AN- Since the lovely BonesBird asked, I delivered.
Dwayne Pride was not normally a person to sleep in but when he woke and saw the sun seemed to be higher in the sky then it normally was he had to wonder why he had stayed asleep. Finding a woman's back pressed tight against his chest and there legs wrapped together he remembered. He was curled round his junior agent as she slept securely in his arms. It was then he thought back to why he was now lying here and panic set in. The images of her bruises came back to him and he had to stop himself from jerking away incase he hurt her. He didn't fall asleep like this and neither did she. They were facing each other holding hands as she could hardly move. Now here he was with a arm under her at her neck and the other over her chest with his hand resting on her stomach.
What was he supposed to do now? He wanted to move away but he didn't all in the same move. He knew it had been way too long since he had woke up with a beautiful woman in his arms. She fitted against him perfectly tucking in all the right places. He tried to get closer to her but he found he was as close as he could be. Moving his head so he could bury his face in her hair and take a deep breath. He want to saviour the first time he woke with her in his arms. He never wanted to forget this moment. He wanted to touch her, feel her skin, feel the way her muscles moved. He just wanted to touch her and feel her all over. Now his mind was wandering causing other parts of his body to react.
Think of something else, he really needed to think of something else. Running through cases in his head to try and temper his emotions was working a little until he came to yesterday's and the reason he was back to the reason he was here. She shifted against him and there was no way she could miss what was happening.
"Dwayne, did you bring your weapon to bed or you just happy to see me?" Brody asked trying not to laugh.
"Depends which weapon you're asking about and I am beyond happy to see you and hold you" he replied as he nuzzled her neck.
"How your feeling today?" He asked as he let his finger skim her stomach.
"When I move I will let you know but as of yet I feel fantastic. I never thought I would have this" as she placed her hand over his on her stomach stilling his movements.
"Neither did I, I was so a scared to let you know how I felt. I couldn't face losing you if you said no. My plan had been to just keep you close, that way I always had you in my life. I would rather have had you as a colleague then you leave" he told her as he cuddled her in a little tighter but being mindful of her bruises.
"Well let's move then, I got to find out soon enough how bad it is and I am sure someone will have an amazing breakfast to cook to make me feel better" Brody said as she brought Prides hand to her lips and kissed it.
"Bribery gets you everywhere, let me move so I can get out the way if you want to move backwards or I can help you if you want to sit up" Pride told her before he careful pulled his arm from under her then moved his arm that was on top of her.
Brody thought about her options, she could roll on to her back then she would have to roll on to her side to get to sitting or she could go out all out go to siting. Sitting it was then. She brought her arms up and used her hands to push up. Pride saw what she was trying to do and was round the bed kneeling down with his arms out reaching for her as she finally started to move her upper body off the bed.
After a torrent of swear words between Brody pushing upon her arms and Pride supporting her body they managed to get her sitting up.
"Well Merri, I learnt something today. I didn't know you knew so many different languages and more so how to swear in them. That was quite a vocabulary you got there. Remind me not to piss you off after what I just heard you say" Pride laughed as he saw her doing her best to hold back the tears.
Excusing himself, Pride ran downstairs and grabbed her bag from the foot of the stairs before coming back up and stopping at the bathroom to get a glass of water. As he came back in the bedroom he found her standing with her hand on the nightstand trying to breath but not being able to take deep breaths she sounded a little wheezy. As he got closer he saw the tear fall from her cheek to the floor and was at her side instantly.
"Why didn't you wait? I got your bag and some water. You could have taken something then waited till they started to work before trying this" the concern evident in his voice.
Stepping right in front of her she took the hint and let go of the nightstand and sort of dropped forward till she was resting against his chest. He wrapped his arms round her shoulders as she placed her arms round his waist. Due to the fact she was barefoot and she was slightly hunched over she didn't quite come level with his shoulders. Her face rested on his chest as she cried. He held her as best as he could due to the odd angle they were stood at.
"You need to take something for the pain and soon" as he reached for her bag with one hand and kept the other on her head as he stroked her hair.
"Here you get them out and I can hold the glass of water" as he tried to pass her the bag.
"Can you get them and pass me them then the water please" as she tried to stand a little straighter and her ribs gave an all mighty protest.
"You want me to go in your bag? Okay if you're sure" as he placed the bag down so he could unzip it and look for the tablets.
"If I had the energy I would query why you don't want to go in my bag but I will leave that little discussion for a later date. It hurts to much" as she sucked in another raised breath.
He finally found the tablet and bringing his hand up to meet the other hand at her neck he took 2 out and passed her them as he put them back in the box then back in her bag. By the time he had put the box back she had took the tablets and he passed her the glass of water. Taking a drink she passed him it back and he put it down before placing his arm back round her shoulder.
"You just let me know when you're ready to move. I could stay like this all day but it might get a little chilly if we do" as he ran a hand up and down her spine and he placed the other on her head holding her closer to him.
Slowly he felt her straighten up till she was just about at full height. At least now she could turn her head and look up at him. How for someone who had just been crying and had the had the living crap beat out her did she still look so damn beautiful? Wait a minute, was it the light or did she have a bruise to her cheek?
"Merri look at me please, is that a bruise " as he reached his hand to her face and ran his finger over the mark.
She flinched away at the gentle contact of his fingers.
"Take it that's a yes then. Do you have anymore new ones or is that the only one?"he asked as he saw her take a mental inventory of her body.
"There is a least one new one that I can feel but I am not getting it out to show you so just believe me when I say it's bruised please" as she stepped back a little and looked up at him again.
"What do you mean not getting it out where the hell..." As his voice trailed off and his eyes wandered down to the only place he could think of and he prayed he was wrong.
As his eyes settled on her breasts through the top she had on he swallowed hard and tried not to imagine such a more intimate and delicate place to be injured. Brody followed his eyes and then she used her hand to put it under his chin to bring his gaze back to her.
"The bruises will fade but over the next couple of days they will look worse before they look any better. I will heal, with your help a lot quicker than I would have on my own" she told him trying to take the haunted look out of his eyes.
"I just hate thinking and seeing you in pain. I can't help take it away or make it better" as he stepped back up to her and pulled her back to him gently.
"You are helping, your here and you got me, that's all I want or need" just as her stomach gave a loud rumble.
"Your stomach disagrees, I think it wants one of my famous breakfast" as he stepped back and slid his arm round her waist as he came to stand beside her.
"I won't argue there, supposed we better make are way down then" as she took a step forward and then another.
The pain was not as bad as she expected but it was there as a dull constant ache. They made their way down the stairs a step at a time till they finally made it to the bottom where they stopped.
"Let's get you settled on the couch and I will do breakfast then we can contemplate getting washed and ready for work" as they made their way to the lounge and got Brody settled in to the huge cushions on the couch.
Pride stood in the doorway watching Brody shuffle around trying to get comfortable but not move too much. When she was finally settled he had to smile as she was in a half sitting position with her legs tucked under her and her head resting back against couch. She closed her eyes and looked liked she was about to fall asleep again. If it wasn't for the fact he had said he was making breakfast he would have quietly happily walked over and lay down beside her as he pulled her close to him. That would have to wait for another day, now he needed to feed her and make her feel better.
Going in the kitchen he started with coffee before he set about hunting round for what he needed for breakfast. In the end he gave up and settled for toasted bagels and bacon. He was going shopping later. No wonder she spent so much time eating out or at the office when he cooked. He wondered if she could even cook going by the lack of stuff in the kitchen. Gathering up the breakfast and coffees he piled it all on a tray and made his way back to her in the lounge.
He put the tray on the table and looked down at her. The urge to bend down and kiss her senseless was overwhelming. He had to stand and clench his fists to gain some control, she was in no fit state to do anything. Sitting on the couch he ran his fingers down her cheek and along her jaw. She let her head lean towards his hand and he wasn't sure if she was awake or still sleeping. He was shocked to find how much he wanted to just lean over and kiss her and let his hands explore her body. He felt like a hormonal teenage again on his first date.
She felt him watching her but she kept her eyes closed to see what he would do. When he sat down and ran his fingers down her face she couldn't help but lean her head a little towards his hand. Why when she could finally explore how she felt for him did she have to have been so incapacitated she couldn't move. She opened her eyes finally and looked straight up at him. She was taken aback by the look on his face. Obviously she wasn't the only one having thoughts that should most definitely be kept till she was well again. The look of desire and lust that crossed his face and eyes was overpowering. She could tell he was really trying to keep hold of his urges and he was so far doing well except for the slight tenting in his boxers but she not going to let him know that she saw.
He needed to talk and get back to a normal safe level.
"Your kitchen is empty, the best we got for breakfast is toasted bagels and bacon. How for someone who loves food do you manage? I know you spent a lot of time round me when I cook but really" he asked her as he reached behind to get one of the plates and cups of coffee.
"You think I just spend time round you cause you cook,really. What happened to the trained investigator in you?" Shaking her head as he gave her the plate and cup.
They both just looked at each other before he reached over and got his plate and coffee and sat back on the couch. They both sat eating with the only movement being his hand resting on her leg as he had his plate on the couch and his cup was between his knees. He moved his fingers on her leg, skimming over a small bruise that was there. It didn't seem to bother her as she never moved or asked him to move. He could so get used to this, the domesticness of it. The 2 of them sat like like this every morning before work or at night when they had finished and they were sat huddled together watching a movie as his hands skimmed her back under her top. Jesus them thoughts were back again. Looking at his watch he saw it nearly time for facing the world and the bad guys again. How come work suddenly lost its appeal, after seeing what the job he loved could do to the woman he was in love with he wasn't sure he could do it anymore.
"Share Dwayne, what is it? " as she saw his face change after seeing the time and knowing it was nearly time for work.
"You really don't want to know" as he looked down at her and smiled.
"Don't do that to me, I will not leave it so tell me" as she passed him the empty cup and plate before she got into a sitting position.
Putting his arm round her shoulder he rested his head against hers before he kissed her hair.
"After seeing what this job did to you yesterday I am not sure I love it as much as I did. It's the first time you have been hurt since you got here and it hit a little too close to me. It could have been so much worse and I don't even want my mind to go there. I can't lose you, this job did it once but for different reasons. I will not lose another women I love to this job" the emotion was very evident as his voice grew thick.
As she slotted her hand in his she knew it had taken a lot to admit what he had just said. The problem was he now he had to hear her side.
" I do understand what you're saying but me getting hurt yesterday was my doing. It has happened before and will happen again no doubt. When we signed up for this we knew it could happen. We both have the scars to prove it. I can not and will not give up what I do for risk of getting hurt. This job is who I am and who you are. We wouldn't be sat like this if it wasn't for the job. We take each day as it comes and spend as much time together as we can. That's the best I can do" Brody told Pride as she moved her head to look up at him.
"Thank you for being honest, I suppose you're right. We have no idea what's round the corner other than dead bodies that is. I don't want to waste any more time. If you're happy then I am happy" as he leaned towards her and cupped her cheeks.
Gently as he could he placed a kiss to the tip of her nose then brushed his lips across hers. He was trying to be as gently as possible and not get too heated but she was having now on it. As soon as his lips touched hers she opened her mouth a little and used her tongue to probe his lips apart which caused him to slide one hand from her face and round the back of her head to hold her close. Soon he found a hand slotted down the back of his boxers and nails raking his bare skin on his ass. He felt himself getting aroused and started to pull back.
"This will have to wait, you are not fit to be doing this and we have to go to work. No matter how much I would love to and I will when your better we have to go so let's move before we can't stop and get too carried away" as he pulled back and let his arms drop away.
Brody pulled a sulking face but she removed her hand from his boxers. As he stood up he turned to her and offered her his hands which she took. Slowly she edged her way to standing up which was no mean task, even with help. Finally she was standing and as they slotted their arms round each other's waists they started to make there way to the foot of the stairs and up to get ready.
After getting up the stairs the next hurdle became apparent.
"Dwayne we got a problem here, how do I wash my hair or just get washed in general?" As they stepped in to the bathroom and Brody looked at herself in the mirror.
Pride just stood there, what the hell was he supposed to do now? There was only one thing for it.
"Well we haven't got many options so we either forgo the shower and you can get Loretta to help you when we get in or...I help" as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"I love Loretta and all but that's a little much. You sure you can do this?" She asked as she knew how heated things just got downstairs with their clothes on.
"We will manage. Not going to lie to you it may get heated, I don't always have control" he laughed trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Let's at least try, I need a shower badly" as she slotted her fingers under the waistband of her pyjamas bottoms and slid them down as far as she could before letting them fall and stepping out of them.
She brought her hands across her chest and slotted them under the hem of the top and started to slide it up but stopped half way as her ribs protested. Pride stepped forward and raised his arms helping her to ease the top off. Taking long deep breaths through his mouth then releasing them through his nose slowly Pride was doing a good job staying focused. Brody now stood in just her underwear in front of him. Stepping forward he closed his eyes and after another deep breath in he reached round and undid the clasp on her bra before bring it forward and letting it slide down her arms.
Brody watched as Pride closed his eyes and took a deep breath before removing her bra. She had to admit this was going to be hard on them both. She had seen how things had got downstairs with clothes on now here they were about to get naked and in a shower together. Locking eyes with Pride he watched as she pushed her panties off her hips and he mirrored her with his boxers as they both let them fall to the floor. Brody reached behind her and switched the shower on, never letting her eyes stare from Prides. When she knew the shower would be hot enough she extended her hand out and Pride took it as they both stepped in to the shower.
Pride made sure he was stood behind Brody so he had better access for washing her hair. Also he was out of reach of temptations.
"Let's wash your hair while you wash the bits you can reach then we can see what's left. How does that sound to you?" As he reached up and picked up the shampoo.
Brody tilted her head under the shower stream and made sure it was all wet before stepping back so the water ran over her front so she could attempted to wash herself. She heard the flick of the shampoo bottle but did not feel it hitting her hair. She turned a little to find Pride smelling it.
"Is it even worth me asking why your getting high on the smell of my shampoo or do I not want to know?" Brody asked him as he gave a sheepish grin at being caught.
"This isn't the one you normally use, where's the strawberry one?" He asked as he put they on back on the shelve.
"It's there" as she pointed to it "why the strawberry one? It's shampoo, they all do the same" hearing the flick of another bottle and then finally some being applied to her hair.
"I love the smell of the strawberry one, always makes me smile when you stand close and can smell it or if I lean in to talk to you and it's there surrounding you" massaging the shampoo in to her hair and scalp.
He was taking his time doing this, not many women let him do this. The last was Laurel when she was little. He used to love it when Laurel had long hair and he could shampoo it and then stand it in a spike. The amazing thing about a woman letting you wash her hair was the trust she put in you. This was her hair and she was letting you lose on it, that was a privilege. If your managed to wash and dry it just right she would let you do it all the time. It was a bonding thing, something special that a happy in love couple shared, more than once if we were lucky.
As he rubbed the shampoo through her hair he made sure he used the amazing Pride scalp massage as well.
"So where did you learn this amazing talent from? I may never shower alone again if you keep this up" Brody told him as he finally let go of her head and made her step under the water to rinse it off.
"Not telling but I am more than happy to never let you shower alone again, not that you have much of a choice at the moment" Pride replied as he started to rub out the shampoo.
As he washed her hair Brody tried to wash the rest of her body. Arms and chest were fine but once she tried to reach past that it hurt so she gave up. She felt Pride finish her hair so she turned to face him. Big mistake, huge, massive mistake. As soon as she turned to face him her eyes came level with his chest and the water droplets running down it. The urge to flick her tongue out and along one as it ran down his chest. He was having the same trouble as she was the muscles flex at the top of his arms as he clenched his fists. As he watched the water run down her shoulders he let his eyes follow the path they were taking and the one he was following ran down and over her breast and not down the valley between them.
His eyes fell on the bruise she didn't want him to see and he lost all sense of right and wrong then. All common sense left his brain as his hand unclenched and came up as a finger grazed over the bruise, catching her nipple as he let it pass over. The Sparks that flew through them both at the touch was phenomenal. That was all it took before hands slowly took over and with only the slightest of touches they both came to shuddering climax before they both managed to calm Brody looked at Pride and they both started to laugh.
"Well that didn't work did it. You okay? Didn't hurt you did I?" As Pride slid his finger along her jaw and stopped under her chin.
"You can so share my shower every day, morning and night if that's what happens and no you didn't hurt me" as she stepped forward again and kissed him.
"Can we finish getting washed now and get out before we both end up doing that again or the hot water goes off" as Brody passed Pride the shower gel and they both got washed, each washing the other person in some place or another.
Finally the were done just as the hot water cut off and Pride got a blast of freezing water on his back. The both got out and started to dry each other, Brody said it was more fun to dry someone else other than herself. Not that Pride was complaining, he had Brody's hands wandering all over his body but he needed to get dry and ready not spend the day finding ways around the injuries but having fun at the same time.
Finally they were both dry and ready. Brody was on a major dress down compared to normal. The custom jeans she wore were still a must have and Pride didn't complain. That view was something that definitely brightened his day. Instead of a fitting top she went for a T-shirt, especially when Pride brought his bag up and he a had a clean one on the top.
"Help me put your top on, this is getting stupid now. I can't go on like this, it's driving me mad now" as Pride stepped up and pulled the top over her head and held it open to let her slip her arms in.
"You do realise the questions you're going to have to answer today wearing that don't you? It will not go unnoticed by anyone" as he slid his hands under the hem to rest them on her waist.
"We can handle a few question can't we? There going to find out soon enough when we travel to work everyday together and your stuff slowly migrates here" adding the last bit she noticed the smile on his face.
"Speaking of work we are going to be late now so move and yes I will wholeheartedly blame you for everything" As Pride walked out of arm's reach and then left the room laughing.
As they got to the front door to leave the house after arguing who's car to take Pride gently stepped up to her mad stopped her opening the door. As he pulled her to him he buried his face in her neck which he could still do as she had the famous boots on. She wrapped her arms round him holding him just as he was holding her.
"What's this for? We are only going to work" as she felt him kiss her neck.
"This is because once we go out there we are NCIS agents and not Merri and Dwayne. I need this to get me through the day and I will do it every day as long as can" as he pulled back so he could her face and the smile on it.
"Since you got that can I have this?" As she kissed him nearly sending them both barreling to the floor with the force she attacked his lips.
When she finally let go they were both breathless. After one more quick peck they left the house and went to climb in Prides car to go face the world and the criminals as a couple and a very battered agent.