Ben's been at my side since that night. There wasn't enough room in the shack for everyone, so we agreed to take turns on the night watch, half of us first, then the other half later. There were some of us who could keep what seemed like good time. They could keep real time in The Other. They were always needed to estimate the time spent on watches, and at least one of them was awake at any given time to keep record of its passage.

I took the first half-watch, Kit headed the second. Ben, of course, was in the first group with me. We sat outside, far enough into the trees to see anyone coming from the road, but within sight of the cabin. He sat close to me, as always, and as always I told him that he was crowding me,preventing me from a quick firing if it was necessary. As always, he chuckled, under his breath.

We sat for an hour or so, not talking. The Other was completely silent. The watch was going well, no unnecessary noise. I began to relax.

Somehow, without my notice, Ben had slipped his arm around my waist. I looked up into his face in the moonlight, but I couldn't read his expression. A mixture of pleasure and guardedness, I suppose. I felt a stirring in my belly I had only felt a couple of times in my life, and I could feel my hands begin to sweat. I knew this was detrimental if I was going to be of any help on this watch, but I didn't care. Rare, for me, not to always have my duties in mind, first and foremost.

I didn't know what to say, though I felt something should be said. Ben saved me. "You look good in this light," he said, softly.

I covered my mouth to stifle a giggle. "You've only seen me in this light." I resisted the urge to slug him on the shoulder and run into the woods. I felt like a child.

He kissed me then. I had kissed boys back in real time, but I was so much younger then. So much that I hadn't seen, or done. I saw lights, stars, behind my closed eyelids, and I completely forgot to breathe.

"We're supposed to be keeping watch," I mumbled.

"Shh," he breathed, and his tender lips found my ear.

I shuddered, perhaps from the chill of the mountain air, perhaps not. Watches usually seem to drag on for an eternity. This one flew by on angel's wings.

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