The raindrops trickled down the window panes, making water trails all the way to the bottom. His breath formed foggy little patches on the glass. Reaching up, he traced a pattern in the circle. The heart was perfectly shaped. He marked it with their initials. Turning his head slightly, he looked at the form lying in his bed. So small, so vulnerable. And yet, so strong and so full of love that sometimes it was painful. He craved every word, every kiss, every touch his lover had to give. Just a few hours ago, they had been tangled in the sheets - and each other's arms - giving and taking everything the other had to give.

Their lives were so hectic that each moment together was special, unique. Like the raindrops that had captured his attention. Individually, they served their purpose, but together they formed something so wonderful that nothing could touch. His mind replayed the years they had spent together. They had reached a comfortable place, where words were not necessary to convey how they felt.

Reaching up, he traced his lips, still swollen from the hungry kisses placed there earlier. When he was unsure of anything, when he felt the weight of the world closing in around him, all he had to do was remember this love, and the weight lifted away, and all was right with the world again.

He crossed the room to his dresser and retrieved his notebook and pen. He had been thinking a lot lately about what he wanted to do with the rest of his life…their life. Leaning against the window frame, he began to write, the memories flooding his brain. He had wanted to say so much after they had made love, but he couldn't find the words. Maybe it was because there were no words for it. Or maybe it was because there were too many.

His pen raced across the page, committing the feelings to the page, much like he had committed himself to his love. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice his lover approaching him. He jumped when he felt strong arms wrap around his waist. Turning, he smiled at his lover and was rewarded with a kiss, soft and slow, lazy yet hungry at the same time. After an eternity, their lips separated.

Without a word, he stood and they made their way back to the bed. As the storm grew outside, it never matched the one being waged in their bed. There was no rush. Their moans were drowned out by the loud claps of thunder and the howling wind. Finally at ease, the fires quenched once again, they slept.

In the morning, a lone figure stood by the window, staring out at the sunshine. He smiled as he saw the smears on the window, the perfect heart surrounding the letters - "J&S". He glanced down at the paper lying on the window sill and picked it up to read it. "Heat closing in like a dense fog, surrounding every being like a heavy cloak. Sweat pouring from our bodies like tears, crying for a touch, a glance, a smile. Both knowing, both longing for what is yet to come. Moving closer - too hot to touch, too hot not to. Afraid for a moment. A clap of thunder, lightening bolts across the sky. We touch. As the heat breaks and the rain begins to fall, so do we, making our own thunder, producing our own sparks. As the falling rain reaches its crescendo, we match it drop for drop. Suddenly the rhythm slows , with only a gentle patter remaining. We sleep. Later, as the rain begins once more, the heat is rekindled and we are lost in the storm again."

Returning to bed, he kissed his lover and watched as the emerald green eyes he knew so well fluttered open beneath his lips. "Mornin', beautiful," Jeff said as Shannon snuggled back into bed next to him. "Right back at ya," Shannon replied, allowing Jeff to wrap his arms around him, making him feel safe and secure again. "I read your poem," Shannon said. Jeff looked at him and smiled. "I love you," he said as they once again fell victim to the storm raging within their hearts.