Part Four

The last sunray vanished beyond the horizon, leaving only a pale moon to fight the darkness. Slowly but surely stars joined in as well, little sparks of brilliant light in a vast blackness. And on the Earth, echoing lights shone from houses, as if trying to mimic the stars.

At the Mt. Thomas police department, lights shone as well, signalling that the long arm of the law had yet to sleep. Despite the desire to do so. Tess couldn't remember the last time she had longed for her bed this much, for the warmness and comfort and safety. After today's adventure, she felt like she could sleep for a year and still feel tired.

They had been picked up by PJ, brought to the hospital and answered so many questions Tess had almost wished they'd never been found, but could just have slept in the small outhouse forever. She wanted nothing more than to sleep, warm and comfortable and safe.

"You two had quite the adventure, didn't you?" Jo asked jokingly, leaning over the desk with the look on her face of a cat about to pounce upon a mouse.

"I would hardly call it that," Tess muttered, gazing over at Jonesy and PJ. The two men were engaged in a passionate discussion, PJ gesturing impatiently. She knew it was about the two missing convicts, who were still out there somewhere. Her skin tingled slightly at the thought, or perhaps it was the memory of the cold water. Even though the doctor had given her and Jonesy an all clear, she still felt cold.

"Oh, come on," Jo went on, ignoring Tess's rather reluctant tone. "I hear you and Jonesy…"

"Jo, it's none of your business," Tess snapped back, making both PJ and Jonesy look up. "I'm going home."

"Yeah, I think I should call it a day too," Evan quickly shot in. "Nothing more we can do today."

"Right," PJ said, clearly not missing a beat. He gave her an oddly comforting smile, as if he knew all her troubles and knew they would pass. She wished she had his confidence, as Jonesy put a hand on hers.

"I'll drive you home," he said softly, and she didn't protest. There was something new in the air between them, an understanding she couldn't quite identify. She just knew she wanted him to come home with her, and stay forever.

When they reached the car outside, the last of the adrenaline left her and she leaned against the hood for a moment, nausea spreading through her body. Her body trembled, and she could feel Evan's cool hand rest comfortingly against her neck. She gulped for air, for a moment sure she would drown right there, on dry land.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes," she replied, hating herself for having the reaction in front of him and grateful he was there at the same time. "We nearly died. My baby would never even have been born."

She straightened herself and turned, getting a glimpse of the pain flashing over his face. It was just a moment, but she couldn't stop herself from reaching out and taking his head in her hands.

"I'm still here," she said, as much to herself as to him.

"But you should be in bed," he replied, the twinkle returning to his eye. He opened the car door with a mock bow, letting her get in before he got in himself.

They drove in silence, little lights everywhere greeting them and farewelling them as they drove past. Watching Evan from the corner of her eye, bathed in moonlight and starlight, Tess found herself wondering if he had always been this beautiful.

Her house was dark and empty when she entered, but she didn't turn on the lights. Evan remained in the doorway, eyes glittering in the darkness. She could feel the heat of his body even feet away and she longed to feel it against her own.

"I better go," he said finally, turning. For a moment she was going to let him, but desire flamed up in her and pushed away her fear. She didn't feel alive yet and tonight she needed to. Death still haunted her mind, the death that could so easily have been hers or his.

"Evan?"

He turned, as if already sensing what she was about to ask. His gaze seemed to burn her skin, penetrating the dark shadows of the room.

"Stay with me?"

"Of course," he breathed, but made no signs to move away from the door. She stepped towards him, closing the door behind him even as he reached for her and pulled her into an embrace. His fingers made slow patterns on her back, dipping in below her sweater to the exposed skin.

"Warm me," she muttered as he lifted her up to straddle him, his face nestled against her neck.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"What about the baby?" he asked hesitantly, pulling back slightly. He looked so earnest in his concern her heart almost hurt.

"It's fine," she whispered back, brushing her lips against his tentatively. She felt strangely shy as he carried her across the room, darkness engulfing them as the moonlight was swallowed by a cloud.

They didn't need the light, hands exploring what eyes could not. His kiss was as warm as she remembered, but it held no urgency this time. He moaned slightly when she tugged as his bottom lip, allowing her to set the pace while he pushed her tenderly down on the bed.

He eased down next to her, wrapping a strong leg around her without ever breaking the kiss. Her lips felt swollen and tingling when he finally lifted his head, looking at her with eyes darkened by desire.

"Warm yet?" he whispered and she shook her head.

"You will be," he promised and slid a hand across her stomach. "You will be."

He made love to her slowly, eyes never leaving her face, every touch a caress as gentle as the soft touch of velvet. He never let go of her, not even when he coaxed her into sleep. The last thing she felt was his hands rubbing her stomach carefully, as if he was trying to warm the baby as well.

She slept with her heart feeling warmer than she could ever remember.