Emma woke up in Sean's arms the next morning. It had to be early, because she could see the sunrise peeking through the blinds in his bedroom. He was holding her against his chest, just as she'd fallen asleep, and was snoring lightly. She could feel his breathing tickle the hair on the top of her head. Her body was sore, but she was grateful as hell to be alive today. Emma tried not to think about what had happened the night before because she couldn't afford to break down. Not again. She just focused on the moment. The guy she was madly in love with was holding her tightly to him and she was safe...for now. Even in his sleep, Sean was protecting her. He really was her knight in shining denim, as Manny used to say. The memory of Sean's faded old denim jacket he used to wear brought a smile to her lips. God, she loved him. She'd probably even know it back then all those years ago when they first met. There was just something about Sean Cameron that had captured her heart. Emma snuggled closer to his chest and held him even tighter to him than before.

"I love you." she whispered.

"I love you too." she heard his sleepy voice grumble back at her.

Emma chuckled.

"I thought you were asleep."

Sean laughed.

"I was for a bit."

His arms held her even tighter to him and Emma thought her heart would burst from how in love with him she was.

"Thank you for last night, Sean. For everything." she looked up at him.

Sean looked down at her, his love for her radiating out of his eyes.

"I told you, Em, I'm here. For anything you need."

Emma nodded and he kissed her forehead and settled back down on his pillow. But suddenly that wasn't enough for her. Emma had the strongest urge to pull him into her arms and start kissing him. So she did. Sean was surprised at first but then quickly obliged and started kissing her back just as passionately. Sean was so distracted by her deep tongue kisses that he didn't even notice when Emma's leg slipped between his and she positioned herself beside him. Before Sean even knew what was happening, Emma was pulling his body down on top of her.

He was settled in between her legs and her arms were wrapped tightly around her neck. Sean realized what was happening and pulled back breathlessly.

"Whoa, Em, slow down."

Emma looked up at him confused.

"Why'd you stop?" she asked.

For a minute Sean wondered why did he stop? And then he remembered. Oh yeah, his girlfriend was in a really emotional and vulnerable place right now and here he was pawing at her like a freaking sex starved perv! What an asshole!

"I just think things were going a little far and we should stop." Sean admitted and went to lay down next to her.

Emma tightened her legs around his waist and held him in place.

"Don't stop." she whispered, her eyes pleading.

Sean's ability to be a good dude and a good boyfriend took a backseat to his hormones and he immediately went back to kissing her. It was on reflex! A girl breathlessly whispered "don't stop" and it was Sean's automatic response to ya know..not stop!

It was when Emma hands started tugging at his boxers that his sanity came screeching back to him and he pulled back.

"What's the problem?" Emma snapped when he pushed her hands away and laid down next to her.

"Em, we need to stop." it was almost painful for him to say.

He'd wanted this since the ninth grade. And even though he loved Emma more than anything and didn't need sex to be with her, it had been torture waiting all this time to have sex with her. And now she was in his bed, in his clothes, kissing him like there was no tomorrow and pawing at him like her life depended on it. More than anything he just wanted to tear off her clothes and spend the day in bed with her, but he couldn't do that. Sean didn't want to be THAT guy. The one that took advantage of Emma when she needed him the most. She was emotional and going through a lot. And she'd almost died last night. He didn't want her to make a snap decision and end up regretting it big time later.

Emma sighed and ran her hands through her hair, obviously frustrated.

"No we don't Sean. I'm ready." Emma looked at him trying to convince him with her eyes.

"Em. No. Not today." he avoided eye contact.

He could sense her annoyance from next to him and just knew this was going to cause a fight.

"What? Sean you've been wanting to have sex for months now. Why not?" she demanded.

Sean sighed.

"Emma, what you went through last night? That's a traumatic fucking experience! And you shouldn't be making such big decisions like this right now! Do I WANT to have sex? Yes of course! I've wanted that ever since I was thirteen! Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to say no to you right now?" Sean was starting to get a little pissed.

He was trying to do the right thing here and Emma was making it seem like he was jerk!

"You're the one saying no!" Emma huffed crossing her arms across her chest like an angry child.

Typical Emma. Avoid the situation at all costs instead of dealing with it and then get pissed when your boyfriends tries to help you.

"Emma, I'm saying no because it's not the right time and you know it!"

"Whatever, Sean. Let's just go back to bed" Emma turned away from him towards the wall and angrily pulled the covers over her.

Sean sighed. She could be so damn stubborn!

"Emma, come on. You seriously can't be mad at me right now."

"I'm not." she practically yelled at him.

"Fine." Sean snapped at tried to go back to sleep knowing this was a fight he wasn't going to win.

They both laid there wide awake and fuming mad at each other, but equally aware how close they had come to losing each other. Neither of them said a word as Sean scooted towards Emma and pulled her into his arms, her back to his front. He wrapped his arms around her waist and Emma automatically cuddled further into him and entangled her arms with his. His hand found it's way to hers and their fingers entwined naturally. They were both pissed at each other, but they were also not willing to ever lose each other again. Now that she was back in his arms, and her in his, they both fell back into a light sleep.

-X-

When Paige awoke the next morning it took her a minute to realize where she was. From the twinging pain in her neck and the sunlight hitting her right in the eyes, she realized she was still in Spin's car. He was talking on the radio to someone and as Paige opened her eyes he smiled his good morning at her. Her throat felt dry and her mascara made her eyes feel glued shut. She must have fallen asleep at some point during their steak out last night. They were still in front of Sean's apartment.

"Morning." Spinner said cheerily when he was done on the radio.

Paige mumbled something completely unintelligible as she pulled the visor down to check her reflection. Oh god she looked hideous! Her mascara and eyeliner were smudged around her eyes and she was pretty sure that was dried up drool on her shirt! Great! Just freaking great!

Spinner laughed at her obvious annoyance and shoved a donut in his mouth.

Paige wiped the goop from her eyes and then gave him the death glare.

"What?" he mumbled after he swallowed his donut.

"I have to go! I've already lost god knows how long asleep in here!" Paige went to reach for the door handle/

"You didn't waste time, Paige. You actually slept! For three solid hours. It's been a long time since that's happened." Spinner pointed out.

Paige froze. She realized he was right. She normally only slept a few hours at a time and she slept fitfully at that. This had been the first time in months she'd slept peacefully that long at a time.

"You want to go get breakfast?" he asked, his hand on her arm to stop her from leaving.

Paige sighed. She enjoyed spending time with Spinner, much more than she was even willing to admit. But she didn't have time for this! She had a case to solve! And a heart to protect...a heart Spinner Mason had broken once before.

"I can't." she whispered.

Spin sighed.

"I'm sure Sean isn't even up yet. We could go have breakfast at The Dot and be back before they even leave for school. Then you can go back to stalking your old friends through their apartment windows." Spinner joked.

Paige rolled her eyes.

"Fine but you're buying." she huffed.

Spinner laughed.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." he put the car in drive and sped off.

One of these days, he would get Paige to trust him again.

-X-

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