Author's Note: This is a second part that I have done in response to a request from a reader, so I'll dedicate it to her - sheppardlover928 - this one's for you! You've got great taste in men...

HELP FROM AN UNEXPECTED QUARTER

It was certainly longer than an hour before anyone came looking for them and John made sure that every minute of that precious time was used productively and wisely. He had thought somewhat foolishly, that once would be enough with this woman. Once? Are you serious Sheppard? She's under your skin... her scent, the feel of her skin... and he ran his hand again, down the satin of her leg, hearing her sigh against him, curled into his chest with her hair fanned out across the pillow.

"Larrin?"

"Hmmm?"

"Don't you ever get sick of always being on the move, always looking over your shoulder for the wraith or any other enemy who wants your ship, your supplies, or has just got a serious case of pissed off? Don't you want to live somewhere, where you can walk outside your door in the morning, and feel the sun on your face?"

Larrin's giggle tickled his chest and she sat up, looking down at his face, her fingers idly tracing down his chest, and lower... He caught her hand, reading her intentions in her eyes, the quick spark of hunger that fired without thought.

"Larrin... let's talk awhile... besides, it's a little different for men. We need a little time to... recuperate. Especially after the third time... or was it the fourth?"

"Whose counting John? Mmmmm, I love the feel of your body... you wanna talk? Is this an expected custom in your world after a man and woman enjoy one another as we have done? She pushed herself off the bed, energy beginning to thrill through her and John was mesmerised by her warrior stance, tall and strong and unashamed of her beautiful body and he felt again, the stirrings of need, but pushed them away... for now.

"I want to know more about you Larrin... your people, why you do what you do? Your childhood, how you grew up... Is that so strange?"

She picked up her clothes and began to dress, her glance flicking down to him from time to time as she laced the bodice and sat back down on the bed to pull on her boots. "John – we both wanted one another... needed one another. Have done since we met. I have no time in my life for a man of any permanence... this is all I need. If you're happy to fill that need from time to time, and you happen to be in the same area of space as me, then by all means, I'll be waiting. Don't look for anything more John."

She bent down and dropped a kiss onto his cheek, then drifted lower, finally pulling away with real regret. "I need to go and see about getting this hyperdrive fixed. You'll see yourself out?" She didn't wait for an answer, simply left the room, letting the door slide closed behind her. John did not move for a few minutes, closing his eyes to try and make sense of the woman whom he had just spent an extremely pleasurable hour with and shook his head. The shoe's on the other foot Sheppard. How many times have you done the exact same thing to a woman? Not so much fun, when you're the one left alone in the bed...

He heard footsteps in the hallway outside and Ronon's deep voice through the door. "Sheppard! Time to get your butt out of bed. I just saw Larrin, looking like she's just had a real sweet time, and I need to warn you... Elizabeth is starting to get a little pissy about the fact that you didn't make it to the debrief. I told her you were otherwise engaged and that didn't go down so well..."

Ronon pushed open the door, catching John just as he pulled up his pants and threw on his shirt.

"Damn it Ronon, no privacy?"

"You've had your fair share of privacy Sheppard. Maybe you could share some with the rest of us!"

Ronon lounged against the wall as he pulled on his shoes.

"Keep your hands off her Ronon... I mean it. I don't share my women – go find your own!"

"I'd say that one lives pretty free Sheppard, and you'll have a hard time putting a brand on her. So put down the branding iron and enjoy the heat. When these repairs are done, she'll be out of here – you know that..."

"Ahhh, let's just get outta here Ronon. I need to eat and I need to avoid Elizabeth for a little while. She asks too many questions and this is one mission report that is going to have more holes than swiss cheese – if you know what I mean!"

They made their way back companionably toward the city going straight to the mess to pick up some food before Elizabeth managed to track him down and waylay him. The view that met him as he entered the mess managed to sour his mood slightly. Larrin was seated at one of the larger tables with a tray of food in front of her, and seated around her, were male personnel of varying descriptions, ranging from marines, to gate technicians. She had effectively generated a flock of eager, testosterone charged males and if John's disposition had been slightly better, he would have been amused to watch the preening of male feathers as they all sought to attract the female bird. And damn, she was one fine looking bird.

Hearing Ronon chuckle beside him, his mood soured further. "What did I tell you my friend? She's a free agent, always will be, no matter what went down between the two of you..."

John went straight to the coffee machine and made himself a cup, before filling up a tray with food. He chose not to join Larrin's group, preferred to sit on the other side of the room and watch her, scowling into his coffee, hearing the laughter as the men outdid themselves to tell jokes and stories. Once or twice he felt her gaze touch on him, felt the scorching of heat, but once, he caught her eye and the energy sizzled across the room. Damn it, one look and I'm toast... Jesus John, get it together!

His mood soured further when Elizabeth walked in, looking extremely cross, and made a beeline for his table. Standing looking down at him with hands fisted on hips, he looked up, waiting for the inevitable. He was in trouble, that much was clear. "Nice of you to join us for the debrief Colonel Sheppard!" He winced a the formal address, another sign that she was pissed. "I seem to recall that it is base policy to conduct a full debrief as soon as possible after a mission, unless there were extenuating circumstances. I don't believe that these circumstances existed, do you...hmmm?"

"I was... busy." John growled, feeling a headache start to blossom behind his eyes.

"Ah yes, I've heard rumours about just how 'busy' you were Colonel and I'm not particularly impressed." She flicked her glance at Larrin, who was now watching them with open fascination.

"Yeah, well... needs, if you must know... and do I really have to go into this here?" John pushed his chair back from the table, quickly gulping down the last of the coffee.

Taking his in slightly dejected posture and able to read the situation quite clearly judging by their respective places in the room, Elizabeth decided that he had been punished enough. "The reason I came to find you John, was not just to give you a hard time. I need you to take a team to P2L391. We have a situation developing there, that could get ugly if we don't put a lid on it now. There are insurgents from another trading world that have decided certain policies in place, are no longer valid and have taken a group of hostages in an effort to get their point across. The settlors in the village contacted me and consider them dangerous and have asked for our help in containing what could potentially turn into an explosive situation." She paused, noting the interest in his eyes.

"Do they have weapons Elizabeth. P2L391 is a peaceful planet if my memory serves me correctly."

"Yes John, it appears this small group of insurgents have brought their own weapons from offworld. This needs to be handled delicately – they don't want us going in there guns blazing and showing a terminal show of force. I thought Ronon and Teyla, being from this galaxy and understanding how these small uprisings occur, would be better equipped to handle things..." she cast a considering glance Larrin's way.

"Larrin and her crew – they would fit right in – do you think they would be interested in joining the mission? Rodney is out of action thanks to being tied up repairing their hyperdrive and her crew, are effectively at a loose end while the repairs are being done. She asked me earlier how she could repay us for these repairs, as they had nothing effective for trade. Service for service?"

"Now Elizabeth, I'm not so sure about that. They are effective fighters, I've seen them in action and Larrin is a good leader, but a team player and with me in charge? Maybe not such a good mix of dynamics. We work well together in some areas... if you get my drift... but she won't take my orders, that I can tell you!"

"I'll talk to her John, tell her that we need her help. Perhaps if it comes from me?" She went to leave, then turned back. "This business between you... will this affect your being able to run mission together?"

"Let's get one thing straight Elizabeth. Firstly, I'm a professional, whatever is between us, it won't affect how I do my job. And secondly? We won't be running the mission together! She'll be a team member, with me in charge – giving the orders! If she can't take them, then she won't be on my team. Perhaps you'll need to make THAT clear to her..."

Elizabeth gave him a 'look', then nodded once before moving off. Damn, he was going to get that woman out of his head. They had gotten all that sexual tension out of the way, out of his system – time to move on and do his damn job. And it certainly didn't look as though what they had shared would be affecting any of her decisions... and casting another sour glance at her table, he felt the heat of her gaze as her eyes followed him out of the room.

They all met up in the gate room two hours later. John carried additional tactical vests for Larrin and her crew and he tossed them over to their little group, standing a little away from the assembled Atlantis personnel. Quite frankly, John was surprised that Larrin had agreed to this plan, but trade was an integral part of how their lives worked, and if they had nothing further to trade for the services that Atlantis was providing in terms of ship repair, then they would be forced by their code of honour to provide any other service, within reason, that was asked of them. He assumed that she would think this a simple walk in the park, a quick way to pay off her debt.

He wandered over to her now, noting the distaste on her face as she held up the tactical vest. "So John, protection? We've not needed this in the past, we have our weapons... save these for your ladies..."

Anger warred with need when he saw the fire in her eyes, and he gripped her wrist, tight. "I give the orders here Larrin, I'm sure Elizabeth made that more than clear. These vests are a base regulation and as you are a part of my team for this mission, you will comply with base regulations. Put the damn vest on – or are you worried it will hide your considerable... assets..." He used the grip on her wrist to pull her closer to him, watching the spark in those eyes flash ominously and feeling the corresponding fist punch it's flame into his gut and his eyes flicked down to her.. assets, heated gaze centred possessively on them.

"Back off John. Your bullying tactics won't work on me, you damn well know that. Give me the damn vest then, I'll wear it if it stops you getting your underwear in a knot." She leaned in close, teasing him with her nearness. "You seem tense... Colonel. I thought we would have worked out all those … knots..." and running a finger suggestively down his lips, she turned, shrugging into the vest as she moved away from him and toward the stargate. He mentally counted to ten before turning to follow, willing his lower extremities to settle down to a more manageable level and thinking about great staggering walls of ice... ice and more ice.

The arrived on the other side of the gate, the planet designated P2L391 in the ancient data base and made their way promptly into the village to talk to the leader who had contacted Elizabeth. From what John could recall of this planet, and he certainly had difficulty in bringing up any relevant information as they had had very little to do with them, it was extremely peaceful, did not condone violence nor the use of weapons amongst it's people. A live and let live policy that had served them reasonably well over the years, their main source of trade from their planet was the mining of a high grade mineral that was found in reasonable abundance and mined by the people of the village.

Their leader was named Andon and he met them as they entered the village, briskly providing them with the details as to what had occurred. John noted that Larrin looked bored and supposed that this was not as exciting as flying blind through the galaxy from one location to the next, never really knowing what you would find when you arrived there. Briefly he wondered whether he could live like that, then gave a mental shrug. He had his life and for the most part, it worked well for him.

He focused on Andon, as he relayed the necessary information to them. "They wished to trade weapons with us Colonel Sheppard. Our policy throughout our trading alliances is quite clear. We have no need of weapons on this world and do not consider them as part of any trade. I gave our usual answer, told them the acceptable forms of trade and they left and we did not hear from them again. Until yesterday. Six men came through the stargate fully armed, captured six of our woman and have taken them to the mines. They are holding them hostage down below ground and they have demanded that we complete the proposed trade, however, now the terms have changed. They will exchange the requested amount of mineral, but instead of weapons, they will give us back the women."

"I'm curious Andon. Why didn't you just agree to the trade, give them the mineral and get your women back? That would have been the end of it?"

John heard Larrin muttering something and turned to give her a look. "What?" she whispered. "Am I not entitled to an opinion? This is an easy job. Go in, shoot the miserable bastards, get the women, job well done. Hey, maybe there'll be a reward?"

"Larrin, shut up!" To Andon he said "So, why exactly did you contact us if you are against the use of weapons? Surely you know that we are not going to go in without using or threatening to use them? I must admit to be just a little confused as to your agenda here."

Larrin bit her tongue, wanting to make another comment, but saw the angry set of John's shoulders, and refrained from doing so. She did not refrain however, from huffing an impatient sigh. As far as she was concerned, these people deserved everything they got, needing to man up and take a more proactive stance in the defence of their world.

While waiting for Andon for formulate a response, John came up behind Larrin and she felt his hand dig somewhat painfully into her hip as he dropped his mouth so that his words were for her only. "Will you keep your damned opinions to yourself? You are here as support only, leave the talking to me. Are we clear on that?" His lips brushed her ear and he felt her shudder and his fingers dug deeper into her hip to still her. "I take it that's a yes then..." and moved away from her, but not before he heard her whispered response. "...bastard..."

Andon eyes had been flickered between them, obviously fascinated by their interplay while Ronon and Teyla had rolled their eyes. Andon responded to John's questions, his voice quiet. "I realise that you will go in there with your weapons, I cannot stop you from doing that and it would not be fair to do so, given that they hold weapons themselves. It is our policy not to use them, and it is also our policy not to give in to bullying demands. If we agreed to their demands this time, it is likely that they would try again, and the demand would be of considerably higher value that this time. It needs to be stopped by a third party, so that they acknowledge we have outside protection and are not completely defenseless."

John was beginning to get impatient also – Andon was a little too calm for his liking, so motioning his team with a hand movement, he told them to move out in the direction of the mines. Pulling Larrin back slightly so the two of them took up the rear, he said quietly to her "I need you to behave when we get to the mines. Just remember who is in charge of this mission. I give the orders, you obey, regardless of whether you agree with them. Compromise this mission in any way, and I'll have you bent over my knee so quickly, that lovely backside of yours will be smarting for a week. And that's a promise you can take to the bank, sweetheart."

Larrin's smile as she went to pass him, heading up the front of the group was more than just a little sexy, and he hand brushed a part of his anatomy rather suggestively as she pushed past and he had to close his eyes briefly as the image of that lovely backside rose in technicolour across his mind's eye. Resolved or unresolved.. getting harder and harder to tell.

The mine entrance was around a half hours walk from the village and when they reached it, John called a halt to the group.

"Ok, I want two of you stationed out here as backup and lookout,make sure that nobody comes out or in that isn't one of us. Larrin, choose two of your men to take positions on either side of the mine, the rest of you, we go in quietly. We don't know where they are in there..." he unfolded a sheet of paper that Andon have given him, being a rough bluerpint of the mine area. Pointing to an area in the centre, he looked up. "I would assume that they are being held about here, given that it has the largest area, and there is more than one access in and out. Any of these other areas have limited access and that would jeopardise a quick escape should this become necessary."

Larrin sidled up close to him to look at the map. "That's pretty high grade mineral in there. I'm thinking that in return for this little job, we help ourselves to a supply of it. What do you say? This will help our trade position once our hyperdrive is fixed. Hmmm?" John grabbed her wrist and held firmly. "You will not take any mineral from that mine Larrin – is that clear? It has not been offered to us, and Elizabeth has likely made suitable arrangements with these people for trade. You will not interfere. I'm serious! If necessary I'll be checking your pockets when you leave the mine and if I find that you have taken anything that doesn't belong to you, well, let's just say, I have my own code for dealing with thieves, one you might not find so pleasurable." He held her wrist tightly, looking into her amused eyes and wanted to give her a swift boot in the backside for her insolence, and wanted to do something else as well... god, did he ever! And feeling just a little ashamed at this, he threw her hand away from him in self disgust, turning to put the mine blueprints back in his pocket and leading the way into the mine.

Ronon had closed in behind him. "Don't let her get to you man. You know that she deliberately winds you up? You are an easy target, leave yourself wide open."

"Thanks for the advice Ronon... next time I'll ask for it if it's needed."

"I'm thinking you probably get off on it John... I know she certainly does!'

"Enough Ronon.. but yeah, she certainly knows how to get me going... in more ways than one."

Ronon's soft chuckle echoed down the mineshaft as they moved underground. Teyla chose not to comment. She saw the sparks flying between the two of them and wondered if perhaps they may be a danger to have down in the mine, with high grade weapons ore. And hoped that they could keep that heat firmly contained until they had least reached the surface again.

They had to pause several times to check the blueprints to make sure they were heading in the right direction. It was pitch black down there, where lanterns had been placed previously, these were now dark and had likely been sabotaged by those who were already down here. Flashlights cast a measure of light in that darkness, but this far below ground, one did not need to have any phobias.

Larrin brushed up beside John in the darkness at the next point where they had stopped, and she applied a pressure, keeping it there until he felt for her hand in the darkness. Feeling her squeeze it slightly, he understood that this darkness was getting to her a little bit, so pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body as it rubbed against his. He dropped his mouth to her ear. "Ok?"

Her response was to nestle in closer and a warmth flooded through him. Not so tough after all sweetheart, another little layer of your sassy nature I can peel away. I want to see the woman underneath, not the layers of tough that you use to cover up the real you. I'll know you one day Larrin, that I can promise you. I may have to spend some time wearing you down, but I'll do it. I think it could be worth the ride.

They continued on into the darkness. Larrin remained close to him this time and under the cover of darkness, he kept hold of her hand. Quiet voices could be heard up ahead, and John stopped suddenly in the tunnel, feeling Larrin come up hard against him, and her other arm wrapping around him to band across his stomach. She tucked her face against the back of his neck, nuzzled briefly, before pulling away as he turned to whisper back. "They're up ahead. We've got two entrances to cover, so I need you Ronon, to take two of the men and double around to the other entrance, just where I pointed it out at that fork back there. That will effectively block their exit. Larrin, you and Teyla along with the other two, follow me. Remember, we prefer not to use weapons. This is a mine, with weapons grade ore, we can't be setting any sparks against that ore as it it likely unstable. Understood?"

The group separated and John's group reached the entrance to the cavern before Ronon's group as they had had to double around to get back to it. John, watching from the entrance, caught the flicker of movement in the other tunnel at the same time as one of the men in the cavern did, and the cry went up. John brought up his weapon and saw Ronon do the same, calling into the cavern. "Let the women go, they are not a part of this. If you want to negotiate, it won't be with innocent people and weapons. Let them go, then we'll sit down and try to sort this out. No casualties."

One of the men, obviously the spokesman, separated himself from the group, laughing.

"Surely you jest? Why would we let these hostages go? We came for ore, in large quantities. We shall take it. The women will only be returned once this agreement has been reached. I'm sure you are a reasonable man. I see that you carry weapons, therefore assume you are not from this world?"

"We have been called in by Andon. He may not condone the use of weapons by his people, but he has sanctioned our use of them in getting his women back. This is a protected planet, under the protection of the ancients and Atlantis." He heard the hitch of the man's breath as he digested this information.

"You are Colonel Sheppard? I have heard of you. Indeed. And you proclaim to be a protector of this world? That is indeed interesting. It would bring me a great price if I were to hand you over to certain interested parties. There appears to be a price on your head Colonel Sheppard. That perhaps makes you a more valuable commodity than this ore here. Perhaps we can come to a new arrangement..."

Larrin had had enough of the verbal sparring and pushing past John, stepped into the cavern with her energy weapon held out, trained on the man who had been speaking. The other men in the cavern, immediately stepped out and surrounded her and John had no choice, but to follow suit. "Damn it Larrin..." he whispered as he came up to her. "You are going to feel the back of my hand when we get out of this."

"This talking was getting us nowhere John. Time for some action." Distracted, she missed the weapon that was trained on her and fired and John, hearing the discharge, grabbed her, throwing her to the ground as it shot past, and hit him straight in the shoulder. The blast knocked him down immediately and blackness rose up and winked seductively on the edges of his consciousness, the pain in his shoulder from the energy blast intense, then overtook his as he spiralled down briefly. Ronon erupted from the other side, weapon firing, and after that it was a symphony of noise and action. Teyla moved immediately to the women, freeing them from their bonds, and keeping them low to the ground in the near darkness, darkness that was only punctuated by the weapon blasts. She saw that three on the insurgents were down, while three remained upright and firing. Ronon had crept around behind one of them, and using one powerful arm, he grasped his around the neck in a choke hold, holding tightly until the interupted flow of oxygen to his brain caused him to pass out.

Larrin had crawled over to where John had fallen, and was patting around in the dark, trying to locate where the weapon blast had hit him. She had seen him go down, heard his shout of pain, and knew that this was her fault and that she would have to deal with his punishment and his anger when this was over. If this is over she thought. I don't know the level of his injuries. Please don't let anything happen to him, hell I'm just starting to get to know him, develop feelings for him. Really? Oh God, yes really... Oh how the mightly have fallen...

Her hands moved upwards, found his face and softly cupped his cheek moving her mouth down to brush a kiss along his. "John... John...can you hear me? Please answer me?" She felt tears fill her eyes, and removed a hand to brush them away impatiently. Heard Ronon at her back as he moved around behind her, having despatched the last of the insurgents. Teyla had begun taking the women back through the tunnels.

"Where is he hit Larrin? How bad is it?"

"I don't know Ronon, I can't find the wound in the dark... damn it." She dashed the tears away again, and Ronon heard in her voice that she was crying and raised a mental eyebrow. Perhaps he had been wrong about her. Ok Sheppard, maybe I was wrong.. she does seem to care about your sometimes annoying neck... better not blow this one...

Ronon crouched down beside them, fishing around for one of the flashlights that had gotten dropped in the skirmish. He shone the light on John, found the wound on his shoulder. It was a severe one, but had been partly quarterised and there was little blood and also partly protected by the tactical vest. He ripped open a field bandage from his tactical vest and placed it over the wound and saw the look on Larrin's face.

"That's why we use the vests Larrin. They carry all sorts of emergency supplies for times just like this, and also gives protection from the energy weapons. If he hadn't been wearing it, this wound would likely have been fatal. I felt the same way that you did when I first went on missions and I chose still,not to wear one. But I do acknowledge their use. He'll be ok Larrin."

Ronon bent to pick John up to get him out of the cavern, but John gripped Larrin's wrist. Her hand still rested on his cheek and he opened his eyes and she saw the anger in there. "This is the sort of idiotic move I fully expected fom you Larrin, and look where it got us. I hope you're happy now!" He pushed her hand away, allowing Ronon to help him up, wincing when he got to his feet and could look down at the wound, now covered by a field bandage.

"I'm gonna kill her Ronon." Larrin had turned and left the cavern, not wanting to face John's anger.

"She's trouble, irresponsible, annoying trouble. I won't go on abother mission with her. She's dangerous, disregards rules, and flouts authority. Unacceptable behaviour in the field."

He had gotten John to his feet and was helping retrace their steps back through the darkened mine tunnels. "A lot like you then John?"

John's reply was a grunt of pain.

Teyla and the members of Larrin's crew had taken the women and the insurgents back to the village by the time that Ronon and John had managed to get out of the mine shafts. Larrin was waiting for them outside, leaving against the entrance to the mine, but one look at John's face and she chose silence. She knew that he was angry.

Ronon risked a glance at her, and felt just a little sympathy. Her intentions were good and he knew that in the same place, he would have done the same thing. Larrin and him, well they were cut from the same cloth, but he had been a part of John's team for some time now, and learned his ways and come to respect that the team worked because it followed a chain of command. Larrin did not understand this

"Larrin. Best if you go on ahead. Let me get him back to Atlantis. Go ahead and explain to Andon. What he does with those men is now his business, we've done what we needed to do and he can send them back with a message that this planet is now under the protection of Atlantis. Go."

She nodded once, understood immediately that he did this in her best interests for now and left. John grunted, leaning heavily on Ronon as they moved down the path. "Why is it that she listens to you then?"

"I understand her John. But it's you she's in love with..."

John halted, looking up at his friend disbelievingly. "Right... that became obvious how? When she jumped out in front of those men with her weapon out. When she chose to ignore my orders?"

"No my friend. When she sat on the ground crying before she knew the extent of her injuries. She just doesn't know it yet. She may never acknowledge it. Just as you may never acknowledge your real feelings for her. Lust? Oh yeah, in spades. But love? Look inside yourself John, you'll see it hiding like the cowardly demon it is..."

"Profound Ronon... much!" They walked a bit further. "So what do I do about it?"

"Your call John. That one's all on you!"

Ronon helped John back through the gate and straight onto the waiting gurney of Carson Beckett who had been radioed ahead with the information that the Colonel had been shot and would be requiring medical assistance. Larrin and Teyla had stayed behind on the planet for a while longer and were in discussion with Andon. She had flicked a concerned glance his way as they had passed, but he had not acknowledged her, so she had turned away,confused with her feelings.

Later that night, she entered the infirmary. John's eyes were closed and she took the opportunity to stand near his bed, looking down at him. "I'm sorry John, I'm an idiot..."

His hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. "You're damn right woman! I haven't forgotten that little promise I made to you when all this is over, I'll be collecting. You are trouble..."

"I know John and I'm sorry. I don't know what to say.. when I thought you were dead... hell, I don't know what went through my head..." She brought his hand up to her face and let it rest against her cheek and he felt the dampness there, evidence of tears. His eyes widened and she pulled away, needing to put distance between them again, and ran from the infirmary as if the hounds of hell were chasing her.

Carson only managed to keep John in the infirmary for a matter of hours. He needed to see Larrin... hell , he needed Larrin full stop. He had heard via Rodney that their hyperdrive had been fixed and that she would be leaving the next morning. His gut clenched a little at this news, and pushing himself out of the bed, he gave Carson a 'look' that had him backing off, and after a severe mental debate, he found himself outside the door to Larrin's quarters.

The door slid open in response to his knock and he saw her, standing uncertainly in the middle of the room. She wore only a tshirt and panties, obviously about to go to bed and he saw something in her face that had him stepping quickly across that threshold until he stood just in front of her. He reached out a hand to run it gently along her jaw and down her neck, over her breast until he got to the hem of her tshirt. Slipping his hand undeneath, he met smooth skin and sighed, gripping her waist slightly to pull her closer to him. His hand continued to explore, upward, covering one breast with his hand and he used his thumb to circle the tip, closing his eyes when he heard her exhaled breath and slight moan.

"Larrin.. God, you drive me crazy. Come here..." She moved into him, her hands reaching up to undo the buttons of his shirt, touching carefully the bandage on his shoulder, smoothing over his muscled chest, then stepping closer so that she could lay her cheek against his chest.

He carefully moved her back, lifted the tshirt over her head then pulled her close again so that the sensation of the hair on his chest caused a pleasurable friction against her soft skin. His hands reached behind and under the elastic of her panties, pulling them down, cupping her backside and pulling her hard against him so that she could feel his arousal.

"Larrin... touch me..."

"No talking John.. not now... just this..." she used her mouth then, and he was pushing her gently backwards towards the bed amd he tumbled on top of her, feeling the laughter that bubbled up, and his mouth was on hers, bruising, punishing,claiming and he knew that he would want her again and again. Denial was useless.

One handed he got rid of his pants and then he was inside her, friction, heat and more, so much more and when he cried her name it was for now, and forever and knew that one day he would tell her this... when the time was right.

She curled against him, warm skin slightly damp, hand still entwined in his, nuzzled his neck making him laugh.

"I'm leaving tomorrow John." Her hand began another lazy trek downwards and he smiled.

"I know sweetheart. But you'll be back..." His hand found warm places that still tingled and pulsed and arched closer.

"Maybe..." Her hand kneaded already firm flesh, ever reactive to her touch.

"Definitely.." His hand feathered and stroked and he smiled when he breath hitched.

"How do you know...?" Her mouth moved lower down his body and he tingled in anticipation.

"I just know..." His hand felt her shudder as she reached another peak.

"Arrogant..." Her tongue danced tricks and there were no more words.