The sun had barely begun to make its ascent over the dark horizon, the first sounds of songbirds heralding in the new day. Mary had always been an early riser, and she loved this part of the day the most. Everything was quiet and peaceful, and for that short hour before the maids began to carry out chores and her handmaidens brought in her freshly pressed wardrobe to dress her in, before anyone called her "My lady" or "My Queen," she was just "Mary."

Bash was still asleep, one long arm loosely draped around her bare waist as he faced her in slumber. She had slept without incident after they had collapsed in each others' arms, her dreams filled with sweet touches and tender words from their night together. He had been so gentle, treating her with great care. He was so different from Francis in his lovemaking - with Francis, it had been lust and walls tumbling down in great landslides, and it had been good for her first time, but Bash had given her something else in addition to fiery passion and wanton need - he had given her intimacy. And it had been... exhilarating.

Mary traced light fingers over his features, feathery touches that lazily explored all the lines and curves she now felt she knew by heart. His hair was sticking up in several places where she had grasped, pulled, and guided him to her. He looked almost boyish and she realized she had never seen him so mussed up. It gave her a thrill in the pit of her stomach to know it was her doing.

A thrill that told her she was finally ready to move on, and let herself love again.

The birdsongs grew louder and as much as Mary was enjoying herself, she wanted Bash to be awake before the servants were up and about - even though it meant telling him what she was about to tell him.

She leaned in and kissed his forehead, whispering his name against his skin.

He mumbled something incoherent, and she grinned. "Bash, wake up." She brushed his lips with her own, between words. "Wake. Up."

"I'd rather not, if it's all the same to you." Bash said groggily. "Dream's not over yet." He moaned softly. "Such a good dream..."

Mary kissed him again, a bit deeper. "It was no dream."

His eyes finally opened, and for a split second he looked lost, pushing himself up with one arm and glancing around the room in confusion. When he looked at her again, he finally allowed himself a grin. "Well. First time that's happened." He settled back into the pillows and Mary allowed him to pull her close, her fingers splaying across his chest.

"So, last night..." Bash started, cautiously. "Was it..."

"It was wonderful, Bash." Mary affirmed. She traced small circles on his skin. "You were wonderful."

Bash smiled and looked down at her fingers, his grin contagious as her own widened until her face was sore. She giggled and buried her face into the bed, feeling herself grow warm with the redness she knew was covering her cheeks. His hand caressed her shoulder and he quieted.

"Do you regret it, though? Honestly." He asked, dreading the answer.

Mary looked up at him, meeting his eyes with resolution. "No." She replied. "I don't." As his face broke out in relief, she continued quickly. "But Bash, I do need to tell you something, and it might change things, but I need you to know." She breathed deeply. "I'm not..." She paused, stuttering. "I've... known a man, before..."

Bash stopped her. "I know." He said quietly.

Mary's words disappeared in her mouth, leaving it dry and breathless. "You... You knew?"

"Francis told me."

"He what?" Mary was shocked. "You knew?"

"Yes, and Mary, I don't care." Bash's voice was firm.

"But, I've lost my virtue." Mary said, emphasizing her words. "I'm ruined. I-"

Bash shook his head and cut her off. "Mary, listen to me. I am not those men who sit on elevated chairs and pass judgment on every woman who has known a man, even if it is my brother." He touched her cheek gently. "And you are not ruined. Not to me."

Mary smiled and leaned forward, kissing him for a long moment. "Thank you. You don't know how relieved I am to hear you say that."

Bash sighed contentedly, letting himself bask in the reality that was suddenly his. How wonderful it felt, to wake up with her by his side. If he could do this every day for the rest of his life, he would be the happiest man in France for sure.

The room was growing steadily brighter with the rising sun, and Mary groaned. "I don't want to leave this bed."

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual." Bash said, squeezing her hand. "But... I suppose... if you'd let me, maybe I could visit you again?" He grinned wickedly. "Tonight?"

Mary laughed, hitting him over the head with a pillow. "My, we're eager, aren't we?"

Bash chuckled, but did not offer any denial. He kissed her quickly and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, picking up his discarded clothing and yanking them on. Mary watched him with a saucy grin, her lower lip caught between her teeth as he dressed. It had been a long time since she had felt this giddy. There was a freedom she had never truly known until she'd met Bash, a freedom she didn't know existed. But he brought it out in her, among so many other things she didn't know she'd been capable of feeling, and she reveled in it.

Once he was fully clothed, he allowed her to help him tidy his hair, and she used a small washbin to dampen his locks and smooth them back into place. His eyes closed at her touch, and when she was finished, he tenderly kissed each fingertip.

Mary cupped his face. "Bash... thank you for staying last night."

He smiled, wrapping his hands around her waist. "Thank you for letting me in." Mary knew his words held deeper meaning.

He pulled her towards him and gave one last, lingering kiss that seemed to make the room spin all around them, leaving them dizzy. As he turned to leave, he noted the look of pure content on her face and the way she steadied herself, and he closed the door reluctantly but smiling.

He made his way back to his chambers, unable to keep the widening grin off his face. Last night he had been filled with so much doubt and fear, but the sunrise had brought hope to quell the beasts in his mind, setting them afire in a glorious blaze. Mary would not have given herself to him unless it had been her desire. She had made the first move. She had wanted him in her bed. It had been his name on her lips as she'd reached her highest pleasure. In just half a dozen hours, the entire world seemed brighter and fate in his favor. Not many bastards could wake up and say such a thing.

After he had changed into fresh clothes and cleaned himself up, Bash started towards the stables. He was full of energy and needed to get it out, lest someone grew suspicious of his heightened good mood. He wasn't stupid - he and Mary weren't yet married, and no one could know they had been intimate before the wedding. He would have to try to figure out a way to be around her without grinning like a fool in front of the entire court. Best to get whatever he could out of his system now before anyone else saw him today.

He stopped dead in his tracks as the sound of a trumpet came out of nowhere, playing a grand opening he knew only too well from years of experience. Someone royal had just arrived at court.

He tried not to jump to conclusions. It could be anyone. His father could be meeting with an ally. Distant Medici relatives could be coming to plead for Catherine's life. Anyone, anyone at all. Bash thought wildly, his palms sweating. Just not him. Please, not him. But he already knew, as his stomach knotted tightly and the air left his lungs. It was the heralding of the royal family.

Francis and his envoy of servants turned the corner and down the hall, and as the two brothers' eyes met, an icy chill went down Bash's spine. Francis looked ever the same, but there was a hardness in his eyes that had not been there before, and Bash felt a sudden urge to draw his sword. He felt like a mouse being cornered by the cat - and he could do nothing except watch as all his dreams fell like shattered glass beneath Francis's heels as he ground them into dust.

Francis stopped before Bash and stared, letting the silence hang in the air. "Hello, brother." He said coldly. "I do hope you're feeling lucky, because they tell me that word from the Vatican is on its way as we speak." His mouth twisted into a sickening smile. "And then we shall see who will be bowing to whom."

A/N: Damn. So, The Consummation, huh? Just... damn. Nearly broke my Mash-shipping heart in two. But I aint giving up yet, and neither should you!

I realize a bunch of you were a little taken aback that I had Mary and Bash sex so soon in this fic, but you have to remember - this is after the flirty looks and grins, the first kiss, the misadventures in the woods, the jump from the cliff, running away together, the countless kisses, "you exhilarate me," "My heart is open," "I have made the perfect choice," and basically everything that has happened in the show to prove that Bash is so much better for Mary than Francis. So, just take all that into account ;)

I sort of have an idea where this is going and it might turn out longer than I thought it would, which is saying something because this first started out as a oneshot smut piece. So I might end up doing seven or eight chapters, give or take. I don't know. I'm making this up as I go along. So thank you for reading and reviewing and I'll try to get the next chapter up when I can!