It seemed like the scenario played over and over again in her mind. She remembered the sound of metal crushing against the ground, people screaming, and sirens. A body stuck inside the car. The ambulance going to the ER. Doctors rushing to the entrance... And she stood in the middle of this. Numb Terrified. Lost. Apart of her heart black with emptiness. She sat next to Andrew in his room. They put him in the critical condition unit. Tubes and IVs hooked up to his frail body. The doctors were grim about his recovery, doubting he would ever walk again or get out of his comatose. A tear rolled down her cheek. He looked so helpless. (He almost died.) She heard bits and pieces of the police conversation. 'A hit and run', 'freak accident'. She smirked. (A fucking hit and run! Is that so? A simple thing like that wouldn't have him be in critical condition.) Someone said a Hummer hit him from behind, but this was no accident. Someone wanted him dead. Amara ran into the room as fast as she could. She stood in the doorway and looked at Makoto. She looked weathered down underneath the dim lights. Makoto looked up and motioned for her to come in.

"How is he?"

"He just got out of surgery. His current condition is comatose. The doctors don't think he will make it" she replied.

"You look exhausted. How 'bout I stay with him while you get something to eat. You look like you need it."

"I'm fine Amara," she snapped flatly.

"Okay."

Amara sat down next to her not bothering to argue. They sat there late into the night. Makoto just stared at Andrew. He laid there without any disturbance. Only the sounds from the machines hooked up to him made any noise. (Rivera, you'd better not die on me. I need you.) Another tear rolled down her cheek. She got up from her seat and went into the restroom. The nurses smiled at her sympathetically and when she returned, they bought her something to eat. She thanked them and went into the cafeteria.

"Makoto."

She looked up to see her boss standing there. He sat down across from her. She just stared at her food. It seemed like hours before she uttered a word.

"It's funny, you know with all this happening to me. I mean my friend is dead and now my partner is hooked up to a respirator from getting almost crushed by a Hummer. Take me off this case Helix."

Darien shook his head.

"No."

Makoto frowned.

"No?"

"Yes, you heard me. I'm not gonna take you off this case. You're my best detective Makoto. I wouldn't have put you on it if I knew you couldn't handle it. You are extraordinary women. It takes a lot more to make you give up. I'm not taking no for an answer. Andrew will get better. Fuck what the doctors say. He's tough. Besides, he cares too much about you to die."

He got up and walked out the cafeteria. Makoto let his words sink in and took a deep breath. He was right. She made a promise to herself to be strong. She went back up to the room and told Amara she was leaving. She took a cab back to her apartment. The crime scene was still going on. Yellow tape surrounded the entrance. Police were still taking pictures and collecting evidence. She walked inside and took the elevator up to her room. As she began to change, someone put their arms around her. She screamed and elbowed the stranger in the face.

"Damn it Makoto," he groaned.

"Nephrite?"

"Yeah?"

He rubbed his cheek.

"How the hell did you get in?"

"Mr. Brown let me up," he answered.

She rolled her eyes and went into her bedroom.

"Aren't you full of wonders?"

"I heard what happen. I'm sorry about Andrew," he called.

"I'd say thank you, but you're an ass," she called from her bedroom.

She returned to the living room with her arms crossed.

"I came here to apologize and this is how you treat me?"

"You had no right to say that to me,' she said angrily.

"I know and it earned me a bruised cheek," he pouted.

Makoto smiled for the first time that day.

"I can never stay pissed at you."

Nephrite's eyes sparkled.

"I know."

He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close.

"Nephrite..." Makoto began.

Soon his lips captured hers in a kiss so sinful they forgot to breathe. Makoto couldn't help but moan. Despite the events of the past few days, she still felt a need to have him. Her hands roaming his chest. His were on her thigh and at the swell of her breast. They broke apart and moved into her room. Nephrite lay down in front of her. She unbuttoned her shirt and let it fall to the floor. (She is beautiful...) Makoto gave him a small smile and crawled on top of him. She slowly sucked his bottom lip while her hands found their way to his belt buckle.

"Makoto?" he moaned when she rubbed his thigh.

"Hmm?"

"I love you," he said.

Makoto stopped and looked at him.

"You're just saying that."

Nephrite shook his head.

"No, I really do. It took me until that morning when you left to realize that I'm in love with you."

Makoto sat up.

"Nephrite where are you going with this?"

He paused a moment before getting something out of his pocket. He took her hand and kissed it. Then leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"I want you to marry me."

She gasped when he placed a diamond encrusted ring with an emerald in the middle on her left ring finger.

"Oh my god."

"I want to be with you forever. So what do you say?" he asked quietly.

Makoto's eyes overflowed with tears.

"Yes."

He pulled her close to him and began to plant soft kissed all over her body. His lips brushing against her smooth and heated skin. He took his shirt and pulled his pants off. He moved his hand down to her waist and tugged at the material covering what he wanted. Makoto was in pure bliss. He was driving her crazy. Stars were in her eyes. This encounter so different from the previous ones. They took their time making each other hot with lust. When she couldn't take it anymore, he entered her slowly and began thrusting into her. Makoto moaned to the time of his thrusts. Her mind clouded with only the pleasure he was giving her. All doubts of the day ripped and erased from her mind. He licked and kissed her neck, hoping it was what she wanted. Their bodies moving together and never wanting to stop this bond. Makoto kissed him as they both reached satisfaction. He rolled off her laid his head near her left breast. She gave him an innocent smile and closed her eyes. Nephrite ran hand up and down her toned stomach. (I win.)

The Next Morning...

Makoto opened her eyes slowly, but then tried to go back to sleep. Her mind wandered to what Nephrite did the night before. He had proposed to her. Her stomach twisted into knots. Guilt was written all over her face. (I said yes. Maybe I do love him.) She glanced over at him. He was still asleep. A smile played on his lips. She planted a kiss on his shoulder and stroked his soft brown hair. He moved slightly, and then laid still. His face innocent, but she knew better, yet she wanted him. His arrogance and pride intrigued her. From the first time she laid eyes on him, she knew he was meant for her. No matter how much herself doubt taunted her mind, she had found her other half. Finally she said the words that would connect then together.

"I love you too," she whispered.

...

Mina frowned at the television. After hearing about Andrew's car accident, it put her in a bad mood. She nibbled on her thumb nail. A habit she got into as a child when she was in deep thought. (So Nephrite got what he wanted. The bastard.) She turned off the TV and walked out onto her balcony. She calmed down. Las Vegas always had that effect on her. Even when she was living in the slums of the city. Mina rubbed her temples. She remembered when she had Makoto under her spell. She always had that charisma that attracted both men and women. A smirk came onto her lips. (I bewitched her and I can do it again. Nephrite doesn't deserve her.) Then her mind began to plot a way to get back at him. (I'll just lay low for awhile. Nephrite won't know what hit him.) Out loud only two words came from her mouth and were caught in the wind.

"She's mine."

-WooWoo316 ;)