Chris could not believe his luck.  Thus far, he wasn't turned into a torch, destroyed, mangled, or otherwise hurt from the woman across from him.  Indeed, she was being far more receptive to him than he had ever dared to hope - though he had dreamed it would go well once they met.  Still, he sensed caution from her.  It was in her words, her stance, and in the very air between them.  Not that he could blame her.  Having a mortal reach out to her was no doubt something quite unusual for Gabrielle, but no matter her caution - curiosity had also won.  The paper she handed him had a location to meet up later, and it was one he would have to look up - not being overly familiar with it.  To meet her...in private...such was truly more than he had dared to hope for.  His heart was racing more now at the very prospect...the potential such a meeting could bring.  What would happen?  Would she kill him there instead - preferring to do so without those around to witness?  Would she really decide to teach him how to win her heart?  What would happen at this address where he was to finally have the meeting of his dreams?  Would it indeed be a dream come true...or a nightmare?<br/><br/>He nodded in acceptance of meeting up later.  What he had set out to do thus far had been accomplished, but Chris was not a survivor for nothing.  He, too, was cautious.  There was the tall man he had followed, and later found watching him from the roof.  If he was still outside waiting patiently - things could get ugly.  Not that Chris hadn't learned how to deal with trouble, but he rarely just went looking for it.  Besides, he wasn't foolish enough to believe that those of the otherworld weren't powerful.  Indeed, the one outside could likely react faster than he could move, but fear was something that was not allowed.  To be afraid was to give his enemies an advantage, and some of those from the otherworld fed off of fear.<br/><br/>"Until we meet again, Gabrielle," he nodded to her politely, and stood up to leave.  "I know you have your concerns.  I don't blame you for them, but I think you will find my intentions are truly as I stated.  No matter what happens to me - I shall never forget these two moments with you."  With such honestly said, Christopher bowed deeply to her as if she were a goddess, and then left with clear measured calm steps towards the exit.  The man he had seen her sitting with earlier he merely nodded to on his way out, and then he was once more outside.<br/><br/>There was no immediate notice of the man from the roof nearby.  Indeed, the alley was quite empty.  Caution was still the password, and Chris had no desire to slip up now.  Despite the earlier encounter - Chris found his return to his hotel room quite peaceful.  He was actually rather surprised.  Perhaps the man on the roof had found a different prey to attack, or perhaps he had decided Chris wasn't worth the effort.  It could have even been sheer curiosity which kept the predator from attacking him.  Whatever the reason - the journey home to his hotel was a smooth one without incident.  Once in his room - Chris looked up the address he still held:<span style="font-style: italic">536 North Harlem Ave. River Forest, IL 60305</span>.  This was apparently the Ottawa Trail Woods - North - a rather secluded park on the edge of Chicago.  What had the young writer even more curious was the time of the meeting.  It wasn't in the standard or military format, but merely said:<span style="font-style: italic">'One hour after dawn'.</span>Clearly she was rather cautious indeed, and who could blame her.  A mortal was seeking her out, professing a love to her that had existed for over two decades, and one who could reach out with his mind and soul to those around him.  Closing the laptop made Chris sit back in his bed thinking deeply of what was to come.<br/><br/>"Why here?" he wondered aloud to himself.  "Why this place?  Is it special to you?  Or, is it just private enough that if you need to get rid of me - you can?  Or, is it private enough to allow whatever happens - happens without prying eyes??"<br/><br/>Dawn was several hours away, but he would be ready.  Thus, the young writer took a long slow shower, and got ready for bed.  Sleep, however, eluded him as he lay there curled up among the blankets...his mind on Gabrielle.  He still couldn't quite believe he had found her already, but it was true...she was here, and he had spoken with her...even touched her mind and soul briefly.  Soon, he would meet her again, and this was the thought he went to sleep with...dreams of her soaring high in the sky, and another of him kneeling before her on some great hill he knew not.