Marie woke up slowly, feeling rather exhausted…but warm. She felt so warm…it felt wonderful; like she was being enveloped in a soft blanket and it felt so safe….but…wait.

Wait how did I get in my bed? Last thing I remember was that I was crying my eyes out because Stein hates me; I was in the shower…so I must have fallen sleep, but then why is the water not running? And shouldn't it be freezing cold by now? What is this…? Marie thought with her eyes still closed.

Keeping her eyes closed she began to figure out where she was. Soft and fluffy…she was in her bed? Then…she could feel the sheets right against her skin, so she was naked! And…someone was holding her…no…way…

Marie opened her eye reluctantly and looked down at her waist; sure enough there was a pale arm wrapped around her, just below her breasts. Marie fought the urge to immediately scream. She could feel that Stein was shirtless too; pressed firmly up against her back…and his head was resting in the crook of her neck.

Marie's next action was way different than most would think it would be; even Marie herself was surprised.

She turned her body around very carefully and rested her head against Stein's collar bone; he was asleep.

Had he come to help her? He must have found her in there….had he seen her naked? Well he must have seen some of her.

I wonder if he thought I was pretty….

Without really thinking, Marie brought her index finger up to run it along one of Stein's long scars, before stroking his chest gently. It was so strong and muscular but smooth at the same time; she loved it. She sighed against his skin and reached her arms around to rub the muscles on his back.

She wanted to stay like this forever. She felt sort of guilty for randomly touching Stein in his sleep, but she just loved him so much.

Pulling her head away she gazed at his sleeping face. He had taken his glasses off; she thought the glasses were cute but god were his eyes gorgeous when he took them off. His eyes were closed gently; not pinched shut but not loosely either. His eyebrows were in a low arch, making him look relaxed and at ease. His breaths were slow and soft…he wasn't the snoring type. Marie found herself enjoying the feel of Stein's strong chest rising and falling against hers.

His skin was so pale. She supposed that a lot of women would think he looked like a corpse but to Marie it was unique and strangely sexy.

She reached up ever so carefully and traced her finger over the scar below Stein's eye…oh why did he have to do that to himself? She actually thought the scar was a cool accent to Stein's look and found it appealing but at the same time she wondered why he would do that to such lovely skin. She wondered…had it hurt him when he did that? How does one experiment on themself and why?

Marie soon found herself massaging the muscles of his back once again and running her fingers down his spine. She let out a choked gasp when she heard Stein groan in his sleep. Was it because of her? Curious to discover if she had really been the cause of his groaning, she repeated the action a bit more deliberately. Stein groaned once again and wrapped his arms around her more tightly, much to her surprise but also to her pleasure. She felt a bit guilty; like she was being dirty, but how could she help it? It felt so good to be held up against Stein's strong frame; her naked body pressed up against him…

You were right mom, there is such a thing as a handsome mad scientist.

Marie nuzzled her face into his neck and then kissed the side of it…wait….woah! She was taking this too far! Marie abruptly turned back around into her previous spooning position. At the sudden motion, Stein woke up.

"Um…hi…" Marie said weakly, deciding she might as well be the first to speak up; it was going to be awkward either way.

"I can explain." Was the first thing Stein said, obviously trying to prevent Marie from destroying him.

"You found me asleep in the shower right?...that's embarrassing…" Marie said.

"I didn't look." Stein said ignoring her comment in favor of further explaining his part in this situation.

"It's ok; I don't mind." Marie said, before covering her mouth with her hands.

…? Oh boy did that come out wrong…

"Um…ok?" Stein said after a long pause.

"Well what I mean is that I….you were trying to help me right?" Marie said with her face burning red.

Stein was still holding her.

"Yes." He answered.

Silence…

"Marie…back at the door; what I said…don't think I hate you alright?" Stein said.

Marie didn't answer.

"Marie, I don't hate you; as a matter of fact, I care for you." Stein said trying to convince Marie of the truth.

"That's not what you said back there." Marie said softly.

"I was frustrated." Stein said. "And I do care about you Marie." Stein said seriously.

Another long pause….

"How much?" Marie asked carefully.

"What?" Stein asked, not quite understanding the question.

"How much do you care for me?" Marie asked.

"That's something that I don't think we should talk about Marie." Stein said calmly.

"Tell me." Marie objected.

Stein took in a deep breath and released it heavily out his nose.

"A lot." He answered finally.

Marie sat up and turned to look at him, holding the blankets to her body.

"What does 'a lot' even mean Stein? Why can't you tell me? Is this some kind of a joke to you?" she asked with hurt and frustration evident in her voice.

"No…" Stein said, turning the screw in his head a few turns.

"Then why are you so damn confusing all the time? You yell that you don't care for me at the door and THEN you pull me out of the shower and are trying to help me and say that you CARE about me but you still won't tell me what you mean!" Marie cried.

Stein had had it. He grabbed her shoulders tightly, much to Marie's surprise. She gasped as Stein suddenly jerked her forward against his body and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"Marie, I'm succumbing to the madness…this is NOT the time for me to start a relationship. And it is not time for you either…at least not with me." Stein said firmly.

"Stein…are you saying then, that you have feelings for me?" Marie asked gently.

"I can't tell you that, Marie." Stein said looking at her carefully.

Marie simply smiled. "I understand…" she whispered, hugging him back for a moment.

"Stein….I'm still naked…" Marie finally said with a flushed face.

"Oh, sorry." Stein said releasing her.

"Stein, thank you…will you maybe give me a chance after all this is over?" Marie asked.

"I can't promise you anything." Stein replied.

Marie nodded in response with another smile before standing up walking away. She really was trying to be understanding but at the same time…she really had just wanted to completely run with the side of her that told her to stay in his arms and make love with him.

Stein looked after her with a somewhat longing expression; it hurt but this was for himself…and Marie.

(A/N: This one was sorta sad lol but as usual I enjoyed writing the sexier side of things :p I really do think Marie has a very sexual side to her ;) More chapters will be coming soon and I promise they won't all be angsty.)