Hearing the alarm going off, he rolls over and hits the clock, sending it flying to the floor. Frowning, he sits up and puts it back on the sidetable. A knock from the door gets his attention and he looked up just as Meghan opened the door. She smiled when she saw him and left the room.

'Why?'

Pulling himself out of bed, he stumbled over to his bathroom and turned the light on. Turning on the shower, he sat on the closed toilet and waited for the shower to heat up. His body was on fire and the shower would calm it. He didn't need to be uncomfortable at work, he couldn't afford it. Five minutes under the water, he turns it off and wraps a towel around his waist.

Stepping out onto the bathroom rug, he opened the door and moved back to his room. Pulling on a pair of black boxers, he picked up the jeans he had laid out and pulled them on. Pulling on a pair of socks, he moved over to his dresser and slabbed some deoderant on before pulling his shirt on. Fixing his shirt in the mirror, he grabbed his work shoes and slipped the Nikes on. Grabbing his jacket from the closet, he turned the light off and stepped out of his room.

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"Mom! We're home!"

Hearing the boys from the barn, she rose from her desk and Billy darted out the door to meet the boys. She caught them hugging on the collie and waited for their attention.

"Dinner is over at Mary's tonight. I have things I have to get done before tomorrow."

Their smiles faltered slightly and Jared asked, "Can't we help?"

She knelt in front of him and said, "In a few years. You're boys. You're suppose to enjoy the freedom you have right now."

Timmy nodded slowly and asked, "Will we be sleeping here?"

She looked at him and said, "No. I will come get you two when I'm finished."

They nodded and she hugged them. Billy sat patiently aside and she walked them cross the drive to the porch. They ran inside and grabbed their bags while she looked across the yard to see if Mary was ready for them. She stepped out her door and nodded. The boys stepped onto the porch and she walked them over to Mary's.

Jared walked inside instantly and Timmy looked back at her. She gave him one last hug and watched his disappear down the hallway.

Mary closed the door behind him and said, "Don't over do it."

Katie nodded with a fake smile and said, "I'll try not be late getting them."

She nodded and stepped into the house. The door closed behind her and Katie walked back to the barn. Billy followed her slowly into the barn and rested on the floor in the office. She sat back down and picked up the pen lying on top of the paperwork.

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Tossing the gloves into the waste basket, he removed the blood covered covering and tossed it as well. The nurse cleaned up the mess and he left the room. Walking down the hall, he slipped into the doctor lounge and collapsed onto the green couch under the window. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

The day had been hectic from the moment he had clocked in. Patient after patient in life threatening situations. Frowning at his luck, he tried to seek some relaxation in the quiet room. The door opened and he looked up. Trent walked over to the fridge and pulled out two pops.

He tossed one his way and he took it without a word. Opening it, he took a long drink and leaned his head back once more.

"Worse day this year."

Looking at the man, he found him watching him with a weird grin on his face.

"What?"

Trent propped his feet on a table and asked, "Have you heard from Katie?"

Frowning, he got to his feet and walked over to his locker. Opening it, he pulled off his work coat and pulled on his jacket.

"I thought you liked her."

He looked over his shoulder at the man and heard him laugh. Closing his locker, he picked up his pop and clocked out. Trent got to his feet and he walked to the door.

"Go see her. See how she's doing."

Looking at him one last time, he received another round of laughter and stepped out into the hall.

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With her neck and shoulders aching, she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Billy looked up at her and moved over to the chair. He rested his head on her leg and she rubbed his ear.

"I keep forgetting how hard this is on me."

He let out a soft whine and she looked down at him. Rubbing his ear some more, she leaned back once more and closed her eyes.

"What am I going to do?"

His ears went up and he got to his feet. Feeling him leave, she let her arm dangle off the side and let out a deep sigh. Hearing a door shut, she leaned forward and put the paperwork away. Billy's bark brought her to her feet and she moved past the entrance to check on the livestock room. Everything being secured for the night, she turned off the light and shut the door.

Walking to the entrance, she turned off the light and slipped out the door. Turning around, she saw the truck and rolled her eyes as she headed to the porch. Needing to get the house cleaned up for the night, she walked onto the porch and opened the door.

"You look like hell."

Hearing his voice, she looked up and found him standing in the corner of the porch. Opening the door, she shrugged and stepped inside. Walking into the living room, she put pillows back on the couch and moved down the hall into the kitchen. No dirty dishes meant the night off from being on her feet for at least an hour longer. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and bumped into Nick.

She stumbled backwards and he caught her. Getting her balance under control, she moved passed him and forced her tired body up the stairs. Stepping into the boys' room, she picked up their dirty clothes and put them away. Pulling down their bedding, she fixed their pillows and stepped into the hall.

"Where are boys?"

She saw him at the bottom of the steps and said, "At Mary's. On my way to get them."

He stepped aside for her to clear the landing and said, "Let me help you."

She shook her head and said, "It's not a problem. Part of being a mom."

She stepped onto the porch and he caught her arm. Looking back at him, she saw the worn look in his gaze. Not wanting to add to his long day anymore than she wanted it to happen to her, she nodded. He closed the door and they descended the porch steps. Billy followed them across the drive and waited at the edge as they approached Mary's house.

One knock and the door opened. Mary smiled when she saw them and let them in. He paused to talk to her while Katie walked down the hall and into the living room. The boys were sleeping on the couch and she sighed as she picked up their bags, slipping them onto her back. Turning to Timmy, she slipped her arms around him and lifted him up with some pain following.

Knowning it from exhaustion, she pushed it aside and shook her head.

"It use to be easy when you two were little."

Mary chuckled and she looked up at her friend. Nick stepped past the woman and moved to the couch. He scooped up Jared and took his bag from her. Holding his gaze, she tried to smile but failed. They walked past Mary and down the hall. Stepping outside, she turned around and found her friend watching her.

"Go on. I know."

She nodded and said, "Thank you for watching them."

Mary nodded and said, "Get them to bed quick. You are about to drop yourself."

Turning around, she found Nick waiting for her down the walk. Joining him, they crossed the driveway and slowly climbed the porch steps. Billy followed them inside the house and trotted up the stairs first. Reaching their room, she put Timmy in his bed and put his bag next to his desk. She pulled his shoes off and then slipped off his shirt.

He rolled onto his side and she pulled his sheet up around his shoulders. Kissing him goodnight, she moved over to Nick and took Jared from him. Putting him in bed, she pulled his shoes off and put his bag by his desk as well. Slipping his shirt off, she pulled his blanket up to his shoulders and kissed him goodnight. Putting their shirts in the dirty basket, she walked to the door and turned off the light.

Closing the door, she turned around and found him watching her. Too tired to see him off, she opened her door and moved into her room. He closed the door behind him and she glanced at him as she pulled off her boots. She picked up her nightwear and moved over to her bathroom. Changing into the clothes, she let her hair down and stepped back into the bedroom.

He stood by the door and she opened her window before returning to her bed. Sitting down, she leaned her head forward and ran her hand along her tight neck. He crossed the room and caught her hand from behind. She stilled as his hands worked a gentle massage on her neck and she closed her eyes.

"Thank you for helping."

He focused on loosening her neck and she caught his hands. Turning around to face him, she met his gaze and brushed her lips over his.

"Katie..."

She closed her eyes and said, "I'm not going to be able to see you off."

"It's fine."

Lying down, she looked up at him and watched him get up. Snatching his hand, she saw his gaze snap back to hers.

"Just stay."

He sat back down and pulled off his shoes slowly. Turning back to her, he found her already asleep and brushed the hair from her face. Lying next to her, he wrapped his arm around her and held her close to him.

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Feeling the warm body beneath his arm, he slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the woman. She was sound asleep still and yet still as dangerous as ever. The morning sun danced in her black hair and her dark tan skin glowed with the sun's touch. He kissed her arm and took in the sweet scent of her hair. She shifted slightly and slowly opened her green eyes.

"Tell me it's not morning yet."

He shook his head and she moaned. Rolling away from him, she looked at her clock and sat up slowly. He caught her shoulder and she looked back at him.

"I have to make breakfast."

"It's Saturday."

She sighed and said, "The feed will be here this afternoon."

He stopped her again and said, "Stay. It's only seven in the morning. You were up past midnight."

She rested her head on the pillow and looked up at him. He brushed the black strands from her face and caught her hand running down his jaw. She was relaxed this time, relaxed and okay with him being here. Brushing his lips over hers, he felt the lightning strike inside him and fought to keep it innocent. She wrapped her arms around his neck slowly and the kiss deepened slowly.

PGS