"I love you so much!" she said through her kisses. My fire thrusted back to life, filling my veins with heat.

"Asia I've missed you too buta"

"No!" She slid along me tightly and pushed against me harder. I wanted to fight her but she was so strong.

"No buts Max," she insisted, and with her sweet caress I was powerless to her again. My beautiful kryptonite. As she removed my shirt, the air felt cool to my skin and her attack intensified. That was until she saw some of my latest battle scars. Her hands ran along the scrapes and bruises I had earned from the attack in the mountains. Her silvery blue eyes filled with intensity.

"What are these?"

"Occupational hazard," I teased, and she filled with cautious anger. She pinned me down and surveyed the damage.

"What's going on?" she asked worried.

"Oh yeahathosea" I flinched from the pain the wounds still caused me, making her worry even more.

"Max?"

"I was attacked."

"What happened?" she huffed, as she became instantly over protective. Lightning slithered above us with no sound.

"I'm being followed," I said. Her movements froze along my scrapes and the thunder returned.

"What do you mean?"

"Someone's been watching me since I returned, and yesterday they introduced themselves." I tried to laugh about it. She was not amused.

"Who were they?" She was dead serious. I'd seen that look in her steel eyes before. There would be retribution.

"They pretended to be your common everyday thugs, but that was a lie." I shrugged nervously about what else she needed to be told. She placed herself on my lap, softly inspecting me closer as I sat up. Her hair fell along my face and the feeling along with her smell dazed me for a moment.

"Go on," she pushed.

"The worst part is that they knew about my secret abilities. They knew that certain ones weren't working anymore." I twisted my finger in her hair. "Someone knows my condition."

Asia softly stared into my eyes in total concentration. Slowly, her arms wrapped around me and she pulled herself up against me.

"Asia, one of the men mentioned something when they attacked me. Well, not somethingasomeone." I could feel her stop breathing for a moment.

"Who was he?" she asked with hate.

"Not a he." I watched as her face filled with contempt. "She."

"Tell me everything," she commanded. I didn't want to tell her anymore but her anger was all encompassing.

"As I suffered on the ground from the multiple taser attacks, one of the men said something.

"What did he say?"

"She was right," I grumbled. Asia fell still as if someone had flipped her power switch to off. The skies filled with fresh black clouds and the rain stopped everywhere on the island, or at least as far as I could see.

"Asia?" I asked her quietly. Her body tightened on top of me as she awoke from her thoughts and her face filled with concern. Her hands slid through my hair down to the back of my neck. It filled me with goose bumps all the way down my spine.

"I'll fix this. I promise. I'll find out who's doing this, and then they'll be sorry," she cursed through her clenched teeth. The ocean rose up around the dock and charged the air with crisp electricity.

"It's okay, I'm okay," I tried to calm her.

"I know and that's how it's going to stay. No ones ever going to hurt you again!" she said like steel.

"You're being overprotectivea"

"I promise." Her lips found mine and I felt complete again. The wind rushed over us, carrying the different smells from the water, causing my fires to warm up.

"Max, please stay tonight."

"I cant."

"Why?"

I made up an excuse, "Frank needs me."

"I need you." She was unwavering. I stood up and pulled myself from her.

"I'll talk to you tomorrowapromise." I smiled, feeling extremely tired now. She didn't look happy at all. She rose to her feet in a huff.

"Can I at least take you home?" she asked, but it sounded more like a demand.

"I already have a ride," I winked and turned to walk away. Her chest filled with a breath, and as I turned to face my uncle's truck down the pier, the air sizzled to life. In a split second the flash of a large bolt of lightning cut itself into Frank's truck. Sparks flew everywhere and all the tires popped. With my eyes closed, I could feel her smiling from behind me.

"That was a little much," I said defeated. She rushed past me with her truck keys jingling in her hand.

"Come on Mr. Chivalryalets get you tucked in."

Asia's control over the forces of nature was becoming biblical. She seemed to get stronger with every passing day. My brain was terrified by that thought, but my inner inferno only wanted her that much more. I slowly stepped forward, powerless to her. Why did I need her so badly? What was I going to tell Frank about his pride and joy? Why couldn't I stop thinking about Sam? Was I going to be able to be there for Madi the way a father needed to be? So many questions and no answers.

"Just breathe baby," Asia whispered to me as her eyes found me in her rearview mirror. I took a long breath and closed my eyes.

Like a moth to a flame, I was trapped by her love.

Sleepwalking - 19.

*Sleepwalk: Santo and Johnny*

Wednesday - 8:38 a.m. - November 22nd.

Asia's sweet scent woke me immediately to the rays of the morning light. Her smooth, toned hourglass shape curled itself along the side of me. My sore and weathered ribs popped into place with a soft snap. My familiar heat washed over us as my hands naturally found the small of her back.

"Morning sunshine," she cooed. Her intoxicating smell filled my head with fuzziness. Dazed by it, I had almost forgotten that she had stayed the night.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, embarrassed by my lack of will power around her. She had taken me home last night after incapacitating Frank's truck and tucked me in. I really felt guilty about letting her stay, especially when I found my attention toward Sam growing stronger. But my inner fires still burned for Asia and her supernatural rain. I was beginning to fear that it would always be that way.

"Breakfast in bed," she said through a sly smile. She knew I was trying way too hard to ignore her temptations. Her hands rustled along my chest and she purred along me with another slow kiss. I didn't even try and fight her this time, it felt too good. It felt too right, and if my uncle hadn't walked through the door I'm sure we would have never left the room that morning.

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't realize you had company." Frank blushed from the doorway. I felt my face fill with embarrassment as Asia began to giggle lightly.

"Morning Uncle Frank," Asia smiled.

"Hey Uncle." I tried to catch my breath. He smiled back at me and winked.

"Could you two speed things up a littleaI have a breakfast to finish and everyone will be here soon."

"Oh crap," I cursed. I had forgotten Frank was hosting one of his famous gatherings. Surely Asia would have a problem with this. Sam was on the list and last time my uncle did this, the two of them almost came to blows. I cringed, awaiting Asia's contempt.

"Breakfast," she whispered. Her eyes found mine as I filled with fear. She arched her back with a tiny pop and sat up quickly. A devilish smile appeared.

"You get cleaned up Max. I'll help your uncle with the food." As she said the words I couldn't believe it. Where was that unforgivable temper of hers? Where was the cold demeanor toward my uncle and his habit of putting her and Sam in the same room?

"Umma" I mumbled like a zombie.

"That would be great," Frank agreed with a slight laugh and a cough. He would never admit it to me but he wasn't feeling 100%. Asia kissed my neck before jumping to her feet. She was only wearing one of my beat up tank tops with a famous hair band logo plastered across the front of it. Frank blushed quickly and disappeared around the doorway toward the kitchen. I sat up, flustered.

"Asia, where are the rest of your clothes?"

"He'll get used to it!" She winked and pointed to my desk chair where her summer dress hung across it. She quickly grabbed a pair of my jeans and slid them over her hips in one quick, fluid motion.

"Why would he?" I began to ask.

"Becausea" she said softly, with a roll of fresh thunder yawning outside my bedroom window. The smell of an approaching storm was close.

"I'm home," she finished. I felt my heart skip a beat. Raindrops softly sprinkled along the glass of my window. Her words silenced me as I slid from the comfort of my bed and walked up to her. The thunder rumbled a little louder, closer to being fully awake.

"Good morning." I kissed her slowly. Her smile filled the room as her hand pulled her dark curls into a tight ponytail. She bounced off toward the kitchen as I made my way into the bathroom. It only took me a few minutes to clean up but I felt a nervous pit in my stomach. This morning would be the biggest test of my emotions yet. Asia, Sam, Madi, and Kai, all in the same rooma "Ewwwathis could get messy," I sang softly into the mirror.

As the morning progressed I found myself in awe of Asia and Frank. They were laughing together, cooking together, and at times, singing along to Frank's favorite golden oldies together. This was like an episode of the Twilight Zone. She knew I was watching her closely and she enjoyed that fact immensely. She blew me a kiss from across the room and playfully tossed Frank a hand towel. It was nice to see them so close. Weird, but nice.

9:22 a.m.

The morning was rolling along sweetly when Asia surprised me once more.

"Okay Uncle, let me show you just how amazing," she announced loud enough for me to hear. She had placed a small, black book upon the dining room table and her eyes found mine over her shoulder.

"Ahhaperfect!" Frank clapped his hands together.

"What is that?" I asked nervously. She smiled wickedly and opened it to its first page.

"Scrapbook."

There, in living color was a couple dozen photographs documenting our recent adventures. Funny how I only remembered her taking a couple of the shots. From Mexico to Fiji to Las Vegasaevery stop was there. She didn't say much as Frank flipped through the pages. She let the images speak for themselves. It was enough for Frank though. He smiled bigger with every page.

"Amazing. Truly amazing my dear," he beamed.

"There are a couple more pages to fill up. Maybe you could join us next time around," she asked, watching my every move. I was having a hard time breathing as she did.

"Its a date!" he cheered with a faint rasp in his voice. I cleared my throat nervously when the doorbell suddenly rang. The music changed on the radio and so did the mood of the room.

"Woof! Woof!" Oz jumped at the front door.

"Come on in!" Frank called out with a smile.

"Here we go," I whispered.

*Why Can't We Be Friends: War*

Kai walked through the front door first. He looked tired and stressed but tried to hide that fact behind his big goofy smile. Obviously he and Sam were still having their troubles.

"Hey bro," he spoke sullenly.

"Aloha brother," I said back and shook his hand. He eased his tense grip for a second until he saw Asia at the table. Her eyes barely made contact with his as she looked past his frame.

"Hi Asia."

"Kai," she said as cold as a robot. At that moment Sam passed through the doorway with Madi in her arms. The thunder came back quickly and the sun fell behind the clouds again.

"Samantha," Asia spoke through her teeth. I felt to scared to move. What should I do next? Should I turn and run? Thankfully, Frank had the answer for me.

"Welcome my guestsamy family," he almost cheered again.

"Thank you for inviting us Uncle Frank." Sam smiled and glanced my way.

"Thank you for coming, and thank you for bringing my baby girl. Let me see her!" Frank called out as he reached for Madison. Sam gently handed her over and Madi stretched her little legs as Frank scooped her up. He kissed her forehead and inhaled a long breath as he did.

"Ahh, the smell of youth!"

"Nice to see you again Asia. Max told me you were back on the island," Sam spoke calmly. Lightning crackled outside as Asia came to her feet. She glared at Sam for a painfully long second before finding my strained face and then Madison's.

"May I see her Uncle?" Asia asked politely. The room fell silent and Sam took a nervous step toward Frank and Madi. He just smiled and nodded yes. I was still holding my tongue, not sure what to do or say.

"I just wanted to see somethinga" Asia drifted off as her cool hands met Madi's warm ones. As soon as they touched, time seemed to slow, and it felt harder to breathe. As Asia held her up to her face, the two of them studied the other intensely. The moment was strange at first but quickly turned powerful as the storm calmed outside. The wind settled and the sun shined brighter. Sam's worried face found mine across the room.

"Well? What do you think?" Frank asked bluntly. His question snapped Asia out of her trance. Slowly she walked over to me with Madi tightly inside her arms. Madi's tiny fingers twirled themselves within Asia's curls along her shoulders.

"She's perfect," Asia whispered to me and looked right through me. Her cold blue eyes welled up slightly with tears. I took Madi into my over heating arms and she cooed as she rolled herself into my chest.