UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Colonel John Sheppard's disposition as he stepped into the control room that morning, was not particularly pleasant, having indulged just a little too much the previous night on Ruus wine, a rather tasty wined brewed by the Athosian people that had the rather discerning pleasure of providing a rather resounding kick. This effect, unfortunately, was felt the morning following. John winced a little as the flickering lights on the long range scanner screen caused corresponding pulses of pain to commence their personal attack on his head and cast a disparaging look at Doctor Rodney Mackay as he chose this moment to snicker slightly at John's obvious discomfort.

"A little under the weather Sheppard? Hmmm..."

"Shut it Rodney. So not in the mood for your snide comments... Just saying!" He dropped unceremoniously into a vacant seat, trying very hard to show interest in the lights showing on the long range scanner. He had received a comm this morning from Elizabeth asking him to come to the control room immediately and as she entered the room now, he flicked a slightly sarcastic look in her direction. "So, what's the emergency Elizabeth, does it involve life or death scenarios, fate of the galaxy, 'cause I need to go on the record here... motivation is going to be somewhat of an issue today."

Elizabeth's sharp glance at him held no sympathy for his self inflicted woes. "We intercepted an attempted communication earlier John. From Larrin. They're in trouble."

This managed to get John's concentration level from zero to ten in the time it took her to get that sentence out. "Larrin? And just where they hell are they? We haven't heard from them since she ditched me and my jumper in space... I have a score to settle with her..." Unbidden, her extremely sexy body, clad in it's usual attire of tight fitting and extremely alluring leather garments, topped with a head of long curling blonde hair and killer smile... oh, and those bedroom eyes... not that they had ever gotten to the bedroom... yet.

"Yeah, about that Sheppard... you never did give us the full story. However, I did get the distinct impression that she was 'hot', and that she whipped your sorry ass!" Rodney could not resist the temptation to needle him just a little, the opportunity did not always come along readily.

John got up abruptly and stood threatening over Rodney to glare down at him and Rodney lifted his hands in defense. "Just saying... Colonel."

"Cut the crap Rodney. What did she say Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was standing by the DHD now, as the chevrons of the stargate began to light up. "Not a lot John, our transmission was cut off. I think she's going to try again now..."

The gate technician waited until the final chevron was locked and the wormhole established to announce "Unschedule offworld activitation. It's a video transmission, Sir, Mam."

"Larrin?" John murmured to Elizabeth and she turned to the gate technician. "Play it, Airman."

John rose from his chair to stand in front of the monitor that would play the video transmission. "Colonel Sheppard, we need help. Our ship has gone down on a planet that is some distance from Atlantis, the rest of our fleet has scattered due to wraith activity in this part of the galaxy. Our ship is inoperable and has sustained considerable damage. We can sustain limited cloaking to shield us from the wraith who shot us down, but we have no means to get off this planet. Our supplies are limited and the wraith know we are here somewhere and are looking for us."

The transmission broke up a little then,her face becoming pixilated as connection was lost slightly. When she came back her face showed a grimace of pain and she was clutching her side. John's eyes sharpened then and he said somewhat brusquely. "Are you hurt Larrin?"

"Ahh, sympathy from Colonel Shappard, now that's a new one..." but her voice did not hold it's usual spark and he saw the pain cloud her eyes.

John swore softly. They had certainly had their differences, given how their last meeting had ended, but she had managed to get under his skin, and that made him think about the softness of her skin as he had held her, in a moment of weakness. Unfinished business. Oh yeah.

"Just give us your co-ordinates Larrin. I'll bring a team with me and some supplies, but I need your word on something..."

"What's that Colonel. Trust issues I see?"

"Still the smart mouth, well look where that got you! No, Larrin, I want your word that you will not beat the crap out of me when I get there. I may have been a gentleman last time and chosen not to hit a lady... and I use that word somewhat loosely, but if you decide to use me as a punching bag again, I may just conveniently forget that and hit your back. Consider yourself warned."

Larrin grinned then, lighting up her gorgeous brown eyes and he felt that surge of sexual desire that being around her, even when he was getting the crap kicked out of him, seemed to invoke. "Game on Colonel Sheppard. If you hit me back, it may just get... interesting. Larrin out."

The transmission ended and Rodney huffed out a pent up breath. "Ok Sheppard... wow! She IS hot. I see now why you came back with your balls tied up in knots. Did I mention she was HOT!"

"Rodney! John! Can we just stay on target here." Elizabeth was clearly frustrated at their lack of focus. "Can you organise your team ASAP? You'll need marines as well, make sure you take adequate medical supplies. Larrin is hurt, we don't know how many more of her crew are also hurt."

John pushed himself up out of the chair and went to exit the room. "Onto it Elizabeth. We'll move out in an hour."

They met in the jumper bay, Rodney had packed up some scientific equipment, scanners, sensors and other relevant equipment that would enable him to effect some repairs on the ship to help get it operational. Ronan and Teyla were there for backup, especially if wraith were in the vicinity and a team of four marines as well as Major Lorne made up the remainder of the crew. John was quiet, concerned now for Larrin. She was certainly a tough woman, and seeing her vulnerability like that, well let's just say that this was something she would not show easily or willingly.

"Ok team, ready to move out?" He took the pilot's seat with Lorne sitting in second and casting an assessing glance at John. "You ok Colonel? You seem a little distracted. I couldn't help but notice you consuming more than a fair share of Ruus last night." He turned back to Teyla who was sitting behind John. "How is it that you can consume larger quantities than anyone with no noticable result?"

John opted for silence, but Teyla's voice held a smile. "It is the wine of my people Major Lorne. I grew up drinking it from an early age. It will have less effect on me than someone who is not as used to it... someone like... Colonel Sheppard?"

John growled at her. "What is this? Pick on Sheppard day? You guys seem to forget that I am your commanding officer... ranking military officer... ring a bell anyone?"

"Oh really Sheppard, we're not going to flog that old dead horse are we?" Rodney rolled his eyes. "I am not a member of the military, I am chief science officer, therefore you do not outrank me. Case, point and match."

Ronan grinned, knowing that Rodney was only microseconds away from receiving a thumping, if the steam coming out of Sheppard's ears was anything to go by. Obviously Rodney sensed this also, as he gave an aggrieved huff and left his seat to go into the back of the jumper, muttering something about a snack.

Ronan watched Rodney leave and turned back to grin at John. "Cheer up Sheppard. You've got a gorgeous damsel in distress waiting for you...that's gotta be worth a smile."

And reluctantly a slow smile did creep over John's face as the vision of a leather clad bottom that fit rather snuggly into the palm of his hand rose into his mind, and he made himself a promise that he would not leave this time, until things had been resolved. Shifting a little uncomfortably in his chair, he acknowledged quite painfully,that there were definitely certain parts of his anatomy that needed resolution. Damn!

It was several hours later that they neared the co-ordinates that Larrin had given them and John became more alert. Their sensors had picked up wraith activity and he announced to the others that he would be bringing up cloaking and shielding functions from this point.

"Rodney, check that weapons are fully functional and power levels are still running at optimum." Flashing a hand across the controls he brought up the images of two ships. "We've got wraith cruisers to starboard and port, so we'll be going in on silent mode, slow and steady. We'll have to put the jumper down as close as we can to where Larrin has grounded their ship, then continue on foot. Rodney? Report!"

"Weapons online Colonel and power levels fully functional. We're good to go." Rodney's air of professionalism was evident now and all jest from before gone from his voice. With wraith in the vicinity, their cohesion as a team would be critical and they needed to be focused in order to complete the mission and provide backup to the other members of the team.

"Ok team, going in now, touching down in 5,4,3,2,1 and we're down. Cloaking still in place, shielding is now off. Rodney? How far away is Larrin's ship?

Rodney checked his hand held computer, an item he was almost never without. "We're looking at a half hour by foot. You couldn't have put this down a little closer?" John's ensuing glare was enough to quell any further complaints from Rodney,

They packed up their equipment and after ensuring that the jumper was full cloaked, logging it's co-ordinates on Rodney's hand held to make sure they would be able to find it again, they made their way through the semi forested area keeping a sharp on the the whine of darts that flew in a continuous pattern overhead. "Damn!" Sheppard ground out. "Hard enough that her ship is down - these wraith darts are going to make continuous runs over this terrain until they find that damn ship. The cruisers will put down foot soldiers soon, and that'll make our job just that bit harder. You know some days when you just don't wanna get out of bed? This day would be one of them!"

Rodney opened his mouth to speak, but shut it again when John held up a threatening finger. "And don't bring up that damn Ruus wine again!"

"Sheppard! Up ahead." Ronan gestured to a large clearing in front of them. John activated his radio to get Larrin on a channel. "Larrin, are you reading me? Sheppard here, we need to know exactly where you are. A bit hard walking onto a cloaked ship... Larrin!"

"All right already Colonel Sheppard. Keep your pants on. I'll send someone out to meet you." and John had the good grace to flush slightly as his thoughts had been taking the direction of pants removal.

They huddled under the treeline until they saw one of the Travelers stepping out of what looked like thin air and checking to make sure there were no darts in the immediate vicinity, they quickly left the shelter of the trees and ran over to him. Turning quickly he re entered the ship, with the Lantian team right behind him.

The team strode down the familiar hallway, at least familiar to John anyway, and he grimaced a little, thinking of the last time he had been on this ship. Mostly, that involved him being a prisoner and being forced to operate the chair and some of the Lantian controls, as Larrin did not have the required gene to operate all functions of the ship. He also recalled that he had been beaten up ... just a little... by her, a woman for god's sake! He hoped that she was not feeling as violent towards them today, afterall she had requested their help this time, instead of just kidnapping him and his jumper.

Entering the control room of the ship, John saw Larrin standing at the observation window, where she had obviously been watching for their arrival. She was holding her side and John could see the blood that had seeped through the leather of her top.

"Larrin. Interesting that we meet again, and it looks like you need our help... again!" John sauntered closer, not wanting to spook her, but needing to get a closer look at her wound. He certainly didn't want to start off by rubbing her up the wrong way, he recalled vividly where that had gotten him last time. She turned and he looked into her eyes and felt that spasm of desire lace through his lower region and saw the answering flame in hers. So, he thought, not one sided...

"Colonel Sheppard. I'm trying to think of something witty to say at this moment, but I'm feeling a bit of pain here, so I might just leave the smart comments till the pain settles a little."

John reached her side and cautiously put out a hand. "Larrin. Let me take a look at that wound. Please. Then we can talk, like adults. Ok?" She faltered a little, as though she had just been staying strong until he arrived and he moved behind her to wrap an arm around her waist, carefully avoiding the wound. "Let's get you to the infirmary and have a look - wraith weapon?" She nodded, face a little pale now and John gave out some orders to the rest of his team.

"Rodney - make a start on the ship diagnostics. This is Lantian design, so you should have no problem with diagnostic interface. Larrin, is anyone else on the ship hurt?" She shook her head at the question then spoke into her radio. "Aiden, have you removed the bodies yet?" A reply crackled in her ear. "Yes Larrin, they have been put into cold storage until we reach space." She turned to John. "We lost two crew members, shot by two wraith soldiers that managed to beam on board before we had activated our cloaking device. We managed to kill the wraith, but more are out there, and it is just a matter of time before they locate the ship. We need to get it operational and out of here."

"Let us take care of that Larrin, I'll get you to the infirmary." He swung her into his arms, surprising her into silence briefly, before she began to struggle. "Put me down Colonel Sheppard. If you value your life!" He gave her a grim smile in return. "I'll take my chances Larrin, for now you're going to the infirmary and I suggest you stop trying to boss me around for just a moment and you may well realise that I am actually on your side."

"On my side? Don't kid yourself Sheppard. You just want the damn ship!" Larrin struggled harder to get down, but he gripped her tightly and left the control room, Rodney staring somewhat fascinated at their interplay, and Ronan outright grinning. John heard him murmur as he left. "Ok, so I can see why he's all hot and bothered for her... she gives him a run for his money!" but he was out of earshot for Teyla's reply.

Larrin ceased struggling for the duration of the journey, but he could see by the set of her stubborn jaw that he was going to be in for an earbashing, and maybe more, when she was feeling more herself,but he contented himself knowing he was at least doing the right thing. Reaching the infirmary, he placed her on one of the beds and went to remove the top so that he could get to the wound. Slapping his hand away, she glared up at him. "Do you mind?" she said through clenched teeth and he lifted his hands in defeat, letting her do it. She unlaced the bodice and when it swung open, he saw that no bra was worn under it and quickly dropping his eyeline to avoid staring at her rather lovely, naked breasts, he bent closer to the wound to see how bad it was. Gently probing the area, he noted the blast marks, but it had been partially cauterised so was not bleeding quite as much as it could have been.

"Supplies? I need bandages and something to clean it with so that it doesn't get infected." She didn't answer and he placed his finger under her chin to angle her head up a little so he could see her eyes. "Larrin? You still with me?"

Anger shot into her eyes again and she blurted out. "Damn it Sheppard. It hurts!"

Ahh, thought John, there is some softness amongst the steel. I shall look forward to bringing it out... just a little.

"I know sweetheart, let's just get it cleaned up then we can find some pain relief. OK?" She didn't comment on the term of endearment that he had used, but gestured to a cupboard behind them and he went quickly to gather supplies. "This is going to hurt a little, so I'll apologise now up front, so that you don't hit me in retaliation." His eyes flicked briefly back to her bare breasts and his breath hitched slightly, then his face flushed a little as he noticed that she had seen where his eyes had drifted. He applied the antiseptic to clean the wound and she hissed in pain, biting back the cry that wanted to come out. He stilled his hand a little until she had control of herself, then continued until it was done. Tears had begun to fall and he stopped briefly to brush them away and felt her face turn into his hand, into his comfort, rather than against it and allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feel of her skin.

He completed the bandaging, then helped her back on with the top, covering her nakedness of which she had shown no embarassment. Helping her to sit up, he fetched some pain relief and waited until she had taken it. "Damn it Larrin. Why didn't you get one of your crew to fix your up? Your pride is going to be the undoing of you!"

"My pride is what keeps this crew alive Colonel. I cannot afford to show weakness in front of them."

"What about in front of me Larrin... hmmm?" He moved in closer then, running his hand softly across her jawline and behind her head to pull her closer and when he saw her eyes close he touched his lips to hers briefly, savouring her taste, for which he had only had a small amount last time and had spent some time, longing for more. She brought her arms up so that they tangled in his hair and deepened the kiss, groaning deep in her throat, a sound that fired the flame that had been building in the pit of his stomach. "God Larrin, I've thought about you... a lot... since we last met."

"You mean since I kicked your ass?" He felt her smile behind the kiss. "Why does everyone keep going on about that? I let you win! I'll challenge you to a rematch anyday, but this is much nicer... much much nicer..." and he deepened the kiss further, pulling her body hard against his so that they were thigh to thigh and chest to chest and she had no illusions as to the fact that he desperately wanted her."

Larrin's radio chose that moment to come to life. "Larrin! There are wraith foot soldiers outside the ship. They know it is there. Can you tell Colonel Sheppard. I am assembling a team to ..." John cut him off. "Sheppard here. Wait for me, I repeat, wait for me to get there. I'm on my way." He leaned back in for a hard fierce kiss and pulling back from her he saw the sassy smile on her face. "What?" he asked, unclipping his weapon in readiness.

"Just wondering what you would have done if we hadn't been interupted..." He came back to her then, all male and sexy eyes and she kept her eyes on him, fascinated and aroused in spite of herself.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I can promise you this. I'll make sure you find out this time." A hard look, that smouldered and shook her slightly and he was gone.

Weapons ready in the control room, John rounded up his team and the able crew from Larrin's ship and looking out the observation window they could see several wraith close to the ship, as though aware that there was something cloaked in the vicinity.

"Ok people – we'll play it this way. We have one small thing going for us at the moment, element of surprise – when that door opens, we need to hit them hard and hit them running. We'll have one good shot, then all hell will break loose, so make it count." He nodded at one of the engineers to make sure he was ready to open the door. "Rodney? How are those ship repairs going?" The radio stuttered slightly. Rodney was down in the engine room with several engineers attempting to repair some of the damage. "We've got some work to do Colonel. Crystals to replace, recalibrations to do, and I think the hyperdrive has sustained some serious damage. I need time, and I don't need interuptions."

"Testy..." murmured John, and turning swiftly, noticed that Larrin had entered the control room and was holding a weapon. "Where the hell do you think you're going?" Larrin tipped her head up arrogantly and lifted her weapon. "Where the hell do you think Colonel? I'm not just gonna sit here and let you have all the fun... I'm not that kind of girl."

Hearing Ronan snicker, John shot him a sarcastic look before turning back to Larrin. "You're in no condition to go out there and fight. Stand down Larrin, do what you can in here, but leave us to handle the wraith."

She sidled up to him, brown eyes locked onto his and trailed a fingernail down the side of his face, then lightly slapped his cheek. John grasped her arm tightly. "Larrin, I'm serious!"

"As am I Colonel. You are not my commander, and cannot give me orders." Taunting him slightly now, he ground his teeth, pushing his face close to hers. "I ought to take you over my knee..."

"And what Colonel? Save your threats till you have the balls to carry them out... Let's go people!" She nodded at the engineer to open the doors and cocking a cheeky smile at an extremely angry John, she took up formation with the others and readied herself for the attack.

"Damn women" he muttered. "Can't live without them... but by god, there's certainly no way in hell that you can live with them!"

The doors opened and they hit the ground running, fanning out in formation and immediately firing. Several wraith were taken down immediately and John knew that there would be larger groups of foot soldiers nearby who would be drawn by the weapons fire.

"Ok, spread out everyone, a hundred meter radius. Make it count."

They kept moving both forward and outward, picking off as many of the foot soldiers as they could and after an exhausting hour, they fell back to the ship to regroup and replenish amunition. Rodney was now in the control room and had one of the control panels apart, and several crystals removed.

"Rodney! Status report please."

Rodney held up one of the crystals. "A little trouble with this one Colonel. It controls the hyperdrive. Everything else is fixed and back on line. I don't have a replacement crystal, and without hyperdrive, there is no way you'll outrun those wraith cruisers up there."

Larrin, holding her side again spoke up. "We could just stay cloaked and shielded and take a slower trip to a planet where we can get a replacement crystal."

"If Atlantis was closer, we could easily get there and back with a new crystal, but we're almost twelve hours there and back and we can't leave the ship on the ground that long." Rodney looked at Larrin, then flicked a glance at John.

Wincing a little in pain, Larrin sat down in the control chair. "Sheppard! Why don't we follow you back to Atlantis – your jumpers don't travel in hyperspace anyway, and we can get a crystal there, then be on our way. Win, win – wouldn't you say?"

John grumbled. "Win, win? You win, yeah – where's the win for us?" And he was unprepared for her rising from the control seat coming up to him to press herself close and whisper "you get to spend a few more hours in my company..." Ronan hearing her whisper, roared with laughter. "Ahh Sheppard, she's got you by the balls my friend!"

John looked down into Larrin's face amused at her boldness. "Well in that case, by all means. That'll give us time to complete our... business." He gripped her hips and pulled them in close so that she was molded to him and whispered "you wanna play with fire Larrin, wear a fire proof suit. I'd hate to see that pretty face get burnt" and was rewarded by her delighted chuckle.

Rodney got the engines online, then Major Lorne and the marines fell back to the jumper to fly it home. John and the rest of him team would remain on Larrin's ship, with John taking the control seat, after just a small squirmish with Larrin, which he managed to win this time... just.

Larrin pace restlessly around the control room as he took the ship up and waited above the planet to rendevous with the jumper. "Will you sit down already! You're making me nervous."

"Nobody flies my ship. This is my baby – you've been dying to get your hands on it – what's to stop you dumping us out along the way and stealing it..hmmm?"

"Larrin – if you're going to keep this up the whole way, I'm going to have to knock you out and tie you up, just to get a little peace and quiet around here. I am NOT going to steal your damn ship – you're going to have to trust me at some point. I came because you called, because you needed help. Now I suggest you go to your quarters and get some sleep – when did you last sleep Larrin? You look exhausted! Teyla? Can you check her wound and make sure she heads off to get some sleep?" Teyla nodded to John and spoke quietly to Larrin, so as not to alarm her.

"John is right Larrin. You are exhausted and will be of no use if you do not get some rest. It will be several hours before we arrive back at Atlantis." Larrin looked at Teyla, ready to do battle, then appeared to slump slightly in defeat. "I will go and rest." she looked sharply at John and he widened his eyes at her.

"For god's sake Larrin, go already! I won't let anything happen to your ship. Trust me!" Narrowing her eyes at him slightly, she left the room with Teyla following behind shaking her head.

When the women had left, Ronan let out a bark of laughter. "Sheppard! You've got her under your skin man, and bad! What're you gonna do about it?"

Moving restlessly in his chair he muttered "I know what I'd like to do about it, but that may have to wait awhile... unless you're up for flying this ship?" He looked hopefully at Ronan who shrugged. "I would Sheppard, but I happen to be missing the required gene... as you well know!"

"Damn! Then I guess it's going to be a painful trip..." and he shifted again, wishing to god that his pants were just a little looser.

John set the Lantian vessel down on one of the piers when they arrived in Atlantis and as the rest of the team prepared to disembark, he went to Larrin's quarters. She had not reappeared since leaving them for a rest partway into the trip and keying open the door, he stopped just before entering. She had fallen into bed wearing the same clothes and her hair was spread out over the pillow and sleep had softened the sometimes harsh lines of her face. She was a beautiful woman and he felt that familiar pull in his stomach. Drawn to her now, he moved into the room and sat down carefully on the bed beside her, a bad move he suddenly realised, because before he knew it he was on his back and she had his arm twisted up behind his head.

"Ow! Will you stop that! Larrin!"

"Well, don't sneak up on a girl when she's sleeping. Have you no manners Sheppard?".

Sitting astride him, she looked fierce and... sexy, oh yeah, extremely sexy and she felt the moment that his attention shifted as did his body. She chose not to move and watched as desire darkened his eyes. "Are all earth men so driven by that particular part of their anatomy Colonel Sheppard?"

"You can call me John... afterall, we're a little more than just acquaintances now... given the position you have me in at the moment... hmmm? And no, not all earth men are driven by that particular part of their anatomy... for some, the stomach is a far more important part!"

At her frown, he shook his head. "Never mind... but if you're not going to get off me, you're really going to have to think about removing some of your items of clothing, and mine, because I'm getting to the point where breathing is becoming extremely difficult."

She released his arm then, and after an exaggerated shake, he brought it up to caress the skin that showed between her top and the waistband of her pants, feathering his fingers out to span her small waist. Getting no resistance from her, he began undoing the fastenings on the top, and at last her breast were exposed and he could cup them in her hands and watch her eyes darken as her head came down to claim his mouth in a fierce kiss. "Point of no return Larrin. This gets finished – now!"

She did not reply, but sat up slowly, her long hair spilling over her shoulders and his hands reached down now to undo the fastenings of her pants.

"Ahh Larrin, you've been in my mind since the last damn time … this one's gonna take a little while to get you out..." He rolled out from under her and proceeded to remove the remainder of their clothes, until she lay naked and stunning on the bed, her hands caressing all parts of his body, greedy and consuming and he closed his eyes.

"Colonel...John..." she amended as she saw the argument about to form on his lips. "Is it necessary to talk so much...I am sure there are other activities you could be doing with your...mouth?" Her eyes closed seductively and he gave a chuckle, dropping his head to begin trailing hot and greedy kisses down the length of her body, flickering over her hip, down the length of her gorgeous legs, then making a fiery trail up the inside of one leg. She sighed, starting to move restlessly on the bed and his hand followed where his mouth had gone, all silky skin and fiery textures and moving upward towards her mouth once more, he positioned himself over her so that she could feel exactly what she was doing to him.

"John? Are you waiting for an invitation...hmm?" Her eyes had slid open at his hesitation and now her hands travelled down his body again, to rest arrogantly on his manhood, following his shape and eliciting a groan from him. "Easy girl... this has been a long wait, let me enjoy it." and she pulled herself up slightly so that she could join him in a fierce kiss that tingled from lips right through to the tips of his toes. Her eyes slightly hooded now, she ran her free hand down the side of his face, feeling the rasp of a day old beard growth and smiling as his cheek turned toward her hand, to savour the touch more fully. And her other hand was busy as well, still working some magic on his now aching manhood until he groaned, nudging his thighs apart and staring down at her until she opened her eyes in surprise.

"Look at me Larrin." She did, query in her eyes. "I want you to look at me when I make you mine!" and he drove into her then, all hot fire and aching desire and she cried out. He stilled momentarily, then took up a rhythm which she was immediately able to match, driving them both inexplicably toward that brilliant light that shone brightly at the end of the tunnel. She followed him, stroke for stroke and still he looked into her eyes, watching them cloud with passion as she reached her climax and it was his name on her lips as she arrived there first, only moments before he did.

Light and pin points of sparks shot behind his eyes as he closed them briefly before gently lowering himself on the bed beside her, mindful of the wound at her side. Pushing his face into the side of her neck, his hand continued it's restless quest, until he felt her begin to quiver again, then sigh his name as she found another, more gentle release. Her fingers then feathered in his hair and she dragged his head up slightly so that she could look down into his drowsy, oh so sexy, eyes.

"So John... unfinished business... hmmm?" John turned his face back into the soft skin of her neck and she felt the vibrations as he laughed and the rumble of his voice as he replied.

"We've got say, another thirty minutes before they bust down this door here to see if you've managed to kill me in a fit of temper... so I say we make the most of that time Larrin – and I'm also thinking that having you once is certainly not going to finish any business that I have in mind..."

Larrin hugged him delightedly, acknowledging that he had gotten under her skin as well. "So get on with it already!" And he proceeded to do just that.