She glanced around the cabin again.  Many people were British, no doubt returning home from business or holiday in the Americas.  There was a couple across the isle holding hands and kissing eachother occasionally.  Sally smiled pleasantly; it wouldn't be long until she was reunited with Daniel.

 

After the flight attendants announced what a pleasure it had been, Sally giddily collected her bag and headed off the liner.  She was almost happy enough to skip down the corridor but decided against it; she was already recieving looks for her goofy grin.  As she came out of the tunnel, she looked around for Daniel but didn't see him anywhere.  Then she heard the commotion.

 

Without thinking, she rushed toward it, her sense to help kicking in.  However a throng of people were suddenly running toward her.  She was swamped by the tsunami and tried to glance over them.  Suddenly she found herself backed into a sitting area.  She stood upon a chair to see the source of the ruckus.

 

Down the long hallway of the terminal was a large man in a tan coat.  He swung his body around wildly, eyeing the throng.  As he turned, his coat flapped open and Sally saw the explosives for an instant.  There must have been at least three bricks of C-4 strapped to the man's chest.  From her advantage point, she could also see the black hats with the checkerboard band trying to make their way through the panicked people.

 

This can't be good: they're just going to frighten him. Suddenly she wished she had brought her costume with her.

 

But before she could have another thought, a man stepped from the crowd.  At first glance Sally thought he had a green body suit on.  But as she took a better look, she realized he was completely covered in leaves and vines:  he looked like a human plant.  He made a single movement with his hands as if throwing something at the terrorist.  From his hands shot out long vines which attacked the human bomb; they wrapped around him, hindering movement of his arms and legs as he toppled over backward.

 

Suddenly the police called out and the leaved man turned and vanished into the crowd.  As Sally stretched to watch the man's escape she was bumped from the chair and fell to the ground.  Quickly she picked herself up and hopped back onto the seat, but she could no longer make out the green head moving through the crowd. She turned around to sit down on the chair and wait for the people to clear when she heard her name being called.  She turned again to face the crowd, scanning the throng.  An arm shot into the air and her whole face beamed as Daniel made his way toward her.

 

"Are you okay?" he asked as she jumped from the chair and into his arms.

 

"I am now," she whispered as his arms closed around her and she melted into the simplicity of the satisfying embrace.

- - - - - - - -

 

He grabbed her bags and paid the cabby as they walked up to her hotel.  After she got the room key, they headed up to the fifth floor and Sally slid the card into the slot.

 

Sally looked around in awe at the beautiful room.  She ran over to the window as Daniel set down the luggage.  Throwing open the curtains, she gawked at the view of the old world city.

 

Her boyfriend slowly walked up behind her and slid his hands around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.  She leaned back into his chest as he nuzzled his nose against her ear then kissed her neck softly.

 

"I've missed you," he sighed.  She turned around to face him, and he gently brushed a stray strand of golden hair from her face, placing it behind her ear.

 

"I've missed you," she whispered as she lost herself in his eyes.  Their lips touched gently, then the kiss deepened as two and a half months of longing burst forward.
- - - - - - - -

 

"Sorry," he said.  "I didn't know you were sleeping."

 

"It's all right," she whispered.

 

"I've got to get going."  He thumbed toward the door.  "I have to stop in and work for a couple of hours in the morning."

 

Sally looked up at him, biting her lip hesitantly.  Then her eyes fell away as she nodded understandingly.  She sat up, removing her weight from his torso and he instantly felt a void.

 

"Or... maybe... if I just ring for an early wake up call."  He grinned at her and she smiled back.

 

When she had returned from changing into a t-shirt and flannel pants she found he had already turned down the bed and sat at the foot wearing only his boxers.  He glanced up at her as she entered, eyeing her with a loving look.  She smiled shyly and crawled into the bed.  He turned and cawled across the bed to where she lay and kissed her lightly.  Then he reached across her body to turn off the dim light.  She breathed in deeply, closing her eyes, reintroducing her mind to his gorgeous smell.

 

Daniel settled down into the blankets beside her, pulling the sheet over his bare chest.

 

"Good night, angel," he whispered.  "I love you."

 

"I love you too, Daniel."

- - - - - - - - - - 

 

"Sorry I woke you," she appologized in a whisper.

 

"That's alright," he wrapped an arm around her and gave her a slight squeeze, then turned to look a the clock.  5:47.  The phone was going to ring in less than fifteen minutes.  He smiled sleepily as he slowly began to run a hand across Sally's back.  The young woman sighed against his chest.  Her hand slid from his waist, across his abs, over his pecs, then to his shoulder.  Turning slightly she pulled herself up until thier faces were even.

 

"Good morning," she whispered., smiling slightly as she looked into his eyes.

 

"Especially when I'm with you," he smirked, pulling her close as she leaned down to kiss him.

- - - - - - - - - - -

 

Sally sat down on the edge of a stone wall admiring a simple blue flower while she waited.

 

"Well," his voice called from behind her. "What do you think?"

 

She turned to see Daniel approaching in a white lab coat.  She smiled giddily.

 

"It's beautiful," she commented.  He placed his hands on her waist and she ran her fingers along the edge of the coat's collar.  Then they partaked in a quick kiss.

 

"Lairdlot," A voice came from behind them.  The couple parted to look at the intruder.  There stood a young woman about 28 with short dark hair and bright green eyes wearing a lab coat.  "I thought you were different then all the others.  But I see I was wrong: you too use the magic of our profession to woo the opposite sex."  She raised a defined eyebrow.

 

"Sally, this is Marion Redwood.  She's our top research supervisor and advisor to the work study students.  Essentially, she bosses me around.  Marion, this is my girlfirend, Sally.  And she has been wooed for sometime now by a magic of my own making."  He added smuggly.

 

Marion's face errupted into a friendly smile.  "It's good to meet you, Sally."  She held out her hand and Sally gave her a firm American handshake.  "It's always nice to be able to put a name with a face.  Especially when he drones on and on about you all day."  She winked.

 

"That's just how I like them," Sally said, putting her arm through Daniel's.  "Whipped, not stirred."

 

Marion chuckled.  "Well, you should be proud of him," she said as they headed into the main building.  "He's really accomplished a lot in the short time he's been here.  And from what I heard he was lucky to have survived the accident with such little harm."

 

Sally shot a surprised look at Daniel.

 

"It was nothing," he blew it off.

 

"Nothing?" Marion raised an eyebrow.  "Don't let his modestly fool you; A couple weeks ago some hoodlums broke into the labs and started a fire.  There was an explosion and our hero suffered a chemical burn while tryng to fend them off."

 

"Marion, you're exagerating," Daniel interupted.  "They just started a small fire, and a couple of the beakers just became overheated."

 

"But we're all so thankful he survived."

 

Daniel rolled his eyes.

 

"Well, we've got to get going," he said as he removed his lab coat and hung it on a hook.  "I've got a special plan for you."  He smiled at Sally.

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Sally's blue eyes were round with astonishment.

 

"It's so big!" she managed to say.

 

Daniel smiled at her expression.  "I knew you'd want to see it."

 

"Oh, it's lovely," she eyed the enlongated metal that stood within the glass case.  "He must have been a large man to weild that sword."

 

"They say Willaim Wallace was over six feet tall.  And in those days, that was pretty big."  He intertwinded their fingers as they discussed the historical significanse of the site and Wallace's roll in Scottland's freedom.

 

By the time they were headed back toward London, the sun had already made its spectacular curtain call over the gentle hills and now a screen of darkness covered the British Isles.

 

Suddenly Daniel stopped the car.

 

"What is it?" Sally asked as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

 

"I thought I saw a vehicle in the ditch." He got out of the car and ran to the edge of the road with Sally close behind.  Seeing what he had hoped not to, Daniel swiftly made his way down the steep embarkment, the young woman following his lead.

 

"Hello?" she called out.  "Is anyone down there?  We've come to see if you're all right!"

 

A weak moan replied and the couple quickened their pace.  Sally fumbled for her cell in her pocket and prayed to God that she could get a signal, then sighed with releif that she did.

 

"Is 911 the same in England?"  she shouted to Daniel.  He had already reached the bottom of the hill and was crouching near the severely crunched dirver's side of the over turned car.  He shouted back to her the number she should dial.

 

Sally did as he commanded and relayed the information to the authorities as best she could.  When her focus came back to the car she was astonished to see that the driver's side door was missing, and Daniel was sitting on the ground with a wimpering teenaged girl huddled in his arms.

 

"I'm so glad you stopped," she sobbed against his jacket.

 

"How do you feel?" he asked, trying to genlty pry her off so he could see if she was hurt.  Sally walked over, trying to get a closer look at the girl, but in the darkness she could make out no major injuries besides the small gash on the girl's head and a few scrapes.

 

It turned out Krystina McLyon had swereved to miss a deer that was crossing the road and startled, had turned too sharply causing the car to careen off the road, smash into a large oak and roll onto it's top.  Daniel had given the police his statment of the events that had followed and Sally confirmed them.

 

When they finally left the scene it was nearly midnight.

 

"How did the door come off, Daniel?" Sally asked quietly in the brightening darkness as they entered the capital.

 

"I'm not sure," he replied.  "She was trapped inside and I just pulled.  I wasn't even thinking, it just happened."

 

They sat in silence as he drove through town until he finally said:

 

"I guess it was like one of those miracles you hear about, where people do feats of great strength when in a desperate situation."

 

Sally nodded. "I'm just glad no one was seriouly injured."

- - - - - - - - -

 

"Escuse me, ma'am," Sally asked. "Could you please take our picture?"

 

The older woman smiled politely and took the camera.

 

"C'mon Daniel,"  Sally grabbed his arm and pulled him close to her as the camera clicked.  "Thank you." Sally smiled as she took back the camera. "That's going to turn out great."

 

Daniel shook his head.  "Only you would take your picture in front of this,"  He gestured to the statue behind them.  Sally smiled sweetly and hooked her arm into his, leaning her head on his shoulder.

 

"And I love you for being in it with me."  She grabbed his hand.  "Let's try some authentic British food for lunch!  What do you recommend?"

 

"Fish and chips?"

 

Sally giggled again.

 

"You're as giddy as a schoolgirl," he smirked.

- - - - - - - -

 

"Yeah," Daniel said as he sat down next to her on his bed.  His flat was near BIB and was more of a loft than an apartment.  His bedroom was actually open to the living room below, and right above is flat mate's.

 

Sally thumbed through the pages.

 

Daniel leaned in close to her, his nose just millimeters from her neck.  His lips reached out and lightly kissed the flesh.

 

Trying not to smile, Sally pulled away slightly, her mind trying to concentrate on the book in her hands.

 

Daniel reached up and pulled her hair off her shoulder and brushed it behind her.  Again he leaned in, this time allowing his lips full access to her skin.  Her neck arched back as he deepened his massage on the right side of her neck.

His left hand came to rest on her other shoulder and his right hand came across his own lap and gently caressed her right thigh.  However this move took her by surprise and she dropped the book on the floor.  She could feel his lips curl into a smile against her skin.

 

"How... how did you like the cookies... I made?" she asked, trying not to give in to the rush pulsing through her veins.

 

"Mmmm..." His lips caressed her neck once more.  "Not quite as good as this."

His mouth continued up her neck to her ear lobe.  His girlfriend's face contorted with a wave of giddiness as he took the fleshy part and gently played with it by sucking on it and flicking it with his tongue.  As his right hand crept higher up her leg, the blonde began to close her eyes, relishing in the touches.

 

Daniel bent his left leg and turned, repositioning himself on the bed to face her, giving him an advantage.  Finally giving in, Sally turned toward him, her lips hungry for some part of his skin.

 

"Couldn't resist me any longer?" he teased, his lips slowly following her jaw line, then down her throat.

 

"Well," she tilted her head back once again. "I dropped the book and couldn't reach it with you crowding me like this," she retorted.

 

He pulled his lips away from her just enough to gaze into her blue eyes and smirk before he kissed her fully.  Their lips met softly before Daniel parted his to softly lick at Sally's.  Her mouth opened in response and the kiss deepened as their tongues massaged each other.

 

A sigh vocalized from deep within her as Daniel gently pulled away, her luscious bottom lip mingling between his own.  His right hand came to rest on her waist as he laid her back onto the bed.  He repositioned himself again, throwing his right leg over her body to straddle her hips.  He put his hands on the bed beside either side of her head.

 

Sally gazed up at his loving gray eyes and watched him study her face with equal intensity.  A small smile hinted at the corners of his mouth as he leaned down to kiss her again.  Their lips met and Sally breathed in the kiss, his breath, and his love.

 

"Daniel?" A voice called from the floor below. "You home, mate?"

 

Sally felt her boyfriend's whole body sulk above her in reaction to the words.  She smiled up at him as he pulled away.  "I'll be right down."  Then he turned back to her.  "Keep my place," he whispered and quickly kissed her lips before he hopped off the bed and seemed to run down the stairs.

 

Sally bit her lip casually and lay in solitude on his bed for a moment.  From the upstairs room she could hear the men talking on the floor below.  Their voices a deep vibration mixing with the sounds of London that penetrated the walls. 

 

Sitting up slightly, she scanned the room. Daniel's family portrait was setting on the bedside table next to his alarm clock.  Her eyes focused on the cute boy and she smiled at the thought of how beautiful their children would be.  But she dismissed the idea: that was too far in the future to be thinking of now.

 

The blonde swung her feet back over the edge of the bed and her socked toe brushed something. She looked down at her feet to see Daniel's favorite book lying open, face down with some of the pages bent.  She grimaced as she picked it up and gasped as something fell out, fluttering onto the floor.  Watching it hit the ground, she realized it was a piece of paper and began to straighten out the folded pages.

 

Setting the patched book beside her she picked up the fallen parchment.  However, upon grasping it, she realized it was thicker than paper, it was the picture of Daniel and his childhood friend dressed up as pirates.  All at once the weight of everything she wanted to avoid this week rushed in on her.  She was going to have to ask Daniel about his connection to Face and SECRET, or be miserable the rest of the week.

 

"Do you know what SECRET is?" she asked.

 

"I didn't tell anyone about your surgery," he said as he raised his head, knowing by her tone that they wouldn't be continuing their romance until they had a discussion.

 

"That's not what I asked."  She turned sideways on the bed to look at him better and he lay down next to her, his head propped up upon his elbow.  "Do you know what SECRET is?"

 

He looked at her blankly.

 

She sighed. "I saw what was on that disk you had me get from your apartment."

 

Daniel blanched. "You went through my things?"

 

She bit her lip. "Yes," she acknowledged quietly. She expected him to blow up with anger, but he just sighed.

 

"Why?"

 

Well, I'm Abra Pirata and I know that you acquired it rather illegally, so...   She shrugged. "I was just curious, I guess." She sighed, wondering how to put her next question gently.

 

His eyes studied her face.  "What else is on your mind?"

 

"I went through a couple of the files." Daniel rolled onto his back and ran a hand through his hair as he sighed.  "I came across something about a plant called the fern-rose.  And I remembered you showing it to me in your book and the picture of its creator." She held up the pirate picture.  "Why didn't you tell me you knew him?"  She searched his face as he glanced up at the picture and then to her. 

 

He looked uncomfortable and turned his gaze toward the ceiling.  "He was my best friend," he said through a set jaw.  "And then... he was gone.  It's not something I like to talk about."

 

Sally reached over and put her hand on his.  "I'm sorry I brought it up."

 

He brought her hand up onto his chest and then looked into her eyes.  "What else do you want to know?" She blinked. "I know that's not the only thing on your mind."

 

The blonde swallowed. "How exactly are you connected to SECRET agent Daft and what was it he wanted your father to take to his grave?" She bit her lip, hoping her forwardness wouldn't stop him from answering.

 

He stared up at her.  "You are a snoop, aren't you?" he accused.  "Not only are my things not safe, but you listen in on my conversations?"

 

"I...I was coming around the corner.... with the sandwiches," she tried to explian.

 

Daniel shook his head. "You just like to play spy, don't you? I bet a million conspiracy theories are running through that pretty head of yours right now."

 

"Well, what was I suppose to think.  You say Daft wanted Simon to take something to his grave.  You get arrested and can't tell me why because people could get hurt.  And then I find this disk about illegal espionage activities.  And now you won't give me any straight answers. You just make me worry about you!"

 

He sat up and looked her in the eyes. "I don't mean to."

 

She stared back into his reassuring gray eyes then hugged him, pulling him close. "So you're not going to answer any of these questions, are you?" she whispered against his shoulder.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Looking up at the frail old man behind the counter she noticed his expression and was taken aback.  Then she whirled around to see the man behind her holding a small pistol.

 

"Hand me the money," he ordered through a mask.

 

A thousand alernate plans ran through Sally's mind, but none of them had a happy outcome.  She dared not rush him, there were other people in the store he might accidentally shoot.  She dare not use her mind; there were witnesses.  Resentfully she forked over the pounds in her wallet as the cashier also handed him money.  He thrust the cash into his pockets and bolted out the door.  A split second later Sally was right on his heels.

 

She followd him across the street and down a very narrow sidestreet.  He turned and fired a shot. 

 

Crap! Sally ducked behind a trash bin.  She waited a second then took off after him again, but he fired another shot.  Again she hid and peered up over the top of the large crate.  He had backed himself into a dead end.  Carefully she moved closer, closing the distance between her and the assailant.

 

Now from her position she could see him crouching behind a trashcan.  She smirked as her mind picked it up and ran it into him, knocking him over.  As the gun was knocked loose from his grasp, he fumbled and Sally took the oportunity for her attack; she charged.

 

But somehow he turned just in time to see the girl and dodged, lashing out at her with his foot as she approached.  His boot sank deep into her abdomen.

With the air vanishing from her lungs, the blonde tumbled onto the pavement.  Her attacker stood and grabbed the gun from the ground.  He cocked it and aimed at the wheezing girl's head.

 

Suddenly the gun was covered in green vines and was yanked from the surprised man's hands.  He turned to take on his new attaker and realized he was already covered thickly in tight vines.  His movement caused  him to loose his ballance and he toppled over onto the pavement.

 

The man in green walked over to where Sally lay and crouched down beside her.  She had been correct in thinking he was covered in leaves and vines.  But he also had armour made from bark and he smelled of fresh cut grass.  Sally looked up into his face.  His whole head was covered in thick leaves that formed a helmet very smimilar to a knight's.  Everything was covered except his pale green eyes, which looked at her, full of concern.

 

"I'm... fine," she gasped, her chest aching with every breath.

 

He held out his hand and she watched as a single bud formed then blossomed in an instant.  He picked it from his palm with his other hand and held the flower out to her.  Not knowing what else to do, she took it.  He then motioned for her to smell it.  Hesitantly she did so and felt the air begin to fully fill her lungs again.  During the next breath, she breathed in deep, closing her eyes at the pleaure of deep respiration. When she opened her eyes again, he was gone.

 

In a few minutes a police officer was on the scene, approaching the subdued criminal.  He nodded to the girl, and hoisted the man to his feet.  As the con was being led away, Daniel came jogging up to her.

 

"Sally!" he exclaimed.  He threw his arms around her and then held her at arm's distance, looking into her eyes.  "Are you alright?"

 

"I think so," she stated mechanically.

 

Daniel looked down at the flower Sally still held in her hand.

 

"Ephersisum," he said.  "Very pretty and an organic remedy for asthma.  It only grows in tropical areas, where'd you find it?"

 

"Some green guy gave it to me," she said slowly.

 

Daniel cocked an eyebrow.  "Are you sure you're okay?"

- - - - - - - -

 

"If you don't tell me what's on your mind, I'll be forced to suffocate you with a pillow just to give both of us some peace."

 

But how can I tell you what's on my mind, she thought I've never had to be saved before.  I could have died today.  She didn't answer, but just stared out into the dark hotel room in silence.

 

She felt Daniel move closer to her on the bed.  Lovingly, his hand rested upon her hip and he set his lips next to her ear.

 

"Daniel... I don't feel like..."

 

"Shhh..." he whispered into her ear.  As his arm came around her waist he pulled her closer and she could feel his whole body pressing against hers. 

Then he began to hum.

 

The melody was simple and flowed easily and Sally sighed at the calming effect of the lullyby.  The soothing hum echoed through her with the effect of a warm blanket on a cool rainy day.  Soon he added words and began to sing sweetly into her ear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of the song, Sally was drifting off and hardly heard Daniel speak.

 

"I knew you'd like it," he whispered more to himself than to her.  "My mother would always sing it when we couldn't sleep."  Then he closed his eyes and returned to slumber, with is loved one still wrapped comfortably in his arms.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  -

 

"Something wrong?" The one-eyed man's voice came over the line.  "We're not suppose to hear from you until Friday."

 

"Everything's good.  I just had a question for you."  She took his silence as permission to continue.  "Do you know of any uh....gifted people here in London?"

 

"They're everywhere," he stated as if it were obvious and she was wasting his time.  "You've probably seen more than one already and haven't even realize it."

 

"I know that," she shot back at him.  "Do you know any that can control plants?"

 

There was a slight silence.  "I might have expected this from Tonya, but not from you.  What kind of trouble are you in?"

 

"Don't jump to conclusions, Mr. Pessimist," she retorted.  "Yesterday I was robbed, then this guy covered in plants came to my rescue.  And I saw him at the airport earlier, when I first arrived; he disarmed a terrorist who had at least four bars of C-4 strapped to him.  I just wanted to know if you knew who he was."

 

"He doesn't sound like anyone I know of, I'll ask around."

 

"Thanks, T," she smiled at the phone, feeling less troubled.

 

"Just don't get into anymore trouble."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

"You know, I thought you'd want to be sightseeing all this week."

 

Sally turned to look at him.  "Are you disappointed I'd rather just hang with you?"

 

Daniel rolled onto his side and smiled shyly. "No," he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.  "But there's one place I'd like to take you tomorrow."

 

"Oh, where would that be?" she eyed him suspiciously.

 

His shy smile turned into a sly grin. "You'll just have to wait and see," he taunted.

 

She rolled her eyes.

 

"And you have to wear a dress," he stated.

 

Her jaw dropped. "A what?"

 

"Oh come on," he smiled.  "Our last evening together and you would deny me that simple pleasure?"

 

She turned her back to him; he knew she disliked dresses. "I would not call that a pleasantry."

 

"I've seen you in a dress before, and you always look beautiful."  She turned back toward him and he gave her the look he knew she couldn't resist. "Please?"

 

"Yeah, fine, whatever," she dismissed the thought.  "The movie's back on."
- - - - - - -

 

Suddenly remembering to breathe, he handed her the simple boquet of daisies.  "You truly look like an angel," he sighed.

 

"And you're very handsome in your suit," she commented on his refined look.  There is just something about a man in a suit and tie. Mmmm.  "Why don't we just stay in tonight?" she suggested seductively.

 

"As tempting as that sounds," he smirked, "I'd rather take you out, so everyone can see how lucky I am."

 

"The things I do for you," she muttered as she grabbed her jacket and shut the door behind them.

 

He opened her door for her as they climbed into the car.  Starting the car he turned to her, "Are you wearing makeup?"

 

"Yeah," she mumbled.

 

"I didn't think you wore makeup."

 

"I figured since I was already being forced to wear a dress..."

 

"Well, we'd better get going if we're to have this car back by midnight."

 

"I have to wear this dress for six hours?!"

 

"Will you stop thinking about the dress?"

 

"It's all you're thinking about," she accused.

 

"Am not!" he denied.

 

"I saw your face when I opened the door ... AND where your eyes wandered."

 

He gave a hurt expression. "You're my girlfriend, I can't check you out?"

 

"Not if you're only going to do it while I'm in a dress."

 

"I guess you didn't notice yesterday afternoon when I was fasinated by the movement of your body as you walked across the room to close the curtains when the sun was coming in the window.  And you stood there for a moment, your simple yet elegant shape silhouetted by the rays of the light, which created an aura of warmth and love around you.  And you were wearing just a simple t-shirt and jeans then."

 

Sally slipped her hand into his hand that was placed on his thigh.  He glanced over and grinned lovingly at her.

 

"So... where are we going?"
- - - - - - - - - -

 

Sally watched his eyes search her face.

 

"Sally...I..." he found her gaze.  "You really are beautiful."

 

"Thank you," she smiled lovingly and said, "And you, are the most handsome man in London."  She gave him a soft kiss on the lips and yet felt a strong wave of passion between them in the simple touch and they tightened their embrace.

 

He grinned as he thought of lyrics from a song.

 

"What?" she whispered noticing the curl of his lips.

 

He looked deep into her eyes and recited the line to her in a seductive whisper, "I don't care what they say other lovers do, I just want to dance with you."  She smiled lovingly and kissed him again.

 

After the dance, they returned to their table as their dinner arrived.
- - - - - - - -

 

Sally felt Daniel's hand gently caress hers.  Turning her attention back to the table she looked into her boyfriend's loving gray eyes.

 

"Sally... I've been thinking... wondering..." he looked down into his lap at his cloth napkin.  "Will... Do I have lipstick on my face?" he asked worriedly.

 

Sally smiled. "No, Is mine still there?" she asked puckering her lips.

 

"Yes, they are still a delectable shade of pink," he leaned over the table and gave them a soft kiss.

 

As he pulled away she smiled.  "Nope, still no lipstick on you."
- - - - - - -

 

"I knew you'd have a good time, but the night isn't over yet."

 

"What could possibly make this night any better?"

 

Sally sat wondering in the passenger seat as Daniel pulled up to the BIB security gate and showed his clearance card to the guard.  The guard nodded to them and they drove in as the gate opened.

 

Leading her through the maze of greenhouses, Daniel finally came to a stop at the entrance of one.

 

"Close your eyes," he said as he unlocked the door.

 

Her blue eyes gave him a look, wondering if this was really necessary.

 

"Close them," he taunted, and she sighed doing so.  She heard the door creek open and then felt his hand on her arm, leading her into the warmth.  "Just follow the sultry sound of my voice."

 

She giggled.

 

"Keep your eyes shut." She heard the door close behind her and no longer felt the cool air of the spring night.  Daniel led her deeper into the greenhouse.

He finally stopped and turned her slightly.  Then he leaned close to her and set his lips softly upon hers.

 

"Can I open my eyes now?" she asked.

 

"No, wait," he teased. "Okay, now."

 

Her blue eyes fluttered open taking in the field of white blanketing the rows upon rows of flowers.  Every inch of the green house was covered in Daisies.  Most were in pots and planters set upon the rows of tables, others were vines that climbed the height of the walls.

 

"It's wonderful," she sighed in awe.  Then turned to look at Daniel, whose face was lit up by her reaction.

 

"That's not even the best part," he commented.  He took her hand and led her to nearby table and gestured to a species of Daisy.

 

It was a very simple flower with a single ring of thin petals encircling a pale green center. Each petal was pure white except for the tip which was a soft shade of blue.

 

"I've never seen anything like it," she awed. "It's gorgeous."

 

"But not as beautiful as its namesake," Daniel whispered as he pushed aside some leaves to reveal the plant's name.

 

Sally stared as she read the print.

 

 

Her hand came up to rest over her mouth as her eyes turned to Daniel and then not knowing what to say she threw her arms around him and buried her face into his neck. His arms encircled her in return.

 

"You are the Angel of my soul," he whispered into her ear.

 

"I don't know what to say," she managed to whisper back.

 

"I love you," he replied as he gently set a smiling kiss into her hair.
- - - - - - - - - -

 

"An angel in the morning is truly a more welcome sight than the sun," he whispered.

 

Her smile increased at the words and she leaned down and kissed him.

He sat up and faced her, looking deep into her eyes.  His fingers lovingly repositioned a loose strand of her golden hair.

 

"I love you," they stated at the same time, producing a smile on both their faces.

 

Daniel's smile slightly faded as he noticed the suitcase against the wall. "Are you all packed?"  Sally nodded slowly.  "Then I suppose I should go put on some decent clothes." He smiled again.  "I'm sure no one wants to see me prancing around the airport in my pajamas."  He winked and hopped off the bed, heading toward the bathroom.
- - - - - - - -

 

The blonde turned toward the call of her name.  A longhaired girl was waving her hand in the air, a string of Japanese words flooding from her mouth.  With her suitcase in tow, Sally began to walk towards her roommate.

 

Zarbon came up behind Tonya and bopped her on the head with the end of her own braid.  "English," he reminded her. "We are back in the USA now."

 

"How was Japan?" asked Sally as they headed toward the parking lot.

 

Tonya got a funny look on her face.  "It was ... fun."

 

"Maybe I don't want to know," Sally commented.

 

As they exited the terminal they saw T get out of the van and open the back hatch.  Zarbon grabbed the girls' suitcases and began to pack them in.

 

Knowing Tonya and Zarbon would want to sit together, Sally climbed into the front passenger seat.

 

Soon they were headed down the road, Techno's synthesized music playing softly over the speakers.

 

"How was Britain?" asked Zarbon.

 

"I had a wonderful time," she replied.

 

"Oh, speaking of Britain," T interrupted, "I got some news about your little green man."

 

"Little green man?" Tonya asked perking up in her seat.

 

"It seems," T ignored her, "He hasn't been around very long.  Members of Liberty 5 have been trying to track him down since his first appearance three weeks ago.  All we know is that his gifts include controlling plants.  The papers are calling him the Forest Ranger."

 

"You met a new super hero?" Tonya asked, hurt that she hadn't.

 

"I guess," Sally shrugged.  "I saw him when I first arrived in London, and again while Daniel and I were sight seeing."

 

"Well, if there's now a plant controlling hero out there," The braided haired girl smirked. "Abra may just loose her number one fan."