Name: A Hero's Weakness

Characters/Pairing: Michael/Sara

Rating: PG-13

Word count: approx. 1200

Genre: non-epilogue compliant, het, humour, fluff, pinch of crack

Summary: „It's not easy to be a hero's wife. But one of the most important rules to follow, Sara knows, is to be attuned to the hero's needs even before he himself knows what he is missing."

This is for spunkyar and spoiled_andrea, whom I promised a Christmas fic. Girls, I am so so sorry for this taking so long and being rather late for the holiday season, but I still hope you'll enjoy. :) Since your prompts were so alike, I thought you might not mind to share this together. After all, Christmas is all about sharing, isn't it?;)

A Hero's Weakness

It's not easy to be a hero's wife. But one of the most important rules to follow, Sara knows, is to be attuned to the hero's needs even before he himself knows what he is missing.

And so when Michael's restless frame roams the kitchen for the fourth time in the past couple of hours, aimlessly yet vigorously going through all the cupboards and shelves, Sara already knows what has to be done.

To be honest, she's never actually done it before, and it will probably turn out to be a time-consuming matter with a tricky and not at all certain outcome. Yet since they are snowed-in inside their cabin for at least a couple of days either way, it's an occupation as good as any, even if the odds for a possible good outcome are standing rather badly.

Coming back to her surroundings, Sara has to suppress a smile when Michael - still somewhat distracted - approaches her, first pressing a soft kiss upon her lips, then bending lower to kiss the bump of her belly. Murmuring something about feeling slightly edgy and discomforted for no good reason, probably "just due to the familiar unpleasant feeling of being 'caged-in'", he retreats quietly into the bedroom to supposedly read a book. Despite his discomfort and nervousness however, and to Sara's immense amusement, he doesn't pass a chance to hang a playful invitation for her to join him in their bed.

Truth to be said, she loves to spend as much time with him as possible, yet this time, she doesn't follow suit. Because as tempting as his proposal might be, Sara knows that a round of hot let-off-steam sex is not what Michael needs right now. Although on second thought, Sara thinks with a fair dose of mischievous amusement, it might as well be the next best thing.

For now, however, her need for him must wait, because Sara knows without a doubt in her mind that Michael has a bigger itch to scratch. Although, he might argue with her on that last part.

She secretly laughs at her last thought, but has to admit it's the truth. Ever since they've finally been given the gift of time, Michael has proven to be almost insatiable of human contact with her, in any shape or form. And Sara, God bless her, can't say she is the least bit sorry, for it feels so wonderful to be loved and cherished and spoiled for a change, and the past couple of months with Michael have been just as that.

Yet now, there is another matter on Sara's mind. She knows he's been lying to her before. Well, maybe not technically lying, but not being completely honest with her either, for she knows perfectly well that her husband doesn't currently feel 'caved-in', in any sense of the word. In fact, it was exactly the quietness, the serenity and remoteness of this place that made them choose it to spend their very first Christmas as a couple – well, a trio, Michael might argue – at last.

They were also well aware of the possibility that this might happen, the owner warned them about the possible day-long snow-in. Michael only rubbed his hands excitedly back then, smiling broadly at her with his eyes twinkling in excitement, his mind already making plans to properly prepare for such a scenario. Now, two weeks later, the spacious cabin couldn't be better stocked with anything they might need, from food through wood and some worth-wile entertainment material like books and cards and even board games her husband was so keen on teaching Sara to play. They were, in fact, so well stocked, that Sara was pretty sure they could survive on their supplies not just for a couple of days, but the whole of the winter. And yet, after a couple of days, Sara had come to a realization that there was indeed, one thing that Michael forgot to count on – his sweet-toothness.

As ridiculous and petty as it may sound, Sara had found out that even heroes suffer under one of the most common human weaknesses, the need for sweets. Perfunctorily packing just a narrow amount of some chocolate bars and a rather small pack of candy, their scoop was quickly consumed, predominantly after a series of naughty bed sessions, the thought of which made Sara smirk and blush madly even now.

All in all, one must admit - Sara thinks with a trace of amusement - that forgetting to pack enough sweets for a long winter cabin trip can always be considered a rather huge mistake, especially when there is A) a teenager, or B) a pregnant lady - on board. Their case being the second one, the irony that it is her husband and not her to suffer under food cravings, is not lost to Sara.

So with a smile, she gets up from her comfortable seat in the huge armchair in front of the cracking fireplace, and makes her way to the kitchen in search of a cook book.

One hour later, the delicious smell of freshly baked cookies starts to tease Michael's senses, his head dozing on the cover of the never opened book, only to wake and lure him into the kitchen in a curious search for the irresistible source of heavenly smell.

Finding his pregnant wife – wife, the word still sends a warm, tingling sensation throughout Michael's whole body – in the small kitchen, holding a plate of hot cookies and wearing her most radiant smile on her face, cheeks healthily flushed with the effort of the task as well as the heat and simple joy, Michael doesn't have a hard time figuring out why it's not just his mouth – but his eyes too – that water.

With a whole new rhythm to his heart, he makes his way over to her, first taking the warm plate from her hands, then kissing her in a way that leaves them both breathless.

"Since when do you bake cookies?" he murmurs, nuzzling his nose into her hair, not ready to let go of her intoxicating smell just yet, breathing in the wonderful heady mixture of baked cookies, vanilla shampoo and simply her.

"Ever since you've been behaving like a crazy man pacing the cabin in search for something sweet," she smiles at him knowingly. "So I thought I would give it a try."

He gives her a sheepish look, accompanied by a slightly apologetic smile. "You know me too well."

Taking a cookie from the plate, he takes a bite, noticing she is watching him with nervous anticipation. He takes his time, letting the still hot bite wallow in his mouth, before he lets out a satisfied hum, the broadest smile lighting up his whole face.

"You are gonna make an awesome mom," he whispers before dipping his head lower to steal another kiss from her. Right before their lips meet, he can feel her smile too.

~~~oOOoOOo~~~