Author's note: This story follows my first fic, "Inappropriate Behavior." Should be rated F for "fluff." ;) May get raunchier in later chapters... This isn't a songfic, but could be paired with "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, if that seems as appropriate to you as it does to me. I'm new at writing fanfiction and I appreciate constructive criticism, so please read & review!

I woke later than I usually did; the sun was already up. I lay on my side facing the window of my room at the Drunken Dragon. Sunlight streamed across my face. I blinked sleepily and breathed a deep sigh. As my mind readjusted to consciousness, I realized that my head wasn't resting on a pillow, but on someone's arm. A split second of panic, and then I relaxed as my memories of the previous night came rushing back. I smiled.

I rolled over to face my bedmate. Modryn Oreyn slept with his head on the pillow, one arm extended beneath my neck, the other draped over my waist. His breath was slow and quiet, and his expression was peaceful. As I watched him sleep, I thought about the night before and what it would mean for us. I had invited him into bed with no expectations beyond the present moment. I had admired him and wanted him for some time, and it was enough for me that he wanted to feel my body against his. But afterward, he had become sweet and serious, and it seemed that he might want more than just one night with me. I thought about it carefully. Romance was not high on my priority list, but that didn't mean I would reject the opportunity for it. After all, the main reason I had no interest in a typical relationship was that I was too committed to my pursuits in the Fighter's Guild. I had no time to deal with any man's attempts to woo me as if I were a weak and useless child. I had no patience for wounded egos when I made it clear I could take care of myself, thank you, and I was not interested in a bodyguard whose pay was the pleasure of my company.

But Oreyn was different. Oreyn understood my commitments. He understood the difficulty and the thrill of battle. He knew I could take care of myself and others besides. I was the only one he had trusted to help him track down Azani Blackheart. He appreciated my abilities. What better match could there be for me, if I had hope of finding one at all?

Then again, I thought, how do I know he wants anything more than another chance to take me to bed? What if I let myself care about him and believe he cares about me, only to have him send me away when he's bored with me?

I stared at my companion. The passion I had shared with him the previous night was unmatched in my memory. No man (or woman) had ever felt like such a true partner in bed with me. And even if sexual passion wasn't the best foundation to build a lasting relationship on, it certainly wasn't the worst, either. And I liked Oreyn. My attraction to him wasn't solely physical. But I had never allowed myself to think that we could share as much as we just had, let alone anything more.

Oreyn stirred. He breathed in deeply and blinked open his eyes, and I couldn't help smiling foolishly at him. His eyes met mine, and a smile spread across his face. "Good morning, my dear."

"Good morning," I whispered.

"How are you feeling?"

I wondered if he intended that question to have so many layers of meaning. "Good. Rested. You?"

"I've never felt better," he said softly.

He reached out a hand to brush my cheek, and I felt my heart flutter like a bird that falls from its nest and then realizes, mid-drop, that it can fly. An ache crept into the back of my throat, and I realized that this was the real reason I had not cared to pursue a relationship before. The rush of being wanted, the comfort of being cared for, and beneath it all, the terror of it being taken away.

I felt my eyes sting and quickly blinked. I was getting ahead of myself. There was no reason to ruin this moment. Just enjoy it for what it is.

Oreyn ran his hand down my side and rested it on my hip, then pulled me close to him. I drew a quick breath and felt that same quaver in my chest as our lips met. We kissed sweetly, unhurriedly. He brushed his fingers through my hair and I let myself luxuriate in the feeling.

Finally, he pulled away and a hint of his usual scowl crept back into his face. "I suppose we should be preparing to head back to Chorrol," he said without enthusiasm.

"I suppose," I murmured. I smiled mischievously and snuggled closer to him, tucking my head against his chest. "Just five more minutes first."

He chuckled softly and held me to him without protest. I wrapped my arm around him and aimlessly stroked his back. If I had to be frozen in one moment for the rest of my life, I would like it to be this one, I thought. Never mind what it means or what will come later. In this moment, everything is just right.

"Nirena," he said quietly. I pulled back enough to look into his face. His eyes were serious, but he smiled. "I don't know how I ever got along without you in my life."

My heart leapt into my throat. His words meant more to me than they had any right to. It was ridiculous; it was happening too fast. But I was helpless to stop myself from falling.

I returned his smile. "Well then," I said with butterflies in my stomach, "it's a good thing you no longer have to."

o O o

As tempting as it was to spend another hour together in bed, we finally forced ourselves to get up and prepared to return to Chorrol. We passed a couple of other guests in the hall, and the woman giggled while the man grinned and gave Oreyn an unsubtle wink. Oreyn glared and tried to look angry, but I saw the corners of his mouth sneak themselves into a smile. I elbowed him playfully in the ribs and grinned. "I guess we weren't very discreet last night, were we?" I whispered. His cheeks colored a little.

"Yes, well, I suppose there's no harm done out here. But we'll need to be more careful when we return to Chorrol."

"I know," I reassured him. "But we have a full day's travel ahead before we get there. So relax." In reply, he smiled and patted my butt, making my armor clang noisily. We both snickered.

We each gave a curt nod to Draconis, the innkeeper, on our way out, and I could tell it was taking all his effort to suppress a knowing smirk. Unable to help myself, I waited until we were almost through the door to turn around and give him an impish wink. He contained himself until the door closed behind us, but then I heard an explosion of laughter and a triumphant, "I knew it!"

I grinned at Oreyn, who looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or scold me. Finally he chuckled and sighed, "What kind of trouble have I gotten myself into?"

"The best kind," I replied.