Thank you guys for the reviews. I am trying to finish this story before I have to move in for school which is the 26th. Because if I don't then it will take me a while to update after that.

Chapter 11

"Elizabeth, we're declaring an all-clear. You're free to leave."

"All right."

She barely heard her supervisor because Jason's words tumbled through her mind as she hung up the phone.

I think I'm falling in love with you.

"Is something wrong?" Jason asked. "You look pale."

"Yes. No, er…the snow emergency is over."

She was all too aware of her nakedness beneath the sheets. What had she done?

"I can go home."

Jason's brows pulled together. "I'd like to drive you home, but I can't leave until seven. Will you wait for me?"

"I can drive myself."

She clutched the sheet, easing away. "I'm sure the plows have the major streets cleared by now."

"Elizabeth." He put a hand on her arm, as if to stop her. "You're doing it again, running away from me. From us."

"I — need some time alone." Her voice sounded strange, distant, even to her own ears. "To think."

"I meant what I said."

Jason tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "I'm falling in love with you."

Her eyes flashed and she jerked away from his touch.

"We've only known each other a few days. How can you love me? You don't even know me."

Fuming, she searched for her discarded scrubs.

"I knew from the moment I saw you, my life had changed. Our first night together, I discovered your great sense of humor. Your laugh was infectious."

She didn't want to listen, but his voice tugged at her while she gathered her stuff.

"After tonight, I know you're a warm, compassionate nurse who's been hurt in the past and I can only promise not to do the same."

"That's not enough."

Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper as she clutched her clothes to her chest.

"I know you take responsibility seriously. And I know you're carrying my baby." Jason wouldn't give up. "All I'm asking is for you to give us a chance."

"I need time, Jason. This is just so much to take in all at once. I'd never keep you away from your child, but as far as a relationship goes —" she swallowed hard "— I'm just not sure."

The expression in his eyes was dark, tormented. She expected him to push harder, but he surprised her by nodding.

"I'll give you time, Elizabeth."

He stood. "But remember how hard I searched for you, after that first night. And how thrilled I was to find you, before you told me about the baby. From the moment I saw you, I was attracted to you. And making love again just now only reinforced how wonderful we are together."

She didn't have a response to that, so she slipped into the bathroom. As she leaned weakly against the door, she knew his words would follow her all the way home.

Jason finished his shift and headed to his apartment across the street, wishing he dared go straight to Elizabeth's place. But he'd promised to give her time.

And a few measly hours probably wasn't enough, damn it.

She was slipping through his fingers. Again. And he didn't know how to convince her that his feelings were real. Hell, they were so real they scared him to death.

When he'd found her in the ICU, he'd known their futures were irrevocably linked. But he hadn't anticipated the news of the baby.

At first he'd been ecstatic about being a father. Now he resented the very connection he'd once desired, because Elizabeth hadn't believed him when he'd confessed he loved her. She thought he was handing her a line, because of the baby.

Nothing was further from the truth.

But how could he convince her?

To be continued...

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