The idea for this story came to me after several episodes of House, one episode of Sex And The City, and an episode from the mothership. Special thanks also go out to The Confused One, for pushing me to write this after I pitched the idea at random. I've been doing a lot of research on the subject, and I hope everyone will enjoy the ride.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Warning: Plenty of smut in this first chapter. You've been warned...

CICICICICICICICICICICI

Carolyn felt breathless as Mike elegantly spun her around the wooden dance floor, one large hand resting on her back to hold her to him, while the other held her hand to his chest. The music was playing softly, but she wasn't listening to it. She was too busy staring up into his loving eyes.

Mike's lips curled up in a smile. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look, Carolyn?" he murmured, touching his lips to her forehead.

She blushed.

A chuckle rumbled through his broad chest as he held her closer and rested his chin on the top of her head. She felt amazing in his arms, and he was determined to keep that feeling forever. His hand slid up her spine, making her shudder against him. "I love you, sweetheart."

She slid her arms around his waist and pressed her face into his shoulder. "Love you too, Mike." And she did. She loved him more than she thought it was possible to love anyone.

He hugged her tighter, the moment perfect. Glancing around the room, he reluctantly released her, then dropped to one knee as she held her hand to her mouth in surprise.

"Mike...?"

He took her hand and reached into his pocket, retrieving the object that had been burning a hole in his pocket for weeks. "Carolyn... you know I've never been good with words. But I do love you, more than I've ever loved anyone."

A tear slid down her cheek as she squeezed his hand.

A shaky breath escaped him. "I want to marry you, Carolyn. I want to have kids with you." He had to pause to take a deep breath. "So I'm asking you... Will you be my partner for the rest of our lives?"

Unable to stop her tears, she reached down and took his other hand, gently pulling him to his feet. Then she buried herself in his arms. "Mike... Of course I'll marry you," she finally whispered.

He closed his eyes and kissed the top of her head. They both ignored the cheering and clapping of the people who had paused whatever they were doing to watch him propose.

After a few moments, he pulled away and gently took her left hand, sliding the diamond ring onto her left ring finger. "Perfect," he murmured as he took a moment to admire it on her hand.

She looked at the ring, then leaned up to kiss him softly as she wrapped her arms around him again.

He welcomed the kiss, slowly deepening it as he continued to twirl her around on the dance floor.

MCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMC

Carolyn yawned and stretched lazily in the bed, then turned onto her side and slid her arm over Mike's waist. On the nightstand by the bed, the alarm clock read just after two in the morning, and she kissed his shoulder.

He stirred a little, but quickly settled back into slumber.

Her hand drifted over his chest and continued lower, stirring her back to the arousal he had sent her into a few hours ago.

Finally he turned over in her arms, draping his leg over hers as his mouth found hers.

She smirked and deepened the kiss as her hand drifted over the small of his back, gently pushing him further into her.

He groaned. "Carolyn..."

Silencing him with another kiss, she rolled onto her back, pulling him along with her as their tongues dueled for dominance.

Her legs went around his waist, and he groaned softly as he slid inside of her, his forehead resting gently against hers.

"Mike..." She gasped and tossed her head to the side as he moved faster and buried his face in her neck.

They reached their releases within moments of each other, and she groaned her protest when he kissed her and rolled onto his side.

At the beginning of their relationship, this movement, more often than not, confused Carolyn relentlessly. But as time went on, she slowly came to realize the trust he was putting in her. She turned onto her side and scooted closer to him, her front resting against his back as she slid her arm over his waist.

She knew his past. She knew that, in one way or another, most everyone in his life had abandoned him. From his father's death, to the numerous partners who had died or quit, to the many girlfriends she knew he had had before her. He had been abandoned too many times to count, and she was determined not to be one of those.

He sighed softly and stretched, then settled back in her arms.

Kissing his head, she pressed herself closer to him, then pulled the blanket over their entangled limbs.

A half hour passed, then an hour, and she was on the verge of sleep as she rested one hand gently over his heart. But something gave her pause.

She lifted her head and pressed her hand more firmly to his heart. There it was again... Something didn't feel normal. Fear seized her as she continued to feel the abnormality under her hand.

Finally she couldn't take it anymore, and she gently shook his shoulder. "Mike. Baby, wake up."

He snorted and groaned, turning over.

Frustrated, she shook his shoulder harder. "Logan, wake up."

His eyes finally fluttered open, and he was surprised to see concern and fear in her chocolate eyes. "Carolyn?" He reached up and touched her cheek. "What's wrong?"

"We need to go to the hospital."

Instantly he was wide awake, pushing himself up in the bed. "What? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She shook her head and took his hand, resting it over his heart. "No, but something's wrong with you."

Fear crept into his features as she slid out of the bed and pulled on her pants. He could feel his irregular heartbeat against his palm, and he broke out in a cold sweat. It was all too familiar to him...

She sat beside him on the bed and reached out for his hand. "Come on, sweetheart. We're going to the hospital." She didn't care what time it was. She'd take being wrong and embarrassed over something happening to him anytime.

Slowly, stiffly, he rose to his feet and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt while she grabbed her phone and keys.

He had his hand over his heart again when she turned around, as though by keeping it there, he could make it disappear completely. Without a second thought, she closed the distance between them and hugged him tightly, sighing shakily. "It's going to be okay, Mike," she whispered, rubbing his back lightly.

He closed his eyes and tried not to tremble. After a few moments, he gently pulled away and gruffly said, "Let's go."

She followed him out of the apartment, all the while desperately attempting not to conjure the worst outcomes in her mind. But it was an exercise in futility. All she knew was that she couldn't lose him. She just couldn't.

TBC...

A/N: Well, there ya'll have it. Don't break out the pitchforks and flaming left shoes yet... the space under my sink is under construction. (hides under bathroom sink) I hope everyone enjoyed this first chapter, and be on the lookout for the second, coming your way soon.