Together

"Come on Cass, I have a surprise for you. If you go upstairs you'll see a dress. Put it on, then I'm taking you out."

"Now?" Cass blinked.

"Unless you're not done eating."

"I'll be right back, then." She went upstairs.

The green dress was spread out over the bed and she slipped into it quickly. He always did like green on her... she glanced in the mirror at the red hair that was spilling past her shoulders now. She hadn't cut it... Cass grabbed a few pins and hastily pulled it up in a twist. Good enough, out of the way. Shoes slipped on, and quickly stopping in the bathroom to fix makeup. Okay, good. Wherever they were going, she looked fine. She went back downstairs.

Garrett was now in a soft gray suit, complete with a silk tie. "You look incredible..." He whispered.

"Thank you. You look nice yourself."

"You ready?"

"Yeah."

He led her out to his limo and smiled. "Do you know where we're going?"

"I have no idea."

"Good."

She laughed a little bit. "Being the mysterious type, I see."

"I am, yes. I'm good at that."

"You are," she agreed.

Garrett pulled out a box from under the seat and handed it to her.

"What - you're not going to tell me, so I'm just going to open it." She gently lifted the cover off and gasped. "Garrett..."

He helped affix the emerald choker around her neck. "Perfect." He whispered, kissing her cheek softly.

"Thank you... it's beautiful."

"So are you."

"I honestly don't know what to say."

"Just say thank you."

"Thank you." Cass kissed him softly.

"You're welcome." He said. "We're going to see Carmen...I think you'll like it."

"I think I will too."

"Do you remember when you used to sing for me?"

"Yes. I don't think I was ever very good."

"You were."

"I tried, anyway."

"I loved to hear you sing."

"I'll have to sing for you again later."

"Yes, you will."

There was a moment's pause. "I love you, Garrett."

"I love *you*."

She gently placed a hand on the side of his face.

He kissed her softly as they stopped in front of the opera.

~*~

"This was fun. Thank you." They were on their way back to the car, Cassidy close beside him.

"You're welcome." He smiled. They'd been in a box and it was truly fantastic. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"I did." She smiled.

He kissed her softly. "I don’t ever want you to leave me."

"I won't. I won't leave you, Garrett."

He smiled and helped her back into the limo. "I want to stay with you again tonight. Please let me."

She nodded. "I'd like you to," she admitted.

When they arrived home he led her upstairs to her room and kissed her softly.

This was nice... to be treated with affection. To be cared for as if she were something particularly precious. Cass decided she could get used to it as she kissed back.

"Do you remember how it was...the first time we made love?"

"Of course I remember. You were my first."

"I have never forgotten it."

"I tried to. But I couldn't."

"I want to relive that..."

She kissed him firmly.

And it so it seemed to him that she did too...

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

~*~*~

Cal stood in the waves, her arms crossed over her bare chest as the wind blew her hair out to the side. She felt a little...odd, but also very much alive. Her eyes were caught by a man and she smiled, seeing that it was James.

He smiled back.

"Hey I'm taking a break." She said. She realized that as model Brigitte she wouldn't care if she flashed him. So she dropped her arms and walked out of the ocean, grabbing a shirt and pulling it on.

"Hi," he greeted.

"Bonjour!" She said happily. "You came!"

"I did," he replied with a smile. "I told you I would."

"I thought you were lying. Isn't it beautiful out here?"

"It is. I'm glad I came." He smiled.

She hugged him with a smile. "I only have a few minutes right now. How did you find the shoot?"

"I asked around. You'd be amazed."

"I'm glad you came."

"Me too." He seemed to hesitate a moment but then gave her a quick kiss.

"Did you get a room or what?" She asked, knowing it was a bit forward of a question.

"Yes, I did."

"Where?"

"In a rather nice hotel right by the water." He gave her directions.

"Oh, that's right near mine."

"Good. We're close."

She kissed him again, not having any trouble reaching his lips with hers.

He kissed back.

"Are you taking me out again tonight?"

"If you're free."

"I am. At least for you."

"Good." He smiled.

She heard the photographer call her and stepped back, pulling her shirt off once more. "Hold this." She said.

"Sure."

"Merci." She winked and went back to her shoot.

A sharp voice hit James's ear, through his earpiece. "Quit gawking Walker."

He bit back a grin.

"And try not to let the camera show her like that again. If Cass catches me she'll hit me. And it'll hurt."

"Well my apologies, Boss."

"James, don't let her looks go to your head."

"I know what my job is here."

"I'm just making sure."

"It's just my own good luck she's hot."

"You want her to love you."

"Yes, I know."

"So don’t be you."

"Thanks for the ego boost, boss."

"You're welcome."

"Back to work for me."

"Yeah." Garrett clicked off, sitting back to remember that morning.

~*~

Cassidy woke up to Garrett softly kissing her. "Morning."

"Hey." He mumbled against her lips, still kissing her.

"Mmm, nice way to wake up."

"Yes, I think so too."

She gently kissed him. "Last night, Garrett..."

"Was amazing? Breathtaking? Unforgettable?"

"All of the above."

"I agree." He smiled.

She smiled back, her hand on her face. "I couldn't leave."

"Good, I don't want you to."

She kissed him softly. "You didn't just use me like I've been used. I never thought of it that way because it was mutual, but it's different."

"It will always be different. Because with you I'm...well at risk of sounding cheesy, I'm making love."

She smiled. "It doesn't sound cheesy."

"I do love you."

"I love you."

"Good."

Cassidy softly caressed his face.

"You don't regret it do you?"

"No. Not with you."

"Good. I don't either."

"I love you.” She paused. “What exactly are we?"

"Lovers...the most perfect soul mates ever..."

She smiled. "I wanted to know what we were calling it."

"Must we call it something?"

"Not necessarily. My own curiosity, I guess."

"I want us to be only with one another."

"So do I."

"Okay good." He smiled almost shyly.

She smiled back. "You're really cute sometimes, you know that? I mean, you're pretty much a sinfully attractive man, but sometimes you're just cute."

"Cute makes me sound like a teddy bear."

"Not that sort of cute."

"Then what sort?"

"Cute like someone's affectionate boyfriend. But that's not a good word for us."

"No. I think I'm more than that."

"You are. That's why I don't like that word."

He nuzzled her softly. "I just want to hold you forever."

"You're my missing piece," she said after a moment.

"I know the feeling."

"Hold me," she requested, snuggling as close to him as she could.

He did so. "I love you more than anything Cass...and if I could change things...”

"Shh. The past is behind us."

"You promise?"

She nodded. "But don't hurt me again."

"Never."

She smiled at him. "But... what would you do, if you could change things? If I may ask."

"I'd have been honest."

"Then we'll be honest with each other now."

"But I can't always tell you everything."

"I know. Garrett, I'm here. I've agreed to stay with you, I've told you I love you. I trust you. Sometimes more than I really care to admit."

"I know."

She kissed him softly again, then seemed to pause, gazing over his shoulder.

"What?" He whispered.

"I just had a thought I should probably keep to myself, is all."

"Oh?"

"I was wondering if you did my sister in this bed."

"No. Because I never brought her to Paris."

"You would have. If you'd brought her here."

"Maybe."

She let out a little bit of a sigh.

"I can't change the past. That is out of even my power."

"I know. We just went through that. I'll get over it, just give me a little bit to be bothered that my sister's seen my man naked."

"I'm sorry..."

"Shh. It's okay. I'll just be slightly possessive of you now, is that okay?"

"It's more than okay."

"Good. 'Cause now you're mine." She smiled teasingly.

"Yes I am."

"Which in turn makes me yours."

"I hope so."

"I am," she assured him. Cassidy brushed his hair from his face, singing softly.

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