Once again, many thanks to all who have read and left reviews and/or comments. I like creating these stories but is always nice to know others are enjoying them too.

The days passed more easily since the afternoon stroll. Sam seemed happier, more content, which helped Christopher's state of mind immensely. The night was growing more and more frustrating for Christopher, however. Despite his still sore ribs, his body yearned for Sam, to be with her intimately. And as the nights passed, the yearning turned to need until he thought he might explode from it. He sensed that Sam was growing equally impatient but whenever he tried to instigate something between them more than a simple kiss or hug, she pushed away, saying it was still too soon. Finally one night, he could take the rebuff no more. "Too soon, Sam? Been weeks..."

"But your ribs. And don't try to tell me they aren't still sore, Christopher Foyle, because I see the grimaces on your face when you move too quickly or don't stand from your chair just so. They're tender and need more time to heal."

Ducking his chin ever so slightly, Christopher fought the grin that was fighting to break on his face. "Mmy whole name? Really? Mmakes me feel a bit like a schoolboy again and my Mum is having a word with me over some transgression."

"As if that ever happened," Sam huffed. "You were the perfect child, no doubt. I can't imagine your Mother ever having a word with you like that. And..." she hesitated, her mind obviously taking a different track. "And I'm not your mother and I don't want you thinking of me in that way. I don't think I like it much."

Christopher's grin did break loose then, the corners of his mouth creeping down. Poking his tongue in this cheek while he decided on a proper reply, his eyes danced at his wife. "Wull, certainly not my Mum and nnever thought of you in that way," he mumbled as he let his eyes rake over her roguishly.

His attitude sparked more angst in Sam, however. "Oh you... you are just impossible," she huffed again.

"Yup, suppose so. Least when you're around." He reached for her hand and held it gently before bringing it to his lips for a soft caress and kiss. "Truth is Sam, as tender as the ribs are, I'm aching for you. Nneed to feel you close, be with you. We could be careful, take things slowly... but I need you Sam." He could feel her softening, even though her expression wasn't showing it. "I think you've erm...maybe missed me a little too?"

She turned to look into his eyes, her own showing her longing. "I have. But I've been so afraid. Do you really believe it would be alright if we... ?"

"Only one way to find out," he said as he tugged at her to move closer to him.

Their kisses were hungry and needful. Their caresses were gentle and loving with Sam being careful not to put too much pressure on Christopher's sides. Consequently, it was Christopher who pressed closer to her, his body taking charge of his actions leaving his mind to rejoice in her nearness.

The bed heated rather quickly as the two rediscovered one another. Something tickled in the back of Christopher's mind; something was different about Sam. But his mind was too preoccupied with the sensory feast before him to dwell on such thoughts. "Christ Sam, how I have missed you," he murmured as his kisses moved down to include her breasts. Her response as his mouth claimed first one and then the other assured him that she had similar feelings about their forced abstinence. It wasn't long that his attention to her responsive mounds had her ready for explorations south.

Even though Sam was enjoying his ministrations, she was applying some to him as well. No part of his torso went untouched and her lips caressed his face, his neck, and as far south as his navel. There were moments when it seemed as if they might be in a duel, one fighting the other for position to make their claims. But surrender in those instances was as rewarding as victory, so neither complained.

As their activities continued, Sam became more confident that she wouldn't hurt Christopher, and in fact, he gained confidence as well... right up to the moment of truth. It arrived more quickly than he'd expected but it was clear they were both ready to be joined. He wasn't entirely certain how to go about it though. Neither of their two usual approaches would suffice, he realized. Both would cause pain and the moment would be lost. He remembered another option but was unsure of Sam's approval. As he looked into her eyes, he saw that she was having a similar conundrum, without the knowledge or experience to find a solution. In her mind, there were only two ways to go about this.

"Sam, I think I know of a way but..."

"Show me," she panted eagerly.

And so Christopher found himself behind her, his hands on her glorious orbs and his manhood where it properly belonged, deep inside her marvelous cavern. He nearly wept from the joy of being encased in her once again, although he wanted very much to feel her skin next to the length of his. Still, the ecstasy of the moment was almost too much to bear. "God I've missed you," he whispered reverently. And as intense as the sensation of her was for him, his whispered words were even more so for Sam. Clutching the bedclothes, she back herself further into him, taking more of his length and then squeezing him tightly as she let out a soft moan. It undid Christopher and he began to thrust deeper, pumping faster and faster until his motion became frenetic with Sam matching his thrusts, meeting him each time. He was on the edge when she cried out and shuddered her release, sending him over the precipice into bliss, emptying himself and leaving him quivering. Too weak to hold himself up any longer, he collapsed over her back, her lovely porcelain skinned back, forcing her front first onto the mattress. Carefully he rolled off her, his bones feeling like jelly, and simply laid there drunk from the pleasure of being with Sam.

He felt the bed move and then an arm on his chest, the elbow precariously near his worst behaving rib. But he simply didn't care. It was Sam's elbow and therefore a welcome visitor. Her fingers caressed absently at the space between his nipples, creating a warm sensation but almost tickling in his heightened state of sensitivity. And then her lips attached to his ear lobe, her tongue teasing him with flicks back and forth. Christopher wanted to respond, to torture her in a similar manner, but he simply didn't have the strength, so he remained there subject to her whims.

Her lips found other places to caress, his neck, his jaw, his lips. Her hand began to create mischief as well, tracing lines down his chest, her fingers teasing at his navel. Then she grabbed his shrunken bit of manhood and giggled.

He quirked an eyebrow at her, feeling chagrinned. "Find it amusing, do you?"

"It is difficult to believe that just moments ago it was so rigid... and large and now it is... well, not. Amazing really, if you think about it. Such a change..." She toyed with him a moment longer and then gently replaced the tired soldier in its previous resting position.

"No magic in it, Sam. You bring it to life and have for years. Now we're married, you bring it to life and elevate it... me to great heights until it discharges from the pleasure of it. Not so amazing really when you think of the inspiration."

She reached up to kiss him and then settled next to him. "I could say the same... the part about the pleasure of it... of you. I do love you so very much, Christopher Foyle."

"Mmmm, using the full name again, are we? Well Samantha Foyle, I love you so very much too."

The couple settled quietly, contently in each other's arms, and drifted to serene sleep.