hoped several times in the past that she might have seen it from him, but... He was more likely disappointed that the others had joined them when he had expected just the four of them for their Christmas Eve dinner. He wasn't a man who liked surprises.

"How about we walk down to where we were last night? It's too late to see the sunset from there, but the moon is pretty full and there are few clouds." Again he shrugged, this time in mock resignation. She tried not to grin at his exasperated sigh.

They stopped at the same secluded spot where he had told them twenty-four hours earlier of the events of that terrible night. She recalled her shock when he had spoken of his actions in such a straight-forward manner. Later he had said what she had wanted to hear for so long... and she had only told him that she wanted to go back to her room. Did she tell him that she needed time to think? Did that unsettle him? Well, if he had taken such a chance last night, it was her turn tonight. She turned to him and took his hands in hers.

"First, I want to apologize for my behavior last night," she began softly. "You treat us to this... wonderful vacation and I was rude because I was so..." She gazed at him and he offered her a forgiving smile. "I'm sorry that I was rude after you..."

"Alex, there's no need to apologize." His voice was as hushed as hers as he squeezed her hands. "I understand."

"No, I shouldn't have left you hanging. It's simply that I was... a little startled by what..." She bit her lip and gazed at her shoes in the sand. "I thought I heard..." Alex dropped her hands and crossed her arms across her chest. So much for the direct approach.

He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head, his mouth curving into a mischievous grin. "You did hear it. But since you're not sure, let me repeat myself." He took her hands and held both in his as his expression became serious. "I told you that I would like to find out if we could have something and asked if you'd like that. Just to be even clearer, by 'something' I mean a relationship, a romantic one." He touched her cheek and laughed lightly. "You have that look on again."

She took a deep breath. "What? Like I'm going to fall into a dead faint?"

Derek bent his head forward. "I'm afraid so." He slipped his arm around her waist. "Let's sit you down over here." He led her to the fallen tree where she had sat the previous evening. "I didn't realize that it would be such a shock."

Did he truly have no idea? She gazed warmly at his strong, handsome face. "Why now, Derek?" was all she could manage.

"The portal and examining my life," he said as he sat next to her. "I realized how lucky I was to have survived... Or I owed it to whomever or whatever had me survive." His features softened in the moonlight as he stared out to the lagoon. "Let's just say that I... saw the light."

"I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn't joined the Legacy," she said quietly as she touched his arm. "But I do know that one of the luckiest days of my life was the day I met you."

"I think you would have been fine if you hadn't," he said, watching her. His eyes seemed to appraise her. "You're a strong woman, Alex Moreau."

She shook her head and gazed up at the moon. "But not strong enough to fight old college buddies who turned into vampires." Her voice was bitter as she recalled Justine's sway over her.

"How could you have suspected an old friend of betrayal?" He placed his hand over hers. "I believed Randall Hitchcock had forgiven me, when he actually wanted me to become a victim of the scroll. Was I strong enough to fight Jessica Lancy's spell? If it wasn't for you, Rachel and Kristin, I would have become her victim."

"Weren't you almost one because of me? You sent me out for help when the house was under attack, and I run right into Marcus." She picked up a small rock and tossed it into the water. "I tried to fight him when he touched me, and then I was powerless against him. I was soon under his sway again."

"And then you had me under yours," he said delicately.

"Yes, you were," she glanced at him before looking away. "Thankfully you came out of it quickly."

"Only to almost become Marcus's victim." The silence stretched between them. What could she say to that? It was her fault�

"We owe Nick," Derek finally said, "for being able to find the strength to get off the bed, grab the cross and stab him."

She stole a glimpse at the precept before she stood. "Maybe you're both better off without me around." The woman quickly walked further down the beach.

"Alex!" She was stopped by his strong hand on her wrist, though she wouldn't turn to face him. "Didn't you save Nick's life when you distracted the Soulchaser? He told me that you gave him the time he needed to grab something to kill it after his brother Jimmy returned from the dead."

"That was instinct, Derek. I just did what had to be done." Her voice reflected her anguish at the memories of biting her young colleague.

"What about when Nick was infected with that Mephisto parasite?" His thumb rubbed against her hand.

"And you helped me find a cure." Her voice was faint as she remembered his call.

"Because you're part of my team, and we work together," he said gently. "Alex, you're a valued and trusted member of my House." He kissed her hand. "And one that I care for very much."

She started to cry softly and he pulled her into his arms. Her arms encircled his back as they hugged. "I'm sorry for being such an idiot," she sniffed.

He laughed lightly. "You're not an idiot. I think it's been a long day for you," he said as he wiped her eyes. "You need to get some sleep. Listen, there's a church service in the morning." He pushed back her hair. "Why don't we go to it?"

She smiled. "I'd like that."

"Good. Now let's get you back to your room." He was the one who now led them back to the hotel. She took his arm and they strolled in comfortable silence. As they neared the boardwalk to her bungalow, she couldn't help but feel somewhat strange. Why did she feel so... nervous? Was it due to this new change in their relationship?

"Here we are." His voice broke into her thoughts. They were outside her door. The end of their evening...

She raised her head and smiled at him. "Good night, Derek," she said quietly. "Thank you for... another wonderful day and making me feel better." She moistened her suddenly dry lips.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." They looked at each other for a moment before she stepped closer to him. She raised her head and was gratified to see him lower his.

His kiss was gentle, his lips soft against her own. Too soon he broke it, but he remained before her. His hands brushed back her hair as he held her face. She smiled and she caught his grin as he leaned forward again. Alex's arms went around his neck as his tightened around her waist. The second one was slow and thoughtful, and her senses reeled.

"Alex, Kat wanted to..." They reluctantly separated and turned to Rachel. "I'm sorry," the blonde apologized. She appeared distinctly embarrassed. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

Derek leaned down to Alex. "Rachel Interruptus," he whispered in her ear, his breath sending a thrill through her as it stroked her cheek.

Joy bubbled in her and she couldn't suppress the giggle that escaped as she turned back to him. Her thumb slid along his mouth as she slowly wiped the lipstick from his mouth. Her breath caught when he opened his mouth and kissed her finger.

"Good night again," he murmured, then kissed the tip of her nose. "Merry Christmas, ladies," he said before he turned and walked away.

"Merry Christmas, Derek," Alex whispered as she watched him leave. This was a brave, new world, she realized... and one that part of her suddenly feared to enter...

End part 15