Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew she should try to gain more control of herself and what she was doing. Her brain attempted to send a message, but her mouth was allowing nothing to get through except recognition of these delicious sensations that Derek was giving her. Her pulse pounded and a fire spread through her as his hands caressed the bare hollow of her back. She wanted to feel his. Alex grabbed his lapels, trying to slip his jacket off.

"Wait� wait..." he said between short breaths as he pulled away from her and adjusted his jacket.

"For what?" Frustration crept into her voice.

"Well, for one thing, we're standing by the edge of the pool." He now wore a playful grin and his head tilted in that direction.

She glanced around in surprise. Damn, they *had* moved to the edge of it. A wave of dizziness hit her as she looked down and she stumbled. Derek attempted to grab her, but as she fell she took him with her. They hit the water with a splash and went under. Her high-heeled, ankle-laced shoes stayed on as they touched the bottom and she pushed upward, breaking the surface. "Derek?"

He emerged next to her. "This may put a damper on our evening." She laughed as he floated on his back. They swam to the rim of the pool and he quickly climbed out. He extended his hand. "Let me help you."

He pulled her up and into his arms. They stood in silent embrace for a moment before she pulled back and smiled at him. His eyes, however, were elsewhere on her body. Blushing slightly, she understood his stare. Her dress was soaking wet and clung to her every curve. On top of that, she had decided against wearing a bra, feeling it ruined the appearance of her outfit. It wasn't as if she had one that she could wear with this dress...

"You'd... better put this on," he said softly. He removed his jacket and assisted her as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. "It's a little wet but..."

Derek straightened it on her, then turned her around as if appraising the way she looked. "You are a beautiful woman, Alex. Even with my jacket on." He smiled as he used the lapels to draw her closer, and her face rose to his. The kiss was a gentle one, and she was drawn into the warmth of him. Her heart hammered in her chest as it lengthened and deepened. His arms encircled her, though his mouth left hers to leave a scorching trail down her neck. She bit her lip, trying to stifle the groan that burned in her throat. Needing to touch him, her hands played with the lovely, damp curls of his salt and pepper hair.

"Alex..." Derek breathed hard as he finally pulled away from her. "We don't want to fall into the pool again. Why don't we..."

She smiled at the engaging curve of his lips as he grinned. "Why don't we... what?"

"I hate to use an old clich�, but... your place or mine?" He raised his eyebrow.

Alex giggled. "Yours. It's closer, but it's also the farthest away from Rachel's." He laughed as his thumb slid down her cheek.

"Mine it is then," he said quietly. He took her hand and they walked to his bungalow. She wanted to run, but she also needed to get her breathing under some sort of control, even more so when he slipped his arm around her waist. Her mind took the opportunity to try and raise an ounce or two of resistance, but her body was in charge and would have none of it.

They soon reached his door and he opened it. She entered first, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious. This was his bungalow... his large bed was right in front of her... She shivered, feeling like a nervous young woman on her first real date, not the one who had known this man for almost a decade. A cold thought abruptly hit her. What if she was... disappointing? God help her, what if Megan had been...?

He came up behind her and his arms slipped around her waist. One hand slowly rose and slid under the damp fabric of her top to stroke her breast. All of her doubts were seared away by the growing heat inside of her. She leaned back against him and placed her hands on top of his. This was a Derek she knew little about, but one whom she wanted to explore in every glorious detail, to touch every nook and cranny on his body. If she was fortunate, it would take the entirety of this night and the rest of those in her future.

Alex turned to him, and her hands caressed his face. Bringing it down to her mouth, her tongue slowly and reverently outlined his lips. He moaned and his hands began to lower his jacket from her shoulders as they kissed. She dropped her arms to her side, and it slid to the floor. Shaking, her fingers began to undo the buttons on his shirt. Her hands slipped it down his shoulders as he struggled to get his arms out of the sleeves. His now-free hands fought to untie the straps which held up the top of her dress as her fingers stroked the hairs on his chest.

Nuzzling against him, she heard him curse in Dutch and she giggled. "Need some help?" she said softly as her fingers stroked his back. He groaned low in his chest.

"You tied this a little tight, didn't you?" As she laughed, there was a knock at the door. "Dr. Rayne?"

"Damn it..." He began to pull away, but Alex tightened her arms around him. "Ignore it," she whispered as her lips moved against his.

"I can't." He kissed her quickly before his hands on her upper arms moved her back. "The door isn't locked and we didn't put up the 'Do Not Disturb' sign." He kissed her hand. "It will only take a moment to get rid of whoever it is."

"Coming," Derek answered to the second knock. Opening the door, she saw a young hotel employee standing there. "This came for you, sir, by special courier from London."

London? Alex's brow furrowed as Derek took the package. Why in the world was London sending him a package here in Bora Bora? Can't they damn well leave the man alone when he's on vacation? For God's sake, he just saved the world from the Antichrist.

The young man grinned at Derek when he slipped him a tip. "Thank you, sir. May you and the beautiful vahine have a good evening." Alex blushed and Derek laughed as he looked at her before he closed the door.

"He probably wonders what a woman like you is doing with a man like me." He casually moved the package to a counter. "Why don't we relax and have a drink?"

"I'd like that," she said, watching as he went into the other room. "My throat's a little dry."

She stole a glance at the package. Why didn't he open it right away? He barely looked at it. Wasn't he curious as to why London was sending him something? Maybe it had to do with his sabbatical. Her heart lifted. Maybe he was really going to do it...

She took another, longer look. There were no special codes or top secret stamps on it, so she decided to open it as she had done countless times for him. She was stunned to see the name on the top sheet.

"I thought he was different this time," she said quietly as she leafed through the report. "Same old Derek, always the precept."

"I won't apologize for requesting a background check on him. It's part of my job." His voice was low and firm as he entered holding two glasses.

She snickered. "Yes, it is," she said as she held up the pages. She tilted her head as she looked at him. "One that I forgot about. Did you request one on Suzette? Does Nick know?"

"When Suzette raises my suspicions, then I'll request one on her," he said calmly. "I won't explain more than that."

"So Precept Derek is back. I� had hoped that maybe he had gone into hibernation while Vacation Derek came out to play." She shook her head. "When we were holding hands, I could feel that damn ring. When your hands were on my bare back..." She gazed at him. "Your precept's ring is always there. You never take it off, do you. I� I guess I didn't want to remember what it truly symbolized."

"Alex," he said as he put down the glasses. "It's a part of me, a part of who I am." He drew closer to her. "Why did you open the envelope?" His voice was soft, seductive. "You didn't need to."

"In case you've forgotten, I've opened many packages from London for you," she said, her voice strong, fighting his allure. "It's part of *my* job as your assistant." She held up the sheets. "It's because of me, isn't it... because of his interest in me."

"Alex, don't be silly..."

She turned and walked toward the balcony. "It wouldn't be the first time. I seem to be silly about a lot of things lately. Rachel thinks you're only interested in a relationship with me because you survived the portal. Is she right?" She turned and stared at him. "You are so different lately."

"I� I don't know. Maybe." He shrugged. "Then again, she may not be. It's... hard for me to say."

She laughed, but bitterness tinged her voice. "Here I was thinking that the old Derek was resting somewhere while we got used to the new. Evidently, he's woken up. You're the same Derek that you've always been."

"Alex, what is that supposed to mean? You've known me for many years, just as I've known you," he said softly as he again came closer to her.

She reddened, though whether from anger or humiliation, she wasn't sure. Moving away from him, she headed for the door. She stopped when she reached it, but she refused to look at him.

"Derek, I've�" Tears stung in her eyes. "It's very late. I'll see you tomorrow."

End part 19