They were getting ready for the FBI's Christmas Ball. Colby didn't know why they were called balls, they were just parties to him, but he went because Hannah loved getting dressed up for them. She also loved to dance at these functions. She had started dance lessons because she'd been told dancing would be a great alternative once her physical therapy was over. He'd taken lessons with her, because the idea of her being in another man's arms had been abhorrent to him.

Colby loved watching Hannah get dressed for these balls. He grinned to himself. Almost as much as he loved undressing her. Almost. There was something seductive about watching his woman dress. And something erotic about knowing what would be next as he undressed her.

He saw her pull out her lavender body cream. He'd looked at the jar once, amused that she used something other than her usual Gardenia Lily for the ball. Some French name for the brand, L'Occitane, he remembered. He'd helped her put it on then, and they'd been late to that ball. He saw her pull that jar out of her dresser.

"I'll help you put it on," he said, lips curving with amusement.

She turned laughing eyes to him. "We don't have time for that. I'm running late as it is."

Laughing with her, he replied, "I'm just going to put it on for you. I promise."

"And smell like a florist's display? Really? All right. But just my back." She slipped out of her dressing gown.

He caught his breath, then sighed with regret to see the scars left by the bullets. His hands were gentle and loving as he massaged the cream into her skin. She watched him in the mirror, her heart melting with tenderness, when he pressed kisses on her scars when he was done.

"I love you, Colby," she said softly. He smiled at her in the mirror, and she turned around to kiss him, pressing her nude body against his.

"I thought we didn't have time," he murmured.

"We really don't," she smiled, "But I wanted you to know." She turned to slip on her lacy underthings.

"Tease," he muttered good-naturedly, as he straightened the cuffs on his dress shirt, and tied the bow-tie.

She slipped on her dress, and turned her back to him so he could zip her up. "You look beautiful," his voice a mere whisper, his breath caressing her ear. "What's this color called?"

Hannah laughed, "It's rust."

Colby was amused, "Oh, just like it looks? No fancy name for it?"

"Alright then, russet red. Happy?" She grinned at him, tickled that he noticed these things. "Help me put this on, please?"

"This" was a piece of custom jewelry she'd made for herself some years back. Her store, Only You, was doing very well now, and she rarely had time for personal items.

"I'll put the bracelet on for you," he said quietly. She wore that bracelet everywhere, but he never tired of putting on for her. It had become a symbol of her survival to him.

She smiled up at him, but looked down when she felt him press something into her hand. And gasped to see a beautiful three-sapphire engagement ring sitting in its jewelry box. He had got down on one knee and pulled her down so she was sitting on his thigh.

"Will you marry me?" Colby asked.

"Oh, Colby, I... I didn't expect this!" Hannah exclaimed.

He felt a frisson of fear at her words. "I love you, Hannah, only you. Will you marry me?"

"Colby," Hannah said softly, her eyes bright with happiness, "Yes, of course, I'll marry you."