After our extended month in that small providence outside of Kunming, China, enjoying the births of thousands of cherry blossoms, and a quick detour on our personal fantasy island, we set out on a whirlwind globetrotting adventure. We followed no schedule or plan. We just went where the wind would take us and saw the world.

There was however, the scary two weeks in Africa where we almost became lion food while in the Serengeti. When the monsoons wreaked havoc with Asia's natural rainmaking abilities, making her much grumpier than usual. Then another few weeks in Italy where I gained 5 pounds from the food. There was the week and a half at Asia's winter place in Aspen, Colorado, where there wasn't much snow, but it didn't really matter; we hardly left her giant cabin anyways. Next there was the lost weekend in Amsterdam, and now this.

Friday night - 6:33 p.m. - October 13th.

It was my birthday, 20 years young. Asia had spent the last month planning this very day. I had begged her not to make a big deal of the day and to keep things simple. Last year I didn't even celebrate my birthday. I was still on the run from Maui. So this year, Asia told me it had to count as two special days. I told her she was crazy and not to bother, but she was determined to trump the gift that I had given her in China. She didn't seem to understand that our adventures together were the only gift that I needed.

Her large yacht slowed to a crawl along the coastline of her surprise. She gently walked me to the railing with her hands over my eyes. Her hands felt like cool silk. A unique smell filled my nose just before she removed her soft fleshy blindfold.

"Well, are you surprised?" she asked softly, biting her bottom lip. I loved when she did that.

"Yes."

"And?" She nudged my side gently.

"It's the most amazing sight I have ever seen," I gasped. The city outline of Sydney, Australia looked almost magical. Rays of sunlight sparkled across every curve and angle of its architecture. I was overwhelmed. It was the start of spring here but it was still surprisingly cool. I had always dreamt of coming here. She had made that dream possible.

"So you're happy with your gift?" she asked, already knowing my answer. I wasn't just happy with the gift, I was happy with my life. Truly and completely happy with her. At that very moment I forgot about everything else, my past, the pain, my home. Now, I was totally hers.

"Yes AsiaaI am happy." My hand squeezed hers tightly.

"Come on Maxathere's so much more to show you." Her steel eyes washed over mine and I followed her, hypnotized. We strolled along the docks arm and arm. A long white limousine waited for us at the end. Inside the car a small birthday cake in the shape of a guitar sat on top of the back seat. I kissed Asia long and deep as we drove off for our next adventure together.

"Happy Birthday Max," she smiled, and fed me a piece of my cake.

We spent the next two weeks staying warm with our newly purchased outdoor gear, camping in the bush and becoming one with nature. One with each other. She had even found us a local aboriginal priest that bathed us in blue ink, and marked our left shoulders with matching tattoos. They were applied with an ancient stone attached to a stick and slowly and painfully tapped into our skin. She was worried that I might heal before the dark red ink could set, but I knew that wasn't an issue anymore.

"Where to next?" I asked, admiring her new shoulder art. She snuggled up to my matching design and caressed it with her fingers, enjoying the heat my body was generating. She followed the lines of the ink with her eyes, lost in thought.

"Anywhere. Everywhere." She smiled and ran her hand through her hair.

Patiently we spent a few days waiting for the blue ink to finally fade off our bodies. The priest had forgotten to mention that it was almost as permanent as the red tattoo ink he had used on our matching shoulder art. I loved Australia completely and could never thank Asia enough for our time here. It was now a part of my inner inferno. I would come back here again someday. I promised. Asia was the true caretaker of my inner fire now. She was the kindling to my dreams, and I burned for her completely now.

She was my fire.

Masquerade - 06.

*Give In To Me: Michael Jackson*

Tuesday night - 10:31 p.m. - October 31st.

Paris, France - Halloween.

We had met another young couple that were in love. They were celebrating their recent marital vows. They were throwing an extravagant costume party at the stroke of midnight to celebrate the holiday and they had asked us to join them. Asia surprisingly accepted their invitation without hesitation. A first for her I thought as I stepped from the shower and looked at the outfit she had laid out for me. I cringed.

"Great," I huffed. A long, black tuxedo with all the trimmings lay before my pouting eyes. It was classic and expensive looking with one unique detail. In blood-red writing was the numbers 666 painted across the left side of the jacket. I laughed to myself and began getting dressed. Then I could hear Asia in the next room on the phone, and she didn't seem happy. I slid the pair of slacks on and walked quietly into the room, feeling instantly uncomfortable. I missed my usual tee shirt and board shorts.

"I don't care what it costs! If he needs it, than handle it! Understand?" she huffed. She turned and seemed startled to see me in the room. As one hand gripped her phone, the other one clicked a button on her laptop and closed it quickly. I tried not to let my curiosity get the better of me, but it was obvious she was hiding something.

"Everything all right?" I asked, looking at the computer on the hotel table. She clicked her phone off and tossed it on the bed.

"Accountants and lawyersathey seem to throw a hissy fit about any and every penny I spend." Her eyes watched mine carefully. For some reason that phone call didn't sound like it was from her lawyer. She hardly ever spoke to her lawyer, and when she did it was never like that.

"Is there a reason they should be upset?" I asked.

"Not yet, but there will be," she smiled and shifted her hips seductively. Her white hotel robe shifted with her curves as she walked up to me. Her hand pulled a pair of devil horns from her pocket and she slid them on top of her head. They stuck up from her hair that was filled with giant curls and streaks of orange and red dye.

"What do you mean?" I was lost. From behind us a piece of paper started to print itself out on the room's fax machine. She quickly snapped it up and slid it in front of my wide eyes. Her robe slipped open and exposed her little, red, devil costume. It looked more like a swimsuit than anything else.

"I need you to sign this," she said softly. Beware of the devil and her contracts, I laughed to myself.

"Sign what?"

"You'll never have to worry about money again," she giggled. I quickly read the paper and realized she was signing her inheritance over to me. I was stunned.

"Asia, I can'ta" This was crazy. I was still trying to make sense of my second chance at life. I didn't need this added stress.

"It's yours," she said, and placed herself upon my lap. "Well, only half of it," she corrected with a roll of her eyes. I felt my chest begin to fill with heat.

"You're crazy."

"For you. Besides, it's only money," she joked, and began kissing my neck. I could feel my anger rising inside.

"I don't need your money," I said, grumpy. Why would she be doing this? Did she think I cared about the fact that she was filthy rich?

"I know, but what's mine is yoursaright?" she asked playfully. Her lips kept kissing my neck as she ignored my rising temper. I sat still and burned from the inside out.

"And what's yours is mine." Her hand slid over my heart in my chest.

"I guess!" I snapped, even though I did it half-heartedly.

"Stop being a hot head and make this little devil happyaplease," she said with a pout. I looked at the paper once more and then back to her blue eyes.

"Can I think about it?" I asked, nervous. She huffed and stood up, dropping her robe and exposing her entire costume. My eyes could not look away.

"Okay Max," she sighed. "I'm just trying to take care of the ones I lovea" she said from over her shoulder. With that she walked into the bathroom and started applying her make up. As I watched her move across the room, my mind found itself stuck on the words she had just saida "The ONES I lovea"

I let out a long, hot breath and slid my mp3 player into the costume's jacket pocket. Slowly the worn earbuds found their home in my head. I stared at the sheet of paper on the bed. The music washed over me, and after a few minutes more of pouting, I leaned over and signed the paper.

11:37 p.m.

"Welcome to the Midnight Masquerade!" our host and hostess announced. They smiled at us through their heavy makeup. Both were characters from Alice In Wonderland, only infused with the faces of beautiful mimes. Asia and I looked at each other patiently. My eyes filled with annoyance, and hers shined with the hint of a new smile. I was uncomfortable as soon as we walked in and she knew it. Her body pushed against mine as her hand slid along my chest. We were each given a glass of champagne. I wasn't much of a drinker, and she knew that too.

"Please enjoy your night!" the Red Queen said through her rose colored lips. Her Mad Hatter partner winked at us.

"Be sure to see the Gypsy Oracle for your complimentary fortune reading," he chuckled.

"Gypsy what?" I rolled my eyes. I could feel the steam already pushing to get out of my collar.

"Happy Halloweenie Max," Asia whispered in my ear. I rustled my hair with an overheating hand and smiled.

"You're so evil," I whispered back. We politely thanked our hosts and made our way through the party. As we did, I set my drink down at the first chance I could. This old concert hall was packed with every kind of costumed guest. Most of which had their faces covered in masks and feathers. Everywhere we looked there were deceased movie stars, decadent angels, naughty fairy tales, and creepy creatures dancing in pairs, spinning and laughing together as the strobe lighting flickered over them.

Naturally Asia and her presence startled the room. Heads turned as we made our way through the crowd, and lightning flickered at the windows. I'm sure her blood-red devil costume and long leather boots had something to do with all of the attention. By now I was used to the reaction she had over the opposite sex, but I still didn't enjoy it. I growled a little bit at a particular James Dean look alike who was caught in her web. He pushed toward her with a pair of drinks in his hands. I stepped in front of him just before he reached her and scooped up his party favor.

"Thanks for the punch." I grumbled from behind my bangs. A small trail of steam escaped my mouth as I let out a long sigh. Mr. Dean winced at the heat. Asia smiled at me and tightened her grip around my hand. James quickly shuffled away with fear in his eyes. I tossed the drinks to the floor with a grunt.

"Hot head," she purred.

"I need some water," I excused myself, letting a playful smile crawl its way back along my face. She kissed my warm cheek as I turned and headed for the bar. That was the extent of my jealousy. I wish I could say the same for her.

"Can we ask you for some help?"

"Excuse me?" I turned from the bar with an ice-cold bottle of water in one hand. Standing only a few feet away from me were two beautiful, young women with wide eyes and full pouts. I barely understood their question through their French accents. They looked like twins from the Twilight Zone. Both were dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, only much more naughtier. Their long blonde hair was tied tightly in large braids that fell along their bare shoulders. There wasn't much to their costumes, and I probably wouldn't have guessed they were Dorothy if it hadn't been for the high-heeled ruby-red shoes.

"Can you please help us?" they asked in a breathy unison. My hands popped with a nervous heat, instantly fogging over my glass bottle of designer water. They giggled softly and took a step closer to me.

"Help?" I stuttered, frozen in my expensive suit. They were both stunning, and every young man's fantasy. Before I had met Asia, I would have chased after either one of these girls, writing them songs about their beauty. They were that beautiful. But now, after all these months in Asia's heaven, I only saw them for what they were. Eye candy. Nothing more.

"Oui. Can you help us with our way home?" the beauty on the left asked as her hand slid itself over the three numbers on my jacket. She slowly traced each *6' one after the other. I stepped back only to crash into the bar counter.

"There's no place like homea" the other girl whispered as she pressed her body into mine, close enough to taste their fancy French perfume.

"I could call you two ladies a cab." I chuckled nervously, squeezing my bottle tighter. They both surrounded me, pressing me up against the bar with more force.

"Oh Brigitte, don't you just adore American humor!" one playfully laughed. Brigitte nodded yes. My core popped with renewed heat.

"I do Charlotte! I feel almost feverish!" she said, and tugged at my shirt. This was getting out of hand; I had to stop this before it was too late. Lightning crashed against the windows, and thunder shook the place like an earthquake. The power flickered on and off quickly. I glanced over the twins' shoulders and found Asia's eyes alive with hate.

"Too late," I joked. The twins looked around, scared as the storm outside roared. The music stopped as the power faded on and off. I pulled myself from the twins' grasps just as Asia's bright blue eyes cut through the crowd. I pushed myself forward and met her in the middle of the room.

"Max!" Asia cursed. I tried to block her view of the two girls, but it wasn't working very well.

"I can explain," I choked. She grabbed me and shoved her weight into me. It hurt a little with the force she used, but she also felt amazing next to me.

"There's nothing to explain. I trust you," she said with a hint of softness creeping in. Her hand found my face and her cool touch paralyzed me.

"Good." I smiled, feeling much better. Her hand fell to her side and she pushed past me like a predator.

"ButaIadon'tatrustawhores!" she spoke like the devil.

"Uh oh." My head pounded as the lights finally gave in to the barrage of lightning Asia was generating outside. In the dark, the guests began to softly panic and make their way to safety. I stood still, waiting for a moment before lighting one single finger in flame to see around me. I was all by myself now. I could hear Asia yelling in French from across the room but I couldn't see her. I had no idea what she was saying, but from her tone it was obvious she wasn't making friends.

"So evil," I huffed, glancing down at the red 666 along my jacket. When I looked back up I was no longer alone. A small woman in a dark, red, hooded cape was standing before me with a tiny black basket in her hands. She was wearing a mask painted like a geisha and she stood still watching the flame dance along my finger.

"Uhahello," I snapped. The lights flipped back on and I shook the flame out on my fingertip. I looked over at Asia, who was now escorting the twins to the exit by their long braids. When I glanced back in front of me, the hooded stranger was still looking at my hand that had been on fire a moment before. She said nothing and slowly glared up toward my eyes.

"Do you speak English?" I asked, trying to break the silence. Her head tilted to the side, but still the mysterious girl said nothing. I had almost given up on her when her lacy-gloved hand reached inside the tiny black basket she was carrying. She gently pulled out a colorful little card, not much bigger than a matchbox. She slowly reached up and placed it before my face.

"For me?" I asked softly. She nodded yes just before I snagged it up. She walked past me and the music kicked back on, calming most of the partygoers. I quickly looked at the card and almost choked when I did. Printed across the front was the name Gypsy Oracle, and scribbled in the corner were two words, "FOR MAX." I slowly turned it over and read my fortune.

"Beware of the girl with the green eyes," I read out loud. My lungs stopped working. I started to shake. I searched the room for the masked Little Red Riding Hood but found nothing.

"Samantha," I whispered and crumbled the card up in a fiery fist. It turned to ash in a hot second. Asia found my worried glare a moment later as she made her way back into the party. I tried to center myself.

"You alright Max?" she asked. I continued to look around the room saying nothing.

"Max?" she asked again.

"I'm fine. Just shaken up a little." I made an excuse as the wind returned to my chest. Asia wrapped her arms around me and smiled.

"You're just gonna have to get used to being so pretty! It brings out the worst in us females." She giggled and kissed me. I tried to laugh too but couldn't. She took my hand in hers and walked me to the entrance slowly. As we passed the bar I noticed a blood-red hood and cape slung across it. The stranger had made a quick get away and left her costume and basket on the bar counter. Lying next to it was the geisha mask. It was face down and slowly spinning in a circle. We must have just missed her. I reached down and picked up the mask. As I did, Asia and I watched as a single blue hair fell to the top of the bar like a leaf.

"Whose is that?" Asia asked coldly. Her eyes squinted together sharply. I swallowed hard and walked her out of the party and into the wet Paris streets.

"I don't know."

Warning Signs - 07.

*Erase / Rewind: The Cardigans*

Sunday morning - 8:27 a.m. - November 5th.

Cairo, Egypt.

Watching the sunrise over the great pyramids is one of those dreams you never think could possibly come true. Then you meet someone like Asia,and the world has no limits anymore. Your dreams are reality. If I was dreaming, I never wanted to wake up.

After sight seeing most of the morning we decided to take a break and recharge our batteries. In a local restaurant we ate and planned our next adventure.

"So what do you want to do the rest of the day? Check out the Sphinx or the pyramids again?" Asia asked, finishing her light breakfast. The desert air was dry and slithered through her hair. It carried the smell of a thunderstorm in the distance. One of my favorite side effects of traveling with her.

"I don't know if we shouldait looks like rain." I grinned from behind my glass of ice tea. She rolled her big, jewel eyes. The thunder rolled along with them.

"Funny," she snapped. A big loving smile followed and I soaked in every detail of it.

"How about we spend the day in our hotel suite. The pyramids aren't going anywhere anytime soon." I leaned into her, inhaling deeply.