As Royce and Joey headed for the door to the outside world, Denny not too far ahead, she heard something behind her. She turned and saw the Jackal dragging a struggling Ben Moss across the hall by the cage now adorning his head. Kuhn had taken her advice. He stopped to look at her.

Royce tried blocking her, but Joey stopped him.

"Go out with Dennis," she asked him, looking into his eyes. "Please."

He moved away hesitantly, eyeing the Jackal. Once he was gone, Joey turned back to the ghost. He had moved close to her, leaving a now still Moss behind him.

"You want to be alone with me," he asked, his voice grating and suggestive.

"I just wanted to make sure you would keep your end of our bargain," Joey said.

"Cross my heart," he cackled, cutting an X in the fabric on his chest. "No harm will come to you or your companions. That is, as long as you keep your end."

The Jackal's lips curled back in a gleaning smile. "Then put deal stands, and you have nothing to worry about."

He grabbed one of her hands and brought it close to his face. Flicking his tongue out, he dragged it along the skin from her knuckles to her wrist. Then he jerked her toward him, his lips coming uncomfortably close to her ear.

"Of course," he whispered. "I would love to have more fun with you."

He sniffed at her hair and brought a hand toward her. But he couldn't touch her. He laughed as he backed away.

"Clever girl. I hope the playmate you bring me is as fun to toy with."

He turned and wrapped his clawed fist around the bars of Moss's head cage, continuing his trek down the hall.

"A piece of advice," Joey called out to him, though he didn't look back. "You have all of eternity to have fun with Moss. Don't play all your games in one night."

The Jackal howled with laughter as he vanished and his captive finally screamed.

---

Royce watched Joey emerge from the doorway into the cold early morning air. She walked up to him and nearly past him. He put a hand on her shoulder, intending to ask what had happened. Instead, he saw the whole thing as a vision flashed through his head.

"Royce?" Joey's concerned voice cut through to him.

"Yeah," he said, shaking the vision from his mind.

"You saw the Jackal a few minutes ago," she said flatly. "Have you been seeing things when you touch stuff?"

"Yeah, so?"

Joey let out an astonished gasp. "You're a closet psychic, Royce."

She started giggling and it brought a smile to Royce's face. He reached out and caressed her cheek. "I hope I can always make you laugh like that."

She fell silent. Royce had moved close to her, close enough she could feel his breath. She could see in his eyes what they had refused to say. It couldn't be helped anymore.

"There are girls out there ten times better than me," Joey said, looking away.

Denny had warned Royce about something like this. The concerned older brother told him that Joey wouldn't think herself good enough for anyone, especially someone she loved.

"I doubt it," he replied. Then he pulled her even closer and leaned to whisper in her ear. "I mean how many girls would understand when I say 'Ego amor tibi?'"

The sensation was the exact opposite of when the Jackal had been that close to her. Royce's breath tickled and warmed Joey's neck. She closed her eyes so she could feel it better.

"You heard that," she asked, a little breathless.

"Yeah. It sounds kinda silly, but it kept me form killing the girl I love."

He pulled back, wanting to see her reaction. She was smiling.

"You know," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I think I kinda dig you too."

"Really," Royce laughed, leaning in again.

Joey nodded, still smiling. Then, their lips met and they fell into a deep, tender kiss, something both had been waiting days for. As they touched, the same vision reached them both. They would be kissing each other like that for the rest of their lives, and for an eternity after.

--END--

Yea! I'm finally finished. I hope everyone enjoyed!