"Michael, where are we going?" Marcie giggled as Michael led her down the hall.

He came to a stop outside a room. "Behind these doors lie wonders known only to a select few." He could see Marcie getting anxious. "There are only four people on the staff that have the key to this room, three of which I happen to know are not on duty today. So this, my dear, is a privilege." He swung the door open. "Behold, the beauty that is..."

"The empty hospital room." Marcie sounded disappointed.

"Not just that" Michael said. "It also doubles for sleeping quarters for those long shifts. Or for the privacy that is sometimes desperately needed."

"Yeah?" Marcie grinned.

"Absolutely," Michael said. "See now I know... that the accommodations aren't the greatest and the furnishings aren't top notch but..."

"But I have you here" Marcie smiled. "All I need is you. And I have you."

Michael extended his arms taking hold of Marcie, pulling her gently, slowly closer to him, planting a warm kiss on her lips. Marcie's response was electric, eyes shutting upon contact, pressing her body in closer, her hands moving up to tunnel her fingers through his raven hair. He allowed his tongue to part her lips slightly, brushing it ever so gently against hers at first before, allowing it to become completely entangled.

Marcie was lost in his arms, moving completely by instinct, allowing her subconscious to control all of her thought and movements as Michael led her over to the not so very large but oh so convenient bed that was pressed up against the wall. He sat her down, situating himself beside her, hands roaming to the back of her neck for a brief moment before finding their way to the front of her blouse, easing the buttons through the buttonholes.

Marcie allowed her blouse to drop off, as Michael lifted his own shirt over his head. They resumed their embrace, Marcie's bra clad breasts pressed tightly against the contours of Michael's bare chest. He devoured her mouth once again, fingers sneaking up to the front clasp of her bra, unhooking it, flesh now against flesh as he leaned her back.

The mystery remained how they managed to shed the remainder of their clothing, their bodies becoming tangled in the rough bed sheets. Marcie's legs entwined with Michael's as he pressed long hot kisses down her neck, causing her to squirm in pleasure as he settled on a sweet spot.

Moving slowly, Michael wrapped his arms around Marcie's waist pulling her closer to him, and then gently, but passionately pressed into her. Marcie let out a gasp arching her body upward as he filled her, emotions running wild, pleasure running through her entire self.

Suddenly there wasn't a worry or a care in the world. Nothing else seemed to matter now that they were together, two bodies becoming one. All life was pure ecstasy as they continued to make love.

>>>>>>

Shannon made her way back to the cottage. She knew she'd be the only one there, but she didn't really care. She could use the alone time anyway a time of reflection, some time to figure out how to get to Nick without sending Marcie into a downward spiral again. She turned the key in the door, entering.

"Shannon" Ron was standing in the entrance.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came looking for all of you... thought everyone would be here."

"Yeah..." Shannon said. "We had a situation over at the football game." Ron looked curious. "Nick got hurt... we all kinda went with him to the hospital."

"Is he OK?" Ron asked. "Is it serious?"

Shannon sat. "He's gonna be alright," she said "That's good at least."

"Don't sound too thrilled," Ron said sarcastically. "You'll hurt yourself." Shannon sighed. "Something going on with you and Nick? Not that it's any of my business."

"It's not" Shannon said as Ron took a seat beside her. "But there's nothing... going on with me and Nick." Shannon paused. "Let me ask you something."

"Sure."

"Have you ever... I don't know, like... had to do something but you weren't really into it? I mean it's no winning no matter what? If you don't do it you look like a chicken and if you do do it... you look just as bad?"

"You've got yourself into something deep."

Shannon rolled her eyes. "You don't have to tell me that" she said "I keep tell myself that. I don't even know why I'm telling you..."

Ron couldn't help but laughed. "Shannon... calm down OK? I bet it's not as bad as you're making it out to be."

"Let's face it, Ron." she said "There are not too many people in this town who particularly care about me. And I know I'm not usually the one care but... if I do this... thing, if I do it and do it right, I could actually get some people to sit up and take notice but if I do it, and I do it wrong... I think I'm just afraid of hurting the few people who already give a damn about me."

"You know, Shannon" Ron leaned forward. "There are people who care about. More than you know about." He paused. "And I think.... I don't think that this is something that I can tell you how to deal with. I think you just have to weigh the possibilities. Holding on to what you already have, or... risking it for more. It's not any easy thing to decide." He paused again. "But you do have to choose. Just think about it Shannon." Ron looked at her. "I'm here to talk to if you need it. Just... take some time to think."