Chapter Nine

Logan's transfixed; he can't take his eyes off her, even as she steps towards him, even as he lets his duffle fall to the ground, even as she wraps her arms around his neck and presses herself against him and hugs him tightly.

It takes only a second to react, to wind his arms around her back, to hold her as close as he can. As he buries his face in her neck, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume, all the emotion and exhaustion bubbles up and spills over into relief. He closes his eyes, savouring the moment. Veronica's already up on her tiptoes, but he tightens his arms around her even more, pulling her higher, closer.

God, I've missed her so much.

She hugs him for what seems like forever, but Logan doesn't care; he doesn't want to let go. The feel of her in his arms is like… it's fulfilment.

Eventually, she gives a sniff and loosens her grip, letting her arms slide down over his shoulders, coming to rest on his chest as she lowers her heels to the ground. Logan doesn't let go, only relaxes his arms slightly so she can look up at him. There are unshed tears in her eyes.

"What, no kiss?" he jokes softly.

She gives him a watery smile. "Can't beat a good hug, right?"

He feels a tightening in his chest as she repeats his answer from their quick-fire round of questions the other week.

Hugs or kisses? Can't beat a good hug

"True… but if I recall, your poison is kisses," he murmurs, eyes flicking to her lips. "Can't have you missing out."

She smiles softly, rising up again, her mouth not even a centimetre from his, her voice barely above a whisper as she says, "Guess not."

Logan studies her for just a second, drinking her in, marvelling at how close she is after so long, before he lowers his mouth to hers. It's extremely soft at first, just a barely-there brush of lips, but it sends a jolt of electricity pulsing through him all the same. She moves her lips very slightly against his and that's all it takes; he tugs her closer, deepening the kiss as his hand slides under her hair, cupping her jaw, fingers winding around back of her neck.

She's warm and inviting and everything he's been missing. His whole body's on fire, fingertips tingling, heart pounding, head spinning, as she kisses him, once, then twice, then parts her lips, tongue darting out to trace his bottom lip. He groans, the sound muffled against her mouth, and tightens his other hand on the small of her back, pressing her even closer as he complies with her unspoken request and grants her access.

Best kiss ever, he decides as her tongue tangles with his, the contact sending shivers down his spine. Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that it's been six months since the last one.

Her hand slides up, coming to rest on his cheek as their movements slow, becoming small, gentle kisses, and then she pulls back. He keeps his eyes closed for several seconds, just savouring the moment, and when he finally opens them, he finds her watching him with glazed eyes and a soft, secret smile.

"Wow…"

"Yeah, that about sums it up," he manages, his voice throaty.

"You wanna get out of here?"

Her hand covers his on her neck, where it's buried in her hair, and brings it down between them, linking their fingers. After going so long without her touch, the contact seems surreal.

"God, yes," he agrees quickly. "Don't wanna lay eyes on that boat again for a very long time."

He leans down, grabs his bag from the ground and slings it over one shoulder, following as she leads him through the crowd toward the parking lot.

"You brought my car?" he asks when she stops in front of the familiar BMW.

"Yeah." She smiles. "I thought you might be itching to get back behind the wheel."

Logan hesitates; as much as he'd love to, he really is exhausted. His body is majorly depleted of energy, and if he's honest, he's not in any state to drive safely.

"Thanks." He nods. "But, you'll have to take the lead on this one. I'm too tired."

"Oh." She looks a little surprised. "Okay… no problem."

She grins then, stepping forward to open the passenger door, and gesturing to it grandly.

"In that case, your chariot awaits, milord."

"Why, thank you, milady."

He eases the duffle bag onto the backseat, then turns to her. Bracing his hands on the door between them, he leans forward, gives her a quick peck on the lips, before sliding into his seat.

He lets out a soft groan at the feel of the soft, plush leather beneath him.

"Oh, man. I'd forgotten how amazing these seats are."

Veronica laughs lightly as she shuts the door and then moves around to the driver's side. She gets in, fastens her seatbelt and pulls out of the parking lot.

Logan pulls his cover off his head and settles in for the drive back to Neptune, closing his eyes, enjoying the feel of the warm, early-evening California breeze against his skin. There's so much to talk about, to catch up on, but right now, he just wants to sleep, his body drained, both physically and emotionally, from the last six months.

A few minutes later, the car comes to a stop, jerking him out of his doze, and he opens his eyes, lifting his head in confusion.

"What's going on?" He takes in Veronica's amused smile, then notices their surroundings, realisation dawning. "We're at my place?"

She raises an eyebrow. "You didn't think we were gonna drive all the way to Neptune when you have a perfectly good house just five minutes from the base?"

"Oh." Logan blinks. "Yeah. Right. Of course."

He didn't even think about going to his own house—he's just been assuming he'll go back to Neptune with Veronica.

She grins, jerking her head in the direction of the house as she opens the driver's side door. "Come on, sleepyhead, let's get inside."

Logan nods, climbing out of the car and grabbing his bag from the backseat as Veronica heads for the house. As he closes the passenger side door, he pauses for a moment, eyes fixed on Veronica as she digs through her purse for her keys, his gaze raking up and down her body.

"Hey, you coming, or what?"

He blinks, lifting his eyes to her face, finding her watching him expectantly.

"Sure." He nods quickly, hiding a smile as he hoists the bag over his shoulder and follows her into the house.

The moment he steps through the door, the mouth-watering aroma of baking assaults his senses and he turns to her with a grin.

"You've been baking," he says. "Cookies?"

Please say snickerdoodles. Please say snickerdoodles.

"Of course." She nods. "I did say I'd have freshly-baked snickerdoodles for you, didn't I?"

"You are the best." He can't contain his smile as he dumps his bag on the floor and heads for the kitchen.

His eyes light up when he spots the plate of snickerdoodles in the middle of the island. Reaching for one, he takes a bite, moaning in satisfaction as the cookie goodness hits his taste-buds.

"Oh my God," he says through a mouthful of cookie. "These are amazing."

"Thought you might like them." Veronica is leaning by the doorway, watching him with amusement.

"You have no idea how good it is to eat real food again." He swallows, then glances toward the fridge. "Is there milk?"

She looks like she's trying to hide a smirk. "You want milk and cookies?"

"Yes, I want milk and cookies," he says. "I haven't even seen fresh milk in almost six months."

Veronica walks over to the fridge, pulls out a carton of milk, then grabs a glass and holds both out to him, biting her lip to stop from grinning.

"Here. Knock yourself out."

"Thanks."

He pours a large glass of fresh, cold milk, and promptly downs it in one.

Fuck, I've missed milk. And Veronica's cookies.

When he places the glass down on the counter again, he finds Veronica standing beside the island, hands tucked in her jacket pockets, looking a little awkward.

"So…"

"So…" he says, resting a hand on the counter.

She hesitates for a moment, before launching into a flurry of words. "How was the trip back? Are you tired? You must be tired. I know I would be if I'd been on that ship for so long. You want something to eat? I don't have anything prepared, but I could make something. What would you—?"

"Veronica, hey." Logan moves in front of her, placing a hand on her arm. "Stop."

"Sorry," she mutters, avoiding his gaze.

"The trip was okay; it was long and kinda frustrating, but I'm home now," he answers her questions in turn. "You don't need to make anything to eat—I'm fine with the cookies. But I am tired. Fucking exhausted, actually."

"Right. Okay." She nods. "Well, you should probably get some sleep, then."

"Yeah, I really should."

"Well, uh, the bed's made up." She gestures toward the bedroom. "Clean sheets and everything. If you wanna get some rest."

"Thanks." He nods. "I think I will."

Her face falls, disappointment in her eyes—disappointment she's trying hard to conceal—and he forces a smile.

This is starting to get awkward.

Not really knowing what else to do, he steps past her, picks up his bag, and heads for the bedroom. Once inside, he drops his stuff by the door, making a note to do laundry tomorrow, and starts unbuttoning his shirt. He really is beat, in fact, he's not sure how he's still awake right now. He barely slept last night, with all the preparations for coming into port, and he's feeling the effects now, lightheaded and dizzy.

He hesitates, though, fingers on the final button, when he notices the small touches of Veronica in the room. Nothing big, since she hasn't spent much time here, but they're her things nonetheless: her toiletry bag on the dresser, one of her sweaters draped over the chair, her shoes placed on the floor just underneath.

She's right here. In his house. Just down the hall. He can actually reach out and touch her. And it's been six very long months.

Fuck it.

He turns, strides back out of the room and down the hall to the kitchen, where Veronica is putting the milk back in the fridge. He advances as she closes the door, reaching her just as she turns.

"Logan?"

He presses her up against the fridge, cupping her jaw in his hands, thumbs stroking her cheeks, as he lowers his head towards hers.

Lifting her chin, his mouth just millimetres from hers, he murmurs, "Who needs sleep anyway?"

She gives a soft moan as their lips meet, arms looping around his neck, mouth opening eagerly, letting him in. He pins her against the cool metal, nipping, licking, sucking… pouring six months of lust and longing and frustration into the kiss. She rises up, trying to get closer, and he slides his hands down to her waist, then lower, curving them around her ass. Taking the hint, she jumps up and wraps her legs around his hips.

Veronica breaks the kiss, dipping her head, her tongue darting out to lick the sensitive spot just beneath his jaw. He sucks in a sharp breath, heat shooting to his groin. She shifts against him, her hips rocking gently and bringing her lower body into direct contact with his. Logan hisses.

"Sleep is overrated," she whispers in his ear. "Fuck, I've missed you."

"Me, too." He groans. "I want you so much."

She pulls back then, looks into his eyes. Her face is flushed, lips swollen, hair slightly mussed. "You sure you shouldn't get some sleep first?"

He smiles crookedly. "Probably, but I think I'll manage."

"Okay."

She studies him for a moment, then leans forward and captures his mouth with hers once more, her palm cradling the side of his neck, fingers scraping against his scalp. What starts off as a soft kiss, full of promise of things to come, quickly escalates until they're both gasping for breath. Logan adjusts his grip on her thighs, bare under her dress, then spins, stumbling slightly, and places her on the island counter. She pulls back a little, shrugging out of the leather jacket she's still wearing and pushing it to one side on the counter.

"You know, I'm revising my earlier opinion," he says, glancing down, marvelling at how the dress hugs her in all the right places. "You should only wear this."

Veronica smiles. "You like?"

He nods, then smiles. "You look gorgeous."

"Yeah, well." She shrugs. "You know dresses aren't really my thing, but I figured, it's your homecoming, so why not?" She grins, a glint in her eye. "After all, easy access, right?"

God, Veronica, thinks Logan. What are you doing to me?

"There is that." He grins, sliding his hand up her thigh, then skimming his fingers across her warm skin and down between her legs, brushing against the soft, silky material of her panties.

"God…" She sighs, her eyes sliding closed for a moment.

When she lifts her head and looks at him again, her pupils are dark and dilated, filled with lust. It sends a shiver down his spine.

Her hands slide up over his chest and under his shirt, easing it over his shoulders. He shrugs it off, letting it fall to the floor as she reaches for the hem of his t-shirt and tugs it up too. He helps her pull it over his head and it joins the shirt on the floor.

Veronica's lips curl up into a predatory smile as she flattens her hands over his bare torso, spreading her fingers across his chest. Logan looks down at them with a smile.

"Is it me," she starts softly, tone filled with awe, "or are you even more cut now?"

He gives a one-shoulder shrug. "Well, there wasn't much else to do in the downtime except go to the gym."

She tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, looking up at him from beneath her lashes. It's fucking sexy.

"I like."

Her hands slide down over his stomach, fingers splayed, tracing every ridge of his abdomen, until she reaches his pants. She hooks her index fingers in two of the belt loops and tugs him closer, leaning in until her lips are just barely brushing his, her voice a soft whisper.

"Fuck me, Logan. Right here, right now. Don't go slow."

Oh, holy fuck. She's gonna be the death of me.

His stomach muscles contract involuntarily beneath her hands, heat pooling in his groin. He swallows.

"If you insist." His voice comes out gravelly, almost cracking as he forces the words out.

Veronica's fingers deftly unbuckle his belt, then tug down the zipper. With one hand, she reaches for her jacket, dips into the pocket and pulls out a small, square packet, while the other slips beneath his boxers teasingly.

"Fuck," he grinds out, hips bucking, watching with hooded eyes as she tears open the packet, then releases him from his boxers and rolls the condom on.

Logan doesn't even bother to remove her panties, just tugs them aside, and pushes in.

"Fuck," he repeats, dropping his head to her shoulder, lips parting and eyes closing at the delicious sensation of filling her for the first time in months. She's tight, and hot, and wet, and it's the most amazing feeling in the world.

"Oh my God," murmurs Veronica, her hands coming up to his shoulders, gripping tightly, clutching at his skin, holding herself steady as she gets used to him again. "Wow."

"Yeah…" he mutters, stroking once, twice, then setting a quick, steady rhythm.

"How…" she manages, between thrusts, "did we survive… the last… six months … without… doing this?"

"Hell if I know." His voice is muffled by her shoulder. He lifts his head, reaches up to brush her hair back off her face, and looks at her, expression full of lust. "Let's not do that again."

"Okay."

Of course, there'll be more deployments in the future, more time spent apart, but Logan is absolutely not going to think about that right now. Instead, he grins at the sight of her flushed cheeks, the way her lips are parted, breath coming fast, and leans in, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth.

"I'm not gonna last much longer," he murmurs when they part, resting his forehead on hers. "It's been too long."

"That's okay," she whispers back, her fingers stroking the hair at the back of his neck. "Though you might need to work some magic with those talented fingers of yours if you want me to get there with you."

"Yes, ma'am." He lifts his hand to his temple, giving a cheeky salute, before sliding it under her dress and between her legs, thumb circling her clit.

"God, yeah… right there."

He strokes a gentle, but steady rhythm with his fingers, applying pressure just where he knows she needs it, until she's gasping with pleasure. Increasing his pace, he rocks into her again and again, urgent and needy, feeling the pleasure building, the tell-tale tightening in his stomach. Veronica's arms tighten around his neck, holding him close, kissing him urgently, whimpering into his mouth as her inner muscles begin to flutter around him.

She comes with a soft cry, tearing her mouth from his, gasping breaths escaping her lips. Logan follows a few moments later, spilling into her, clutching her tight as he rests his forehead on her shoulder. They stay like that, entwined together with Veronica perched on the counter, catching their breath, for several long moments, until the relative silence is interrupted by a breathy laugh.

"That was incredible," She gives a delighted chuckle. "Like, seriously."

"It was."

"Guess that's our reward for six months of forced celibacy."

Logan lifts his head, grins at the elated expression on her face. "Oh, there's gonna be a lot more where that came from. We've got half a year to make up for… and nine years before that." He pauses. "After I've gotten some sleep, though."

Veronica looks at him, her expression soft, a half-smile on her face as she strokes the hair at the back of his neck. She presses her forehead to his. "I can't wait."

It's mid-morning when Logan stirs, stretching languidly in the large, comfortable bed. There's certainly something to be said for a good mattress—the bunks on the carrier definitely leave something to be desired—but this mattress, the one he spent a shit-ton of money on last year to make sure it was of the highest quality possible, is absolutely incredible.

He pries his eyes open slowly, blinking at the morning light filtering through the curtains, then groans, rolling onto his back and covering his face with his hand. Despite being out like a light within five minutes of climbing into bed last night, and getting almost a full twelve hours of sleep, he still feels sluggish.

Guess it's gonna take a few days to catch up.

After their, uh… energetic activities on the kitchen counter last night, Veronica noticed he was barely standing upright and shooed him off to bed, assuring him she would join him later. When he protested, giving her his best forlorn pout, she shoved playfully at his chest and confessed that if she went with him now, she wouldn't be able to keep her hands off him… which wouldn't bode well for his much-needed sleep. So, he agreed reluctantly and dragged himself off to the bedroom.

Logan lowers his hand from his face and turns on his side again, gaze falling on Veronica, who is sleeping soundly beside him. A soft smile plays on his lips as he observes her: she's curled in the foetal position, one hand resting beneath her cheek, the other tucked under her chin. Her hair is endearingly mussed on one side. She looks gorgeous.

He slides a hand under his own cheek, mirroring her position as he watches her sleep. Reaching out, he gently strokes her cheek with the back of his knuckles, then runs a thumb along her bottom lip. She shifts, pursing her lips and angling her face into the pillow, away from his touch, but doesn't wake.

His smile widens and he leans in, intending to kiss her, but then pulls back when he remembers he hasn't showered yet and is still gross and grimy from the ship. It's with a reluctant sigh that he takes one last look at her sleeping form and slides out of the bed, padding into the bathroom.

He takes a long, luxurious shower, revelling in the plentiful hot, steaming water, then shaves and brushes his teeth.

That's better, he muses, studying his reflection in the mirror as he dries off. I actually feel human again.

Towel wrapped around his waist, he heads back into the bedroom again, running a second, smaller towel over his hair to dry it. In the bed, Veronica stirs, letting out a soft mumble before opening her eyes, searching him out when she realises he's not beside her.

"What are you doing all the way over there?" Her voice comes out throaty and sleep-filled.

Logan smiles, dropping the hand-towel and perching on the edge of the bed. "I needed a shower."

She frowns slightly, then tuts, giving a shake of her head and pulling back the covers. "Get back in here."

Logan grins. "With pleasure."

The other towel falls to the floor and he slides under the sheet, settling on his side again, facing her.

She smiles softly, eyes shining.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"I kinda can't believe you're here," she says softly. "It felt like you'd never get home."

"I know," he replies. "I keep expecting to wake up and find I'm still on the ship."

He reaches out to tuck her hair behind her ear, letting his hand rest on her neck, thumb gently stroking her cheek. He studies her for a moment, taking in her beauty in the flesh for once, before leaning in and pressing his mouth to hers in a soft, gentle kiss.

"Mmm, minty-fresh," she observes, opening her eyes when he pulls back.

"I missed you," he says, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Me, too." She nods. "Seven months ago, I didn't think I'd ever see you again… and now, I can't imagine not ever seeing you again." She frowns adorably. "Did that even make sense?"

"It did." He smiles. "And me too."

He leans in again, kisses her more deeply this time, urging her mouth open, tongue sliding inside.

God, I can't get enough of her.

She responds for only a moment, looking apologetic as she pulls away.

"Sorry, it's just… you're all clean and fresh and I have morning breath."

Logan shrugs. "I don't mind."

She makes a face. "I do. Plus, I need the bathroom." She moves to get out of the bed. "I'll be right back."

Sinking back against the pillows with a sigh, Logan lets her go, gaze trailing after her as she heads out of the room. She's wearing a thin tank-top and tiny sleep shorts, legs on full display, and he notices she's picked up some colour since moving back to California, her skin now sporting a soft, golden glow. She looks amazing; so much better than his imagination could ever conjure up on the ship.

When she reappears a few moments later, it's with a seductive expression on her face, her bottom lip caught between her teeth, eyes dark and full of promise as she walks toward him.

"Come here," he says, gaze roaming her body hungrily.

She smiles, slipping beneath the covers again. Logan curls his arm around her waist, tugging her against him, and slides a leg between hers. He kisses her hungrily and she responds with fervour, bringing her hand up to the back of his neck, holding him close.

"Mmm." She sighs against his mouth and it vibrates right through him, sending a shiver down his spine.

She moves with him as he urges her onto her back and settles between her legs. He's hard already, just the sight of her enough to send the blood to rushing to his cock after so long. The material of her sleep shorts brushes against him and he shudders at the sensation..

"So, Ms. Mars," he murmurs between kisses, "ready to be thoroughly ravished?"

She grins. "Born ready."

He grins, kisses her again, then rises to his knees above her, placing his hands on her waist, beneath her tank top, and slowly sliding his palms up over her skin, bringing the thin material with them. A shuddering sigh escapes her lips in response and she lifts her shoulders so he can pull the top over her head. He tosses it to one side and it catches on the bedside table, knocking his alarm clock to the floor. Logan winces as the radio clicks on and soft music fills the room.

He moves to pick it up, but Veronica stops him with a palm on his chest and a shake of her head. "Leave it."

"Okay," he whispers, looking down at her for a moment, before lowering his head again, kissing a trail down her neck and over her collarbone.

The music spilling from the alarm clock is vaguely familiar: a soothing, almost haunting, classical piece. A single piano plays triads, blending effortlessly with the rich, rounded tones of a cello. It creates a calm, almost ethereal atmosphere in the room and everything suddenly comes into sharp focus; it's just him and Veronica, together, in their own private bubble, rediscovering each other.

He palms her breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples, savouring the feel of her, relearning her curves. She sighs beneath him, her hands coming to his shoulders as he dips his head and replaces one hand with his mouth, circling his tongue around her nipple, flicking and licking until she's writhing beneath him, fingers digging into his shoulders.

Kissing his way down her stomach, he shoots her a quick smile before hooking his fingers in the waistband of her shorts and tugging both them and her panties down over her hips. He discards them on the floor, then kneels between her legs, taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of her body, before leaning in and placing a gentle kiss to her clit.

"God, Logan…" Her back arches, her fingers clutching at his hair.

He grins, then goes back for more, licking and sucking at her clit as his fingers gently trace her lower lips, then plunge into her wet heat.

"Oh my God." She sucks in a sharp breath. "Yes…"

As he teases and nibbles, he lets the music guide him, working her up, then stopping just before she reaches climax, holding off on finally sending her over the edge until the cello reaches a haunting crescendo.

"Oh, holy fuck," mutters Veronica, hips rocking, body seeking even more pleasure as she gasps and writhes beneath him. "You are amazing at that."

Logan grins, sliding up over her, supporting his upper body on his elbows as he lets his weight rest over her, his arousal pressing against her intimately. He lowers his mouth to her ear.

"All part of the service, ma'am." He murmurs softly. "And there's so much more to come."

"Yes, there is." She turns her head, kissing him hungrily.

There's a slightly ungainly moment as Logan rummages in the bedside drawer for condoms, his fingers fumbling with the package when he tries to get it open, but then he's pressing against her intimately and all the awkwardness disappears. The music is still playing, the piano and cello in a quiet lull, and as Logan enters her slowly, dragging a strained whimper from her lips, he lets the music set the pace again, stroking deeper as the melody builds, then slowing when there's a lull.

It's intense and passionate and emotional and everything he's been missing for the last six months. Veronica's clutching at his back, legs hooked around his, her skin warm and smooth, as soft gasps escape her lips, turning to moans of pleasure as he brings her closer and closer to climax.

As the cello begins to build toward another crescendo, he thrusts deeper, the smooth, rich notes reverberating right through him. Veronica lets go with a cry of pleasure, her inner muscles pulsing around him, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through his whole body. Right as the cello reaches its top note, he comes, hips bucking, her name flying from his lips.

Spent, his arms give way and he collapses onto her, not having the energy to hold himself up. She wraps her arms around his neck, hugging him close, and kisses him thoroughly. Halfway through the kiss, he feels her lips twitch and then she's giggling into his mouth.

With a smile, he pulls back, looks down at her. "What?"

"You're here," she says with a wide smile. "You're actually here, with me… inside me. It doesn't seem real."

Logan grins. "Oh, it's real. Believe me."

He kisses her again, then pulls out, shifting onto his back and discarding the condom, before tugging her close. She snuggles up beside him, head nestled against his chest, arm slung around his waist and one leg curled around his. Logan curls his arm around her and presses a soft kiss to the top of her head. They lie together in silence, just catching their breath, coming down from the high.

"So, uh…" she starts after a long moment. "Sleep well?"

Logan chuckles. "Very well. Thank you."

She lifts her head, grins at him. "Feel rested?"

"Right now? No, I'm kinda spent."

She chuckles, snuggles closer. "Hungry?"

"You know, I think you're doing this the wrong way around," he says teasingly. "The pleasantries normally come before the sex, not after."

"So?" She shrugs against him. "Humour me. I'm enjoying being able to exchange pleasantries with you."

He tightens his arm around her. "Me, too."

A comfortable silence falls between them and Logan takes a moment to enjoy the feel of her in his arms.

"So, I guess you'll be needing another shower now."

"Guess so," he agrees, then grins. "But only if you come with me."

"Oh, I think I can arrange that." She presses a gentle kiss to his chest, then shifts, moving to straddle him. "But I believe we have some more catching up to do before that."

Four hours later, after showers and a late lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches, they're on the road to Neptune. Logan, feeling much more human now, takes the wheel, and he can't stop smiling widely as he speeds down the PCH. He's back in California, wind rushing past his ears, Veronica by his side, her fingers entwined with his. Every now and then, he catches her watching him with a blissful smile and the sight of it causes a rush of warmth to flow through his chest.

He lifts her hand to his mouth, placing a gentle kiss to her knuckles, then lowers their clasped hands to his thigh, thumb stroking her skin as he drives.

It's perfect.

It's coming home.

End

Author's Note: I hope you've all enjoyed the story, and thank you for all the favourites and reviews :). There will be another installment to the series, but it might be a while before I can post... for two reasons:

1) I haven't started it yet and I have another story to write before the end of this month

and

2) In a few weeks, I am moving overseas for 3 months, to one of the remotest parts of the world (I won't even be able to receive mail there). I will have access to a limited internet connection and I'll try my best, but it might be so slow that I can't physically post anything between mid-Nov and mid-Feb.