He still hasn't tried, Rahne thought to herself as she looked out across the horizon.  The skyline from atop the hill was extraordinary.  The setting sun made a watercolor wash of the sky on her left, and to her far right the shades were much darker.  The moon, large and full, was already visible.  Leaves of every autumn color made the landscape look as if the Creator had just put the finishing touches on it.  Buildings, darkening with nightfall, stood high in the cities off in the distance.  Lakes seemed to be pools of deep red that she could perhaps leap into, if she got a good running start.  The October wind atop the smallish mountain blew just enough to refresh her after the long climb up the trail.  She sat on the large grey rock next to Doug, both of them half-reclining, and wished she could read his mind.

He still hasn't tried to hold my hand.  I wish he would.  I can tell he wants to...I think...

Doug closed his eyes and breathed deeply as the breeze picked up a bit.  He reopened them and pretended not to be staring at Rahne with his peripheral vision.

She's so beautiful.  In every way, inside and out.  I wish we could make the sun hesitate a while and stay here.  This is the best day I have had in as long as I can remember.  I sure wish I could know whether or not to reach out and take her hand.  It was all I could do not to, on the way up.  Now all that time is gone and the sun is going down.  We'll have to head back down soon, and then it'll be too late.  Surely she feels the same as I do...doesn't she?

The spectacular view soon grew much darker, and the lights of cities and automobiles and planes overhead told them that they had best begin the hike back down to the car.

Why didn't he take my hand?  Is he scared?  Am I wrong for not taking his?  Would it mean I'm not a lady?  Can I think him as anything but a gentleman because he didn't?  How in the world do these things happen, anyway?

"Careful, Rahne," cautioned Doug.  "It's a lot harder to see the dropoffs now."  Man, what a loser I would feel like if she got hurt after a day like today.

"I'm fine," said Rahne as she lept nimbly from one level to another.  "I can see fine in this light."

"Well, let me go in front of you in case you take a bad step.  I'd rather you fell on me than on a big rock."

"What's the difference?" she joked.  They laughed and continued the silliness as they descended the hill together.

Some minutes later they were faced with a very steep dropoff.

Here's my chance, thought Doug.  I hope I don't mess this up...

"Here, let me take your hand to help you with this one.  It's just too steep and dark.  Just to help you, that's all."

"Oh, that's all, huh? Are you sure that's all?"

"Um..."

Rahne negotiated the obstacle with consummate ease, being quite accustomed to traversing the wilderness and not needing any help.

"Thanks anyway," she said coyly.

I hope he understands...I don't want to wonder how he feels.  I want to know for sure.

Doug's heart and mind were both working overtime.

God, help me out here...Is she pushing me away, or trying to find out exactly what I want?  What if I do the wrong thing, will I lose this great friend?  Will I hurt her feelings?  What if I do nothing and never know how she feels?

"Aw, shoot," he exclaimed as he stepped closer to her.  With equal portions of hope and fear, he reached out and took her soft smooth hand in his.  Rahne looked up and over to him with eyes that seemed to reflect the same warmth that was now flooding his own heart.

Overhead, the enormous white full moon looked down as if smiling in approval.  The path back to the car seemed far too short.

~finis~