Carly and Steve pulled up to the house as another rainstorm poured down on them. He turned the engine off and smiled over at her; both of them still reeling over their encounter in downtown Waikiki. "The rain is back." He put his hand over top of hers that had been resting on his leg the whole ride home.

She grinned back at him. "You go first and bring me back an umbrella."

"Well aren't you the quick thinker," he laughed, undoing his seatbelt. "Anything else I can do for you, princess?"

"Yes please, bring me back some other shoes too. I might get my feet wet in these."

She shrieked as he lunged toward her, pinning her against the door. "Steve!" she giggled, holding him at bay with her hands on his chest.

"I'll do it," he agreed, "but it'll cost you."

She tilted her head in question, "What would you like?"

He smiled wryly and leaned in, kissing her. Being in this place with her again felt amazing.

She moaned softly, letting him know she liked it. He kissed her two more times, pleased with himself over her radiant expression.

"Ok," she sighed, "I'll go get you the umbrella instead."

He laughed, kissing her once more quickly on the cheek. "Why don't we both just make a run for it."

She nodded in agreement.

They both opened their doors just slightly and looked over at each other.

"Ready?" she said.

"Go!" he shouted as they both opened and slammed their doors at the same time. The rain came down in sheets soaking them almost instantly. Steve went to run past her toward the house when she reached her hand out, grabbing his arm.

"Ladies first," she laughed, holding him back.

"Hey!"

She let go and went to dash past him when he caught up with her easily, grabbing her around the waist and turning her so she was facing the opposite direction, giving him the advantage.

She ran after him again and suddenly a bright light flashed overhead and a loud clap of thunder followed, stopping her in her tracks. She put her hand over her chest startled, looking up as another bright flash came from behind the house. She half screeched and half laughed, covering her ears, knowing what was coming.

Steve turned when he got to the porch, looking over his shoulder assuming she was right on his heels. He saw her about twenty yards away standing in the rain with her hands over her ears, her shoulders tense, it was then that he remembered how afraid of thunderstorms she was.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the bomb to drop when the memory of opening a door and seeing a soaked teenage boy standing there came to her. Her heart beat faster realizing it was the same boy that tried to pull her sister from the river, Steve. The house was her parent's, her sister was there, it was raining hard like now and he had come to be with them because they were scared. She answered her own questions as if she were looking at pictures and describing the story that was associated with them. She was in the middle of a memory when she felt his hands on her arms, pulling them down away from her ears.

"Are you ok?" he smiled as the rain pounded on them, but neither one caring at the moment. "I know you hate thunder and lighting."

She stared up at him seeing the boy in her memory. "You came to my parents house when we were young and stayed with Karen and I because we were afraid of a thunder-storm."

It took a second for him to recognize what was happening. He gathered both of her hands in his and brought them up to his wet lips and kissed them. "Yes, I did," he nodded; thrilled that she remembered something else about him.

She smiled and started to cry at the same time, it was such a good memory but most of all she was glad that it included him. She put both her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. The rain let up some but it didn't matter anymore, they were both soaked to the core. "You came there for me, because I needed you there. I remember that."

"Of course I came." He pulled back so he could see her, "I told you this once before," he smoothed his hand over her head, trying to wipe away the excess water dripping on her face, "I would have walked…" but before he could get it out, she repeated it almost word for word.

"Ten miles in the pouring rain to get to you if you needed me."

This moment was just getting better and better. He nodded at her reply, looking into those beautiful green eyes that stared back at him with so much happiness, representing everything they had been fighting to get back too. "God Carly, you can make me so happy at times I'm not even sure I'm deserving."

"You are," she reassured him, pulling him down to her lips, "you are," she whispered again before she kissed him.


"My clothes are sticking to me like glue," Carly yelled out to him from her room down the hall as she changed.

Steve struggled to get the wet T-shirt over his head, "Ahh! Me too." He slipped his shoes and wet socks off, moving over toward the dresser.

"I'm almost considering putting my clothes in the dryer first," Carly said shivering as she slipped her shorts off.

Steve stood at his dresser with the drawer halfway pulled out, suddenly transfixed by her image in the mirror across the way. He watched her through the slight opening in the door as she began to unbutton her blouse and continue to talk to him, not realizing she was being watched. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't stop himself. She was too beautiful and it was probably the most erotic thing he'd ever watched in his entire life. Her wet hair hung partially in her face as she looked down, working on each button.

"If the lights go out, you know we'll have to eat all the ice cream in the freezer," she smiled, undoing the last button and looking up. "We wouldn't want it to…" she stopped mid-sentence seeing his reflection in the same mirror across the hall, watching her. She quickly closed her blouse and they made eye contact just before she reached over closing the door.

She wasn't so upset with him watching her, as she was that he might have seen the ugly scars on her body. She cupped her hands over her mouth, shocked over it, yet as she stood there replaying it in her head a smile slowly began to emerge on her face recalling the enchanted look on his. He wasn't gawking at her like some teenage boy; he was admiring her from afar. Her heart fluttered, feeling attractive for the first time since her ordeal, and by the look on his face, desirable was also impending on her horizon.

She let her hands slide down her body and over her breasts, thinking what it would be like for him to do that to her. His hands on any part of her body would be a treat. She stared at the door, hoping she hadn't given him the impression she was angry by practically slamming it in his face. Her heart fluttered again, only not in the same pleasing fashion.

Steve let his head fall forward and rest on the top of the dresser. "You fucking idiot," he mumbled to himself. "What is the matter with you?" He banged it gently twice, scolding himself over what he considered very poor judgment. "I can't believe you did that. Oh my God."
He braced both hands on the dresser, hanging his head; convinced he had just taken a giant leap back from everything he had accomplished that night. He tried to remember what her face looked like before she shut the door. Was it shock? Or was it more appalled? It didn't matter either way; both were one in the same when it came to this scenario. He had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He had no idea what to say to her to rectify this situation and was trying to find the right words when he looked over, seeing her standing in the doorway.

She smiled, knowing by the look on his face that he felt guilty as hell. "I'm not mad." She blurted out, wanting to take that initial fear out of him.

"Carly," he sighed with so much affliction in his voice, "I'm so sorry. I was just standing here and," he pointed to where he was looking, "and I saw you, and I just," he shook his head, having no excuse except that he wanted to see her naked, but couldn't come out and say that. "I just…"

"Couldn't turn away," she teased him.

"I could have, yes. I should have!" he quickly countered.

"I have to admit, I'm a little flattered that you took such a long calculated look." She moved toward him, still wearing the shirt but had put on another pair of shorts.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise, "You are?"

She nodded, playing with the top button, "Yes," she slightly shrugged, "it was kind of nice being admired in such a way."

He grinned, "Well, you are quite the spectacle. I lied when I said I could have turned away. I couldn't."

She stood right before him looking down, still toying with the top button. "So you…liked what you saw?"

"I saw you," he declared as if that was a gift in itself, "so yes, I liked it very much."

She looked up at his face, seeing it in his eyes. He stood before her half-dressed, that body so strong and the man inside it so agile and loving she thought her heart might leap right out of her chest and land in his hand. It might as well have she thought, he owned it that was for sure. "I was thinking about what you said earlier," she took a breath, "about you wanting me..." she looked over at the bed but couldn't bring herself to say the word, feeling shy, "in here."

"I like having you close to me all the time. That's what I want." He didn't want her to think it was just for sex. That would come in time, for right now he was happy just having this conversation with her. "But if it makes you uncomfortable, then I don't want it."

A flash of lightning came in through the glass doors on the lanai and Carly grinned, "I might have ended up in here anyway."

He smiled back; putting his arms around her in a protective manner, "Wait for it," he teased her.

Carly laughed, burying her face against his shoulder. She jumped as it came with a loud boom that shook the windows. Her arms went around him, not scared in the least but actually enjoying it. It felt nice being under his protection. She hoped the storm lasted all night.


It wasn't awkward in the least sharing his bed. She attributed that all to him. He didn't make it seem unusual, but more as if it was any regular night. He held a conversation with her about the next day events and what his plans were. He kept his sweat pants on and got in first indicating which side was hers so there would be no guessing on her part. His side was closest to the door, which she assumed was another one of his protective maneuvers.

She had on a satin nightshirt that she wore often and a pair of soft cotton shorts underneath. She slid in next to him, lying on her back, looking out the glass doors. "It's still raining so hard." She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do, or what he was going to do. Did he expect sex from her? The thought of him seeing her naked sent her into a panic. No matter how much she was beginning to feel like her old self again, physically she'd never be the same. He had to face that eventually too, she thought.

He leaned over and turned the light out. "I think the thunder and lightning show is over. It's been quiet for a while." He rolled over on his side, looking at her. It was surreal to see her lying there again after so long.

She turned her head to see him, "I hope I don't snore."

He laughed, "You do, like a sailor."

She looked shocked at first and then realized he was teasing her again. She rolled over on her side toward him. "I'll try to keep it down."

"Good, because I'm exhausted. You wore me out today," he grinned. "Too much excitement for me." He slid an arm under her and pulled her close, rolling over on his back. She went with him willingly, resting her head on his bare shoulder. It was so quick she barely had time to react to it. But as she settled in with his arm around her and hers draped over him, she was surprised how incredibly comfortable it was. She imagined this was the norm for them.

"Good night, Steve."

He squeezed her, "Good night." He closed his eyes for the first time in almost two months and didn't have to wish she were there, he had her in his arms again. He was going to sleep like a baby.


Carly felt him move and opened her eyes. They were in a different position now. They were both on their sides, facing each other but he was higher up on the pillow than she was. One of them had kicked the sheet off. She went to move and realized he had one of his legs entwined around hers and his arm rested on her hip.

She closed her eyes trying to go back to sleep, but couldn't get beyond the presence of him. It was different from when they first went to sleep. She felt more relaxed now and he was certainly the same. She could feel his warm breath on her hair as he slept soundly. It reminded her of the night in the hospital when she had woken up and he was there.

She opened her eyes, focusing on his chest in front of her. She could just make out the scars that were visible in the light. She reached her hand up and carefully touched one, gliding her finger over it, wondering if it hurt when he got it. She couldn't see his 'lucky scar' but looked up in the direction of where it was located. His broad shoulders seemed towering from were she lied. She scanned down his body, following his stomach until it disappeared inside his sweats; she felt her face flush wondering if what was inside was as magnificent as the rest of him. She toyed with the string on his pants, letting it slip through her fingers.

She looked up at him, watching him sleep. His lips were slightly parted and looked so inviting. She wanted more of what he offered her earlier. It was too good to not want more. Her fingers touched his throat, feeling his whiskers as she gently made her way down until her fingers could feel the beginning of his heart beat. She watched his chest expand as he took in a deep breath and at the same time hers fingers picked up the vibration of his rapidly beating heart. She looked back up at him and he stared down at her.

She let out a tiny gasp, not so much over being caught exploring but by the way he looked at her. His eyes were already making love to her and he hadn't even touched her yet. She could feel the heat from his body reach across and cover her like a blanket. She felt tingly all over and heard a small moan escape from her lips, begging for what he was offering. He was as beautiful as any man she had ever seen, but he loved her, which made her want for him even that much more eager.

He had been awake the whole time, not wanting to interrupt her exploration. It felt too good. Everywhere she touched left a trail of exploding nerve endings, testing his will and stamina. It was by far the most difficult, yet rewarding fight against himself he'd ever encountered. He had to control the urge to moan at one point when she played with the string on his sweats. But once her fingers glided down his throat and over his chest, he couldn't take it anymore. Memories of the two of them were too embedded in him to let this moment go un-attended for another second. He wanted her too badly and his body had missed that gratifying sensation of being inside her. More than anything else, he wanted to feel that bond with her again.

He slid down until he was even with her, repositioning his leg so it went between hers, using his hand that rested on her hip to pull her thigh up so her leg was now draped over his.

She lay face to face with him, their bodies so close neither one could distinguish whose heartbeat was whose. If given the opportunity to be anywhere else in the world at that second, she would have declined. It felt perfect. She was overwhelmed by the fact that she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

"I love you," she whispered to him. It was the most logical thing to say because it signified everything she was feeling.

He thought he'd died and gone to heaven. Not only was he getting permission but also she was feeling everything he was, which made the moment so much more gratifying.

He kissed her, rolling her over on her back and moving between her legs.

She pulled down on his hips, getting a feel of just how bad he wanted her as he let the weight of his body relax down on top of her. His kiss was deep and meaningful, not at all rushed. He took his time, getting a read on her body language just like he used to. He knew her inside and out knowing what type of sex she wanted just from the first kiss. Tonight he'd ease into it, let her set the pace. She used to like that.

Carly tilted her head back, letting him have free access as he made his way down her throat. She put her hand on the back of his head guiding him, feeling the tip of his tongue between kisses as he made his way up to just below her ear. She let him play there for a moment until the urge for him became too great and she turned toward his lips, kissing him. He tasted so good, almost as sweet as sugar.

The lower half of her body began to feel the same need. She felt his hand slide down there as if reading her mind.

He was in another world when he was with her. Her body was like a treasure that he adored and cherished. He never took it for granted and was always amazed at the newest pleasures it would give him. It truly was the gift that kept on giving. He pushed up above her, sitting back on his heels between her legs, his hands stroking her stomach over her shirt, up and over her breasts and then making his way back down between her thighs over her shorts. Her body reacted to his touch and she reached down taking him by the wrist, begging him to stop the delightful torment. She was ready for the next step. She slid her hands under her shorts and he helped her slide them off over her knees, discarding them on the side of the bed.

He went to do the same with her shirt, when she grabbed his wrist again, only more forceful this time.

"No Steve," she panted, "don't take it off."

"Why not?" he asked, moving up on her.

"You know why," she followed his eyes as he faced her.

He knew exactly where this was going, anticipating it. "Do you like it when I touch you Carly?"

"Yes, but its different there. You have to know that."
"Nothings changed, not for me." His hand eased underneath her shirt, seeing the apprehension in her eyes, "I love you Carly. I've known what's under there; I saw it first hand the night it happened. But it's not scars that I feel, it's healing, it's you coming back to me, that's what I feel when I touch you there, and I'm in love with every inch of it."

She could feel his hand caressing over the area, his eyes fixated on hers, reassuring her everything he said was true. His touch was therapeutic, she'd never thought of it that way, or ever considered how good it could feel having a warm, strong hand embrace it. She didn't recognize them anymore as scars, but her battle to beat out death and because of him she survived it. She felt a whole new appreciation for them the same as he did when talking about his 'lucky scar'.

She smiled up at him, reaching down and removing the shirt on her own.

He kissed her for that, long and deep, wrapping his arms around her naked body.

Her confidence level shot through the roof. She wanted him, feeling no apprehension or uneasiness. He shooed that away, giving her the freedom as always to do what made her feel good, and right now it was him.

She pulled down on his sweat pants, freeing him up in the same way, using her feet to get them all the way off. Her hands feeling every muscle on his body as he rose above her. She didn't want any more foreplay, not this time; she was too eager for him now and let her proposal be known by physically taking him and easing him into her.

He was blinded by sheer pleasure over her boldness as he began to move on her, mirroring her movements until they found their rhythm. The sounds of pleasure coming from her and the way her thighs tightened around his hips, forcing hers up into him was almost more than he could take. He almost bit through his bottom lip trying to refrain from climaxing too soon it felt so good. It was progressing too fast and he had to calm it or he would. He got both arms around her and lifted her off the bed, sitting back, taking her with him. She held on around his neck, straddling him and resting with him deep inside her. He held her securely around the waist with one arm and the other across her back with his hand buried in her hair.

She tilted her head to the side as he devoured her neck, "Ahh yes," she moaned, "this is good."

He smiled, searching out her lips, "You feel good." He reached up with his mouth giving her quick short kisses, backing away when she would try to return them, toying with her.

"Don't tease me sir," she warned.

He pulled her closer again, brushing his lips against hers, "What are you going to do me if I do?"

She grinned mischievously at him moving her hips ever so gently back and forth, staring right at him. She smiled brighter when his expression went from teasing to pure ecstasy. She felt his arm around her waist tighten and his shoulder muscles tense up.

"Carly stop," he moaned, but even as he pleaded with her, he used his arm to bring her in closer, forcing her hips down, returning the pleasure.

"Don't stop," she gasped.

He leaned forward laying her back on the bed. She wrapped her body around him as he found that familiar rhythm that drove her over the edge. He'd been saving it until now.

She was glad now that she had removed her shirt, because the friction from his body against hers was just as much of a turn on as his performance. The humidity from the rain made the room warm, but with the extra curricular activity going on they both began to feel the heat. She kissed his neck, tasting the sweat that began to form as he moved her to another level. Every muscle in his body was working to bring her to what she could only describe as an earth shattering pleasure. She felt the power of it growing and it was as if he had crawled inside her body and felt it too because it was then that he lifted her off the bed, pulling her closer to him. She felt weightless in his arms as they both clung to each other their bodies peaking at the same time, sharing it with the other.

They lay motionless, yet their bodies still convulsed from the affair, each one trying to catch their breath, not only from the exertion but also from the orgasm that left both of them depleted. Steve felt a bead of sweat roll down the side of his face but was too weak to do anything about it. He didn't want to move anyway. He wanted to stay in this position for the rest of his life. He was convinced he could live happily right here being nourished by her body. He felt her hands begin to move over his back and he let out a deep pleasurable moan, telling her how good it felt.

He rolled over on his side, taking her with him, wanting to keep her close. He brushed his hand over her hair, wiping away the sweat that had built up on her forehead. She watched him intently feeling so much love for him she thought she might burst at the seams.

They lay facing each other, neither one saying a word, but what had changed between them was loud and clear. She understood now why he was there every day and every night after she had woken up. This had been their life. It was no wonder he had fought so hard to get it back. She would have done the same for him.

"Thank you," she whispered, fighting back tears as she struggled to say what she wanted too. "Thank you for holding my hand through it all and bringing me back to this place." She realized her life could have easily gone in a different direction had she gone home with her parents, but he fought for her, carefully guiding her into the light. She laid her head against this shoulder and started to cry, overcome by it all and how close she came to losing him.

He didn't say anything. He didn't have too. He just held her close and let her ease back into her life with him. That's all he wanted anyway, he didn't need recognition, he just needed to be right where he was.


Author Note: Hi, I'm leaving for Hawaii in the morning for 11 days and probably won't get much writing done while I'm there, even though inspiration will be everywhere!

So I apologize for making you wait for the next chapter…BUT, thanks as always for even reading! Aloha!