You moved light-footedly towards the round coffee table in the centre of the lounge and sat down on it. Leaning back on one hand, you spread your legs and gave Kurt a dark look.

His head leant to one side. A smirk lit up his serious face.

"I really appreciate the sight.", he said and moved closer, leaning over you in an attempt to steal a kiss. "But with so many people watching..."

His white gaze fell on Bennett, his bodyguard and Jago. Both exchanged a quick, uneasy glance and then made off as quickly as their legs would carry them.

You snorted in amusement, but the pleasure didn't last long. Kurt's shadow fell over you, his warmth caressing your face.

A growling breath made his broad chest quiver. You shivered at the sight. Immediately there was this desire to make him yours. But this moment was not appropriate and there were things he needed to know.

"My Lady Sapphire.", he breathed in your direction, his gaze lingering on your lips.

Again you raised his knife. The tip scraped lightly across his throat. He chuckled as a charming smile grew on his lips.

Your eyes met. Both of his hands rested on the table, his broad arms encircling you. He leant forward again, applying light pressure to the blade with his throat.

"Kurt.", a bitter taste spread across your tongue.

He hummed, pleased.

"Say it again."

He bent over further. Soon the idiot would plunge the blade into his own neck.

"It's in my heart.", the words slipped from your lips like oil, far too quickly and rashly.

He frowned in confusion. His gaze returned to your eyes. Your fingers wrapped tighter around the handle of the knife, but instead of continuing to hold it to his neck, you let your hand fall loosely into your lap.

Tiredness overcame you. Suddenly the blood on your skin felt like it was burning. Like acid.

"Myers?", he asked.

Sourly, you snorted.

"Dead."

"You don't seem to be thrilled."

"Shit it felt so good! The resistance of her bones... the warmth of her blood.", you lifted the blade into his field of vision.

The metal was smeared with red, stinking of iron and raw meat. Just like he knew it from his time in Siberia. Back then he had used the knife for its intended purpose, hunting and skinning animals.

The thought that Myers had died just like those reindeer by the same blade filled him with exuberant pride.

"Then we'll manage the rest as well.", he gently grasped your wrist and kissed the fingers that held the knife.

You looked down at him wearily. He got down on his knees between your legs and gripped your hips. Immediately your free hand found his cheek to caress it.

"Kurt.", you could only cling to his name. "The killswitch is built into my chest. At my heart. Directly where it supplies the body with blood."

His gaze travelled over your body. Uncertainty was reflected in the white. He wasn't sure himself what that meant. Or how he should react to it.

Given the fact that you were more tired than irritated about the situation, he wondered how bad it could be. But maybe it was just the fact that you had killed a president.

"What does it mean?", he asked carefully, quietly but with enough emphasis to make it clear that he wanted an answer.

A deep sigh escaped you.

"It would be irresponsible to remove the chip.", you shrugged as if you didn't care. "An operation would be risky, I don't know how far the switch has grown into my organs. Could deal serious damage."

"Heart transplant?"

"No. It's not worth it."

Discontent crossed his face. But he wouldn't have dared to push you into anything. Then one day he really would wake up with a blade in his throat. If he ever woke up again.

"What other options we got?", he asked instead.

You shrugged again. Your gaze wandered out of the window, down into the lab where red light enveloped Cynosure's shell.

"That.", you gestured.

Kurt stiffened. Your thumb caressed his cheek lovingly.

"It could take a while.", he interjected. "Longer than finding a new heart."

"Myers is dead. It will be a while before a new president is elected. And then the question arises...", your eyes narrowed. "...if they know about the switch. Myers said others know but that might have been a bluff. Either way, we gotta get rid of the body."

Exhaling deeply, Kurt reached for your hand, pressed a kiss to the inside and looked up at you.

"Don't worry, my Lady Sapphire.", he smiled, took your face in both hands and kissed you.

He tasted of ash and coffee.

"Have you been drinking?", you asked.

"No."

"Do you want a drink?", you looked almost longingly over to the bar. "I... could do with something."

He seemed to ponder the possibility for a moment, but then he seemed to remember the endless nights he'd found you drunk at the bar, completely out of his mind.

He was glad that you went to bed at the same time as him again, that you warmed yourself against him at night and that you spent the morning together.

It wasn't quite like before, but you were getting closer and closer. He didn't want to risk ruining everything again.

"You look tired.", he bent over you again, but this time he kissed your forehead.

The touch of his lips was so warm, so loving that it made you sigh. Longing tightened your throat.

"We haven't won an eternity, Kurt.", you whispered.

Your chest felt lighter. As if you could breathe again.

"But we won this night.", he replied, sliding his hands around your bum.

You willingly let him lift you up, wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist. You kissed him, full of longing for his body at your back, his scent in your nose and his taste on your tongue.

"I'm tired.", you breathed.

He smiled with satisfaction.

"I'll look after you.", he promised and walked towards the lift.

"Have you ever not done that?"

He smirked.

Not since you chose me.