Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my own creations.

Dean arrived home from working overtime to free a group of teenagers trapped in a cave after an illegal rave gone wrong. Throwing his keys onto the table near the door, he was perplexed to find that Lara was nowhere to be found.

Heading for their bedroom, he propped himself up against the doorframe with a smirk: there lay Little Miss Independent, still in her clothes from university, sound asleep. (Correct that, she had managed to take off her jacket, but it hadn't made it to any piece of furniture, instead lying on the floor in all its glory.) She was sprawled in a manner that surely couldn't be comfortable: lying on her side to accommodate her pregnant belly, her face in the doona with her legs akimbo.

Taking a seat on the edge the bed behind her, Dean shifted her book bag and braced himself over her form as he looked over to see her face – well, as much as he could see anyway, as her hair blocked his view.

Lara was dead to the world.

Knowing that she would be a bear if she was woken up, but deciding that her outfit couldn't be that comfortable to sleep in – or wake up in – Dean made an executive decision. Deciding to do the easy bit first, he unlaced her laces and pulled off her shoes. There was no reaction from the sleeping form.

Reaching for her pants next, his hands brush her swollen abdomen. Tugging the zip of her jeans down, he slides his hands inside, intent on pulling her pants down despite the awkward angle. As his hands made it to her upper thighs, the body below him shifted and made something resembling a noise. Placating her with shushing noises, he was ill-prepared for when Lara rolled onto her back and blearily opened up her eyes. "Nrgh?"

Dean had to laugh at himself. He was caught with his hands in Lara's pants.

Freeing one hand, he reached up and brushed the hair from his fiancee's face for her as she blinked ferociously. "Wha?" she managed to enunciate.

"I'm trying to make you comfortable," replied Dean, returning his attention to the pants, now easier to access. Lara made no objection – and offered no assistance – as Dean pulled the pants down and off. Her naked legs repose – feet still covered in socks – he made his way back up.

He could sense, then see, her tired eyes following his journey. When he began to unbutton her blouse, all Lara could do was shift a little, offering no resistance as she mumbled something more. "So… ti'ed…"

"I know baby," responded Dean as he reached the last button. Leaning down to help her arms out, he brushed her forehead with a kiss. Blouse free, he looked down at Lara's upper half once again. She was wearing a singlet and a bra – neither hiding the fact that she is seven months pregnant one iota.

Biting his lower lip as he considers his dilemma, he decided to be reckless. Slipping his hand under her back and below her singlet, he unhooked her bra. Heading topside again, he gingerly eased her arms out, being very careful. Lara's breasts hurt like the devil – and he know from personal experience how much she did not appreciate him touching them.

Task completed safely, Dean released a sigh of relief he didn't realise he was holding. He swore that handling his pregnant woman was more stressful than his job.

Looking down at Lara in all her pregnant splendour, he rested his hand on her considerable swell. Rubbing his hand over where their unborn daughter resides, he's delighted when she gives him a firm kick into his hand.

Turning his gaze to the face of the woman who was making all this possible, Dean grinned when he realised that she was on the verge of falling asleep once again. Raising his other hand to brush stray hairs from her face, he looked down at her with a gentle smile, one which was reciprocated. Leaning down, he gave her a firm kiss that she managed to contribute to slightly. Drawing back, he rose and grabbed the far edge of the doona. Tugging it up, he pulled it over his lover's dozing form. Kissing her forehead and as her eyes shuttered closed, he left the room.

And now for lunch.

Author's Note:

This was a two parter I had fun writing.