Title: Desperate Measures
Chapter 10 – A False Sense of Security

Ed awakens early the next morning and looks over to see Donna's side of the bed empty, his mind recalling her horrific nightmare a few hours earlier and wondering if she managed to get any more sleep at all after that. Her dream, he had to admit, had shaken him to the core as well but keeps reminding himself that Ida is now out of the country and it was time to focus on their marriage; especially now that all the formalities were dealt with. Ed looks up to see Donna hovering in the doorway and greets her with a warm smile.

"So much for sleeping in," she lightly huffs as she heads back to bed and climbs in next to him, his arms quickly encircling her.

"How about we sleep in tomorrow?" Ed suggests, as he tucks a golden strand behind her ear and kisses her tenderly on the mouth.

"I do like that plan," she answers, looking up at him with a small frown.

"What? Did you sleep at all last night?"

"I did. Did you?"

"For the most part; that nightmare was pretty realistic I have to admit."

"I'm just glad you didn't see the pictures I did. I know that's what fueled most of it," she admits with a tormented pull on her heart as she looks up at him with a small sad expression. "But I was also thinking about my apartment. I mean there was some considerable smoke and water damage to a few areas. I know I have basic insurance but…"

"But it's just one more thing we'll deal with together."

"Ed, it's not fair to make you pay for my…"

"Our."

"What? No it was my apartment."

"But we are in this together," he correctly reminds her. "I don't mind helping with the cost."

"A lot can be salvaged, some sold and some…"

"Given away. Unless you are um…planning to go back?" Ed wonders with a bit of uncertainty.

"Nope, sorry you're stuck with me Mr. Lane," Donna playfully smirks as her fingers brush his rough cheek. "Is that okay?" She asks warmly.

"More than okay because it means you're stuck with me too Mrs. Lane."

"I think you just like saying that."

"Not as much as I like saying my wife," Ed confesses in a husky tone as he looks at her seriously; his mind and body both begging for the same thing.

"You want something," Donna notes.

"You can tell that from a look?"

"Oh and you can't?" She playfully counters. "What do you want?"

"I want…" he leans in closer, his lips nearing hers. "To make love to my wife…right here," he finishes with a soft whisper, his lips instantly covering hers, his mind delighting in the feel of her body responding in kind. "Right now."

And much like the confession of 'I love you's', their first intimate act as husband and wife, wasn't waiting for the perfect moment following some romantic dinner or blissful Kodak moment; it was heartfelt and spontaneous. A loving act finally cementing their marital union as husband and wife. Each of them had been sore from the showdown the day before but as soon as love started to dictate their actions, the fleeting waves of pain from stretching wounds was soon forgotten and their sexual union at the fore.

XXXXXXXX

"So oatmeal for breakfast?" Ed comes up behind Donna about an hour later, wraps his arms around her waist and plants a soft kiss on her fragrant neck.

She momentarily closes her eyes at the feel of his firm body against hers, her heart racing a bit faster as his lips connect with her skin. Their first sexual act as husband and wife was all that she had imagined and more; it was heartfelt, beautiful and simply amazing. Her initial uncertainty about her own performance was quickly rendered moot at his loving words of praise at how she was making him feel; coupled with a heartfelt I love you at the end and their first union couldn't have been more perfect.

"We can have that or…"

"Or I can attempt an omelet," Ed interjects.

"Really?"

"Yeah is that okay?" Ed asks as he twists himself around to face her.

"Sure it you want…it's your…our…our kitchen," Donna stops and shakes her head and then utters a heavy sigh. "That would be great."

"Okay."

Way to go, she chides herself as she goes about making the coffee and then setting the table, turning to watch Ed gently talking to himself as he gathers ingredients from the fridge to put into the omelet and can't help but smile at her husband. My husband…not just a friend, boyfriend or even a handsome overnight guest; but husband, one of the most personal and endearing titles a man could carry proudly in his lifetime. And he was hers. She feels her heart swell, her mind thankful that Ida was on the other side of the world. If she ever got…her mind starts and then quickly stops, her fists tightening with terror. No…stop it! She's gone and that's it!

"Donna?" Ed's soft tone pulls her semi-morbid gaze back to his inquiring glance. "Ready?"

"Yeah…just thinking about…the day ahead and the um…apartment cleanup."

"At least you don't have to worry about your paperwork."

"Nope and come Monday all those cases are going back under my name and those arrests will now stick and…this is really good," Donna pauses mid-sentence. "What type of omelet is it?"

"The kitchen sink omelet," Ed smirks.

"Pardon?"

"Well it's got everything in it but…"

"The kitchen sink," she finishes and Ed replies a rather sheepish smile. "Well it's really very yummy."

"Well then I'm glad you like it…it's one of the only things I can make."

"Hmm."

"Hmm what?" Ed asks in haste.

"What about my dinner? What you thought after all that I'd forget?"

"No, I promised that and it's still coming…soon," Ed lightly chuckles as they continue to enjoy their leisurely breakfast. After breakfast they head out, ending at Donna's soon to be ex-apartment and both standing in the entranceway and looking at the large task ahead of them.

"I honestly don't know what you need so um…so you just tell me what to do and…" Ed's voice trails off as he notices Donna's faraway look. His fingers gently touch her hand, bringing her warm blue eyes back to his. "It can wait you know. Take a few extra days maybe?"

"No…I want to get this all over with…start everything fresh on Monday okay?"

"Okay. So tell me what to do first."

"Okay so let's start with…" Donna replies as she leads Ed over to the area in the living room with the most water and smoke damage; letting him know that anything that she couldn't make a place for in "their" apartment and if it wasn't saleable was to go out. Leaving Ed in the living room, she heads for the kitchen, instantly knowing which items of his she wants to get rid of, which duplicate items were in better shape and which of hers to toss in favor of keeping his.

Not giving much thought to Greg's email, and not realizing that another call to them had already been intercepted by a very evil entity and returned to the same party with another false message, the two of them carry on, immensely enjoying their false sense of security. A few hours later the two of them plunk down near the open balcony, a large pizza and a few cold beers in hand, resting from the past few hours of moving stuff into various sections with very specific destinations.

Ed's fingers reach out and gently flick away a small piece of soot, the action, however not having the desired effects and making a small dark smear on her creamy skin and causing him to pull back with a heavy sigh.

"Sorry," he mumbles as she twists herself and moves into his arms, her left hand resting atop his.

"Don't be, it'll wash off later," she replies absently as she looks at the space before her, almost unable to comprehend how much they had actually accomplished. "I remember picking this place out."

"Good rent?"

"Nope…nice view," she nods to the distance peak of the CN Tower nestled among other apartment and professional high-rises. "But I can't really complain because the neighbors are pretty good also. Wow I have a lot of stuff," she remarks and both of them lightly laugh.

"You know I was thinkin'…"

"Uh oh," she playfully ribs him, being rewarded by a warm smile that most of the world wasn't privy to.

"The apartment really is mine. How about in a few weeks or…or whenever we…look for ours?" Ed suggests with a note of hesitation in his voice. Donna twists her head and looks up at him in wonder to which he nods to confirm his suggestion. "Or not. I mean it has a lot of space but it's just that it…" is all she allows before gently reaching her hand behind his head and pulling his lips to hers and planting a tender kiss on them.

"I like the idea of ours," she confesses. "A fresh start and apartment hunting together can be…"

"Challenging?" Ed interjects with a small smirk.

"That for sure. Any areas you have in mind?"

"Something affordable but not in the boonies."

"Boonies. Yeah you don't strike me as a boonies kinda guy."

"Okay fine," he shakes his head. "Any area you like better than here?"

The two of them talk about different areas around the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) they'd like to consider and explore together; each of them getting excited about the possibility of a brand new start altogether, leaving behind his and hers an concentrating on theirs. A few hours later the sun was setting and this time the two of them were standing in the entranceway, Ed handing a cheque over to the junk removal guys to haul away the pieces of unsalvageable furniture and other duplicate items Donna no longer wanted to keep. All that was left remaining they'd come and take away in the next few days.

"Never seen it this…empty before," Donna muses as Ed's arm wraps around her waist and they stare at the somewhat bleak landscape before them.

"Any major regrets to all this?" Ed dares to ask.

"Actually…yes," she nods, making his brow furrow and his eyes instantly divert downward in her direction, begging to know what her regrets are. "Don't laugh okay…"

"Laugh…at a regret?"

"Well its kinda cliché and you know I don't like that but I wish this had happened sooner. I don't mean the stuff with Ida I just mean – us…its nice not to be alone anymore," she confesses warmly, garnering a hug and kiss from him; followed by a small snicker. "You promised not to laugh."

"Hey you never made me promise," Ed playfully retorts as Donna merely shakes her head and purses her lips but says nothing further. "Okay…so what's coming tonight?"

"Just a few boxes and…and the rest can wait."

They each gather up an armful of items and head back downstairs to Ed's car, get inside and head for home, not realizing that they were indeed being watched, but not by the right people.

"Honestly I don't think they have any idea. When do I move in?"

"Not…yet. Let the false sense of security grow for Mr. and Mrs. Lane…I want this to hurt in every way possible when I make my final move."

Arriving home and too tired to actually make anything edible, a brief pit-stop to a nearby Chinese take-out right next door has them both in front of the TV, enjoying their meal and talking more about areas to live and what new furniture items to spend their money on.

Having had an intimate taste of each other first thing in the morning, it was almost easy to push aside the feelings of fatigue from the exhausting day in favor of satisfying each other in every way possible; each of them giving of themselves and taking from the other all they had to offer, until both were lying under the covers with very satisfied expressions adorning their flushed faces.

Donna's fingers gently tease the short dark curls on Ed's firm chest before slowly sliding down to the area the bandages were supposed to be wrapped around his ribs. "Did you wear them today?"

"They started to itch," Ed lightly groans as she looks up in concern. "Trust me their fine, 'sides I wasn't about to complain earlier," he takes her hand and brings it to his lips and kisses it tenderly. Knowing it was pointless to argue, Donna's head slowly lowers back to his shoulder and rests, this time it was his fingers lightly grazing the bandage on her shoulder, hiding the dark webbing from the shot a few days earlier.

"And your shoulder? You shouldn't have been lifting so much today," Ed notes with a frown.

"Want me to hand you your line?" She retorts, earning a small eye roll in return. "Yeah exactly. So I'm a rough and tumble kinda gal."

"Oh you are are you?" He teases as his lips tickle her ear; being rewarded with a warm about of happy laughter. "I like it rough too," he continues to tease in a husky tone.

"Oh I know you do," she smirks as she takes his mouth and firmly plants a warm kiss on his inviting lips. "However…you need sleep."

Uttering a mock painful grunt, Ed flops back down, making her laugh as she leans over him, teasing him once more with the feel of her bare skin on his, turning off the light and bathing them both in darkness. And unlike the night before when all they had to occupy their minds was the aftermath of Ida's destruction; tonight they would be falling asleep to lustful thoughts about their blossoming bond; never imaging the terror that would soon be ripping their world apart.

XXXXXXXX

A bit later the following morning, Donna slowly opens her eyes and first looks at the sun trying to peek through the sides of the windows and then over at the clock before allowing her gaze to rest on that of her sleeping husband. His face still held a small bluish tinge from a recovering bruise but at least all the signs of Ida's terror were fading; that thought was more than welcomed. His partially naked frame starts to stretch out beside her, dark lashes slowly opening to reveal warm sapphire eyes.

"I can't believe we actually did it," she greets him, making his handsome face slightly crease in wonder.

"Really?"

"I haven't done it in a very long time."

"Well I thought you were pretty good at it," he lightly retorts.

"I was referring to sleeping in," she deadpans and his lips purse into a small smirk. Ed looks over at the clock and then turns back to her with a small semi-surprised smile. "See…a miracle right?"

"That it is."

"But you were pretty good too," she teases.

"Ah. So where are we going tonight?" Ed wonders as his fingers gently brush some golden strands off her bare shoulders, reveling in the feeling of her milky skin beneath his tips and moving lower, his mind ashamedly not listening to her explanation, but instead wanting to satisfy another inner urge.

"Why are men so frisky in the morning?" She teases as she playfully slaps his hand away from slipping beneath the sheets.

"Wanna find out?"

"And if I said no?" She teases with a mock serious expression, her body begging for his intimate embrace just as much. Ed's face turns instantly serious and he slightly pulls back, it being a bit too soon to read her perfect poker expression.

"I um…well okay then," Ed lightly stammers, Donna starting to laugh and put him out of his mental misery. "Was that…you were joking?"

"Yes," she answers firmly. Her laughter only deepens as his hands start to gently dig into her naked sides, making her bellow with laughter before a few breathless seconds later, their lips are locked and another passionate union is well under way.

XXXXXXXX

Glancing at herself in the mirror and smiling as she pins a few more golden curls in place, she can't help but smile as she thinks about the special occasion she's getting ready for. Our first real date…but with my husband. She can't help but inwardly laugh at the backwardness of their getting to know each other, most starting with their first date and then taking the steps toward marriage; but now they were fully married and going out on their first date. She hears Ed in the other room happily humming away and feels her heart swell with love and devotion. She had dated in the past but had never felt such a strong attachment grow so quickly for one person as she has for Ed; he was in her soul, a part of her, her future happiness – her very existence. And to know that he loved her back just as much was something she could never put into words; it would remain locked away in her heart until she took her last breath; hopefully at his side and at a very old age.

Donna adds a touch of perfume to her exposed neck and then leaves the bathroom to see if Ed was ready to go. She enters the bedroom and utters a whistle as he bends over, making him glance up with a small smile and flushed expression.

"Wow," he whispers as he quickly straightens up as she nears. She had chosen to wear a dark navy jersey dress with a halter style neck line with a modest plunge; the fabric hugging her curves perfectly and instantly tempting his hungry male imagination. "You look beautiful," he praises as she takes the small cufflink from his fingers.

"Thank you."

Unable to completely shelve his boyish playfulness, his fingers reach out for a curl and gently give it a tug, making it spring back up and then slowly extend back down.

She merely smiles as she continues. "Well I must say you look pretty hot yourself," she praises in return. Him in full SRU gear was always something to tempt her rescue man fantasies but him in his black suit with black and white pin-striped shirt, slightly open was giving it a run for its money big time. "And your cologne…not fair to tempt a woman like me," she winks and he automatically blushes.

"Why do I have to wear these damn things?" He groans as her fingers finally affix the small silver clasp and he takes his arm back.

"Practice."

"For what?"

"Our real wedding."

"Our…right," he pauses as she too stops her actions and looks up in wonder. "Can't I just wear a normal shirt then?" He quickly remedies correctly.

"Nope tux shirt or nothing…actually I'd prefer nothing."

"Very funny," Ed deadpans. "So much for men only having a one track mind."

"Can you blame me?" She retorts as she finishes, planting a kiss on his cheek and then turning and leaving the room.

"Not at all," he utters softly as he grabs his wallet and follows after her. They had opted to take a cab instead of driving on their own; heading into the downtown core of the city and then being dropped off at the front door of one of the cities trendiest new restaurants. They head inside to their reserved booth; and slide across from each other, the waiter leaving the wine list and telling them they'll come back in a few minutes.

"Very nice," Ed looks around the restaurant he's never even heard of. "Beats the burger barn," he looks back with a small smile.

"Well tonight just wasn't a burger night," she assures him. "But otherwise…I don't mind them. Speaking of burgers, since we are looking for stuff that's now ours…"

"Yeah?"

"We need a new barbeque."

"What's wrong with the one I have now?" Ed asks in protest.

"You have duct tape holding half the lid on."

"And?"

"And I'm just sayin'…we need a new one."

"The lid mostly works…fine we need a new one," Ed resigns as the waiter comes back.

"Evening Sir. May I start you and your wife off with a bottle of wine?"

My wife…Ed's mind delights in the use of the term directed at the beautiful woman seated opposite him. "Sure, we'll have…" he points to a modest selection on the list.

"Very good Sir. Anything special you two are celebrating tonight?"

"Date night," Donna pipes up.

"Ah excellent."

The waiter places the two menus on the table and then turns and leaves; heading toward the back to place their drink order. They talk a bit more about the restaurant and the kinds of nearly fine-dining places they had each tried in the past; Ed admitting he wasn't a very big experimenter with food but was always willing to try.

"Okay so since you are so open for anything how about I order a few surprises to get us started," Donna suggests.

"Surprises? Edible ones right?" He queries with some uncertainty, making her lightly laugh.

"Yes. Trust me you are in good hands…at least you will be later," she lightly flirts and he can only smile in return.

"Like the sound of that."

The waiter comes back and Donna silently points to a few plates, her menu up so as not to spoil the surprise. The conversation next turns to best friends and Ed tells her how him and Wordy had been friends since they joined university together and then up the police ranks until the SRU and she tells him about Bill and her life before vice and sometimes missing have a very close female best friend; one of the follies of being an only child.

The appetizers finally arrive and Ed looks at them in suspect, Donna holding back a small giggle.

"What um…is it?"

"Try it first," she insists as she picks up her fork, spears the object and then offers it to her husband. Ed's hand reaches out and holds hers before slowly bringing the fork to his lips and then trying to unfamiliar object. "Well?"

"Interesting. So what did I just eat?"

"A snail," she answers firmly, only heartily chuckle as he reaches for his wine. "That isn't funny."

"A snail? I just ate a snail."

"What did it taste like?"

"A rubber band," Ed cringes, making her laugh. "Okay what is the rest or was that it of the unrecognizable stuff."

"You need an open mind."

"Hey what can I tell ya, I'm a steak and potatoes kinda guy," he insists as she offers him something else. "Okay that wasn't bad, actually kinda tasty. Do I wanna know what it was?"

"Safer to just enjoy," she winks not wanting to say it was duck liver.

"Fair enough."

They slowly finish off the rest of the appetizers; Ed then telling Donna he would order her supper if she'd let him. Taking into account her allergy, he places their order and then both once again sit back and delight in continuing to get to really know the other on a more friendship basis. This time it was talk about family and team dynamics, Ed telling her he'd much rather lead a tactical scenario and Donna admitting she'd much rather talk down a subject than fire her gun; their current jobs being perfect for them.

"What is this?" Donna asks as her plate is put in front of her.

"Rabbit?" Ed replies with a somewhat sheepish tone. But he breathes an inner sigh of relief as she tells the waiter after he tells them how it was prepared that she was actually looking forward to eating it. "Well?"

"Simply amazing," she answers in truth. "You hafta try to try this; only fair."

"Ok-ay," Ed replies slowly as he takes a bite. "Now…I'd have that again."

The two of them start into their main courses, the conversation slowing a bit from the more deeper topics to anything beef and rabbit related and how so far the meal and service had lived up to its five-star rating. And as the evening progresses, the slightly nervous jitteriness they had entered the restaurant with were all but dispelled as soon as their shared dessert and two steaming cups of coffee were placed before them.

"Chocolate Crème brulee," Donna remarks with a giddy tone, the two of them telling the waiter to surprise them with one of their top selling desserts. "I seriously hafta learn how to make this."

"It is pretty amazing," Ed adds as he takes another spoonful of the soft dark mouse and the hard candy filling. "See eating this at home would be safer."

"Safer?" Donna arches her brows as he leans in closer. His lips briefly brush hers, whisking away the small bit of chocolate sludge and then pulling back with a warm smile. "So you're adverse to just having sex right here on the table?" She playfully flirts; his face instantly going a deeper shade of red as she giggles.

"That wasn't funny."

"It was kinda funny," she teases as they finish their dessert and coffee; then just resting and continuing to get to know each other a bit better. By the time Ed was finished signing the VISA slip they were leaving the restaurant, happy and content, declaring the evening a complete success. Ed helps Donna with her coat and then with a protective hand on the small of her back leads her out of the restaurant and into the warm cabin of the waiting cab; the two of them holding hands in the back and Donna telling Ed what an amazing date she just enjoyed. "Best one yet," she tells him in truth as they near home.

Once inside, it doesn't take longer than a few seconds, basically until the door is closed and locked, before their hands are clawing at each other, unable to get to the bedroom fast enough to bring a very satisfying day to an even better end. The two of them finally fall asleep in each other's loving and secure embrace, once again whisked away in the happy realm of blissful dreams.

However, unlike the night before, Donna wakes up in a cold sweat, her heart racing once more as she tries to push past images of what abject fear Ida Logan was able to strike into the very souls of not only her captives but also the helpless family members forced to reap the ugly results of her vengeful sowing.

Donna looks over to see Ed watching and lightly smiles. "No sleeping in today I guess."

"Why not?" He entreats as he gently pulls her back into his arms and holds her close, his warm lips tenderly grazing her soft cheek. "Nightmare?"

"Yeah…will be happy when they are gone for good."

"Well…tomorrow's the start of a new week and I think it's gonna be a good start," Ed utters fatefully.

XXXXXXXX

"Ida…when do I start the countdown?"

"It's already started…we we prepare today and move tomorrow."

A/N: Okay so much like the I love yous, I too don't think they needed to wait for their date before they first had sex and again hope it wasn't lame (I had to keep it T but still some romance and not mechanical). I know a lot of fluff in this chappy but I really wanted to build on their growing romance and cement their intimate feelings for each other b/c as you can see the impending danger is still very much alive and that final move is coming up next. So please review before you go and thanks so much! (it helps us update faster) :)

PS: Hope you all liked Eye for an Eye's latest perilous/action packed update! Thanks everyone