They went back to the hotel. Jax had given her 90 minutes to get ready. She knew that tonight was formal. She thought that she had chosen wisely. A Versace bronze beaded backless dress, peekabo slit,  with bronze earrings. She had her hair upkept. She knew that she had chosen wisely when she saw Jax's reaction.

" YOu like?"

" Very much."

" You always tell me that."

" And I always mean it. But, tonight, more than ever. Shall we go?"

Jax and Dara garnered stares in the Lobby. She, in her Versace, he, looking gorgeous in his tuxedo. They got into the limo. When it stopped, and Dara got out, she noticed that they were just across from the Aquarium, in front of a very large, imposing building that looked like a Greek Temple.

" Where are we?"

" The Field Museum of Natural History."

Dara held Jax's hand as they walked up the steps. As they walked into the cavernous building, Dara could see, next to the fountain in the middle of the room, there was a candlelit table set for two.

" Jax, what are we doing here?"

" Having dinner. I mean, after we tour their latest exhibit on rare gems."

" Oh. And you just rented out the Museum, I suppose."

" Yes. I don't like crowds. Shall we go? I see Mr. Hornsby, the curator."

Jax and Dara were given a tour of the latest exhibit at the Museum, which was the largest gathering of precious stones in any one place in at least 25 years. The collection was beautiful: diamonds of all shapes and colors, rubies, sapphires, pearls...you name the stone, and it was there. After the showing, Jax and Dara went back to the main hall to have dinner. But, instead of there only being the two waiters there at the table, Dara saw, on the other side of the fountain, ..

" Jax. Who are they?"

" Part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra."

" Part?"

" Well, half."

" Half?"

" I thought the entire Orchestra would be a bit too much."

" Why?"

" Because, we needed music."

" Of course."

Dara didn't even remember what food was served, even though she was sure it was excellent. All she remembered was the candelight, her and Jax. How they talked about anything and everything. And she remembered the dancing. The hours she spent in his arms, to the music of Cole Porter, Gershwin, Sinatra. How the custodian came up to Jax, practically kicking them out. And how tired the musicians looked. They made it back to the hotel, and as they stood outside of Dara's room.

" Don't you want to come in for a nightcap?"

" Sure."

Dara and Jax went into the room. Dara fixed Jax a brandy. He was over at her window looking out.

" I think I have a better view than you do", Dara said.

" I doubt that highly", Jax said, looking directly at Dara. He put the drink down on the ledge of the window. He took Dara in his arms and began to kiss her. Hesitantly, yet as she responded, more passionately. Dara moved her hands to where she had removed Jax's tuxedo jacket. They stood there, kissing like that for an eternity, when Jax pulled back and pushed her away.

" What?!? Jax, what are you doing?"

" Trying to have some sense here, Dara. Not a week, ago, you wouldn't return my phone calls, and now, we're here...."

" I know..."

" I think that I should leave now."

" I guess...I suppose.... you're right."

" Goodnite, Dara."

" Nite, Jax."

Jax leaves and goes back to his room. He's poured himself a drink and is sitting in the dark, on his couch in the living room, when he hears a knock at the door. He opens it and finds Dara there.

" What are you doing here?"

" Finishing what we started."

" Dara, are you sure about it?"

To that, Dara pushes her way into the room. She drops her purse and she and Jax begin to kiss. As they kiss, they are simultaneously walking towards the bedroom. Dara is unbuttoning Jax's shirt buttons, one by one, and he is helping by getting rid of the cufflinks. By the time they reach the bedroom, Jax is shirtless. Dara turns around in order to let him undo the top of her dress. But, all Jax can see is her backless back facing him. He begins to stroke it, softly gently. His touch is driving Dara wild. He undoes the clasp, and begins to kiss Dara from the nape of her neck, on down her back. She turns to face him, kissing him with a hunger, wanting to taste his lips on hers more and more. She is out of her dress. She is fumbling with his pants, and he helps her. By the time they hit the bed, the only thing on Dara is her garter belt and stockings.She puts her foot on Jax's chest. The silk of the stocking up against his chest is arousing him wildly. He smiles devilishly at her, and spurred on by her cheshire cat grin, he slowly, very slowly removes the one stocking, then the other. Finally he and Dara were on the bed, together. Jax took her hand and kissed it. Dara so gingerly touched his face. Jax stared into Dara's Brown Eyes. He seemed to get lost in them. Dara was exploring the lines, contours, feels of Jax's face. As if she were etching it to memory. It was so odd. Here they were, and it was almost as if they couldn't believe it:

" For the First Time" , by Kenny Loggins

are those your eyes
is that your smile
well i've been looking at you forever
but i never saw you before

are these your hands
holding mine
now i wonder how i could have been so blind

for the first time
i am looking in your eyes
for the first time
i'm seeing who you are

i cant believe how much i see
when you're looking back at me
now i understand
what love is
love is
for the first time

can this be real
can this be true
am i the person i was this morning
and are you the same in you

it's all so strange
how can it be
all along, this love was right in front of me

for the first time
i am looking in your eyes
for the first time
i'm seeing who you are

i can't believe how much i see
when you're looking back at me
now i understand
what love is
love is
for the first time

such a long time ago
i had given up
on finding this emotion
ever again

but, you're here with me now
yes, i've found you somehow
and i've never been so sure

and...for the first time
i am looking in your eyes
for the first time
i'm seeing who you are

i cant believe how much i see
when you're looking back at me
now i understand
what love is
love is
for the first time
 

Jax kissed and teased Dara, on her neck, her busom. Dara, for her part, teased Jax with creative hand maneuvers that she continued with until she heard a moan escape from his lips. As she manipulated herself to where she and Jax could join, she trembled when he entered her. She had no idea that she was as excited as she was. He sensed it. And so, instead of continuing with the motions, Jax just stopped.  Dara looked at him, smiling, and saw that he was almost daring him. So, Dara raised her  head, ever so slightly to Jax's chest, and began to kiss his nipple. Lightly, almost barely grazing it. Then she put her tongue out licked it. Alternating between licking, kissing and sucking, she knew that she was driving him crazy, and he began to rock back and forth, Dara was almost caught breathless by the force of his resuming strokes. As they both barrelled towards their mutual climax, Dara surrendered to it completely.

As they slowly untangled themselves, Jax held Dara in his arms. Dara knew that they had crossed a line. At least she had. For the first time in her life, Dara Jensen understood that she had just made love.