A/N: To Kamikaze Knight, The Sparkling Aurora, Shadow Grey, olivergirl, Crazy Adityan and all the Abhirikans who never fail to motivate me and bear my incessant rants and talks, this entire bunch is for you guys. You make Abhirika look a thousand times more adorable and perfect than they already are. Thanks a million!

:: Homecoming ::

..

Senior inspector Abhijeet has always been indifferent toward missions – treating them the same way how he treats regular cases. After all, what matters is the culprits are caught and no innocent lives are harmed. That's what defines the success of a mission for him. And amidst that, he never gives a second thought before putting his own life at risk if needed.

Although it's no denying that he misses his team while being away, never once has the sharp shooter hesitated before agreeing to take on a perilous task. Until this time. Things have been the same old in the past – returning to a dark, empty home. Something Abhijeet hardly looked forward to, especially after kicking some bad ass.

But now, he's a married man. For the first time in his life, he felt as if he's leaving behind a crucial part of himself the moment he left for the mission. It had been announced a day prior to his marriage, which forced him to cancel the much-awaited honeymoon.

He recalls being in a dilemma when he'd told his wife that he would have to leave the immediate next day after their wedding. Of course, being the supportive wife she's always been, she never uttered a word of protest – something which has always amazed Abhijeet the entire duration he's known her. Although her eyes did show a hint of concern, she sent him away with a smiling face and radiance as evident as of a newly-wed bride.

The mission's over now, and for the first time, he's aching to be home. To see his wife's face, to take her in his embrace and to never let her go.

Tonight, he will give her everything she deserves.

Tonight, he won't let that stomach injury trouble him.

Tonight, he will be with her… and only with her.

He rings the doorbell with an excitement like never before. He hasn't informed her of his return, so needless to say, she may not be expecting him. The effect is immediate. As soon as she answers the door, her face lights up like a 1000-watt bulb.

How badly has Abhijeet missed seeing that smile and the eyes that reflect the smile!

She crashes in his embrace even before he stretches his arms out to her. He winces a bit in pain, but he won't let her know. "Welcome home!," says Tarika as she moves away a bit to have a good look at his face. The face that she'd die for.

"I missed you!," mumbles Abhijeet as he claims her lips in a deep passionate kiss. He doesn't want to let go. Tonight, he wants to pour and surrender everything he has in him for her. He kisses her like he's never kissed her before – making up for all the days that he's missed. When they finally break apart due to lack of breath, Abhijeet stares deep into her eyes with all the love he can muster.

However, the next second, his sharp vision notices something wrong. The forensic doctor's eyes look paler than usual, with dark circles having appeared underneath. It seems as if she hasn't slept well for days. She also looks like she's lost some weight.

"What's wrong, Tarika? Are you not sleeping well?," he asks right-away, brushing a few curls out of her face.

"Uhh, no! It's just been a hectic week at work," she replies hesitantly. However, her voice doesn't have the usual firmness, and Abhijeet instantly realizes she's lying. And he knows the reason.

He cups her face and makes her look at him. "Were you worried for me?," he asks.

As a response, Tarika speaks in a meek tone, "Am I not allowed to?"

The senior inspector gives an audible sigh amidst an affectionate smile – while silently thanking the stars for the hundredth time for blessing him with the most wonderful woman in the world. Of course, she'd be worried. He has been on missions countless times before their marriage, but to be left alone in their home just a day after the wedding must have been depressing for her. Especially when all the things around carry his essence.

He wishes there was a solution for this. But for now, he can only try. Taking her hand in his, he makes her sit on the couch. "Tarika, you know… I might have to go on much more dangerous missions than this in the future," he speaks snaking his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.

"I know! And I won't ever complain," says Tarika shaking her head as she looks in his eyes.

"Then how's this going to work? I don't want you worrying about me in my absence! I want you to enjoy and live your life to the fullest," he says.

"I tried, Abhijeet! I tried to keep myself busy. I even went shopping and dining with Purvi and Shreya, but then…," she says pausing for a bit before continuing, "but then I used to return home, and it just felt weird.. to sleep in your bed or eat on your dining table without you by my side."

Abhijeet gives a soft chuckle as he says, "It's our bed and our dining table! And I'm here now with you! Tonight, I'll put you to sleep." He presses a soft kiss on her forehead which she then rests on his shoulder. "You'll get used to it, Tarika. But please promise me you won't worry about me when I'm not here. I won't be able to focus on my mission knowing you're losing your sleep and appetite because of me," he says while caressing her hair – another thing he's missed so dearly.

The forensic doctor nods in assurance. "I won't, I promise!," she says.

The sharp shooter lifts her chin up, making her look at him again. "I will come home, Tarika! I promise. Your love is the strongest weapon for me to overcome any hurdle. And with that protecting me, nothing ever can happen to me," he whispers.

The forensic doctor shakes her head affectionately as she says, "You sure know how to throw a dialogue in my face." She proceeds to hug him tight, but this time, a painful sound accidentally slips from his mouth before he can stop it.

"What was that? Are you injured?," asks Tarika instantly pulling away and eyeing him with concern. "N-no! No-nothing!," fumbles Abhijeet, but Tarika narrows her brows at him. "Don't lie, Abhijeet! Show me where you're hurt," she says.

"It's nothing, Tarika! Just a small stab wound," he speaks but is violently cut down by his wife. "You've been stabbed! Oh my God, Abhijeet, where?!," exclaims Tarika, her face filled with concern and fear.

Abhijeet grips his wife's hands firmly and speaks, "I'm fine, Tarika, trust me! My wound has been attended to, and I am on medication. It will be fine within two days."

As an added gesture, he assures her with his eyes and she feels slightly relieved.

A couple of hours later, during which Tarika insisting on cooking a meal and Abhijeet refusing to let go of her, they're settled on the couch, just having finished their ordered food. Switching off the TV, Abhijeet gets up from his seat and extends his hand to Tarika, which she happily accepts.

However, as she's about to walk, he swoops her in his arms and she cries in protest. "What are you doing? You're injured! Let me down!," she says but he pays no heed as he walks to their bedroom. Although he does slightly grimace, he has known well to push the pain out of his mind while he's in the middle of an important task.

Once he's settled her on the bed, he pulls her in his embrace – something she's longed for with all her life – and starts patting her head. "Sleep nice and tight tonight! Not a single worry in the world," he murmurs, smoothening her curls.

The forensic doctor frowns as she looks up at him. "Let me see how deep is your wound, at least!," she says but Abhijeet shakes his head. "Not tonight! Tonight is for you and your beauty sleep. Nothing – not even me – can dare to come between them," he smiles. After all these nights of disturbed sleep, he owes her a peaceful slumber.

Tarika smiles back lovingly, her eyes already groggy with all the patting and caressing he's doing to her head.

"Tomorrow, I'll treat you to a scrumptious breakfast," he says but she's already drifted off to sleep. He simply spends some time staring at her beautiful moonlit face before falling into a deep slumber himself.

..

:: The End ::