So this is a flashback to a particular life-changing event in "The Hole in the Heart" Thank you for the reviews of Chapter 1! Warning: this chapter is smutty, but hopefully tastefully smutty. Enjoy!

She was lying in his arms, the one place that she felt the safest. He had one arm protectively around her shoulder, the other rested on her enlarged stomach. Her head was relaxed upon his bare chest and she couldn't be more gratified. They were both naked and vulnerably exposed to each other after just having made love in their own beautiful way. She lied there awake, he asleep; and remembered a similar picture months ago.

*FLASHBACK*

Vincent died. He was there in front of her; healthy, speaking, functioning, then he died. She knew as well as anyone that people die, but Vincent? He was someone she knew and liked and he was gone in 34 seconds. The man she is lying with could die also, without her having her chance to tell him how she feels. He is willing to wait for her, but what if he can't? She couldn't bear the thought of losing him before loving him. He is with her now, but he wouldn't be forever. Was she ready to accept his love? Could she live if she waited too long? Now was her chance.

He stroked her shoulder as he whispered silently to her that everything would be okay. She made up her mind and put her lips to his. The kiss wasn't seductive or even sensual, just her telling him she was ready. He broke the kiss to look at her; making sure she meant what she had implied. He knew that if he went further than she was ready, she would never love him again. As if she could read his thoughts, she whispered "yes, I'm ready."

They just lied there together kissing, each kiss more and more passionate than before. It had to be her to move forward, and soon it was. She took his hand and placed it under her sweatshirt and placed it on her breast. He lost his breath at the sudden connection. She wasn't the skinny little blond chick he was used to. Her full breast was unfamiliar to him, and yet it felt entirely flawless. He looked up at her with admiration, secretly hinting he wanted more. She heard him and pulled off her sweatshirt completely.

He had known her for over seven years and yet seeing her naked like this for the first time was too much. She was beautiful and real. That was the special part about her. He knew she wasn't perfect, and he loved that about her. She was a real woman; smart, strong, confident, and unknowingly dependent upon love. He just admired her before she lifted her lips to his once again. This kiss was unlike any other they had shared. This was their first kiss of true love, in every aspect of the word.

He helped her remove his shirt and it was her turn to admire him; not for his remarkable physicality which she had always appreciated, but for his imperfections. Every scar told a story of the brave and honorable man that he was. When she found one particular scar, she lost control. She burst into tears below him and he just laid down to hold her. She told him how that scar of the bullet he took for her proved how exposed he was and confessed to him her earlier thoughts. He only held her and told her that that night, he was hers. That they would face tomorrow when it came, and that she wouldn't have regrets because she had that night at least.

She heard him loud and clear and rolled on top of him. After kissing him deeply again, she slid down to his waist. She hesitated before pulling off his boxers and revealing his erection. She had only ever seen him naked once before but his physicality never failed to astound her. She held his length for only a moment before he sat up and turned to lay her down beneath him.

The only thing between them now was his sweats she was wearing and her simple blue panties. He looked up at her before removing them, as if to check that she was still okay with what was about to happen. She nodded and said "I'm ready," as he quickly slid them down her legs. She lay entirely naked before him for the first time. Neither could believe that this was finally happening, but both had wanted it more than anything.

He reached down to find her opening, but something stopped him. How would she feel about this tomorrow? In a week? When thinking clearly? He couldn't risk rejection again. He just couldn't do it.

But, Brennan had thought about it and made up her mind. She was ready and needed him to know that. Suddenly she reached down to guide him in. That was it for him. He heard her message and let go.

They were passionate and tender as they explored each other on an unfamiliar intimate level. For the first time, they were one.

*End of Flashback*

So here she is again, lying in his arms like she had before. Then, she was scared about losing him after Vincent and he was there for her. When she revealed to him that both of their lives would be changing rapidly, he was there for her. Now, as she is developing their child and scared about the unknown future, he is here for her, as he always will be. That, to her, is love.