Chapter Three

(see my Profile for more info ... Cast of Characters ... Timeline ... etc ...)

Matt's bedroom ...

A few minutes later, after they were lying on the bed and comfortable in each arms, Matt spoke up quietly.

"Stephanie ... one question ..."

"Mmmmm ... alright ... one question ... make it a good one." She murmured drowsily.

"All those years ago ... and since then ... why didn't you ever introduce yourself to me?"

"Ahhhh ... that question ..." She sighed heavily, squeezing his hand and entwining their fingers together. "I did come close once ... very close ... the first lecture that I attended." She began to explain then paused, making a face. "Let's just say that I was close enough to realize ..." She had to pause again as she chose her words carefully. "I realized that I would be this vulnerable to you ... even way back then." She admitted hesitantly then gave his hand a tender kiss, surprised that she was able to be that honest with him - as well as herself.

Matt tightened his arms around her even more, surprised by her honesty, then asked gently.

"Would that have been so bad?"

Stephanie hesitated for a long moment.

"I still loved my husband ... I still believed in my marriage ... I had two young children ... and I was five months pregnant with a third." She paused. "I wasn't ready."

He gave her neck a kiss then nuzzled in even closer and let out a heavy, satisfied sigh.

"Alright, my love ... sweet dreams." He pulled the comforter up closer around them.

A few minutes later, Matt lifted his head to have a look at Stephanie, whispering,

"Are you asleep yet?"

"No." She whispered back.

"I have another question." He propped his head up on his hand.

"Something tells me there is always going to be another question with you." She tried not to laugh.

"That's how the mind of a research scientist works, my love. Questions - questions - questions."

"I always thought it was answers - answers - answers." She teased.

"First you have to ask the questions."

"Alright ... but now it's my turn to ask one ... why are we still whispering?" She whispered.

"I don't know ... sounds more romantic when we whisper." He whispered into her ear, feeling her shiver. "See." He smirked. "Back to my question. And this is the most important one yet." He paused, his mood turning pensive. "Tell me about the shooting ... are you sure you're alright?"

Stephanie hesitated, trying to decide how truthful she was prepared to be with him - so soon.

"My step-daughter is a doctor and she made arrangements for me to see a doctor at Northwestern while I'm here. I just had a checkup this morning and the doctor said I'm healing a little slower than he'd like but that there's really nothing to be concerned about. I start physical therapy again on Thursday ... I'm not exactly a spring chicken and I've had other health issues over the years so I can't be expected to bounce back so quickly." She paused, waiting for him to comment. "You did hear that last bit - didn't you?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"And - what?"

"You don't think we should discuss the age difference between us?"

"That hadn't occurred to me - no ... don't change the subject ... where were you shot?"

"In the showroom."

"Not that where ... what part of your anatomy where?"

"Oh ... that where ..." She yawned into his shoulder. "Between my heart and my spleen ... I was lucky. The bullet didn't hit anything major and they were able to remove it without any problems. It was a small caliber and ..." She let her words trail off. "Anyway - that's where."

Sensing that she really wasn't ready to discuss this any further, Matt gently placed his hand over the spot - as if his touch could somehow ease her pain. She covered his hand with hers.

"I want to go to therapy with you ... alright?"

"Thursday is still two days away ... a lot can change in that length of time." She pointed out quietly.

"Like what?"

"Well ... we're back to the part where you're moving too fast for me." She admitted then shifted positions carefully so that she could look at him. "I intend to be honest with you but ..." She hesitated. "You're going to have to trust me on this, doctor. I'm best taken in small doses. Very small doses. A little goes a very long way. And there's going to be a lot that you're not going to like ... whatever you're feeling right now could change ... as you get to know me better.." She reached over and gently caressed his cheek. "If that happens and you want out - I won't do anything to stop you. I'll understand." She assured him quietly.

"And no hard feelings. We'll both just go our separate ways - as if nothing happened."

"Exactly." Stephanie nodded.

Matt looked at her carefully for a long moment.

"Do you really think that you can get rid of me that easily?" He finally asked, his eyes narrowing as he waited for her answer.

Stephanie's expression softened as she traced her finger along his jaw line, a tender smile forming.

"Loving you is going to be the easiest thing I've ever done, Matthew." She whispered then leaned closer and gave him a deep kiss.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Matt laid her back into the pillows, increasing the intensity of their kiss as he pressed their bodies together.