Trying to keep my head Straight.

I slid my clothes back onto my body, helping Charlotte gather herself. She seemed a little shaky, a little uncertain. It seemed like she had something more to tell me. Something that she desperately wanted to let go, but somehow, couldn't.

"No, Brent. You can't ask the same question again." Charlotte sighed, taking note of my face as I began to speak. "They closed that loophole."

I abruptly closed my mouth. There had to be another question. Another way to let her tell me what she needed. I racked my brain, trying to think of a way. I pulled the last of my clothes on, and patted them free of the dust that had been ground into them by our lovemaking. Still nothing but us, and the ocean, far below.

"I do love you, Charlotte..." I whispered.

"And ah cain't... I can't say it." She sniffed. "I can't... make you ask what I need you to. I can't tell you. I can't even hint."

I realized there was only one question that I wanted the answer to. One question that seemed to burn above all others.

"Do you love me?" I asked.

"Not what I needed you to ask." Charlotte hissed through clenched teeth. She paused, thoughtfully. A smile began to form on her face. "But since that question is all about love, I guess that a simple yes or no answer really wouldn't sum it up properly, especially considering who I am. I think I could be quite long winded about that if somebody didn't quite understand." She glared at me with a warning expression.

I realized that I'd have to stay completely still. No gestures, no nods, no winks. No acknowledgement.

"Speaking of things you do for people you love, well, I want to tell you that I'm so sorry. I know that both Helen and Kaila told you not to pick them. They do it every time. They always do it because, well usually they don't want to be associated with... who wants to broadcast that you fucked up right?" Charlotte explained, her eyes scanning my face. "But not this time. They're doing it because... well because they love you. I mean, I hoped you would pick one of them, not fall in love with BOTH of them... And me as well... I mean, don't lie, I know. And wow... I mean, I always dreamed of having those two. It was totally a bucket list item. Thank you for that. But if you pick me, things go to hell. Most of the time, I wouldn't care. I'd just have a few good centuries, then go back to sleep till it's time to play again. But this time it's different. After I... I fell in love with those two. I don't want to hurt them again. I really didn't want to hurt another... well, someone who had done nothing wrong, and when I had the chance... it just feels right to be kind."

She stepped to the edge of the fog, her eyes playing over the surface. I wanted to say something, anything, but I knew that if I did that Charlotte would have to stop talking.

"Almost every time... I get chosen, and the game ends. I always thought... Well, I did some stupid, risky things in my life. I didn't pay attention. I'd just find some beautiful rich, and powerful woman and make her the prize because, hey, she liked the attention, right? I'm the greatest. Everyone eventually bows before me. You know?"

Charlotte's tears glistened on her cheeks. "I didn't even think about it. But somehow instead, this time it's different. You all want me. And you care about me. You listen to me. You even trust me! NOBODY trusts me. Why do you fucking trust me at all! I am a known, fucking LIAR! I cheated on my husband a thousand times, I'm STILL cheating on my husband with the three of you! What fucking reason do you have to... Why? Just why do you still believe in me, after everything I've done to you?"

I wanted to explain. I wanted to tell her that it didn't matter, that it was in the past. I wanted to say so much, and I squeezed my eyes shut, willing with every fiber of my soul not to respond. Not to question. I breathed in and out, hoping that the fury that I had seen in her eyes was gone. I cracked open my eyelids, and saw her looking upon me with much gentler expression. Somehow amused. Somehow hopeful.

Charlotte brought herself up to her full height. She seemed taller than I remember her being, and her even stare seemed to bore right into my soul

"If you are asking if I love you in the **** till us part, one man, one woman, NO. I don't love you like that. Not even the same as I love Helen. Not even the Same as I love Kaila. Not even the same as I love my husband. I am married, Brent." She looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I said nothing. Charlotte opened her mouth. She wasn't finished! I wanted to tell her it was all right, to comfort her, anything. I wanted to take charge, to make this right. I fought the urge desperately. I had to trust her. I had to listen for just another moment more.

"So... getting around to the point, which is what I was trying to get to, before I went off on a tangent... When you make choices, sometimes you have to understand that it can be shared. It took a long time, but I finally reached an agreement with my husband about that. There's no shame in finding your desires quenched as long as you let everybody know what you're doing, at least that's our opinion on it. Sorry, but he's always going to be a part of my life. And I do love him. In my way. A small one, but a part. Because, I am a major slut. Always have been, always will be. I'm not going to be exclusive, but from here out I'm always going to be honest with you, and everybody else I'm with. I'll won't rub your face in it, Unless that's what you want, but you REALLY don't seem like that kind of... person. If you can accept that... If you want to just stop playing games... Then DON'T Choose me. Trust me one last time. Because I DO love you in my way... and I can share you. And that apple has always tasted terrible."

With that final statement the wind began to billow, something was happening. I could feel the surf pounding beneath my feet, as the entire world seemed to be taking a deep breath. Charlotte sighed. Her hair billowed in the wind as wisps of fog curled within, making the waves of red indistinct among the grey. My vision dimmed, and the world seemed lost in a tide of swirling mist.