Watching Billy chase the colts, she smirked and took a drink from her mug. Closing her eyes, she savored the quiet afternoon. The boys would be home in five hours and Mary and Angie would be arriving home from their spring vacation. Opening her eyes, she gave a quick whistle and headed up the steps. Billy slipped past her and they walked through the barn to the door.

He trotted ahead of her as she closed the barn door and walked to the porch. Sitting in the porch swing, she rested her legs on the swing and closed her eyes. Billy rested on the porch at the steps and she allowed the relaxing afternoon pull her away from reality. An engine coming up the driveway crossed her mind, but she ignored it. Billy slowly got to his feet and she heard a truck door being shut.

Opening her eyes, she saw Billy running up to Nick with his tail wagging and a gentle barking carrying on. Nick knelt down to pet him and glanced up at her. She held his gaze as he rose and approached the steps. Billy trotted next to him and up the steps quickly. He sat at the top and watched the man approach her.

He leaned against the porch railing and asked, "Did you forget?"

She closed her eyes and said, "I didn't forget."

"Then why didn't you show?"

She smirked and said, "I don't do check-ups."

Frowning, Nick took the mug out of her hand and put it on a nearby table. She looked up at him and got to her feet.

"I don't believe you were invited to stop by."

He caught her shoulders and said, "You had a concussion, a severe one. A check up is required for those."

She pulled free and said, "I'd like it if you would just leave."

His eyes flashed and he said, "Fine. If the boys lose their mother to her stubborness, so be it."

He walked past her and quickly descended the porch steps. Watching him open the door to his truck, she stepped off the porch and Billy followed her to the barn. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Nick watching her and kept walking.

"Telling me how to run my life."

Billy glanced up at her and she nodded. He leapt through the fence and began hurding the animals in for the night. Watching him from the fence, she leaned against it and waited. Not hearing the engine start yet, she glanced over her shoulder and found him watching. Frowning, she turned her attention back to the task at hand and watched the last animal step into the barn.

Climbing the fence, she landed in the pasture and crossed the land to the large doors. Billy stood by the doors patiently and she pulled them closed. He stretched and she watched him make his way back to the fence. Slowly she followed him and climbed the fence once more. Her boots hitting the gravel underneath her, she lets out a deep breath and spots Nick waiting at the hood of his truck.

Her eyes narrowed once more and she asks, "What does it take for you to leave?"

His eyes remained still and he said, "You doing what's right for you kids."

She rolled her eyes and walked past him, saying, "I am."

He caught her wrist as she climbed the porch steps and she turned back to him.

"I suggest you leave."

He remained quiet and she pulled free. Billy rested at the top of the steps and she stepped over him. Nick followed her up quietly and caught the door before she slammed it in his face. Pushing it open, he stepped into the house and closed it behind him.

"Get out."

His eyes met hers and he said, "Not until you get to the hospital."

She growled and said, "I'm not going. Now, leave."

He caught her waist and pulled her to him. Holding her gaze, he studied her eyes and read the indecision she hid well.

"You just didn't want me to do the check-up."

She looked away and said, "Let me go."

He caught her chin and asked, "Is that true?"

Slowly she met his gaze and said, "Yes."

His eyes were hard and she tried to pull free, but he held her tightly. Slowly his hand ran through her black hair and his lips brushed hers. Closing her eyes, her mind dwelled on his taste as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Feeling the tension winding in her stomach, she pulls back and holds his gaze.

"This has to stop."

His eyes hold hers and she explains, "I can't have this."

His jaw tightened slightly and he pulled her back to him. Capturing her mouth once more, he felt her surrender to him and ran his hand through her hair.

"Nick, please..."

Pulling back enough to breathe, he watched her take a deep breath and glance at the hallway clock. Her hand slipped into his and she led him up the stairs. Standing outside her bedroom, he caught her and spun her around. Fastening his mouth to hers once more, He walked her into the room and pushed the door shut behind him.

______________________________________________

The sun filled the room with its afternoon warmth and she took a deep breath. His hand ran through her hair and she closed her eyes. A noise came from across the room and she rolled onto her back as he pulled out his pager. Hearing him toss it back down by his pants, she turned back to him and found him watching her.

"You're not going to answer it?"

He shook his head and said, "It can wait."

His mouth sought hers and the sensations filled her mind once more. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sighed contently. He rested on his back with her head on his shoulder once more.

"This is the last thing I expected."

He smirked and said, "Shouldn't have been."

She looked up at him and sat up slowly. Looking around the room, she took a deep breath and checked the time.

"What is it?"

"The boys."

He checked the time and said, "They've got another three hours."

She looked back at him and said, "I have to have dinner started by the time they get home."

He pulled her back down to him and heard, "Mary and Angie will be getting back tonight from their trip. I promised the boys a chance to hear all about it after dinner."

His hand ran through her hair once more and he said, "I see."

She looked up at him again and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Sitting up, she pushed the sheet aside and quickly dressed.

Holding her shirt in her hand, she heard, "I don't know."

Pulling her shirt over her head, she flipped her hair off her neck and moved over to her dresser. Pulling her hair back, she caught him watching her and paused.

"You really shouldn't be here when they get home."

He sat up and started to pull his clothes on. She forced her gaze back to pulling her hair back. Turning around, she found him standing in front of her, completely dressed.

He held her in her seat and said, "Hiding what we have isn't good for you."

She held her breath as his scent filled her senses and weakened her resolve. Meeting his gaze, she watched him step back and open the door. She followed him out into the hall and closed her door. He caught her instantly in his arms and crushed his mouth to hers. Her arms went around his neck and she closed her eyes to the pleasure.

His pager beeped again and she pulled away. Descending the steps, she kept her back to him and moved into the kitchen. Hearing him open the door, she took a deep breath and waited. He stepped into the room and turned her around to him.

Stealing her breath with a single kiss, he said, "Quit fighting me."

He pulled back from her and left the room. Hearing the door close, she let out a sigh and began preparing the dinner.

PGS