John looked deep into her eyes. Past the confusion, past the denial, past the acceptance and right to where the pain lay. She was so filled with pain. It was all there in her eyes. How could the people around her not see it? His heart recognized it. He felt it down to his core. It was the pain of someone who suffered a loss so great they never recovered from it. She suffered many loses from the look in her eyes. More than any person should ever have in their life.

"Rena, you don't have to tell me anything. Keep your demons at bay, keep your secrets. I understand. I just have one request of you. Just one. Grant me this one request and I promise you'll never regret it."

Rena's pulse quickened. The way he was looking at her touched her deep in her soul. She knew he saw things she never wanted anyone to see. She tried to look away, but she couldn't. All she could do was stare back, and "feel" him. She never experienced a feeling like this before in her life. It was intoxicating. She never wanted it to end. It was strange and wonderful and God, she wanted it to last forever. It felt comforting and unnerving at the same time. His hand on her wrist was like fire on her skin. The combination of the physical attraction and the emotional connection he pulled from her was lethal. She was afraid of what he would ask of her because at this moment, she would give him anything.

"What?" She asked breathlessly.

"Help me love you."