Where Secrets Lie

Kara stood on top of a building. The wind kissing her skin. She looked out at the town. Sounds of cars honking filled the spaces between the tall structures, yet she felt at peace. It had been two weeks and Kara showed steady progress in her training. Michael looked over the edge, then turned around with a huge grin on his face

"What are we doing up here?" she asked.

"Okay, this is what you need to do. Take off running, then jump from this rooftop to the next." Michael said, his face serious.

"No!" Kara laughed. She looked down at people walking. Her head started spinning and her heart beat faster. She pulled back and walked further from the side. She wasn't a stranger to chasing perps but heights have never been her strong suit.

"I bought you up here. The only way down..." he said, and then leaped across to the next building. "is if you jump!" he yelled out from the rooftop as birds flew away.

Kara felt this was crazy, but she also knew she could do it. She'd learned a lot about herself since she started training, and though she hated to admit it, Elijah was right. She wasn't a normal human. Besides, she wasn't one to turn down a challenge, especially from Michael.

She took a deep breath and started running. At the edge of the building, she vaulted and flew through the air. The feeling thrilled her and made her feel alive. Gracefully, she landed on the next building but kept running until she tackled Michael. She swung her leg over his hips, straddling him.

"Detective, you should remember something. I've jumped a building plenty of times. Right now there is something else I would like to jump. Something much more challenging." He slid his fingers through her hair and drew her into a kiss.

Kara pulled back, her eyes meeting Michael's. She remembered all he did for her since her sister's death. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Moments later, they burst through Michael's bedroom door, joined together in a frenzied kiss. They moved around the room as if they were dancing, their lips not coming apart for a minute. Michael led Kara by the hand further into the room. She had sex with Michael before but this was different. They hadn't been intimate in months so there was a nervous energy in the air and a sense of anticipation.

As they reached the foot of the bed, Kara reached down and ripped off his shirt. Her hand trailed down his chest then to his toned abs. Her fingers smoothing over every curve and muscle. He returned the favor by pulling her shirt over her head, covering her shoulders in kisses the moment they were free. Michael hoisted Kara up and her legs wrapped around him pulling him closer as her back hit the bed.

Michael reached back and ran his hands up her leg, going further and further to her bare thighs. Michael positioned himself between her legs, letting Kara know how bad he wanted her. His groans made Kara's heart pound faster. Her hips moved faster matching his rhythm. She tried to stifle her moans by biting his shoulder but it didn't work. The sound her cries pushed him faster and over the edge. They both grasped each other as their breaths and rhythm slowed, taking in the pleasure washing over them.

********************************

Kara woke later that night. The moonlight shined through the balcony door, and the only other light came from the small lamp on Michael's desk. He sat there, shuffling through paperwork and looking frustrated.

"Do you ever stop working?" Kara joked as she stepped out of the bed with the covers wrapped around her. Her blonde waves curling around her neck and shoulders.

"I run a multi-billion dollar company, so the answer is no. But I'll always have time for you," he replied, standing. He gave her a quick peck on the lips then led her out to the balcony.

"Michael, I've been thinking. Lately, your uncle has been trying to help me. But why? He hated me. He wanted you to marry Hannah but now he is going out of his way to help me. It doesn't make sense."

"He may seem rough around the edges, but he means well. He expressed how sorry he was and he still wants to make it right."

"It's not about−" Kara turned around and noticed that Michael held a red ribbon in his hand. His mother's cross dangled from it. "Michael…" she started to protest, but her lover pressed his fingers to her lips to silence her.

"I want you to have something just in case the dispelling of your necklace doesn't work."

"But it's your mother's. Michael, I can't." She shoved it away politely.

"You can. I'd rather you have it than keeping it in a room of dusty antiques." Kara held up her curls as Michael tied it around her neck.

"Thank you." She smiled as she looked down at the beautiful crucifix hanging from her neck. She kissed him on the cheek and headed back for bed, running her hand over the new piece of jewelry.

Michael continued working until morning. He pushed his paperwork to the side and rubbed his temples. He was exhausted for looking at numbers all night. He glanced over to the bed where Kara slept and smile played on his lips.

"What?" Logan sleepily answered the knock at his door, but the distressed look on Michael's face fully woke him. "Michael, what's wrong?"

"I think I'm going to ask Kara to marry me," he said as he walked in.

"Marry you?" Logan turned the lock. "You've always said that marriage is a useless human ritual."

"Yeah, but then I picture her in one of those white dresses, and then I think about tearing off that white dress." Michael stared off into space, and Logan could have sworn he saw drool dripping from his friend's mouth.

Logan snapped his fingers to jolt Michael out of his perverted trance. "Um, I hate to rain on your parade, but don't you think it's a bit too soon? You know with Alyssa's death and her finding out she's half-vampire and all?" Logan asked.

"No, I don't. I'm going now to pick out a ring. Will you come with me, brother?"

Logan still felt it was not the right time, but the joy in his maker's eyes prevented him from arguing. "Yes, of course," He smiled. "Just let me get dressed."

Once Logan had gotten dressed, he threw his arm around Michael's shoulders as they headed out of the room. They chatted happily until they reached the front doors of the mansion.

"Where are you two off to?" Elijah asked as he entered.

"Michael is going to ask Kara to marry him. We're off scouting for rings," replied Logan, not recognizing the suspicion in Elijah's voice.

Michael did notice, and looked at Elijah, worried about what he might say next.

"Then it will be a joyous occasion!" exclaimed Elijah after a short pause.

Michael let out a chuckle of relief and the two men headed out the door.