The Winds of Change(Shea)

[Trevor]

Trevor was excited. He was about to beginning learning magic. For the first time, he had a teacher. Not only that, but she was sweet, and beautiful. Problem was, she was married to an overprotective jealous nut. Well, that's how he saw it anyway. But, love is blind. So long as she was happy, he wouldn't interfere. However, if he laid a hand on her again...

Trevor looked down and smiled. His grip on the hilt of his rapier was tightening thanks to his thoughts. The sword was in it's sheath, and his hand rested upon it. However, his knuckles were beginning to turn white. He relaxed his grip, and let out a chuckle. "My my, it looks like my hero is showing. I never was good at minding my own business. Oh well." He hummed as he made his way to the open area of the training ground.

He was supposed to meet Shea here, to discuss what he might know about magic. She was trained, and could teach him. Anything else, and they could do extra research at the library. Tonight would be a training and camp out. Trevor took a deep breath and let it out, very much enjoying the fresh air. "It's like the days I spent with the Crimson Blade." The Crimson Blade was Trevor's former clan. The memory made him smile. He loved them like family, and hoped to see them again someday soon.

He unsheathed his rapier and held it in his right hand. "Might as well have some fun while I wait." His smile broadened. He began to move gracefully, almost like a dance the way he wielded the blade. He leaped into the air, landed, rolled, making thrusts here and there. His speed was unmatched in the Crimson Blade, and his skills had not dwindled at all.

"Darien... I swear if you hurt her, you will come to know why I am called the Swift Dragon." His smile was still there, but the focus was in his eyes. He lashed out with the sword a bit more before stopping. His voice was always cheerful, and even as he spoke that last remark, it came out as more of a friend challenging another friend rather than a warning to an adversary. "Well, that was fun. Time to take it up a bit."

It was then he seemed to vanish. His body began to glow with a feint blue light. Suddenly, he vanished, and was in another spot, about twenty feet form his original starting point, and he thrust a few times with his sword. He repeated this a few times. t was still full of grace and beauty, his every movement like the wind which inspired him. He was having so much fun, he hadn't know that Shea had arrived, nor how long she had been watching him.

[Shea]

Excitement filtered through the young jewel mage as she packed the last of the things she would need for staying the night with a friend. She had informed Darian she would be training all night and so he would know not to worry about her. She didn't need him tearing apart the academy looking for her. What she wanted to do was train, and not have to worry about him at all; jealousy or not. She closed the duffel bag she was taking with her and finished dressing. Wearing blue jeans and some soft white tennis shoes that had the 'S' of the sketchers brand on the side. A black belt circled her waist with a rhinestone studded belt buckle that just barely showed. On her torso she wore a soft tangerine orange colored sweater that was made of cashmere and soft to the touch as well as warm. It fit her form well.

She grabbed her bag, that had many things in it, including; food, tent, coat, sleeping bags, and other things. She smiled as fully decked out in her normal gems she exited her room Bella trotting happily at her side. They headed for the training grounds Bella was happy they were going camping she couldn't care about anything else and Shea had to admit she was excited too. It was going to be fun. Good to get out of her dorm and do something crazy for once. Magic and camping. It sounded like a lot of fun.

They entered the training grounds and she walked around smiling softly as she saw Trevor just before he went crazy and moved around the grounds so fast only a blur of red and green could be seen. She stepped in and put her bag down as she leaned against the railing and just watched him moving around the ground her eyes following him waiting for him to stop. She smiled when he finally did and walked towards him.

"Good evening. A pleasure to see you again." she said softly as she came out to him and smiled. "I wouldn't be shocked, if you're fast moving spell had a wind base to it. That was amazing. Truly fantastic, I know that I could never move so fast."

"Oh, but forgive my manners. How are you this evening?" she asked softly with a smile her black hair was loose and down falling around her small thin body.

[Trevor]

He was about to move again when Shea made herself known. She had been here, but how long? Apparently long enough to see my speed technique. But, wait... she called it a spell? That can't be right. I know no magic. He smiled and sheathed his sword. The light blue glow faded. He bowed and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "Ah, milady. I am very happy to see you. You too, Bella!" He smiled at the kitten.

He turned his attention back to Shea. "Well, my evening is going wonderfully. Better now that I have the company of you two." He sighed happily. "The very idea of camping out reminded me of my time spent with my clan. Being out here, outside like this... it is a wonderful feeling." He looked at her, that charming smile of his on his face. "I hope you don't mind me saying so, but you look cute in that outfit." As he was dressed in his only outfit, all of his clothing the same, just different colors. This was his favorite, the green and yellow seeming to fit him better. Very bright, very cheerful.

"As for what you said earlier, about my 'moving fast spell,' thank you for the compliment. If it is one thing I have to my advantage, that is it. Well, that and swordplay. But, as for it being a spell of some kind, I am afraid I have to disagree. I know no magic. The magic I have seen and heard about requires hand movements, chanted words, sometimes devices. That technique I use requires none of those." He paused, his eyes closed. "I don't even know what it is, to be honest. But, it is something within me, something I just... feel." He then remembered he was talking to a magic user who called his technique magic.

He opened his eyes. "Shea, I apologize. You know much more about magic than I do. I can only go by what my experiences have shown me. If I insulted you by my disagreement, then I am sorry. it wasn't meant that way. I just never fancied myself able to use magic. It always fascinated me, but I never thought that technique was anything even close to magic."

His smile broadened. "If you say it is a spell, then I believe you, and you have made me very happy, especially if you are right and has a wind base. That would be wonderful!" He was beaming, like a child who was just told he could have any toy he wanted from the store.

"So, how did you want to get started? I am yours to mold."

[Shea]

He came to her and kissed the back of her hand. She blushed softly as she looked at him. There were few that could make her blush but for some reason Trevor could. He went as far as to say she looked 'cute' in her outfit and she smiled. He was so kind and courteous she knew that he probably had a crush on her if anything because of the way his eyes lit up around her. He was so sweet she enjoyed his company but she wasn't planning on breaking up with Darian any time soon or anything.

"Thank you, for the compliment. You are too kind." she said leaning in she kissed his cheek in her own greeting before pulling away all together.

He began to explain how and why he didn't think that his moving fast spell was a spell at all. She smiled and nodded. He continued on in the rant for sometime until he realized himself and let her speak again. Shea tended to be the kind of girl that didn't interupt people when they were speaking unless she had to. Therefore she waited til he was done.

"Spells do not always need, movement, hand guestures or anything. Some need a channel to help boost their mana from their bodies to the world. While others can just snap a finger and flames happen. Watch." she said softly.

Touching the charm on her necklace a star ruby. One that Darian had given to her. A cyclone of wind and fire errupted out of no where and tore down the length of the field. Shea's eyes watched it intently until she disipated it before looking back to the boy next to her. She smiled softly.

"See. I didn't have to do any weird symbols. For me, I focus through my gems. I'm a jewel mage. And if I can have the permission to pierce your ear. I would like to teach you this way for starters and then, you can practice. Once you know that feeling, and how to find it within yourself you won't need the channel your body will be the channel." she told him looking into his eyes.

"The choice is yours."

[Trevor]

"Oh, wow..." Trevor watched as the cyclone appeared. It was fierce and powerful, and Trevor was in awe. He looked from Shea and back to the cyclone quickly. It dissipated, obviously fully under her control. Trevor looked to Shea, respect obvious in his cheery voice and the look on his face. "Shea, that was incredible." He was excited, but was very much able to contain himself. Trevor was one to be able to maintain control, even in the most dire of situations. He was always calm, and never lost his cool.

"I didn't know that about magic. I had heard something about magic items, that they could be activated by anyone, not just magic users. I didn't know anything about this channeling." He smiled. She offered to pierce his ears if he would let her, and he realized his hair was covering them a bit. He brushed it back, revealing the small jeweled studs.

"Well, I wouldn't mind another piercing, but if it would help to save some time, I already have two we could work with." He took out the studs, and held them. He looked at them in his hand. "These were a gift from Angel, after I saved his life. He crafted these from a chunk of quartz crystal. He turned two pieces into these small spheres. I have worn them since that day." He smiled. "I told him it wasn't a big deal, but he insisted it was. I took the gift, because he would have been hurt if I didn't."

"I don't know if you are familiar with many magic items, but I happen to posses one." He made a motion with his hand, and a small sack appeared. It looked like a normal sack, made of green fabric, matching Trevor's toga. "This is a dimensional bag of holding. I can place anything in here. It can hold an almost infinite amount of things. It is enchanted to do so, and a permanency spell was placed on it. It is also enchanted to be absorbed into the body of the one who gets bound to it. One of the members of my former clan did this for me. He wasn't the most powerful mage, as he told us very often, but his magic was a great help." He placed the studs inside the sack, and made it vanish in the same fashion it had appeared. "Anything new to the sack must be placed inside manually. After that, it is a matter of thought."

He wasn't smug or bragging, but merely explaining. "Anything in that sack can be summoned by a thought. I think of something inside, and I can produce it right in my hand." He smiled. "It is a neat little thing to have." He realized he had been talking a lot, and began to apologize. "Sorry. I don't mean to bombard you. I just enjoy the company, and I'd like to get to know you, and you get to know me. After all, we are teammates. We may get paired up to go on a mission, and it is best we know one another."

Of course, there were other reasons he wanted to get to know Shea. He liked her. She was friendly, beautiful, and talented. But, she was also engaged. He was not about to get between them, unless she desired it. "I believe I have delayed long enough." He said with a smile both on his face and in his voice. "I am ready to begin."

[Shea]

Shea chuckled as he told her that he already had piercings she could use. She hadn't really thought to check but at least she didn't have to cause him pain or anything she could just slide the stud in and they could get on with it. He then began explaining a special bag he had with him and she looked down with avid interest as he began to explain it a bit. She smiled as the earings were thrown in and then he started to appologize for talking to much and she chuckled.

"I wouldn't worry about talking too much. I'd rather you talked than not talk at all." she said as she moved closer.

Gently one of her pale nimble fingers, from violin and painting, came up and brushed his hair behind his ear gently. She smiled softly as she reached into her pocket and brought out a pair of diamond studs both the same size. Gently she took the backs off of them and slid them into his ear before placing the back right back on. The sunlight glimmered softly off of them.

"There, a gift." she said with a smile. "Those diamonds will help you with your wind magic. It's going to be much easier to learn when you channel through something at the beginning. Over time your body will get used to is and you will know what your magic feels like and be able to become less dependant on your gem more and more until you won't need it anymore."

"Now, I'm going to help you the first time." she said softly as she gently took his hand in hers and made his hand softly clasp the diamonds in his ear. She stood behind him and just to the left so that her face was just over his shoulder she was extremely close. Focusing her own magic to call his up.

"Do you feel it? That surge of mana. Trying to break through? It's calling to you isn't it? Asking for release. Open your eyes, visualize one ball of air speeding towards that target over there. Make it small, and concentrate, you can do it, I believe in you." she whispered to him.

[Trevor]

Apparently his rambling didn't bother her. She was even genuinely interested in what he had to say. He stood still as she pushed his hair back to insert the earing's. It sent a small chill up the back of his neck. Normally, most people would shutter and get embarrassed. Trevor, however, only smiled. Unless he was show opportunity that she was interested in him, he would keep that much to himself.

She told him the earing's were a gift, and explained what they were for. He bowed to her. "Thank you." She began her instruction, telling him that she would help him with his first time. She stood behind him, guiding his hand to the earing. Her hands were cool, but felt nice touching his. He gently clasped the diamond stud, and focused, raising his hand in front of him.

"Yes, I can feel it." It was a new sensation. He felt her energy, similar to how he could sense aura. But, this sensation, it was effecting him on the inside. He felt something, like a small breeze within. It swirled from his center, filling him up. It was exciting, as he had never felt anything like this before. It was a rush of energy, calm but fierce. He tried to focus, his eyes pinned to the target Shea pointed out to him.

He could feel the energy gathering, and he closed his eyes for a moment. This is incredible... this was inside me? I didn't know I possessed something like this. I feel so alive right now. He eyes opened. The ball began to form, and Trevor's fingers trembled a bit as the swirling sphere grew at his palm. He left hand was still on the earing. There was a cool energy there, the same as he felt inside, and in his outstretched right hand. The sphere was about the sizes of a soft ball. He couldn't explain how he was holding it there. His only reasoning was that Shea was helping him.

He focused on the target, and with a slight movement of his hand, the ball shot forward. Wit amazing speed it hurtled forward and hit the target. Though off center and a little high, it had surged in the right direction. The cool energy faded from his ear, palm, and inside. He was staring at where the ball had hit and dissipated. His excitement was too much. "Shea! I Did it! I never felt like that before! It was amazing!"

He turned to her and hugged her in his excitement. He whispered softly in her ear. "Thank you." He kissed her cheek, but held her for another moment still before letting her go. Smiling, he bowed to her. "You are a fantastic teacher. I am lucky to have you as my guide." If she showed she didn't like the show of affection, then he would mind himself and not do it again. But, if she reacted a bit more positively, then he would see where it lead.

He considered speaking, but decided better of it. She was the teacher here, after all. It was up to her to decide what they would be doing.

[Shea]

The small wind ball started forming in his hand and she smiled. Helping him was allowing him to create a slightly bigger ball than he would be able to do on his own but it was still getting it done. The main purposed was for him to feel and understand what his energy and his magic felt like. So that he could be able to locate it within himself with the right training. Trevor himself seemed surprised by the ball watching it grow and form in his hand. And then he threw it at the target. It was a little off but in a pinch it would have worked just fine and you shouldn't hit the bullseye on the first try anyway it just wasn't something that was likely.

Suddenly he exclaimed her name and turned around pulling her into a tight hug that she returned with a chuckle. The kiss on her cheek got a blush from her as he hugged her just a moment or two longer than necessary making the blush deeper than before and when he pulled back her pale face was slightly pink. She chuckled and nodded softly shyly tucking her hair behind her bejeweled ears.

"You did great! Congratulations. Im so proud." she said with a smile. She kissed his cheek in congrats and then she moved back.

"Allright, next step. You get to cast it by yourself. Do not get fustrated if it is hard or evades you. You know what your magic feels like now. Find it. And don't be surprised if your attack is not as large. You have to work from the bottom up. But I believe in you."

"I'm right here if you need anything. I'm not going anywhere I"m here to support you. So give it a shot." she said with a soft smile as she stood just a few feet away and waited and watched if he needed her she was there with a smile on her face.

[Trevor]

She seemed to welcome the affection, but appeared not to be used to it. He noticed how deeply she blushed, and her face retained a slight pink coloring. Maybe it has just been too long since she has felt caring. I might be able to remedy that. But, for now, I am learning magic. That is the main focus. She told him she was proud of him, and he smiled. "Thank you." Then she kissed his cheek. He wasn't sure if that is how she congratulated anyone, or if she was beginning to show she liked him more than just a student and a friend. Oh well, time would tell.

He nodded at her instruction. "I will try my best." All I need to do is concentrate. I know what it feels like.... that inner wind. I need to summon it on my own. He closed his eyes, brought one hand up to the earing, and tried to recall the feeling. What Shea had pointed out earlier about his altering of his speed was true. It was indeed magic, though the caster didn't know it. It was that which gave him the ability to call upon his inner wind. His body began to take on the light blue glow it had when he cast his other spell. His hair blew, and a small breeze surrounded him. It was a weak, but still there. He stretched out his hand once again. This time the ball was harder to form. His eyes closed tighter. The concentration was obvious in the expression on his face. Shea had indeed helped to guide him before, and now on his own it was much more difficult. The ball would begin to form, then dissipate. He couldn't seem to hold it there.

Come on, I can do this. I am trying to force it. I need to calm down and let it flow. I just have to guide it. His face softened, his eyes still closed. The ball began to take on definite shape. It was only the size of a golf ball, but it was obviously there. He held it there for a moment, until he was sure it would keep. His eyes opened slowly, and he found his target. One again, he aimed, and gave a push, both physically and with his energy. The ball shot forward. It hit the target again, much closer to the center, but still not dead on. He glow around his body faded, and the surrounding breeze died. Trevor didn't even notice they happened to begin with, nor that they had gone away now.

He was breathing a little heavy. The spell, though low level, had taken a lot out of him. If he were merely dueling, or working with the spell he had been using his whole life, he would still be full of energy. Now, since having to concentrate an with unfamiliar magic, he was a little tired. "Looks like I still need to improve my aim." He gave a smile to Shea. "It was smaller this time, too. Guess that is to be expected. I had your help the first time, and this is all new to me."

[Shea]

Shea watched as he began to call upon the magic all on his own. Using the diamonds to channel his mana she wanted to see him do it on his own. She was really excited to see that this works. She was eager to teach im and eager to see it work because she yearned for him to feel his own magic and to feel the wind within him. So that he would be able to call it up on his own and learn to use more spells than he already had.

He began to concentrate and then she watched as the small ball formed in his hand. She smiled happily but didn't make any moves or anything not wanting to break his concentration. And when he threw the ball and then looked over at her she smiled and ran over closing the distance she ran into his arms and hugged him tightly jumping up and down happily. She giggled as she pulled back and she tucked her hair behind her ears.

"That was great! Aim comes with practice and time, but that.. that was amazing!" she said happily her green eyes alight with her happiness for him. She smiled brightly as she looked into his eyes.

"Snack time, for good behavior!" she chuckled as she walked from him to her duffel bag. She knelt down and she opened it up and got out some cookies as she came over to him and opened the baggy with a wink.

"Fresh made. Tray some!" she said brightly.

[Trevor]

Trevor was actually surprised at her open display. She had been keeping calm and controlled the whole time, guiding him with the lesson. But, he had pleased her very much, and she showed him that by embracing him, jumping up and down, and giggling. Trevor only smiled. "Well, I can only do that because i have a great teacher." He gave her a smile. He felt a little drained, and was happy for the breather. Magic was going to come to him, but he would have to work at it.

She called it snack time, and Trevor was curious. The wink was confusing too. But, she opened up this baggie and inside were some very tasty smelling cookies. Having a bit of a sweet tooth, Trevor was happy to partake in the snack. It only took one bite to tell him that Shea knew baking like she did magic. "Wow... this is very good. I'm so used to eating while traveling, and having home baked goods isn't common when you are traveling." He took another bite. "Thank you."

He finished the cookie, and faced his teacher. The small break had let him regain some of his energy, and he was ready to learn. Not just magic, but also about Shea. He wanted to know everything about her, but he didn't want her to think he was flirting with her... well, at least not too much. Trevor was charming, but not aggressive. He did, however, know how to go after what he wanted, but his intentions were always good.

"So, how did my new tutor come to be at this academy and in the company of a talented duelist." He looked at her. "Don't be alarmed. I could tell Darien was a duelist when we met at the meeting. We can tell by the look in the eye. It is something duelists posses. Even if the two personalities are different, their is what's known as the Duelist's Eye. t is the look they get when sizing up an opponent, and the same they give their opponent before a one-on-one duel. He gave me that look at the meeting. I can tell, he is good. You are lucky to have a talent like that to protect you."

He was being completely honest. He did respect Darien, even if he didn't like him. But, he was hoping this might let her open up, tell her story as he did for her at the meeting, and maybe give him some insight as to whether he should pursue her, or let he and Darien thrive.

[Shea]

Shea smiled as he enjoyed her cookies and she took one herself letting the bag drop to the ground as she went over to the duffel and got one of the sleeping bags out so they could sit on it while they rested. She unrolled it and sat down on it on the ground and smiled patting the spot next to her as she put the cookie bag between them so they could still share while they rested and talked. He asked her how she came to be here and how she met Darian. Calling him a duelist. Shea knew that Darian was indeed a duelist to his very core it was why he shot first and asked questions later.

"Well lets see. I was younger when I was adopted by a family in Wales. I was abandoned at a young age and then my parents adopted me. But they're always off on some business trip being a Baron and his family they have to visit countries and things. Anyway, so my tutors and my nanny basically raised me. My parents came home rarely and when they did, they fought horridly." she explained.

"So they always tried to bribe me with gifts and these tended to be jewels in nature just because they tended to be expensive and they were trying to out do one another. And it was during one of their visits that I discovered my powers. They were fighting downstairs about me, always about me, but this time I was in my room and I was looking at my latest gift from my father a ruby bracelet. The facets that glimmered on my walls as the sunlight hit the gem were beautiful so I was playing with it and getting more upset by the moment. They were fighting and not really about me, it was just an excuse to hit each other below the belt. I got more and more mad and suddenly as I stared through the gem the curtains on my bed caught fire. There was nothing around to do it and so quickly I put them out and began trying to purposefully work with my gems and start more fires. It was then I discovered that the gems, for me had different elements. And so, as I practiced I became better and better and the academy sent me a notice asking me to be a student and I accepted right away."

"As to how I met Darian. I was outside in the courtyard reading as I tend to do often. Bella was on my lap. And she's rather witty and she was making me laugh that day because she spotted Darian staring at me. Watching what I was doing and contemplating coming over. And so she was giving me a hard time and I tend to laugh when she does that and he came over to see what was so funny. That was how we met. I'd say be careful because you're right, Darian is a duelist. I have many times been very angered with him, and fought with him because of the way he uses his guns to shoot before even thinking something through. It's very aggrivating and to be frank it pisses me off. He has rubber bullets and uses them consistantly and it just irks me you know? Is it so much to ask for him to just... talk to someone instead of resort to shooting them? Rubber or not a bullet is a bullet and thank God I can heal people because if not.. I wouldn't have any friends the way he is sometimes. Anyway, so.. we're together but.. sometimes I wonder if he isn't too brash. I mean.. he's always nice to me but we have our fights and let me tell you they are doozies. I'm shocked he hasn't shot me yet. That'll be the day." she smirked and shook her head as she dug into the bag and grabbed another chocolate chip cookie and bit into it.

"I don't know. I mean is it so hard to ask that you can talk to a guy, like for instance you, and not have to worry that this guy you date is gonna come up behind you and BAM rubber bullet to the back?! It's crazy. I can't take him anywhere. I mean is it so much to ask that I can walk down the hall smiling and laughing with a guy and not have to worry about the third degree when I get to MY dorm. Not his dorm MY dorm. And then.. oh then I get mad right? And he gets mad at me for getting mad about him being mad I was with someone. It's exhausting."

Shea sighed as she lay down suddenly with a sigh. Her hair on the floor of the training ground as the sleeping bag was unrolled but not unzipped and so her head wasn't on it. She closed her pale eye lids and took one last bite of her cookie finishing it off with a mad flare. She swallowed and sighed laying her hands by her side her right hand drumming her polished nails on the sleeping bag as she looked up.

"So.. I"m sorry.. I kinda.. went off. Please forgive me." she said softly her green eyes opening pleading for him to forgive her as she looked over at him with the turn of her head. Her black hair pooled around her body like fine silk.

[Trevor]

He took the spot next to her, sitting a little close, as she had done at the meeting. Trevor listened, and heard mostly what he was hoping for. No, he wished Shea could be happy with Darien. But, if he was upsetting her this much because he was brash, than she needed to know that she could do better. Trevor wanted her to smile more. If he could do that for her, than he was unconcerned about Darien and getting shot. He had faced worse, and received injury. His scar proved that. To him, getting shot would be worth it if it meant being close to Shea.

Trevor smiled. "Shea, I need to be honest with you. I have conflicting emotions right now. Part of me was hoping to hear that everything was fine between you and your duelist. Because it would mean that you were happy. However, part of me was hoping to hear that from you as well. You didn't see, but at the meeting when he grabbed you like that, I stood up, hand on my blade. Had you not laid into him, I would have been over there.

I can understand him to some degree, as I have seen men like him before. One way they show caring is to right away keep other men aware that there mate is 'off the market.' It is jealousy and insecurity, because he is afraid to loose you. however, his actions make you upset, and so it causes problems, the very thing he wants to avoid." One thing was certain here... Trevor knew people fairly well. Not always correct, but always very close and usually extremely accurate.

"I admit, part of me was hoping to hear that things were not well between you two. The reason is because I wanted to see if there was a chance for me to be the one to make you smile." He smiled at her. He showed no embarrassment, as there was none. He was the same as he was before. Even when speaking, his voice was gently and friendly, though showing the seriousness. "Shea, I am thrilled to have you as my teacher. but, I am afraid I am going to have to ask you to forgive me for what I am about to do."

With that, smooth and gracefully, he leaned in and kissed her. He might have very well caught her off guard, or she may have seen it coming. Either way, he placed his lips to hers, and held the kiss for a few moments, his arm around her waist, the other supporting his weight. Not too long, but long enough. He broke the kiss, and looked at her. Most would feel the urge to turn away out of embarrassment or regret. Not Trevor. He held his gaze to hers. "There is a difference between Darien and I. I do think my actions through. I know exactly what might happen now, and I am prepared for it. I know Darien may want to come after me, and I am fine with that. I am aware you may not want to have me as your student, and though that will be upsetting, I am prepared for that as well. I just wanted you to know you can do better for yourself, and need not remain in something that upsets you."

He stood, prepared to go if she wanted him to leave. "If I have made you uncomfortable, than I am very sorry. Regardless, of what happens now, you can always count on me as a friend." He waited for her reaction before making any further decisions.

[Shea]

Shea looked up at him as he spoke. Her green eyes watching him while he looked down at her. When he spoke of how Darian hurt her this morning her hand instinctively went over the bruised skin and rubbed it gently with her delicate hand. She bit her lower lip as he began to speak of wishing to be the one that could make her smile and wanting her to be happy but at the same time happy that she wasn't completely happy. He leaned down closer and her green eyes widened a little bit. He told her that she may never want anything to do with him after this but he was going to do it anyway. She knew what was coming but she didn't move she was too shocked to move.

His lips came down to hers and her eyes closed gently her hand ran up to his cheek gently as she kissed him back to her own surprise. She sure hadn't meant to. It was like all her motor functions and her brain waves had just ceased to exist all together and here she was kissing someone who wasn't her boyfriend and she was.. enjoying it. The kiss broke and her eyes opened painfully slowly to see the redhead still above her looking her in the eyes. He said he knew the consenquences of his actions. That Darian may well, and probably would definatly come after him with his guns blazing. But he didn't care. The only thing he was worried about was her not wanting to be around him anymore.

She blushed softly as she touched her lips. Problem was her heart was racing in her chest. Why was that? Wasn't it only supposed to race for one person? she bit her lower lip as all she could do for a moment was just stare up at him and then she smiled softly just a soft gentle smile as she reached up gently and tucked a loose strand of his hair behind his ear.

"Trevor." she whispered softly afraid. Not really knowing what to do at all. "Oh my.. I don't know what to say. I.. I felt something."

She whispered in the lightest possible voice.

"but.. but it isn't allowed right? I mean.. I'm with him and.. " she bit her lip and looked up at him still. "Oh but.. I'll never not be around you.. I could never turn you away.. I.. Trevor."

She whisperd as her thumb ran gently across his lower lip. She felt possessed for some reason there was something about this redheaded man that called to her in some sense as he lay above her. Part of her telling her to leave, the other part telling her to keep it from Darian, the other part yearning for another kiss. She was torn in every direction and all she could do was look up at him.

[Trevor]

Trevor just smiled gently at her. He could tell she was torn. Reading people was a talent he possessed. "In my experience, I have known people who were unfaithful because of many reasons. Some did it for spite, others for the thrill. You did no such thing. I moved, and I will take responsibility for it. If Darien asks, you don't have to hide it for my protection. Tell him if you wish, and you can tell him it was me and not you, as that is the truth. But, I see your torn, and it isn't just your loyalty to Darien that is on your mind. Yes, your heart should beat for one true love once you find them. But, you need to ask yourself something.

Is what you feel for Darien true love? If it is, then you should strengthen that bond and nurture it, making it something to last forever. But, if I am right, that isn't what you have with him. I am sorry if it comes out blunt, but I tell you only what I see. If I am wrong, correct me. You and Darien do share love, but it isn't pure. It has been tainted with jealousy and lack of trust.

I won't push you into anything, and I will leave the decision of what to do up to you. I do care about you Shea, and am happy that you won't turn me away. I could sit here and tell you how it would be with me, but i am not like that. The only thing I can promise is you would know me fully, and I would never hide or distrust you. If Darien finds out and would feel better by coming after me, so be it. I accepted that risk when I kissed you."

He smiled softly, his eyes even with hers. "I will stay, as you said you wont turn me away. I can't promise that I won't kiss you, and I can't promise that I won't hold you, unless you tell me not to. If you push me away, or give me any indication you don't want what I am offering, I will stop. I respect you as both my friend, my teacher, and my teammate. That is more important to me than the pleasure of a kiss.

Shea, I am going to kiss you again. I see in your eyes that you are unsure you want to or not. Part of you is scared, the other is wanting. This way, you can be sure." He leaned in, his lips connected, and his eyes closed. If she pulled him in for it, he would continue. if there was any showing that she wasn't ready or wasn't sure, he would not pressure her and let the kiss break.