Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.

He stood in the doorway of his bedroom, facing the hall and his eyes boring into the door across from him.

He couldn't sleep. This wasn't a surprise. Sleep evaded him most nights, the effect of an endless array of thoughts and facts and figures constantly running through his mind.

He leaned his head back on the frame and crossed his arms.

Still, there was something different about tonight. Tonight the only thoughts in his head were of her.

He knew she was awake as well. He knew because there was a peace that overtook the house when she was asleep. It was a calm that was almost tangible.

Tonight the house was restless.

And so he stood, and waited, and thought.

He did not stir when her door opened. Did not blink when her eyes met his in the dark. Behind her the only light was the moon shining through the curtains.

She did not look surprised to see him there, waiting and watching.

She crossed her arms and shivered. He knew she wasn't cold. Though her sleeping clothes were thin, she had left her robe untied. Had she been cold she would have wrapped it around herself. No, the crossed arms were a defensive gesture. Protection. She was afraid.

He stood up straight then and let his arms fall to his sides. Open. He was not afraid, though perhaps he should have been.

She looked down, closing her eyes tightly and seemingly fighting with herself.

He heard her intake of breath as her eyes met his again. He stood still, waiting and watching.

She held his gaze for several moments before turning back into her room. She stopped just inside the door, turning her face back so slightly it would have been imperceptible to anyone but him.

An invitation.

He didn't realize he had crossed the hall into her room until the door shut with a soft click. It was his hand on the doorknob.

He didn't realize he had been cold until he felt her warmth against his skin. It was her arms around his waist.

He didn't realize he had been holding his breath until it mingled with hers. It was their lips seeking more and more and more…

Around them, he felt the house settle back to rest.