Mind-blowing was the word she was searching for, with eyelids still shut, clinging to that last thread of sleep. That was a good word, she thought, definitely accurate to define the moment she had experienced. Mindy closed her eyes with effort, trying to summon the sensations back into her imagination. But this had been no dream.

It had been a bit clumsy at the beginning, sure; but in retrospective, mind-blowing had overshadowed every other adjective. As soon as they reached the bed, Mindy felt panicky, wondering if she had done enough to be "presentable" for such occasion. However, the minute she saw Danny slip her dress up her hips, with such serenity and reverence as if she were some mystic goddess, every insecurity or concerns she might have had flew up the window.

At the mere touch of his fingers against the lace of her underwear, Mindy trembled in anticipation and that sent Danny to a stop. He looked up at her questioningly, wondering if she was upset or re-thinking things. Boy, he had it all wrong; Mindy found it endearing nonetheless, how he was such a gentleman and was asking for a green light. Mindy took in his face with both hands, pushing him up to her level. "C'mon" she whispered encouragingly against his ear, and then proceeded to place light kisses along his jaw, then brushing her lips ever so slightly on his neck.

Mindy felt the weight of Danny flush against her body, but her mind was elsewhere, drifting into the sensations that coursed through her, Danny's fingers 100% accountable for that. He found her already ready for him, his fingertips easily stroking her through swollen folds. It didn't take long before Mindy started purring against his ear, a little too loud for her taste, but it couldn't be helped. His index finger was circling her clit, sending shivers along her quivering limbs, and he was truly enjoying the view: seeing her so immersed on his touch aroused him, but most of all filled his chest with pride. Knowing this was his effect on her, it was priceless…

As for Mindy, she felt like a selfish lover, receiving everything and doing nothing in return, but the truth was she could not even move a muscle. Imprisoned under his body, Mindy let herself go as she started feeling the inevitably tempest starting to rise.

- Da-Danny, I'm ready…- She tried with a rattled breath.

- Don't worry, I have more for you… but right now, I want to see you come…- He answered in a soft yet determined tone as he increased his ministrations, now deeper and faster. And honestly, that was all it took to send her over the edge: arching her back, she let herself be engulfed in a crushing wave of pleasure, trying to make it last as long as possible, curling her toes and holding on to Danny's shoulder blade.

After that was over, they rolled over and remained there for a while, Mindy breathing heavily against his chest, recomposing herself as the fire extinguished from her mind.

- Hey - She mused minutes later - Why are you still fully clothed? Not fair.

- If it bothers you that much, that can be arranged - He laughed against her head, placing a small kiss on her hair.

- Hhm… guess you were too busy at the moment… Let me take care of that - She suggested, sitting up and caressing his stomach. Danny looked at her, a mixture of amusement and shyness in his features.

- C'mon, up up up! - She gestured, raising her own arms as if to show him. When Danny obliged, Mindy accommodated herself on top of him, pulling his shirt over his head.

- You don't really have to undress me… - Danny chuckled.

- I think I really ought to, though - Mindy insisted with a wicked grin. She thanked god the piece of clothing went seamlessly through his head, not getting stuck as it often happened when she tried to play sexy. She went on to unbuckle his pants, only to find out he was wearing his pajama pants. -Well that makes it easier - she teased him. He reached a hand over to her, cupping her face and stroking her cheek with one finger. The earnest, vulnerable gaze made her stomach churn, and she could not look away. - I want you too - The words escaped her before she could even process them, an answer to an unspoken question. He had admitted that to her, and it seemed only fair that she reciproacted. She just needed to reassure him that this was no charity case, that she had been cultivating these feelings for god knows how long. All those dreams, ever since Haiti, it seemed like her subconscious knew even before her - You know that, right? - she asked. Danny just smiled a serene grin and pushed a strand of her off her face.

- It's always good to hear it.

The rest, as they say, was history. Or at least that was as far as she could go, because daylight started filtering through her eyelids and she could not stay in that limbo state of reminiscing any longer.

Mindy got off the bed quietly, tiptoeing towards the annoying window that had awakened her. Before her stood a silvery landscape; the snow, wild and pristine, raged from every cloud in the sky and covered the entire city. Thanking her lucky stars for central heating, she pushed the curtains shut in an effort to forget it was still technically daylight out there.

She picked up her purse and Danny's shirt off the ground and entered the bathroom, where she spent a good half hour trying cute poses, and applying an unnoticeable yet large amount of make-up. When she entered the room again Danny was still sleeping soundly in a fetal position, apparently unbothered by the soft rays of light slipping through the curtains and reflecting on his face.

Mindy paced back and forth, arranging the fallen sheets and covering him up to his torso. Once she made sure her bag was left on the same spot where she had picked it up, she reached over to her side of the bed and climbed up, spooning herself against him. She sighed against her pillow, a goofy grin spreading across her features. Seconds later she felt Danny's hand at her waist.

- What are you laughing about, if I may ask? – He asked with a croaky voice.

- What? Nothing… - she said dismissively.

- C'mon… - He insisted, fondling the skin at her waist as he buried his face against her locks.

- First of all, I was smiling, not laughing - she stated, still facing the wall but pointing her index finger up at him, scowling playfully.

- Aha…? – he added, his free palm running up and down her spine.

- And I guess… it's because I got out of the bathroom, and I came around to my side of the bed, and I got in and covered myself.

- Ok… - Danny answered, clearly confused.

- I mean… you know I have a bit of a romantic obsession – Mindy clarified as she played with the ends of her hair.

- Boy, do I know it – Danny laughed.

- Okay, don't – don't ruin this - she stopped him, raising a hand in a warning gesture.

- I'm sorry. – He laughed and kissed her shoulder - Continue, please

- I just never thought one of those perfect, epic-novel moments could be… such a simple thing. Finding something so mundane so extraordinary… - she explained, trying to put into words the feelings that were clouding her mind.

- There were some pretty awesome, not-mundane moments before… - Danny joked, trying to relieve the tension off the moment

- I know, I know. They were – pretty damn awesome if I may say so. – she nodded enthusiastically -But…

- I know what you mean. – Danny agreed in a more serious tone as he got up on one elbow to stare at her better.

She didn't flinch once as Danny explored her collarbone, shoulders and arms with his fingers in total silence, leaving a soft trace as he moved up to caress her face.

- It's all so unplanned, and carefree… - she giggled after a while, still staring at the frozen window.

- Wait, are you wearing make up? – He asked all of a sudden, smearing one finger onto her nose. She shook his hand away, turning to face him for the first time.

- Hum, yes? Danny, this is my version of carefree, just go with it. Just because this – she gestured between them - is going on, you think I'm becoming a bare beauty? It takes a loooonng time to look as fresh faced as I do, my friend.

- You know I don't care about that – he frowned. Mindy imitated him and got up on her elbow too.

- You say that because you haven't ever seen me au-naturel – She warned him.

- What about all those nights at the hospital? – He tried, feeling a little cheated.

- BB cream and mascara. Always. – She answered smugly – My public worst is never my worst.

- You don't need it. – He reassured her, playing with her hand.

- Thank you, and I believe you. But I like it. And anyway, returning to our matter at hand: Hi five for us, am I right? – She said excitedly and raised her hand. He looked at her; one eyebrow raised, and left her hanging. – I mean… First try and already a sexy success Castellano! – She poked her chest. – You almost beat your… - She started but fell silent, remembering he didn't know about his doppelganger.

- Who? – Danny asked her, now really intrigued.

- Mmm… right… I guess I should tell you some things. – She teased.

- What about? – Danny tried again, pushing Mindy next to him and embracing her.

- Don't fret, it's really not that bad. Actually, I think you will feel… honored? Anyway, I've been having these dreams… - Mindy started, and Danny listened carefully for the next hour while she confessed what she had been concealing all those months.

Danny felt honored indeed, and relieved to know that he wasn't alone in this… that they had only said goodbye with words, but that they had never left each other's minds, not even half the world away.

NOTES: That's it folks! I racked my brain for three hours straight to make this as perfect as possible, and I think this is the best result. Honestly, I felt a huge debt towards you amazing people, who stuck by me while this never-ending, hiatus-filled story unfolded itself. I needed to finish this for me, but most of all for you, as a gift and a way to say for the hundreth time "THANK YOU" and also "FUCK YES, THE HIATUS IS OVER!".

MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE: "My body is a cage" and "Supersymmetry" by Arcade Fire.