Not another word was spoken as the two stood motionless, a soft breeze swirling around them, ruffling Katherine’s hair.  All was silent as a golden twilight descended on the planet, as though every creature on this strange world held its breath, watching and waiting.  Not far off, the pool of water sparkled in the waning light, and grains of dust glittered in the air, lending an almost magical atmosphere, such a startling contrast to the tense life and death struggle they faced just moments ago.  An experience that could only strengthen the curious attachment that had been forming since the first day they met, and one that would stay with Katherine forever.  His skill and unwavering courage had saved her life, and she finally understood the deep bond between soldiers, that sacred level of trust that came from placing your life in someone's hands and knowing they would sacrifice their own to keep it safe.  It was both humbling and inspiring, and she would never be the same again. And now, seeing the way Scott responded to her gestures, she immediately sensed that things had changed for him, in a way she never imagined.<br/><br/>There was so much more she wanted to tell him, an ocean of feelings welling up inside as the shields Katherine had so carefully kept in place, shattered like a thousand crystal shards.  Her own heart began pounding when Scott’s hand covered and wrapped around hers, and as she gazed into his dark eyes, a spark ignited in the space between them, but also something deeper…an elusive yet undeniable connection that touched her in a way she had never experienced.  Utterly captivated, her lips parted and a soft breath escaped when he slipped his arm around her and pulled her to him, the heat of his body radiating into hers, as she melted into his strong embrace.  The moment his lips claimed hers, the world ceased to exist; a dizzying sensation washed over her in waves, and she trembled.  Pressing her body against his even more, she reached up with one hand while pulling the other free from his grasp, and then slid both around his neck, winding her fingers in his hair, and drawing him down to deepen the kiss. Breathing in his spicy masculine scent, she nibbled his lips gently at first, then with more urgency as tingling heat set her pulse racing, exhilarated by the rush of pleasurable sensations.<br/><br/>Breathless and in danger of being swept away by the intoxicating kiss, she pulled back just enough to break the spell, and then released her hold, but kept her eyes locked on his, willing him to know what she felt, letting her hands trail across his jaw before softly reaching up to caress his brow.  Drifting down to his still moist lips, her fingertips traced around them as though memorizing every sensual detail, brushing across each curve.  Every cell in her body vibrated with an intensity of passion and feeling for him that threatened to overwhelm, but she held it back, and closed her eyes, suddenly unsure.  As her thumb brushed across his lower lip, she hesitated a moment before her other hand reached up to caress his cheek once again with soft, languid strokes.  With a quivering breath she gazed into his eyes, her own filled with wonder and unspoken desire, and yet also a fleeting worry.  Suddenly everything between them had changed in the most wonderful way, and for Katherine there was no going back, but their future was so uncertain...she was afraid to let go.<br/>