Walking into Shalimar's room, Brennan gently placed her down on her bed and stepped back.

   Shalimar looked down at herself to see that she was still covered in blood from where her punctured lung had bleed when Adam removed the rib. "Um…do you think it would be possible for me to take a shower?" she asked Brennan sort of sheepishly.

   Brennan looked uncertain. "I don't know, Shal. That would take some effort on your part and unless you want me in there with you, I don't think it's a good idea."

   Shalimar's head immediately shot up when Brennan mentioned being in the bathroom with her when she took a shower and then she blushed a deep red.

   Seeing this, Brennan quickly brought his hands up in surrender. "I…I didn't mean it…like that," he stammered.

   Shalimar started giggling softly. "I know. I just don't like lying here covered in blood."

   "Well, maybe…I could…um…uh…get a sponge and um… some water for you to…bathe…with," he stuttered awkwardly.

   Shalimar smiled. "Yeah, that would be great," she replied.

   Brennan looked like he was about to pass out. Just the thought of being in the same room with Shalimar while she took a shower, or even sponge bathed herself, made his knees feel weak. Gulping, he pointed toward the door and backed up, saying, "I'll go get the stuff then."

   Shalimar grinned again. "Ok, I'll be right here," she said.

   When he returned, Brennan walked over to Shalimar and handed her the bowl of water with sponge sitting in it. He had also brought a towel which he set down on the bed next to her.

   Wincing at the pain that shot up her chest and side, Shalimar managed to push herself up into a semi-sitting position. Adam had been right. She was very sore. She guessed it was because the numbing agent had worn off. Reaching in the bowel, she rung out the sponge and then started to wipe away the blood. Although, she was having a hard time doing it. Every time she'd lift her arm to wipe the blood away, she would slip back down in her bed and then she'd have to painfully push herself back up again.

   After about the fourth time she slipped down, Brennan let out an exasperated huff and then grabbed the sponge from her. "Let me do it," he said as he kneeled down beside her bed and began to gently wipe the blood off of her skin.

   Shalimar just sat there and watched as Brennan concentrated on carefully removing the blood. "You know, I wanted to talk to you about what we both said earlier…when we were in the cell," she stated almost shyly.

   Brennan looked up at her and gazed into her eyes. "Yeah, I wanted to talk about that too," he replied, but when Shalimar didn't say anything else, he smiled and asked, "Do you want me to go first?"

   Shalimar nodded and watched as Brennan put the bowl of water on the floor.

   Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he began. "Shalimar, I've always felt attracted to you, but I thought that it was just because you're so incredibly hot," Shalimar blushed. "and even if I did have feelings for you, you wouldn't feel the same way. But then when you said that you went for guys like me, I…well, I don't really know. I just couldn't stop thinking about you and then I realized that…well, that I'm in love with you."

   Shalimar smiled. "That's so sweet, Brennan and to tell you the truth, it's pretty much been the same way for me. I've always been attracted to you and I recently figured out that I'm in love with you too," she confessed.

   Brennan didn't wait another second. He leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against Shalimar's in a tender kiss.

   After a few seconds, Shalimar reached her hand behind Brennan's head and pulled him into a much more passionate kiss.

   Breaking apart for air, they both smile at each other.

   Lifting his hand to her face, Brennan gently brushed an errant strand of blonde hair out of Shalimar's eyes before he let his hand drop slightly, coming to rest on her cheek. Caressing her soft skin lightly with his thumb, he smiled, saying, "God, I love you Shalimar."

   "I love you too," she replied. "And I want you to stay with me forever starting now," she said as she patted the bed beside her.

   After he had taken off his shoes and jacket, Brennan immediately climbed into the bed next to Shalimar and pulled her into his arms. Then they both laid down and snuggled in closer to each other. "I want to stay with you forever too," he whispered as kissed her on top of the head.

   Soon they were both fast asleep.

TO BE CONTINUED!

(A/N: Ok, I know that was REALLY short, but isn't it better than nothing at all? Well, I hope you liked it! PLEASE REVIEW!)