A/N- Thank you all again for the amazing reviews, Its good to know your enjoying my story. As all ways here's the next chapter so let me know how I did please.
Chapter 4.
Running through the tree's Chris was sure he heard some one shout his name and he was sure it was Merri. There were men appearing from everywhere on all side's chasing after the suspect and Merri. They all gave chase when they heard the gun shot but now the problem was finding them. He ran blindly through the trees having no idea where he was going, his sole thought was finding his partner. Just then a shout went up saying they had been found.
Chris had never ran so fast in his life and he would probably never do again. He saw a line of men standing just up ahead of where he was and he gave it his all to get to them. As he stopped where they were all standing he followed the beams of light shining down in to the ditch. There at the very bottom of the ditch was Merri and there suspect lying a few meters apart. Standing next to Merri was their boos Dwayne Pride and by the look on his face it did not look good. Dropping to a sitting position Chris started to slide down the embankment slowly making sure he didn't end up head first in the ditch as well. When he finally made it to the bottom he made his way over to where Pride was standing over Merri.
Dropping to his knees beside her he removed his gloves and quickly felt for a pulse. He found one but it was very weak. Having no thought for anything else he slotted his arms under the limp form of his partner and hosted her in to his arms. Seeing the ditch slowly slop upwards to his left he started to run as fast as he could up the slope and out the ditch. Dwayne Pride was hot on his heels and all the men in front cleared the way for him as he ran towards them. As he cleared the top of the slope he slowed a little to get his bearings. If truth be told he had no idea where he was in the dark but he needed to get Merri back to the cabin and fast.
Dwayne caught up with him as he slowed down and saw the way he was looking round. Without saying a word he knew what his friend was searching for and pointed him to the left. Chris set off at a run again with Pride hot on his heels. Running through the trees aimed in the direction Pride pointed Chris saw the smoke rising from the chimney stack of the cabins and he found a burst of energy when he saw the cabins. He knew he was running out of time, Merri was freezing and her body was shutting down and if he wasn't quick enough he would lose her and that was not something he wanted to have to think about. As they neared the cabin Dwayne sped in front and pushed the cabin door open, stepping aside as Chris charged through the door carrying the limp women in his arms.
Running in to the lounge Chris lay Merri on the couch and dropped to his knees in front of her. Taking off his coat he quickly set about stripping the wet clothes of Merri. Dwayne appeared just behind him with what looked like all the bedding from the bed they had slept in and dumped it on the floor behind Chris. As he continued to remove the wet clothing from Merri he asked Dwayne to mobe the rug on the floor closer to the fire which he did. Pulling off Merri's soaking jeans he tossed them on the pile of wet clothes. All Merri had left on now was her underwear and a t-shirt. Feeling the t-shirt he realised it was wet as well so turning round to give Pride a quick glance he stripped the wet t-shirt off.
Pride cast a look over the now all but naked frame of his agent and friend. Her skin was pure white with blue tinges on her hands,feet and face. He could just make out the small rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. This was not something he wanted to have to see of any of his agents never mind a female agent. Turning away from the 2 agents he went in the kitchen and put the coffee maker on. He knew that if Chris could not get Brody to warm up then he would be making a phone to call to her family 3 days before Christmas saying their daughter had died in the line of duty.
Chris left Merri lying on the couch and grabbed the blankets Dwayne had brought through. Lying them on the rug he moved back over to Merri and picking her up he placed her on the blankets quickly covering her up. Standing up he removed his coat and hat, it was then he realised how wet he was. Taking his wet pants and sweat shirt off he chucked them with Merri's wet clothes. He moved over beside her and moving the blankets back slightly he crawled under them and moved up behind Merri. Lying on his side he gathered her in to his arms and pulled her flush against his chest. It was only then he got a true felling of how cold she felt. It was like holding a block of ice, he shivered as he tried to transfer as much of his body heat over to Merri.
Dwayne came back through and stood in the door way to the lounge. Looking over at the 2 agents lying on the floor in front of the fire he felt a sudden rush of emotions. Seeing the way Chris had taken control of the situation and looked after Merri was both heart warming and scary. He saw the way Chris looked at Merri when he saw her lying in the ditch and the fear and panic that crossed his face. He also caught the unguarded look of love that flashed in his eyes before his fear and panic took control. Walking over to the fire Dwayne grabbed a few more logs from the pile and put them on to keep the fire burning as hot as possible.
"Pride she's like a block of ice, have we got a first aid kit anywhere? I need to see what her temperature is now" Chris asked Dwayne after he stood from placing the wood on the fire.
Pride disappeared in to the kitchen and came back a minute later with a thermometer in his hand. Bending down he passed it to Chris who sat it under Merri's tongue and waited till it beeped. When it beeped he took it looking at the numbers on the little screen.
" 34.5 c, we need more heat Pride" Chris told the man standing above them.
Pride looked down at Chris then with out saying a word he took or his shoes and shirt but left his pants on.
"Chris roll her so she's facing you, I will slot in behind her that way she will be cocooned between us " Pride said as he waited for Chris to roll Merri so she was facing him and he had pulled her flush against him.
Dwayne lifted the blankets up and lay down with his chest up against Brody's back. He pulled the blankets back over and slotted his arm over Merri and rested his hand on Chris's waist.
"If this doesnt work soon Chris we are in serious trouble " Dwayne told Chris as he lay trying to get as much contact with Merri's back as he could.
With Merri now facing him Chris could see her face and how Blue her lips were. He leaned forward and gently placed his hand on the side of her face cupping her cheek. Then he gently stroked his thumb up and down and side to side as well as over her lips trying to transfer as much heat as he could in to her face. The 2 agents lay like this for nearly an hour not moving transferring as much heat as they could over to the women who lay between them.
After an hour Dwayne shuffled out and picked the thermometer back up, placing it back in Merri's mouth and he waited. The beep seemed to take forever but when it did go off and he checked the screen he was pleased to see her temperature has gone up to 36 c. Putting the thermometer back on the couch he wove his hand under the blankets and found her wrist checking her pulse. Chris lay watching his boss and said a silent pray that this was working. After a couple of minutes Dwayne brought his hand back out the blanket and smiled down at Chris.
"Were getting there, temp is up to 36 c and pulse is getting stronger than it was. You ok there? You need anything? " Dwayne asked Chris as he stood up.
"No am ok, I will not move till she's awake and I Know she's ok. Until them my place is here but thanks " Chris told his boss as he turned Merri back over to face the fire and pulled her back against his chest making sure to wrap his legs over hers and take her hands in his.
Dwayne left the room and went back in to the kitchen to get more coffee before coming back to sit in the chair and watch over his agents and friends.
Dwayne finished his coffee and placed his cup on the floor. He stood up and walking round the agents on the floor, he added logs to the fire and leaned over placing his hand on Merri's forehead. He was pleased to feel it was warm now and her lips no longer blue. Looking at Chris he wasnt sure if he was awake or not so he never spoke but went back to the couch and lay down to go back to watching and waiting.
As the sun started to shine weekly through the windows of the cabin it fell across the 3 NCIS agents who were all sleeping. It looked like a normal scene to anyone who didn't know any different. As Tobias Fornell walked in to the cabin he put his head round the lounge door and took in the site before him. Agent Dwayne Pride was asleep on the couch with out his shirt on and lying on the floor in front of the fire was the still forms of agents LaSalle and Brody buried deep under a pile of blankets. To the side of the agents on the floor was a pile of wet clothing and shoes. Seeing the clothing he concluded that the agents under the blankets were naked or near enough to transfer as much body heat as possible. Taking a step in to the room he was shocked when he came face to face with the barrel of Dwayne Prides gun.
"Hell Tobias you scared the life out of me " Dwayne told the FBI agent lowering his weapon.
"Sorry, door was open so wanted to see how she was doing" Tobias said nodding in the direction of the 2 agents on the floor.
Dwayne nodded his head toward the kitchen and left the room leaving Fornell to follow him. Once in the kitchen he went to make coffee and offering one to Fornell he brought him up to speed on the recovery of Brody.
"We won't know till she wakes if there are any other problems but when we checked her over she looked ok " Dwayne told the FBI agent.
"Lets hope she wakes and all is well so you can all go home. You guy is under lock and key with a gun shot wound to the leg. He confessed to your murder so I will sent everything through to your office for when you get back " Tobias told Pride as he finished his coffee and made his way to the door.
Pride watched Fornell leave and locked the door behind him to make sure he didn't nearly end up shouting anyone else. Walking back in he looked down at the sleeping duo on the floor. He couldn't tell where one body ended and the other begun the way they were wrapped up together. He hoped when they woke they could move forward with their relationship. He had seen on Chris's face the way he felt about his partner but he had also heard Merri's finally words as he reached her in the ditch before she closed her eyes. He would speak to them both when they got home depending on how things went when they woke. For now it was a waiting game. Settling back on the couch he closed his eyes and said a thank you to whatever gods had watched his agents through the night.
Merri slowly opened her eyes and was blinded by light so quickly shut them again. Leaving her eyes shut she let her other senses take over to tell her what was going on.
The last thing she remembered was being cold and wet and closing her eyes with her last thoughts of her friend and partner and not telling him how she felt. Now lying warm and dry she wondered if she was dead. If she was it didn't feel to bad so far. Listening for any noise the only sound she could hear was breathing and it wasn't her own. The next sense she used was touch, moving her hands she felt a warm body wrapped up against hers and it was naked apart from a pair of shorts. Yes if this was being dead it felt really nice.
Using her sense of smell she inhaled deeply and caught a mixture of smoke from a fire and Chris LaSalle's aftershave. That was a strange combination if she was dead. Going back to her sense of touch she noticed she was naked apart from her underwear. Now she was at a loss as to what was going on so she decided it was time to try opening her eyes. Very slowly she opened her eyes so the bright light didn't blind her again. Looking straight in front of her she could see a very strong and well muscled shoulder which lead to an equally well muscled arm which she could tell was wrapped around her waist. Turning her head a little she thought now was the time to look up and see exactly who the man was that had her so tightly wrapped against him.
As her eyes drifted upwards they landed on first the chin then nose of the man, she held her breath as she knew deep down that as her eyes went up they would be met by a set of blue eyes that she knew so very well. Sure enough hers fell on the very set of blue eyes she had expected to see. Looking in to the blue eyes she was surprised to see what looked like a mixture of fear, concern and love. These were the eyes of one Chris LaSalle but they were different. She had always looked in to these eyes and saw charm,mischief and playfulness. What had happened to Chris for him to be so scared and frightened. It was then Chris spoke, if she had not been listening really well she would have missed it. Coming out at a cross between a whisper and a strangled sound of desperation she heard him say her name.
Chris had been woke by a hand moving down his body to his shorts then pulling away. Opening his eyes he looked down at the women in his arms and said a pray for the fact she was still with them. Then he heard and felt Merri take a deep breath in and he held his own breath, he swore it was her last breath and it would probably be his last if it was. He then felt her breath out and her breathing went back to normal. Letting out the breath he was holding he kept his eyes looking down at the top of her head waiting to see what she did next. He watched her turn her head and look at his chest and arm then back at his chest. Slowly he watched as her head started to move up and when their eyes came level his heart shattered in to a million pieces. Seeing her awake and looking at him was a miracle, after last night he never expected to see them beautiful brown eyes look at him ever again. Opening his mouth he said the only thing that came to his mind, her name. His voice nearly broke as he spoke as he was not quite sure she was real.
Seeing the look on Merri's face when he said her name and the confusen in her eyes he quickly reined his emotions in and got a grip. By the look on her face she had no knowledge of most of last night and the real danger she had been in. Bringing his hand up from her waist and resting it on her cheek he was pleased when she leaned her head toward his hand and closed her eyes. Drawing back slightly so he could see her, he moved both his hands to her face and cupped both cheeks before leaning forward he placed a long lingering kiss on her forehead.
"I thought I had lost you for good last night " Chris said after he kissed her head and moved back so he could look at her.
"I don't remember much after falling down the embankment. I can remember being cold and closing my eyes for a moment then that's it till I woke up now " Merri told a still very worried Chris.
"After you fell it took a little while to find you and get to you. By the time you were found you were slipping unconscious and hypothermia was kicking in. You ended up soaking when you fell which made things ten time worse. Pride reached you first with me close behind. I picked you up and carried you here then had to strip all you wet clothes off and try to get you warm again. At one point it took both Pride and I to warm you up as you were just so cold. I thought it was too late, I thought I had lost you as you just wouldn't warm up. I need you, don't ever scare me like that again" and with that he pulled her back against his chest and buried his face in her hair.
When Chris told her what had happened last night after she fell she was horrified. Hearing what had happened and how close she came to dying frightened her. Seeing the look on Chris's face and hearing the fear and pain in his voice made it seem all the more terrifying. When he finished telling her what happened and he pulled her back against his chest she turned her head so she could rest her face on his chest. She lay listening to his heart beat and feeling him breath and she knew that after what had happened she would never let him go. Pulling her head back a little but not breaking the contact they had she spoke
"As I feel I called out for you, I needed you with me. I needed you by my side then and I need you by my side now and always ".
"I heard you shout for me, I got to you as fast as I could. I am so sorry it took me so long. Maybe if I was quicker you wouldn't have been so ill " Chris said against her hair.
"Don't blame yourself Chris, none of this was your fault. I am happy you found me and happy you saved me. I am happy to open my eyes and find it was your arms I woke up in and no one else's especially due to the lack of clothes I have on " Merri told Chris trying to add some humor to the conversation.
Laughing a little Chris placed a kiss to Merri's hair and held tight against him. He never wanted to let go but he knew they both needed to move. Moving back a little he tilted her head a little so she was looking at him and asked
"How you feeling other wise? I checked you over when we got back and everything looked fine but all the blue on you I wasn't sure".
Lying still she did a physical check starting at her feet and working her way up. Nothing was broken but she did feel a little stiff and bruised in places but after being told she nearly died it was all good. Looking up at Chris she smiled and told him that she was fine. They lay still together for a while longer because they knew when they moved things would start and it would be a whirlwind till they got home.
At the doorway Dwayne had stood watching the scene un-fold before him. Watching the 2 agents and friends face what they had been through it was heartwarming to see them growing closer. They still had things they needed to talk about but he knew they would get there given time. He was pleased to hear Merri was awake and she wasn't hurt. His team had made it through another day, a little battered and bruised but they made it. He would go and arrange flights home for his team and they would go home and celebrate Christmas together.
Chris looked at Merri and leaning back he asked if she was feeling up to moving. She nodded her head then looked down at herself. Chris looked down as well then realised what the problem was. Kissing her on the head he shuffled from under the blankets and stood up before disappearing out the door. He reappeared a few minutes later carrying a pair of sweat pants and a sweat shirt. He had put a pair of sweat pants on himself with a t-shirt but he was still barefoot.
Kneeling down beside Merri he slide his hands under the blankets and supporting her back he helped her sit up. Passing her the hoodie she pulled it on and then slowly pulling the blankets back he revealed her legs. He couldn't help but look them over from top to bottom. He could see a couple of bruise starting to appear where she has fallen but he knew she was very lucky if that was the worst she had. Moving down to her feet he placed her legs in the pants then pulled them up as far as they would go. Using his shoulders for support she lifted herself up so he could slide the pants all the way up.
Letting her sit for a few moments he then stood up and leaning down in front of her he held out his hands for her to take. Merri reached up and took hold of Chris's hands and he gently helped her to stand. As she reached her full height she felt slightly light head, seeing her sway Chris let go of her hands and held her waist and pulled her against him to stop her falling. He stood still and waited for her to indicate she was ready to move before he picked her up in his arms and carried her the few feet over to the couch. Placing her gently down he stayed kneeling beside her and watched to make sure she was settled before he told her he would be back in a minute.
Chris came back carrying a breakfast tray with toast and coffee on. Laying it on her knee he sat down at the end of the couch to make sure she ate. Dwayne appeared at the door carrying another tray with more coffee and toast on. Walking over to Chris he passed him the tray and went and sat down in the chair.
"Can't have the nurse getting sick now can we. You got to eat as well Chris. We have a car arriving at 2 pm to take us to the airport where we are booked on a plane home away from all this snow " Dwayne told the 2 people sitting in front of him.
They both nodded and went back to eating their toast and drinking their coffee. When they were both finished they sat quietly enjoying the silence and that last few minutes of peace. Looking at the clock on the wall it was all ready mid day and they were due to leave in 2 hours. Chris stood up and went over to retrieve Merri breakfast tray. Taking both trays he came back in the to find Merri had sat up and was in the process of trying to stand up. Rushing over he stopped her before she could get to standing up and made her sit back down again.
"Where one earth do you think your going? you are in no fit state to be moving round especially without help. If you want something tell me and I will get it for you. You are not wandering round when you don't need to, understood " Chris told a very peeved looking Merri.
"Right well I need the bathroom so any suggestions " she looked at Chris and watched a small blush hit his cheeks.
Going back over to Merri he helped her to her feet and then slowly he led her down the hall and in to the bathroom. Leaving her in the bathroom he told her he would be just outside the door when she finished and not to lock the door just in case. Standing in the hall he waited for Merri to come out and when she did he helped her back along the hall and on to the couch. Making sure she had her feet up he went and got her a cup of coffee before grabbing the pile of wet clothes that were still on the floor.
Walking down the hall he went in to his bedroom first and dropped the pile of clothes on to the floor. Going through to Merri's room he quickly grabbed her bag and carried it through and placed it on his bed. Taking what was left of Merri's clean clothes out her bag he placed them in his bag then dumped all the wet clothes in her bag and zipped it up. Going back to his back he sorted through what they would need out to get them to the airport and then zipped the bag up and carried them both to the front door. Leaving the bags there he went and picked up the pile of clothes that he had left on the bed with the 2 pairs of shoes and came back in to the lounge.
"Lets get you up and ready to leave when the car arrives. We need you wrapped up warm since there is no coat to put on " Chris told Merri as walked over to her with a pile of clothes. Laying the stuff on the couch he disappeared out the room in to the kitchen. She heard him talking to Dwayne then he came back in and shut the door behind him. Coming over to sit next to her on the couch he took the t-shirt off the top of the pile and put it on his knee. He looked at her then back at the t-shirt,silently asking her if she wanted to do this herself of if she wanted him to stay and help. His question was answered when she lifted a sleeve of the hoodie up she was wearing and pulled her arm out before doing the same on the side then lifted the whole thing over her head.
Chris took a sharp breath in when he saw her sitting in just her bra. She was an attractive women with an amazing body and she looked very sexy sitting there half naked.
"After you have finished staring any chance I can have my t-shirt please " Merri said seeing Chris go red again.
Passing her the long-sleeved t-shirt he helped her slot it over her head and pull it down once her arms were in. As he pulled it down he saw her wince a little and stopped immediately. Getting up he walked round to look at her back and was shocked to see a bruise the size of his hand on her back. Bending down he gently ran his fingers over the bruise then leaned in and placed a kiss gently to the angry purple mark. Coming back round he sat back down and passed her a short sleeve t-shirt next which again he helped her put on. Once that was on he helped her put her hoodie back on and settle back in to the couch. Dropping to the floor he grabbed 2 pairs of socks of the couch and making sure he put the longest pair on first he put both pairs on Merri's feet. Standing back he looked her up and down to make sure she was all tucked in and wrapped up as much as he could. Then sitting back down he pulled on a pair of socks, a hoodie and finally a pair of shoes. Leaving Merri's shoes on the couch he turned and asked if she wanted anything to eat or drink as the taxi would be here in an hour. Saying yes to both Chris got up and went in to the kitchen to get them both something to eat and drink.
Coming back in Chris helped Merri to her feet and they walked in to the kitchen and sat at the table where Dwayne was currently sat eating some sort of pasta dish. They all sat and ate a bowl of Dwayne's special pasta and managed to finish their coffee and clean up before the car arrived at 2 pm to take them to the airport. Chris left Merri at the kitchen table while he got her shoes and helped her put them on. Dwayne loaded the bags in the car as Chris helped Merri get to the car. She insisted on walking as she knew they would not be alone when they came to leave. Sure enough when they walked down to the car Tobias had come over to see them off and to wish Merri a speedy recovery.
Chris bundled her in the car after she thanked Tobias and quickly walked round and climbed in sitting in the middle seat so he was right next to Merri. She had all ready fastened her seat belt so Chris did his up and then he lifted his arm up and placed it around her shoulders pulling her in to his side. Merri lay her head on Chris shoulder and reached across for his hand which was in his lap. Weaving her fingers through his she gave a contented sigh and shut her eyes. With the movement of the car she drifted off to sleep knowing when she woke Chris would still be there by her side. Chris felt Merri grow heavy and knew she was sleeping so he leaned his head against hers and placed a kiss to her head then shutting his eyes he let the motion of the car relax him and he soon fell asleep.