After the nap, Maggie was still a bit shaken by both the prophecies and Lija’s failed attempt to alter the course of her future. He reminded her that he had never kept his promise to take her out dancing and offered spend the rest of the evening remedying that.

 

He grimaced a bit when she said she wanted to go to Midnight Rodeo, a local country bar, but agreed. He did say he’d have to swing by his hotel room on the way to change into something more appropriate.

 

An hour later, Maggie was standing in front of the floor to ceiling window that looked out over the city from Lija’s rooftop suite. She was still scared about the prophecy and feeling Luna’s need for contact.

 

When Lija came back into the room, wearing a skin tight shirt and blue jeans, she couldn’t help staring. He grinned and spun around with his boots in one hand giving her a brief show before sitting down on the sofa to put the boots on.

 

The young doctor walked over to cuddle in his lap, nuzzling his neck for comfort. “You don’t mind me snuggling do ya?”

 

“No I don't mind at all.”  He put his arms around her and held on tight.

 

“Okay. Thanks.” She relaxed a bit, feeling safer in his arms. “I think I’ve calmed down. At least, I'm breathing okay again....”

 

“Good then take this.” The tore lifted her face to his and kissed her deeply.

 

Relishing the kiss, the woman ran her fingers through his hair, opening her mouth on a sigh that was lost in his lips. Feeling the connection open up, the druid could feel their souls merge and it was electric.  Gasping at the power of their connection, Maggie’s eyes opened wondering if he felt it too.

 

Lija pulled back breathless and looked down at her. “God! What was that? Are you all right?”

 

Smiling, the doctor tried to take a breath.  “I've heard of being kissed breathless but wow. I don’t know what it was but it was incredible.” Running a finger down his cheek, she stared into his beautiful blue eyes.

 

“I don't ever remember having that happen before.” He sounded amazed.

 

She shook her head then laid it back on his shoulder, looking up at him.  “I don’t think it's ever happened before for me either. What changed?” Enchanted by his eyes, I realized she was staring and looked down, only to be caught by the site of his lips.  She ran a finger over those then smiled, looking back up into his eyes.

 

The human’s touch sent waves of chills through the tore. “Maggie, maybe we should go.”

 

“Did I do something wrong?” She asked, confused.

 

He pulled her fingers away and sat up trying to put some distance between them. “No you didn't. I love your touch.  I'm just afraid of where it will lead and I don't want to hurt you.”

 

Looking up in his eyes, she sighed.  “I trust you. You wouldn’t hurt me but if me sitting here is a problem, I can sit on the other side of the couch.” Grinning she added, “We could put a wall of pillows between us for safety's sake.”

 

“ I don't want to be separated from you and the way I'm feeling I don't think pillows would help.” He looked at her meaningfully.

 

The woman blushed.  “I don’t want to be separated from you either. No pillows huh? What about a chaperone?”

 

Standing the druid walked over to look out the window. “Why couldn't we have met sooner Doc?”

 

Watching him walk over, the doctor is unsure if she should follow so she stayed on the sofa where he left her.  “I don’t. I wish we would have. If I had met you first I'm sure....” Sighing she quietly added, “No use telling you what I think would have been, no matter how badly I want it.”

 

“I keep thinking I never should have come. I've caused so much trouble.” He sounded so alone.

 

Unable to resist, Maggie walked over to stand beside Lija and gently grabbed his hand, turned to him and placed his palm on her face and looked up at him. “I wouldn't trade you walking into my life for anything. You have brought so much joy and laughter to my life recently, it's worth any trouble we have to sort through. We were meant to find each other again. For what purpose I don’t know yet but I know that much is true.”

 

Turning to face her, he brushed a curl from her face. “You mean so much to me. I don't want to risk losing that.”

 

Turning her face, she kissed the palm of his hand then looked up at him.  “You couldn’t lose me if you tried, my forever friend.”

 

“You don't know how much effort I'm exerting right now not to carry you in that room.........This is not good Maggie. I need to get you home.” All thoughts of dancing were gone in the face of such need.

 

Looking up at him with sad eyes, the woman replied, “I know you should but I always hate to leave you.”

 

“Then don't leave. Stay with me tonight.” The tore regretted it as soon as it was said.

 

The doctor looked up at him, confused and torn. “You know I want to...but...”

 

“Yeah I know.....Noah.” He said his name like it was a curse.

 

She replied, tears in her eyes, “You are the one that is always telling me he's my mate.”

 

“ I know.” He grinned sadly  then kissed her cheek. “Come on I'll drive you home.”

 

Sighing the girl nodded, “I guess it's best but can I just enjoy the view for another minute?”

 

“ Sure. Go ahead. I told you if you ever want to come up here to just let me know. I don't have to be here.” He shrugged.

 

She pulled away to look out the window wishing things were different. Still gazing out, she asked, “But why would I want you gone? I love spending time with you.”

 

“I think it might be best for... maybe we need to step back a little.” He haltingly explained.

 

Looking back at him, “You don’t want to spend time with me anymore?” She asked as tears pooled in her eyes.

 

“I didn't say that, just maybe with others around.” He grimaced.

 

Looking up at him the woman asked, “Don’t trust me huh?”

 

The druid shook his head.  “It's not you. It's me.  I won't put you through this.”

 

Walking back to him and placing a hand on his cheek, she reached up to kiss the man. “Always trying to protect me, aren’t you? What if I'm not sure I want to be protected?”

 

“Don't say that.” He said moving away. “Come on let's get you home.” He added as he headed toward the door.

 

Sighing, Maggie looked out at the skyline one more time before following him out. Going out the door to the elevator, the druid pushed the button and wait for it to come up.

“ I'll always be there if you need me. Remember that.”

 

Gazing up at the man, a lost look in her eyes. “What if I just need you because I need one person who understand me, one person that makes me feel safe and not alone.”

 

“If that's what you need from me...I'm here.” The elevator having reached the top, opens its doors. “ But until I can get these other feelings under control...no more time alone ...together.” Lija walked inside the elevator and waited for her.

 

Following him into the elevator, the doctor asked, “So if I don’t have a babysitter in tow, I can’t say hi?” She stood in the corner hurt and pouting.

 

“ That's not what I meant and you know it.” He looked over at her, not giving in to her move.

 

She took a deep breath, ran her hands through her hair and looked over at the druid,  “I’m sorry. I'm not trying to be difficult.”

 

“ I know you aren't.”

 

“I'm just a little frustrated and wishing things were different” She looked down at the floor of the cab.

 

“ I wish things were different too but they aren't.” The elevator reached the lobby. It was pretty much deserted this time of morning. “I'm not going to ignore you Doc. Believe me I couldn't if I wanted to. I just don't know what to do.” He admitted as he headed out into the lobby with the blonde doctor following.

 

“I don’t know either except I know I cant lose you.” She fearfully confessed.

 

“You won't.” He took her as they walked through the lobby toward the entrance. Just that touch makes his skin tingle. Feeling the tingle of his hand in hers inexplicably calmed the woman a bit as they walked out together. He smiled over at her. “See you'll never lose me.”

 

She giggled, “Not as long as I never let go of your hand.”

 

“I will have to shift gears ya know to get you home.”

 

“Well okay. I guess if we are inside the car, I will trust you not to go to far without me.” She smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

 

They exited the building and walked across the lot to the humvee.  Almost there the tore heard a barely audible click. He handed the young woman into the passenger’s side.  “Lock the doors and get down on the floor.”

 

Looking at his nervous face, she thinks better of asking her friend why and does as he asks, heart racing.

 

Once the druid heard the doors lock and saw the doctor get down out of sight, he turned toward the noise.  Three men came out of the shadows. One was carrying a small pistol. That was no problem as it was probably not silver shot.  Another one has a very big knife, could be silver, maybe not. The third guy stayed in the background, as if he were watching a show.

 

The pistol toting fellow began, “Nice rig. Bet it cost a lot.”

 

“A bit yeah. What do you want?” The tore asked, trying to keep an eye on all three men.

 

Mister Pistol explained, “Well for starters we'll take all your cash. Then we'll have the keys.”

 

The guy with the knife grinned, adding, “And you can leave the pretty little thing you came out with in there for us.”

 

“Okay well I don't like either of those choices. So why don't you take a hike?” The tore was tense, ready for anything.

 

The first guy added, “Well then let us put it to you another way,” he shoved the pistol into the druid’s belly. “Wanna rethink it?”

 

Smiling the druid swept his arm down, knocking the pistol from his hand. He broke the attacker’s wrist in the process. “Nope.”

 

Meanwhile, Maggie was scooting around the floor of the car looking for the car alarm or a cell phone.

 

As the first attacker writhed in pain on the ground, the second one swept in fast with the knife, slicing Lija’s side.

 

Peaking over edge of the window, the doctor saw her soul friend bleeding and started to unlock the door, heedless of her own safety in her desire to get to him.

 

After a second of searing pain the tore grabbed the second guy.  Lija’s were strength took over as he tossed the guy about thirty feet across the hood of another car.

 

~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

 

To be continued *evil grin*