She could not stifle the giggle that bubbled to the surface when she exited the bathroom several minutes later. She had changed into dry clothes and dried her hair in an effort to return to normalcy. Expecting to find him in bed, she instead discovered him sitting in the high-backed chair in the corner of her room, his head lolling from side to side as he fought to stay awake. He opened his eyes when she softly touched his arm, gracing her with a disarmingly lopsided smile. "You're so beautiful my back itched."

Her eyes crinkled in amusement. "I've never had a compliment quite like that."

"The couch," he strove to explain through the fog invading his brain, having difficulty. "No sheet, no shirt. I'm sleepy." His yawn testified to his words.

She tugged on his forearms and steadied him when he swayed on his feet. Guiding him to the massive bed, she settled him there, running her hand reassuringly through his hair. "You sleep here tonight."

He shook his head even though he did not make to rise. "No dogs in the bed. I can't stay."

"It's okay just this once." Her fingers trailed across his forehead, smoothing away his furrowed brow. "You've gone above and beyond the call of duty and this is your reward."

She watched his eyelids sink closed and his features relax. Easing her hand away she noticed him stir. "Will you stay?" His question made her pause.

"Um, well, I was going, um...yes, I'll stay," she acquiesced when he moved to get up. "If I stay with you for a while, will you agree to sleep here?"

"Are you begging me to sleep in your bed, Thomas?" His words were slurring, making it difficult for her to read him.

"Are you turning me down, Hudson?"

His lips pursed as he let out a breath. "Never. I would never turn you down." He shifted, turning his head her way without opening his eyes. "My eyes won't work."

She chuckled as she relaxed, laying down and propping up on her elbow. "Then let them stay closed. Rest."

It took a minute before he nodded. "Are you going to turn me down?"

"No, silly. I'm here aren't I? I promise to stay with you for a while."

Shaking his head once again he slowly replied, "A while isn't long enough."

"We'll see." She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest as his breaths evened out. His features were boyish in relaxation, as if he had not a care in the world. His incredible lashes were fanned against his prominent cheekbones and his mouth was slightly parted. She was mentally listing the finer qualities of that mouth when she realized it was moving.

"You smell so good." Dragging his eyes open, his gaze encompassed hers, his eyes not quite focused. "You're beautiful. So are you?"

"Am I what?" she whispered, humoring his persistent questioning.

"Going to turn me down?"

"I don't know, Jack, because I don't know what you're talking about. Am I going to turn you down when?" She watched his eyelids droop once again and stymied a groan of frustration. She had no idea if he even realized he was still talking to her. He was obviously being affected by his pain medication coupled with the sleep aid. She had just about given up seeing a response from him when he uttered once last sentence.

"When I ask you to marry me."