Authors Note: Hey! This is my first fanfic, so I hope you like it! :)

Seeing as "Before I Wake" hasn't been released yet, I'm trying not to make up anything regarding Kaylee's job or how Tod comes back, because I don't want to contradict the books in anyway. This fanfic is based purely on Taylee romance. ;)

Enjoy!

I'm on my way to the Cinemark to work my normal hours, despite my dad's failed attempts to keep me at home, when the realisation that Tod is gone hits me like a ton of bricks.

Two weeks has passed since I had died, and I still haven't come to terms with the fact that Tod no longer exists. That he's never coming back. Ever.

Suddenly, I can't bear to face selling tickets or serving popcorn while the whole time, all I'll be thinking about is how often Tod would come to visit me and Em at the cinema, having us believe he was just there for the food and free company. How he would always say the funniest things, and then sport a satisfied grin when we would both burst into fits of laughter.

No. I can't handle that.

So instead I turn my car around, and head towards Eastlake High. The place where I escaped an evil hellion out for my soul, witnessed the death and revival of my best friend, discovered my math teacher was a life-sucking lust demon, and, most importantly, first kissed Tod.

I slam my car door shut, and head towards the building. It's around four in the afternoon and, other than a few students attending afterschool lessons or meetings, the school is practically deserted. I sit down on the front steps and my eyes slowly begin to water. I think of Tod's bright blue eyes, his sarcastic tone, his lopsided grin, and suddenly I'm bawling, crying more than I ever have before.

It's like I'm all alone in a storm, and I've just lost my life-preserver, the only thing keeping me from drowning into a dark sea of nothingness. The only thing stopping me from giving up and just letting the water take me in its icy grasp – gone. I can't control my sobs.

"Kay, don't cry. Please don't cry..."
My heart stops beating and I turn around to spot the worried eyes and concerned frown of a familiar, yet distant, face.

It can't be him. It can't be.

"Tod?"

It comes out as a choked whisper, and the man before me flashes a crooked smile. My heart skips a beat.

"The one and only." he says. Before I know it, I'm on my feet, and staring desperately at the bizarre hallucination. Because that's all he could possibly be – an illusion. Some sort of sick trick my mind was playing on me. But when I look into his eyes, Tod's eyes, all I see is love, and joy, and relief.

Slowly, his appearance starts to sink in.

"Tod!" I exclaim, and when I jump into his warm embrace and snuggle into his chest, it's as if he'd never left. A comforted sigh escapes his lips.

"God, I missed you Kaylee. I never stopped thinking about you. Not for a moment."
I look up at him and see a flash of pain swirl in his irises. I want to make that pain disappear – I want him to never have to feel such an emotion ever again.

"What... what happened?" I stutter.

Tod shoots me a playful grin. "Well, I sort of lost my job. But don't worry – I hear the local cafe's got an opening for 'dead guys with the ability to kill people'. I'm sure I'll be employed in no time..." I can't help but laugh, despite the circumstances. At least, his sense of humour is still intact. But I still need answers.

"How are you here, Tod? Levi said he'd already handed in your soul – that you couldn't be saved..." I wince at the memory.

Tod stops smiling and leans down to whisper softly into my ear. "That's a long story. But I can tell you that I'm here to stay, soul and all. That is..." he steps back to look me in the eye, "...if you want me to stay?" He looks nervous, and my heart breaks slowly with every word.

"Do I want you stay? Of course I do!" I take a deep breath and get on my tippy toes to plant a trail of kisses along his jaw line. "I love you, Tod. More than anything in the world. I need you to stay."

He grins, and kisses me passionately on the lips. I slide my arms around his neck and feel his hands against my lower back. I press into him eargerly, and suddlenly I want more. I need more.

I quickly pull away from him, shaking my thoughts away. Tod looks at me, confused.

"What's wrong? Do you want to stop? Cause that's okay by me, you just say the word and –"
I cut him off with a kiss. He's smiling as he steps back, his burning gaze laced with desire.

"That's just thing." I say finally, "I don't want you to stop. I don't want us to to stop."

Tod raises one eyebrow and asks huskily, "What do you want, Ms. Cavanaugh?"
I blush under his blazing glare. I want you.

I breathe in a shaky breathe and try to hide my embarrasment. Tod chuckles softly then places one hand under my chin, gently bringing my eyes to meet his.

"Hey, don't be ashamed. Whatever it is, I'm sure I'd give to you in a heartbeat. I love you Kaylee..." I gasp as his soft lips brush against my own, kissing me with so much emotion, I doubted whether or not he'd have any left. His face then falls into my hair, and he murmurs softly "You know I'd do anything for you."

I don't even need to look into his eyes to know he's telling the truth. So instead, I summon the courage to tell him what I want.

"Let's go somewhere a little more... private." I whisper suggestively and Tod's eyes churn earnestly, "Somehow, I don't think Eastlake High is romantic enough for what I had in mind..."

He looks at me and I see the slightest hint of uncertainty in his eyes, before it is completely clouded by his longing. His hunger.

For me.

I feel giddy at the thought of him wanting me just as much as I want him. But as curious as he is as to what my intentions are, Tod simply grabs hold of my hand and grins.

"As you wish, Ms. Cavanaugh."