>> “Aww, sweetie, it’s okay. Accidents happen. I’ll kiss it better.”

Rebecca was not expecting that reaction, but it seemed like she was in the clear. She braced herself for another delicious kiss from Agnes, when a cold sensation smeared her lips and nose.

Her eyes cringed and she wriggled her nose, but she giggled; fair was fair. Rebecca wiped her nose off with her finger, licking off the dark batter. "Ah guess Ah'm lucky we aren't in yer cycle, or ye'd be licking mah nose off," she teased. They kept a very careful watch on Agnes's metamorphosis cycle nowadays.

The chatter and ice cream consumption carried them all the way back to the Mansion, where they finished their last bites and discarded the cups. Before they knew it, they were in the hallway of the girls' wing. Rebecca was enjoying a calm spike of energy from the sugary treat, so she was hoping the date did not necessarily have to end because they were back home. They could always hang out... or, you know, kiss more... She would leave it up to Agnes. "Sae... what dae ye wanna dae now?"

>> "Ah guess Ah'm lucky we aren't in yer cycle, or ye'd be licking mah nose off,"[/color]

Agnes smirked. She had to admit that Rebecca had a point. After all, the last time she was on her mutation cycle she had nearly devoured the young Scot whole. The attraction to the smeared, sugary honey on her was far too much for the runaway to be able to resist. She had a feeling that if she were going to molt again today, that she probably would have indeed licked her girlfriend’s nose off. It was a funny thought, but one that Agnes really tried to avoid. After all, she scarcely had control over herself at such times.

She grinned as she pulled a napkin from her pocket, one of a few she had taken from the ice cream shop, and handed it over to her redheaded angel. Once that was done, the two girl continued on for home.

The rest of the evening went by fairly quickly. Without realizing it, the two had managed to chat, joke around, and munch on ice cream all the way back to the mansion, without casting a single eye at the passage of time. They had managed to simply widdle away the evening with just good company. It was a feat that Agnes was ecstatic over.

Before long, they were standing in front of her room, in the girl’s wing of the mansion. Agnes sighed. She really was getting a little nervous now because she had something planned for this part of the night but now that the time had arrived, she was a little worried that she wouldn’t be able to pull it off. After all, she had never let Rebecca see this side of her. It really was about time that she did but that did not make the moment any less frightening.

What if Rebecca didn’t like it? What if Rebecca thought she was bad? What if she failed, utterly? Agnes sighed as she felt her head ready to explode but she knew she had to take a breath and calm herself.

>> "Sae... what dae ye wanna dae now?"[/color]

Agnes looked into those mismatched eyes and just took a breath. In that moment, looking at the pretty redhead, she felt all of her worries melt away. She was going to go through with this…

“I…I have a surprise, for you,” she said a little boldly. Subtly she unlocked her door, leaned in and kissed Rebecca’s cheek. “Come on. Get on the bed and make yourself comfy, okay?”

A little twinkle in her eye, a glint of nervousness on her lips, she bade Rebecca into her room (which thankfully Gina agreed to vacate for the night), and held her breath. She really hoped this would turn out well…

>> “I…I have a surprise, for you.”

A surprise? Rebecca was instantly curious, since this was the first time Agnes so much as hinted at some kind of surprise. It would seem the evening was going to take a turn into Agnes's room. There was a click of the door being unlocked, and a soft kiss was planted on Rebecca's cheek, as the door opened to reveal the familiar room.

>> “Come on. Get on the bed and make yourself comfy, okay?”

Rebecca almost froze on her first step into the room at Agnes's offer. She had a surprise for Rebecca and wanted her to get on the bed? And Agnes seemed like she was getting nervous... what was her plan?

Still, Rebecca trusted her girlfriend, and she slowly crawled up into Agnes's bed. It was comfortable, but she could feel herself trembling, unsure what was going through Agnes's head. She thought about the conniption her father would have knowing she was in anyone's bed right now, but she shook it off. Instead, she just waited, legs folded, arms beside her as she rested her back on the pillow at the end of the bed.

"Sae... w-what is this surprise yoo're talking aboot?"

Agnes had not seen the look on Rebecca’s face when she asked her to climb into bed. She just wanted her girlfriend to be comfortable for this so she was not really paying attention to the double meanings that her words could possibly be having on the young redhead. Her mind was a haze of confusion as she tried to keep the nerves she was feeling from gradually taking over her body. She was scared, definitely so because this was something that she had yet to do with Rebecca and she really and truly just wanted it to be absolutely perfect.

With a small sigh, she closed the door behind her as she listened to Rebecca’s quiet steps as she made her way across the room. Agnes didn’t lift her eyes but tried to find her courage at the tips her toes. It had been a long time since she last did this and didn’t want to risk it. But it was too late now, she had already committed to it…she would see it through to the end…

>> "Sae... w-what is this surprise yoo're talking aboot?"

Agnes blinked as she turned back around to face Rebecca. Her strawberry blonde angel was already seated comfortable in bed and awaiting what would happen next. Agnes blushed a little as she brought herself back to reality and casually walked over. Slowly she slipped into bed next to Rebecca and sighed as she looked forward, trying to find her courage to proceed.

She then smiled as she took a breath.

“Well…I…I haven’t done this in awhile,” Agnes began to explain. “I’m…I’m just a little nervous so…bear with me, okay?”

She blushed as she leaned over and kissed her again on the cheek before she climbed off the bed and began to unbutton her sweater. She was feeling far too warm now. But as she peeled it off, she didn’t pay attention to Rebecca’s reactions, and instead sighed as she tossed her sweater aside. She was nervous; it was evident because she was feeling hot. Quickly she fanned herself with her hand before she knelt down next to the bed and pulled out…her violin case.

In all the while that they had been dating, Agnes had never played for Rebecca. She was not even one hundred perfect sure she even TOLD her she played the violin. But Agnes had planned to make up for that tonight.

Opening the latches on the case, she pushed it open and sighed as she pulled out her weathered, old, beaten up violin; one of the only gifts from her mother that she had ever decided to keep. It was used by a vile woman, but is sang a beautiful song. In many ways it reminded Agnes of herself. Maybe that was why she loved it so.

Hefted it up, she smiled as she looked over at Rebecca.

“W-Would you mind if I played for you?” she asked a little timidly.

Rebecca held her breath as Agnes slipped beside her in bed. They were in bed together... oh, God... She wondered if Agnes could feel the nervous shaking of Rebecca's body awaiting that first unexpected touch.

>> “Well…I…I haven’t done this in awhile. I’m…I’m just a little nervous so…bear with me, okay?”

Had she done this before? Did that change the nature of this relationship? Agnes was American, and it was more common for them to move faster. Rebecca felt a kiss on the cheek and watched as Agnes removed her sweater.

Oh, God... Rebecca closed her eyes, unsure of how she was supposed to respond. She kept her wavering breath in control, wondering where she would feel Agnes's presence first.

>> “W-Would you mind if I played for you?”

The question caught Rebecca's attention, because she never understood the euphemisms people used. Uncertain, she opened her eyes and saw Agnes standing there with a violin. There was a huge sigh of relief. "Oh my! Well, yes, of course! Ah'd love tae hear it."

Her nervousness faded now that she realized she was reading too far into her girlfriend's comments. She eased into her spot on the bed, relaxing her body after a long day, anxiously awaiting her girlfriend's music.

>> "Oh my! Well, yes, of course! Ah'd love tae hear it."[/color]

Agnes caught the blush on Rebecca’s face. It was nearly as red as her hair and the runaway wanted to giggle at that. What was there possibly for Rebecca to be that embarrassed about? She really had no idea what Rebecca was thinking or why she looked so completely and utterly relieved. But the runaway figured that she could always ask her later about that. Right now, she needed to continue with her plan of playing for Rebecca before she lost her nerve.

“Okay,” she said with a nod. “Just…don’t be cruel afterward? Okay?” she chuckled. Though it was true that Agnes truly didn’t think she was that good at playing her violin. But it was a talent she wanted to share with Rebecca, regardless. “This is called… ‘Kiss the Rain’, and I’m dedicating it to you,” she beamed.

Another breath and Agnes hefted up her violin, rested her chin on the rest, and took the bow up carefully in her hand. Calmly she counted down the beats in her head before she made that first elegant sweep across the strings.

And the song she played was indeed beautiful…

A smile on her face, Agnes pictured Rebecca in her mind’s eye, behind her closed lids, as she began to play. She stood, swaying and sweeping the bow across while her fingertips danced from string to string, filling the air of her room with their melodious tones. Agnes actually sighed a little heavenly as she listened to her own music. Whenever she played, it always felt like something tickling the very back of her brain, igniting those little parts that inspire music and creativity. And what they inspired was the image of Rebecca with swirls of color and light around her beautiful smile; and there was such beauty that Agnes felt herself melting at the thought of her.

But she did not stop playing. No, instead Agnes pressed on, playing her entire heart out and scarcely breathing. The fears of making a fool of herself were gone and all Agnes knew was that she was expressing her deep feelings for Rebecca…and nothing more…

When the last sweep of the bow was done, when she stopped teasing the strings with her fingers, she took one long breath before she cautioned to open her eyes and glance at Rebecca. She hope…she prayed…that the young Scot liked it…

>> “Okay. Just…don’t be cruel afterward? Okay? This is called… ‘Kiss the Rain’, and I’m dedicating it to you.”

A warm place in Rebecca's heart was touched. No one had ever dedicated a song to her. Rebecca had no understanding of instruments; she got her mother's lack of finger dexterity, so strings and keys baffled her. Her father played the guitar and the piano, and her mother used to share sweet memories of being serenading during their courtship.This must have been what that felt like, and Rebecca knew she could not give a cruel word if she tried.

The song held so much emotion in the notes, drawn out, with swelling ascensions and heartfelt descents. Rebecca closed her eyes, swaying along with the music. The sound of Agnes's violin could rival the beauty of an orchestra, with each string singing beautifully.

The last note called out, and the room stood in silence as Rebecca's eyes fluttered open and she slowly returned to reality. She got to her knees on the bed so she could lean toward her girlfriend. She outstretched her arms and wrapped her fingers around the straps of Agnes's shirt. She tugged on them, pulling Agnes close, and calmly pressed her lips against Agnes's own.

She took the violin with the nearest hand and very carefully, laid it next to her spot on the bed. With the instrument resting safely, Rebecca leaned back, still pulling on Agnes's shirt, leading Agnes to the spot in front of Rebecca on the bed. Her hands moved, one around Agnes's waist and the other behind her neck.

She kissed her girlfriend slowly, deeply, tenderly. She kissed her with every emotion the song evoked.

The kisses finally ended, with Agnes's form over her. She pulled the violinist in, brushing black hair away from her ear so her whispered words would come through clear. "Tha' was absolutely beautiful. Yoo're brilliant.... an' Ah'm sae happy ye shared yer song wi' me..."

Agnes waited. She had finished the last sweet tone of her violin and cautioned to breathe again. It had been a long time since she played like that. And this was a first for her. It was not like she had not played in front of people before. Gina watched her practice, she played for Liz and Muse, but Rebecca was different. She played something that was solely for her. She played in Rhythm’s name, once, but she never got a chance to hear it. Jasmine, well, Jasmine only heard music that was already prepared, never anything solely dedicated to her. This piece of music, this was a first for her because it was solely for her lovely Scot.

Her crystal blue eyes watched the young woman, sitting on her bed, and waited for her to react. Agnes thought the music was beautiful, but what if Rebecca didn’t? What if she just didn’t get it? Or just thought that it was not as meaningful as she wanted it to be? There were so many possibilities that Agnes had no idea of the outcome.

Then Rebecca began to move. Agnes carefully watched her, unsure of what was going to happen. But then she felt those soft hands gently take her by the edge of her shirt and pulled her closer. Agnes climbed on the bed, felt her violin be set aside and sighed when she felt those sweet lips of young lass press against her own. A twinge vibrated through Agnes as she felt Rebecca’s arms slide around her, and Agnes did the same in response. Fingers lacing through long red hair, lips brushing across another’s, Agnes felt all her breath being taken away again.

And all the while, in the back of her mind her song played on and on…

When their lips finally parted, Agnes sighed and took a long, shaky breath. She then felt as Rebecca leaned in close, brushed her hair behind her ear and whispered.

>> "Tha' was absolutely beautiful. Yoo're brilliant.... an' Ah'm sae happy ye shared yer song wi' me..."[/color]

Agnes’ lips stretched into a wide smile that she would not be able to remove no matter how hard she tried. It was as if in that moment, every bad experience that she had ever had was simply wiped away and all that she was left with were the continuous, starbursts of colors and light that she felt growing inside of warming the inside of her soul. In that moment, she felt absolutely complete and whole once again.

Small tears of happiness stung the corners of her eyes as she beamed at the young redhead. Slowly, and minding her violin and bow, Agnes laid down next to Rebecca, smiling as she looked into her mismatched eyes; a pair of eyes that she could never think of living without. Reaching up, she brushed the redhead’s hair lightly and sighed as she sniffled.

“T-Thank you. I’m…I’m glad you liked it,” she whispered. Then she sighed as she brushed the happy tears away. “Sometimes…Sometimes I just think you are too good to be true, you know? Like…all this is some wonderful dream I don’t want to wake up from. I don’t deserve you,” she mumbled and sighed.

>> “T-Thank you. I’m…I’m glad you liked it. Sometimes…Sometimes I just think you are too good to be true, you know? Like…all this is some wonderful dream I don’t want to wake up from. I don’t deserve you.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes at the girl curled up on the bed next to her. She kissed the nearest spot on Agnes's neck and muttered, "Dornt be daft... ye make me happy." She left another kiss higher on the neck, closer to the ear. "Ah promise Ah'm real, an' if thes is a dream, it's th' best dream Ah've ever had."

She kissed the soft cheek of her girlfriend. "Ah dornt wanna hear any of this 'dornt deserve me' nonsense."

Rebecca almost returned to Agnes's lips for another extended session of kisses, but there was one thing she desired slightly more. She yawned, whispering in her girlfriend's ear. "Can ye play fer me a little more?"

Agnes sighed as she rested on her side in bed, watching the sweet, odd color eyes of her girlfriend she watched her as well. She saw that look of disbelief and Agnes had to smirk a little bit. She knew that she was being a little self-deprecating but it was just her way. Agnes never liked to talk highly about herself because there was a thin line between confidence and vanity. Then again, maybe that was really just remnants of her mother talking. Could Agnes have self-worth without worrying about coming off as too vain?

She felt the bed move and Agnes blinked as she refocused on Rebecca. The young redhead had edged closer and the runaway sighed as she felt her warm breath near her neck.

>> "Dornt be daft... ye make me happy…Ah promise Ah'm real, an' if thes is a dream, it's th' best dream Ah've ever had."[/color]

The runaway closed her eyes and smiled a little as she felt the soft lips of her sweet Scot pressed against her skin. Her smirk widened because of how ticklish it felt but it also felt so good. But it was not just the kisses, but it was the very words that fell from her girlfriend’s mouth. They were so sweet and tender and Agnes felt her heart melting at every syllable.

>> "Ah dornt wanna hear any of this 'dornt deserve me' nonsense."[/color]

She smiled. Lips met once again for what had to have been the thousandth time that night. But despite that, Agnes was not at all tired from it. Each time it made her heart flutter and the runaway had to actually gasp for a little bit of air. But it was a feeling that she would never want to trade in for anything in the world.

Gently they grew comfy and Agnes smiled sweetly as she brushed hair out of Rebecca’s eyes. Maybe it really was time for them to call it a night. If so, she really needed to send Rebecca off to her room before she grew too tired to get there on her own. But Agnes enjoyed her presence here on the bed far too much to want to ruin the moment. Then…Rebecca asked to prolong it…

>> "Can ye play fer me a little more?"[/color]

The runaway beamed and beamed brightly. Leaning over, she kissed her gently before she nodded. “Of course,” she whispered as she climbed out of bed and once again retrieved her violin.

Standing before the bed, watching as her sweet girlfriend lounged on the bed and looking oh so tired, Agnes tried to think of the perfect piece of play. She had many pieces memorized but she needed one that was perfect for this moment. So she thought…and thought…and thought…

Then she heard a piece of music in the recesses of her mind and she knew that it was perfect for the occasion. Once again she placed her violin under her chin, lifted her bow and placed it at the ready across the strings. Eyes locking with Rebecca momentarily, Agnes smiled and blew her a quick and shy kiss.

“Sad Romance,” she said as she uttered the name of the piece.

Then, her bow swept and the song filled the room with melodious tones. Eyes closed, Agnes purged the sad times from her heart, every last one of them and poured them into the music. But though it sounded sad, there was a twinge of hope in those tones, hope of a romance that would be waiting on the far side of the darkness. For Agnes, she found that romance, at last, after all the dark times she had to go through. Rebecca was her silver lining and it was one that made the runaway smile ceaselessly.

Agnes obliged her request, kissing Rebecca one more time and leaving the bed. When her girlfriend took up her violin from the bed, Rebecca adjusted her position, remaining on her side, but taking advantage of the room on the bed to rest vertically, her head comfortably placed on the pillow. The blankets and covers were pulled down to the foot of the bed, so Rebecca's own socked feet burrowed under them.

The song's title was somber and almost out of place on a night that was as wonderful as the one they were sharing. When the bow met the strings, she began to understand: Agnes was emptying the memories and emotions of her past into sorrowful notes, but the song had the twinkling light of future happiness. It was tender, vulnerable, love.

Rebecca felt a smile on her face as she closed her eyes to experience the motions of the music. She was not sure when she crossed the threshold between consciousness and the world of dreams, but the music followed her their, as the beautiful soundtrack to a beautiful dream staring the girlfriend whose bed she was now asleep in.

Agnes sighed as she played her beautiful song for Rebecca. The violin sang to its heart’s content and Agnes had poured her soul out for the young Scot. She wanted Rebecca to feel every chord, to know exactly what she was doing, and to let her know that she was letting go of so much because of how much she wanted this relationship to work. She cared about her so much that she doubted that she could ever put the full force of it into words. Therefore she could only hope that the music would convey that message.

Body swaying to the crying tones, Agnes breathed when she finally reached the end. She made an elegant sweep of the bow, paused, and carefully opened her eyes. Tears still blurred the corners of her vision, but even so, she could still clearly see Rebecca. Her sweet, redheaded angel was sleeping soundly a small smile on her face.

Agnes couldn’t help but “aww” a little at the image. Rebecca really did look exceedingly adorable, so much so that it was a shame to wake her. On top of that, Agnes was beginning to feel weariness take over her mind as well. After such an eventful night, all she really wanted to do was to just go to bed. Maybe she would close her eyes for a couple of seconds, just to rest up and help Rebecca back to her room.

Quietly she placed her violin back into its case, along with the bow, and closed it with a barely audible snap. She tucked it away back into its spot next to her bed and stretched out, loosening the muscles of her arms, her shoulders and her back. The gesture made her yawn again and blink with blurry eyes. But smiled sweetly as she looked down at the sleeping form of her girlfriend.

Very slowly Agnes slipped into bed next to her, careful not to move too much so that she didn’t wake her up. Once she was comfy, Agnes reached down to pull her blanket that was neatly folded at the edge. Opening it, she raised it so that it covered both herself and Rebecca up to their shoulders and Agnes sighed happily as she rested her head against the pillow. A small smile appeared on her face as she leaned over and kissed the gorgeous Scot on the forehead.

“Sleep good,” she whispered and snuggled up next to her.

Her hand slipping into hers, Agnes calmly felt her eyelids grow heavier and heavier. Before long, they fell closed and the runaway muttered one last, incoherent thought as sleep took over. Enveloped in warm, both of body, mind, and heart, the runaway’s lips stretched into a smile that rivaled Rebecca’s as she too drifted off to the comforts of sleep…