As Maddi leaned back into him, Elijah felt at peace.  Strangely so, since he had no right to feel anything like peace.  He could blame his actions on many things, deprivation, drugs, and some just plain excessive horniness, but the truth was: they were still his actions, his responsibility, and, ultimately, his burden.  He knew that he would have to answer for some of them, but right now her body against his made all of that seem remote.<br/><br/>It was odd, he thought, with the other girl, Kira, he had felt sexually out of control.  Physically, he had wanted her, his body over responding to her in an animal like frenzy.  But with Maddi, something had happened.  He wasn't sure it was the flood of emotions, the near death experiences, or what, but he felt more love than lust.  He knew it wasn't the deep, lasting, forever love, but the innocence of first puppy love.  It may not last, but the feeling of it was so sweet after so many years of first the harpy, then being alone.  Who knows, perhaps it could even grow, but Elijah didn't care to think that far ahead.  He was aware that Maddi should hate him...or pity him.<br/><br/>Right now, however, she was resting against him.  Elijah could feel no tension in her body, which told him that she felt safe in his arms.  And that, in turn, made him feel like a school boy on his first date.  Without conscious thought, he gently took the water bottle from her and took a small sip to wet his suddenly dry lips.  As she bent her head to look at him, Elijah brought his lips down to hers.  Inwardly he worried what her reaction may be.  Hatred...Fear...Worse.  No matter, the deed was done.