*mature*

She knew it was weird, she knew it was possibly wrong, she knew it was a terrible time. But she needed him. She needed him in a way only he could fulfill, only he could satisfy. She walked towards his old room, posters and paint faded. Ordinarily staying in his old room would be nostalgic, reminiscent of the early stages of their marriage. Now it was different; eerie, maybe, unfamiliar, too. She stood in the door way, seeing him look forlornly out the window. His back was turned to her, but she could tell his face was forlorn.

"Danny?"

"What?"

"This might not be the greatest time, but..." she let her sentence hang, looking to the floor, as if ashamed to ask for him to satisfy her wants.

"But what, Linda?" He sounded sad and angry all rolled into one.

"I just- it's- never mind, it's nothing." She shook her head, wondering what was holding her back. Ordinarily, she'd say some witty or suggestive comment, he'd catch on right away, and they'd end up together. It's different now, he wouldn't want it.

Danny turned around and walked over to his wife, "something's bothering you, Linda. What is it?"

"I- nothing. Forget it. It's stupid, anyways."

"Linda, I can't help if you don't tell me." He pushed her curls behind her ear.

"It's-" she sighed and hung her head momentarily. Looking up and past her husband, she continued, "it's really stupid, and... the timing is terrible, and we just lost the house and everything we own, but... but I need you, Danny. I know it's- it's just stupid! I shouldn't be thinking of sex when we just lost every-" she was cut off by Danny's lips on hers.

He reached behind her, closing the door. "It's not stupid. I get where you're coming from."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I do," he nearly whispered, rubbing her cheek. His lips met hers once again, this time his tongue sneaking past his lips to part her own.

Linda readily gave him access, relaxing to his touch. She loosened his tie, slowly guiding it from the collar. She was going to nibble his ear, her sign of saying she was in charge this time around. But she didn't, she wasn't ready to take charge.

Danny gripped her sweater, pulling it up to expose her skin. It left her hair frizzy and full of static, something that made him smile. Her first inclination was to pat it down, but he held onto her wrists gently. "Leave it, it's okay." He kissed her earlobe, working on the button of her pants. He easily popped the button and slid the zipper down, but stopped there.

Linda knew what to do; it was sort of an unwritten rule- they had to have the same amount of exposed skin. It was a habit started on their honeymoon- a self-conscious Linda didn't want to be under full scrutiny, so an understanding Danny peeled the same item of clothing off right after he had helped Linda discard hers.

The blonde slowly undid his buttons, almost as if she was back in that hotel room, about to see her husband's naked body for the first time. She slid the shirt off his arms, letting it pool to the floor. Kissing him again, she removed his belt and undid his button and zipper.

Danny pushed Linda's pants down as he kissed her neck, taking his time in leaving a mark while she slid his pants down. He lifted her out of her pants and carried her to the smaller bed. He reached behind her and, with an expert flick of the wrist, discarded her bra.

Linda's nipples stood at attention, practically begging to be touched. She tilted her head back as Danny's warm hand enveloped her skin. He played with the nipple, pinching, squeezing, and tweaking, getting moans from his wife. His mouth descended onto the flesh, tasting coconut and strawberry body wash. It never tasted like soap, only the fruity smells it was advertised to be. His hand moved from her side to the band of her underwear, sliding it down a little.

Linda arched her hips so Danny Could fully and easily remove her panties. She watched as he shucked his own underwear off, saving her the trouble. She closed her eyes as his familiar weight settled over her, teasing her. She lightly ran her nails up and down his muscular arm, silently pleading for pleasure.

Kissing her neck and bracketing his arms on either side of her head, Danny slowly and deliberately. He moved as if she was the most fragile creature in the world, and at the moment, he was convinced she was. Slow and steady wins the race flashed through the detective's mind as he pleasured his wife.


As Linda laid in bed that night, snuggled next to Danny, she realized she didn't need him in the way she thought she did. As always, it was perfect and wonderful, but it had just dawned on her, with no rhyme or reason. She realized all she needed was for her husband to take charge; take charge of her emotions, of the situation, maybe even if his emotions. She kissed his chest, whispering, "thank you." Resting her head over his heart, she smiled for the first time in days, falling into a peaceful, dreamless slumber, next to her loving husband.