Only With You
- Chapter 13 - The We in You and Me -
The first thing Jenny was aware of was the pain that radiated from her shoulder. It was constant and biting, spreading down her arm and up her neck into her head. She tried to open her eyes and that hurt more. She blinked a few times, squinted to adjust them to the faint lighting and kept trying, even if it was painful, she would be of no help if she couldn't describe her prison. As it had to be a prison, since her hands were restrained behind her back to some sort of round object. She tried to move but found that wasn't happening, and her knees throbbed indicating that she had been in the position for some time. She could taste the metallic blood and realized there had to be a cut or gash somewhere on her head because her lips felt fine, just bruised. As her memories returned she tried to look around for Duke, remembering that he had been with her in the pit. Twisting her head in any direction however caused extreme pain and she bit down on a moan that might alert her captors to her position. She could tilt her head up and found a bed not three feet from her eyes. She studied the bed closely taking in the form lying there, a sheet covering the body.
What the hell is going on here? She asked herself trying to figure out what weird torture these people were in to. As she let her eyes drop back to her lap, she noticed her shirt had been ripped, her jacket missing, and she shivered instantly as the cold finally dawned on her. She thought back to what had happened, running through the woods, separating from Jethro, falling into the pit, the voice, calling for Jethro...as her thoughts traveled back to her lover she tried to piece together why he wasn't there. He had obviously not found her in the pit, but that didn't mean he didn't know she was missing; he would have known the second the clasp on the necklace broke, unless they did something to him too. That thought was not particularly pleasant and she hoped it was not the case. She let her ears take in the faint noises trying to judge where she might be, her nose trying to pick up any familiar scents, the only thing she recognized was the faint scent of bourbon, left over on her skin from when Jethro had kissed her earlier in the evening. It was comforting, but she knew she couldn't get lost in her memories quite yet. She would save them for when she desperately needed the escape.
She glanced back at the body on the bed again and studied it trying to recognize familiar forms. It did appear familiar to her, but the only reason it would was if it had been Jethro's body and that was not a fact she was willing to recognize quite yet. Especially considering the body lay perfectly still; she could barely detect the faint movement of the sheet with the breathing. As she struggled through the pain to move her head to the left a little more to look at the rest of the body she found something that caught her breath. A knife, lay resting almost innocently on top of the sheet, within her view, and it was stained red. She could not feel any wound on her own body and hoped to God they hadn't used it on the body in front of her. Her study was cut short as she heard footsteps and faint voices nearby.
"They should be coming too, soon."
"I hope the sedative didn't dampen her spirits to much."
"If only."
"I would love to be able to give her something to scream about." Jenny felt her stomach lurch fully aware of what that comment meant. Jethro, please hurry.
"Enjoy the frigid bitch; I think I will have myself a ride with a cowboy."
"If he can last."
"He's a Marine, marines have stamina." The tinkling laugh confirmed everything Jenny suspected and with that laugh she felt her heart clench. Shortly following the laugh came a low moan of pain, and Jenny felt her heart splinter just a bit more. The scent of bourbon had not just been leftover from his mouth on her skin, it was his scent, and it was there because he was there, which meant that if he were here, he wouldn't be rescuing her.
"Jethro," she whispered trying to keep her voice barely audible. She wanted these last moments with him; maybe he would have a plan. She watched as his head turned toward her voice and she could see he was restrained as well. "Jethro."
She knew she wasn't loud enough. He could perhaps sense her presence, but there was nothing he could do. She again struggled with her restraints knowing if she could just get out of them she could get to him. She scanned the room looking for any possible weapon beside the knife, a brief satanical imagine of carving out their captors heart appearing before her. Oh if only, she cursed. However the thought brought back a memory, her nightmare from just a few days go. As she glanced around her surroundings again she found it was frighteningly similar. It only reinforced her desire to break free before what she had seen came to pass.
---
McGee was heading for the woods, following directions as Abby yelled at him through the ear piece. She was worried they'd be to late or that something worse had happened to them. McGee tried to reassure her but he was very aware that until the helicopter got to Ziva and Tony he would be on his own, and he would be the only backup his boss had. It kept him focused and made him pay attention to things Gibbs would have been proud he'd noticed. The slight disturbance of the snow, the path of dog prints that took off in the woods followed by a much smaller pair of feet, all were things he noticed this time around, and followed.
"McGee go left damnit!" Abby snapped loudly through the earpiece.
"You don't have to shout Abby!" He argued back.
"It's Gibbs, and the Director, you should never have let them out of your sight!" She protested.
"Now Abigail," Ducky chided in the background. "Those two are trouble magnets, it is not McGee's fault that they have issues waiting for backup, why I remember when..."
"Ducky!" Abby yelled cutting off the older man.
"Anyway, do not worry, I'm sure they'll be fine. They have a habit of cheating death."
"Yea well luck runs out," McGee remarked.
"You're getting closer!" Finally! McGee picked up the pace but upon coming to an opening he paused, searching for traps.
"How much further Abbs?"
"You're there, at least you should be according to this," she whispered. He shined his flashlight and noticed a pit.
"Found a hunter's pit," he informed shining the light down. "Boss?" There was no answer. The light reflected back at him and caught something sparkly. "Found the necklace, they're not here though."
"They're not?"
"No, they're not."
"What about Duke?"
"No sign of him either, but it does look like someone must have fallen into the pit, think maybe he got her out and they hid out some place?"
"Not likely," Ducky informed. "They would not leave without giving some hint or telling you McGee."
"What about the bracelet?"
"Good call Timothy!" Abby praised bringing up the location. "Well good news she's not moving, bad news, the signal is really weak. I can pinpoint it to a square mile radius."
"That's good news?" McGee exclaimed.
"Well you're in the one mile radius," Abby added, trying to see if she could get a closer look.
"Wait for Tony and Ziva, McGee," Ducky ordered.
"They could be hurt Ducky!"
"Then search but do not go in without backup!" Ducky warned, Gibbs really has rubbed off on them.
---
Jenny didn't like this situation. Teach me not wear hairpins, she thought angrily wishing for anything that might be able to set her free and reach Jethro. He had started to come to but was still not coherent enough and that worried her. Either they gave him a much stronger dosage of what they gave her or he was drugged with something far worse than a mild sedative. If it was something worse it put a damper on any escape plan she might be able to pull off. If he couldn't walk, she'd have to drag him, and he was much bigger than she was.
"Jethro we really did it this time," she mumbled more to herself.
"Yea," came his drowsy reply. Her head shot up and she instantly regretted but she was meant with his semi alive form.
"Jethro?" She whispered worriedly.
"Hm?"
"Are you alright?"
"Jen..." he trailed off in a ‘what do you think' voice.
"Can you move at all?"
"Barely, break your cuffs and go."
"I can't and if I could, I wouldn't be leaving without you," she told him honestly.
"Jenny you are getting out of here," his voice was gruff and she could tell he was having trouble speaking.
"Jethro you shouldn't..."
"You find any chance to escape, you go, understand?" He warned her.
"Jethro..." He was asking the impossible of her, to save her own life and possibly forfeit his or for them both to die.
"You're the Director, you can't..."
"I'm your partner Jethro," she responded. "Isn't that a marine thing, leave no man behind?"
"Cute, throwing my own words..." he paused breathing heavily.
"Shh," she hushed him. "You've been drugged Jethro, I'm not sure with what."
"Don't you..."
"Shh," she hushed again, this time he did hush as they heard the doorknob turn. Jenny glanced up at Jethro one last time, memorizing the setup before returning her gaze to the ground. She was patient, she could bide her time and wait and see what would happen. Perhaps the only perk of studying crimes was the knowledge of how the killer operates, so you could use it against them.
"Well, well our lovey dovey couple is awake. Enjoying your stay?" came the taunting feminine voice. Jenny kept her mouth shut; she knew what her limit was. If all they were doing was taunting, she was going to be able to stay that way for quite a while.
"Perhaps they're hoping we shall kill the other to free them," the man retorted.
"You don't want to kill her," Jethro's voice was surprisingly strong but it caused a stroke of fear in her that she hadn't felt before.
"Oh and why not, Jethro Tibbs?" She felt the gun barrel at the back of her head.
"It'd be the last thing you did." He sounded very self-assured and for a minute the image of Brain Dempsey flashed before her, dead behind her, one bullet to his forehead. She took a deep breath, restraining herself for making a comment. She herself was not opposed to making a kill shot, and if they harmed him, they would die, that was all there was to it.
"I don't think you'll be too worried about her in a minute," the man responded. She felt him trail a hand down her neck and resisted the urge to gag. "I'm sure Lynna can distract you from your pain."
"Exactly Jethro, you won't have to worry about her, why don't you let someone else...what was it she said...talk her ear off."
"And what makes you think he'll listen to you," Jenny bit out.
"He was doing just fine, till you interrupted. Isn't that right Jethro?" He didn't answer and turned away from her hand.
"You should let your husband learn some new tricks, Jenny."
"Listen to Russ, dear. Sleeping with other women has done wonders for him," Lynna mocked.
"See, I can give you what he can't," Russ tacked on, touching Jenny's neck again.
"You see Jethro, she's enjoying it," Lynna narrated. "But you will to, you weren't meant to be tied to just one woman, you've married multiple just for that reason. You're not a one woman kinda guy."
"Trust me I'm a one-woman only kinda guy," Jethro informed.
"Maybe you just need the chance to think outside the box."
"If I was going to cheat on my wife, I don't think I would use a serial killer."
"Even if it would kill your wife, you would not sleep with another?"
"Wouldn't that kill her?"
"Oh you mean break her heart, strange you even think of that. No, I do mean kill her." The gun was pressed just a little harder to her head.
"I refuse, you kill her, I don't refuse, and she kills me. Either way I'm dead, not much of a deal really." Jenny felt the smirk on her lips that was all Gibbs.
"And what would you do to save your husband, Jenny?" Russ inquired using the gun to trace along her skin.
"What are you asking?" She responded, keeping her eyes focused on the bed.
"Jenny..." she heard Jethro's faint warning, he could be mad at for her for all he wanted, but at least he would be alive.
"I'm sure we could negotiate something."
"Touch her and die."
"Jethro..." She tried trailing off, as she was sure he was giving a spectacular Gibbs glare to her.
"Are you so controlled by your husband?" Russ inquired trailing a finger down her arm.
"You could touch me all you want, you won't get more than your own satisfaction of it," She told him coolly.
"We shall see, Lynna!" Jenny watched with held breath as Lynna stepped closer to the bed pulling up the knife that had been sitting so innocently.
"Where's Duke?" Jenny demanded watching the knife closely, hoping she could stop it in its path.
"Oh your dog, he'll be alright. We are not terribly cruel," Lynna assured. No you just torture couples and kill them for pleasure, not terribly cruel at all, Jenny thought angrily as she strained again against her bonds.
"Jethro your wife is more concerned about the dog than you," Russ commented.
"Only because she knows the dog would sooner rip your throat out than let you come after us." He eyed the blade warily. He'd cheated death before, multiple times, but usually someone was coming after him, short of his team who he knew would find them, but were more than likely going to find them to late, there was no one else to call for backup.
"Well then lucky for us, he's indisposed," Russ remarked. "You have a choice Jenny."
"You're going to kill my husband if I don't sleep with you and if I do you'll probably kill me, that is one hell of a choice," she said sarcastically.
"You will have my word no harm shall come to him."
"Your wife is to interested in him," Jenny bit back.
"Well you'll be satisfied doesn't seem fair really to leave him alone," Lynna answered stroking Jethro's face with her hand just as Jenny herself had done early that evening. She felt the jealousy rise up but clamped down on it. She had to go through with this, had to do whatever it took to save him. "You know Jenny, Russ likes a woman who screams," and with that she brought the blade down and Jenny forced the tears away.
"You gave me your word," Jenny snapped furiously.
"Well you haven't done anything to honor your half."
"I can't when I'm cuffed," Jenny reminded seeing the opportunity. If he wanted her that badly, she could use it to her advantage. Let's just hope she's not as good with a knife as Ziva. He reached behind her grasping the cuffs.
"Are you insane?" Lynna protested, pulling the knife dripping with blood away.
"Lynna doll, do you really think she could do anything," he mocked; Jenny let her body go limp hiding her true strength. Occasionally it helped to be underestimated. She felt him mess with the cuffs and waited patiently knowing in just minutes she could hopefully overpower him perhaps take out Lynna get Jethro and run. Or this could completely backfire Jenny, a tiny nagging voice began. She ignored it, bidding her time. The cuffs came free with a clink and she let him begin to touch her hair and shoulder, she felt him pull her to feet and let the blood fill her legs again before glancing over at Lynna. In that moment she wished she had as Lynna had a blade to Jethro's throat, her hands otherwise engaged. "You see Jenny, it is not so painful."
"No not for me, for you," she brought her leg up same with her hand, hearing the satisfying crack of his nose and watched him cripple to his knees as her knee had done its work. She ducked as Lynna threw the knife but knew she was not fast enough as she felt a tear in her arm. She bolted down on the pain and turned to face Lynna head on as Russ groaned on the floor.
"You little bitch!" Lynna screamed, reaching over to the bedside table. Jenny was sure there was a weapon and pulled her knife from her side pocket. She threw it carefully but Lynna moved and it clanked to the ground on the other side. Damnit. She felt Russ behind her and kicked out again, she felt her foot collide with him and knew it would only be temporarily. She tried to move forward and free Jethro, but felt an arm wrap around her throat.
"Feisty aren't you?" Russ snapped through haggard breaths, tightening his arm around her throat. "We'll see how long you last." She watched as Lynna retrieved her knife from across the bed and strolled back over holding it above Jethro's heart. Jenny struggled against the hold that was on her and felt a slight slip in it.
"No!"
---
Tony and Ziva were waiting at the entrance to the lodge when McGee returned. They looked worried and McGee knew that couldn't be good. He had followed Abby's tracking devices, which had led him straight back to the lodge.
"Abby this can't be right!" McGee protested as he trudged towards his two-team members.
"This is where the signal is coming from now stop dragging your feet! Gibbs will kill us if anything happens to the Director!"
"She has a point," Tony sighed.
"Where is the signal?" Ziva demanded.
"We can't just go in!" McGee reminded.
"We're not going in guns blazing, gonna play it cool."
"If I transfer the signal to McGee's phone you may get a more accurate reading," Abby informed.
"Do it Abbs," Tony ordered. "Come on sweet cheeks, let's have a drink." He wrapped an arm around Ziva and led her into the lodge, looking every inch a young couple in love. McGee followed them slowly waiting for Abby to transfer the signal. As the phone began to beep he watched it. He couldn't be very far from them with a signal that strong. He approached the bar quickly but with purpose.
"Mister and Misuses DiNardo, your room is ready."
"Why thank you Timothy," Tony remarked leading Ziva and following the younger man. As the disappeared from the public eye Ziva pulled her gun out and cocked it.
"How far?"
"We should be on top of them, but..."
"Is there a basement?" Tony questioned. McGee nodded familiar with the schematics. "Well then lead us to access." They followed, the signal beeping louder with every step. They followed steps down into the cellar. Ziva halted them at a second door.
"Low moan," she whispered.
"Heard it." Ziva tried the door.
"Locked."
"Pick it." Ten seconds later they were through and Tony spotted a large blanket covering a bulge. He pulled it off carefully. "Duke."
"Does not bode well for them."
"We should..."
"No!" The three heads shot toward the far end of the hall.
"Jenny?" Ziva gasped and made a dash. She froze mid sprint as a gunshot sounded. Tony grabbed Ziva's arm stopping her from rushing straight in the door. There was no reason for two agents to die. McGee covered as they carefully pulled the door open and they filed in, surprised to see Jenny holding a gun to the head of a woman lying on the ground, another man laying holding his lower half. Jethro lying on the bed arms and legs tied.
"Way to go Jenny," Tony commented.
"DiNozzo, remind me to hit you!" Gibbs snapped. McGee loyal went over to help Gibbs up as Ziva cuffed the woman in front of Jenny and Tony scurrying over to secure the man lying. Tony made a mental note to never piss of the Director of NCIS. Ouch, woman's got class.
"Jenny!" Ziva's shocked cry was enough for all the men in the room to turn. Ziva had her hands pressed to a wound seeping blood on Jenny's shoulder.
"It's a scratch Ziva, really." Jenny moved away from her friend, trying to get to Jethro, to assure herself he was safe. "I think you might have to worry more about him."
"Boss," Tony said hesitantly noticing the red stains.
"Jethro you never could do things the easy way," Jenny sighed holding out her non-injured hand for him. She noticed the blood but tried not to think the worst. He took her hand, but it was McGee and Tony who helped him up. He squeezed her fingers briefly before letting go of her hand and turning to his team.
"Ziva I want confessions by the time we get back to head quarters!" He barked.
"Yes Gibbs," she answered dutifully. "But Gibbs..." He turned to look at her giving her the Gibbs stare.
"Boss, you can't go back..." Tony began. Gibbs turned his glare on the other man who gulped.
"Jethro, they're right."
"Rule 45 Boss, never compromise a cover, always see it through," McGee quoted looking very proud of himself. Ziva and Tony just sighed, poor McGee would learn eventually.
"Oh no, we're out of here now," Gibbs said walking forward, Jenny followed, the team leading out Russ and Lynna.
"Boss we can get them out without attracting attention."
"Do it," Jenny commanded, grabbing Jethro's injured arm, holding him in place. He glared at her but she ignored it. They watched as Tony and Ziva loaded the two into the helicopter with a two more guards. They came back for further orders.
"Boss we'll have them sorted out when you get back," Tony promised.
"Yes enjoy the rest of your vacation," Ziva suggested, half smiling in Jenny's direction. The red head rolled her eyes.
"Boss you sure you don't want us to get Ducky? Fix you up a bit?"
"DiNozzo!"
"Right, sorry Boss." He turned to lead Ziva back to the helicopter when Gibbs stopped him. "Boss."
"Stay." Tony froze in place; Ziva almost unconsciously stepped closer to Jenny as Gibbs headed in the direction of the helicopter. He stuck his head in nodding to the guard, and glaring at the couple seated there.
"So you two aren't even married, could have fooled me," Russ commented, still grimacing in pain. Gibbs resisted the urge to half smile at the grimace.
"Tell me do they approve of such close liaisons in the FBI?" Lynna inquired.
"We're not the FBI, we're NCIS, and you would have to ask our Director."
"You can be sure we'll lodge a formal complaint of abuse."
"You can try, but based on the fact that you almost killed agents and did kill three couples, not to mention the bodies in
"Ah I knew those initials were familiar, yes the Americans that ruined all my fun," Russ sighed dramatically. "A pity we never got farther in, I would have love to..."
"You really don't want to finish that sentence," Gibbs warned, he leaned closer. "I'm still looking for an excuse to shoot you." He turned on his heel and walked back toward the lodge. "David, DiNozzo, move it!"
"See you later Boss, Director." Ziva simply nodded at the two and she and Tony got in the copter. Jenny felt Jethro take her hand gently, squeezing lightly on her fingers.
"Uh Boss...I'll go check them out, get rid of the stuff," McGee said feeling uneasy at watching the intimacy.
"You do that McGee." McGee left quickly and Jenny chuckled softly watching the younger man head off quickly. She turned to Jethro slightly, trying to read the far away expression.
"They did good," She praised.
"Yea," he agreed half-heartedly, wincing a bit.
"Come on Jethro, let's get cleaned up and into bed."
"What about Duke?"
"I saw McGee take him upstairs, I think he just needs rest. I thought his leg was broken but Ziva assured me that it was something in his paw, she got rid of it."
"When was that?"
"When you were interrogating our suspects."
"I was not interrogating them," he defended as they moved back to their room.
"No? What do you call threatening them with death?"
"He almost killed you Jenny, they both did."
"I know, I know." She placed her head lightly against his good shoulder. "Well at least we'll have matching scars now," she teased. Despite himself he chuckled, he was glad she was here, glad she was safe. They reached their room, found Duke lying peacefully on a pile of blankets. Jenny went over and praised him, scratching his ears.
"We should get cleaned up, get your arm bandaged," he suggested. She nodded and headed for the shower.
"Coming Jethro?" She called over her shoulder. He didn't need to be asked twice. After washing their wounds and enjoying the fact they were both still very much alive, they dried off and got ready for bed. Jethro carefully bandaged her arm, making sure it was clean and protected. She repeated the favor pressing a gentle kiss over the bandage as well. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as they got settled to sleep.
"You sure its not bothering your arm?" He asked quietly afraid to break the stillness that had descended. He had his arm covering her injured one.
"It's fine Jethro, I'm fine," she reassured, tilting her head to kiss him lightly. He felt her breathing change and watched silently as she slept in his embrace. He didn't want to sleep, he wanted to stay awake and make sure she was truly okay. He failed in that, as he drifted off an hour later. Her tossing and turning, straining to get out of his grasp, disturbed the peace. He awoke immediately arm tightening on her, free hand reaching for his gun trying to figure out who was trying to take her. Seeing nothing, he looked down to find her eyes moving rapidly around under her lids.
"Jen?" He called gently trying to rouse her. It didn't work, if anything it upset her more and he saw tears fall from underneath her lids. "Jenny, honey?" he called again stroking hair out of her face. She leaned into his touch.
"Jethro..." her voice was longing and filled with sadness.
"Jenny, wake up," he told her, leaning down and kissing her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, before gently capturing her mouth trying to wake her up. When he pulled back he found her green eyes focused on his blue ones, tears lingering in the corners. "What's wrong?"
"I was stuck, I couldn't get to you. She brought the knife down..." Jenny trailed off. Jethro wasn't surprised she was having nightmares. It was a little to close a call for him as well. Russ had been holding her in a chokehold, Lynna holding a knife over his heart. She had managed to break free, grabbing the gun and using it to knock Lynna away, the knife falling harmlessly to the floor. It had happened so quickly that he wasn't sure if it had been real till the team came through.
"It was just a dream, wasn't what happened," he told her. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised kissing her again. She felt her breath catch as her heart froze. She pushed herself up meeting his lips in a gentle kiss filled with longing.
"Neither am I." The kisses and touches that followed were reminders that they really were in each other's arms, safe from harm for the moment.
He kissed down her throat, enjoying the way her pulse felt just underneath her skin and his mouth. She ran her fingers through his hair, soothingly her lips finding his forehead. He skimmed his hands down her body and underneath the tee shirt she had on. He met her eyes waiting for agreement before moving again. She nodded slightly and arched up as he slid the tee shirt up and over her head, leaving her body bare underneath him. As soon as she was free she wrapped her arms around him and rolled them over, enjoying the small flash of surprise that ran across his face.
"You're overdressed for this," she whispered, quickly fixing that, sliding off the sweats he'd been wearing and the boxers following quickly. She stretched out on top of him enjoying the skin on skin contact. Lowering her head to kiss him slowly, nipping affectionately at his lips. He tangled his one hand in her hair, angling her mouth to devour her kiss, as his other hand slid down to her hip, squeezing her flesh gently, pulling her hips closer to his body. She helped it along, shifting forward slightly, taking him into her, feeling him pause momentarily to let her adjust. She began to move around him, and he met her movements. She leaned back down pressing her chest to his, framing his face with her hands as she kissed him passionately and deeply. Her tongue dueling with his as the fought for dominance and yet still mindful of their recent injuries, they were careful not to move to harshly, or on to their bad sides. As he felt her tighten around him he rolled them again, pining her beneath him and picking up the pace, as she wrapped her legs around him pulling him deeper.
"Jen..."
"Jethro..." her voice was airy, passionate, loving, his favorite sound ever. He felt her nails dig into his back, her entire body going tense as he brought her over the edge of pleasure. He followed her, collapsing on top of her, his lips kissing up and down her neck. Her soft sigh against his ear, made him smile and pull back to look at her post pleasure gaze. Her skin was flushed and sweaty, her hair a mess, but her eyes were wide and glazy, starring back at him with something that made his breath catch and his heart slam into his ribs. He kissed her again softly, sliding from her. He rolled to his back pulling her into the nook his body created, feeling her cuddle closer her head coming to rest on his good shoulder. Her body was relaxed as she curled into him, enjoying the safety she felt with him.
She had been with other men who wanted to hold her afterwards but none that made her feel as though she was the most important thing in the realm. None that gently caressed her arm and back, none that intertwined their hand with hers and held it gently, almost in awe of the differences in them. None that mad her feel that if the world feel down right now, it wouldn't matter, she would be safe. She decided he liked that feeling and would do everything in her power to keep it this time around.
He had been with other women who cuddled, but not that made him want to cuddle back, not since
"Jethro?" She asked in what he thought might be a dreamy voice.
"Hm?"
"Can we keep Duke?" He was sure he had the largest grin ever across his face, but he couldn't help it. She said we. She picked her head up, apparently worried about his silence and the look in her eye, a child about to be disappointed, made his smile grow.
"Yea, we can keep him," he told her kissing her gently. Her smile reached her eyes and she kissed him back before lowering her head, settling to sleep. The smile remained etched on her face as she felt his breath even out, he said we.