By the time he arrived at the loft moonlight had replaced sunlight. After carefully depositing his hat, jacket, and satchel on the sofa, McCoy switched the lamp that rested at the center of the end table on. Glancing around the living area, he could see Malinowski had taken the time to review the mail on the desk and to begin to unpack before she had gone to bed.

He picked up the handwritten note that sat on top of a gift box at the center of the coffee table.

Waited for you as long as I could. Big time jet lag sent me to bed at 9:30. Open your present. Wake me when you come to bed. More goodies await you. I missed you more than words can say.

With a smile McCoy quietly tore open the gold colored paper that had the letters GUM embossed on it. When he lifted the lid of the box, he found the box contained a pair of leather gloves. Running his fingers over them, McCoy found the dark leather felt as good as it looked.

As he returned the box to the coffee table, McCoy caught a glimpse of his reflection in the window and groaned remembering Melnick's words. She was right. One look at him and Malinowski would know something was wrong.

After giving his old friend the bum's rush, McCoy had gone to his meeting with Judge Rivera. Afterwards, he'd gone back to the office and stayed there until his desk and office were spotless. Not only was his 'in' tray completely empty for the first time he could remember, but the items from his old office were out of the boxes, free of dust, and displayed. It wasn't until Cutter had stuck his head in to say 'goodnight' that McCoy realized how late it was.

"Hi," whispered a familiar voice from behind him, as a pair of arms snaked around his neck.

McCoy looked up and reached for Malinowski as she bent down to kiss him.

"That must have been some meeting. Do you realize it's nearly eleven?"

"The gloves are perfect," he said deciding no answer was better than a lie."I never did replace the pair I left on the subway last month. How was the flight?"

"Long and boring."

"I'm surprised you didn't use the time to decide where to aim your next arrow."

Malinowski's eyes widened as she looked at him with confusion.

"I understand you gave Sam the ring he gave Danielle when he proposed," McCoy explained thoughtfully. "If I asked either of my former wives for the same favor, I know at least one of them would tell me to check the property settlement and probably slap an harrassment suit on me for even asking."

"It wasn't a big deal,"she said with a smile, as she reached for his hand. "I knew it was just a matter of time before he asked for his mother's ring. We may not be together anymore, but I can still read Sam pretty well. Danielle makes him happy. I just hope she makes him as happy as you make me. I wanted to tell you, but if Danielle had lost her mind and said 'no' I thought it might make things..."

"I think you just like playing Cupid," McCoy retorted as he squeezed her hand.

Malinowski ran a hand through her tousled mane as she curled up beside him on the sofa. As the couple exchanged information about goings on since they had been apart, Malinowski rested her head against her lovers chest. Although her body was still adjusting to being back on New York time, the more she listened, the more Malinowski was sure she sensed something was amiss.

When she thought about the events that had taken place just prior to her trip to Moscow, only one thing came to mind that she thought might explain the strangeness of her lover's mood.

"…until Mike learns the difference between zealousness and recklessness, I'm going to have keep close tabs on..."

"Jack beating around the bush was never your style," she interjected as she turned to scan his face."Something is on your mind and it's not the way Mike Cutter tried to take a short cut around the eighth amendment. I thought something was wrong when I called you with my arrival time last night. If I overstepped with Becky, I'm sorry. I know you said to leave it alone, but I just couldn't..."

McCoy shook his head, immediately recalling his warning to her about trying to smooth over the lastest disagreement that had arisen between himself and his only child.

"Becky? You think ...No. You didn't overstep. I appreciate you wanting to help. It was a relief to get her call. I said what I did to you because I honestly didn't think she'd want to hear what you had to say and I didn't want to see you disappointed."

"So she did call while I was gone?"

"Yes. In fact, we're going to meet half way at the end of the month after she finishes some big job she just started. I wouldn't say it's the perfect father/daughter relationship, but it's a start. She still feels a lot of guilt about what happened to you."

Malinowski nodded as she held his face in her hands, her eyes still holding a look of uncertainty.

"So do you, don't you, Jack?"

"Right now, I just feel guilty about having you out of bed when you're obviously dead on your feet," he responded as he moved to scoop her into his arms before standing. "It's late. We can finish catching up on the morning."

"Jack, I know there's something on your mind besides..."

Before she could continue to protest, McCoy placed a finger over her lips as he moved towards the bed. He lowered her onto the mattress and replaced his finger with his lips while his hands undid the belt of her robe. As his hands slipped under the satin, McCoy nuzzled her neck with his nose. He smiled inwardly, as he breathed in the familiar smell of her perfume, mixed with her essence.

As his hands explored the softness of her breasts, he pushed aside his doubts as easily as he pushed the robe over her shoulders. He could feel her hands first run through the locks that were more salt than pepper. Then she discreetly ran her hands down his back and around to where his belts buckle inadvertently pressed against her pelvic bone.

Kissing away his self-conscious apology, Malinowski undid his jeans.

"No worry's, my love," she whispered as she watched him discard the jeans along with his shoes and socks. "It's nice to know I'm not the only one eager for a reunion tonight."

"You're sure you're not too tired," he asked as his shirt joined the rest of his clothes on the floor.

Malinowski smiled as she eyed the stiffness between his legs.

"Not as tired as I expect I'll be," she replied as he embraced her once more."I've been in Moscow where it's twenty degrees. I still get a chill when I think about how cold my hotel room was. You know, body warmth is especially important in Russia."

"Is it," he asked, as his body responded to the feel of her body seductively rubbing against his."You seem to be awfully warm already."

"That's the effect you have on me counselor," she murmured as she continued to tease him.

McCoy closed his eyes as a low grunt escaped from his lips. Her breasts continued to caress his chest, abruptly slipping away from him as her reached for them, while her hips moved against him as her out lips pressed against his cock; stroking him and daring him to penetrate her wetness.

"Enjoying yourself, are you," he asked with amusement as he grabbed her backside and held to her to him.

"I usually do when I'm in bed with you…," she said with a knowing grin just as he slipped a set of fingers inside her.

She gasped suddenly and moaned as her eyes closed and her body moved against his touch.

"Pr…predictable," she managed to whisper before she pulled his head downwards.

As they exchanged ravenous kisses, a wave of ecstasy washed over Malinowski. As her body trembled and withered against him, McCoy opened her legs wider and slipped himself inside her.

"Are you saying you think I'm out of surprises," she heard his husky voice murmur as he thrust deeply, slowly against the contractions she could no longer control.

"No," she responded as her back arched and she came again; hard enough to make her lover pause as he relished the feel of her body's spent state.

"No," she whispered minutes later as she lay back, McCoy still pressed against her, still part of her."Never out of surprises. You just know, Jack. You just know how to give me what I want… when I want it. Never any doubt…never any surprise about that… predictable. Every time."

McCoy moved the hair from her eyes and smiled down at her. He could see the pure joy she felt in the her loving gaze.

Damn Vanessa and her dime store analysis of him and his motives for marrying again.

"I love you," he whispered as he began his loving her again.

"I love you too," she replied softly as she wrapped her arms and legs around him before pushing against him to roll them over."Let me show you how much."

McCoy lay back and watched her face as she began to ride him; at first slowly, methodically, soon more urgently. He reached for her breasts that bobbed in gentle time with their hips, until he brought them to his lips.

"I love you," she whispered again, her back arching as he bit down on a nipple.

McCoy roughly pulled her to him as he turned them back over and his thrusts coming harder and faster.

Moaning with pleasure as his chest heaved; McCoy came as he thrust into her like a dagger into a peach. He held her close and closed his eyes. The only things he could ear were the sounds of her breath and her racing heart.

When it was over, he rolled on his side and continued to hold her, still listening to the sound of her heart as it gradually grew fainter.

He knew he'd been a fool. A selfish, arrogant, downright cowardly fool to have any doubts about marrying her…committing to her…

"I'll marry you, if you'll still have me," he said softly as he opened his eyes.