The rain continued to pour down and Nathan paced the veranda, using the flashes of lightning to see into the distance. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all.

She had said that she and Katie were going to take the sailboat over to the small deserted island adjacent to his. A girls day out she had said, for sun-bathing, swimming and girl talk. Katie had just got some leave and since she and Kristin hadn’t seen each other for a while, she’d invited her out to the island for a day or two of relaxation. They had left several hours before and the day had been sunny and beautiful before the storm had come up unexpectedly.

Not that that was unusual in this area… And he knew that both Katie and Kristin were good sailors, but it still didn't stop him from worrying. What if they'd left the island before the storm struck? They could be adrift somewhere. And the damn boat didn't have a radio. 

He told himself he was worrying needlessly. Borrowing trouble, Kristin would have said, but he had this feeling in the pit of his stomach. A feeling he had had on more than one occasion. One that had saved his life and warned him things weren’t right… Instinctively, he knew that they were in some kind of trouble. What kind of trouble or how bad, he had no idea.

Nathan swore under his breath, aware that he should do something… Go out and look for them. But, with the sailboat gone, he only had a small dinghy and heading out into the storm in that, would be tantamount to suicide. He hated feeling so damned useless and cursed himself for not remembering to fix the components that had fried when he last used the radio. Hell, he couldn't even remember if they'd taken the lifejackets. The storm continued to rage and with each clap of thunder his anxiety grew. 

He resumed his nervous pacing along the veranda and as he reached the far end, a bright flash revealed a form in the water. Racing to the stairs, he bounded down them, braving the gale force winds and rain as he ran to the end of the dock.

The figure disappeared under the water and Nathan looked around desperately for something they could grab on to, his eyes finally lighting on a discarded gaff hook. He thrust it into the murky depths over and over until he felt a tug on the other end and the distraught face of Katherine Hitchcock broke the surface.

"Is she here?" The young woman gasped. "I lost her in the storm."

Nathan pulled her none-too-gently onto the deck. "No. What the hell happened?"

"Boat sank. We tried to swim for it. I couldn't…" Her eyes closed as the effort of the long swim took its toll on her.

"Katie?" Nathan called anxiously and shook her. "How far out did you lose sight of her? Katie?"

"D’know." She mumbled and he swore under his breath as she lapsed into an exhausted sleep.

Picking the young woman up he carried her into the house and set her on the sofa, covering her with a blanket to keep her warm. With Katie taken care of he headed back out onto the veranda, not caring that he too, was soaked to the skin. "Kristin… Oh God where are you?"

                                            

The water seemed to be trying to claim her for its own. She was a strong swimmer, but when the boat capsized something had caught her on the side of the head and almost knocked her senseless. She'd heard Katie yelling that they'd have to swim for it and tried to figure out which direction the voice had come from, but she couldn't see anything in the darkness of the storm. She felt herself being dragged under again.

There was no way that she could make it to Bridger's Island, not in her condition. But maybe she could get back to where they'd started from - that had to be closer…

She swam until she was sure she couldn’t do another stroke. She was tired, so very, very tired, and so cold she didn’t think she would ever be warm again. Just when she had lost all hope of ever reaching her destination and when she was about to give up, a flash of lightning revealed the hazy outline of an island. Which island, she wasn’t sure… But it was close and she felt a new surge of hope and energy.

What felt like an eternity later the water grew more and more shallow and soon her feet were able to touch the bottom. Climbing wearily to her feet, Kristin waded onto the beach then collapsed onto the sand.

                                            

Nathan was alternating between waiting for Katie to wake and striding to the end of the jetty, in the forlorn hope that Kristin would make it back. But, as the time passed he knew, in his heart, that she wasn't going to make it. If anything, the storm was worse and he prayed to God that it didn't turn into a full-blown hurricane.

The wind was getting stronger and he could hardly keep his feet. Reluctantly, he returned inside to be greeted by an anxious and apologetic Katie. 

"Oh Sir, God I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have lost her… I..."

"Katie… It wasn’t your fault."

"But…"

"No buts. Kristin is a strong swimmer and she’s smart… Smart enough to know to turn back if she can’t make it here." He said, more to convince himself than her. "Why don’t you go and take a hot shower and put on something dry? I’m not sure how long the power is going to last in this. It might be your last chance for a while."

"Yes sir. She’ll be all right…" The young woman added before headed to the bathroom.

"I hope so, oh God I hope so." Nathan whispered, eyes returning to the dark beyond the veranda.

                                            

Something stirred her… As she drew nearer to consciousness Kristin knew that the storm was getting worse and she had to find some kind of shelter. In her dazed mind, she recalled seeing a cave near the beach when they had explored earlier. Struggling groggily to her feet, she shuffled off in the general direction she remembered the
 cave being.

In the darkness she grew disoriented and lost her bearings but just before the storm’s fury expanded into a hurricane she found the cave and took several steps inside before she slipped to the sand and lost consciousness once again

                                            

The house was suddenly plunged into darkness and Nathan heard Katie yelp. He fairly sprinted to the bathroom door. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah… I'm fine. Water's damn cold though."

Despite his worry he couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sorting out some oil lamps. I'll leave one outside the door for you."

"Thanks."

Minutes later he returned with a lighted lamp. "I’m heading outside to close the shutters and make sure everything is secure." he told her.

"Okay."

With that, he slipped away again. Grabbing an all-weather flashlight and slipping on a jacket he crossed to the door.

                                            

Katie found him in the living room, staring out to sea. She walked up behind him and after a second's hesitation, gently rubbed his back. "I really am sorry, Nathan. I feel awful and I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through."

"It's what Kristin's going through that worries me." 

"I know but she’s sensible and won’t take any chances. I’m sure she’s found someplace to wait out the storm." She said reassuringly.

"I hope so Katie, I really do. I keep telling myself that she’s all right. But there’s a part of me, the part that’s connected to her in a way that I can’t even begin to describe to you. And that part is
telling me that she’s out there, that she’s cold and hurt and in pain. And what hurts me the most is that I can’t do a damned thing about it. She could... die before we find her and there’s nothing I can do but sit here and feel her slowly slipping away from me."

"Nathan…"

"It happened before you know… with Carol."

"Your wife?"

"Yes. There was a hurricane then too. She was sick, damned sick… And I couldn't do anything to help her, either. Christ…" He lashed out suddenly, hitting the window with his fist. Katie jumped back startled as the glass splintered. 

When pulled his hand back, she saw the rivulets of red as the blood coursed down from a large gash. She jumped into action, running to the kitchen where she knew Kristin’s medical bag was. She picked it up from the counter and returned to him.

Kneeling beside him she said quietly. "Come on, let me take care of that."

When he seemed reluctant for her to help him she added. "You know that Kristin will have both our butts in a sling when she gets back and finds out we didn’t fix this."

At that, he gave her a nod and held out his hand. Opening the bag, Katie rummaged through it and pulled out a roll of gauze, some instant sutures, tape and a tube of antiseptic.

"No injections."

"Nathan, I…"

"No injections. Kristin is the only one that I trust to do that." Katie looked insulted.

"I am qualified. I did all the courses."

Nathan squeezed her hand gently. "No."

"Okay." She carefully began to swab the worst of the cuts before bandaging them.

"There, all done." She said quietly as she applied the last bit of tape to hold the gauze in place.

"How does it feel? Too tight?"

"No it’s fine." He said absently.

"Pain?"

"Hurts like a son of a bitch."

"Then let me..."

"No." he remained adamant, getting up from the chair and crossing to the credenza where he picked up a bottle of whiskey. She watched him pour a healthy shot into a glass tumbler.

"Getting drunk isn’t going to help. "

"Probably not… But I won’t be able to relax without something, and I can’t stay sober and wait out this storm, because if I do I’ll be a nervous wreck and no good to her when the weather finally does let up. Call me a coward but..."

"No you’re not a coward. Is there, enough for me?" she asked quietly.

They sat in silence for a while both lost in their own thoughts, Katie completely at a loss as to what to say. God, if Kristin were here she'd know how to handle him. She always… But she isn't here, is she? That's the whole point. She hadn't been sure about visiting in the first place, fearing that she wouldn't be welcomed - At least, not by, Nathan. She'd been uncomfortable about intruding. She always felt like an intruder when the two of them were together. They seemed so close… Sometimes she could swear that they could read each other's thoughts… Katie studied him closely, his face partially illuminated by the glow from the lamp. He seemed a thousand miles away. 

Then unexpectedly he turned to look at her. "I know you think that I didn’t want you here and I probably gave you that impression and I’m sorry for that, but I’m glad you’re Kristin’s friend." he said softly "She needs a friend like you and I really don’t begrudge the time you spend together. And I’m glad you’re here now, because I don’t think I could get through this if I were here alone."

"But if I hadn’t come, Kristin would be here with you now instead of me."

"Perhaps, then again the situation may have played out exactly the same way despite your absence. But that doesn’t matter." His voice trailed off then took up again a few seconds later. "Do you know… the first time I saw her I felt as though I’d been hit with a bolt of lightning..."

Katie smiled. "I think everyone meeting Kristin for the first time, feels that way. I know Jonathan did."

Nathan laughed despite himself. "They would have made a great double-act."

"If they hadn't killed each other first."

"True…" He shook his head sadly. "But that's not what I meant."

"I know. Tell me…" 

He sighed deeply, and his eyes took on that faraway look Katie had noticed earlier.

"After losing my son and then my wife, I closed myself off from everyone and everything. I didn’t want to feel, because it hurt too much and if I didn’t know any better, I would have said that my heart had ceased to beat. I made a semblance of a life for myself here. It was a life that was safe, well ordered and lonely… very lonely. Then Bill arrived telling me they needed me again. At first I refused, but I couldn’t pass up a chance to get at least one look at the ship I had spent so much of my life working on. I had no intentions of staying, none whatsoever. All that changed in a heartbeat. God she was so beautiful... so full of fire and indignation.. So full of life… And in that moment, she took my safe lonely life and turned it inside out. I felt my heart come alive again. I felt things I hadn’t for so long... God, what the hell will I do if I've lost her? I can't bear the thought of being without her." He buried his face in his hands.

Katie moved to kneel in front of him, close to tears herself. "It won't come to that. Kristin's too damned stubborn to let a simple thing like a hurricane beat her. She's already survived one, remember? And saved Jonathan's life in the process."

He looked up, his face haunted. "How could I forget? They were the worst hours of my life… until today. Everyone thought that it was Lucas I was worried for, but…"

"It wasn't."

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I was worried about Lucas and the others, but Kristin… Kristin, I was frightened for… And that's a whole different thing. I know now that, deep down, I loved her even then… No matter how much I tried to deny it." He stood abruptly and walked back to the window. "God, will this thing never end?" 

Katie felt helpless as she watched him begin to pace in front of the window. By his movements, she could tell he was exhausted and she knew he had to get some rest. "I know you’re worried, but you have to sleep. You’re exhausted."

"I can’t sleep." he told her and returned to his anxious pacing.

Katie sighed then picked up the second lantern from the table and headed toward the bathroom. Opening the medicine cabinet, she scanned the bottles and when she found what she was looking for she took it then detoured to the kitchen and poured a glass of water from the pitcher in the fridge. When she returned to the living room Nathan was still in the same spot as when she had left… He probably hadn’t even noticed her absence.

She set the lantern down and crossed to his side. "Here, take this."

He turned to look at her and she saw the haunted look in his eyes before he said. "What is it?" 

"I found some sleeping pills in the medicine cabinet."

"No." he protested.

"You need to get some sleep and these will help. Take one." she urged.

With a slight nod he took the pill from her hand and then accepted the glass of water, raising it to his lips. He hadn't noticed before how dry his mouth felt. He toyed with the pill in his hand and then thrust it back at her. "No."

"Nathan…"

"No. If I take this then I'll sleep like the dead, they always have that effect on me. I need to be alert, just in case…"

"The storm isn't going to let up for hours." Katie protested.

"And if it does? If the weather clears and I'm too out of it to go to her? No, Katie… I can't… Don't you see? She's all alone out there probably hurt… maybe dy…" He broke off. "How the hell can I take this and have a good night's rest while she's... No, I'm sorry."

Katie looked up at him, biting her bottom lip to hold back her tears. "I wish that someone loved me even half as much as you love her."

He smiled softly and patted her arm. "Look, why don't you go and get some sleep?"

"I don't want…"

"I'll be okay. I'd rather be alone for a while anyway."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Good night then."

"Sleep well." He watched her go and then turned back to the window. ~ God, when will this end? ~

                                             

Huddled in the cave and shivering with cold Kristin wondered the same thing…

She had awoken a short time earlier when the storm’s fury had forced wind and cold rain through the opening, drenching her. She had crawled deeper into the cave to escape and was now curled up in a fetal position against the back wall.

God she was so cold. She knew that she was hovering on the brink of hypothermia, but with no way to build a fire, she was helpless to stave it off. She could feel consciousness slipping from her again... the cold and her head wound both threatening to pull her back under... but she fought against it. She had to try and stay awake... for if she slept again… she knew in her heart that there was a very real chance she might never wake up. She couldn’t do that to Nathan… Couldn’t leave him all alone again. She had to stay alive, for him. 

"Nathan" she breathed. "Please, please help me." 

                                             

Nathan had been dozing in the chair when he heard her voice inside his head. "Kristin? Kristin where are you?" He looked around frantically but there was no one else in the room. The lightning flashed across the sky again and reality came tumbling back.

Katie rushed through the door. "Nathan are you alright? What's wrong? I heard you call out."

He just stared at her.

"Nathan please… What is it?"

"Kristin… It was Kristin."

"Where?" She looked around expecting to see her friend.

"No. I heard her."

"I don't understand."

"I was dozing and suddenly I heard her. She's alive, Katie… Frightened and hurt, but alive."

"How could you?"

"I just do." He closed his eyes again and she took it as her cue to leave.

                                             

He had dozed again and when he woke it took him a moment to register the silence and a moment more, for him to realize what that meant. The storm had passed. He jumped from the chair, rushing to the window to confirm his hope. While there was evidence of the hurricane’s fury everywhere, both the sky and more importantly the sea, were calm. The sun was just beginning to come up and the sky was painted in brilliant hues. 

Knowing he had to act quickly Nathan headed to the door at a run calling out to Katie as he flung it open and rushed outside.

 By the time Katie had joined him he was already dragging the dinghy into the water. "Nathan, wait up!"

He looked up from his task. "Katie, I need you to stay here."

"I'm coming with you."

"No."

"But…"

"I know you're worried, but someone has to be here in case she comes back."

"God, Nathan… that's not very likely." She stormed and then winced when she saw the look on his face. Sighing resignedly, she asked. "What do you want me to do?"

"See if you can get the generator started and make sure there's plenty of hot water."

"Geez, she's hurt… She's not in labour!"

Nathan scowled. "She's gonna be cold. You didn't take any clothes with you, remember? She's been out there in just her swimwear all night and she's wet…"

Katie held her hand up in apology. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm just not awake yet."

"That's okay. Look, if I'm not back in an hour then call the coast guard for help."

"Nathan…"

"It'll be alright Katie, it has to be alright."

She watched him go, her eyes locked onto the small craft until it was the merest speck on the water then with a sigh, she turned, heading back inside to make sure that everything was ready.

Nathan tried to curb his anxiety as he drew closer and closer to the island. When the beach became visible, his heart clenched as he realized that this island had faired much worse than his had. The devastation was almost too much to comprehend and he knew that if Kristin had not been able to find some kind of shelter she would have been killed.

He pushed those thoughts from his mind and concentrated simply on the task of finding her. Pulling the dinghy onto the beach, he slung the knapsack, containing emergency supplies, over his shoulder, turned his back to the sea and called out her name.

The silence was almost eerie after the cacophony of sounds the night before. He called again, but still there was no reply. Looking around he decided to head inland, if she'd been able she would have tried to find somewhere to wait it out. There was no sign of her on the beach, just the flotsam and jetsam that had been carried in by the tide or deposited by the wind. He quickened his pace, a sixth sense telling him that he needed to find her, and soon. 

Sometime later, after his trek inland had proved fruitless, Nathan decided to head back the way he’d come, moving this time in a direction that would take him up the beach from where he had left the dinghy. He let his instincts guide him and they soon seemed correct when he spotted an outcropping of rock. That outcropping turned into a cliff face and he followed along it until it brought him once more onto the beach.

Just as he was beginning to have second thoughts, he noticed something about the detritus piled up against the cliff wall. Moving to inspect it closer, he soon realized that is was almost totally blocking a cave entrance. "Kristin! Kristin are you in there?" Silence. "Answer me Baby, please!"

He began to move the debris, slowly at first, but when he saw the beginnings of an opening he sped up, pulling away the remaining obstruction. "Kristin!"

It was dark inside and he could barely even make out the rock wall. Quickly he retrieved his gear and rummaged through it until he found a flashlight. He swept the beam around frantically but saw nothing. ~ Damn! ~ He wasn't sure how much more of this he could take… As he turned to leave he heard a muffled groan.

"Kristin!" he called out as he spun around and rechecked the interior. This time, however, he thought he saw something and took a step further in.

"Kristin?" he called again and received a faint moan as his reply. He quickened his steps moving further into the depths of the cave, flashlight sweeping back and forth in front of him.

He’d almost given up hope, and convinced himself he was imagining things, when the beam illuminated a huddled form lying against the back wall.

"Kristin! Oh, thank Christ!"

He knelt down and gently turned her towards him, setting up the light so that it illuminated the top half of her body. She was deathly pale, her lips almost blue, and there was a large bruise on her left temple. Using his hands in conjunction with the light, he checked over the rest of her but couldn't see any real damage - just some scratches on her arms and legs and a trickle of blood on her feet. She was cold, too damn cold.

Again he searched in his bag, pulling out a survival blanket, the material rustling as he tried to wrap her in it. "Kristin, Baby… Can you hear me?"

She wasn't making a sound now, just lying limp in his arms, her breathing shallow. 

He knew he had to get her back to the house and get her warm before hypothermia took an even greater hold on her, aware if that happened he would lose her. Making sure the blanket was wrapped tightly around her he slipped the knapsack back on then picked her up in his arms, holding her tightly to him he left the cave.

                                             

Katie stood on the beach pacing back and forth. She had done as Nathan had asked, got the generator started and made sure there was plenty of hot water. She’d even warmed some towels in the dryer. Now all she could do was wait and hope that Nathan found Kristin in time.

As she continued to pace, Katie wondered just how he had survived the night waiting and wondering... He had left only just over an hour ago and she was a nervous wreck. She and Kristin shared an abiding friendship and she couldn’t even begin to imagine what waiting would be like for someone who loved her as much as Nathan did.

Okay, well his hour was up… it was time to contact the coastguard. She made her way back to the house and then stopped to take one more look out across the ocean, shielding her eyes from the sun. Was that…? She did a double take and blinked a couple of times. Yes, there was definitely something out there. Running back to the shore she waited until the dinghy drew close before wading out into the water and helping to pull the small craft ashore. One look at Nathan's face told her that speed was of the essence.

He bent down and retrieved his precious cargo from the bottom of the boat, holding her tightly in his arms. 

"Is she…?"

"She's alive, barely… We need to get her inside and warm. Did you manage to get the generator started?"

"Yes, and…" But she found herself talking to his back as he fairly ran towards the house. 

She ran after him entering the house in time to see him disappear into the bathroom. Making a small detour she grabbed the still warm towels from the dryer and followed.

When she reached the door, she found him already in the tub with Kristin in front of him, her body resting against his. He acknowledged Katie’s presence by looking up at her.

"I bought some warm towels."

"Good, we’ll need plenty of those later but right now I need you to keep the hot water coming."

"You've got it." She replied as she ran from the room again.

Nathan held Kristin close, hoping that the warmth of his body, combined with the water would do the trick. "Come on Baby… Come back to me."

He used the palms of his hands to rub her arms and as far as he could reach down her legs. Over and over he massaged her lifeless limbs, his movements becoming more and more desperate. "Come on Kris, I need you Baby. I'm no good without you."

A wave of grief suddenly washed over him as he remembered another time, another place. The only difference was that Kristin was cold and Carol had been hot, so terribly hot… The tears had started to flow without him even noticing them and he resumed his task with renewed vigour. He had lost Carol but there was no way that he was going to let the same thing happen again

Katie stood in the doorway, her own cheeks moist with tears, listening as her strong, tough ex-captain and role model, whispered to the woman in his arms. Who would have thought that the man could be so loving and gentle? Rousing herself she tipped more hot water into the bath and then knelt down to massage Kristin's feet and ankles in an effort to get the circulation going on her frozen extremities. 

They worked together, unceasing, until Nathan sensed her body had warmed up enough to get out of the tub and asked Katie to fetch more warm towels. When she returned he rose from the water with Kristin in his arms. Once Katie had draped the warm towels over Kristin he said. "Please go turn down the bed." 

With a nod she was gone.

                                             

She was warm… For the first time in God knows how long, she actually felt warm - although she still had a hell of a headache. There was something heavy across her waist and she slid her hand down slowly to find out what it was, smiling when she felt the unmistakable firmness of an arm… An arm that could only belong to one person…

Vaguely she wondered how she came to be in bed with the man of her dreams. The last thing she remembered was lying down on the floor of the cave and shivering with cold. Then she realised that she didn't care how she'd got here. She was safe and warm and that was all she needed. Apart maybe, from a bottle of aspirin… 

She opened her eyes and the dimness of the bedroom told her that it was either late afternoon or early evening. Shifting, she rolled until she faced him. He was sleeping and she reached out to gently trail a finger over his features. She studied him in the half-light. Her sudden brush with death had made her realize just how precious he was to her. Thoughts of him had been the only thing that had gotten her through.

Nathan woke slowly, opened his eyes, and found Kristin’s sable ones looking back at him.

"Hi."

"Hi yourself. How are you feeling?"

"Warm." She snuggled closer and closed her eyes, opening them again almost immediately. ~ Katie! My God, she'd forgotten about Katie. ~

Nathan saw the alarm on her face and thought for a moment that she was going to be ill and then he realised what she must be thinking. "She's okay, Kris. She made it back here. In fact, she's asleep in
 the spare room."

"Oh thank God! I can't believe that I didn't think to ask."

"You weren't in a fit state."

"I know that but, even on the island I…"

"You were scared and hurt. From the looks of the bump on your head it's a miracle that you could even remember your own name."

"Something hit me." She still felt guilty. "God, Nathan, I was so frightened."

"So was I, Baby… So was I…" 

Instinctively, she knew how frightened for her he would have been, and while she had been scared he had been more so… Even though her situation had been different, in some ways it had been eerily similar to what he had gone through with Carol. And she knew that his greatest fear was losing her as he did his wife. That fear coupled with the similarities must have been nearly too much for him to bear. As she looked into his eyes she could still see the residual fear lurking in their depths. Taking his face between her palms she whispered. "I’m not Carol and I’m not going anywhere. I won’t leave you."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Okay." At last he did what he'd wanted to do since he'd first opened his eyes. He pulled her close and gave her a long, passionate kiss filled with a depth of emotion that took her breath away.

"You were frightened, weren't you?"

"Terrified." He whispered and she could feel his hand tremble as it touched her face.

"I'm sorry."

"It wasn't your fault."

"Did I thank you for rescuing me?"

"Not yet."

"Then, thank you." She kissed the tip of his nose.

"You're welcome." He was deliberating whether to say what was on his mind and then decided it would be better than keeping it inside. "I heard you, you know."

"When?"

"When you called out to me."

"I called out?"

"Yes. You begged me to help you…" He tailed off.

"You heard that?"

"In my head. God, I felt so helpless."

"Nathan…" She took hold of his hand, meaning to bring it to her lips and kiss it, but he winced in pain.

Pulling it into the open she noticed the bandage for the first time. "What happened?" 

"I put my fist through the glass in the patio doors." he told her almost sheepishly.

"What?" she replied incredulously and concern laced her features.

"I’m all right. Katie took care of it."

"Tell me..." She asked softly

"I felt so powerless, not being able to help you and it was the same feeling I had when Carol... And I got angry… At the hurricane, at myself… At..."

"Me?"

"Oh God, no." He said adamantly and pulled her tighter. "Never you. Never." He added fiercely.

"I wouldn't blame you, if you had. After all, if I hadn't invited Katie in the first place… I know that you didn't want…"

"Hush, I was wrong. I was just being selfish that's all. I wanted you all to myself."

"Perhaps, it would have been better." She said tearfully. "You wouldn't have got hurt. You wouldn't have spent the entire night worrying about me… You wouldn't…" She started to cry and he knew that it was more than just guilt.

"It's okay, Baby… Everything's all right now. You're safe and that's all that matters. Shh…" He crooned.

Almost a half-hour later she was all cried out.

"Better?" He asked solicitously.

"Mmm… hmm… Thanks…"

"You're welcome… again."

She smiled tremulously. "I love you Nathan Bridger."

"I love you too, Baby. I love you too." 

He held her tightly in his arms for a few minutes and then captured her lips again, kissing her soundly. Their passion escalated and his mouth began to stray down her throat to her shoulder. They were both startled by the sound of someone clearing their throat in the doorway.

"Sorry, I'll just…" Katie turned to leave but Kristin called her back. 

"Katie, it’s all right."

Hitchcock turned back and approached. "I just wanted to see if you were all right. But I can see clearly that you are." She added with a smile.

"Thanks to the both of you." Kristin said as she gave Nathan’s hand a squeeze.

"I didn’t do anything. It was Nathan who rescued you."

"And I wouldn’t have been able to do that if you hadn’t made it back here when you did." He put in.

"Yes but..."

"No buts... things are what they are and it’s all in the past now." Kristin told her.

Katie nodded. "I also came in to tell you that I made something to eat. I figured you’d probably be hungry."

"Famished." Kristin smiled. "We’ll be there in a minute."

"Okay." Katie replied and slipped from the room.

"Are you sure you shouldn't rest for a while longer?" Nathan asked.

"No. I'm okay."

"You're certain?"

"I think so. You?"

"I'm getting there."

"Good. Well I think we should join Katie, don't you?"

"I guess."

"We'll finish this later." She whispered, running her palm over his stomach and lower, causing him to groan aloud.

"Promise?" He asked again.

"Cross my heart."

"Oh God…"

"What?" Kristin frowned.

"All I seem to be doing lately is waiting for you and hoping."

"Poor Baby." There was a pained expression on his face as he tried to dress.

"Your hand?"

"No, this." He indicated the bulge in his shorts.

Kristin laughed.

"It's not funny. You ought to try it!"

"No thanks. Tell you what…"

"What?"

She leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

"No. Absolutely not! My body's seen far too much water lately and cold's no fun."

"Then I guess you'll just have to suffer." She shot back over her shoulder as she went to join Katie in the kitchen.
 
 

**** Fin ****