She wrapped her arms about his waist, sobbing helplessly before her hands rose to rest upon his shoulders. His face was ravaged with pain as he clutched her tightly to him. Pulling away, he looked down at her face � needing to look at her face, her beautiful face.

Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks and her body shook with the force of her cries. Her eyes met his for a brief moment, before his gaze fell to the pink curve of her trembling lips and he could not resist one last kiss � a kiss goodbye.

She raised her face to his, offering no resistance and her arms wound themselves about his shoulders, her fingers running through his hair, diving through the ebony strands. His hands rose to encircle her face, but he held back, pulling away, knowing that to touch her as he wanted to would be too much for him � he would not be able to turn back.

She, however, clung to him without reservation, her lips pressed against his in desperate longing and he had to pull away, tear himself from the taste, the feel of her. As he did, her mouth followed in need, wanting to re-establish their connection � just as he had done so long ago - centuries it seemed now - in the lighthouse, the first time that she had kissed him.

They had come full circle � but it was not enough.