How I think the scene of Diego visiting Shira in the middle of the night in Continental Drift should have gone. Brings out the softer side of Diego. OOOOVER the top sweetness. I'm sorry guys, I'm too into that stuff. Enjoy!

"You know you won't beat him. Your big furry friend over there, he has no idea what he's up against."

"Yeah but… neither does Gutt."

"Why are you keeping me here then, huh? If my crew and I are no match for you, fur ball, washcloth and... ol' dust bunny over there, why keep me? Just- just let me go." Shira hopelessly pleaded. Diego was smarter than that. He knew she was playing him. But he wouldn't give in. Because damn it, she was better than that. He knew it.

"I don't think so kitty."

"Why not?! What could you possibly have to gain with me?!" Her voice rose to a high pitch.

"Everything." He murmured softly to himself; so quietly she was almost unsure if she heard him correctly.

Diego began to walk away slowly, dry leaves rustling under his feet. She didn't know why, but she wanted his company in this moment. She couldn't explain it, but she needed him. She didn't want to be alone.

"Wait..." she whispered hesitantly, quietly, facing the wall, eyes shut, unsure of herself. What was wrong with her?! She was not some googly-eyed teenager. She was supposed to be strong, independent. But then why did Diego's masculinity make her feel flutters in the pit of her stomach? Why was she, despite her strongest attempts to convince herself otherwise, so intrigued by him?

Still having her eyes shut, she heard a soft crack and rustling. She had thought Diego would only stay outside the cage, but she realized he had just removed the barrier. He was the only thing standing between her and freedom. This was an even better opportunity than she'd realized.

Before he could even comprehend what happened, Shira flew past him, not even daring to look back. She knew Diego would follow her, and she was too scared to look back, knowing he would be on her tail.

She was faster than him. But he was more experienced and way stronger. One wrong move, and her plan of escaping would be shattered. These thoughts couldn't even make it into Shira's head as she ran. All she knew was that she needed to get away. She was sprinting through thick jungle, when out of nowhere, she was tackled. She felt a soft, warm body hit her side and send her rolling. At the same time, her attacker went to great lengths, it seemed, to make sure that she was rolling softly, to avoid any injury or pain. She struggled to stay on top, but her strength gave out. Growling frustratingly, she met Diego's stern, yet somewhat amused gaze, as he pinned her down with ease. She squirmed under him, attempting to free herself to no avail. God, she hated losing control.

Then, a thought hit her. She knew he was soft, so she tried to use that to her advantage, yelling, "YOU'RE HURTING ME!"

But Diego just chuckled.

"We both know that's not true," he smiled softly at her but then the smile faded to a serious expression while his eyes held all the gentleness in the world, baring into hers, "Shira, I would never hurt you. Here and now, you're safe. Stop running and just… just stay. I'll protect you from them… from him."

"I don't need you protecting or taking care of me Diego," Shira protested. But he just kept his gentle, patient tone.

"You think that, only because you have had to care for yourself all this time. I think it's time you let someone take care of you." Diego was leaning down close to her, his lips inches from hers, while his eyes held her gaze, his voice tender and low, slowly trying to show her he meant every word.

He didn't know why. He had no idea. He barely knew her, but from the moment he saw her on that ice ship, he couldn't stop thinking about her. She may have put up this heartless, tough kitty act, but she didn't fool him. He did the same all too often in the past. He watched her when she wasn't looking, because he wanted to know what was behind that mask. And now, looking into her eyes, he saw it. Fear, loss, loneliness, heartache… a need for companionship. It was all he could do to stop himself from pulling her even closer to him and whispering in her ear that he was here to make it all better. All she had to do was trust him… let him in. But Diego knew that she would resist. He needed to do it in steps.

"You don't know me, Sabre!" Shira continued struggling.

He sighed, "No I don't. But can't you see that I want to? If you would just stop running and let me. Shira…" he whispered her name, his eyes tracing every bit of her face. She was beautiful. "Don't you think that it's smarter to stop running? Look at our herd. We look out for each other. Can't you see you have a better chance with us?"

"Stop running?! Better chance?! I'm your prisoner, what do you expect?!"

"It doesn't have to be this way. Help us get that ship. Come with us." He realized then and there that he needed to stop generalizing. He wanted her, and she needed to know that, "With- with me. Come with me. I won't let Gutt hurt you," he removed one paw from pressing down her shoulder, to gently run it down the side of her face, his knuckles running from her forehead down her cheek. His voice was a whisper again, "I won't let anyone hurt you again,"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Since when are you so kind to me?! An hour ago, I was your prisoner! I- don't… I…" what was this? Since when did she struggle for words?! Shira would never admit it, not even to herself, but the way Diego was holding her, whispering to her… touching her, it was affecting her immensely. She tried her best to mask it, but with every moment, it was becoming harder. This was a dangerous situation for her, and she needed to get out. She would not have Diego break her walls. But she was trapped under him. And now, not knowing what to do, she was starting to panic. Her breaths increased, and so did her heartbeat.

Diego could sense her tension, her fear. He knew she felt trapped by the way he was holding her. So, he eased this feeling by gently lowering his nose into the soft fur of her neck and nuzzling her tenderly. It was not his intention to make her feel like a prisoner.

"Hey, hey, it's alright. Breathe. Don't be afraid, especially not of me," he whispered into her neck. "You have nothing to fear. Breathe, swee- Shira. Shhh." He cooed. But he hadn't realized that this panicked response was because of his actions towards her. She was not used to being touched this way. She didn't know what to do.

"Diego... stop it." This time, her protests were weak; forced.

He chuckled but had no intention of stopping, and lightly teased her, "That would sound way more convincing if you weren't purring... kitty." Shira, more than anything, wanted to argue, but she could not help but close her eyes and let out a soft sigh at the feeling. It has been so long since she's been touched at all, let alone in this way. She had not realized how much she needed it. While everything inside of her told her to fight, for once in her life, she just slightly gave in and let herself feel these joyous feelings.

Diego sighed, before raising his head and speaking in a commanding, yet tender tone. "I will let you go now. And we are going to walk back to the camp. Please don't run. I will catch you. I don't want it to be like that though. Come back with me. Not as a prisoner but as a part of our herd." For a moment, they were locked in a staring contest. No one said anything, each waiting, for what, they didn't know. Then, Shira sighed in defeat, and gave a curt nod.

The walk back was silent. Both sabres were deep in thought. Shira was trying to understand what was happening and what she was supposed to do with all these feelings Diego brought to the surface. She felt like she lost some battle. And she also didn't know how to face him.

Diego on the other hand, was trying to figure out where to go from there. Had Shira understood what he was trying to tell her? Should he talk to her more when they got back? He decided against it. She's had a lot to think about, and he already see how stressed and scared she was. It was better he gave her some space. Before he realized, they had arrived, and she was already walking inside the tree cell.

There was always the risk that she would be overwhelmed with thoughts overnight and decide to run. He considered securing the barrier door. But then an image of her from earlier, breathing heavily, panicking appeared in front of his eyes. It broke his heart. No, he would not trap her. He wanted her to see that he trusted her. Diego prayed that she would maybe, just maybe, begin trusting him. Sighing, he began to stroll away, no chance of getting any sleep tonight, but then, he heard it. Shira's voice, not sarcastic and defensive, but quiet and fragile, unsure of herself.

"Diego... will you- will you stay here with me?"

"What? Why?" It's not that he didn't want to. It's just that this request caught him momentarily off guard. He did not expect that at all.

"I-," she hesitated, before sighing and sounding defeated, "forget about it."

No. No he would not forget about it. He stepped into the 'doorway' of the cell. "Shira-" he began, but she cut him off with a voice demonstrating how at-war with herself she was.

"No, I'm not weak!" She cried out, facing away from him and towards the wall, eyes shut with tears beginning to pool.

"No. No you're not." Diego said softly as he stepped closer and closer to her until he was behind her. He repeated his nuzzling from earlier, gently massaging her neck with his nose. "You're lonely." Shira's eyes teared up. "You've been alone for so long. With nothing but those miscreants for company." Shira let a gasp escape her lips, as she controlled herself from crumbling into sobs. Yes, she admitted it. She's been lonely. And Diego touching her was showing her just how lonely she's been. She realized she wanted him.

"But you don't have to feel this way anymore, Shira. Close your eyes. Relax. Forget about them, sweetheart. I'm here. No more tears. I got you." He murmured these sweet words right into her ear while moving his body so that it pressed against hers. She couldn't hold it anymore; she let a sob escape her. It broke Diego's heart. But no. He would make her see.

"Let me in. Let me help you," he pleaded, lowering his lips so they brushed against her ear, "Please let me help you."

Whatever resistance was inside Shira momentarily surfaced. She pushed herself away from Diego, "Why are you being like this?! A few hours ago, you hated me! And now, you act like you care about me more than anyone else. Why?!" She exclaimed.

"I never and could never hate you. Don't say such things." He said sternly, before moving closer to her again, "I see you, Shira. I see how lonely you are. I know. I know, because I felt it too. Come here," they sat facing each other, with Diego placing his paw on the side of her face, and angling her forehead to lean on his, while he caressed her face and ear, sighing. He would wait forever for her. He opened his eyes and looked into hers, forehead still on hers, before whispering, "Do you want me to go?"

She was shaking, because she didn't. More than anything she wanted him to stay, but she knew that would mean surrender. She didn't say anything, just continued looking into his eyes. So, he spoke.

"Shira... I will not do anything you don't want. Look me in the eyes right now and tell me to go. Do it. I will leave you in peace."

He ran his paw from the top of her head down her spine, causing her to shiver from the sensation, "Or... tell me to stay. But if I stay Shira, I need you to know that I'll never let you go again. You won't be able to run from me anymore. I fall too deep. I get attached. If I stay... I need you to know that I AM a softie. I will love you, Shira. I want you. All of you. To be mine. Choose."

Tears poured out of her eyes down her cheeks as she considered. She shook and whispered, "I don't know what to do. I don't know what to choose, Diego,"

He moved his paws to her cheeks, and brushed away the tears with his thumbs, before leaning down and ever so gently, pressing his lips to hers. Against her lips, he whispered, "Choose this… I want you to be mine. Choose us."

They spent the night. It had been slow, hesitant, patient. Diego argued against sleeping together, trying to convince her to think about it, consider it. That there was no rush, and he would wait for her forever. But Shira assured him that it was alright and that she needed him. And so, they made love.

In the early hours of the morning, as they lay there, him holding her from behind, his front paws wrapped around her stomach, Shira was overwhelmed with emotions. Tears of happiness streamed from her eyes, but she was careful not to make any noise, as she didn't want Diego to see her crying again. She was already weak enough in front of him.

He leaned his face down into her neck, nuzzling her and whispered,

"You're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. This was... Shira, you are perfect."

She didn't respond. This just caused more tears to come out, and this time, she couldn't hold back a sniffle. As soon as Diego heard it, he immediately stiffened and sat up, looking at Shira.

"What's wrong? Are you alright? Did I hurt you?" he pressed. But she only shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut, softly crying. Diego understood. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her close.

"Shh. I don't want to see anymore tears. Sweetie don't cry. It's alright, it's you and me now." He cooed. Shira, nodded against him, slowing her breathing and slightly gaining control of her emotions again. Diego continued.

"Shira, I meant what I said to you. I get attached. I fall too deep. This was... I'm falling in love with you."

At this, Shira stiffened and pulled away from him, "You don't know what you're saying, Diego."

"I've been on my own for so long. Of course, I have the herd, but it's not the same. Sure, I had moments where I wished it was different. But overall, I was content." He paused before speaking again, "Then… then I saw you. You're so beautiful. So strong. But... frail at the same time. I didn't know how much I needed you, Shira. Just as much as you didn't know you needed me. I know exactly what I'm saying. I want you, not just this once, but for the rest of my days."

She shook her head, "That's what men always say. Just until something better comes along." It was then that Diego realized. Someone hurt her. Someone rejected her in her past. What idiot would do that? He reached for her paw, and brought it up to his chest, just over his heart. She felt the steady beat. He leaned his forehead on hers and whispered, "I'm not going anywhere. You just try and get rid of me now. Shira, I know it will take time to gain your trust. But I will spend every waking moment by your side. I've gained everything."

She sniffled and a small smile began forming on her lips. It was the most beautiful sight Diego has ever seen.

"Diego. Last night was... amazing." He smiled back at her.

"Yes, my kitty, it was. You're amazing." He moved closer. "I know it's scary. You've never... been with anyone this way before. You're unsure. But I will show you what it means to be loved and I promise you that it's a choice you'll never regret."

"I know. I just need time. And I will show you the same."

Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you thought :) would appreciate a review!