Laughter echoed down the hall as the doctor took the paperwork away from him. He watched the man examine everything and saw the smile capture the man's face. The doctor shook his head and Reese saw the look in his eye.

"I want a moment with her alone before you take her home."

He nodded slowly and watched the man slip into the room. The door shut behind him and Joe looked over at him. She was sitting on the bed in a fresh pair of clothes her family had brought over. Her arm was still wrapped but a small scar had grown in place of the cut to her temple. The man approached her and took the seat in front of her.

"All the papers are signed and they're ready to get you out of here."

"That's not why you're here."

He met the woman's stern brown gaze and nodded. The woman had gotten some energy back but he could still see the damage the disease had left on her.

"You overcame something impossible. I know you're strong but you have to watch it."

She stood up and said "I know."

He sat back in the chair and watched her walk over to the window. She looked out at the morning sun and he watched her take a deep breath.

"Does Reese know?"

She shook her head and said "Telling him that all his efforts and progress could mean nothing in one moment wouldn't be fair."

"Hiding the fragile condition isn't either. He's had enough kept from him over these years, Joe."

She closed her eyes and heard "There's one more thing."

Slowly she looked over at him and watched the doctor stand up. He took a deep breath and met her with a stern medical stare.

"No matter what happens between the two of you, you cannot allow yourself to carry another child."

She pulled her gaze away and he explained.

"That much stress on your system in its current condition will kill you. Maybe not before the due date or the time shortly afterwards, but it will kill you."

Taking a deep breath, she kept her back to him and said "I don't plan on it."

The man nodded and silently left the room. She listened to the door shut behind him and let out the restrained breath trapped inside her chest. Her hand caught hold of the ring resting against her skin and she looked out the window. A soft knock drew her attention to the door and she watched the man step into the room. He had a jacket waiting for her and she silently crossed the room.

He watched her slip it on and hid the groan at how slim she had become. He caught the guarded look in her eyes but knew now was not the time to talk.

"Ready?"

"More than you could imagine."

He let her into the hall and they found the family waiting. Bear joined her at her side and they walked down the hall. She felt the sun on her skin before it touched her face and let its warmth slip through her. She found Daemon saddled and packed with her travel bag. Will climbed into Champ's saddle with Grace behind him and she watched Reese approach Daemon.

"Will knows how to handle Champ. You'll ride with me."

"I can ride."

"Not for that long with your shoulder still healing."

She caught the gaze of her father and saw the slow smirk crossing the man's face. Slowly she looked back at Reese and found him watching an approaching coach. His jaw tightened and she watched her father's old friend dismount. The man removed his hat and approached the blonde protector.

"I was informed you have arrested my son."

The man didn't blink and said "He is in the jail."

The chief walked into the jail and he let out a slow breath. Everyone was watching him but he focused on Joe. She took a deep breath and slowly caught his gaze.

"Do what you have to do."

"I don't know how long this is going to take."

She nodded and said "Just come back when you can."

He took a deep breath and saw the chief returning with Mike still restrained. The man was pushed into the coach and turned a heated gaze on Reese.

"You have better have to have one hell of a reason for doing this to my son."

"He was given a warning and ignored it."

The chief got in his face and said "You know better than anyone we do not do this to fellow officers."

"He committed a crime. He is being treated as a regular criminal."

The man looked ready to strangle him and said "Get in."

"No."

They looked over at Will and watched him approach. He stood in front of Reese and looked up at the chief. The man studied the young boy and looked up at his father.

"When did you find out?"

"You knew?"

The man nodded and said "I have known since he was born."

"About a year ago."

The chief shook his head and said "I still have to take you with me."

Will tried to argue with him but Reese said "Then let's just get this over with."

"You will not take my son anywhere, Sam."

The chief looked over his shoulder and watched the elder blonde man leave the door of the hotel. Reese watched the man stand in front of his boss and felt Will grab his arm.

"He crossed the line, Kevin. I have no choice."

"He was protecting his family. The exact family your son threatened to destroy."

Sam looked back at Reese and asked "What is he talking about?"

"That man shot my mom!"

Sam looked down at Will but realized the voice belonged to Grace. She was holding onto Joe's good arm and was staring up at him with uncertainty. Sam looked at the mother in topic and took in the wrapped arm and faint scar on her face.

"He said you threatened him with your gun."

"Only after he threatened mine."

Sam shook his head and let out a sigh. Everything was too clear for him and he hated the situation he was in. He turned his gaze to the silent blonde man and found him waiting for the final decision. Mack pushed his way into sight and Sam took a deep breath.

"She was the one from college?"

Mack nodded and the man let out a low curse. He took in all the hard gazes and walked to the coach. Yanking the door open, he pulled his son out and felt the man flinch at the crowd in front of him.

"You didn't tell me that she was protecting her family."

"I was following the lead given to me about her gun."

"Gun? You mean the one her mother left her?"

"You knew about it?"

Sam groaned and asked "Can I see it?"

Reese removed it from the saddle bag on Daemon's back and handed it over. The man looked it over and held it up for Mike to see.

"I personally registered this weapon when her mother fell ill."

Mike grew pale and Sam said "Get him ready to leave, Greg."

The young man shoved Mike back into the coach. Sam took a deep breath and turned back to Reese.

"This is the last time. If you cross the line one more time I'll have to take you with me."

"Sir."

"Now, take your family home and give yourself a break."

He climbed into the coach and the driver slowly took them from the town. Will released Reese's arm and returned to Champ. Joe helped Grace up into the saddle as Kevin approached his son. Mack joined them and watched his daughter talk with the kids.

"You knew about Will."

Kevin nodded and said "She came to me when she found out she was expecting. I told her not to tell you until the time was right."

"This whole time you've known your grandson."

The man nodded and Mack said "I think we all should head home and give each other space. Kevin, you are welcome to come stay with us. Everyone else is going to be at the house for a few days while everything settles down."

Reese held his father's gaze and silently returned to Daemon. The man swung up into the saddle and waited on Joe. She planned on riding behind him but he pulled her up in front. Silently he had Daemon leave the town and some of the frustration slipped off his shoulders. Her head rested against his neck and she let him control the ride while her thoughts began to take over.

The sun was long gone for the night when they trotted down the drive to the barn. He helped her down and dismounted without a sound. She watched him tend to Daemon and grabbed her bag. Crossing the drive, she dug out the keys and heard the running paws. She unlocked the front door as Bear bolted up the steps and raced inside the moment she opened the door.

Turning the hallway light on, she let him escort her upstairs and into her closed room. Turning the light on, she put her bag on the floor by her closet and walked downstairs. The sound of the incoming riders slid through the night and she dug out some food for an evening snack. Bear laid in front of the back door watching her and his ear went up as everyone filed in. Will grabbed one of the sandwiches she made and took a seat at the counter.

Teddy joined him at the counter as almost everyone else sat at the table. She grabbed the last sandwich left and left the kitchen. Climbing the stairs, she walked down the hall and knocked on Grace's open door. The girl was sitting on her bed and smiled as she approached.

"It's late and you need to eat."

Grace took the sandwich and asked "What about you?"

"I'm fine for the night."

The girl took a bite and she kissed the young head. Walking to the door, she stopped and looked back at her.

"I'll see you in the morning. Get some rest."

Grace nodded and said "It's good to be home."

Smirking, she left the room and stepped aside as Will and Teddy entered his room. She watched the two get ready for bed from the doorway and entered once Will was in bed. He looked up as she approached and watched her take a seat next to him.

"How are you feeling?"

He fought off the yawn and said "Just tired. How are you?"

She smirked and said "The same."

"Doctor told me to take it easy."

She nodded and said "He is good at repeating himself."

She kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair as she stood up. He watched her walk to the door and sat up.

"Mom."

She looked back at him and he said "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Me too. Now, get some sleep."

She turned off the light and left the door ajar before heading back to her room. Bear lifted his head from the bed and she scratched his ear. Digging out a pair of clothes for sleeping, she changed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. Pulling her hair up off her neck, she pulled out the medication given to her and took the required amount as she brushed her teeth. Leaving the bathroom, she walked over to the window and looked up at the clear, cool sky.

Bear hopped off the bed and settled down on his bed by her. She looked over at the door and found the blonde man watching her. His amber eyes were glowing in the dark room and she watched him shut the door as he stepped inside. Silently she slid into bed and felt him join her. She rested on her side facing him and felt his hand slide through her hair, removing the hair tie.

"How are you feeling?"

She took a deep breath and said "Tired."

He kissed her temple and said "Get some sleep then. You need it."

She closed her eyes and let his body warmth lure her to sleep. Watching her rest, he ran his hand along the bandage on her arm and found her skin slightly warmer. Right now she didn't look fragile or a woman recovering from the closest thing to death and still living. Silently he kissed her and drew her into his side. Her arm rested on his chest and he ran his hand along her spine.

"You know they're going to ask."

"You're supposed to be sleeping."

She opened her tempting brown eyes and said "We have to come up with a plan."

He shook his head and said "No plan needed."

"Reese, I didn't die. You know how my father is going to act."

One eyebrow went up and she said "You did get me pregnant."

He groaned and said "I didn't take him for being old fashion."

She shrugged and said "Some things you can't change."

Looking her in the eye, he caught her chin and said "We'll get through it."

He could see the slight doubt in her eyes and captured her mouth. Tasting the sweet taste he missed even in his dreams, he held her to him and left her without argue. She felt the electricity flying through her and slowly pulled back.

"We can't."

She sat up and ran her hand through her hair. He took a deep breath and sat up beside her.

"What is it?"

"Acting on emotions is not what we need to do right now."

"It's exactly what we should be doing. I'm not going anywhere and I'm sure as hell not going to let you slip away again."

She saw the determination in his eyes and said "You will."

"What are you talking about?"

She looked down at the ring and said "I can't give you anything else if we stay together."

"I'm not looking for anything else."

"Yes you are. You just don't think about it."

He saw the guarded look returning to her face and he made her look at him.

"What is it?"

She took a deep breath and said "I don't want to marry you if I can't give you anymore children."

His eyes narrowed in on her and he said "I never said I wanted anymore kids. Will and Grace are all I need."

She shook her head and said "Right now you think that. It will change."

She went to get up but he locked her arm in his grip. He made her look at him and ran his hand through her hair.

"The doctor told you this?"

"He said no children or it will kill me."

He let out a slow breath and said "Then we won't have any. All I want right now is what we have."

She met his gaze and he ran his hand along her jaw. Slowly he drew her back to him and silenced all the questions with a fiery kiss. Feeling the power slip through her, she felt him remove the necklace and slide the ring off.

"Marry me Joe and this time don't leave me."

She closed her hand over his and said "You didn't have to ask again."

"Just answer me, woman."

Nodding, she pulled him down to her and felt the ring slowly settle on her finger once more. She slid her hands through his blonde hair and breathed him in. He slowly lowered her onto her back and kissed an invisible line down her neck. The slight tremble underneath his touch brought a smirk to his mouth and she drank him in.