He walks out onto the porch, a wry smile on his face as he stares at the moon as well. I look up at him questioningly, and he shrugs noncommittally. "Reminds me of you, luv."

"What does?"

"The moon."

I turn back to watching the stars twinkle, staying silent until he explains. I've known him long enough now to know how to bait him, make him impatient so he'll tell me what's on his mind without having to expend the effort of dragging it out of him. Stretching my legs out, I wiggle my toes and shudder at the pleasant feeling after being cramped up so long in a ball.

Finally, he turns to me and says, "Because it's always moving and changing. It has its light and its dark, good and bad. It's out sometimes in the morning, but its beauty is only truly seen at night. Blamed for madness and for love, the moon has this strength that's only hidden under its rocky surface."

A smile turns the corner of my lips up, and I stay quiet, taunting him yet again, before saying, "Are you saying I'm ugly and rocky on my surface?"

He sighs dramatically and flops onto the swing with me. "Trust you to ruin my one poetic moment for all eternity."

I grin impishly and snuggle into his arms. "You realize you're going to be lonely for a day or so, right?"

He nods, wrapping his arms around me tightly. "Of course. T and Loth made the biggest mess they possibly could just to spite me."

"That's my boys," I say, my smile getting somewhat misty.

"You realize this means they believed in you?"

"Of course, I do. I knew they did. Although, if you'd like to give a repeat performance of last night's temptations…please feel free to indulge me."

He rolls his eyes and plants a soft kiss on my forehead. "We'll see, pet."

I give him a knowing look, telling him with my eyes that he won't be sorry if he does. Then I snuggle back up, waiting for my rewards to show up. I feel the excitement surge through me again, but shove it down, wanting to hold onto it until a proper outlet arrives.

Sensing my frustration, he grins, raising an eyebrow in an offer. I shake my head and he rolls his eyes again, muttering to himself. We settle back down into the swing, and watch the moon some more, having no need to say anything further.
*******************************
A low humming fills the air and I lift my head off his shoulder to see Asmara gliding up the stairs, small duffle in hand. She smiles in her child-like way, her eyes dancing like the stars I'd been watching earlier. I nudge him, because he has fallen asleep against me, and he starts, shaking his head until his eyes focus on Asmara.

"Hello, pet," he says, standing up. "Let me show you where to put your stuff."

She takes his arm, whispering about burning embers and little birdies, and I smile. It must be nice to have a view of the world with no sharp edges. With one last glance at the blanket of stars, I, too, get up, and head inside to let Chris know Asmara has arrived safely.
********************************
Asmara immediately takes to playing with the cats, and Raj rolls his eyes. I smile at him, and he blows me a kiss as he goes to change into work clothes. I email Chris that Asmara is fine, promising not to let any of the boys molest her or get her thrown in jail. She comes into the room, giggling madly as she chases my orange tabby around. I watch them for awhile, only tearing my eyes away as the baby cries.

I get up to go comfort her, but Asmara has flown past me, her eyes sparkling with delight as she picks up my daughter, cooing and speaking to her in a soft voice. They both giggle, and I motion for Asmara to bring her into the playroom. I settle them both in the midst of blocks and flashing toys before finding Raj and dragging him to watch them play gleefully.

"She seems to understand what the baby's saying," I whisper.

He nods. "I think she does, luv. Watch them talk."

We stand there watching, and my hand slips down to his, interlacing our fingers. He whispers in my ear, and I lean up to kiss his lips. The kiss heats up, and I turn to face him, my back to the wall of the hallway as he thoroughly kisses me. High pitched laughter breaks the spell he is weaving, and I turn my head to see Asmara and Skyler pointing at us and laughing merrily.

Raj gives me a wry smile and mutters something about going to do some dishes. I sit with the girls for a bit longer, and Skyler wears back down eventually. Asmara and I put her to bed, and we head into the living room, where she immediately plops down to watch cartoons and pet the cats. I locate T, who's in the basement watching Raj struggle with sorting laundry, and muffle a snicker. Raj just gives me a death stare as I pass and I roll my eyes.

"T, baby, can you do me a favor?" I ask, sliding onto his lap.

He eyes me warily. "Why do I know this is gonna suck?"

"It is not. I want you to be Asmara's bodyguard while she's here. I promised Chris she wouldn't get hurt, or molested," I said, giving him a stern look, "and I want to make sure I didn't lie."

He sighs heavily, but I can see the glint of mischief in his eyes. "Alright. I'll baby-sit. If you insist." He stands up, dumping me off his lap abruptly and I glare up at him from the floor.

Hefting myself up, I give Raj a swat on the butt, and follow T up the stairs, ogling him the whole way. As I reach the top of the stairs, I wonder if this abstinence thing is starting to affect my brain. Grinning, I goose T and he jumps forward, skittering into the living room to sit down before I get the urge to grab him again.

He sits with Asmara, watching cartoons, and the grey cat, his favorite, climbs on his bare chest, snuggling up. He sighs and looks down at it in annoyance, but never moves to push her away.

I plop down at the computer, waiting to see who will arrive next in my motley crew. Once again, I wonder if the lack of sex is affecting my brain, and I log on.