The sound of my cutlery clinking against the ceramic plate is the epitome of excitement as the absence of dinner conversation swells the tension. I'm almost frightened to breathe in fear that it will disturb the deafening tranquility.

I trail my fingers on Jared's arm.

"We need to speak." I whisper to Jared.

His eyes raise to meet mine, still the unrelenting obsidian black. I swallow audibly and Jared squints at me. His hands grip more tightly around his knife and fork, dwarfing the silverware in his enormous hands. He suddenly unclenches his hands and his cutlery clatters against his plate, sending drops of rich gravy onto the tablecloth. My eyes widen as I take note of the crumpled metal knife and fork.

"Jared what's wrong?" I ask.

He averts his eyes and grips onto the table. I can see that the wood will soon splinter unless he releases it.

"Jared stop." I say fiercely. His fingers begin to turn mauve.

"Jared." I snap. He sighs heavily and let's go.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"I'm....I'm..." His brow furrows as formulating a plausible sentence seems abhorrent. His fists curl and bear the majority of his weight against the table. Is he still angry at me from earlier? Perhaps leaving behind a trail of fist marks is his speciality.

"Yes?" I press. I glance nervously up at the Leto but their attention is not on us.

Jared sighs again and stares miserably at the piece of meat on his plate. "I'm a vegetarian."

"Then don't eat the meat." I say. Jared simply shakes his head in response as if I don't understand.

He finally meets my gaze again and his eyes seem to have somehow lightened their hue. I reach for my glass of water and swallow the unnerved feeling. The meat and potatoes on my plate have lost their appeal. It's the first time a human has been able to unhinge me so effectively.

"You were saying we should speak?" Jared says.

"Yes."

"Pet names are often used as terms of endearment - we should try them." Jared says.

"How would you know?" I ask scornfully.

Jared's eyes flash black once more and he tenses.

"Begin." He commands. I scowl.

"Jared honey, can you please pass the potatoes?" I ask sweetly, raising my voice to an audible level.

Jared, the Leto Rex and a couple of other high ranked Leto's surround a white circular table for a casual dinner. 6 male Leto's, 6 women, the Rex and Jared and I. .

"Of course muffin, would you like anything else?" Jared asks, squeezing my hand that rests on the table.

He passes the white container of potatoes. On the table is only food from natural earth, not a processed or manufactured food in sight. I feel a slight shake of unease shudder through my body as the Leto sit in their chairs, orderly and sternly with no food set before them.

"No thank you sweetheart" I say, reaching up and fiddling with the hair at the nape of Jared's collar. He freezes, his eyes focused in the Leto. Has he seen something? Have they looked up and watched us? My eyes follow his.

The Rex and the remainder of the Leto's haven't even acknowledge our actions. They don't speak either and instead stare right at each, communicating telepathically as Jared predicted.

"Lara, please remove your hands from my neck." Jared says lowly, his eyes darkening by the second. My hands fall to my sides.

I glance at the Leto again.

"It's not working" I whisper.

"Would you like a prize for that observation?" Jared replies impassively.

"Jared" I sigh.

"I know" His jaw clenches and his tone is strained; controlled - just like earlier.

"So what are we going to do?"

He shrugs and draws away from our propinquity, focusing his attention back to his grumbling stomach. He spoons another forkful of potato into his mouth and carries on chewing. His disinterest maddens me and I place both of my elbows on the table and place my head in my hands. The overwhelming urge to physically lash out at Jared is so immensely strong that I'm surprised. I've never considered myself a violent person until I met Jared. Though of course I shouldn't be, I shouldn't be violent - I should be loving, caring and docile. The typical Caritas.

"Are you alright Lara Hall?" The Rex questions. I sit up straight immediately and plaster a fake smile on.

"Yes Leto Rex, I'm fine thank you" I respond politely flashing him a smile. He seems contented and returns to his telepathic communications with the Leto next to him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Jared silently mimicking me. He glances at me and I give him a dazzling smile before delivering a hard kick to his shins. He retains a groan and screws up his eyes in the pain. When he looks at me again, I give him a blazing smirk. Sometimes violent impulses are valid and they're satisfying to fufilll. I chuckle to myself with glee as he glares daggers at me. The Leto don't notice anything.

"Anything wrong poppet?"

"Don't worry piglet, I'm fine" He says through gritted teeth. His black shirt fills out as he tenses and his eyes darken. I sink back into my chair. Should I have done that? Jared exhales audibly and curls his fingers on the table again. The indentations that marked the table from before begin to shatter the wood. I slam my hand on his.

"Jared stop it this instant."

A primal growl is released from his throat as he slumps back in his seat.

"I'm fine." He says.

"Jared why have your eyes changed colour?" I ask lowly. I'm beginning to wonder whether the dark chocolate brown or the obsidian black is his original shade?

"Why did you kick me?" He growls, ignoring my question.

I pick up my knife and fork and smirk knowing that it will infuriate him. Before I can eat a mouthful of food, his hand lashes out knocking the bowl of gravy onto my poufy white skater dress. I gasp as I see the large brown stain set in.

The heads of all thirteen Leto's glance up; they're not surprised, not shocked, they're impassive.

"I'm so sorry pumpkin, I'm so clumsy." Jared shrugs, raising his eyebrows to challenge me. I seethe, my body practically radiating my fury.

"Don't worry care-bear, it was an accident." I stutter, trying to wipe off the large patch of gravy. He narrows his eyes at my choice of pet name. When I glance up I see all the Leto are still watching. Their surreal silence is disturbing as they sit there; the image of perfection.

"Lara Hall and Jared Miller, I request your presence on the rooftop balcony after dinner." The Rex states, his voice breaks the tense silence. Despite the fact I could decline, I have a feeling it's more of an order than a statement.

"Ok, we'll be there" Jared scowls.

"Don't speak for me" I whisper through gritted teeth before turning back to the Rex.

"I'll be there. If you wouldn't mind, may I be excused to change my attire?" I ask, before glaring at Jared.

"Yes Lara Hall, you may be excused. Please attend the meeting between the Leto Rex, the male character evidence Jared Miller and the female character evidence Lara Hall on the rooftop balcony in an hour" The Rex says.

Jared also stands up at the same time. I don't roll my eyes no matter how desperately I want to at the Leto Rex's robotic speech.

"I will go with Lara" Jared declares. I curse under my breath.

No!

"You may be excused Jared Miller. Please attend the meeting between the Leto Rex, the male character evidence Jared Miller and the female character evidence Lara Hall on the rooftop balcony in an hour." The Rex repeats himself.

Jared frowns at the Rex's toneless statement.

"Care-bear, don't you think you should stay here? Its rude for both of us to leave." I say.

"But love-monkey, you'll get lost without me" He reasons, smiling a little too smugly to be subtle. Unfortunately he is right.

"Fine." I cave in "Thank you for a lovely dinner everyone" I say, sarcasm dripping like melted butter.

They all nod at me, but remain silent. I sigh, I guess that's the height of communication for a Leto. I open the door and step out. Jared follows after and shuts the door.

"Thank you for a lovely dinner everyone" Jared mimics in a high pitched tone as we walk down the hallway.

"Didn't your shins already learn their lesson?" I fume, Jared shrugs and winks at me. I sigh exasperatedly. "Why did you have to come?"

"You think I was going to stay in there with those trespassers?" he snarls. I remember the first time we met and he'd called me that. I roll my eyes; he'll never change. "At the very least it appears as if we're trying to make this, you and me, work. Just pretend to love me and I'll attempt to do the same for you"

"Great." I raise my eyebrows at him.

Jared chuckles beside me. The low sound is just as appealing as last time.

"Princess, you can't be irritated with me for accidentally spilling the gravy. You deserved it" He shrugs.

"That wasn't an accident." I say. "You don't need to keep up with the pet names, they can't hear us." I remind him.

"I know" He says. I feel my heart lurch slightly at his words. What does he mean by that?

I'm just about to ask when a Leto suddenly appears from around the corner. At the speed of light, I grab Jared's hand and begin to fake laugh. Jared raises an eyebrow at our entwined hands. He removes his hand from my grasp as I stare up at him in confusion. What is he doing?

"Let's make this a little more convincing" He whispers into my ear as he pulls me flush up against his side. I bite my lip to try and contain my smile; I don't even have to fake it.

"Oh care-bear, you're so funny" I grin, slapping Jared's arm. He scowls at his favourite pet name.

"Piglet" Jared starts "you're just so adorable" he pats my head. My grin is pained as I plaster on the cheery appearance.

The Leto gives a respectful nod and enters one of the white doors at the end of the corridor. As soon as the door slides closed and the confirming click sounds, I rip Jared's hand off my head.

"Stop with the care-bear name. Its completely emasculating" Jared pinches the bridge of his nose between his forefingers.

"I'll only stop calling you care-bear if you promise to never pat my head again. I feel five again."

I await his response but instead Jared stops suddenly and I jerk back. His expression is puzzled and confused.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"I don't even know your age. That's weird right? We're the last humans, destined to fall for each other and I don't even know your age?" He looks at me as though I'm a stranger.

But then again, I am a stranger to him. We don't know one another.

I shrug my shoulders. "I guess. Your age was the last thing on my mind"

"What was the first thing?" Jared replies.

"Leto."

His eyes darken slightly before returning to their normal shade. I sigh in relief. I wonder if he wears contacts?

"A Leto? You thought I was a Leto?" Jared says, rolling his eyes.

"At first. I knew there was something strange about you. You were so rude; far too abrasive for a Leto"

"You don't think they're rude?"

"They may be somewhat malicious but they're still the figment of politeness." I give him a smile. My attention is caught as I recognise the name of corridor inscribed into the white marble. My room is along here somewhere.

"Lara, your words pain me" He clasp his chest as if he's in pain. I roll my eyes at him as I stop outside my door.

"This you?" Jared asks.

I nod before activating the voice control by saying my name. The door clicks open. I wait expectantly for Jared to leave before entering.

"I'll wait in here while you get changed" Jared brushes past me and walks into the room.

"Out!" I exclaim. He doesn't move and gives me a smug smile. 'Don't make get you out Jared'.

I smile as a plan unfolds in my mind. Almost if he can sense what I'm going to do, he stands with his legs together and places his hands protectively by his sides.

"Go ahead and try." He says, his voice deep and husky. It sounds as if he's threatening me.

I move round so I'm behind him and facing the door. I see him tense and with all my might I push the tower of a man towards to the door. He doesn't even waver as I repeatedly push and shove against him.

"Is that the best you can do princess?" he grins as I pant with the exertion. I scowl and slightly curse him under my breath.

"I'm going to change. Feel free to leave" I smile and grab the pair of sweats from the arm of the sofa. He doesn't say anything, but I feel his eyes follow me into the bathroom.

I slip out of the dress and twirl my hair into a curled bun. I stuff the dress into the washing chute and press the start button. Seconds later the dress reappears, clean, ironed and perfect. I could change back into it but the idea of sweats is much more appealing than the itchy lace.

"Lara" Jared calls from the bedroom.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you some questions about the Caritas?" he asks. He almost sounds sad.

"Can I ask you a question first?"

"Ok."

"Why do your eyes change colour?" I ask.

Jared's breath hitches loudly enough for me to hear. Have I struck a nerve?

"I...I don't want to talk about it Lara." He replies. "Its just a condition."

Another condition.

"Now you have to answer my question." He says.

"What do you want to know?" I reply as I slip into the white trackies. The colour has begun to sicken me.

"How do you fall in love with someone completely?" his voice returns after a few moments pause. My stomach quivers.

"There are three stages." I say pulling on a vest.

I look and myself in the mirror before opening the door and walking back into the bedroom. Jared sits on the edge of the bed. His eyes immediately begin to wander.

"Don't even bother." I sigh tiredly while indicating at my face. I slump onto the white couch.

"Carry on"Jared says, smirking.

"The first phase, is when we memorize the voice of the person. The second stage is the memorization of the scent of the person and-"

"Have you memorized my voice?" Jared cuts me off, his gaze is hard and intense. I'm under interrogation.

"Yeah" I admit sheepishly. "Sorry"

"And my scent too?" He questions. I nod awkwardly in reply. He looks a little uneasy and I blush. I can't help it.

"And" I continue. "The final stage is the kiss" my voice trails off.

"So someone kisses you and that's it?" Jared asks. His discomfort dissipated as his curiousity gets the better of him. "It's that simple?"

"You do need to have some form of emotional attachment to the other person; a bond can't form from thin air"

"Are there different depths or intensities? Can you love one person more than another?" Jared asks, leaning forward on his forearms.

"There are two different types of kisses for two different types of love' I explain "A kiss on the cheek or any part of the face apart from the lips symbolises a bond of friendship."

"What about a kiss on the lips?" Jared enquires. His eyes bore right into me and I feel my cheeks heat at the answer of the question.

"A kiss on the lips is romantic. The first person to kiss the Caritas becomes his or her lover forever. There's no one else then apart from the person that kissed the Caritas, even if the person doesn't return the feelings"

"Oh" Jared exclaims looking slightly shocked. "Have you ever been kissed?" he asks.

"No, I haven't" I admit. Despite the fact he doesn't answer me, I see the small smile he attempts to hide. "The strongest bond I have is with my mother. It's called the Genetrix bond."

"Is there anything else?"

"We don't always faint - we can be distracted." I say.

"How would I be able to distract you?" He asks.

"Well it's only a myth; apparently it varies for everyone" I reply. "It's never worked for me though"

"I'll keep that in mind" Jared smirks.

"There is one more thing actually - being wounded and then fainting, it's fatal." I say sadly.

The never-ending coma. There's a pause as I try to blink back my tears. Why am I crying again? I scold myself for being weak - it's unnecessary.

"Hey, why are you crying?" Jared asks softly. He elongates his arm so his thumb brushes my cheek, wiping away the escaping tears.

"What are you doing?" I enquire.

I feel the familiar throb return and once again the memories invade my solitary mind.

"Lara, look at me" He's suddenly by my side, cradling my face in his palm. "Don't faint. We've got to see the Rex. It's important. I need you to stay with me for this".

The haze starts to clear from my mind and I lock the painful memories back in. Jared's face becomes clearer and I notice the coolness of his hand against my face.

"What did you do?" I ask astounded "I've never avoided fainting before."

"People like being treated kindly." He shrugs. His hand drops from my face and he stands up from his crouching position. I swallow the lump in his throat and cast my eyes down at the floor. He really is trying to pretend, there was nothing genuine.

"Let's just go and see the Rex. He wouldn't 'summon' us if it wasn't important" I sigh. I attempt to stand up but my shaky legs collapse beneath and I sink back into the couch. "Maybe not then"

Jared's posture turns rigid and his face emotionless. His dark eyes are back.

"Don't speak or move." He barks in a cold, unfamiliar voice.

His eyes darken and I sink back into the cool white material. His arms shift beneath my body and he lifts me into the air. Frankly I'm quite frightened by the icy man with the icy heart that carries me. He looks as if he's fighting a mental battle but for once I decide to hold my tongue and do what he says. At least I'm not wearing the dress.