It was a rainy, spring day and Ned was entirely, completely dead to the world. Being that he had just passed through the academy, he was a rookie on the force and mostly worked paperwork and after a while, that was only amusing for so long. After his new captain assigned him to the task of reorganizing cold cases in order by year, that meant pulling an almost-all-nighter one night, followed by a true all-nighter the next.

For a few hours, while he looked through all of the files, Ned didn't know how he had stayed awake and the drive between his work and home proved to be longer than usual, but thank God, he knew it like the back of his hand.

He had kept himself awake with loud chaotic music, and by the time he had walked into his mother's apartment, he had been jittery and cold and his skin had felt a size too—something. He had somehow managed to eat a plate of his mom's chicken parm without face-planting into it, then dragged himself to his room for a good twelve hours of sleep.

Katie was planning on coming home from the city in a few days, and he wanted to rest up, then spend as much time with her as he could. He never knew the next time she would be coming up or when he would get a chance to drive to see her.

He was somehow even more disoriented and groggy when he woke. His room was pitch-black and he had stripped down to his boxers, and the covers were up over his head. He was warm and so comfortable, and—

Bam Bam Bam Bam

Loud, hard knocks banged against the front door and he rubbed his eyes as he heard his mom and Tim's bedroom door creak faintly as it opened. Ned squinted, bleary-eyed, at his alarm clock and the cherry-red digits told him it was nearly two in the morning, then his head dropped onto the pillow again. He wasn't expecting anyone at the door but somehow felt the impulse to check his cell phone even if his eyelids were so heavy...

Bam Bam Bam

He groaned, fighting sleep with what little strength he had as he sat up in bed. Who the hell was at the door and why hadn't anyone answered it yet?

It was the middle of the night.

No one should be pounding on the front door this late because, in the middle of the night, all the news was bad news. Otherwise, it would wait until morning.

Bam Bam Bam Bam Bam

Katie

As soon as he thought of her name, his legs felt less asleep and he stood up quickly. He moved toward the edge of the bed to where an old shirt was hanging over the end of his bed frame, and he managed to tug it on in only a few sleepy tries.

In the main living area of the apartment, only the kitchen light was on, and it cast over his step-father's form in the front door. The rain that had been threatening all day, which had thankfully held off until he had reached inside the building, was now falling in sheets from the edge of the roof.

Just as he walked past the couch, Katie was stepping over the threshold, her coat gleaming and her long legs slick with rainwater.

"See? He's fine," Tim said softly, turning to move out of her way just as Katie swept the hood off her head and glanced up at Ned. "I told you there was nothing to worry about."

He still felt a little disoriented, his equilibrium off, but he was shocked to see that her eyes were red from crying. "Babe? What are you doing here so late?" He asked, taking a step forward as she came toward him. "I thought you weren't coming for another few days."

"I..." Then she was clinging to him, and he hugged her in return, ignoring the wet raincoat. She was shivering and obviously upset. "I'm just so happy to see you. You're okay."

"Of course I am," he promised her and stroked his hand through her damp hair.

"Katie? Are you okay?" Tim was clearly just as startled as Ned was.

"Yeah," she murmured against his shoulder, and then hiccuped. "I'm fine."

Ned gave his step-father a small shrug when he met his eyes. "You can go to bed," he murmured and there was a creak against the floorboard as his mom came walking out too. "It's all right, mom. I got this. You and Tim should just go back to bed."

Tim slowly walked back toward the bedroom, whispering something to his mother, who still lingered for another moment as they spoke quietly. There was no way she had ever seen Katie looking so distraught, at least not since she was a child, and apparently a terrible emergency hadn't brought her to their door so early in the morning.

"Did something happen?" Delia asked softly once they heard a bedroom door close behind Tim, stepping close enough to place a supportive hand on Katie's shoulder.

"I had a dream… and it felt so real that I just needed to make sure Ned was okay," she said, slowly pulling back from his arms to glance at his mother. "It's nothing to worry about, Delia. I— I… overreacted at the moment and drove all the way here."

His mother was wary and suspicious of them but nodded. She had been friends with Melinda for nearly three decades and knew by now what came along with her friend's supernatural nature that her and Jim's children had inherited. "We will talk in the morning then." They both knew better than to think Delia would take that weak of an excuse, especially from Katie, but only for the night. "I assume you're going to stay the night?"

I could, but I don't want to put you guys out. I can always drive to my parent's house… I still have my key," she said, glancing over at Ned slowly and walking toward him.

Seeing Katie seemed a little calmer in his arms, he slowly eased her into his arms and stroked her back.

"No need, Katie. You are staying here," Delia said before he could. "I can make up the couch."

"We're all adults here, mom. She can sleep in my room," he said, glancing up at his mother to affirm his point.

"Oh, alright," Delia said as she turned around, and then they were alone.

"You're scaring me," he whispered, his voice was gentle as he held her and tried to calm her down. "Katie, what's wrong? Tell me… why are you in Grandview?"

She sniffled. "I tried to call you," she murmured into his chest. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for making a big fuss. I know it's stupid..."

"What's stupid? Just tell me what's wrong," he murmured, and stroked her cheek, brushing his thumb over her skin to wipe away a tear. "I'm sorry I missed your call, but I have been dead asleep since I got home..." His eyes widened when her own filled with tears again, and she tried to duck her head, but he crooked his finger under her chin. "Shhhh, baby, what's wrong?"

"I...I—" She released a sound that was between a whimper and a sob. "I had this dream, and it felt so real, Ned... I tried to get to you, but I couldn't, and you—" She blinked and another pair of tears slid down her cheeks. "I watched you die, Ned, and I couldn't close my eyes without seeing it again..."

"It's okay, Katie. It was just a dream," he reassured her the best he could, running his hand up and down her arms slowly. "I'm right here."

"I know." She impatiently swiped at her wet cheeks. "I kept telling myself that, but then I tried to call you because I just needed to hear your voice."

"And I didn't answer," he whispered and she nodded slowly, chewing on her lip. "I'm sorry. I'll never shut my ringer off ever again."

"It's not your fault that I overreacted. I'm really sorry that I work everyone up," she shook her head and ran her hand through her hair nervously. "When you didn't answer I couldn't sit in my apartment not knowing if it was just another dream a ghost brought on to scare me. I had to see you."

"I'm a little overtired, but fine." He caught her hand in his and gave it a little squeeze as his mother came back into the room and got herself a glass of ice water. He made his voice a little quieter then, "More awake then I've been in the past three days."

"Good thing I am staying in your own room then," she teased him quietly and she looked up into his eyes.

He could tell that she was fighting laughter as she wiped away the last of tears, but then took a deep breath and smiled at him. "Do you think Tim thinks I'm crazy?" She asked.

"Nah. I wouldn't worry about him. Here, let me get your coat," he said softly.

She hadn't been exaggerating. Despite the chill in the air, she wore only a long-sleeved shirt and a pair of cotton shorts under her coat; she must have really risen from her bed and driven two hours to make sure he was okay.

He hung up her still-dripping wet raincoat, locked the front door, and took her hand in his. He stopped at the bathroom to grab a towel so she could dry off some, then led her to his bedroom quickly before his mother could come out to say anything more to either of them.

As soon as they were in his room, with the lights off and the door locked, Ned's exhaustion returned full force. He wanted to dive under the covers and curl up with his girlfriend in his arms, and that was all. He pulled off his shirt as she briskly wiped off her wet legs, and his eyelids were already low as he stepped toward his side of the bed.

And then she was lying beside him comfortably, with his mother and step-father sleeping just down the hall. He wrapped his arm around her, and she shivered as she cuddled against him. Her skin was even still a little damp from the rain.

"Shh," he whispered. "Shh. It's alright. I'm sorry you were so worried. It's all okay."

"I know I was overreacting," she whispered. "It just seemed so real… I don't know how else to explain it."

"I know." He kissed the crown of her head. "I hate the circumstances, but I'm glad you're here a little early. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Katie sniffled again. "I didn't know what to say when Tim answered the door, just that I needed to check on you. I'm kind of glad it wasn't your mom… the moment when she came out was bad enough."

"Me too," he said, shrugging slightly.

"God, I never, ever want to feel that way again, Ned. Not ever." She said softly, tears threatening to roll down her cheeks. "I woke up and I was already crying."

"Babe… I'm so sorry. I wish I would've heard your call and woke up," he whispered running his hand up and down her back.

She brought her hand up and rested her palm against his bare chest, just over his heart. "I needed to know you were okay," she whispered.

"Are you okay?" He asked. "Seriously, I've never seen you like this before. It scares me."

Even though he was exhausted, he moved back to look into her eyes, only to see them shining with tears and her cheeks wet again. "I'll be okay," she whispered. "But I need you. So much that it scares me."

"I need you too," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." She said and moved her hand to his cheek, gazing into his eyes as she reached for his hand and guided it to her breast.

Katie wasn't wearing a bra, and her nipple was already hard beneath the fabric of her shirt. Ned swallowed and despite his exhaustion, he would never stop being interested. He wanted to have any amount of time he could get with her, and when that was limited to some over the clothes fondling and making out before she fell asleep in his arms, he was content with that.

He stroked his thumb against her nipple and she released a quiet sigh, which was enough to make him hard, especially when she moaned as she touched the iron outline of him. He leaned in to kiss her neck as he helped her take them off him, then watched with silent happiness as she took her top off. Ned's hand reached out to pinch her nipple, and it stiffened to his touch as he pulled back.

"Are you sure?" He asked, yearning to kiss, yet he didn't— mostly because the inside of his mouth tasted stale and awful—but he nuzzled against her again, his palms sliding down to cup her hips when she laid down naked beside him.

"I need you," she whispered again, her fingers combing through his hair. "I want to feel whole with you… again. Like the first time."

His heart skipped a beat, and his erection bobbed slightly. "I love you," he whispered. "Oh, Katie..."

There had only been a few chances for them to be intimate since their first time at the beginning of the year to now in April. Long-distance relationships were hard enough for any couple.

They held each other, skin against skin and he rolled onto his back. The feel of her, her bare breasts, the warmth and dampness between her thighs, was enough to drive him crazy. He snaked his hand between them and she moaned softly when his fingertips barely brushed against her.

"Mmm, yes," she encouraged him, angling her hips.

He moved his hand so his thumb was in a position to rub her center and his fingers were teasing the slick hollow of her entrance, and then she moved over him. Ned groaned softly as Katie began to rock against his hand, and he left it motionless, letting her control what she was doing.

She was pleasuring herself. It was his hand, his fingers, and his own pleasure to watch it, but she was getting off on him, riding his fingers, rotating her hips to rub herself against his thumb. He had never seen her like this, so unabashedly sensual, almost wanton, and her breathing began to quicken as her inner flesh fluttered.

Even the first time, he could see the blush on her cheeks and the way she was nervous about everything. He had been even more nervous, but he'd never told her that.

"Now," she whimpered, riding his fingers even faster. "Ned, please..."

He didn't question it. He didn't stop to think.

He just rolled her onto her back and she immediately brought her knees up as she reached for him, and he closed his eyes as she clung to him, his heart pounding. It was the first time he hadn't remembered a condom in the frenzy of their passion. As he slid inside her, she released a quiet cry, her spine arching into him.

"Fuck, oh my God," he mumbled as he felt her directly against him. "Katie..."

"Yes," she whimpered against his sweaty neck. "It's okay. Just like that..."

He worked in her with smooth, gentle strokes until she took his full length. With every stroke, she pressed her fingertips against his back and released another quiet cry against his ear. She was gasping, breathless, wrapped around him, and he knew—they had to—

He moved in her faster, the old bed springs squeaking quietly in time with his thrusts, and she was clinging to him, and he was lost in her. She moaned softly, her hips gently rocking up to meet him under the comforter. He gasped as he felt her inner flesh tighten in a spasm, a soundless scream in her throat became quiet sobs against his neck.

He let himself come, nuzzling against her slender neck, and they couldn't be closer. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and she was warm and yielding under him, and—

"Oh fuck," he gasped, his mind going all over the place. "Oh shit, Katie, baby, shit—"

"Hmm?" Her eyes were closed and fluttered open

He buried his face her neck and released a long, agonized groan. "I swear to God I meant to pull out," he muttered. "Shit. I'm sorry. I fucked up—"

She stroked his hair. "It's all right," she murmured.

"No—I mean, I didn't have a condom on—"

"I know. It's okay." Her thumb slid down his cheek. "I got that implant two years ago and it covers me for three years. We should be fine."

"You did?" He pulled back to look at her, his heart still racing with panic. "I don't think you ever told me that."

She nodded. "After everything that happened in my sophomore year, my mom thought it was a good idea. Plus it helped regulate everything for me..." She shrugged. "Did you really think I wouldn't have said something if I wasn't covered?"

He shrugged, too, but he gave her a little grin. "We were a little preoccupied," he murmured. "The heat of the moment and everything, but wow."

She smiled. "It wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world," she told him. "I don't think I'd mind having a little baby Banks, all of my own. Of our own. Just not quite yet."

"Exactly. Not yet." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Feeling better?"

She nodded. "Much. Thank you."

He smiled but shook his head. "My pleasure," he told her, then gently moved off her so he could find a cloth and clean them up. It was strange, to not need to dispose of a condom.

He couldn't believe he had done that. It had just felt so good that it had been impossible to stop, and he had meant to pull out. He had been positive he was going to, and then... he hadn't. He had never done that before.

Sure, condoms have broken in the past with him, but this was the first time he'd ever just not worn a condom and let himself go inside someone. Not even just someone, but Katie. He'd never let himself go completely like that with anyone before.

When Ned came out of the bathroom with a damp cloth, she had kicked the blankets and sheets off, and laid on top of the bed. She was nude, the soft curves of her body limned in the faint glow of the moon from the window above his bed.

She rolled onto her elbow and mumbled sleepily, "You're back awfully fast." He slid in beside her and her hand fell between his legs, finding him hard. "Did you miss me?" She whispered, stroking him.

"More than anything," he breathed, eyes boring through hers as her hand was busy against him and his jaw relaxed open wide.

"Oh, good," She purred, licking the hard line of his jaw.

As he felt he was too close to his climax, he eased her hand away from him and crawled his way between her legs. Parting them, he kissed between her warm thighs and she hummed her approval. He kissed her again, tasting her sweetness on his tongue as he licked at her until his chin and she was soaked.

When she gave a soft moan and shuddered, "Ned, please," he climbed up and thrust himself inside her again.

He nipped and tugged at her puckered nipples as she ran her hand through his hair. Then he moved until he was fully sheathed inside her, his hips flush against hers and felt that same familiar fluttering of something that wasn't panic, not anymore—just awareness, just the shivering knowledge that they were unmistakably one.

He had known before they were intimate that this was what it meant to her, but even he had never told her after that it was more, that his first time with her had been more intense and more right than it had been with anyone else.

He had had sex before and even dated other people, but had never loved anyone or felt as much for anyone the way he did for Katie. Never in the same way he had with her.

His lips brushed hers, and she relaxed in time with his thrusts, her fingers in his hair and splayed over his back. She gave him all of her; returning his kiss willingly, her legs wrapped around him to draw him closer, and she began to whimper and sob with every stroke of his thumb between them.

"Ned," she moaned breathlessly, throwing her head back. "Oh, baby, that feels so good… I just need a little more."

He changed the angle of his hips and she tipped her head back with a cry she tried to muffle with a turn to the side, and his lips brushed her temple. His cock was slippery hot with her arousal, and he moved inside her over and over, until she strained under him in pleasure.

Katie knew she couldn't cry out too loudly, even if she wanted to, but she somehow muffled it to an almost silent, breathless scream of his name. He moved in her through her orgasm, until her eyes had rolled back until her throat was dry from her sobbed cries. He moved in her until she was spent until she was limp and overwhelmed, and then his hips jerked once and he groaned as he spilled himself against the warmth of her thigh.

"Ned," she whispered, trembling as sweat began to cool on her skin, as the mind-numbing feeling passed over her. She stroked his hair as he cradled her, their limbs tangled together, her heart slowing. "I wasn't expecting that one…" She was too tired to reach for the blanket when he finished cleaning her up, and he chuckled as he reached for it and slid into bed next to her.

His lips lingered, pressing long, wet kisses to her hips along the way back to her face. "Me either… you looked too good for me to resist," he murmured.

She nodded but cuddled against him when he slid beneath the sheets again. "Shh," she whispered. "Mmm, I love you."

"Love you too." He stroked her hair, his other arm wrapped around her waist, and she relaxed against him with a contented sigh. "I'm happy you're here."

"Me too, even under the circumstances." She whispered. "Now get your rest. You're gonna need it for this weekend."

He chuckled, then drifted to sleep almost immediately, warm with her in his arms.