"Zo?" Nick spoke her name quietly, as he rearranged the soft throw that now covered them both. She lay contentedly on top of him, her head cradled in the curve of his shoulder, his heartbeat now calm, steady in her ear, her arms comfortingly tight about his ribs, their legs entwined, her foot gently rubbing his shin from time to time. He kissed the top of her head and blew into her hair. He hated to break the mood, but he couldn't risk leaving it until tomorrow. Tomorrow might be too late. He steeled himself for the argument which would no doubt erupt. They had had some memorable shouting matches in the past, he had the feeling this would match them all and then some.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"About the heart?" Zoe asked, she had felt him tense as he made the admission.

"Yeah." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I saw Meyer talking to you." She met his eyes and held his gaze. "The other little girl, she's still alive isn't she?"

"She's back in her home town, in the hospital there." Nick nodded, his expression grim. Zoe placed her index finger finger on his lips to silence his words.

"You're going to do the operation?" She asked. Again he nodded, capturing her hand in his and kissing her fingertips.

"I have to Zo." His tone was raw, emotions laid bare. "It was Azin's father who got us out of there, without him," he closed his eyes, "without him, we wouldn't have made it home."

"Nick." Zoe breathed him name, kissing the backs of his fingers. He opened his eyes slowly.

"It will only be a week or so." He breathed.

"I'll come with you." She said firmly. "I'm due some leave."

"No." His refusal was firmer. "Any where else in the world Zo, but not there. No way."

"But..." She began.

"No." His voice was a whisper, his eyes pleading with her soul, his resolve to win this argument unshakeable. "Please Zo, trust me, when I get back I'll take you anywhere else in the entire world, you name the place I'll take you there."

"I could help..." Zoe began.

"And you could end up ..." He silenced her. "Or worse." His expression reinforced his unspoken words. "Zo, you are the best doctor I know, I'd love you to be there, working by my side, but that is no place for a woman and I don't say that lightly." He cupped her face in his hands, thumbs stroking gently over her cheeks. "I don't want you there, because I love you."

"Nick." She breathed his name from the heart, sliding her hands around his neck, cupping the base of his skull, fingers raking through his short clipped hair.

"Anywhere?" Zoe asked after a moment of silence, forcing a lightness into her tone that she certainly didn't feel, he didn't need to spell out the added dangers faced by women in that particular territory, or in fact the dangers that he would be exposed to. "We never did get to Rome, so I guess you owe me that one, at least."

"Thank you." He breathed, pressing a kiss to her forehead, knowing that she had not given in easily.

"On one condition." She added. "You come back safely, I'd never forgive you if anything happened."

"I promise." He whispered.

"Let's go to bed." She suggested.

.

"When are you going?" Zoe asked quietly, snuggling into Nick's side, draping one arm across him, resting her face against his chest. He tugged at the duvet, making sure she was safe within it's soft protection.

"Soon." His voice was almost inaudible in the almost darkness of Zoe's bedroom. "Maybe even tomorrow."

"Mmm." Zoe snuggled in closer. "In that case, could I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Would it be too much to make love five times in one day?" She whispered.

"Are you doubting my stamina?" Nick raised one eyebrow at her. "I think that would be a perfect way to end the day." He added before waiting for her answer. He trailed a line of kisses across her temple, down her cheek, around the line of her jaw and captured the lobe of her ear, nibbling gently, sensuously, sending delicious shivers of anticipation through her.

In the early hours of the morning he had been cautious, gentle in reacquainting their familiarity, almost afraid to let go, when they had woken he had again been questioning, seeking reassurance, unafraid to give, but content to let Zoe lead. Their stolen minutes in the shower had been swift, powerful and all consuming. Tonight as they watched the film he had once again allowed Zoe to guide and to take what she wanted from him.

As he leaned over her and gathered her in his arms, Zoe knew instantly that this was very different. Nick had thrown caution to the wind, cast aside any lingering doubts, his powerful embrace and the heat of his breath against her skin, took her back instantly to the time when he had been completely hers. She spread her hands across his back, one skimming firmly over his muscles, gliding upwards to his neck, ruffling his short clipped hair, guiding his head so that his lips met hers. He allowed her to control the kiss, indulging her desperation, accepting the unspoken communication of need and love. Nick met her passion, matched it and more.

"I do love you Zoe Hanna." He whispered as they gazed into each other's eyes. "I always have, no matter what."

"I love you Nick Jordan." She breathed, just before he kissed her again, this time he was in total control.

"Let me love you." He breathed against her cheek. Zoe nodded her consent, smiling up at him, as he laid her softly on the pillows, his expression soft and filled with love in the dim moonlight that spilled across them. Zoe relaxed fully, letting Nick take control, her hands gently caressing his smooth skin, teasing lightly in the way she knew he loved, as he took all the time in the world to reassure her, that he had not lost any of the full range of skills of his long fingers and sensual tongue, nor any of his physical prowess as he took her beyond the farthest reaches and showed her the stars.