[A/N:] Wow! Already one review! Thanks to sassyboots4! Here's the second chapter!
The doctors told Ryan not to try to wake Natalia up, but he insisted.
Ryan leaned over her and whispered, "I love you Tali." Her eyes opened and she was finally awake. She tried to tell him that she loved him too but there was a tube sticking out of her mouth. The doctors to the tube out and she could finally talk.
Her voice was raspy as she spoke, "Did you really mean what you said?"
Ryan took her good hand. "Every word."
She smiled. "I love you too."
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips. The kiss made Natalia's heart flutter like a sparrow's wings.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm ok."
"You lost a lot of blood."
She nodded. "My hands still hurts."
Ryan's eyes darkened. "I'm going to find William and I'm going to kill him."
"I know you will."
"I'll go and let you rest." He turned reluctantly to leave but Natalia grabbed the tail of his sport coat.
"Stay with me," she whispered. "I'm scared."
She scooted over and patted the bed beside her. He laid down and intertwined their fingers. Soon she drifted off to sleep.
__________
Horatio walked in the room to visit Natalia but it startled him when he saw Ryan laying beside her.
"Mr. Wolfe?"
Ryan got up as quickly as he could without waking up Natalia.
"H, I was just... uh-"
Horatio chuckled. "That's alright Ryan; at least she's safe."
Ryan nodded. "Were they able to find William?"
Horatio shook his head. "Eric and Calleigh are looking for him too."
"When we find him, I swear I'm going to kill him for what he did to her."
"I'd like to as well, but we can't. We have to go by this in a civilized manner."
"R-Ryan?"
Ryan and Horatio turned to see that Natalia had woken up. Ryan pulled a chair up to her bed. He took her hand and kissed it.
"I'm sorry I woke you."
She smiled. "That's ok. I see you brought me a visitor."
"How are you feeling Ms. Boa Vista?" Horatio asked.
"I'm alright," she said smiling.
Just then the doctor came into the room.
"You can go home whenever you like," he said to Natalia.
"Thank you," she said. The doctor walked out of the room.
"Ryan, make sure she gets home safe."
"Don't worry H. I will."
"I know. Goodbye." Horatio left Ryan and Natalia together.
"You ready to go?" Ryan asked.
"Definitely. Can you help me up?"
"Of course." Ryan got up and helped her sit up. "Do you need help with your clothes?"
Natalia laughed. "Eager are we?" Ryan blushed. "Actually, I could use some help."
She shrugged off her hospital gown and Ryan slipped her aqua colored top over her head. He took extra care not to hurt her hand. She pulled on her pants and he sighed when she put on her stilettos.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing," he laughed shaking his head. Ryan gathered Natalia's things and walked her out the door. He opened the passenger door of his Hummer for her and helped her get in.
"So, which way to your place?" Ryan asked when he got Natalia situated. She game him directions and he followed them easily. Natalia's house was small, but not too small. Ryan thought it suited her. She had a large flower garden in her front lawn that sported beautiful exotic flowers. When Ryan pulled up he was greeted by the sound of a barking dog.
Natalia laughed. "don't worry; the least Curtis can do is lick you to death," Natalia said as a small miniature pincher greeted Ryan as he stepped out of the Hummer.
Ryan chuckled. "I didn't know you had a dog."
"Oh, I just got him a couple of weeks ago."
Ryan helped Natalia out of the car and into her house. Still feeling off-balance from the loss of blood. Not to mention that her hand hurt like hello.
"I do believe that we had a dinner date at seven. Am I correct?"
Natalia laughed. "I guess you'll have to take a rain check."
Or, I could cook you dinner and we could watch a movie."
Natalia smiled. "That sounds good." She wrapped her good arm around his neck and he place his hands on her hips. Her face turned serious. "Thanks Ry, for everything."
He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. He kissed her sweetly, his lips barely touching hers. She pulled back and he caressed her cheek.
"Where's your kitchen so I can cook you a romantic dinner?"
She laughed. "Straight ahead and through the double doors. I'm going to take a shower while you do that."
__________
Natalia came downstairs in the same clothes she wore when she left the hospital and she was greeted by the aroma of chicken and potatoes. She entered the kitchen and saw Ryan pulling rolls out of the oven.
"Mmm Ryan, smells good."
"Oh hey, and thanks," he said stirring the carrots.
They ate dinner in comfortable silence; they were past all awkwardness. Afterwards they settled down to watch 'The Notebook.'
__________
Natalia wiped the tears from her eyes when the movie was over, and sat up. She was suddenly afraid of staying home alone.
"Ryan?"
Ryan looked over at her. She noticed that he had tears in his eyes too.
"Yeah Tali/"
"Will you stay with me tonight? I'm scared to stay alone."
Ryan pulled her close to him.
"Of course I'll stay . I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
She nodded against his chest. "I'm gonna get ready for bed. Come with me," she said leaning forward and taking his hand.
Ryan blinked. "I can say on the couch tali."
Natalia shook her head. "No. I want you to stay with me."
Natalia put on her pajamas while Ryan washed his face. She laid down on her bed and started reading 'Bridges to Madison County.' She had always been a sucker for sappy romance novels. Ryan came out of the bathroom in just boxers and an undershirt. He laid down beside Natalia and she curled up next to him placing her head in the crook of his neck. Laying there with Ryan she felt something that she hadn't felt in a long time. She felt safe.
