Disclaimer: All characters except Max and Yoshi are property of JE. Max and Yoshi are mine, as is this story!

A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long, I got hung up for a while on a relatively minor thing but I think it got worked out. Let me know what you think!

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

The next time I woke my shirt was missing, and Ranger's mouth and hands were sliding up my ribs towards my breasts…

Chapter 38

Heat seemed to radiate from his skin. I opened my mouth to ask him why, but lost both my breath and my train of thought when his hot mouth found my nipple. The sudden intense sensation had me clutching at his shoulders and squirming, gasping for breath. I felt his silent chuckle at my reaction as he turned his attention to the other side. As he moved his weight shifted and I realized he was lying between my legs - and my shirt wasn't the only thing missing.

"Ranger... Oh my god, Ranger," I managed to find words through the haze of desire rapidly overtaking me, but it took some effort. "Why are you so warm? You feel like fire..."

One hand slid down my thigh and slipped beneath my knee, tugging it up over his hip. "Do you really want to talk right now?" he asked softly, his lips still brushing my breast.

I shuddered as his hot skin came into more intimate contact with mine and shifted my legs to cradle him. "I just...ah...need to know."

He laid his head between my breasts and exhaled slowly, not quite a sigh. The pause that followed was so long that I thought he wasn't going to answer. Then he took a deep breath.

"In some… situations," he began softly, slowly, as if he was picking his words, "when I'm out of adrenaline and have to keep going, my metabolism kind of … kicks into high gear. It gives me an edge, but it raises my temperature and burns me out pretty fast. It takes a few days for my temperature to settle back down."

He moved again, dragging his lips across my skin, then nuzzling his cheek against my breast. I knew there was a hell of a lot he was leaving out, but honestly, what he was doing nearly short-circuited my brain. I didn't need to know all the details and I certainly didn't need them right this moment. All I needed was to know he was okay, and to be with him. Everything else could wait.

"Okay," I said simply.

His chin rested against my breast bone and I knew he was looking at my face. I couldn't see him in the dark but I heard the smile in his voice when he spoke. "That's it? Just 'okay'?"

"Um-hmm..." I traced my fingertips down his arms to his elbows and back up, smoothing my palms across the warm skin of his shoulders. The skin over his bruises was slightly swollen and hotter than the rest.

"You don't have more questions?" There was laughter in his voice now, and I felt his chest vibrating.

My fingers tangled in his hair and I used it to tug his face up to mine.

"Shut up."

The sound of his laughter was sweet. "Yes, ma'am," he whispered. Then he kissed me.

Ranger liked to kiss and it showed. His kisses were heaven. Even back when his kiss just meant trouble for me I hadn't been able to resist him, and now was no different.

His first kiss was gentle, almost innocent. I waited for him to deepen it, but when he continued to just play with my lips I teased his lips with the tip of my tongue. He drew a quick breath, drawing back slightly, then he pulled his body further up mine and slid his hands beneath my shoulders to cradle my head… and his mouth came back down. The kiss was still gentle but now there was heat, and he slowly, slowly took it deeper.

I melted against him as his mouth made love to mine. He explored; he tasted; he teased my tongue with his until I was writhing beneath him. At some point it registered that he was rocking his whole body up and down, dragging his skin against mine with torturous slowness, the tip of his erection just barely touching me.

"Please," I begged as he broke for breath. "Please!" I couldn't form any more coherent words but I didn't need them. He knew what I wanted.

I felt the muscles in his back shifting, felt the length of him hot and hard as he pushed slowly into me. Ranger made a harsh sound of satisfaction when he was fully inside me; I moaned at the hot pressure, my breath coming in gasps.

For a long moment he held there, pressed as deep as he could go.

I clung to him, wanted never to let go. "I love you," I whispered raggedly. "I love you."

Ranger's fingers curled over the top of my shoulders, holding me tight. He pulled back slightly then pushed back in. "Soy el tuyo, Babe," he whispered. "I love you too."

The back of my brain fumbled to translate. Soy el tuyo… I am yours. My heart leapt and tears gathered in my eyes but before I could speak he began slow deep thrusts, and all coherence was lost.

His heat enveloped me inside and out with his length stroking me and his arms wrapped around me. Tears dampened the hair at my temples but I could neither stop them nor care. All I could think about was the man in my arms.

I wasn't going to last long. I was close to shattering already, and when I felt the fine tremors begin in his arms I knew he was close, too. His thrusts grew longer and more powerful as his control began to slip. I dug my fingers into his back and held on, crying out as the orgasm broke over me, drowning me with pleasure. He followed me over a heartbeat later, spilling heat deep inside me. After a moment he collapsed onto his elbows, then slowly shifted part of his weight off me. Before my breathing was back to normal I felt his muscles go lax against me. Just like that he was back asleep.

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

Dawn was breaking when I woke again. I was once more wrapped in Ranger's arms and he was sleeping but I really had to get up. It was hard, but I managed to slowly maneuver my way out of his arms and to the edge of the bed without waking him. I found the shirt I'd gone to bed in on the floor but there was no sign of my panties. Since I was in a rush I just grabbed the shirt and headed to the bathroom.

Once my urgent business was taken care of, I brushed my teeth, took off the remains of my makeup, and ran a wide-toothed comb through my hair before venturing out of the bathroom. Ranger was still sleeping so I crept through the bedroom, heading for the kitchen and a drink.

I found my purse on the bar and realized I'd probably left it in the SUV in the garage. Lester must have found it. My phone was pulled out and plugged in, lying on a folded note. It said "Keep this within reach, in case you need anything." It wasn't signed but I could guess - Lester brought my purse in, Bobby wrote the note, and Tank brought them up and plugged in the phone. I smiled, checked the phone to see if it was done charging, and unplugged it, making sure it was set on silent. I didn't want it ringing or vibrating.

There was another plate in the sink along with the two from last night, and an extra juice bottle among the empties. The fridge had been restocked with more water, juice, and Gatorade on the shelves, joined now by yogurt and a bowl of tuna salad. It was too early for me to be really hungry yet but I ate some yogurt and drank some juice before heading back to the bedroom with another bottle of water.

Ranger was pushed up on one elbow, looking around groggily. There was another empty Gatorade bottle and a half-empty bottle of water on the nightstand. It looked like Ranger had gotten up hungry at some point while I slept, and I hadn't even heard him. I decided that was a good sign.

I put my water and phone on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. "Go back to sleep, its okay. I just went to the bathroom and got something to drink," I whispered softly. Ranger's eyes closed and his head lowered slowly back to his pillow. I would have thought he was completely out but as soon as I lay down he hauled me back into his arms. He sighed, and was once again still.

I'm fairly certain I had an idiot grin on my face when I went back to sleep. I was seeing an entirely new side of Ranger -- less superhero, more human, and entirely endearing.

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

By mid-morning I was wide awake and unable to go back to sleep any more. But I couldn't get up. Ranger was once again lying between my legs, but now he was sound asleep and using my stomach for a pillow. Some small part of me was a little worried how he'd react if my stomach started growling and woke him. But I was comfortable and I didn't need to get up for anything. I didn't mind being his pillow for a while.

I laid there listening to him breathe for a long while, content just to watch him sleep. Then later my curiosity overcame caution and I tentatively started stroking his hair. In the light I could see why it had seemed different last night - one side of it was singed. Running my fingers gently through it I remembered the recording of his pick-up… Hadn't the Captain said something about him looking a little fried? I couldn't see any signs of burns anywhere, though, so whatever had happened he'd escaped nearly unscathed. The swelling was down in his bruised shoulder today, too. The color had turned darker, that awful greenish-black bruises turn as they heal. But best of all his skin seemed to be close to normal temperature -- assuming I hadn't just gotten used to the heat. I checked again, putting my hand on my forehead for a moment before laying it on his exposed shoulder. Yes, I sighed, normal.

I was idly playing with his hair and wondering where my shirt had disappeared to this time when Ranger finally stirred.

"Getting hungry, Babe?" He spoke without lifting his head from my stomach and there was amusement in his sleepy voice.

I smiled. "Starting to. Did my stomach wake you?"

"I don't know if it was yours or mine." He stretched, pushing up onto his elbows on either side of me, wincing slightly. "I think mine is growling, too."

"Well, the food fairies left plenty of stuff in the fridge. I can go get some, or would you rather go to the kitchen to eat?"

"What time is it?" he asked.

I couldn't see the bedside clock because it had gotten turned sideways. My phone was just within my reach. According to the screen it was ten-thirty…Sunday morning. We'd slept through Saturday. Ranger looked a little surprised to hear that.

"I want a shower first, and then food," Ranger said as he rolled onto his back to stretch again. The covers had gotten lost off the foot of the bed so Ranger was all bare skin and flexing muscle, and I couldn't look away. "Pain pills make me feel like I've got a hangover. I need a shower to wake up."

"Me, too," I murmured.

He turned his head and caught me staring, and his grin flashed. "Want to join me?"

I had to clear my throat before I could answer. "Sure. Um…I should give my mom a quick call first - I missed dinner Friday night and I'm sure she's wondering if I'm coming over today." I no more than said it when my phone started flashing in my hand. Ranger chuckled and rolled off the bed with a faint grunt of pain.

"Just come in when you're done," he said.

I watched him walk to the door and noticed a very slight limp. With all the bruises it was a safe bet that he was stiff and sore. A hot shower would probably feel pretty good.

I answered the phone just before it would have gone to voice mail. As I'd expected, Mom wanted to know if I was okay since I missed Friday dinner, and was I was coming over today.

"I'm fine, Mom. Ranger got back from his out-of-town job Friday afternoon, and I forgot all about dinner. No, I won't be there in time for brunch today, but I might stop over later this afternoon. Okay, Mom. I'll tell him. Bye!"

Ranger was finishing shaving when I went into the bathroom. His eyes met mine in the mirror and one eyebrow went up. "That was fast."

I shrugged. "She just wanted to know if I was going to make it to brunch, and if I was bringing anyone."

He turned his head around to look at me. "Why would she ask that?"

"Your guys have been taking turns riding with me while you were gone. Sometimes I took them with me to my parents' house."

"My guys?"

I had to smile. We had a lot to catch up on. "Yes, your guys. Tank, Lester, Hal, Cal, Woody, Bobby, even Hector took turns spending part of their days off riding along with me, sometimes alone and sometimes with Lula. I know you didn't ask them to," I said when it looked like he was going to interrupt, "but they wanted to help, keep me from worrying too much and keep me out of trouble while you were gone."

Ranger smiled. "Not that you ever get into trouble," he teased.

"Not me," I smiled back. "Anyway, I thought it was sweet of them and it did help. And I got to know them a little better. Grandma loved having them around. Mom even invited them to Thanksgiving dinner."

"She did what?"

He sounded so shocked that I had to laugh. He was done shaving so I nudged him toward the shower.

"It's a long story."

I commandeered the shower gel and started gently washed his back as I talked. I began with Tank driving me home then checking on me the next morning and hit most of the high points - Lester's "pop-quiz" made him chuckle, as did Cal babysitting. I explained about Grandma's mystery tour trip tomorrow, and Mom's surprise spa day. And all the details I could remember about Thanksgiving.

"The only way it would have been better was if you'd been there, too," I told him softly, "but at least I knew you were safe."

We were done washing and just standing with our arms around each other under the cascade of hot water. The heat of the water felt good to me, so I could only imagine how it felt to Ranger. He was moving better now, and seemed more his normal alert self. But we couldn't stay here all day, so he reluctantly reached to turn the shower off.

By the time we got out and dry, my stomach was getting loud enough that Ranger laughed.

"Hush," I commanded. "I can hear yours growling, too. Do you want to eat something from the refrigerator, or would you like something else? Ella has a new pancake recipe."

"Pancakes sound wonderful."

I called Ella while Ranger got dressed and asked for the new pancakes. When I went looking for clothes I found him frowning at himself in the mirror.

"I need a haircut," he said, holding out a section a couple of inches shorter than the rest.

"It looks like you got singed," I said. I really wanted to ask what had happened, but I didn't know if he could tell me.

"Yeah. I kind of rolled through a fire. I'm lucky that was all that burned." His hair wouldn't stay in his usual ponytail, so he pulled the top back and left the back loose. It made him look different.

I pulled on my own jeans and t-shirt left from our weekend. Ranger put on a t-shirt and sweatpants, and Ella brought up a breakfast feast. Besides the flax and pecan pancakes, there were scrambled eggs and bacon - I'm pretty sure it was turkey bacon, but it tasted good.

While we were eating I mentioned I wanted to make a short visit to my parents' house to make sure Grandma had everything she needed for her trip. "You're welcome to come with me if you'd like, but you don't have to. I won't be very long."

"I'll come with you, Babe."

"Mom will try to feed you," I warned. "I think she still has ham from Thursday, and probably pie. She gets carried away in the kitchen."

He just smiled.

He exchanged his sweatpants for black jeans and we headed out. We made a stop on five to check in with the guys on monitor duty - Woody and Hal - before we left the building. My SUV's seat had been cleaned, but Ranger handed me the keys to the Turbo. I was surprised he let me drive, but he got into the passenger seat and stretched his legs out.

Grandma Mazur was in the doorway when we pulled up, and Ranger chuckled at her bright purple pantsuit.

"How much was on that gift card?" he asked.

"Lester didn't say. Why?"

He shook his head slightly and opened his door. "Just curious."

"Valerie's here, too," I warned. Her van was in the driveway, which meant everyone was probably here. "It may be a madhouse."

The house was in its normal state of Sunday-afternoon chaos. Mom greeted us just inside the door and welcomed Ranger back from his trip. Dad and Albert were watching football on the big-screen TV, and the older girls were playing a game on the floor. Valerie was upstairs changing Lisa.

Grandma beamed at Ranger when he complimented her on her new outfit. We migrated to the sofa in the living room, where Grandma showed him her camera, and the pictures on it she'd taken Thanksgiving. Ranger smiled at several of them and seemed surprised that Hector had come.

"Hector doesn't speak much English," he said quietly to me. "I wouldn't have thought he'd come."

"I was surprised, too, but we learned to talk pretty well. I've been kind of helping him with his English, and he'd been here with me once before. I think he was the most surprised when Mom invited all of them, but they seemed to have fun."

True to form, Mom was pushing ham sandwiches and several kinds of pie. Since it hadn't been that long since we'd eaten breakfast, I split a sandwich with Ranger. Mom made wonderful sandwiches and I never turned one down. I also ate a slice of cherry pie. Ranger had two - one of cherry and one pumpkin. He seemed to be quietly enjoying himself but when Lisa decided to crawl over us I saw him wince, and decided we should go. He still needed recovery time.

Back at Haywood I thought Ranger would want to take a nap. Instead, we got comfortable on the sofa and watched a movie…and ended up making love, first on the sofa, then on the floor. Then I was ready for a nap, and I dragged him back to bed.

TBC…

A/N2: The poll will be up on my profile page until Feb 1st, so go vote if you haven't already. Thanks to all of you who already have! And don't forget, I LOVE REVIEWS!