Raven remained silent, letting Wolfe go and slowly turning the other way.

Laurel lay cuddled to Nic's side, appearing very deep in thought. It wasn't clear if it was a good or bad thing.

--

James was already out sunbathing by the pool, catching the first rays of sun.

Nic had his arm around Laurel, rubbing her arm a little. He didn't seem to take it as a bad thing as got lost in his own thoughts.

--

A little while later, a shadow came over James.

Laurel shifted a little, "I hope you realize what a serious thing this is to me," Laurel murmured, getting a little tense, "I suppose it would have made more sense to have this conversation before but... things got a little... carried away last night."

--

James blinked his eyes open, ready to yell at Snow.

Nic seemed a little surprised, but not concerned. He waited for Laurel to speak her mind.

--

Ming Yue stood blocking James' sun. Her arms were crossed and she didn't look happy.

Laurel was silent for awhile, "Nic... I need some sort of promise," she stated quietly and a little hesitantly, "I know marriage is out of the question right now, but I need something. I just gave you the most precious thing I have to give away and as much as I trust you... I want something tangible. This vulnerability... is frightening," she admitted in a whisper.

--

James' mouth shut in surprise and then he smiled, "Yue!" he exclaimed happily as he sat up, "You're actually seeking me out? You do love me," he said with a sniff.

That seemed to throw Nic for a bit of a loop, but after another moment or two he was calm again. But still clueless. He waited to see if she'd suggest something.

--

Yue's frown grew a little as she glared at him silently.

Laurel looked up at him, "I... don't know," she admitted as she reached up and cupped his cheek, "I... just want a promise I can see."

--

James finally seemed to get it, "What happened? Did Snow prank you?" he asked, clueless.

Nic was still perfectly clueless.

--

"... No," Yue replied blandly.

Laurel watched him for awhile, "I don't mean to throw this at you," Laurel murmured, starting to get a little upset that she was confusing him so much. She didn't know why she felt this way and the more she thought about it the most upset she started to became.

--

James blinked, "Then what is it?"

Nic slowly started to manage his stress level better. He rubbed his head a little, trying to come up with something.

"... You... want me to buy you something?" he asked, trying to get a clearer picture of what she wanted.

--

"Let's see if you can figure it out," Yue snapped back a little.

Laurel tried to think about it, "... maybe," she said unhelpfully.

--

James looked completely clueless.

So Nic thought some more. "... Do you want shoes for the dress?" he asked.

--

Yue closed her eyes for a moment and took a long breath in before letting it out slowly. Then her eyes flashed open in a furry. "Fat log," she spat at him. "... Muddy liar! If you meant what you said about me, then why are you all over Laurel? Huh?! I've had enough of your games. I won't let you manipulate me anymore."

"Shoes?" Laurel asked, a little confused as to why Nic was bringing that up now.

--

That seemed to confused James even more, "All over... Laurel?" he asked an then paused, "Oh, you mean when I took her to the hot tub?" he shook his head, "No, she just injured her arm so I told her that the warm water would help it," he explained, "I don't love her, I love you," he nodded with a smile, "And I'm not fat," he added for the record.

Nic stared at Laurel for a moment before trying to think of something else.

--

"Sure thing," Yue replied, not believing him as she started to walk off.

Laurel wasn't being very helpful; she kept muttering 'I don't know' as she played with his chest hair.

--

James let out a long sigh as he stood and followed after her, "Oh, c'mon," he complained, "How else can I prove that I really love you?" he demanded, "I rode a jetski at breakneck speeds after Wolfe who was meeting with two other assassins because I thought they were kidnapping you. I thought for sure I was going to die, Yue! Die! What else do you want me to do?"