Ike lay still on his pile of bedrolls. He listened as the others adjusted themselves in their beds, shifted their positions and drifted off to sleep. He knew each of them well enough that he could tell when they were all mostly asleep. Cody's deep breathing was always a giveaway that he had drifted off. Lou would shift in her bunk and eventually he would hear her touching the wall like she needed to know it was there, knowing a little of what her life had been like, that sound always broke his heart. Buck would snore heaviest just before he fell into his deepest sleep and then he was very still and quiet. Jimmy never moved or made a sound, it was a little eerie and Kid always was the last to drift off, Ike suspected he too was listening to all the others and making sure everyone was safe at rest before he allowed himself peace.

As the others began to sleep, Ike took a risk that he hoped would be okay and laid his hand on the edge of the bed that he normally slept in, that tonight held Joes. He felt the mattress dip around the weight of his hand and wondered if she had noticed.

Josephine grinned in the dark as she felt the mattress adjust slightly even though she hadn't moved. She slid her hand slowly to the edge and then down until she felt Ike's hand. As their fingers touched, she immediately felt sparks going up her arm and down her back. She suddenly felt warm all over and was both excited and afraid.

Is this okay? * Ike asked slowly into her hand

Instinctively, Joes nodded and then realized how silly that was. *Yes. I feel* she paused because the action of the sign caused her to drag her fingers across Ike's palm and she felt the touch throughout herself and wasn't expecting anything like that. *I like talking with you* she said instead.

Is this getting easier? * Ike asked, trying to sign at a more normal talking pace so slowly was maddening.

Yes. The more we talk like this, the easier it becomes. *

We can talk like this anytime you want. *

That would be rude*

No one would know. It's not like they don't whisper. *

I don't think Cody has ever whispered in his life. * At this, Ike squeezed her hand tightly in his and Joes took it as laughter and agreement.

I'm sorry about Jimmy. If I'd known, I'd have offered you my bed or asked Emma if you could stay at her house. Or…. *

Ike, stop.* Joes said and held his hands in hers. Without understanding why, she leaned down and kissed his fingers lightly and when he looked at her, she said, *You couldn't have known. No one was hurt. Scared, yes. Startled, definitely. But we're all okay and I learned something very important about you. *

About me? * Ike asked hesitantly.

Yes, you. * Joes took her hands away from his for a moment so she could scoot over more on the bed and see his face a bit better in the dark. She lightly touched the side of his face for just a second and reveled at how that brief contact could send shivers and sparks simultaneously through her entire body.

Swallowing, she laid her hands lightly in Ike's waiting ones and continued her eyes never leaving his face. *I learned that I can trust you. You said I'd be safe here and I am. When you thought I was in trouble you did everything you could to help me. That means something, Ike. *

Ike lifted his one hand slowly and touched her cheek. His second hand slid slowly into hers and intertwined their fingers. Ike smiled as she leaned her head into his hand and rested there. Slowly and gently, Ike brought his hand closer to himself. He lifted his head to meet her and lightly, gently touched his lips to hers very briefly and then slid her head back onto the bed so that his eyes didn't leave hers the whole time, which let him see her smile and her eyes light up.

So does that. * Ike signed gently into her hand.

Joes reached out and touched Ike's cheek and held it for a moment. Then brought herself to him and pressed her lips against his and held him to her as a tear rolled down her cheek and she felt that inexplicable thing that happens every time they touched.

Ike felt the soft wetness of her tear on his lip and pulled slightly back, his tongue running over the salty spot. His fingers wiping the track from her cheek as he looked carefully at her but saw only happiness reflected back at him. He ran his thumb lightly over her lips and felt her intake of breath at the touch and his body responded to her instinctively and he paused trying to think.

Joes leaned forward, her lips first touching his thumb lightly and then kissing the work-roughened fingerpad. She then turned her head and found Ike's lips with her own and showed him that she was okay without words. Ike slid his arms up and pulled her closer and felt her body shift right to the edge of the bed and smiled when he felt her knee bump his shoulder.

Feeling Ike's lips move over hers, she matched the movement and enjoyed the change in sensation as she could now feel his breath on her lips. She could almost taste him from his breath and her curiosity couldn't be helped and her tongue slipped out and ran over his bottom lip wanting to taste him more.

Ike felt the groan that wanted to escape build deep within him, his body wouldn't allow its release but instead he slid his tongue onto Joes' lips and began to tease them lightly begging entrance. He felt her surrendering to him and her mouth open under his and he slid his tongue into the warm depths. He ran his tongue over her teeth and with his tongue exploring, tasting and enjoying this intimacy that he had never experienced like this before.

"Snrfflf"

Ike pulled suddenly away from Joes and looked around. He didn't see anything but the realization that they were being very brazen right in front of everyone suddenly made Ike's entire face redden, he could feel it even in the dark.

We should get some sleep* Ike said with his signs almost dancing across Joes palms. *Morning will be here soon, and I'd like to take you riding if you'd be interested. *

Of course, I want to go riding with you Ike. * She touched his cheek and felt the warmth and knew that the sound she had heard must have concerned him more than she thought at first. She was just glad it wasn't her that had him pulling away.

She felt Ike reach down and pull the blankets back up over her and smooth them over her shoulders and smiled.

Sleep well* he signed before slipping her hand into his hand and laying down on his own bed and shutting his eyes. As he lay there, Ike knew he wouldn't be sleeping that night, and he was happy about it.