Author's Note: This one might be PG-15 or so, although there's really nothing graphic, or anything…

"Are you all right?"

"Mm-hmmm."

It was much later, and she was wrapped securely in his arms – and for the first time in a while, she didn't feel any panic at the fact. In fact, she was feeling pretty good – and almost asleep.

Which didn't stop her from running her hand lazily along his body, enjoying the fact that she could.

He made a soft, pleased noise, and shifted just a little, his own hand tracing the curve of her hip, but there was no way either of them could have taken the other up on the invitation. Not just then, anyways. Both were sated and Melony couldn't even keep her eyes open.

"I didn't hurt you?"

Since she'd taken the lead in their loving, setting the tempo and the boundaries because of her insecurities, she knew he didn't mean physically. He'd been as careful and tender – at least until the very end – as she had. He meant emotionally, and they both knew it.

"I'm fine, Carson…"

Her hand stilled, coming to rest on his chest where her fingers toyed with the scattering of hair there, and he sighed, tucking her head up under his chin.

"Good."

She didn't even hear it, though. She'd already fallen asleep.

OOOOOOOOO

Are you going to sleep all day?

Talon's 'voice' was gentle and only slightly teasing, but it broke into her sleep just as easily as if it had been rough and concerned. Of course, it didn't actually wake her completely, but it did bring her into a more conscious mode.

What?

She didn't open her eyes, and didn't even move. She was tired and ached pleasantly, and had no intention of getting up if she didn't need to.

Is the city on fire?

He chuckled.

No

Is it sinking?

No

Then I'm going to sleep all day.

And when Beckett gets back here? Are you going to sleep through that?

I don't have anything to do today.

Now that she mentioned that, she wondered if that was what Talon had planned all along, well aware that she was as prone to being lazy as anyone – and would be even more disinclined to do anything after the night she'd had.

I'm not that devious

Yeah, whatever.

She stretched, and realized that she was alone in the bed, which made her open her eyes. Sure enough, Carson was gone.

I just told you that

I don't listen to you. You should know that.

He snorted, and she looked at her watch. It wasn't all that late in the morning, no matter how he made it sound when he'd asked if she was going to sleep all day.

She closed her eyes again, gathering his pillow and cuddling it. It still smelled like him, and that was close enough for then. Especially since she didn't have any desire to get out of bed and go looking for him. A moment later she'd already dozed off again.

OOOOOOOO

It was the smell of coffee that woke her the next time. That and a heavy weight settling beside her in the bed. She sniffed appreciatively and heard a chuckle – this time one that wasn't in her head.

"Are you awake?"

Even without opening her eyes, there was no mistaking that lilting brogue.

"Mm-hmmm…"

"I brought you some coffee."

Sleep a little longer, or wake up and drink some coffee?

She sighed, and opened her eyes, turning her head so she could look up at him. She could always go back to sleep, but coffee was better hot.

He'd been in the shower, because his hair was still damp, and he was more or less completely dressed, because he'd been to the commissary to get coffee, and a tray of what was probably breakfast to judge from the smells coming from it.

She sat up, and reached for the coffee.

"Thank you."

He nodded, and settled the tray across her lap. Sure enough, it held bacon and scrambled eggs, and several slices of toast. Enough food for both of them, even though it was only on one plate.

"How did you manage not to drop this?"

"I didn't use my crutches."

"Was that wise?"

He shrugged.

"I am a doctor."

Good point.

She took a sip of the coffee, found it was as fresh as she could have hoped for, and patted the spot beside her.

"Are you going to join me?"

To her delight – although she hid it by taking another sip of her coffee – he started undressing. Yup, it was going to be a great day, if the morning was any indication of how things were going to go.

When he was down to his boxers, he slipped under the blankets with her, and got as close to her side as he could without spilling the tray – which meant they were touching, but only just.

"You look beautiful when you're sleeping," he told her.

She couldn't help it; she blushed.

He smiled, and leaned over, kissing her softly before she could lift the cup to her lips once more.

"I must have watched you sleep for twenty minutes this morning…"

"Yeah?"

He nodded.

"I was wondering if I should wake you. And if I did, if you'd have regrets about what happened, or concerns, or something. Instead I decided to just watch you."

"There's no regrets, Carson," Melony told him, her free hand finding his and squeezing it softly. "I love you."

He smiled, and kissed her again, this time without hesitation.

"I love you, too."

"In that case, breakfast can wait…"

She smiled, and moved the tray off her lap, setting it on the stand beside his bed, and turned back to him just in time to have him reach for her once more.