Chris tossed and turned annoyed at himself -I should have waited. Waited till she seemed ready, now I've freaked her out- He sat up suddenly hearing his name being called "Oh and now im imaging Annika calling my name out, I'm so messed up" he laid back down and stuffed his pillow around his head -c'mon Chris get over it- Hearing his name for the second time he shot out of bed and opened the door a creak."Ah! You freaked me out, are you ok?"

Annika was bouncing on her heels when he opened the door. She pushed it open the rest of the way then pushed him inside, only looking away for a second to close the door. She didn't say a word at all and she hoped he wasn't terrified of her now. She pushed that thought away as quickly as it came. She stepped forward, draping her arms over his shoulders and placing the gentlest of kisses on his lips. "I didn't mean to scare you and I know you didn't mean to scare me... but I think I know what my feeling are now" she leaned her head against his chest "I think I love you too" her voice was soft as the words escaped her lips

Chris took a step back surprised but slowly felt more comfortable, he moved his hands from his side to engulf her in a hug. "I'm glad you feel the same way" he gently moved her hair out from her eyes and looked into them. Her soft look calmed Chris and he smiled. A weight that Chris didn't realise he had been carrying fell off and he felt free. The weight of love had been hurting him for too long.

Annika leaned into his touch. She felt comfortable in his arms more than she had in anyone else's. She didn't want to be anyone else's princess, only Chris's. She pulled away slightly and looked up at him. "Should I stay or go to my room?" She asked with a tilt of her head. She didn't exactly want to leave his arms but she also needed sleep and didn't know how well she would sleep if she stayed with him

Chris smiled, "I mean it's already so late you should stay, but the choice is yours" He pulled her back in and looked out the window, the first hint of sunlight was coming through as the dim room slowly became lighter. He reached for his phone, "5:00am?! Already! Well when your ready I was wanting to take you back to your mother, we can stay there the whole day if you'd like and I can properly introduce myself to her and we can spend some time out there"

Annika smiled "I'd love that" she sat down on his bed. After a second of very careful thinking she pulled back the blankets and crawled in, smiling at the warmth "I cant believe I was that cold. I was freezing!" She snuggled deeper in the blankets until only he tip of her nose and above was showing.

Chris laughed and sat on the bed. He pulled the sheets over his legs and sat up straight against the bed frame, "I don't think I should be the one driving though, I have a track record of almost causing death" he exclaimed dramatically.

Annika giggled "I wonder why that is" she peered up at him from under the blankets. "I wonder how Shout is doing" she said, turning her head to lookout the window. "he seemed pretty antsy, but I don't blame him. I hope the stable hand washed him down because he was extremely sweaty" she shook her head and pulled the blanket down below her chin.

Chris smiled down at her and fiddled with the zip of his jacket, "C'mon let's go down and check on him" Without waiting for an answer he walked into his wardrobe and chose and semi-small warm jumper, "Here you are my lady" he bowed and headed towards the door, "There ain't no way I can sleep now so may as well go check on the horse that saved our lives" he smiled and opened the door slightly peering out to make sure his parents weren't awake.

Annika giggled and took the jumper. She put it on then followed Chris out to the stables. "Shout" she whispered as she tip toed through the barn. She spdidnt want to wake the horses, though some were starting too. She made it to Shouts stall without making a sound. "Hey bud. Sorry to wake you from your slumber. I just wanted to make sure you were alright" she stroked his muzzle as he sleepily breathed hot air into the palm of her hand.