A/N: Short, but not my shortest. -Enjoy.

APOV

I'm startled awake by sudden movement. I open my eyes. Christian is carrying me.

"It's okay, baby." He kisses my head. "You fell asleep. I'm just going to put you to bed."

Christian carries me to bed. I'm not very helpful, but he helps me change from my gown into one of his T-shirts. He takes off his dinner jacket and bow tie, then climbs in next to me. He pulls me close to him and kissing my head. I fall back to sleep.

I wake and reach for Christian. His side is cool. I then hear shouting, that must be what woke me. I get out of bed and walk to the kitchen to get some ice for Christian's hand. He hit Paul pretty hard. I get a bag of ice and wrap it in a small towel. I walk to Christian's office. I presume that's where he is. I knock and enter. He's on his phone.

"Is it done?... Good." He hangs up.

I walk over to Christian and climb into his lap.

"I've brought you some ice for your hand." I place it on his hand.

"Thank you, baby." He gives me a chaste kiss.

"Th-Thank you for what you did."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I knew what you would do when you found out. And you did just that and more. I didn't want you to get into trouble for beating him to a pulp. I got Ray and José off by dropping my charges. What could I do if you got into trouble because of me, as well. I don't want anything to happen to you. It would kill me. To know it was because of me. That it was all my fault."

"Listen to me." He holds me. "First, it would not have been your fault. It is not your fault what he did to you. Second, nothing is going to happen to me. I am a very rich and powerful man. That, and I can handle myself. I train kickboxing with my personal trainer regularly. I also have Taylor and Sawyer so nothing would or will happen to me. Third, I understand your reluctance in not telling me. I'm just glad I found out. And that I own his ass. Luckily, Elliot came to me interested in Hardware stores for his construction company and we found his store. As it is, I've sold off his company and he will be bankrupt by morning. Ray and José may have beat him for what he did to you. However, wounds heal. I took away his livelihood, his income. He'll be lucky to find work flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant. Of course, I had to get my hit in as well."

I nod. "What happens now?"

"It's likely he will try to retaliate. Luke will stay on as your CPO. Taylor will also get a few more guys. Security will be heightened. Now more then ever, I'm glad you transferred to the publishing department, one floor beneath me. The main lobby is a security hazard. I wont let anything happen to you."

"Luke? What happened to Sawyer?"

"Luke is Sawyer's first name. Sorry, I thought I told you."

"Oh." I yawn.

"You should be sleeping."

"I woke and you weren't there."

"Come. I'll lay with you. Lets get some sleep."

We get up. I take the ice packet and towel back to the kitchen. We walk to the bedroom and get into bed, snuggling on each other.

"I want to ask you something..." I look up at him. "You agreed to move in with me. Did you just say that to distract me or are you really ready to move in?"

"Well, I am sort of living with you. I've been home once since we've been together and even then, that was with you."

"So, you're ready to officially move in with me?"

"Yeah." I shrug my shoulders. "I love falling asleep next to you every night and waking up wrapped in your arms every morning."

It's getting harder to keep my eyes open and I see him start to drift as well. I settle back against him.

"So do I." He kisses my head and holds me tighter. "Don't ever leave me." He whispers.

"I'll stay as long as you want me to. I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm never going to let you go."

"I never want you to let me go. Never let me go."

We're both drifting. The silence overpowering. Christian falls into a deep rhythmic sleep. Just before I crash and join him, I hear a faint whisper.

I think I've dreamed it because I just barely hear.

"Marry me."