All Fall Down: 5

Deeply

Shawn held Angela in his arms all afternoon. By dinner time, he was able to coax her out to the kitchen for a bite of food. Never for a moment did he leave her side- Angela was so thankful for him.

Cory and Topanga had left for a while to give Shawn time with Angela. They were both very relieved to have found Shawn, and even more relieved that Angela was responding to him.

Shawn sat Angela on the couch, and fed her canned chicken soup while they watched reruns of a popular sitcom. She stared at the screen blankly, and every now and then a single tear would slip from her dewy eyes and roll down her cheek. Angela wondered where this endless stream of tears came from- she felt dry- as if there couldn't possibly be any tears left inside of her; but somehow moisture continued to find its way to the brim and spill over.

Soup bowl abandoned on the coffee table, Shawn put his arm around Angela and drew her closer to him. He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers.

Placing gentle kisses on her head Shawn whispered to her; whispered words of affection and comfort that could only be uttered by someone who shared her pain- who had felt the raw agony of death in the deep abyss that was called grief.

It wasn't long until Angela wanted to go to bed. She was weary of the ache in her chest, the taste of her tears, and the emptiness of loss. Sleep sounded like a blessed relief. As much comfort as Shawn was, he was not her daddy.

"Will you take me home Shawn?" Angela whispered.

"No," Shawn took her face gently in his hands, "I want you to stay here tonight. I want to know that you're ok."

Angela nodded, relieved. She dreaded the thought of being in her dorm, far from the comfort that Shawn freely offered her.

"I am tired though, I'd like try to sleep."

"No problem," Shawn rose and helped her up. The bowl on the table could wait- it was more important to focus on Angela tonight. Placing an arm gently around her waist he led her up the stairs and to his room.

"Do you want me to sleep on the couch?" Shawn asked quietly. He really hoped she would say no.

"No," She shook her head, "I want you here- I need you here." Fresh tears once again traced silently down her chocolate skin.

Taking Angela in his arms, Shawn kissed the tears away, smoothing her hair with his hands. How he wished he could make it all go away for her.

"I need to take a quick shower; will you be okay for a few minutes?" He asked, looking into her eyes for an answer.

Angela managed a small smile and nodded, "Ya, you go ahead- I'll be ok."

Shawn brought his lips to hers for a moment, sweetly and slowly before moving away from her to his dresser. As he grabbed a clean pair sweats from his drawer, he also took a clean t-shirt out for Angela.

"Here, this should be more comfortable than my robe."

"Thanks." Angela replied softly.

Shawn left the room, and Angela sank onto his bed, once again feeling anxiety washing over her. It was as if when Shawn left the room, her strength left with him. She fingered the collar of the shirt and held it tightly to her chest.

Minutes later, Angela could stand it no longer.  She did not want to go back to the place of all consuming pain that she had been in earlier. Pushing herself off the bed, she walked the few steps to the bathroom, and knocked lightly on the door.

With the shower running, Shawn did not hear the gentle tap at the door, or hear when Angela let herself in. She disrobed quickly and stepped toward the shower.

"Shawn," Angela called to him softly.

Shawn pulled the curtain back in surprise, but it only took him a moment to understand. Angela needed him, and there she was before him- naked and vulnerable. Extending his hand, Shawn helped Angela into the shower with him. How many times had he dreamt of this- holding her skin to skin- washing her - making love to her?

Tonight Shawn just wanted to comfort Angela in the way she needed to be comforted. The last thing he would ever do would be to take advantage of her. As strong as Angela was, a protector was what she needed now, and that was what Shawn would be.  He pulled her close, and turned with her to let the warmth run over her back.

"I love you," Shawn whispered close to her ear.

"I love you too," Angela replied, her arms around Shawn's waist, and her hands resting firmly on his back.

 Streams rushing around her, steam rising and clearing her head, Angela melted into Shawn's embrace. Allowing herself to be supported and caressed, she laid her head on his shoulder. The anxiety she felt seemed to wash down the drain along with the tepid water.

The feel of Shawn's velvety skin against hers awakened feelings in Angela that began to replace the pain. Feelings no less intense, but much more welcome flowed through her and she began to return Shawn's caress. Her mouth found his and began the familiar rhythm of their lips moving together. His touches were tender and gentle, never asking for more than she offered.

Lifting his head, Shawn's eyes stayed on Angela's as he reached for the soap and began to lather her body. His hands slid easily on her wet, soapy skin. He turned her in his arms and washed her back, his tactile senses exploding in the wonderment of the moment.

Shawn's caring strokes felt magical to Angela. She closed her eyes, and let her head fall back as she enjoyed the feel of his hands on her skin. The space of time that encapsulated them was the only reality Angela needed right now.

Tingling from the pure sensuality, Angela began her own cleansing exploration of Shawn. She ran her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and around to bring them down his firm sides. Pressing herself into Shawn, Angela lifted her mouth to his again and tasted the sweetness of his love.  He held her more firmly, the pressure of her body doing things to him that he wasn't sure if Angela was ready for.

Angela looked up at Shawn and grinned as she felt the stirrings in him against her. Relief set him free with that grin. He returned her smile and moved her under the water again, this time joining her, turning with her, rinsing the soap away with hungry movements of his hands. Shawn's lips captured Angela's once again before he spread kisses down her neck and over the graceful arc of her shoulder.

Shawn reached to shut the shower off, and took Angela's hand to lead her out of the shower. Gently he toweled her off and put his robe around her, before drying himself and wrapping the towel around his waist. Shawn kissed her softly before he brought her back to his bed, to the softness of the sheets, and the comfort of his arms.

The robe and towel fell forgotten on the floor as they moved as one onto the bed. Caught in the ecstasy of their love Shawn moved deeply inside of Angela. Their bodies, like their souls became one. Shawn moved slowly and tenderly as Angela held him tightly; held him more closely than ever before fluttering kisses on his shoulders and neck, nuzzling into the spicy fragrance of his skin. Angela brought her fingers up and ran them through Shawn's hair, gazing deeply into his eyes as they shared this sacred connection.

Shawn brought his face to hers, teasing her lips with his tongue before nipping her lightly and allowing his mouth the sweetness of deeply searching hers. Breathing rapidly in the passion of their loving, Angela and Shawn gave and received willingly of the treasures they had stored for the other.

A small cry escaped Angela's lips as their love was satisfied. Shawn stayed inside, holding her tightly with his breath hot on her neck. Angela smiled in rapture with the feel of his intensity- the ebbing of their flood. Like waves crashing on the beach and lapping at the ankles of the innocent was their love. Eternal, intense, deep, abiding, thrilling, and full of every mystery man can never truly understand.

Sacred; the bond between Shawn and Angela was sacred and strong. He swore to be by her side, and she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Shawn would always be there.