The story Bunnies are very angsty this week. I don't know why, maybe they hate bronchitis too. They usually love Grigsby Fluff, but insisted on this one. It will be in a few parts. Reviews help the story bunnies get over Bronchitis….that and hot cups of dark sweet tea!

DISCLAIMER: Dust and Story Bunnies, yes, the rest, sadly no…..

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Choices

Neither one was sober. Neither one was thinking straight. Neither one was capable of making a sensible choice. Neither one cared. The inhibitions and insecurities were gone. Like any time a dam bursts, it burst with a vengeance. They made it back to his apartment. It was closer. The first time they only made inside the door. He took her hard against the door, with only the minimum of clothing moved. He had been waiting for this moment for too long. She was aroused by his hunger, his urgency. She held on, swept away by it all. She wasn't a small woman. He held her up with the strength of his legs, using his hands and mouth to make her wild. He kept her from falling. Her own legs wouldn't have held her afterward.

He carried her into the bedroom. He carefully removed every article of clothing and worshipped each inch of skin as it was revealed. He drew out each touch to the point where she was begging and sobbing under him. By the time they slipped into an exhausted sleep, she was completely sated in a way she had never known existed.

The light of day brought wakefulness. She awoke in a strange bed, surrounded by a scent and warmth she somehow recognized before she was even fully alert. Part of her wanted desperately to turn into his warmth and wake together. She was sure it would be the best morning ever. The normally cautious woman inside stopped her. There was a reason she had fought against this for so long. Even though she now knew how wonderful this would be, the reasons still existed. She told herself it would be like pulling a bandage off, quick and clean. It would hurt less that way. Her heart called her head a liar, but allowed her head to win out.

As she carefully tip-toed about, looking for enough clothing to be decent, she heard him stir. She allowed herself a quick glance over showing her what she was leaving. One large arm was thrown up over his head, the sheet slipped down to just above his hips. The beginning of a shadow where the sheet met skin called to her. Even in slumber, his size made him formidable. The darker stubble that made his face look just a little dangerous. But the peace on his face made him look sweet. Despite herself, she shivered as she remembered that potent combination last night.

As she came up from pulling up her pants, her eyes met his. They were still sleepy, but twinkled. "Where ya going?"

Like a bandage, she told herself, quick and less painful. She steeled herself to do this. "I can't, we can't…I'm going….this was a mistake and can not happen again. There are rules. I won't risk it. I can't. I am sorry. But I need to do what's right here" the words tumbled out of her mouth. She turned away, but not before she saw his eyes darken and face fall. "I guess I will see you at work". She all but ran out the door, pants still half done. She knew if she heard his voice, she would be lost. She was proud of herself that she made it home before she cried.

He called her for the next 2 days. Finally, Sunday night, the knock on the door she expected came. "Grace? I know you're in there. I am not leaving till we talk. Don't make me take this door off the hinges, Grace". His voice sounded rough and raspy. She could hear the despair in his tone. She knew he would not leave. This had to be done.

Seeing him ripped it all open again. He was wearing a pair of faded jeans and old CBI t-shirt. He hadn't shaved and his eyes were haunted and just a little red. He looked amazing. As she motioned him in, she caught a whiff of his essence. The very smell she had ruthlessly scrubbed off herself. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself at him. Grace wasn't sure how she was to survive this, but she knew what she had to do.

Stopping just inside her door, she turned to confront this and him. She wouldn't let him too far into her apartment. She couldn't. If she had to live with the memory of him here, she would have to move. He came closer, but she held up her hand to ward him off.

"Ok, Talk."

"Are you kidding me? Look, I know we didn't plan what happened, well, I know you didn't. I just hoped constantly. Still, it was amazing. We were amazing. I know you felt it. Why are you running from this?"

"I can and will not do this. Do you not understand what will happen at work? We can't have a relationship. Think it through. Who do you think they will transfer? You? Get real. You're a seasoned agent and a crack arson investigator. I'm the rookie who was too stupid not to sleep with someone in my unit. I'll be out so fast it will make your head spin. I've worked too long and hard to get into a unit like this. You don't understand. They punch men in the shoulder and congratulate you. Meanwhile, they will forever think of me as an easy lay. It's not right and it's not fair. But it's the job. I knew I would have to make those kinds of choices. So, I have."

"And I have nothing to say in this? Do you really think I think of you that way? I don't care if I stay in this unit. You don't think I get phone calls at least once a month asking if I want to move? God! Everyone at CBI knows Jane is nuts. He's brilliant and we have a hell of a close ratio, but he's a freaking ticking time bomb. I have friends in other units telling me as soon as I want out, make the call. I've been a firefighter, a beat cop, detective, arson, and Major Cases. I can go anywhere. And I would. Without a moment's thought if it meant we could work. But you didn't even think of that, did you? It was all about your unwillingness to trust. Jeez, I thought I had earned that at least. Even before the other night. Exactly how little do you think of me?"

Grace was stunned. Wayne had gone from pleading to anger in a heartbeat. He was furious. She could see how badly he was hurt, and it tore at her as well. It had never occurred to her that he would even be willing to change his career.

"Wayne, even if you moved, it would be a mark against us both. Maybe it wouldn't be an official one. But it would be there anyway. I would be thought of as sleeping my way through a unit. You would be the guy who tossed the best unit over for a girl. You would never be advanced. Neither would I. I won't let you and I won't let me ruin that. I've made my choice. Please go."

"Your choice? You're making the choice for us both."

With a speed that belied his size, he grabbed her by the waist and pushed her against her own door, mirroring that first time. He kissed her hard, with out tenderness, his weight pressing his arousal against her.

"This is what you are giving away, us, this. I hope your precious career and badge keep you warm", he growled. Just as swiftly, Wayne let her go and pulled the door open walked through it, slamming it behind him. Grace sunk down against it on the floor with her fingers against her bruised lips. Tomorrow she would be a cop. Tonight, she cried.

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See? Angsty bunnies….Next up, the aftermath……Reviews make this happen faster!!