A/N: Okay, it gets a little more grown-up here... umm, i changed the rating to PG-13 just to be safe, but i really suck at ratings, so I'm not sure.

Jackie woke up with a start, sitting bolt upright. The room was dark; sunrise wasn't for a few hours yet. The sound of even breathing made her turn to look beside her, and Booker was sound asleep next to her, his arms still in the curve that she herself had been asleep in moments before.

She gasped, forgetting his visit to the house five days ago, the kisses, the apologies, and finally the dinner they had shared the night before. They must have had more of that wine he had brought than she thought. His chest was bare, and with a shiver of combined excitement and apprehension, she knew the rest of him was bare too.

She hadn't expected this. The sight of him beside her was enough to tell her what had happened, and when she closed her eyes she had the acute sensation of memories coming back to her.

Well, Jackie mused, surveying the strength and power implied in Booker's muscled chest and arms, it could be worse. I could have ended up the way I did back in New York, desperate enough for anyone.

She lay down again, back in the warmth of his arms, and remembered why she had slept so well, better than in ages. It wasn't just the act preceding it; that could wear anyone out. It was the feeling of loving, of being loved, that made her so secure. She knew what had gone on. Hell, she remembered it. The thought made her blush as she settled down again.

Her movements made Booker open his eyes. "Hey," he said, looking down at her. He sat up and looked around, slightly surprised to find himself in another bed. The sight of their clothes scattered around the room made him grin and shake his head slightly. "Wow."

Jackie sat up again beside him. "That bad, huh?" he asked her.

She shrugged, her surprise waning a bit. "Well, I guess we did wait too long," She was actually starting to enjoy the fact that they had had sex. It was something that should have happened a long time ago, she thought with a trace of bitterness, but it happened and that's what mattered.

"No wonder I slept so well," Booker said, running one had through his hair, which he had begun to grow out a few months before.

"Yeah," Jackie flopped back down on the pillows. "You know what?"

"Hm?" Booker propped himself up on one elbow.

"I think we needed that."

"Agreed." Booker rolled over onto his back and looked up at the ceiling. "Wow."

"What?"

"I dunno. It's about time."

"You're telling me." Jackie's discomfort was gone. She brushed a wayward strand of hair from his face and leaned over him, grinning. "So was it what you expected?"

Booker laughed. "If you want to know... yes. And more."

Jackie laughed too, a low-pitched sound that Booker remembered very well. "Good."

"How about you?"

She face him, her eyes almost glowing blue. "Hmmmm...." Booker swatted her gently, smiling. "Okay, okay, yes. It was incredible." She slung one arm over his chest. "You belong to me now."

Booker kissed her arm. "Okay." He moved to kiss her on the lips, and she obliged, letting herself be drawn closer to him. Her hands wandered over his face and chest.

The whole world faded away once again as the clock hit 3 A.M.