The End

Dan & Libby

Moving almost without realizing it, Dan laid one hand gently against Libby's cheek. Her soft, pale skin, silky blonde hair and blue eyes drew him like a magnet. Leaning in closer, he whispered, "Dammit, Libby, why do you have to do this to me?"

When his lips touched hers, Libby clutched the front of his shirt--that warm, soft shirt she had just dried for him--and opened her mouth, wanting to drown in his right now. It happened every time she was around this man.

She was a long way from thinking straight when she felt Dan's hands on her shoulders, pushing her away. "We're not gonna do this, Libby. I'm not gonna do this."

She reached up and grabbed his hands in hers. "Why not, Dan? Is something wrong with me? Is that why you keep coming to my rescue and then pushing me away? I just don't understand!"

"Libby-" Dan's voice halted abruptly. He'd almost done something he would have regretted. He'd been on the verge of telling her about Ben Wade. About his own life working for Ben and why he wouldn't get involved with anyone because of that. Hell, she must affect him even worse than he thought!

"Listen, Libby." He started over again. "I'm divorced. I've got two kids. You don't wanna get mixed up with someone like that. You're young and pretty-"

Dan stopped again, smiling slightly at her and trying to fight this insane desire he always felt around this girl. So pretty. So different from Alice, despite their similar coloring. Libby was confident and bold, and the way she looked at him, the way she made the first move-

"That doesn't matter, Dan," she told him earnestly, moving in closer to him again. "It doesn't change how I feel about you. Stay. Spend the night. We'll work everything out."

"No, Libby," he said softly, holding her face between both hands. "I'm not gonna do that." He wished he could tell her the rest of the reasons why, but it just wasn't possible. "I care about you too much for that."

Libby felt a tiny spark of hope at his words. "If you care about me, then-"

Dan stopped her by leaning forward, placing a quick, tender kiss on her lips. "Good night, Libby. Be safe."

Libby stared at the door that had closed behind him. She could hardly believe it. This was the second time that Dan had left after she'd asked him to stay. And the second time that she was bursting into tears after he'd gone.