Chapter 10

A/N: Character thoughts are in Italic.

A/N: Beware of SMUT (Mom, read this with your eyes closed. Thank you.)

Previously...

She ran to her bedroom, and tore off Woody's clothes. She hastily threw on one of Tank's shirts, climbed on their bed, and cried.

…

Tank sat on the couch running his bruised and bloody fingers through his hair. He could here her crying in the bedroom, and knew he had to get a hold of himself before he went to her. He knew he scared her when he started yelling before, but it was all he could do not tear the room and Woody apart with her watching.

As soon as he heard the front door shut, signaling she was gone, he launched himself on Woody. He was enraged. With each punch he tried to eradicate the image he could not shake from his mind. The image of her cuddled up by his side...in his bed...wearing his clothes. Her soft voice calling,"Come in, Baby." Like there was nothing wrong with this picture.

How could she think that any of that was okay?

How could she want to be my wife, and then be in bed with another man?

He heard her crying turning into sobs, but he still could not go to her. He saw Woody's face flash in his mind.

He heard his pleas. "Tank! You scared the shit out of her! You can kill me in the morning! Damn it! She needs you now!"

Tank didn't say a word in return. He just kept punching till Woody stopped talking. When the only noise left was his own heavy breathing, he bent down to make sure that Woody was still alive. "Good. I'll kill you tomorrow." He growled and gave him one last kick to the ribs. He stepped over pieces of broken furniture and made his way back home to her.

He realized now that she had not fucked him, but the betrayal ran just as deep.

She doesn't even see how she hurt me!

I am the only man that gets to hold her!

I am the only man that gets to be in bed with her!

Fuck! That should be fucking obvious!

He slammed his fist on the coffee table making a hole in the wooden top.

Ashley heard a noise above her own crying. It sounded like a banging or crashing noise coming from the living room. She quietly peered around the bedroom door and saw him. Tank was slumped over on the couch with his head in his hands. She hesitantly moved toward him.

"I won't hurt you." He said sorrowfully not looking at her.

She froze. The sadness in his voice was too much for her to bare. She reached out a hand to touch his cheek, but quickly pulled it back.

He watched her as she wrapped her arms around herself. Her eyes widened with fear.

She's afraid of me.

What have I done!

He took a deep breath and reached a hand out to her. She slowly put her small trembling hand in his. She watched as he wrapped his bloody and bruised fingers around hers.

"Oh, Baby!" She quickly knelt down in front of him. She turned their joined hands over and over examining his injuries. "Your hurt! We should go to the hospital!" She began to get up and pull him, but he stopped her with a shake of his head. "I can see wood and glass in your cuts!" Her voice raising along with her anxiety. "Tank! I am positive that those two fingers are fucking broken!" She shouted and pointed.

Tank starred at her in disbelief. Did she just... He bust out laughing. His whole body shook with laughter.

Ashley stopped trying to pull him to his feet, and stood back watching his odd behavior. Her brow creased in thought.

Is he in shock?

I don't think he lost that much blood.

Tank was finally able to calm down long enough to spit out, "You said fuck!" He pointed to her accusingly.

"What? I think you are in shock. Maybe you should lie down and elevate your feet." She tried to push him back on the couch.

He grabbed her around the waist, picked her up, and sat her on his lap. He smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "You said it! You did."

Ashley confused by the turn of events. "Are you alright? Did you hit your head?"

He kissed her again on her mouth, then again on her forehead. "I have never heard you curse before. I'm in shock from hearing that word come out of that pretty little mouth." Before she could deny it again, he kissed her deeply.

She gave up caring what she did or didn't say, and lost herself in the kiss. She pulled him tighter to her not wanting to ever let go.

He stills loves me!

I didn't loose him.

When the kiss ended, Tank took her head in his hands. He wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"I thought I lost you." She whispered.

"Never, Angel." He reassured her, then kissed her passionately.

...

Woody had to take several sick days off from work now. He had a few broken bones, lots of bruises, and a black eye. He lay back on his bed waiting for the pain meds to kick in.

Well, she won't be coming over to take care of me this time.

He sighed.

Ouch, even that hurts.

How could I have been so stupid!

I should have stopped her... sent her away.

He closed his eyes and remembered the soft touch of her fingers on his chest and the way she felt snuggled into him. He sighed again at the memory.

Ouch, but worth it.

...

Tank let Ashley clean his wounds, then carried her to their room for an intense round of love making. Afterward, they had a long talk. He explained how he felt betrayed by seeing her in Woody's arms in his bed. He believed her when she admitted that she never thought anything wrong of it. She explained how she was just helping a dear friend. Convinced that she did not have any other feelings for Woody, he confessed his insecurities and jealousy. She was surprised. She had no idea he had ever been jealous.

"I'm sorry I hurt you. That is the last thing I would ever want to do." She told him with a kiss.

He held her tightly. The warmth of her naked body against his made him smile contently. "I'm sorry I scared you, my Little Angel." He mumbled through a kiss.

"I think we had our first fight. I don't like it." She giggled when his kisses moved to her ear. "Let's not do it again."

"I think..." He kissed down her neck. "we need..." His hands caressed her breasts. "to make up again."

…

"Enter." Tank looked up from his paperwork and smiled at the sight of her dozing on the couch.

"Glad you're..." Woody was cut off by Tank's glare as he pointed to Ashley. "Sorry." He whispered. He glanced over at her for a second before walking over to Tank's desk. He missed her. They hadn't seen each other since the latest incident almost three weeks ago. He hadn't even heard from her apart from one text the day after, asking if he was okay.

Tank looked annoyed at Woody, and gestured for him to continue.

"Oh, right. I want to increase my hours. Stay late for a couple of weeks. To make up for my time off." Tank just stared at him. "Well... I also want to get all the last details in order so we can start construction on the new office right after Thanksgiving."

Tank nodded his head and went back to his work. Feeling dismissed, Woody turned to walk away. He stopped and watched Ashley snuggle into her pillow.

"Dismissed. Get out." Tank growled.

Woody hurried out and gently shut the door.

…

"What's y'all's plans? Are you cooking?"

Steph barked out a laugh. "I don't even own a pot! I don't cook. I have Ella. I love her." She sighed.

"Okay.. So, are you and Ranger, oh and Ella, going to spend a cozy romantic Thanksgiving together?" Ashley teased.

"I wish. I have to make an appearance at crazy central. If we survive lunch with my family, then we are off to his for dinner."

Ashley giggled. "Sounds like fun, and you get two Thanksgiving meals."

"You're not looking at it right. I get two desserts! So, what about you? Do you own pots?"

"Of course, but I'm only making my mom's stuffing. We're going to Tank's mom's for dinner."

"Well, that should be fun." Steph laughed. "Give Pierre a kiss for me. Bye"

Ashley snickered.

Tank came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He inhaled the coconut fragrance of her hair. "How's Steph?"

"She's good." Ashley turned in his arms to face him. "She told me to give Pierre a kiss." She giggled and kissed his lips.

"Oh did she now?" He joked as he tickled her until she begged for surrender. He sat down on the couch, and pulled her into his arms. As she tried to catch her breath, he nuzzled her ear. "I wish we were celebrating our first holiday as a married couple. There is still time." He began to suck on her earlobe till she moaned. "Is that a yes?" He teased. "The JP is open tomorrow. I checked." She leaned her head back as he kissed her neck. "We could be celebrating our honeymoon on Thanksgiving." She giggled. His hands began to roam over her body. "Come on, Angel. Say yes."

"No turkey honeymoon." She mumbled. Her hands squeezed and massaged his thighs.

"No?" His hand moved under her shirt. "Well then promise me we will by Christmas."

"Hmm...Santa is not coming on our honeymoon." She joked.

One of his hand caressed her breast, while he slipped the other between her legs. "Angel." She moaned and began to squirm against him. "What do I have to do to make you set a date?" He asked as his tongue licked her outer ear.

"Oh. Keep that up and I'll do anything you want."

"I'll remember that." He promised.

Thanks for reading!