The movement next to Molly was subtle, yet enough to rouse her from her light sleep. She stirred, blinking sleepily, and turned her head to find Shane watching her. His dark eyes were on her, and there was wariness in that look. Behind him, the first rays of the new morning sun were just filtering through the bamboo slats of her window's blinds.
'He's wondering if I'm having a change of heart now,' she thought with a start, now fully awake, even before the confirming vibes reached her. Determined to quench his uncertainty, she smiled and reached for his face, stroking his cheek. "Hi."
The wary look was instantly replaced by a sparkle. "Good morning," he said softly, returning her smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, but I have to get ready for morning meditation class."
She stretched lazily, snuggling closer to him in the same motion. "It's ok. I'm used to getting up at sunrise now. After ten months of doing it every day, I guess it's become a habit."
"Good. Feel free to take over my class any time, because I'm definitely not used to it yet." He yawned and pulled her close to him until her head rested onto his chest. "Class starts at six; by six-fifteen, half of them are asleep again – including me."
She chuckled, and felt his chest vibrate with his own soft laughter.
When she looked up there was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Sounds to me like you're gonna have to work harder on focusing your mind. I can help you with that." Her hand slid down his chest, over his stomach and lower until she found what she was looking for.
Shane practically jumped at the touch of her hand. "Whoa, I'm definitely focused now!"
Molly grinned and squeezed, making something else jump as well.
Heat came into his gaze as Shane instantly made up his mind that meditation class could wait a few more minutes.
They came together with a passion that left them both breathless, generating so much heat under the thin top sheet that Molly wouldn't have been surprised to see steam escaping from between their bodies.
Afterwards, Shane gathered her into his arms, sealing their lips with a slow, languid kiss.
It was a kiss that was about love and devotion, tenderness and the deep affection that would always outlast any mere physical passion. The kiss said I love you. Not just I want you, or I desire you, but I love you.
Tardiness…
Tori and Dustin were waiting for Shane at their customary spot under the ancient cypress tree. The three teachers had made it a habit to always arrive together for meditation class, thus demonstrating the unity between the three elements to their students anew every morning. Now Tori was looking towards the front entrance of the teacher's building for the umpteenth time. Dustin followed her gaze. "Think he overslept?"
"Maybe, but I have a feeling that he is…otherwise preoccupied." The Water ninja smiled at Dustin's confused look. "Well, think about it – Shane's been on cloud nine ever since Molly came back..."
'Ain't that the truth," the Earth ninja grinned back. "So you think he got some last night?"
"After waiting for her all those months, I sure hope he did," Tori replied without missing a beat, her own grin growing wider. "I'll know the moment I see his face."
"Huh?"
Tori gave her friend a bemused side-glance. "You guys always get this look on your faces after you've gotten laid. Kind of a half-happy, half-smug grin that you can't seem to wipe off your mugs for the rest of the day."
Dustin looked like he was having an internal debate with himself as to whether to laugh or to protest at his blonde friend's analogy.
Just then Shane came bolting through the dorm's door and jogged towards them, his teacher's robes flapping behind him – a happy/smug half-grin on his face.
Dustin's mouth quirked. "You mean that look?"
Tori folded her arms across her chest with an amused 'I rest my case' expression on her face. "Yup, that one."
"Hey, guys," Shane called out even before he came to a stop in front of them. "Sorry I'm late. Got distracted."
Dustin raised his eyebrows. "Lemme guess: would the distraction be about this high…" he held his hand about five and a half feet off the ground, smirking. "…with long hair, soon to be wearing teacher's robes?"
Shane was now sporting a grin of his own. "Tomorrow, to be exact," he said as he fell into step with his friends, and together they headed for the training plaza.
"Molly's first day is tomorrow?" Tori exclaimed. "That's great!"
"Awesome, dude," Dustin agreed. "Then Molly's officially part of the family now."
The three ninja teachers grinned at each other and Shane's heart swelled with joy knowing that Dustin wasn't just talking about Molly's part of the Wind Academy's teaching staff. He stepped in between his two friends, wrapping his arms around their shoulders. "Thanks, guys. For, well, accepting her like that."
Tori smiled. "No sweat, Shane. She's good for you. Besides, she'll keep you grounded."
"Not to mention grinning," Dustin quipped.
Laughing and joking, the three former Rangers rounded the corner onto the training grounds where their students awaited them.
Epilogue…
Later that night in Shane's room, after another delicious round of lovemaking, Molly let out a blissful sigh and snuggled tighter into his embrace. Shane pulled the sheet over them while he nipped playfully at her lower lip.
A comfortable lethargy settled over them; Molly rested her head on Shane's chest, letting his steady heartbeat lull her further towards sleep. But before she succumbed to it, she asked sleepily, "So…you mind if I tag along for sunrise meditation class tomorrow?"
Shane drew their interlaced hands up and lightly kissed the back of hers. "Not at all. I would like that. Very much."
Molly suddenly lifted her head and looked up at him. "You know, I just thought about something; I've been gone all this time and didn't even bring you anything back from Tibet…"
Shane let out a chuckle. "No worries. I've got the best present right here." He tilted his head forward, captured her lips with his, and for a long moment, silence reigned.
"This is much better than gallons of rare Tibetan white tea," he grinned when he finally released her mouth again. Molly smiled drowsily as she nestled back into his arms.
And in the darkness and privacy of his room, Shane held Molly, Molly held Shane - and destiny held them both.
They fell asleep spooned up against each other, drifting through dreamland and into a new day – the first of many- together.
THE ENDA/N: Well, that's it for Shane and Molly. May they live happily ever after :)
Thank you all for your comments on both "Ninjas and Heroes" and "Molly's Return".
I already have few other projects in the works – the next installment in my Cam/Hunter series called "Secret Demons" as well as a joint C/H story with AngelMouse, so keep an eye out for both of these!