Disclaimer: Boomtown isn't mine.

25. –Month Eighteen

"I need a vacation. A real one this time." She flopped down on the DDA's couch with a sigh. He huffed at her as he looked at her movie collection. Stretching out all the way along the sofa she groaned in relief as her back popped. "Seriously, that was possibly one of the longest weeks of my life."

At least it was over. It had taken them six long days to find the bomber, which really, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't that long. She was pleased and impressed that Hicks could navigate through the FBI bureaucracy so well. He'd kept the department on the case and it had paid off. One of the night cops she had worked with a few months back had gotten a tip from his street contacts. Things had moved fast after that. The department had bagged him and tagged him. The man, who was convinced a nameless entity was directing him to wipe the city clean, had nearly blown up the group that had gone after him, but Fearless was quick on his feet. Good thing he was too. He saved his partner, six feds, and Ray and Tom. McNorris had taken care of the legal side after she questioned the man with Joel. Fearless had been too wound up to go into interrogation with them. She didn't blame him; if she had nearly blown up she wouldn't have been too relaxed either.

This was the first time in five days she had been away from the department for more than a few hours at a time. She had only left to shower and change. She had been sleeping in the break room when she could catch a minute, or her car. That had been a relatively good three hours. Once she had fallen asleep on the couch in McNorris' office in the wee hours of the morning. When she woke up he was typing away where she had left him. The only reason she knew he'd moved was because he had put his jacket over her while she was sleeping. She had found that really sweet.

Needless to say, when everything was over she had needed to unwind. She suggested a movie at his house and he agreed on the condition that they could eat crappy Chinese takeout from his favorite place. An hour later and she was at his door with her movies, all in a single large CD case, and a bag of assorted goodies. They had eaten quickly and she had tossed a fortune cookie at his chest when he seemed intent on ignoring the treat. It simply wasn't right to not eat one. He had sent her a look and she had pointed at the cookie with mock sternness.

"Why is this important?" He asked as he reluctantly opened the plastic it was in.

"Because you have to play the 'in bed' game. It's vital to the bad takeout experience."

"The 'in bed' game?"

She gazed at him in horror. "You've never played?"

"No."

"That's unbelievably wrong, but that's okay. It's never too late to be cool."

"You're vocabulary astounds me. I thought you went to school."

"Shut it and open your cookie."

Shaking his head, he cracked the cookie and pulled out the paper as she did the same. Giggling, she read hers and looked up at him. "Okay, so all you do is read your fortune out loud and then add the words 'in bed' to the end of it."

"Why?"

"Because it's funny."

"This is juvenile."

"That's the whole point. Don't be so uptight. I'll go first." Straightening her paper with a flourish she read it. "'Your imagination is a great asset', in bed."

His lip twitched. She knew he would like this game. She pointed to the piece of paper he had yet to look at. Lifting it to his eyes he read it to her. "'Skill comes from diligence', in bed."

She laughed happily. "That was a good one."

"Where'd you pick this up?"

"My friends at college. There was this little family owned place right across the street from school we used to hang out in. Believe it or not the owner taught us. This little old Chinese woman, it was great." Picking up the empty containers she tossed them in the trash and returned to help him put the leftovers in the fridge. Bumping him slightly with her hip she tried to get him to admit that had been fun. "Besides, you know you liked that."

"It has its charm." She had stretched her spine and retreated to his living room. Now she was watching him search through her disks as she got comfortable. She decided she was never going to move again. "Do you have enough science fiction?" He asked.

"Those are the best."

"Attack of the Killer Slug?"

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she smiled. "You're missing the point."

"There's a point to killer slugs?"

"Yeah, you're supposed to make fun of them. You need to lighten up some. You take everything too seriously."

"Some things need to be taken seriously."

"Agreed, but your at home, after work, supposedly relaxing. We've talked about having fun before."

"I remember."

"Then put in a movie and stop questioning the giant slugs."

He shook his head and removed a DVD. She couldn't see what he had chosen but didn't say anything as it loaded. He picked up two remotes and walked over to her. Setting them on the end table next to her head he bent down and hooked his hands under her arms. She made a sad sound at being moved but he sat quickly and let her put her head on his leg. Grumbling a bit, she wiggled until she was comfortable again as he set up the player. It was amazing that a man that never watched his television set could work the duel remote system and navigate through menus with such ease.

When he had the machine on the right channel, and the screen was loading, he reached over and turned off the lamp. The room was plunged into darkness as his widescreen came to life. Reaching down he set his hand on her head and she shifted. He hadn't been wrong about her getting used to him touching her. What had started out as skittishness that bordered on panic had morphed into a few moments of uncertainty before she relaxed. When she calmed he started stroking her hair and she hummed softly. This was nice.

When Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy came on she was pleasantly surprised. "Have you seen this before?" She asked.

"No."

She smiled as the main credits started. When the dolphins started singing he sighed glumly. She laughed and patted his knee. "You'll like it. Be patient and enjoy the big band music. It's not jazz, but it's kinda close."

He didn't complain and a few minutes later started to chuckle as the movie progressed. Pleased that he was enjoying it, she let her arm hang over his knee for the next hour. When he started to shift his leg she sat up, she didn't want to make him loose feeling in his limbs. He caught her around the waist and pulled her down in the opposite direction she had been lying so he could spoon up behind her. He murmured into her ear. "Better." Then his attention returned to the screen.

By the time the movie ended their legs were tangled up and he had a half smile stuck on his face. She twisted her torso so she could see him better. "Did you like it?"

"Yes, but I have a few questions."

"You'll have to read the books to see if you get the answers."

"There's a book about this?"

"The movie is based of the first one in the series."

"How many books are there?"

"Five, although one book is only about ten pages long if I remember right."

"That's ridiculous."

Her lip twitched. "Because the movie was so serious?"

He shook his head. "I see why you like it." She rolled her eyes and he kissed her. Turning her over he nuzzled her face affectionately and she stretched her neck up to make it easier for him. As his arm wrapped over her back he sighed into her skin. "I missed you the last few days."

"I missed you too." It was an odd realization. How could she have gotten used to waking up with him after only a few days? At her quiet confession he kissed her deeply and rolled her under him. Shifting with him, she let her legs fall to either side of his hips. Almost as soon as he was settled he kissed her deeply and ground his pelvis into hers. Whimpering, she arched up into him and he growled into her mouth. Snaking his arm under her he hauled her up with his lips pressed firmly over hers. Clutching at his shoulders she held onto him and he stood up.

Her legs locked around his waist as he carried her toward the bedroom and she kissed her way along his jaw. The last week had been an unexpected halt to their forward progress. They hadn't had time to sleep, let alone spend time together. She was torn between lust and fear, but she knew her anxiety, at least the large majority of it, had nothing to do with him. She wanted to be rocked into oblivion. She wanted to moan and cry out in the safe darkness of his bedroom. She just needed to get past her initial panic.

He kicked the door shut as he passed through the threshold, and taking three more steps, lowered them down onto the bed. Moving her up on the mattress he nibbled on her lower lip and ran his hand along her stomach. Her nervousness increased but she didn't protest when his fingers slipped under the fabric to stroke her skin. He looked from her body to her face. "Okay?" He questioned gruffly.

She licked her lips. "I just…" Her voice dropped. "I have a lot of scars." She looked past him toward the ceiling as she said it. She knew he had caught a brief look at her back but he hadn't had any time to really see her skin. It was bad. She didn't care what he'd said about her making it worse in her mind. She knew her skin looked awful and she knew how hyper focused he was on appearances. It set her on edge.

He kissed her cheek. "I don't care."

He might later, until then maybe she should enjoy the experience. Nodding, she caught his face and kissed him hotly. He hummed happily and took hold of the bottom of her shirt. Tugging it up she lifted herself enough for him to get it off her before she pressed her back into the blankets. Even so a few of the longer marks curved around her sides where he could see. Ignoring the scars, he caressed her belly and ribs as he stared down at her lace-covered chest. She nearly rolled her eyes even as she praised herself for wearing the set of underwear she'd picked out for him over here. Men.

Then he lowered his head and kissed his way from her collarbone to the top of her bra. She sucked in a breath and then he covered one of them with his large hand and squeezed her gently. Letting out a soft breath she pressed up into his palm encouragingly. His hand snuck behind her and flicked the clasp open. She blinked at the speedy removal; apparently he was too tired of waiting to admire her in the lace for long. "Someone's had practice."

He laughed at her as he slid the straps down her arms. "You'll find I have a few more talents than you thought." He boasted.

She eyed him and tried to destroy his ego before he could blow it up any farther. "We'll see."

Amused with her, he tossed her bra off the bed and lowered his head to attack her breasts. When he latched onto one of her nipples she let out a moan and tangled her fingers in his short hair. Scratching his scalp lightly with her nails had him rumbling in approval, sending the vibrations down through her body. Shuddering, her eyes closed as she fell into the sensations. Once he had her writhing under him he pulled his head up and reached for the fastening on her jeans. Once he tugged down the zipper she caught his shirt and yanked at it. Getting the hint, that if he was going to see her she was most certainly going to see him, he sat up and tore it over his head before propping himself over her. She ran her hands over his skin and felt his muscles tightening and bunching under her touch.

He caught her hands as they strayed toward his pants and put them on his shoulders. She smirked slightly when she spotted the bulge. He was as eager for this as she was. He shook his head and she ran her hands up over his back before catching his face. Looking up into his face she asked him a question. "Are we going to be doing this again?"

"Yes." He replied at once.

"Good." She kissed him hard before breaking away breathlessly. "Then we can go slow next time."

His whole body tightened and then he was up again and peeling her pants and panties off. She lifted her hips for him and he tossed the material away as he got off the bed long enough to get rid of his own before laying over her. His hand darted between her legs to rub her and she whined. She was already wet. He really didn't need to help her along this time, although she appreciated the thought. Grabbing his hips she tugged him closer before wrapping her legs around his waist possessively.

With a groan of relief he rubbed himself along the outside of her and she leaned up and started kissing his neck and jaw. Grabbing her face he turned it and locked his lips against hers as he pressed against her opening. Clutching at his arms she lifted her hips as he pressed forward slowly. She panted as he slid in and could tell already that she was most likely going to be sore when this was over, he was working to slip all the way inside her, but at this moment she couldn't find it in herself to care. When he finally bottomed out she let out a breath and he groaned in pleasure. Then he kissed her again and this time it was hot and slow. When he broke away her legs tightened and she arched her back. Her body was begging for relief. "Move, David."

He nipped at her shoulder and started rocking his hips gently, being careful not to hurt her. She began to whimper inside of a minute and he kissed her as her cries got louder. When he swiveled his hips and hit her clit she let out a small shout. Pleasure rocketed through her and she arched up into him. She had forgotten how good this could feel. She was starting to spiral up and gasped out a request. "Harder."

He complied and she heard the bed start to squeak even as she moaned in approval. One of his hands snapped out to grab the headboard to give himself more leverage. Jerking under him she scratched his back as he brought her to the edge. "Darcy." He grunted her name as he kissed her behind her ear. "God, you feel good."

All she could do was let out a long cry as he thrust into her and sent her spinning over the ledge. Her body tightened all around him and he pressed into her as deeply as he could. He let out his own strangled shout and warmth spread out inside of her. Panting, he let his hand fall to the mattress next to her as he slumped down, his weight settling over her comfortingly after their release. Her own chest was heaving from their activities and a wave of affection for him rolled over her, it was amazing what hormones could do.

With a soft sound of satisfaction he pulled out of her and dragged her against his chest as he got comfortable. Curling up with him at her back she felt his breathing slowly even out as he kissed his way along her jaw. "Good?"

"Yes." She turned her head slightly and found his lips. Her body was starting to go slack as the week caught up with her, and he stroked her cheek before collapsing next to her. Her body began to go slack as a wave of sleepiness hit her. They should really try that again at a more sedate pace when they woke up again. That was her last real thought before she drifted off against him. The next thing she knew she was simply awake. It was still dark out but she could feel the sun getting ready to rise. She was too used to getting up at this time of day. McNorris was breathing deeply behind her and she relaxed as her eyes traced the familiar room lazily.

Laying under his arm in the pre-dawn darkness she let her mind wander in slow, contented circles. She was pleasantly sated and comfortable here. She couldn't remember feeling like this. She knew that at some point she had, but she couldn't seem to put herself in that place anymore. It was like she was looking back at someone else's life and not her own. Even so she realized, for the first time, that she missed her family.

She had known she missed them before but she had never allowed herself to think about it. It hurt too much to let herself dwell on things she couldn't change. Or things she had no intention of changing, the things that gave her nightmares that she had no one to blame for but herself. She pushed that away and focused on the reason she was contemplating her family at all. She figured she was thinking about this now because of McNorris. He was the first thing that even resembled a family she'd had since she left. She thought that should make her nervous but it didn't.

"What are you thinking about?" His low whisper rippled over her skin, his warm breath stirring her hair.

Turning her head she found his eyes were still closed and her hand rubbed down his arm. "How do you know I'm thinking about anything?"

"You're always thinking about something." He moved his arm so he could stroke her hair. "I don't think you know how to stop."

"Do you?"

"No. It's frustrating actually."

"As long as it's not just me."

He smiled into her shoulder as he kissed her, his eyes still closed. "Well? What were you thinking about?"

"You."

He hummed in approval. "Glad I made an impression."

She huffed out a lazy laugh and stretched against him, knowing full well what she was doing. "You were all right."

His hum turned to a growl as his eyes snapped open in fake indignation. "All right?"

"Mhmmm."

"I see." His tone changed. It got dark and low, and she wasn't sure exactly what she had done. Then he had her on her back and was staring down at her. "I'll have to see if I can improve your opinion of my performance then." Lowering his head he sucked on her neck, the very base of it, expertly and she moaned softly. "Going to make you scream yourself hoarse and then we can have this conversation again. How's that sound, baby doll?"

"Unlikely." She knew she was goading him as well as he did. It didn't make his reaction to said goading any less passionate. He trailed his lips down her body with amazing skill. By the time he hit her navel she was writhing under him and she could smell her own arousal every time she sucked in a breath.

Of course he commented on it. "Don't you smell like heaven?" She tangled her fingers in the sheets as he continued. "I bet you taste just as good." Spreading her legs he kissed her hipbone before moving inward. She whimpered and he nipped at the skin above her curls in response. Looping his arm around her leg he held her still before wrapping his lips around her clit. Hissing in approval her back arched as sensation shot through her. His other hand splayed out over her stomach to hold her down and his tongue flicked out to tease her.

When she started to cry out it only made him more enthusiastic. She gasped when he bit her gently and then he laughed into her. That only made her buck harder. He was too damn good at this. She knew he knew it too, because his tongue lapped over her in a way that made her start to tighten up. His grip tightened and she let out an involuntary cry. He sucked her again, hard, and she lost it. Her eyes rolled back in her head as her back arched up off the bed. He continued to tease her with his mouth as she came, dragging out her orgasm for so long it almost hurt.

When he finally left her alone she slumped to the blankets, panting hard. He kissed his way up her body slowly as his hands ran over her flushed skin soothingly. Her hands came up languidly and started brushing through his hair. He nipped at her ribs then trailed up to her neck. "That was close to a scream." He kissed her under her jaw.

"That's about as loud as I get." She told him honestly.

He hummed in interest. "You know how I love a challenge, Darcy."

She laughed quietly and he nibbled at her jaw. "Don't let me stand in the way."

He growled and kissed her hard as he tangled his hand in her short hair. "We can try this standing later."

She laughed breathlessly. "Aren't you the witty one this morning?"

He hummed his agreement as he reached down and spread her legs open. She cradled him between her hips as he kissed her again. He simply laid over her for awhile and kissed her, warming her back up. About five minutes in, she decided this was far more enjoyable than she remembered it being. Twisting, her head she kissed his jaw as her hands slid down his sides. Sighing contentedly had him running his hand over her cheek. He was being surprisingly gentle as they touched and she wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. She knew he was ready, but he wasn't pushing to move fast. He wasn't pushing at all actually. So she pushed him, literally. She was straddling him before he knew she'd moved.

His eye glittered approvingly as she sat up over him, putting herself on full display, and his hands ran along her abdomen before settling on her hips. Her eyes hooded as she gazed down at him and then she began to rock gently. He was trapped between her legs and she wasn't about to let him go anywhere unless he did something about it. He must have seen the playful glint in her because he reached behind her and smacked her just hard enough to make noise. She pinched him in retribution and he sat up, flipping her to her back.

She yipped in surprise as she bounced and he smirked at her as he pushed himself to his knees. "You are the worst tease I've ever met."

She saw a flaw in that statement. "I can't be that bad considering you got lucky last night."

He reached down and rubbed her with the heel of his hand. "I'm about to get lucky again."

She hummed and wrapped her legs around his hips. "Yes, you are."

He smirked at her before grabbing her hips and positioning her. Then he was sliding inside and she moaned at the sensation. His own groan of approval mixed with hers and she reached toward him so she would have at least some say in how they were going to be moving. She could already tell McNorris liked to be in the dominant position and that didn't bother her at all. Despite her own dominance in the workplace and social environments she liked having her sexual partners take the lead. She actually liked them to go a bit farther than that but she didn't think this was the best moment to address the issue, or even if she'd be able to handle games like that anymore.

David began to move and she whimpered at him. He grunted and thrust harder. Moaning again, she reached for him and pulled at his thighs as he bottomed out inside her. He must have been annoyed by her attempt to gain some sort of control and grabbed her hands. Yanking her up he cupped her ass and started to bounce her up and down. She gripped at his shoulders and he kissed her hard. His free arm pressed along her back and held her head where he wanted it. Moaning into his mouth had him bouncing her a bit harder and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders in an attempt to ground herself.

He groaned into her and she rolled her hips as she kept up with him. They had worked up a sweat and she was spiraling up when he laid them back down. She mewled at the change in position and tightened around him. With a growl, he curled up and continued to move inside her at a steady pace. She was so glad he was keeping his cool because she was about to snap. Gasping his name she began to tighten and his hand snuck down between her legs. He flicked her clit twice and she was gone. Letting out a long, low whimper she came.

He stopped moving a few seconds later and sequins of color exploded behind her eyes. Gasping her way back down to him she was surprised to realize he was still hard inside of her. Her hands tightened around his arms and he kissed her once before pulling out and flipping her to her stomach. Getting to her hands and knees she forgot all about what her back looked like as she arched back toward him, eager to let him take her in this position, it would feel so good.

Running his hands over her skin he finally grabbed her hips and thrust inside her. Letting out a choked moan she tangled her fingers in the sheets and rocked with him as he moved. And God did he know how to move. He began to twist his hips when he pushed in and she started to spiral up yet again. Progressively loud mewls erupted from her and he grunted every time he bottomed out. Her vision began to blur and she shut her eyes tightly as she gripped at the bedding. "Come for me, Darcy."

The growled command sent her over the edge and she screamed her release. Behind her David let out his own shout and let go with her. She was trembling in total pleasure when he slumped forward and his body pressed her into the mattress. Unconcerned with that, she lay half under him panting and gasping. Drifting in a pleasant haze of languid pleasure she felt a blanket cover her and then David spooned up around her after pulling out of carefully. Murmuring contently, her eyes fell closed. She was close to asleep again when he rasped conceitedly in her ear. "I knew I could get you to scream."

"Stop being a smug bastard. It's unattractive."

He chuckled and kissed the back of her head. "You're attractive enough for both of us."

"Aww, too much."

He chuckled and kissed her shoulder, and then he stretched out behind her with a satisfied sigh. They laid there for awhile before she decided she wanted a caffeine hit. She was sliding out of bed when he caught her and pulled her all the way over his body before pinning her to the bed. "Where are you going?"

She decided to mess with him. "I've had my way with you. Why should I stay?"

His eyes glittered and he tangled his hand in her hair and eyed her reprovingly. "I'm not letting you out of this bed until tomorrow." He kissed her again. "At the earliest."

"David?"

"Hmmm?" He started kissing is way along her jaw.

She ran her hands up over his shoulders as she let her voice drop suggestively. "If I'm going to stay in bed with you all day having sex there's something I want you to try for me."

She felt him tighten up with interest. That sure got his attention fast. "What's that?" His fingers began to explore her skin as his voice turned husky.

She tangled her fingers in his hair and rubbed herself against him. "It can get a little steamy."

"Tell me." He growled into her shoulder right before he bit it gently.

"You can't think I'm weird or freaky or something."

He was practically vibrating with curiosity. He started to tighten up again and she knew he was going to flip when she ended the teasing. "I'm surprisingly open-minded."

Leaning in she whispered into his ear suggestively. "Make me coffee."

He sighed and lifted his head. "Make you coffee?" She started to laugh and he rolled his eyes. "You're lucky I appreciate that you're a smart ass."

Lifting her hand she smacked his ass. "Coffee, ghost boy!"

"Hey!" He grabbed her wrists and pinned them next to her. "No need to get rough." She pouted up at him and he grumbled. "I'll get you coffee."

Smiling at the win, she pulled him down and kissed him in thanks. "Sweet to me."

He grumbled as he got up and grabbed his pants off the floor. Stepping into them he walked out of the room and she smirked. Stretching out over the rumpled blankets she sighed contentedly before closing her eyes and pulling the sheet around her middle, covering herself. McNorris came in a few minutes later and she sat up, holding the fabric around herself, as he held the mug out to her. He laid back down on the bed next to her after setting his own cup on the nightstand. She took a few sips before sitting hers down as well and crawling over him.

He watched her silently as she leaned over him and kissed his chest. A few seconds later and he was tugging the sheet off her as she slithered up his body. When she was even with him she started tracing nonsensical patterns over his skin. Bending her head she kissed the base of his jaw and he hummed contentedly. "Where's this going, McNorris?"

"What?"

"Where is this going?" When she lifted her head she found herself staring into his surprised eyes.

"We're married."

"Unwillingly." She tapped her fingers over his shoulder. "And you don't have the best track records with marriage, David. I won't stay in one with a cheater."

His eyes darkened but she would give him points for not breaking eye contact. "There were a lot of things wrong with my first marriage. Most of them were my fault. I won't make those mistakes again. Not with you. I don't drink anymore and you and I have things in common. That was a big problem for me before."

"I know." She eyed him. "But I want to be very clear with you." He nodded and she continued. "If you cheat on me or start drinking again the consequence will be far from pleasant. I'm not as nice as Marian. I don't care how good you are in bed."

His lip twitched once before he nodded again. "All right." Reaching up he stroked her hair. "I'll keep that firmly in mind as long as you realize that running and name calling isn't going to get you anything with me but trouble for you. I can be mean too."

"Fair." Dipping down she kissed him. He returned it easily and she broke away after a few moments. "In that case we can go back to the torrid sex."

He laughed and sent her a lecherous look before rolling them over. "Is that so?" She hummed and wrapped her legs around his waist. "I hate to tell you this but that might take a few more minutes."

She laughed up at him and tickled at his ribs. "Not as young as you used to be are you?"

"You are mean." He nipped at her neck and she wriggled at the sensation.

"You love it." In response his hand slipped down between her legs and he smirked when she jolted at the sudden touch. She couldn't find it in herself to scold him for being overconfident at the moment. This felt too good. The attorney just might be able to keep her here for a full two days.