Author's Note: Thank you for your patience. I know it has been a while since I last posted a chapter, but my time is very limited these days, and it takes a LOT of time to complete a chapter. I hope you enjoy this one!

Warning: Please be aware that there is a good bit of suggestiveness in this chapter.

"Oh!" Oliver glanced down briefly at the drink, then eyed Shane, his brows raised and head tilted sideways. "Thank you," he told her sincerely, yet a slight smirk formed on his face.

As he took a few slow steps toward his wife, her eyes stayed locked on his bare upper body. From a short distance, she had immediately noticed his chiseled features—a broad chest and narrower waist, as well as sculpted arms that contradicted his position as a man whose main daily task was investigating dead letters. On the contrary, it appeared as though he worked a more physically demanding job.

Oliver confidently held out his hand as he approached, taking the Yoo-Hoo from Shane, his fingers brushing against hers and sending a shockwave through her.

"You're welcome," she finally managed to utter, then cleared her throat awkwardly before she finally looked him in the face for a moment. It had taken her several seconds and a magnitude of effort to pry her eyes away from his newly revealed muscular physique. An uncomfortable second of eye-to-eye contact, however, immediately caused her gaze to land once more on his body, then away from him altogether as she abruptly forced herself to turn around.

With the realization that his wife was greatly affected by his shirtless presence, Oliver set the Yoo-Hoo on the counter, his eyes not leaving Shane. In one swift motion he stepped forward and reached out, placing his hands on her waist, turning her back around and pulling her closer to him than ever before.

A wave of regret washed over him instantly, his face contorting at the sharp movements. He inwardly groaned at the reality of his current circumstances as pain had overtaken passion. Taking one step back from her as quickly as he had reeled her in, he grimaced, removing his hands from her waist and putting one to his own side, eyeing the area for visible signs of the agony he had just endured.

Shane gasped.

"O-Oliver!" she exclaimed. His boldness had stunned her, but his retraction due to obvious pain had shocked her even more. Not once since they had left her homestead had he complained of such a painful injury. Now, she was positive he had sustained one. "You're hurt," she stated, her eyebrows furrowing as she bit her lip worriedly, her glistening blue eyes a reflection of her heartbreak as she stared at him.

"It's just a bruise," he countered, shrugging his shoulder nonchalantly as he looked back up at her, immediately noting her expression.

It was more than empathy, more than remorse. In fact, her face mirrored the physical agony that he felt himself, as though she experienced precisely the same. Never before had he been so loved. If roadblocks did not exist, he was certain that he would reciprocate her love tenfold before the evening was over.

"Let me see," she insisted.

He removed his hand from the affected area and lifted his arm, then Shane gently ran her fingers along his side as he inhaled deeply. When she touched the sore spot he stiffened. She looked up at him once again, this time with a look of disappointment in her eyes.

"Oliver, why didn't you tell me you were hurt this badly?" Her lips tightened as she flashed him a scolding look.

"I didn't want you to worry, Shane. I'm fine," he told her matter-of-factly.

"No….you're not….but you will be." A look of determination replaced her despair as she placed her hands on his upper arms, then instantly drew them back as though the contact was electrifying. "Go make yourself as comfortable as possible on the bed," she directed him. "I'll put the ice packs in the freezer and bring the calamine lotion."

He took a deep breath and nodded, scratching at his arms once more as the reminder of his itchy rash seemed to now overtake pain. They exchanged small, slightly awkward smiles, and then went their separate ways. Oliver headed for the bedroom, clutching his Yoo-Hoo in one hand and scratching with the other, as Shane turned back to the kitchenette to handle the supplies.

After putting the ice packs in the freezer, Shane carried the bottle of calamine lotion and cotton balls, along with a couple of pain relievers, into the bedroom. Oliver was lying down on his back, his upper body propped up by pillows, and he was so distracted by the troublesome rash that he didn't even notice as she made her entrance. Her steps halted for just a moment as she eyed him, her breath hitching in her throat, before she recollected her composure and moved forward.

"Here we go!" Shane announced as she approached him, hoping her voice carried a bit of normalcy. He tilted his head up to acknowledge her, his right hand still clawing at the red areas on his left arm. "This stuff is liquid gold for a rash like you've got," she stated with a satisfied grin. "At least I'll be able to relieve that for you."

Oliver raised his eyebrows. Her smile faded and she widened her eyes as she stood before him.

"Uh, as opposed to the injury to your side," she stated emphatically, rolling her eyes in embarrassment, her face slightly rosy. "We can definitely ice that bruise but it might be a little trickier to treat than the rash. You don't think you broke a rib, do you?"

"Uh, no, I don't believe so," he replied. "I think it's probably just sore from the impact."

Shane nodded. "Well, here's some ibuprofen to help ease your pain." She held out her hand, and he took the capsules, washing them down with a swig of his preferred drink. After placing the bottle back on the nightstand, he moved over a few inches away from the side of the bed, then patted the space beside him.

Shane licked her lips and cautiously sat down on the bed beside Oliver, one leg curled under her, her body turned sideways so that she could face him. She then opened the bottle of lotion as he watched her.

After placing a few dabs on a cotton ball, she looked back at Oliver and wordlessly held out her free hand. He smiled in the midst of his discomfort and extended his stricken arm to her. She took his left hand in hers, then gently applied the lotion to his wrist, moving slowly up his arm with the application as he continued to watch her, his heart full at the tenderness she exhibited.

"You don't have to be so cautious," he declared with a smug smile. "My forearm doesn't hurt—it just itches."

Shane cut her eyes up at him and flashed him an amused grin, then applied a little more pressure as she continued to cover the affected areas with the lotion.

"Does this assuage the itching?" Shane inquired.

"Assuage," he repeated. "I love that word."

Shane chuckled. "I have no doubt that you do, especially now….my itchy word nerd." She giggled and leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheek, just slightly above the corner of his amused grin. As she sat back, their eyes connected and her smile waned, one corner of her bottom lip tucked in between her teeth.

"What….are you thinking?" Oliver questioned, his expression growing serious at the sight of hers.

Shane sighed wistfully. "Oh, well, I was just thinking about words….specifically Oliver O'Toole's words….and I suppose I am due for a lecture." Her mouth twisted.

"Oh?" he responded, his eyebrows arching again. "And what sort of lecture might that be, hmmm? What do you suppose one should say in a case such as this?"

Shane looked back down at his arm, still holding his hand. For a few moments she was silent as she began to rub more lotion over his reddened skin.

"Well, I am not sure what one should say, but I feel confident in knowing what my husband would say."

Oliver's heart swelled at her reference to him as her husband, yet he teased her instead. "Are you implying that what I would say is not what I should say?"

She chuckled as she eyed his arm. "Of course not."

He smiled slightly, then stated firmly. "Well, this lecture isn't going to give itself."

Shane nodded, her lips pursed, her eyes still cast downward.

"Would you like to give it a try?" he suggested.

"Me?" Her head snapped up abruptly, her eyes wide.

"You did, in fact, just express confidence in knowing my speech," Oliver remarked.

"Yes, I suppose I did," Shane agreed thoughtfully, squinting her eyes. "Okay." She cleared her throat. "Ms. McInerney," she began, in a slightly deeper voice. "I am well aware of your spontaneous nature, not to mention your stubborn personality that is exhibited when you set your mind on something, but you should be cognizant by now of the fact that you are not invincible. The stunt you pulled today reflects immaturity and irresponsible, reckless behavior. You could have been badly injured or worse—." She paused as she briefly contemplated, her words seeming to stun her as her voice caught in her throat before she swallowed and continued. "You acted selfishly and put us both in danger." Shane looked up at Oliver once more and shrugged, her face now void of expression, her voice changing back to normal. "There. How was that?"

He eyed her for a few beats before replying, "It's a good start."

"A good start," she repeated, her brows furrowed. "What did I leave out?"

Oliver took a deep breath, contemplating momentarily. "Although our marriage is a bit unconventional at present, we are still legally wed and therefore committed to each other for life, are we not?"

"Well, yes, I suppose so. I would be highly disappointed if we weren't." She smiled. "We did exchange vows and sign a certificate of marriage, after all, so I guess you could say we're the real deal." She giggled a little.

"Which means that your decisions no longer affect just you, but me as well." He clenched his jaw. "You can't begin to know just how greatly affected I would have been, had something happened to you today when you lost your footing in that tree." The intense look in Oliver's eyes frightened her, yet warmed her heart at the same time, and she swallowed past the knot forming in her throat.

"But nothing bad happened, Oliver," she declared matter-of-factly, then winced before amending her statement as she glanced down at his arm and injured side and back up sheepishly. "Not to me, anyway."

"Let me be clear. This discussion is not about me, or any injury—or itch—I might have sustained." He choked up as he looked deeply into her eyes. For the first time in his life, he had found the woman who truly mattered to him and to whom he truly mattered. He would do everything he could to keep her by his side, even if it meant protecting her from herself. "This is about you taking your own life into your hands. Had the circumstances been any different—if you had climbed higher, if you had been alone—"

"But I didn't, and I wasn't." She rolled her eyes slightly to downplay his exaggerated response to the situation, masking the emotions beginning to wreak havoc within her. "Oliver, you can't live your life playing 'what if'."

"And you can't play with your very life, Shane!" His voice rose with intensity, his piercing gaze under a wrinkled brow reflecting the gravity in his tone. "You're sharing it with me now, and I would appreciate it if you show me some courtesy by making wise decisions regarding your life. Whatever happens to you, happens to me. And if I—" He paused, briefly glancing up at the ceiling and then back to her, mentally forcing himself to say the words that didn't come easy. "If I ever lost you, Shane….I would lose my own self."

Shane stared wordlessly at Oliver, his words having punched her in the gut. Her silence was not a result of being reprimanded, but rather a state of utter speechlessness that ensued upon the realization that Oliver O'Toole loved her more than life itself. And that was a love greater than she had ever experienced before.

While his tone was strong and his speech solid, neither carried a hint of anger or selfishness. Anyone else in a similar situation might have lashed out as a response to physical pain, placing blame on her and overwhelming her with guilt. But in the sparkles of Oliver's eyes, all Shane could see was pure adoration.

He tilted his head sideways, a faint smile forming as his shoulders relaxed just a little, his voice lowering but still projecting with sincerity. "And I don't ever want to be forced to make a decision like that on the spot."

"What….decision?" Shane questioned, perplexed.

"I was forced to choose between catching you or your precious mobile device."

She laughed. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, my phone weathered the fall just fine."

"Good." Oliver stared at her with questioning eyes. "But are you certain that you did?"

Shane grimaced. "Actually, I scraped my arm trying to catch the limb."

Oliver knit his brows. "Let me see."

Shane slowly raised her arm and he peered at the back of her bicep at the painful scratches she had hidden until now.

"Oh my goodness, Shane! I know that must sting," he stated sorrowfully.

"I'm okay. It certainly could have been much worse." She paused for a moment, inhaling deeply. "I'm sorry, Oliver. I didn't realize just how much my actions would impact you." Her nose wrinkled as she offered her apology, a single tear finally escaping her misty eyes and rolling down her cheek before he caught it with his thumb. "So from now on, I promise I'll be more considerate. And I'll leave the tree climbing to Norman."

They chuckled.

"Good," he responded. "But this is not just about climbing trees."

"Oh, I do know that," she affirmed.

Shane paused and squinted her eyes at Oliver thoughtfully.

"I also know that I'm going to need you to meet me in the middle," she declared firmly.

"What….do you mean?" One eyebrow stood higher than the other.

"I mean that it's about time for you to seriously consider adapting to modern times and purchasing a mobile phone….now that you're sharing your life with me."

"Your desire to normalize technology in my everyday routine is irrelevant to this discussion, Ms. McInerney."

"I beg to differ, Mr. O'Toole."

"Oh? And just how does my lack of possession of such a nonsensical object pose a risk to my wellbeing or affect you?"

"For starters, what if we're apart and one of us needs to get in touch with the other, especially in an emergency, but you're not near a landline?"

"Emergency…. What kind of emergency? Like when you've gotten yourself in trouble and you're about to fall out of a tree?" He smirked.

She made a face. "I'm serious, Oliver."

"I know." He exhaled, lines of contemplation like waves across his forehead.

"I mean, think about it," Shane continued. "If you had had a phone when you went hiking with your dad and you two got lost in the woods, help might have arrived much sooner. And if you had had a phone, you could have extended aforementioned courtesy to me by letting someone know you were still alive."

Oliver stared at her for a few moments, pursing his lips and giving her a nod. "Point taken."

"And besides, wouldn't it give you peace of mind just knowing that we can easily communicate when we're apart?" Shane raised her eyebrows confidently, as though she had invited him to dance with her.

"Peace of mind, perhaps. Peace and quiet, on the other hand…." He playfully raised his brows in return.

She scoffed sarcastically, lightly striking his chest with her hand. He caught the back of her hand in his palm, holding it near his heart, laughing heartily before sobering. Their eyes locked and for a few moments, neither spoke a word.

Shane finally broke the silence.

"Oliver, why is your heart racing?" she questioned, then wondered if she should have even mentioned the rapid beats she felt beneath her palm.

His fingers curled around her wrist, his thumb pressing firmly against her skin. "Uh, well….perhaps for the same reason that your pulse is accelerated." His eyebrows rose in questioning.

For several more heartbeats, the two gazed at each other, both realizing the unspoken desire between them and seriously contemplating what to do about it. Oliver finally cleared his throat and swallowed.

"I suppose that as your husband, I have a certain….duty….to be reachable," he stated and then sighed deeply, staring at her for a few more seconds before speaking again. "My mind is struggling to comprehend what I am about to say…."

Shane widened her eyes with sheer optimism, her blue irises twinkling, as Oliver closed his eyes momentarily and shook his head. Had the archaic and modern worlds of this couple finally collided? The bitter taste of agreeing to something so unnatural for him was evident in his features even before he reluctantly spoke the words.

"I will….purchase….a mobile device."

Shane smiled brightly, but before she could respond, Oliver presented a disclaimer.

"However, it will strictly be for emergency purposes, and I will only share my number with you. No one else needs to know—"

"That you are taking a giant leap into the world of technology. I understand completely. We wouldn't want to ruin your stellar old-fashioned image." Shane chuckled. "It will be our little secret."

"I have begun to notice that our secrets don't last very long." Oliver winced and Shane giggled. He wrapped his free arm around her, easing her close to him, their faces only mere inches apart. "I hope you realize that no one else could have ever coerced me into obtaining one of those horrid machines."

"Well, I like to think that I have top-notch persuasive skills," she stated with a laugh.

"That….among other things." His voice was low and sultry.

Shane's heart fluttered as he drew her even closer and kissed her slowly, one hand lost in her hair and the other caressing her back. Her hands had nowhere to go but on his bare chest and his well-defined biceps, the feeling of which would have made her gasp out loud had his lips not aggressively claimed hers.

For a few moments neither was aware of anything outside of the kiss they shared. Oliver finally drew his head back, looked his wife in the eyes, and spoke softly.

"You know that I believe in trusting the timing," Oliver stated.

"Yes, I am well aware of that," Shane responded.

"But I don't always like it."

Shane tucked her bottom lip between her teeth and attempted to hide her amused grin, but the corners of her lips curled upwards, betraying her.

"However," Oliver continued, "at present, I am….slightly decommissioned….and we haven't had a meaningful ring exchange….not to mention that we are still sharing this hotel suite with your mother, who could possibly return at any moment without notice. Needless to say, our current circumstances are not ideal. And you, my dear Shane, deserve the very best I can give you."

Shane quickly leaned in and planted her lips on his once more, her kiss deepening with gratitude for his intentions. Oliver accepted the kiss without hesitation, but after a few moments he grasped her upper arms and reluctantly eased her away from him.

Locking eyes with her once more, his hands still on her arms, he spoke with a raspy voice. "Trust the timing." Oliver smiled as she nodded. "How about dinner out tonight?"

"That sounds wonderful," Shane replied with a grin, understanding why Oliver was suggesting leaving the suite. "I am famished."

"So am I," Oliver replied, the double meaning not lost on Shane as his eyes still pierced hers with desire.

Shane slowly stood up from the bed. "I need to shower first….you know, because of the jog." She cleared her throat.

The corner of his mouth turned up slightly at her awkwardness. "I will get dressed and head downstairs while you are getting ready. I need to inquire with the concierge regarding local restaurants. I also need to check with reception to see if another room has become available for your mother." He smirked and Shane laughed, her cheeks turning pink. "Meet me downstairs in the lobby when you're ready?"

"That sounds like a plan!" she agreed happily.

Oliver retrieved an outfit for dinner, and to stay on the safe side, they departed from one another without any physical contact.

About twenty minutes later, Oliver was waiting as patiently as possible in the lobby. He had talked with the concierge and discovered that all local restaurants had shut down amidst rising pandemic concerns. After checking with reception, it appeared that his mother-in-law would continue to share the hotel suite with Oliver and Shane. He knew that it was probably for the best if they could wait until the wedding ceremony and ring exchange he had planned for Saturday, yet he sighed in disappointment. As he checked his pocket watch, a familiar voice boisterously sounded his name—or a variation of it, anyway.

"Ovileer!"

Oliver glanced up to find Ramon approaching him.

"How are you? And how is Shane?"

"I'm well. She's well. We're both, well…." Oliver wrinkled his brows.

Ramon stared at Oliver as if waiting for him to finish his statement, then raised his eyebrows.

"Uh, are you well?" Oliver asked him.

"I am well," Ramon answered. "I am here in our nation's capital covering news on the worldwide pandemic situation. What brings you to the District of Columbia?"

"Unfortunately, Shane's sister was involved in an accident but is recovering in the hospital here in D.C.," Oliver informed him.

"Ahh, I see." Ramon's eyes shone with sympathy. "I'm terribly sorry to hear of the accident but I suppose she is doing well….as well, hmmm?"

"Yes, she is doing well as well." Oliver cleared his throat and took a breath. "I'm glad to have encountered you during our stay. This actually offers an opportune moment for me to ask a favor of you."

"Oh? What can I do for you, Ovileer?" Ramon questioned.

"We saw your broadcast earlier today at the hospital. I am sure coverage of current events is keeping you quite busy," Oliver responded. "When will you be returning to Denver?"

The two men talked for a few minutes, then Oliver spotted Shane coming out of the elevator and lowered his voice, whispering one more detail to Ramon.

Oliver's face brightened as Shane approached, and Ramon turned to face her.

"Ramon!" she exclaimed.

"Ahhh, the lovely Shane!" Ramon greeted her. "It is such a pleasure to run into you and your—Ovileer—here in Washington, DC all the way from Denver, Colorado," he rambled with animated hand gestures. "I would love to catch up with the both of you. However, I must be off to prepare for my evening broadcast to cover today's statistics and recommendations concerning our current pandemic. Have a beautiful evening, and stay well, my friends! Stay well." He turned and rushed off.

"Thank you, Ramon," Oliver called out. "You stay well, as well."

Oliver shook his head and rolled his eyes slightly, and Shane shouted her goodbye.

"Well, well, well," said Shane, turning to Oliver.

"That seems to be the word of the evening," he said with a smirk as she chuckled. "You look absolutely breathtaking," he told her, his eyes skimming down the length of her fitted top and jeans and then back up.

"Thank you, Oliver," she said, giggling, her smile spreading wide across her face, her blue eyes shining with glee.

"Uh, I'm afraid I have a bit of disappointing news," Oliver informed her. "The pandemic has forced local restaurant dining rooms to shut down."

"Oh." Shane made a face. "Well, I have worse news. My mother is returning shortly. They are heightening restrictions and security because of everything going on. Did you check with the front desk? Is there another room available?"

"Uh, I did, and unfortunately, no, there is not."

Shane closed her eyes for a moment in despair. "I'm sorry, Oliver."

"It's okay, Shane." Oliver smiled softly and angled his head sideways. "We'll get through this." He extended an elbow to her. "Why don't we order room service?"

"That will work," Shane agreed, hooking her arm in his. "I could definitely use some serious chocolate and wine right about now."

They chuckled as they walked to the elevators and stepped into an empty one.

"How's your itch?" Shane inquired as the elevator doors closed them inside, alone with one another.

"Oh! Well, to which itch are you referring?" he asked, causing Shane to look at him with wide eyes. He then leaned close to her ear, bringing his voice down an octave and making her blush. "One is bearable….the other, not so much."