Jim and Catherine set out for Los Angeles the next day. Jim insisted on driving and Catherine relented, thinking that it might help him keep his mind off of Ellie so much. They had to stop frequently for Jim to get out and walk around; doctor's orders and Catherine wouldn't give in on that. The last thing Jim needed was another stay in the hospital or worse. Catherine couldn't even think about the worse. Besides, they don't make hospital beds for two, she thought.

Glancing at him sideways, her thoughts went to the night before. The sex was great, but the intimacy was even better. The way he held her and talked to her; his touch, so loving and tender; his need to fulfill her needs...she knew that only the very lucky ones get a chance at a relationship like that and this morning she was feeling very lucky. All of her life she'd gone for the wrapping on the package and found the contents lacking, disappointing in some big ways. But with Jim, the wrapping was a little beaten and worn, showing signs of aging; but the insides lacked nothing, no disappointments there. This was a man who knew how to love, even though he had no memory of it. It was an instinct with him, she decided.

Jim felt her glances and wondered what she was thinking about so seriously. He was still floating on the euphoria of the previous night. God, what that woman can do to a man...for a man, he thought. A brief thought flashed through his mind as he wondered how many men she had done that for, but he dismissed it. Doesn't matter, he thought to himself, she's with me now and I don't intend to let her slip away. He reached over to take her hand in his, needing the physical connection. This journey was frighteneing for him but with her next to him, he knew he'd make it okay.

She held his hand, using her other hand to gently stoke his fingers, hoping that simple motion would tell him what she was feeling. Letting the warmth of her love flow through her fingertips, something else began to grow inside of her. Glancing over at his lap, she wondered what he was feeling. As her fingers continued to stroke his hand, she was wishing that she could move closer. The urge to touch him was building and it was logical to assume that once she was able to satisfy that urge, other urges would follow. She looked at his profile and began to wonder just how important it was to him to make LA today. It could wait another day, she thought, and there were plenty of motels along the route.

Sensing her restlessness, Jim glanced at her and smiled. It was then that he saw the nature of her restlessness. That knowledge sent a bolt of electricity through him and suddenly driving was very difficult...or concentrating on driving to be more precise. Finally he broke the silent, charged currents between them. "Ah...I think I need to pull over for awhile...and,um..."

Picking up on his thought, she pounced, "Rest? I think there's a motel just ahead. I saw a sign back there..."

A subtle grin inched its way onto his face. "A motel?"

"Yeah, so you can ...um, rest, you know...take a nap, if you need to." She was looking at him eagerly now, desire in her eyes.

Jim smiled. "Honey, the way you been looking at me that past few minutes, a nap is not at all what I need. But the motel is a good idea...I'm too old for the backseat anymore."

Catherine chuckled at his last comment. "Me too...I gave that up when I graduated high school."

Jim glanced at her, smirking. "You'll...ah, have to share some of your backseat stories with me, since right now I don't remember my own." Just then he spotted the motel she had spoken of. It wasn't too bad, he decided and pulled in. "You sure?" he asked considerately.

"Oh yeah..." she said hungrily.

Later, after they were spent, she laid with her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. She loved the sound of his rhythm, so strong and regular and comforting to her. He was gently stroking her arm, occassionally kissing her head or murmuring soft, loving thoughts to her. "Jim?"

"Hmmm?" he answered lethargically.

"What's our room number?"

"Huh? Oh, ah... 159. Why?"

"Just want to know the room number for heaven," she answered contentedly.

"It's not a room, Catherine. For me, it's you. Anywhere you are, if I'm with you... I'm in heaven. "

"Yeah, me too," she said as she snuggled into him.

That afternoon, they left the room key on the table and continued the journey to LA. A few miles down the road, Jim glanced over at Catherine. "Look, it's not that I'm complaining or anything...but back there, what was that? I mean, we're riding along and suddenly you look like you're ready to devour me. Like I said, I'm not complaining," he chuckled, "but ...well, it was just a pleasant surprise, I guess." He knew he was rambling, babbling even, but he really hadn't expected their little delay.

Looking across the seat at him, she eyed him with amusement. "What can I say, Jim...I find you scrumptous. After such a long time without, well...nights like last night, I guess I'm just on a Jim binge."

"A what?"

"A Jim binge...you know, can't get enough of Jim." Her eyes were twinkling with amusement now.

His own eyes were dancing. "You make me feel like a decadent dessert...or maybe a bottle of booze."

"Oh," she smirked, "definately decadent," licking her lips.

He laughed. "You keep that up and we'll never make LA."

"How much farther?"

"Well, we just crossed into California, so about 220 miles. About three and a half hours."

"Hmmm...at least two more stops," she giggled wickedly.

Jim gave her a sideways look, trying not to grin. A chuckle errupted from deep within him, however and he reached over to grab her hand. She grasped it tightly and then smirked. "Isn't that what got you into trouble the last time?"

Still grinning, Jim replied. "Babe, if that's trouble, I'll be a very bad boy all the time..."

Her eyes travelled to his face, taking in his relaxed countenance. She felt her heart began to race as love for him welled up inside her. Her stomach began to churn as her emtions threatened to overwhelm her.

Noticing her changed demeanor, he frowned. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she replied softly. "I...um, well...it's just...I love you so much."

He looked at her with wonder, as if she had never spoken those words to him. "Then I'm a very fortunate man," he answered. "Because even though things are a mess right now, I happen to be in love with a very special and beautiful lady...and you know what? She says she loves me too... It doesn't get any better than that," he smiled.

Leaning over to him, she kissed his cheek and then whispered, "can you drive any faster? I have a big reward for you when we get to LA."

"Baby, just having you here with me, that's reward enough. "

They continued their journey, Catherine trying to keep her hands off of him. Jim had begun the trip filled with fear. Now he found himself looking forward to their destination...at least to them arriving at their destination.

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So tell me what you think. How should things go with Ellie? How do Ellie and Catherine get along? Does anybody even care?