A/N: I get paid only in reviews, pm's and new friends. That's way better than money.

The trio were quiet for a moment as Nathan started the Bronco. Lexie rested her head back, waiting for someone to speak. She kept her backpack in her lap. She'd been unwilling to leave it unguarded.

Just when the silence was making her nervous, Nathan spoke.

"Can I ask a question?"

"You just did. You may ask more though, if you like. I don't mind."

"I noticed you and Dave seemed to be... talking. When he was touching you. That something you're willing to share?"

She appreciated that he was trying to be nice, so she was honest.

"When I was Lucy, Dave and I developed our own shorthand. Had to, since Vince loved to argue and it's almost impossible to get a word in edgewise when he's on a tear. Little things- a star on my back means 'You've got this' or 'Winner'. An ouroboros- the sideways figure 8- means 'always'. Hearts are obvious. Bird means 'let's fly' or 'let's go'. A fish means 'ignore it', because it's something you can't fight- fish gotta swim, you know? Inverted cross means 'This is a bad, bad person'. Exclamation point means either we're shocked or we stumbled onto something important. We have a lot of signals."

Lexie's stomach rumbled loudly.

Duke looked at her. "Hungry? What do you want?"

"Seriously, don't even ask. Everything sounds good right now. Like bacon cheese fries. Milkshakes. Oh, or sushi! You know, some places put an egg in the middle of a pizza, so the yolk goes all runny when you cut it. Oh, or spaghetti. Fried spaghetti with a fried egg on top. That's what sounds good." She stopped to take a breath and her brow furrowed. "Nice, Lexie. Dumbass."

She crossed her arms defensively, trying to disappear into the seat, blushing in the darkness of the Bronco. "Sorry, it's been a long day. Didn't mean to leak crazy on you."

Duke laughed as he grabbed her hand. "You know how hard it is for me not to make that dirty? We can get the stuff at the store, I can figure this out."

Nathan chuckled. "Finally, something I can translate. She wants chow mein, tempura shrimp and probably... pot stickers or crab rangoon." His eyes never left the room, but he had an adorable smile on his face.

"Holy crap, you're right! How did you know that? I didn't even know that!"

He was trying to look very serious, but it was obvious he was barely repressing laughter. "Well, I extrapolated from previous knowledge of the subject and used that to... Aw hell, I can't match you on the science-talk. I've been living on take-out for six months. And Audrey's part of you, I know what she eats. I'll go pick up food after I drop you at the Rouge."

Lexie was stunned. But this was her chance to prove something important.

"What does Duke eat?"

Nathan didn't miss a beat. "For Chinese? Shrimp with black bean sauce, wonton soup and extra eggrolls, always with hot mustard. Sometimes curry tofu if he's off meat."

She eyed Duke. His mouth was open, his eyes wide in surprise.

Lexie smiled, squeezing Duke's fingers. She'd been right. Nathan was still in love with Duke.

They waved from the deck of the ship as Nathan drove off to fetch food. Duke was unlocking the door when Lexie leaned up on her toes, brushing Duke's ear as she spoke.

"We're alone, Duke. Nathan won't be back for at least 30 minutes. No audience, no interruptions and I've never had sex on a boat."

He shivered, almost dropping his keys before he wrenched the door open, pulling Lexie in as he kicked the door shut behind them.

She was already unbuckling his belt, stretching to kiss his lips. As he picked her up she wrapped her legs around him, hands wrapped in his hair tugging insistently.

They got as far as the kitchen. Duke backed her up to the counter, shoving a stack of papers aside as he set her down, kissing her intently, pulling her so tight against him that they shared the same space. She kicked off her shoes and freed him, pushing his jeans down with her feet as she wrapped her hand around him, squeezing as she stroked.

Duke hissed through his teeth. He grabbed her ass, holding her up as he thrust into her.

Her head fell back and she groaned loudly. It was such a relief not having to be quiet or hide, and she scratched at him, almost snarling as she brought her face up to kiss him. She was rough, desperate and crazed with need.

Duke responded to her as he always did; matching her without thought. They moved together, and Lexie had the fleeting thought that they were rocking the whole ship- hell, the whole ocean- as she pushed back against him.

She pulled his face back to watch him, squeezing around him over and over, dragging the sounds from him. Everything from the sound of his gasps, the quiet grunts and sighs to the look on his face- eyes half-closed, hair messy and the tightening of his jaw made her hotter. She leaned back on one arm, still clutching his shoulder with the other hand as she tilted her hips, pulling him deeper.

"Duke, yes, there, there- fuck, Duke, I can't-"

"Oh, you can, Lexie. You will, for me. I'm yours, Lexie. I want to hear you come."

His words were like hands on her and inside her. Her eyes rolled and she dug her fingers into his shoulder as she cried his name. Her voice dropped to a quiet groan and she repeated his name over and over, unable to say anything else. But oh, it was a challenge- she wanted to make him come with her voice, not just her body.

Challenge accepted.

"Duke," she panted, "Duke, you feel so good. I love the way you feel inside me. Gods, you're amazing, Duke. Duke- I love you, Duke. I want you forever. Be mine. Show me you're mine!"

She shouted the last sentence, both hands on his face, forcing him to look at her. She stared into his eyes, watching as his breath stopped, tremors ripping through him, sweating and gasping her name as she tilted just a little, forcing him as deep as possible as he came.

They held each other, trying to catch their breath. He pulled from her, their arms still wrapped together.

"Damn, Lexie," he pressed his forehead against hers, "that was amazing. What are you doing to me?"

She grinned devilishly, still holding him as she slipped down to her feet. "I'm trying to be the last. I want you to need me so bad that you can't even get hard with other women. I want to be the first thing you think of in the morning and the last at night. I want you to dream of me every night."

"I already do, Lexie. I already do."

They straightened their clothes, sitting together on the couch to wait for Nathan. Lexie was cuddled as closely as she could without actually being in his lap. She held his hand, playing with his fingers as she spoke hesitantly.

"I need to explain something. It's hard, so please don't interrupt, or I'll never get it out."

Duke nodded, worried.

"I was imagining what you must think, but I want you to know, I'm not normally a huge mega-slut. I know it seems that way, but I just- I can't not touch you. It's easier for me to touch, to try to explain without the words. But now, here, I feel too much, out of control and you're the only thing that makes me feel... I don't know. Whole. Better. Happy.

"I hate the idea that you must feel like I'm using you or something. It's not about the sex, Duke. It's about you. I need you. That- that's all." Lexie stared at her fingers, fidgeting.

"Lexie, look at me."

"I am." Technically. She was looking at a button on his shirt.

"My eyes are up here."

She couldn't help but smile a little at the teasing tone. She sighed, meeting his eyes.

"Come here." He uttered the words in a hushed, serious tone.

She climbed into his lap, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.

"Lexie, I promise you- the thought you're afraid of never occurred to me. Not once. God Lexie, do you think that about me? That I'm using you?"

Her head snapped up. "No! Of course not, that's ridiculous!"

"Exactly. Yes, ideally I want you everywhere, every second. I'd live between your legs." He smiled at her quiet gasp. "Unfortunately, people want to actually talk to us and expect us to be clothed- so I will gladly take any time we can get. Here, against trees, in the car..."

"The car sounds fun "

Duke laughed and kissed her. "Remember the Barn, Lexie. We know that words get in the way and this is how we choose to communicate. I love you and I know you love me."

"You know?"

"Yeah. I do. I know that you're in love with me. I belong to you, you belong to me. That's what matters. The rest is details."

She was still kissing him, her heart in her eyes, when they heard Nathan opening the door. Duke automatically started to sit back and Lexie broke the kiss but stayed parked in his lap.

"Sorry it took so long." Nathan set the bags down, smiling at Duke and Lexie. She smiled back, proud that he wasn't glaring or being pissy.

"You're still being celebrated just for knowing what to get, thank you so much for going." She reached out to grasp Nathan's hand, a sweet, grateful smile on her face. "Come on, sit on the couch with us and eat."

She looked at Duke. "I'm guessing you need me to move if you're going to eat, huh?"

"You underestimate me. Stay put."

"Okay then. Come on, Nathan." She tapped the couch next to them with her bare foot, smiling when he sat next to them.

They passed out the containers and utensils, eating.

Lexie moaned loudly. "Oh my Gods, this is exactly what I wanted. Thank you so, so much, Nathan!"

He smiled, blushing. "I got to buy dinner for you two. I never thought I'd be able to do that again, so trust me when I say it's my pleasure."

His eyes were just slightly red, and Lexie felt his tears locked inside him. She swallowed, putting down her box and squeezing Duke's knee as she slid off the couch, kneeling in front of Nathan. Without the anger driving her, she could sense his emotions. For the first time since she landed she really looked at him.

He was too thin. Way too thin. He'd said he lived on fast food for six months, but not enough, apparently.

She knew he didn't bruise the way she did- he didn't bruise easily and when he did, they were never the dark purple-black that she got- but he was definitely injured. It looked like he'd taken a beating... or ten. There were lines around his eyes, more pronounced because he was so gaunt.

She raised her hand to his face, tracing a mark. He flinched though her touch was gentle.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You didn't," he murmured. "I just didn't feel it until you were touching."

"I'm sorry my touch caused you pain."

"Please don't be. I haven't felt anything in months. I don't care if it's pain. It feels better than the nothingness."

She hugged him carefully, pressing her cheek against his. She felt him press his face into her hair, breathing deeply. A moment later, he shuddered and she felt his tears on her neck.

Her poor, sweet, broken boys. They'd suffered so much. She wanted to protect them. To catch any pain that came for them, forcing it away.

"Hush, Nathan. We're here. We're not leaving. I'm sorry you hurt, so sorry. But we're here now. And we'll fix your Trouble, I promise. I don't have the strength to do it today or I would. Maybe we should try anyway. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Whoa, whoa. I want to fix Nate as bad as you, but you absolutely cannot handle it tonight. You're already exhausted. You need food and rest. You died, Lexie. You have to get your strength back first. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else."

Lexie was surprised by the fear, the worry in his eyes.

"Can you give me the night to rest, Nathan? I hate to admit it, but he's right. I'm not at my strongest, though it pains me to admit it." Lexie grimaced, obviously unhappy about not being strong enough.

"I can wait as long as you need. I really don't ever want to see anyone do CPR on you again." Nathan's voice was rough with tears. "I didn't care if you could fix the Troubles. I just wanted you both back. I hated myself so much, when Duke disappeared with you, I wanted to go back, fix everything. I thought... I thought you were dead, Duke. I thought you were dead and you were both gone. I didn't want to keep going."

Duke swallowed hard, blinking. He set his food down, reaching out to take Nathan's hand, holding their hands up so Nathan could see.

"I'm not dead. I'm sorry you were alone and I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am that you did keep going. We were worried about you, trying to get home to you. I'm sorry, Nate."

Lexie was still kneeling on the floor, and she watched in fascination as Nathan grabbed Duke, hugging him and pressing his face into his shoulder. Lexie saw Nathan sniff Duke, his eyes closing as a tear tracked down his cheek, a sweet smile on his face.

It was a good start.

"I could use a drink. Can I grab you guys a beer? I'm sure you must have some."

Duke had just pulled back, still holding Nathan's hand. Shit. Lexie shouldn't be drinking. He even had mandatory signs up in the Gull that warned against drinking during... he wasn't even going to think the word, afraid some stray bit of magic would shout it from his head.

"I'll go see. You guys, eat. I'm serious. Be right back."

Shit, shit, shit. He did have beer. Looking over his shoulder, Duke poured out the whiskey before turning to the beer, thinking. He finally got lucky, spotting two cans of non-alcoholic beer toward the back of the mostly-empty fridge. He pulled out three glasses, carefully pouring the near-beer into one, regular into the others.

He came back smiling, handing a glass to Nathan before handing Lexie her cup. Satisfied, he sat, picking up his food.

He'd taken a few bites when he felt eyes on him.

Duke glanced up to see Lexie staring at him through narrowed eyes. What now?

He smiled at her with an innocent expression. She tilted her head, staring at him as she ate. After a moment, she smiled mischievously, picking up a noodle with her chopsticks, putting the end in her mouth and then sucking the rest of it in slowly. He breathed a sigh, relieved and aroused at once.

They finished dinner, praising Nathan like he'd cooked it himself. Lexie yawned.

"I need a shower and some sleep. Maybe we should talk more tomorrow."

"Right. I should be going, didn't realize how late it was." Nathan stood, hands in his pockets as he shuffled his feet. He and Duke wore similar looks, like they didn't want to separate.

"Wait a second, Nathan. Duke, can I have a word?"

"Sure, Lexie." Duke followed her to a different room.

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"I was hoping you'd say that. I thought I was going to have to break in to your apartment like some sparkly stalker vampire."

She chuckled. "What do you think about inviting Nathan to stay in the guest bedroom tonight? He looks so afraid to leave. He really, really loves you."

"You think so?"

"The only way it would be more obvious is if his tongue were down your throat, Duke."

He blushed, trying not to grin. "Yeah, we'll see if he wants to stay."

When they returned, Nathan hadn't moved at all, hands still in his pockets.

"Nathan?"

"Yes, Au... Lexie?" She smiled when he corrected himself.

"Either name is fine, Nathan. Or my birth name, which Duke sometimes uses."

"You know your birth name? What is it?" He sounded like a kid, all wonder and excitement, and it made her smile.

"My name is Mara, but Audrey and Lexie are both fine too."

"Mara. That's a beautiful name."

"Only the way you and Duke say it. But we were wondering, do you want to sleep here, in the extra bedroom tonight? You'd just have to come back in the morning anyway."

His smile was bright enough to light up the entire room, though he tried to sound calm and normal. "Really? Are you sure? I'm okay if you want me to go home."

"No, Nathan. I think you should stay. It's been a long, crazy day and we'd feel better if we knew you were here safe. I worry about the guys from the Guard."

"I have pajamas you can wear, Nate. The spare bed is all made and everything. Please?"

"I'd love that, thank you."

Lexie showered and shaved while Duke brushed his teeth, then they switched, him showering while she brushed. She stole a t-shirt that hung almost to her knees.

They came back out together, and Lexie smiled to see Nathan in Duke's pajamas.

"You look good, Nathan. I was honestly surprised to hear Duke even owned pajamas. I figured he slept naked."

"He always used to."

Nathan realized what he'd said almost immediately, clapping his hand over his mouth as his face turned crimson.

Lexie laughed happily. "Win-win. I was right, and you got into Duke's pants. Pretty good for a first day back." She kissed his cheek.

The expression of horrified, embarrassed shock made her take pity.

"It's good, Nathan. Don't be embarrassed. We'll talk tomorrow, but just remember- I'm good with that. Now get some rest. Lots to do tomorrow."

Duke had locked up, turning off the lights. They left Nathan at the spare bedroom and closed themselves in Duke's bedroom.