"Can I talk to you?" he asked as he leaned against the doorframe. She looked him up and down. His hair came loosely over his shoulders in strands just barely grazing his velvet shirt which fit snugly over his chest and torso. She could see his defined muscles and wondered if he looked that good with the shirt on just how good he would look without it. Her eyes the focused on his face for a brief moment. She caught the glimpse of a smile on his face and looked away. He had been watching her look him over all the time. God! Now he must think that I'm some kind of freakazoid or something She thought

"No, actually I'm flattered that you would think of me that way." he said crossing the room in three steps and sitting next to her on the bed.

"You mean you can......" she trailed off

"It comes with the territory." he said "You'll get it in time. Boy am I glad you don't have it now. You'd probably slap me." he chuckled. She glanced into his eyes but quickly looked away. If he ever held her with even a tenth of the passion that was reflected in his eyes when he looked at her then she would never want to turn away.

"I'm tired" she said almost instantly sorry for saying it

"Then I'll let you go." he said walking to the door

"No!" she almost yelled surprising herself

He turned from the door and looked at her noting her shocked expression. He didn't want to leave and from the sound of it she didn't want him to leave either. He closed the door and stood with his back against it eyeing her for a minute.

"Why don't you want me to leave?" he asked

"I.... I don't know. It's just that this place is so strange and there is something about you that is comforting to me. Maybe you could just stay just for tonight."

He smiled and took his place next to her on the bed. He lifted her head slightly and kissed her lips. He wrapped his arms around her and lay them both back on the cool sheets

"I won't ever leave you again" he whispered in her ear and they both fell into an almost instant sleep.

Down the hall Edge smiled to himself. Who would ever have thought that Matt would be the one to break the rule and take a slayer. He was always so careful. Maybe he should have been a little more careful. This mistake was going to cost him and cost him big. Perfect! No one knows about the rule but me. Soon all of these people will feel my wrath. He almost laughed out loud And to think I owe it all to Matt's new bitch!