CHAPTER 16

Olaf 'Big Swede' Gustafsen stood, pleading;

"Jemma, you know good and well just what your brother, all your brothers, will do to me if I do what you ask? Mind you, that's after your husband is done vith me; if there's anything left of my hide that is."

Swede knew he was in trouble the moment Jemma folded her arms across her chest. He had worked for the Bolt's a long time; back to the days when Jason had first taken over the logging operation just after Johnathan Bolt's passing and a young man of eighteen had taken on, not only the logging operation but the responsibility of raising his two younger brothers and baby sister as well. What no one knew was that Swede had come close to accepting Jason's suggestion that he pass on his offer of employment, especially when Jason had explained the facts of the logging operation's situation. He was about to decline the offer when the next to oldest Bolt brother, who Jason had identified at 'Josh' rushed over;

"Jason! Jeremy fell from the tree, I think he hurt his arm bad!"

Turning an apologetic look to Swede he begged;

"I'm sorry, Mr. Gustafsen, I need to see to my baby brother, please wait for me."

Swede watched as, without waiting for an answer, Jason took off running to follow his middle brother. He was about to make a discreet exit when he felt a slight tug on his pant leg, looking down he found himself unable to keep from smiling as he looked into the most brilliant pair of emerald eyes he had ever seen. He knew she couldn't have been more than two or three years old as he compared her pale face with green eyes and coppery auburn curls and waves that fell to just below her small shoulders to that of a porcelain doll. He couldn't help but laugh as she pointed her small finger up at him to ask;

"You giant?"

Lowering himself to sit on his heels so he could get a better look at her, Swede realized just how right he was to compare her to a porcelain doll, even on his heels as he was, he still towered well over her. Shaking his head, Swede explained;

"No, I'm from Minnesota and we just grow bigger there I guess."

Wrinkling her small brow, the little girl tried to repeat;

"Men, men...men a soda!"

Swede chuckled at her attempt before patting her head as he nodded;

"Close enough you little doll. What's your name?

Pointing to herself she smiled as she offered proudly;

"Jemma!"

Tilting her head to the side, she asked;

"Your name?"

Mimicking her actions, Swede answered;

"Swede. Where's your mommy and daddy, Jemma?"

Giving a slight shake of her head as she lowered it slightly, Jemma answered a small sad voice;

"No mommy, no daddy. Brudder..."

Before she could finish Jason hurried over to lift the child in his arms as he fussed;

"Jemma Elysia, you're supposed to be taking a nap!"

Confusion marking her face, Jemma pursed her small mouth;

"I did, Brudder! I woke up!"

Rolling his eyes as he shook his head, Jason muttered sarcastically;

"We have to work on your logic, Pixie."

Facing Swede, his face reflecting his embarrassment, Jason began to apologize;

"Mr. Gustafsen, I'm sorry. She was taking her nap, I guess she wasn't as tired as I thought she was."

Holding his hand up, Swede stopped him;

"Is she your baby sister?"

Swede couldn't help but feel touched as Jason glanced at the child, a look of pride on his face as he kissed her cheek before nodding;

"Yes, this is our Pixie doll, otherwise known as Jemma."

Frowning somewhat, Swede asked;

"But, she's so small. Wouldn't it have been better if you had let some family..."

Swede's eyes widened in surprise as a look of thunder clouded Jason's face as he vehemently shook his head before declaring in no uncertain terms;

"NO! I'm not going to let my family be separated! Besides,"

Hugging his sister closer, Jason finished his statement;

"I'm being selfish, breaking my family up would make me miserable, not to mention, this way I know they're taken care of because I'm the one doing it."

Despite what his logic might be saying, Swede found his heart making his decision as he reached a hand out to place against Jemma's small cheek, earning him a smile as he turned to Jason;

"Mr. Bolt, I think I'd like to sign on with your operation. But I have to insist on one condition."

Scowling slightly, Jason asked;

"What condition, Mr. Gustafsen?

Patting Jemma's head gently, Swede smiled brightly;

"That I get to help you keep an eye out for your brothers and this little doll. And, that you call me 'Swede'."

Swede found himself astonished as he realized that has been nearly twenty years ago. And, although she was a grown woman, married with three children, Swede still looked on Jemma as that little girl that had helped make his decision to go to work for the Bolt Brothers' Logging Company. However, having watched her grow up he knew just how formidable she could prove to be when she was determined and he knew that the course she had set for herself was one that she was determined to see through to the end. He had volunteered for guard duty over Carlin Everston when Jason had explained what happened, although, he had to fight his own desire to take his revenge out on the man for what he had done to Jemma and for what he had threatened to do to her children. Giving it another try, Swede begged;

"Jemma, what would your husband say if he knew you were doing this?"

Swede felt his heart aching for the pain he saw in her eyes as she admitted;

"Swede, you've known me since I was a little girl. And, in a lot of ways, you're just as close to me as my brothers because you're just like one of my brothers. Swede, I have to do this! I don't know if you can understand this, but that man has taken something from me. And what's worse, I didn't realize that it was causing me to take something from my husband and my marriage."

Shaking her head, Jemma stated determinedly;

"Swede, I can't let him do that, and I won't let Aaron suffer because of it either. Now, you can turn your back and I'll swear I snuck in, Lord knows I'm small enough that it's believable, but either around you or through you I am going in there."

Frustrated, Swede sighed;

"Alright, Jemma, but you're to stay well away from the bars and that man; understand?"

Nodding slightly, Jemma agreed;

"I promise, Swede! Believe me, I have no desire to be any closer to that man than what's necessary for me to do what I need to."

Recognizing just how determined she was by the stubborn glint he saw in her eyes, Swede glanced around before opening the door and letting her precede him inside. Understanding the reason behind Jemma's motivation, Swede offered;

"Jemma, do you want some privacy?"

Seeing the concern in his blue eyes, Jemma nodded;

"Please, Swede. I promise, I won't get anywhere close to the cell door, but this is something I have to do."

Placing his hand on her shoulder, Swede nodded slowly;

"I understand."

Noticing Everston watching them in suspicious curiosity, Swede pinned the man with his eyes, leaving no room for doubt as to just how serious he took his duties as a guard, or how protective he was of Jemma, before stating, more for Everston's benefit than Jemma's;

"I'll be just outside the door, if you have any problems you yell."

Waiting until the door closed behind Swede, Jemma turned to face Everston. Who, as she suspected, wore a condescending look of smugness as he asked mockingly;

"Let me guess, you want to know why I did what I did to you, why did I try to 'ruin' your life. Am I close?"

Laughing, Everston taunted;

"I see my marks are healing. I'm afraid that in my haste, I was careless in that area."

Jemma studied her adversary carefully, determined not to let the man goad her, she lifted her head proudly before declaring;

"I'm afraid that you've made a grave miscalculation, Mr. Everston if you're expecting me to have a case of hysterics."

Shaking her head, Jemma affirmed;

"I can assure you that our 'discussion' will not consist of questions as to why you did what you did, THAT I've pretty much figured out for myself. No, Mr. Everston, our conversation will be one very much different from what you were probably expecting."

Carlin Everston, seeing the determination in Jemma's eyes, narrowed his eyes to slits as he growled;

"You have no idea what I was or wasn't expecting, my dearest Jemma! And, quite frankly, I don't believe that you, or any female for that matter, have the intelligence it takes to even begin to fathom what a man, especially a man such as me, is capable of thinking."

Jemma, refusing to rise to his bait, remained quiet as she studied her adversary.

Aaron was at his desk, going over the same set of figures in the ledgers that he had been working on for the last half hour. Once he had conferred with Allyn that the mill worker, George's, injury wasn't life-threatening and that he would be just fine, he had decided to try and get some of the bookkeeping out of the way. The problem, however, was that his mind was far from the numbers in front of his eyes, rather his mind was on the best way possible to help his wife. He knew that Jemma was doing her best to put what happened with Everston behind her, but he also knew that she wasn't dealing with what happened so much as just trying to push it from her mind. The only REAL acknowledgment she made of what happened was to make sure Everston couldn't make good on his threats regarding their children.

Hearing a commotion outside, Aaron stood, about to investigate when Peggy burst through his office door. Given how out of breath she was, Aaron had no doubts that she had ran all the way to his office. Hurrying around his desk, he took her arm and helped her take a chair before getting her a cup of water from the cooler in his office to offer;

"Here, Peggy, drink this and catch your breath!"

Giving her a few moments as she drained the cup, Aaron prodded;

"Alright, Peggy, what's the matter?'

Taking big gulps of air, Peggy rushed in;

"Aaron...it's Jemma!"

His eyes opening wide in panic, Aaron bent to put him face to face with her as he grasped her upper arms to demand sharply;

"WHAT ABOUT JEMMA?! PEGGY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY WIFE?!"

Taking a deep breath, Peggy explained her, Candy, and Julie's theory and where they suspected Jemma had gone when she left the house. Trying to offer some hope for the situation, Peggy ventured;

"Aaron, maybe we're wrong. I mean, I saw Swede on guard duty, surely he wouldn't let Jemma anywhere near that man."

Snatching his jacket from the back of his desk chair Aaron faced Peggy in disbelief as he ushered her from his office.

"Are you serious, Peggy?! You know Jemma when she's determined no one can stand in her way, and considering Swede thinks of her as a little sister, there's no way he'll deny her, especially if she's trying to do what I think she's wanting to do."

Motioning in the direction of the logging camp, Aaron asked;

"Peggy, I know it's a lot to ask, but do you think..."

Nodding, already heading in the direction, Peggy agreed;

"I'll go tell Jason."

Knowing that she was on her way, Aaron hurried towards the jail, uncertain of what he should do until he arrived and saw what the situation was with his wife.

Jemma faced Everston, remaining silent with her arms crossed over her chest, her face a calm mask as she let Everston finish taunting her. When he ceased talking, Jemma tilted her head to the side to ask in a steady, quiet, and calm voice;

"Are you finished? Have you said everything that you wished to say?"

A look of astonished disbelief clouded the man's face, especially as a slow smile spread across Jemma's face just before giving a slight bob of her head;

"Good! Because now, Mr. Everston, it's my turn."

Although he was trying his best not to show it on the outside, on the inside, Carlin Everston felt his heart pounding wildly. He had never had a woman, ANY woman, challenge him the way Jemma Stempel was now doing. Thrashing his head back and forth in a desperate manner, Everston declared vehemently;

"You can say whatever you want to, dearest Jemma, but that doesn't mean I have to listen."

Turning his back towards her in a dismissive manner, Everston found his heart in his throat as Jemma laughed in amusement;

"Oh yes you do, Mr. Everston! You see, you have two choices; either you listen to what I have to say on your own accord or I'll have Swede come in here and hold you by your ears so I can be certain that I have your undivided attention."

Swinging around, his face a mask of frightened disbelief, Everston studied her carefully as he muttered;

"You wouldn't!"

Her face a mask of serenity, Jemma smiled sweetly as she challenged;

"Care to try me and see if I'm bluffing? Keep in mind that, so far, all of your assumptions where I've been concerned have proven wrong, do you REALLY want to take that chance?"

Leaning against the wall of his cell, Everston capitulated;

"Very well, since I seem to have no real viable option to the contrary, say what you have to say."

Turning the desk chair where she could face the man, Jemma issued;

"I intend to!"

Aaron ran the last length of the distance from his office to the jail to stop short before Big Swede. Seeing the panic in the large man's eyes, Aaron held his hand up to halt anything the man was about to say before stating unceremoniously;

"Swede, I already know and I can't believe you! You left my wife in there alone with that man after what he did and tried to do to her."

Placing his hand on the man's shoulder, Swede tried to assure him;

"Aaron, I promise she's fine. I had to let her, she said she would either go around me or through me, and you know when Jemma's THAT determined there's no stopping her."

Glancing pointedly at the hand on his shoulder before raising his eyes to glare at the large man, Aaron seethed;

"You damn well should have found a way!"

Aaron was about to open the door when Swede stayed his hand on the knob and shook his head as he tried to reason;

"Aaron, I know you're not happy with me, but just listen for a minute. I might not know all of what she went through or all of what that...man did to her, but I do know Jemma. I've known her before you even knew her, so please believe me when I tell you; THIS is something that she has to do."

Inhaling deeply, Aaron willed himself to patience before nodding;

"Alright, Swede, go on; why does Jemma need to do this?"

Nodding towards the door, Swede ventured;

"You, of all people, know how strong Jemma is, she's never let anything intimidate or frighten her, at least not for very long or to the point it controlled her. But what he did to her, that's different."

Deciding the man had a right to know, Swede confided;

"Aaron, she told me that he's taken something from her and that it's caused her to hurt you; she's afraid that it's causing a problem in your marriage. She's trying to face her fear and what's happened and you have to let her."

Seeing the consideration in his eyes, Swede pressed;

"Aaron, if she doesn't take back what he's taken from her, it's going to change something in her, and not for the better."

Giving a slight nod, Aaron quietly opened and closed the door. He was about to announce his presence when he heard Everston taunting Jemma, however, he soon realized just how right Swede was when he heard his wife offer the man the choice between listening to what she had to say or being suspended from his ears by Swede so she could be certain she had his attention. Remaining where he stood, Aaron listened to the conversation as Everston demanded;

"Alright, my dearest Jemma, go ahead, unburden your soul."

His laughter dripping with cruelty, Everston challenged;

"As if that will help you! Face it, my dear, nothing, NOTHING can undo what I did, for the rest of your life, the memory of what I did will haunt you. Every time your husband touches you, every embrace, every kiss will remind you of what took place between us."

Everston's smirk of satisfaction soon turned to a frown of frustration as Jemma asked in a deceptively calm voice;

"Is that what you REALLY think, Mr. Everston?"

Confused by her attitude, Everston found himself caught off guard as he shook his head, "I don't understand what you're..."

Everston's confusion grew, as did his embarrassed frustration when Jemma rose from her chair to place her hands on her hips before tilting her head to the side as she shook her head sadly;

"First of all, my name, at least as far as you're concerned, is Mrs. Stempel, and you're right, Mr. Everston, you DON'T understand! You see, the mistake that you've made is assuming that you were important enough to have THAT much of an effect on me, Aaron, or our marriage; the simple truth is that you aren't. Oh, I admit you frightened me at one point, of course, you had to resort to threatening my children to do so, something that makes you nothing but a spineless coward. I mean, think about it, you had to go so low as to threaten the lives of three small, helpless children in the hopes of subduing their mother, a woman at least half your size!"

Everston found his bravado quickly faltering, even more so when Jemma began laughing as she reminded;

"Even then, you still couldn't accomplish your goal."

Seeing the look of disdain in his eyes she became even more determined as her lips curled in a serene smile;

"Oh, I know, you inflicted physical pain and bruises on my body, and might well have come close to raping me. But, the point of fact is that you failed in that goal as well; the only reason you came as close as you did was that you knocked me out."

Lifting one delicately arched eyebrow, Jemma struck a blow to the man's pride;

"As far as you coming between my husband and me, Mr. Everston, let me assure you you're rather feeble attempts at charm or your overzealous attempts at being amorous were just as pathetic as your hasty and clumsy attempt at being lecherous. If I'm reminded of anything about you whenever my husband touches me, takes me in his arms, or kisses me, it will most assuredly remind me of just what a miserable failure you probably are when it comes to the intimate nature of a relationship between a woman and a man and just how grateful I am that I didn't have to suffer that. Although I do owe you a debt of gratitude."

His wounded pride finding him seething with anger, Everston demanded in disbelief;

"And just what do you have to be grateful to me for, Mrs. Stempel."

Tilting her head to the side somewhat, Jemma smiled sweetly as she replied;

"Because, Mr. Everston, after seeing how you've treated your daughter, connived to steal from your own child, and have shown no remorse whatsoever for ANY of the heinous acts you've performed here in Seattle, not to mention San Francisco and Lord knows where else, you've reminded me of just how blessed I am to have married such a good man and how thankful I am that he's the father of my children, ESPECIALLY my daughter."

Raising her chin proudly, Jemma declared in certainly;

"If you believe nothing else, believe this, Mr. Everston; you may have inflicted physical abuse and left marks and bruises on my body, but those will all heal and disappear and you will become nothing more than a fleeting thought in my family's minds. You, on the other hand, will have to live with the knowledge that, of all the women you've abused and forced yourself upon for all these years, there was one that gave you a run for your money, one you COULDN'T subdue or make submit to you. And THAT, Carlin Everston will be your TRUE punishment while you spend the rest of your sad, pathetic life behind the bars of a prison cell."

Reaching for her shawl, Jemma wrapped it over her shoulders before turning to dismiss,

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have three beautiful children and a wonderful husband who need their mother and wife's attention to attend to. I'm sure you'll understand if I say that if I never see you again, outside of a courtroom that is, it will be too soon. Good day!"

Spurred into movement as he realized she was finished, Aaron slipped back out the door where Swede was waiting. Seeing the strange look he wore, Swede asked quietly;

"Aaron?"

Hearing his wife's light footsteps approaching the door, Aaron brought his finger to his lips to indicate quiet as he shook his head. Understanding the signal as he heard her approach, Swede nodded and stepped aside as the door opened. Jemma stopped short, her eyes wide in surprise and trepidation as she found her husband standing just outside the doorway, his arms folded across his chest, looking at her. Biting at her bottom lip, Jemma cleared her throat;

"Aaron, I..."

Offering her his arm, his voice calm, Aaron suggested;

"Let's get you home, it's almost time to quit work for the day anyway. We can talk about it later."

Taking his arm, Jemma found she couldn't refrain from glancing at her husband's profile from time to time as they walked home, wondering when his temper might well explode.

Jemma felt as if the evening had been one of the slowest in her life. She kept waiting for her husband to take her to task over her impromptu visit to the jail, however, he had yet to do so. Even when Jason had rushed in, after Peggy had located him at the logging camp, to demand to know just what was going on; something that found Jemma even more puzzled by her husband's actions. She could see by the look on his face that her eldest brother was determined to reprimand her. Yet, ever full of surprises, Aaron had interceded by shaking his head as he stated firmly;

"No, Jason! I appreciate that she's your sister but she's my wife; I'LL be the one to decide if there needs to be a discussion about this and if I do that will be between me and Jemma. She's not a small child anymore, she's a grown woman with a husband and children; remember?"

Although he wasn't overly thrilled, especially given the danger he felt his sister had recklessly placed her in, blame he felt should be shared by Big Swede considering the fact he had allowed Jemma to enter the jail. Hearing his brother-in-law's anger and aggravation, Aaron grabbed him by the arm;

"Jason, I want to show you those revised contracts for the McPherson deal."

Stunned by the man's forcefulness, Jason remained silent until they reached Aaron's study, once the door was securely closed behind them Jason regained his voice;

"Aaron, just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Knowing this was coming, Aaron held up both hands in a placating gesture;

"Jason, just hear me out! Look, when Peggy told me what Jemma was intending to do, I felt just the way you do, and when I found out that Swede had allowed her to go anywhere near that man, I was mad as hell."

Crossing his arms over his chest as he assumed the famous Bolt stance, Jason challenged;

"Considering just how calmly you seem to be taking all of this at this point, I'm assuming something happened to change your mind?"

Aaron heaved a heavy sigh;

"Yes, something did happen to change my mind. I went into that jail intending to drag her out of there; to be honest, I was even considering turning her over my knee, but when I heard the things she was saying to Everston, I realized that Jemma HAD to do what she did."

Crossing to the small table that held the liquor decanters, Aaron offered;

"Brandy?"

At Jason's nod, Aaron poured a liberal portion into two glasses before handing him his as he continued;

"Jason, what I'm telling you, I'm telling you in confidence."

Eyeing his brother-in-law carefully, Jason knew that, whatever it was, Aaron took the confidence very seriously. Nodding his understanding, Jason vowed;

"You have my word, Aaron! And you, of all people, should know just what that means."

Knowing that the man's word was his bond, Aaron continued;

"I know Jason, and I appreciate it."

Taking a bracing sip from his glass, Aaron began;

"Jason, Everston didn't just attack your sister physically, although that was bad enough, he took something from her spirit as well. What you saw the night she was attacked, the nightmare she had, that was only the tip of the iceberg, Jason. Every time she closes her eyes she's tormented by what happened; when she sleeps she hugs her side of the bed as if she's afraid to be touched. Jason, since the day we were married Jemma's never been afraid of me touching her. But today, when I came home for lunch, she was napping, I reached out to push her hair away from her face and she woke up, almost hysterical."

Shaking his head in bemusement, Aaron confessed;

"I have to admit, Jason, if my reflexes weren't as good as they are your sister would have landed one hell of a right hook. The point being, given what I heard of the exchange between Jemma and Everston today, I'm hoping this will help her reclaim what he took from her. As much as I hate admitting it, Swede was right, she HAD to do what she did."

Placing his hand on his shoulder, Aaron pleaded;

"Jason, please, let me handle this."

Seeing the sincerity in the man's eyes, Jason could do no less than agree;

"Alright, Aaron I won't interfere. Besides, there's no denying just how much you love Pixie or just how far you'll go to make sure that what's done for her is always for the best."

Aaron exhaled a relieved sigh;

"Thank you, Jason! I truly appreciate it."

Once everyone had left them to their privacy and they had settled their children for the night, Alex having been moved to the nursery during his mother's recovery, Aaron suggested;

"I think we've put this off long enough, don't you, love?"

Knowing that, sooner or later, she would have to answer for her earlier actions that day, Jemma nodded slowly as she preceded him to their bedroom. When she heard the door close, Jemma spun around, her uneasiness obvious in the pleading look she wore as she began;

"Aaron, honey..."

Holding his hand up to halt her statement, Aaron interrupted;

"Jemma, sweetheart, just be quiet a minute and let me say what I have to say, alright?"

At her silent nod of agreement, Aaron closed the distance between them to take her hands in his;

"First of all, darlin I want you to stop looking as if you're waiting for me to explode at any minute and bite your head off or snap you in two."

Cupping her cheek in his hand, Aaron brought her eyes up to meet his;

"I may get aggravated, frustrated, and downright irritated with you sometimes, which, I might add, never lasts very long anyway. But, if you remember nothing else, darlin, remember this; I love you more than anything in this world! The only thing I love as much as you are our children, you know that, Jemma love."

Tugging nervously at her bottom lip with her teeth, Jemma turned to avoid making eye contact as she affirmed softly;

"I know you do, honey I've never doubted your love for me or our babies for one second."

Hooking his finger under her chin, Aaron turned her head to lock gazes with her, his own eyes full of pleading;

"Than please, sweetheart, for the love of God, let's discuss this and work through it."

Accepting her silent nod as her agreement, Aaron took her hand in his and led her to the big padded rocking chair near their bed. Noticing how she glanced between their bed and the chair, Aaron pulled the chair closer before lowering himself to sit. Giving her hand an encouraging squeeze, Aaron offered;

"I'm not going to push you, darlin. If you want to sit on the bed I understand, and it's okay."

Jemma swallowed nervously;

"Just for a few minutes, darling, I want to explain why I did what I did today."

Nodding slightly, Aaron waved his hand towards the bed;

"Alright, love whenever you feel ready to talk, I'm ready to listen."

Perching on the edge of the bed, Jemma took a deep breath as she began;

"First of all, I don't want Swede to suffer any repercussions from you, Jason, Josh, or Jeremy; I didn't give him any choice in the matter."

Finding the first bit of humor in the situation, Aaron chuckled;

"Oh trust me, I'm quite aware of that fact, Jemma love. That's the ONLY reason I didn't hang him from the yardarm of Clancey's ship. Go on, you were saying."

Lowering her head, as if staring at her clasped hands in her lap, Jemma continued;

"Aaron, honey, I HAD to do what I did today."

Her head lifting, Aaron could see a plethora of emotions in her eyes; pleading, determination, frustration, but what struck Aaron the most was the look of hope he saw brimming to the surface, something he was grateful for, even more so as she admitted;

"I did something today that I was very ashamed of."

His brow furrowing, Aaron leaned forward to take both of her hands in his as he rushed to assure her;

"Jemma love, you did nothing to be ashamed of! I'll admit when Peggy rushed into my office and told me where you had gone and Swede admitted he let you in there with that...man alone, I was mad as hell. But, when I heard what you said to Everston, I was VERY proud of you, sweetheart."

Shocked, Jemma demanded;

"You heard what I said? I thought you were outside the whole time."

Shaking his head, Aaron confessed;

"Admittedly, I came in to make sure you were alright. However, when I walked in and heard you sizing up his character with your usual acute bluntness, I felt like it was best to let you get what you had been holding in since he attacked you."

Tilting her head to the side in contemplation, Jemma asked;

"Just how much DID you hear?"

Stroking the back of her hands with his thumbs, Aaron couldn't help the smile that curled his lips as he replied;

"Enough to know just how high your regard for your husband is. But just so you know, mine for you is just as high, if not more so."

Lifting his hand, Aaron caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers as Jemma brought her hand up to place over his before closing her eyes, savoring the feel of her husband's touch. Aaron found his hopefulness soaring even higher when she opened her eyes, the fear, worry, and sadness that had occupied their emerald brilliance for, as far as he was concerned, far too long as of late, replaced with love and adoration as she admitted softly;

"I'm so sorry, honey. I was so ashamed because I let that man come between us, or more precisely, I let my fear of him come between us."

Turning her face, Jemma brushed her lips against the back of her husband's hand before taking hold of it in both of hers as she brought it to her cheek;

"I want 'us' back, the way we were before all of this."

Despite his eagerness, Aaron remained mindful of what she had been through as he rose from the chair to stand before her. Taking her hand, he gently pulled her to stand in front of him before, tentatively reaching his hand towards her hair, their gazes meeting and locking as Aaron asked, his voice full of hopefulness;

"Jemma love?"

Understanding his unspoken request, Jemma gave a slight nod of consent. Aaron could feel her slight tremble as he wrapped his arm around her waist before releasing the clasp to let her hair fall free as the deep auburn curls and waves tumbled down her back to just below her waist. Searching her eyes for any possible warning signs, Aaron could see her hesitancy and, instinctively knew that it wasn't from his touch, but from her fear of disappointing him. Crooking his finger under her chin, Aaron began softly caressing her soft lips with the pad of his thumb, his eyes never leaving hers as he inhaled sharply;

"Sweetheart, I...I."

Placing her fingers over his lips to silence whatever else he might say, Jemma shook her head;

"It's alright, my darling heart! I promise you, there are no ghosts or demons here to come between us or to haunt us. It's just me and you; the way it should be."

Jemma slid her arms upwards and entwined them around her husband's neck just before she pulled his head down to place her lips against his. Unable to resist the temptation, Aaron wrapped both arms around her waist to pull her closer as he lifted her against him, his mouth eagerly responding to the pleas his wife's lips were making with demands of his own. Breaking the kiss, Aaron closed his eyes for a moment as he tried to gain control of his breathing as he confessed;

"Jemma, sweetheart, I don't think I can hold out much longer; not with you kissing me like that."

Running her fingers through the dark thickness of his hair, Jemma brought her lips to his, giving her husband everything she had in her to give before lifting her head, the bright emeralds of her eyes flashing with desire as she suggested huskily;

"Then why are you trying?"

Aaron loosened his hold around his wife's waist, let her body slide ever so slowly down the length of his until she was standing before him. Cupping her face in his hands, he let his fingers drift lightly across her cheeks as, if on their own accord, they were soon caressing the auburn locks of her hair. His chest rising and falling with the effort to maintain some restraint, Aaron couldn't resist the urge as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth, finding all of his control vanishing as Jemma reacted as she always had; by meeting her husband's demands with her own. Lifting his head as he broke the kiss, Aaron fought to bring his breathing under control before asking, his deep voice rough with desire;

"Jemma angel, are you sure? I mean REALLY sure that you're...?

Lowering her head slightly, Jemma reached out and began slowly and methodically unbuttoning her husband's shirt, a slight blush crept into her cheeks as she looked up at him through her lashes to admit;

"I've very sure! I want, need, and most importantly, my darling heart, love you."

Before he could offer any more protests, Aaron could only gasp at the soft feel of his wife's small fingers as they glided a gentle pattern across his chest before dancing lazily down his belly to stop briefly at the waistband of his trousers. Despite the fires of passion being fanned between them, Aaron couldn't help but chuckle at his wife's timidness as her hands froze in uncertainty just before lifting her eyes which reflected the shy question on her mind at that moment. Aaron caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers;

"Oh no you don't, my shy little temptress! You've come this far, darlin!"

Tugging at her bottom lip with her teeth, Jemma asked timidly;

"Are you sure that this is what YOU want?"

Seeing the self-doubt, fear, and worry of her insecurities creeping its way into her mind, and understanding the reason, Aaron took her hand and led her to the large mirror that hung above their dresser. Standing behind her, he turned her to face the silvered glass;

"Sweetheart, I want you to look into that mirror and tell me what you see."

Crossing her arms over each other to take hold of her husband's hands, Jemma could only smile as she gazed at Aaron's image;

"I see my very handsome husband."

Aaron twisted his lips in a wry grin of amusement;

"My pride and vanity thank you, darlin. But what else do you see?"

The smile fading from her lips, Jemma sighed as she lowered her head to break eye contact with his reflection;

"I see something that looks like the cat drug it in and didn't think it was worth the bother to drag it back out once it got a good look at it."

Determined, Aaron spun her around to face him as he gripped her shoulders firmly, his face a mask of worried frustration;

"NO! THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE!"

Seeing the slight shock of fear as her eyes widened, Aaron softened his tone;

"Do you know what I see in that mirror?"

Determined to banish her self-doubt, once and for all, as she silently shook her head, Aaron turned her back to face her reflection as he wrapped his arm across the front of her waist while his other hand began releasing the hooks at the back of her dress. With a slow deliberateness, Aaron lightly pushed the sleeve of her dress down her arm before placing his lips against the soft pale skin of her shoulder. Feeling her slight shiver, he raised his head enough to address her reflection;

"What I see, my stubborn little darling is a very beautiful, "

Lifting his hand to the opposite sleeve, he pinched the fabric between his thumb and index finger, as if peeling it away from her skin while sweeping her hair over one shoulder as he placed a series of whisper-soft kisses against the back of her neck. Reaching her shoulder he let his mouth linger a moment longer as he encircled her small waist to give the skirts of her dress and petticoat a gentle shove, sending them to form a pool of fabric around her feet. His mouth brushing across the delicate skin from her shoulder to just below her ear, Aaron continued;

"a very desirable angel."

Hearing her gasp as he took the tender flesh of her earlobe between his teeth and gently tugged, Aaron glanced in the mirror. He could tell, given how she was leaning more and more against him, that her self-doubts were being replaced with desire and passion, any doubts to the contrary vanished when he saw how her lips were parted slightly as she inhaled and exhaled in rushed gasps. Placing his arm around her shoulder, Aaron turned her slightly towards him, cradling her to his chest as he brought his free hand up to slip the small pearl buttons of her camisole free he nuzzled his cheek against hers, his lips near her ear;

"That I just so happen to be blessed to have as my wife."

Finding herself weak with desire from the passion her husband had aroused in her, Jemma opened her eyes slowly, her chest rising and falling heavily, the assault her husband had waged against her senses having left her breathless. Languidly, Jemma lifted her hand and placed it against her husband's cheek as she placed her other hand against his chest;

"Aaron darling, please."

Taking the hand she hand against his chest in his free hand, Aaron brought to his lip and placed a slow, sensual kiss against her palm;

"Please what, my little love; what do you want?"

Her eyes closed at the feel of her husband's mouth against the soft flesh of her palm as Jemma answered in a husky whisper;

"YOU, my love, I want you!"

Pulling her hand from his grasp, Jemma traced the outline of his mouth with her fingertip as she confessed;

"I more than want you, heart of mine, I NEED you."

Feeling her body become limp, having grown weak from her need and desire for him, Aaron slid his arm under her legs to lift her against his chest. Aaron's relief knew no bounds as he realized they had won the last battle of the war they had been engaged in since Everston's attack. Savoring the feel of his wife cradled in his arms, Aaron leisurely approached their bed to gently place her in the center before stretching out next to her. Brushing the stray wisps and curls of her hair from her face, the corners of Aaron's mouth curled in a smile of satisfaction as he watched her close her eyes a sigh of contentment escaping from between her slightly parted lips as she reached for his hand to hold it against her cheek before turning to place a kiss against his palm. Grasping her chin between his thumb and forefinger, Aaron ordered softly;

"Open your eyes and look at me, my angel."

Slowly, Jemma opened her eyes and found her gaze drawn and held by her husband's dark eyes, smoldering with passion as he asked;

"Jemma love, is this what YOU want?"

Turning to her side, Jemma encircled her husband's neck with her arms as she pressed her body against his;

"I never thought it possible to want you more than what I always do, my heart, but I want you now more than I can ever remember."

Reaching up, Aaron took her wrist and gently guided her hand towards his waist. Her instincts taking control, Jemma released his belt before relieving him of the rest of his clothing. Noticing a slight hint of darkness clouding her eyes, Aaron hooked his finger under her chin, concern filled his voice;

"What is it, sweetheart?"

Swallowing the lump of nervous hesitation, Jemma swiped her tongue across her dry lips to moisten them as she lifted her hand to her throat. Understanding her meaning, Aaron took her hand in his as he vehemently shook his head;

"No, Jemma darlin, don't even think it."

Bending his head slightly, Aaron brushed gentle kisses against the delicate, soft skin of her throat, making certain to kiss each and every bruise and bite mark marring the area;

"Those are simply physical wounds that will heal. Your wounds are not you, do you understand?"

At her nod, Aaron allowed his hand to travel a leisurely path down her body, something that found her gasping in delight as the worry that had dimmed the glow in her eyes changed to delight as they became brilliant once more. Deciding that a sense of control in their present situation was something his wife was in desperate need of, Aaron wrapped his arms around her waist as he rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Aaron explained;

"Nothing's going to happen tonight, Jemma love that YOU don't want to happen."

The understanding dawning in her eyes, Jemma's lips parted slightly as she silently nodded. Uncertain and shy at first, Jemma soon found that thanks to the encouragement she received as her husband's fingers danced and played across her flesh, her inhibitions gave way to the passion Aaron was rousing in her. For his part, Aaron found delight in his wife's abandon as their bodies moved in a perfectly synchronized union, even more so when she leaned forward, her hair reminding him of a gloriously shimmering auburn curtain. Still holding him within her, Jemma rasped;

"Please, my love, please, I need to belong to you as much as you need to belong to me."

Understanding her meaning, Aaron wrapped his arms around her before swiftly rolling to shift her beneath him, never losing their intimate contact with each other. Holding her close against him as he felt her arms go around his neck, Aaron placed his mouth against the side of her neck to rain a trail of kisses from her shoulder to just below her ear, nuzzling her neck, he whispered huskily;

"I do belong to you, my darling little love, just as you belong to me. We belong to each other, somehow I think we always have and we always will."

Giving their passions free rein, Jemma and Aaron allowed the waves of pleasure to overtake them and carry them to the topmost peak of the mountain of their desires. They knew they had reached the summit as Jemma's body arched in ecstasy as both cried out in delight. Gliding slowly back to reality in the aftermath of their mutual delight of each other, Jemma laid with her head on her husband's chest basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Needing to fully understand the reason for his gesture, Jemma turned to rest her arms across his chest so she could study his face as she asked,

"Aaron darling, can I ask you something?"

Lifting his hand to brush her hair behind her ear as he laid his other arm across her back, Aaron nodded,

"You can ask me anything you want, sweetheart, you know that."

Blushing slightly, Jemma queried:

"Why did you...well you know? I mean, we've never done it like that before."

Inhaling deeply, Aaron pushed her hair over her shoulder before placing his fingers against her cheek and caressed her lips with his thumb as he explained;

"You've been through a lot, my little love, and I felt that it was important for you to feel in control of what was taking place between us. I never want you to feel as if you have no say in our lovemaking, EVER, so I thought that was the best way to show you that you're in and have just as much control as I do. Do you understand, sweetheart?"

Full awareness of the gift her husband had just given her dawning on her, Jemma could only shake her head in amazement at the realization of just how blessed she truly was to have married him. Incapable of holding them back, tears began sliding down her cheeks, something that found her husband's eyes widening in concern as a frown replaced the gentle, satisfied smile he wore. Sliding his arms under hers, Aaron shifted her so that she was sitting across his lap cradled against his chest as he brushed the tears from her cheeks;

"What is it, Jemma darlin, what's wrong? Tell me, love!"

Meeting his look of concern with her own look of adoring love, Jemma shook her head;

"It's not what you think, honey, I promise. I just realized what a gift you gave me and how blessed I am to have you as my husband. Darling, do you realize how many men would be distant with their wives if they went through what I did? Not only were you not distant, but you also fought to stay close to me, even when I was afraid to let you."

Holding his face in her hands, Jemma brushed her lips against his before offering;

"Thank you for loving me, and thank you for making me your wife."

Holding her close, Aaron laid his cheek against the top of her head before returning;

"You're very welcome, my darling little love, but you're no more blessed than what I am to have you. And as far as being distant with you, sweetheart; THAT will never happen, I love you far too much to allow it."

Shifting her to lay next to him, Aaron wrapped his arms around her and held her close to suggest;

"Now, I think it's time we got a little rest, don't you, Jemma love?"

Hiding her yawn behind the back of her hand, Jemma nodded;

"I suppose so."

Snuggling closer, Jemma closed her eyes, feeling safe and secure for the first time since her ordeal. Aaron remained awake a bit longer, making certain his wife's sleep was trouble-free, something he was confident would be the case given what had taken place between them earlier. Studying her as she slept, Aaron couldn't help but mutter quietly;

"Lottie was right; you truly are a miracle."

Placing a kiss on the top of her head, Aaron closed his eyes to find his own rest, whispering;

"Good night, love. Sleep well, my angel."