Meg's Apartment ….
Ben watched Meg slide into her car from the window in the spare bedroom. She moved so gracefully, with confidence and elegance. The way her walnut colored hair bobbed made him want to run his fingers through it. Her scent drove him nuts.
Sighing, Ben turned away from the window. Looking around he saw the trouble Meg had gone to to help him. She'd shoved the twin bed into the corner as well as the dresser to make way for his wheelchair and crutches. She'd bought a blackout curtain for the window as well. It wasn't a large room, but she'd hung a poster of the Canadian Rockies to brighten the atmosphere. On the pillow lay a note :
Ben, Take a nap while I'm gone. I'll be back with dinner. Sweet dreams. ~ Meg =)
She'd signed the note with a smiley face. Such a girly thing warmed Ben's heart.
"Sweet dreams indeed." He slipped the note into the breast pocket of his flannel shirt and prepared for an afternoon rest.

After work ….
Meg skipped lunch and left on time, for a change. She gathered the files and forms she needed and an unfinished incident report for Ben to finish. Ottawa wanted everything in triplicate, as did the Chicago Police Department and the insurance company.
"Constable Turnbull," Meg called through the intercom system as she loaded her briefcase.
"Yes, Inspector?" The blond Mountie answered a moment later, his posture stiff and face implacable.
Meg looked up at him, frowning at the way he took her orders so seriously.
"I'm leaving for the day, make certain to lock up and try not to trip the alarm this time. The alarm company said one more time and they'll raise our monthly rate." She chided the younger officer as she zipped her oxblood leather briefcase.
"Yes, Sir, you have my word." Turnbull said solemnly.
Meg nodded and left the consulate for the day. She couldn't hide the pep in her step. Having someone waiting for her at home felt good. Dinner and a cozy evening with Ben were next on the agenda.

Meg turned the doorknob and pushed the door open gingerly. She hoped that Ben had found her note and took her suggestion of napping while she worked. In one hand she carried her briefcase and purse while the other held their dinners.
"Hello?" Ben's voice called through the apartment.
"It's just me, Ben." Meg set her load on the kitchen table and went to see him.
He lay on his back in bed, a pillow doubled up beneath his leg cast. As Meg stepped closer Ben raised his head.
"Good afternoon," Meg greeted him, leaning against the door frame. She drank in the sight of him in the bed, his hair tousled and his toes sticking up from the end of the cast.
"Hello, how was everything at the consulate?" Ben sat up with some difficulty.
"Same consulate, different day. Constable Turnbull asked after you and there were several phone calls from people concerned about you. You're very popular." Meg teased a bit, her dark eyes twinkling.
"It's the uniform," He shrugged, the corner of his unburnt lips pulling into a half smile.
"No one calls after Turnbull when he's injured." Meg stepped across the room and perched on the side of the bed at Ben's feet.
"Then I don't know what it is." Ben ran his thumbnail over his eyebrow.
"I bought Mexican, hope you like polio con ceso. There's extra rice and burritos." Meg stood up again, ready to bring the Styrofoam boxes into the bedroom.
"I'll wash up and join you momentarily." Ben swung his cast over the bed. This wasn't his first leg injury but it was the first time he'd had to wear a cast. The thing felt heavy and itched. He couldn't wait until the doctor took it off.
"Alright, let me know if you need help." Meg said as she left.
A few minutes later Ben wheeled himself into the living room and up to the small kitchen table. Meg had set out two glasses of iced tea, flatware, and plates. She stood at the table dishing out wonderful smelling Mexican food.
"I can fix something tomorrow if you'd like." Ben offered, feeling guilty for burdening Meg.
"That would be a miracle. I haven't been to the grocery in two weeks." She chuckled dryly.
"Thank you kindly for dinner, Meg." Ben took her hand, running his thumb over the back of her fingers.
"I've often wanted to have dinner with you. Too bad it wasn't under better circumstances." She returned the gesture, squeezing his fingers.
They ate in comfortable silence, occasionally sneaking glances at each other. Once they locked gazes and burst out in awkward laughter. Ben watched as Meg giggled, tears gathering in her dark eyes. He'd never seen her laugh. The sound mesmerized him; it's full, rolling sound, like sweet organ notes.
"This seems like a dream." Ben said as he wiped laughter tears from the unburnt side of his face.
"As long as it isn't anything like the dreams I had before your fall." She shivered before looking up again.
"I'm glad you did." Ben said solemnly, taking her hand again.
"You're welcome." Meg almost whispered, suddenly feeling shy.
"Besides, I owed you one for coming to the emergency room for me, and for admitting me after my heart stopped." She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips but Ben saw amusement in her eyes instead of malice. Meg's face softened a moment later when she saw the blush rising in his face.

The Spare Bedroom ….
Ben sat up in bed, sweat drenching his face and chest. The covers had twisted around his legs in the night. He clutched the side of the mattress, the feeling of falling beginning to fade.
"Ben?" Meg's sleepy voice brought him out of the nightmare. She stepped closer, her pale face visible in the dim light through the blinds.
"I'm alright, it was just a dream." Slowly, Ben pushed aside the bedding. Meg stepped closer, running her fingers through her hair. Silently, she sat down at the side of the bed.
"Can I sit with you a while?" she asked, her voice soft in the near darkness.
"If you wish." Ben scooted toward the wall, lifting his casted leg along. Meg moved closer, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I have to turn in an update tomorrow, you can look over it before I go." She started talking about things at the consulate, distracting him. First it was things about Turnbull's antics and then various demands from Ottawa. After a while Ben yawned, his eyes drooping.
"Lay back, try to rest." Meg urged gently as she pulled the sheet up.
"Stay?" Ben asked quietly, looking up at her, his eyes hopeful.
"There isn't room." Meg argued weakly, her hands still holding the white sheet. "I have to go to work in the morning."
"Meg?" Ben spoke, still gazing at her as she straightened the bedding.
"Hmmm?" she answered, avoiding his gaze.
"Stay?" he repeated.
Meg shook her head, smiling as she climbed into bed beside him. "Just because you asked." she said as she lay on her side, curled into his side.
"Thank you kindly." Ben brushed a light kiss against her forehead.
"I want to have this every night for the rest of my life." Ben told himself silently.
****