Author's Note:

The woes of computers continue…the one that I used yesterday DELETED MY STORY! God…but thanks to this old monster computer sitting in my father's garage I was able to retrieve it from there. Anyone ever have that sort of disk problem? But alas I come baring good news…BIG UPDATE! Yes that's right ladies and gentlemen I have gotten out of my writer's funk and am back in business. Although, as with every story, this one is going to round to a close in the next couple of chapter, so expect then to be intense. I've been struggling with this chapter for the past 3 days because of said problems; I hope y'all think it turned out okay. I'm thrilled at the responses I've received from the last chapter. I've gotten some new fans lately and I'd like to say thank you to them and to the ones who have stuck around for the better part of a year. Please let me know when I should put down the quill and dry up the ink pot! Be safe and happy…and, of course, enjoy the show.

McFadden-

Chapter 8: Last Days

All Abby could comprehend at the moment was that his sheets were cool and silky as King crawled on top of her. The rain that was left clinging to his body soon rolled down Abby's skin as King's mouth came in contact with hers once more. This kiss was slow and sensual compared to the sweet, almost shy one that they shared earlier. He possessed her mouth so fully that it sent chills through her body in such a way she'd never felt before. King ran his palm up the smoothness of her thigh. Somewhere in the depths of his mind, he still couldn't believe this was happening. He knew that Abby wasn't a virgin but he preferred to think that prudish ol' Whistler was having her very first sexual awakening with him. She began to whimper and moan lightly with each brush of his fingertips and he shushed her by blowing little puffs of air up her abdomen. Abigail threaded her hands into his soft hair tugging him upward for another long kiss.

"Stay up here for a little while…"

King gave her an adorable little smile and growled into her ear. Abby turned her head to the side when he started to place small kisses across her jaw line. She saw her red and white striped bandana hangin from the bedpost. She laughed and fingered the fabric. King stopped his worshipping.

"I was wondering where this had disappeared to."

Lifting his head to look, King smirked, bringing Abby's attention back to him by nuzzling the crook of her neck and inhaling deeply. His voice sounded dreamy, which is something you weren't used to hearing.

"Yeah I stole it about a month ago…it smelled like you."

Abby giggled and quirked her eyebrow at him.

"That's because it is mine… I don't know whether to think you're very sweet or just a strange freak."

King chuckled as he leaned down to suck on her throat while mumbling loud enough for Abby to hear.

"I'll show you how much of a freak I am."

A shiver ran down Abigail's spine at the sheer thought of what he had in mind. She didn't have to wait much longer however because she felt his thumbs hook underneath the straps on her underwear and roll them down her legs. King sat up and retrieved his wallet from his jeans that were piled on the floor with the rest of his clothes from earlier. He pulled out a condom and Abby started to sit up and move towards him. Putting his hand on her thigh, King stopped her. The package was soon discarded and he was slipping his body in between her legs. Finally Abby got the chance to sit up as he entered her with one slow thrust. Her hands raked up the expanse of his back causing him to moan in complete pleasure.

"Ohh God Abby…"

She gripped him tightly with her legs as he rocked her back and forth. King's teeth scraped her shoulder, opening the wound there and sucking up her blood. Abby hissed through her teeth at the sensation of pain and pleasure as she drew King deeper and deeper inside of her. Raising his head from her shoulder, King devoured Abigail's lips with his own. She could taste the coppery tang of her own blood on his tongue and it turned her on more than she expected it would.

"Faster King!"

Needless to say, he was happy to oblige to what his partner wanted. He also felt that slow urgency start to build up inside the pit of his stomach. Abby herself, was fighting to hold it together. But that didn't last for long, she screamed as her own orgasm hit and wracked her body. This was closely followed by King and his profanities as he held Abby tightly against his chest.

"Sweet fucking Christ that was great… Let's do that again."

Meanwhile, Abby just lay, exhausted in his arms. King grazed kisses across her collarbone and she chuckled, running her hands through his hair.

"Not so fast Sparky. I think you might break me if we do that too soon."

Truthfully, he was also worn out also. So, instead he settled for cuddling up with her and kissing her till they were both too tired to move and forced by physical exhaustion to go to sleep. King had a feeling though that Abby as already halfway there.

There was the heat again. The flames were licking at her insides wanting so badly to get out. She wanted them out just as much but they had nowhere to go. Again, the darkness was engulfing her. She tried desperately to breath but the heat seemed to be suffocating her. Even when she tried to scream for help, her voice still wouldn't come. Then, as if on time, that voice spoke to her. Still as unrecognizable as the first time and just as haunting, then everything darkened more if that was possible in the blackness she was already in.

"Close your eyes…"

Abby bolted up in bed sweating and more confused than she had been before. It was the second time she'd had that dream and she still didn't recognize the voice. Her mind seemed to have distorted it from whoever was speaking. All she knew was that she didn't like the definite tone it held. To double check, she looked to her right to see King groan lightly and turn on his side that was facing her. Surely she couldn't have mistakenly heard him talking in his sleep. He murmured in his dreams from time to time, but not like that. His mutterings were deduced to incoherent, monosyllabic grunts. As Abby looked King over, his eyes opened that soon after squinted with concern and his voice came out with a throaty scratch.

"What's wrong?"

He was one of those people that could always tell when someone was watching him as he slept. Abby just sighed before laying back down and placing a light but lingering kiss on his lips, which was met with an appreciative moan.

"Please get some rest. I expect that there was more coming from that and I want a 'Happy Abby' for breakfast in the morning."

She let out a heavy breath and gave him a gentle smile. He ran his fingers through her silky, soft hair until her eyes were so heavy that she couldn't keep them open anymore. King kissed the top of her head, noting how it was damp with sweat.

"Shhh…"

He did that even though he knew she was already fast asleep. King hoped that whatever nightmare that disturbed her slumber would not come back tonight. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and listened to her deep, even breathing, letting it eventually lull him to sleep.

The sun's unwelcome glare was what woke Abby the next morning. Fortunately, she couldn't remember dreaming for the remainder of the night. She pulled the down quilt over her head and heard someone chuckle faintly in the room. She peeked out of the top to see King standing in the doorway leaning against his crutches..

"Mornin' Sugarpuss."

Abby turned over, buried her head underneath the pillow, and gave him a muffled response.

"Bite me…"

Seconds later she felt King dive onto the bed and bite her exposed shoulder.

"Oww!"

It didn't really hurt but Abby said it anyway. She felt King's beard scratch her shoulder as he kissed it. The scratching continued up into the crook of her neck, causing her to shiver and laugh.

"Tickles?"

King removed the pillow from over her head and started to sniff at her hair, much the same was a dog puts their cold nose in your ear. As much as Abby tried to fight it, she eventually broke down into a fit of giggles. She flipped onto her back and wrapped her legs tightly around his body. This made King stop instantly. Abby leaned up, capturing his mouth with hers in a sudden kiss. She felt parts of him stiffen with the contact and reveled in the feeling as he molded to her body. They broke apart and King observed her with concern evident in his eyes. Some wounded areas on her had grown darker with bruises during the night. As if to know his unasked question Abby stretched and nodded.

"I'm alright."

He placed a soft, sensuous kiss on her mouth and ran his large hands down the length of her body before dragging himself off the bed with a groan. Abby closed her eyes for a brief moment until she heard the clink of metal.

"God these things are killing my pits!"

She opened one eye and smirked at him.

"You sure do know how to kill the mood, don't you baby?"

Abby rolled off the bed and King hobbled up to her and began sucking on the side of her neck, whispering against her skin.

"More importantly, I know how to bring it back to life."

Although she thoroughly enjoyed the attention, she knew if she let him continue, then she wouldn't be leaving the bedroom at all today. So, reluctantly she pulled away.

"Come on Playboy, I don't know about you, but I have to replenish my strength."

She saw the cocky grim forming before he even replied.

"Wore you out didn't I?"

Abby laughed lightly and just nodded.

"…Yeah, you did."

The morning passed relatively normal despite the tension still being held by Caulder and King. At one point Abby thought that King was going to stab Caulder with the butter knife he was using to put jelly on his toast, but thankfully everyone made it through the morning relatively unscathed. Abby learned that Dash had taken Zoë to a secure and trusted friend earlier that morning so that the Nightstalkers could work diligently on the case of Sander and Dalton. This time, King made sure that he got his two cents in when they discussed any kind of maneuver or strategy since he wasn't there the last time and he was convinced that was why Abby sustained those extensive injuries. Caulder would just sit there quietly whenever King spoke. Abby knew that he had also beaten up on himself after her and King retired for the night and she felt sorry for him. Once Dash had returned in the evening however, he brought with him some news that King didn't want to hear.

"I took a little detour this morning to the old dilapidated building on 45th and Congress. It seems as though our friends are strategizing during the day. They've blacked out all of the windows but I could still see shadows moving across them. Seems like they may have some familiars working for them now, so whatever happens, it needs to happen soon. We have to move again, tonight. Abby, how's your status?"

"I'm fine…"

But, she was cut off in midair. At once, as expected, King lashed out at no one in particular.

"No! No, no, no…If you think that I'm letting this one out of my sight again, you are sorely mistaken my friend. Abby is not going anywhere without me tonight, especially not now since I know why those two fucks want her so badly."

It was times like these that Caulder and Dash looked at Abby and relied on her ability to rationalize with her partner. Although now, it may be a little harder than it used to be. He looked as if he dared her to say anything to him to the contrary. He was going to stand firm on this and she knew it. Somehow she would just have to try another angle, but later, when they could be alone. Caulder and Dash seemed to sense this and let the situation go for now. King brooded out of the kitchen and Abby sighed looking up at the two remaining Nightstalkers.

"Don't worry, let me handle him. Just go ahead with the plans for tonight and I'll get sorted out later."

With that she left the kitchen and headed upstairs into King's room where she knew she would find him sulking. True to her intuitions, there he was standing by his window and gazing out of it. He didn't acknowledge her, but she knew that he was responsive of her standing there by the way he closed his eyes and kept them shut for a moment. Abby walked up behind him and rubbed her hands up the span of his back, resting her chin on his shoulder and speaking quietly.

"King, I'm fully capable of…"

King stiffened up for a second and turned around to face her. Here he goes again. She could tell before she opened her mouth that he was going to cut her off. He was too smart and she knew it.

"Abby, you're doing it again. I don't care how much you try to persuade me, I'm not letting you go out there unless I can be there with you. I have too much at risk with you going out there alone; or worse, with some Goddamned Norwegian. Don't you understand that? I have too much to lose with you on the line out there."

Abby took a deep breath and replied in a tired but serious tone.

"King, please don't patronize me."

King's looks softened as he came up to her, cupping her face in the palms of his hands.

"Sweetheart, I'm not trying to undercut you or belittle the situation. I know how strong you are Abby. But, you've got to realize how strong my feelings are for you. I just know that if I were out there with you, you would be in less danger than you are right now standing right in front of me."

Abby's lips formed into a half smile as she gave him an inquisitive look.

"Are you meaning to tell me that I'm in greater danger standing right here than out there with you?"

His answer was quick and simple, offering no explanation at all.

"Yes."

She looked up and down at her surroundings then at her feet.

"Right here?"

King nodded his head surreptitiously.

"Yep."

Abby straightened her back and put her hands on her hips, looking King right in the eye while trying to keep her poker face. King's face however was beginning to show the slightest hint of a grin, but Abby continued.

"This spot…"

King began to rock back and forth on his heels moving face closer and closer to hers with each forward and backward motion till he began to place a light and audible kiss on her lips whenever he got close enough and then pulled away, replying.

"Mmhmm…"

Abby folded her arms.

"I see…"

She tapped her lips lightly feigning deep thought.

"Oh well, guess I'll have to move then."

This caught King off guard and he stumbled forward when her lips weren't there to meet his. He glowered indignantly.

"Hey…you cheated."

She stuck out her bottom lip, and then bit it as her lips curled up in the corners.

"…and you're handicapped."

King's jaw went slack as she broke out into a full, devious smile and then tried to run for it. She made it halfway down the hall before he caught her around the waist and hauled her up against the adjacent wall, kissing her mouth firmly.

"That'll teach you to run from me."

He let her go and she just leaned up on the wall for support. When King kisses you, he really kisses you.

"I think I'm going to go iced down my ankle as well as other parts of my anatomy if you don't mind, I'm getting sore."

She nodded and ruffled his hair for good measure.

"I'll be downstairs if you need anything, just scream."

"Like this?"

He then proceeded to pant and moan.

"Abby! Oh God Abby! I need you!"

King watched as Abby's cheeks turned a little pink so he stopped and gave her an endearing smile. She ran a hand through her hair in a flustered motion and nodded.

"Yeah, something like that…"

He smiled and winked at her.

"Sure thing Whistler."

After being thoroughly embarrassed, Abby met up with Caulder and Dash in the computer room. They both looked at her eagerly when she walked up and she waved her hand.

"No go."

Caulder looked at Abby, confused and replied in his thick accent while Dash just waited in silence.

"But why?

She looked conflicted for a moment and then just shrugged pathetically.

"You guys know that he won't let me go anywhere."

Dash sighed a little more ominously than the situation called for and stood up from his seat in the computer chair.

"Well then, we'll just have to go to Plan B. You'll have to sneak out of the Hideout."

Abigail looked really hesitant about that option although she knew that it was going to be discussed. She wouldn't feel right sneaking away from her own well intentioned, not to mention loyal, partner.

"I don't feel so good about that."

Dash and Caulder looked as if they had been ready and waiting for her to say that.

"Abby, it's the only chance we've got at getting these bastards and tonight's the best night to do it. I'm sorry King busted up his foot but you know he'd be doing the same thing."

She nodded. She had already mentioned that to King, but still that didn't make it any easier. Abby would just have to trust them on this one, and hope that King wouldn't be too mad at her when he found out the next morning. With that, she reluctantly agreed.

"Do not breathe a word of this to King alright. If he gets suspicious, I'll just have more on my hands to deal with."

They all silently agreed and went about their normal activities only exchanging meaningful glances every now and again whenever King wasn't around. Abby decided to spend the rest of the day trying to butter King up to the idea of letting her go, but he stood his ground, so she just surrendered knowing that in a few hours time she would have to somehow, covertly leave him while he slept.

Abby picked up her tactical bag and her bow from their hiding place behind the dresser. As she was about to slip out of the room, she heard a voice from the corner of the room, it was stern yet pleading at the same time.

"Abby don't do it…"

She sighed resolutely and put her pack down.

"I should've known better than to think I could pull this over on you."

King limped into the little bit of moonlight that flowed into the room. The shadows made him look so dark and powerful as he moved away from the pitch black corner. He walked up to her and gently took the bow out of her hands, setting it on the floor beside them. Again, he spoke.

"Don't do this to me Abby."

Abby shoulders went limp and she tried to reason with him.

"King, what would you do in my situation? You and I both know that you'd be out there regardless of the danger and regardless of what anyone else told you…including me. The only reason you aren't out there now is because you wouldn't make it halfway down the driveway before collapsing."

He couldn't fight her on that. But then Abby realized something.

"King, your crutches…"

He limped harshly over the bedroom door blocking the only exit Abby had besides the third story window. As he was leaning up against the frame, she could tell that he was in excruciating pain although given the circumstances he was hiding it quite well.

"I don't need them for short distances."

"Like hell you don't! Jesus….King…"

She walked over to him and tried to sling his arm over her shoulder but he resisted, his voice firm as ever.

"I'm not moving Abby."

Abby sat don on the edge of her bed and put her head in her hands for a brief second before meeting King's eyes again. She looked at him contemplatively for and moment and then shook her head.

"You're just about as stubborn as I am, you know that!"

He shrugged casually.

"If not more…"

Abby got up from the bed and walked up to him, placing her hands gently on his bare chest.

"Please King. I have to go."

She was now the one pleading with him. He made the mistake of looking into her eyes and he was completely undone. Inside their hazel depths was the same fire and determination he saw when she fought, when she made love, and when she rescued him. Somewhere he knew that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep Abby in a cage. She would always find a way to get out. He picked up her pack and her bow, handed them to her, and moved out of the doorway with a terrible sense of regret in the pit of his stomach, but it was true, he had to let her go. Abby looked at him surprised at what his actions meant. She dropped her gear and went straight into his arm, holding tight and kissing him like her life depended on it. Between each meaningful kiss, she whispered against his lips.

"I'll be careful. And I'll come back to you…I promise."

She kissed him one final time as he clung to her in that moment, and then she was gone.