Kim brushed the hair from her face and tried to catch her breath. She rolled over and laid her head on Shane's still-heaving chest. The bedsheet loosely covered their bodies and their legs tangled together beneath it.

"What a wonderful way to start the day," she said, when her breathing finally slowed.

Shane chuckled and brushed his hand across her cheek. "You'll get no argument from me on that."

Kim smiled against Shane's chest and closed her eyes. She could not think of anything better than lying in their bed as the morning sunlight streamed through the windows. She tried to focus on that moment, but she could not help but wonder how many of these mornings they had left.

Shane's trial was rapidly approaching, and it appeared that there were only two options remaining. Either Shane's plan to get Lawrence would work and the charges would be dropped, or Shane would be spending years in prison.

She tried to ignore the feeling that enveloped her. It was not the cold that she had felt when Shane was shot, but thinking of Shane's plan still made her shiver. She snuggled even closer to Shane.

He immediately wrapped his arms tighter around her, holding her close to his body. "Are you feeling a chill, darling?"

Kim shook her head, but buried her head against his chest and did not speak. She understood why Shane was insisting on taking on Lawrence, but Kim just could not shake the feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong.

After a few moments, Kim felt Shane's hand on her chin, which he tilting up so she would look at him. "What's wrong, Kim?" he asked tenderly.

Kim took a deep breath, trying to control her fears. Her first instinct was to assure Shane that she was fine, to be strong for him. But instead, she told him the truth. "I'm scared, Shane."

"Scared of what?" His hand caressed her back gently.

Kim nearly chuckled at his question. What am I scared of? Nothing much. Just losing you and everything we finally have together.

"I'm afraid for you and this plan you have to go after Lawrence Alamain." She felt the tears in her eyes, but was powerless to stop them. "I have this feeling . . . this dread . . . like something terrible is going to happen."

He gave her a soft smile, which she knew was designed to comfort her, but he did not understand. She tried to explain.

"That time with Jericho," she said. "That day of the explosion, I had the same the feeling. I had no idea where you were or what was happening, but I just felt like something bad would happen-"

Shane cut her off. "Kim-"

"No, I don't mean it like that, like I want you to give up," she said. "I told you I'd support you, and I know you are doing this so that you can force the ISA to dismiss the charges and stay here with your family." She smiled softly. "And I love you for that. But I can't stop what my heart feels, and my heart tells me that the risk just isn't worth it."

Shane was silent for a moment, but Kim could see the muscles in his jaw working, telling her he was trying to control his emotions. His hand moved to her cheek and he gently caressed her face.

"I wish I could take all your fears away, darling, but I know that I can't." He smiled and the love in his eyes took Kim's breath away. "But you have to trust me when I tell you that the risk is absolutely worth it."

Shane pulled Kim back to his chest and ran his hand through her hair. "Just picture how wonderful it will be when all this nasty business is finished. We'll have Christmas morning here in the house, with Andrew and Jeannie opening their presents." Kim laid her head back on his chest, trying to focus on his words as he continued. "After Christmas, we'll go out and celebrate New Year's Eve. And then we'll have all the time in the world to spend together."

"That sounds wonderful," Kim agreed. "But you can't guarantee that it's ever going to happen. You know what Lawrence Alamain is capable of-"

"Shh," Shane whispered, placing his fingers on her lips. "Don't." He brushed a stray tear from her cheek. "I do know what Alamain is capable of, but I'm not going in alone. John is working with me and you know that we can take care of ourselves and each other."

Kim briefly wondered why Shane had not mentioned Steve, but the thought quickly passed as Shane tilted her face up again and kissed her. The kiss was slow, deep, and full of love and tenderness.

When they parted, Kim was nearly breathless. She stroked Shane's cheek, trying to come up with the words to tell him how much she loved him. Finally, she just softly said, "Promise me you'll be careful. You promised you wouldn't leave me again. I need you to keep that promise."

Shane nodded and smiled. "I have every intention of keeping my word. Nothing is going to stop me from being there for you and our children."

Kim sighed and forced a lighter note to her voice. "Good. I'm going to hold you to that, Captain D." Then her tone grew more serious as she softly said. "I love you with all my heart, you know?"

"I do know," Shane replied, kissing her forehead. "And I love you with all my heart as well. So, when you get scared, just remember that." He smiled. "You have the cameo, right?" When she nodded, he said, "Just hold onto that. As long as you have it, nothing will keep us apart."

With one last kiss, Shane sat up and swung his legs to the side of the bed before standing up. Kim watched silently as he pulled on his robe and made his way towards the master bathroom.

When he had left the room, Kim blinked back some tears. She had to stay strong, but the knot in her stomach had not lessened a bit, despite Shane's words of reassurance. She knew it would be there until whatever he had planned with Lawrence Alamain was over.

That's the price you pay for falling in love with an ISA agent, she thought philosophically. And it was a price she would willingly pay for as long as necessary. She had lived her life without Shane and had even convinced herself that it was a satisfactory life. But she knew better now. Without Shane, her life just wasn't complete. In the end, it really was just that simple.

Turning, she reached over to her end-table and pulled open the drawer. Inside was the cameo, which she pulled out and clutched tightly in both hands.

Okay, Shane, she said to herself. I'm holding onto this. Then she added a silent prayer - that its magic would remain and that as long as she held onto it, nothing could ever keep them apart.