A/N: Wow...I did not mean to go this long between updates. I really don't know why this chapter took me so long to write, but it feels good to have finally finished it! I apologize if it wasn't worth the wait. But, I have a few chapters left if anyone is still reading this and I hope you enjoy them! (I swear it won't take me another year to update!)

Chapter 26

It was taking awhile for Wolf to get his full health back, even when he said he was feeling better, Scarlet insisted he refrain from chores and his regular work outs. She knew he still needed more time to heal and would scold him whenever she caught him lifting anything or trying to sneak in push ups.

"But Scarlet," Wolf complained when she caught him doing sit ups in the barn. "I'm going to get fat."

Scarlet stood in the entryway, arms crossed, "Ze'ev Kesley, you and I both know it would take a lot longer than a few weeks for you to gain a few pounds."

Wolf ran his hands through his hair, messing it up even more. His hair is getting long Scarlet thought, distracted. She always loved when he did that and found herself losing the resolve to stay upset with him. "I just want to make sure you don't get sick again," She continued.

"I know," Wolf ground out. Frustrated and frazzled, he laid back in the hay, covering his face with his hands. Scarlet climbed down on top of him, straddling his hips. Wolf slid his hands down his face and met her eyes. "I'm sorry…Siting still has never been one of my strong suits."

Scarlet snorted, "That's a bit of an understatement." Wolf gave her a weak smile before pulling at a tear in her jeans. "Well let's do something then," She stated.

Wolf found her eyes again. "What did you have in mind?" He asked, sliding both hands up her thighs.

Scarlet felt her skin heat up, "I was thinking of something a little more innocent, but now I can't remember why."

Wolf let out a booming laugh. He sat up on his elbows, leaning up to kiss her. It was small but Scarlet caught him wincing in the process and put her hand out to stop him.

"What's wrong?" Wolf asked.

"You're hurting."

Wolf shook his head, "It's just from the sit ups." But Scarlet continued to stare, not quite believing him. "Honestly Scar, I'm not hiding anything this time. I admit I've been out here for awhile before you came in."

Scarlet arched an eyebrow, "You promise?"

Wolf wrapped his arms around her, "Yes, I'm really just a bit sore."

"We should probably hold off on anything physically straining then," Scarlet joked. "C'mon, let's go." She stood up awkwardly and held out her hands to help him up.

"What are we doing?"

"Walking down to the pub," She said as he followed her out of the barn. "Sound fun?"

Wolf smiled, "Definitely."

"I thought you were worried about getting fat," Scarlet commented as she returned with two more beers.

Wolf gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"That's like your fourth beer," Scarlet answered, "Beer's got a lot of calories."

"But don't you see, that's why I work out," Wolf replied, pulling his glass closer. "So I don't have to worry about what I eat or drink."

Scarlet laughed, "I guess that makes sense." Wolf smiled at her and held up his glass to hers. "Cheers," She said and they clinked glasses, hit the bottoms back on the table, and took a drink.

"This was a really good idea," Wolf said after swallowing a substantial amount of the beverage.

"Feeling better?" Scarlet asked.

"Much," Wolf replied with a grin. "It really does help to get out of the house and do something with you."

"I figured," Scarlet said, taking another drink just as Wolf set down his now empty glass. "Do you need another already?!" She exclaimed.

Wolf shrugged. "I guess I'm thirsty," Wolf said, smiling slyly. "I'm going to grab another."

"Hurry back," Scarlet said before taking his hand. Wolf stopped and leaned down for a quick kiss before making his way to the bar.

"Same thing?" Jean asked. He was usually here when they came in and was accustomed to their orders. Wolf nodded and Jean went to start pouring the drink.

Wolf found himself staring at Scarlet from across the room. He noticed that her drink was almost gone and made a note to ask for another one when Jean returned. Lost in thoughts of his wife, he almost didn't notice the commotion that was starting just a few feet down the bar from him.

Suddenly the sound of breaking glass pulled his thoughts back to the present. He looked over to see a man threatening one of the younger servers. He quickly got up, pulling the man away from the bar by his shirt. The man stumbled before attempting to shove Wolf away.

"Hey what's your problem?" The man slurred.

"I think it's time for you to leave," Wolf said.

"Mind your own business," He said angrily as he tried to shove Wolf again.

"It is my business when you threaten my friends," Wolf spat back, starting to lose his temper. "So you can leave on your own, or I can throw you out."

The man laughed. Wolf saw him grab a bottle off the bar before swinging it at him. Wolf quickly caught the man's arm, stopping him long before the bottle made contact. After failing to pull out of Wolf's grasp, the man swung again with his other fist. Wolf easily blocked the blow, catching his other arm and twisting it behind his back. The man let out a yelp of pain and Wolf started leading him to the door.

But Wolf was having a hard time with his surroundings. So much of his energy was focused on not ripping the man's arms from their sockets, or maiming him in some other fashion.

Just get him outside Wolf repeated to himself as he focused on reigning back his instincts and animal strength. This is doing nothing for my nerves he thought before returning to his mantra.

As Wolf attempted to keep from tearing the man's throat out, two other men were following him out to the alley behind the bar.

Scarlet looked up from her portscreen when she heard a familiar, rough voice threatening someone. She watched, impressed, as her husband easily blocked some guy's attempts to fight and was now forcing him to the door. She was just going back to her portscreen when something caught her eye. She looked back to see two others hurriedly following Wolf. Immediately she stood up and snuck after them, hand already on the gun hidden in her jeans.

Almost there, just get him a little further Wolf continued thinking to himself. He was just about to push the man away when another came out of nowhere, grabbing at Wolf's shirt.

"What the—" But Wolf didn't get a chance to finish as a third man's fist connected with his face. Wolf reeled back, snarling, ready to tear them all apart, but now all three were coming at him from different angles. The alcohol slowed him down a little, and some of their punches were landing as he continued to try and hold in the instinct to kill them all. He took a breath and focused. Two of them came at him from both sides, as soon as they got close, he easily grabbed both of them by their throats and hauled them up. They batted at his fists to no avail. The third worked up a little courage and ran at Wolf, thinking he had a chance while Wolf's hands were full. But Wolf easily kicked the man's legs out from under him, sending him to the ground. Wolf's grip on the other two continued to tighten just before a gunshot was heard and a bullet whizzed by his side. He dropped the two to the ground, knowing exactly who was behind them. The three were now cowering on the ground as Scarlet approached, gun still pointed at them.

"If you value your lives you better scram before my husband really loses control."

The three scrambled up and ran off as quickly as they could, stumbling over each other.

Wolf's breaths were coming out ragged and his hands were shaking as he resisted the urge to tear after the three men. It was then that Scarlet rounded on him, shoving him hard.

"What the hell were you doing?" She shouted, shoving him again.

"Scarlet—"

"Brawling with drunken idiots!" Another shove.

"I'd hardly call it a brawl," Wolf countered, earning another shove. He stumbled back a bit this time, and before he could regain his balance, Scarlet shoved him again. Wolf fell back against the wall of the pub, grabbing Scarlet by the wrist he pulled her down with him.

"Scarlet c'mon—"

"Shut up, Z!" Scarlet tore her hands from his. "You can't be so reckless!"

"Scarlet, what's going on?"

"Did you even know those other two followed you out?" Wolf had to admit he hadn't, he had been so focused on the one. "I know you can handle yourself but what if one of them had a gun?" She ran a hand over one of the many scars on his arm. "Or a knife?" Wolf didn't answer.

"You're not the one I'm mad at," she finally said, sounding defeated. "I'm just so tired of seeing you hurt." Suddenly, she was kissing him with such urgency and Wolf's heart exploded.