Chapter 37.

Joey pulled out of her carefully, lifting her in his arms and laying her on the bed. He walked out of the room to the bathroom, exhaustion ebbing through his body but he was determined to look after his girl before he got any rest. He got a clean flannel out of the airing cupboard and soaked it in warm water. As he was about to leave the room he thought of something else he could do for her and he spent a couple of minutes sorting it out. He walked back into the bedroom and sat beside her, seeing she hadn't moved from when he'd put her down. "Come on, babe…" he said softly, moving the flannel to between her legs and brushing it across her. She moaned, her hips shifting as he touched her gently.

"Joe, I can't…" she whispered.

"It's okay… no more tonight… I promise. I'm just looking after you, babe…" She opened her eyes and stared at him, seeing the love on his face. He got to his feet and lifted her in his arms, this time getting no protest from her. He carried her into the bathroom and she saw he'd run her a bath.

"Joe…" she whispered, turning her head to look at him, "You too…" she said and he understood her. He nodded his head, lowering her feet to the floor. He climbed into the bath first and sat down, sighing as the hot water soothed his aching body. He held a hand out towards her and helped her climb into the bath. She sat down, sitting on his lap and curling up against him. Joey held her against his body, kissing the top of her head.

"Did I hurt you…?" he asked her in a whisper.

"Yes… but it was a good kind of pain, Joe… I liked everything you did… You did just what I asked you to do," she looked up at him and her hand brushed the side of his face as she saw the guilt on his face, "Please don't feel bad, Joe… You were amazing and you proved your point to me…" She shifted on his lap and kissed him gently, feeling his cock stirring beneath her thigh, "Really, Joe? Again?" she giggled.

"You're irresistible…" He breathed, "but I know you're not up for anymore tonight…" He pulled her against his chest and ran his hands over her body. "Are you sore?" he asked her softly.

"It's just a dull ache… it might hurt more in the morning." She said.

"Maybe we should stay here another day, babe…" he told her.

"Maybe…" she whispered. The hot water, Joey's hand and her sheer exhaustion from their activities were all causing her eyes to drift shut.

Joey looked down after a few minutes silence and he saw she was asleep against his chest. He kissed her forehead gently, hating the fact he was going to have to wake her. He shook her gently and her eyes opened blearily, "Time to get out of here, babe… I just need you to wake up for a couple of minutes. Can you do that for me?" he asked her. She nodded her head and he eased her off his lap and quickly got out of the bath, wrapping a towel around his waist. He lifted her out of the bath, seeing her eyes falling shut again already. He carried her naked and dripping into his room and lay her on the bed, dashing back to the bathroom and grabbing some towels. He returned to his room and dried her gently, being particularly careful over her intimate area. He dressed her in a pair of boxers and a T-shirt from his cupboard and then put her in the bed. He then dried himself and climbed into the bed, not bothering with any clothes. He pulled her into his arms, feeling her snuggle into his chest again. He tilted her chin up and kissed her softly. "Night babe…" he whispered before closing his eyes and also falling asleep.

*JL*JL*

Joey squeezed her hand, the warmth of it reassuring him she was still there… but more than anything he wished she would squeeze it back. He was used to seeing her so full of life and her lying there like she was now was slowly killing him. A tear rolled down his face and he brushed it away, not caring if anyone saw he was crying. He lowered his head, pressing the back of her hand to his face and let the tears fall. Despite the doctor's words he still couldn't push away the fear he was going to lose everything he cared about.

A/N: Joey is still suffering… poor love… Send me a review… Back tomorrow…