They did not remember how long they have been dancing, or when they stopped. All that they did remember is sitting down at the bough of the ship again, exhausted yet content. Dimitri laid his back against a wooden crate while Anya snuggled next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. Sunrise was approaching, yet the sky was still dark.

 " you tired?" Dimitri looked down at Anya.

" not really." Anya looked back at Dimitri, expecting him to say something else.

"Maybe we ought to go to bed."

"Maybe."

They spoke in short sentences, as if they were just making conversation, secretly waiting for the other to make the first move.

 Nothing.

 " Anya.." "Dimitri.." they interrupted each other. " After you.." Anya offered.

 "Anya I...ermm.." He paused and looked around. "errm.. Sun's coming up...we should be reaching Paris soon."

 " ..oh.... right. " Anya answered back, trying not to sound unenthusiastic.

 " Dimitri ..I ...." She began. " I...I...have never seen the sunrise before." She lost the courage at the last minute and changed the subject.

 They both gave out a huge sigh simultaneously , much to each other's surprise. It broke the ice and they smiled at each other weakly. Perhaps the time's not right yet, they silently thought to themselves. They looked at each other again, as if understanding each other's thoughts and acknowledging their decision.

 Dimitri ran his fingers through his hair in an attempt to straighten it "Well, let's watch it together shall we? The sunrise I mean. Since you know...we both can't sleep anyway." He clumsily tried to make conversation again. Anya silently nodded.

 Dimitri stared out into the horizon, now tinted with an orange hue. He never realized that nature could be so breathtaking and could not take his eyes off the scenery.

" You know Anya...I've never seen a sunrise at such a close distance myself either. I guess we are more alike than we thought huh?" He could feel the heat of the sun basking down on his face. "Never thought I'll be watching the sun rise on a boat. I never could wake up early enough to catch it. Then again, I never knew how much I loved dancing with you...." He did not realize that he had voiced out his thoughts out loud. " you know.... back there when we were dancing? I really felt a strong connection between us. I want you to know that.... I think.... I've fallen for you. I know I know.... this seems a bit hasty and all but I really like you a lot. I've been wanting to tell you since.. well I don't know really. You are the first person to have such a deep impact on me. I have never felt this way towards anyone before. I've never liked dancing before, yet suddenly there I was, doing the waltz and all, and loving it...and I really.... I guess... what I'm trying to say here is....I really wonder how you ...well...how you feel about me Anya."

He paused , waiting for some response. There was none.

" Anya?"

 He turned to look at her. Anya was so tired that she has finally dozed off on Dimitri's shoulder. She looked very calm and happy , like she was in absolute bliss. Dimitri smiled to himself and wondered how much she had heard him say. Another sunrise missed, he thought to himself. Yet he was curiously happy as well; perhaps because he knows Anya is happy, perhaps because he was able to get his thoughts out in the open, although no one was there to listen. He gently flicked Anya's fringe covering her face and softly kissed her cheek. Somehow, everything will work out , he thought as he watched Anya sleep. He looked up in the clouds. A small star could still be seen shimmering brightly even though daylight had almost covered the whole sky . He couldn't help but smile again.

THE END :)

(oh come on! It wasn't THAT bad! Long maybe.)