Exton

Stoney's thoughts wander. He watches the panther edge the door open and slip inside. She sprawls along the wall, listening with perked ears to the howls. His voice is soft as not to wake Alise.

"You hear them too, petit chaton... They are not as close. Thank you for coming with us. I am grateful."

The panther nods once and lays her head on her paws, her green eyes luminescent in the muted moonlight. She turns her head to him as he starts to sing again, then rests her head and closes her eyes.

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do

I will be strong, I will be faithful
'Cause I'm counting on
A new beginnin'
A reason for livin'
A deeper meanin', yea

And I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Alise rolls in his arms and opens sleepy eyes. Her fingers trace along his jaw and he turns his head to kiss the tips.

"Go to sleep Bebe'. I love you." He thinks to himself that the Savage Garden couldn't have crafted a better song.

And when my stars are shinin' brightly in the velvet sky
I'll make a wish to send it to Heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of
The highest powers in lonely hours
The tears devour you

And I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standin' right before you
All that you need will surely come
Uhh hu yea

Gently caressing her cheek, Stoney brushes the hair from Alise's face. he stays propped up, watching her sleep. There is a deep feeling that this peace will not last. Jean-Marc... his image swims in Stoney's mind, a poison still coursing through his veins after so many decades. Alise stirs fitfully and he realises she is picking up his feelings, if not the thoughts. He leans forward, pressing a kiss to her brow, singing softly.

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
(I love you)
Huh huh

I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standin' right before you
All that you need will surely come

Stoney can feel the sun crawling higher. With a deep sigh and one last kiss, he slips from the bed. Carefully covering Alise, he settles on the floor by her side. The stone begins to take him, reforming him into the winged canine. Stoney kisses her again and looks at the Cat. It is watching them with somber eyes.

"Watch her well... She holds the music of my life, whether she knows it or not."

The panther pads past him and settles beside Alise. It watches Stoney go cold and turns to watch the sun fill the room.