Shane pinned me against the door and pressed our mouths together in a hot kiss that left me breathless before I dragged him back to my room and stripped him. Shane spent most of the night exploring my body like he was trying to memorize it. Eventually I had enough and pushing him on his back before I straddled him. The night was full of pleasure as we helped each other rid the fear and adrenaline we still had coursing through our bloodstream.

I woke up the next morning to the alarm I had set for Shane and I. He had to go back to the station and pick his things up before we could spend the day together and stop in to see Marcus and Alison. Sighing, I gently rolled over in Shane’s arms and saw that he was still out cold. I frowned at him when I saw a frown on his face. He was breathing hard as his eyes moved under his eyelids.

“Shane.” I whispered. He didn’t respond.

“Shane.” I said louder and finally with a gasp Shane’s eyes popped open as he looked at me. I was startled though by the fear that was in his eye before it turned to relief. He then suddenly pulled me into his chest and held me close.

“I haven’t had that nightmare in a long while, and it changed on me.” He whispered into my hair. “It wasn’t Quinn trapped beside me, but you.” He said as his body trembled. “I can’t lose you too.” His arms tightened on me and I silently agreed. Marcus getting hurt made me realize that I couldn’t live without Shane by me. It would hurt too much.

After we had our few minutes together just holding each other, I pulled Shane into the shower and proceeded to show his lower half that I was there and wasn’t going to leave. Shane’s uneven breaths reminded me that even though I may not be able to read his eyes much, but I could read his body very well.

Once done our shower we dressed and headed into the main room. Shane worked in the kitchen making breakfast, so I went to my computers and logged on. I groaned allowed when the guys all spoke within seconds of each other.

Hawthorn: Hey!

Giles: Willow dude where you been?

Brown: there you are.

Willow: hey guys.

Giles: what the hell happened to you?

Hawthorn: for once I agree with Giles, where have you been? You were doing so good talking to us, and Brown told us that he saw your new pad.

Brown: sorry…

Willow: don’t worry, I was actually thinking about having you guys over to see the place soon, but Marcus was in an accident and my bros and I have to take care of Alison and Molly until he is out.

Brown: SHIT!

Hawthorn: WHAT HAPPENED?

Giles: Marcus?

Willow: Marcus, brat that tortured Ali when she was a kid, but is stupidly in love with her.

“Ah so you admit it.” Shane whispered in my ear. Goosebumps rose on my skin as he kissed down my neck. “I take it you are inviting them up?” he said seductively as one hand wrapped around and teased one of my nipples. Gasping air I could just nod. “Good, I would like to meet the man you saved and the ones that saved you.” He kissed my neck once more before he moved away and I watched him walk away. Those jeans just looked too good on him to be natural. Sighing I looked back at the computer and read what the others had wrote.

Brown: Giles get with the program.

Giles: I’m sorry, I forgot!

Hawthorn: You always forget important shit.

Giles: No I don’t!

Brown: So when are you having us up?

Hawthorn: yes, I need to know when to put in for time off.

Giles: where do you live bro?

Brown: Umm.. Hello?

Hawthorn: WILLOW!

Giles: Oh I bet you have some chick over distracting you!

Brown: Giles shut up, he probably just walked away

Hawthorn: Giles go get laid before you mess up anything else.

Willow: I agree with Hawthorn.

Brown: See... now when are we coming over dude?

Willow: How about a week from today? Things should be settled by then.

Hawthorn: I can do that.

Giles: Sweet! Got to go! See you all there!

Brown: I’ll give them your address. Have a great day Luke. Tell S I said Hi.

I smiled and logged off but when I stood I ended up an inch from Shane. He was grinning but my stomach growled when the smells reached my nose.

“Trevor says hey.” I whispered as I looked around him and saw a hot breakfast fit for a king set on the table I rarely used.

“So he is okay with me?” I heard Shane whisper and I frowned as I looked back at him. He looked nervous.

“You have never turned a guy before have you?” I asked gently. Shane shook his head.

“No I stuck to my own kind.” I saw the hurt in his eyes. Smiling I grabbed his hand and led him to the table.

“Well I’m your own kind and if they can’t deal with it then they can leave. Brown is like another brother and already understands. And I think Hawthorn has gotten the hints. Giles is just plain stupid sometimes so it takes him a bit to accept things.” I shrugged and sat down beside Shane at the table. I groaned while eating. His cooking was almost as good as Alison’s.

A little bit later we were out the house and in Marcus’ room. He was sitting up and smiling at Molly as she told him about something in school yesterday. Shane and I just stood there and watched as Alison sat beside him and just smiled at the two.

I frowned when Marcus whispered something to Molly and she nodded. I watched as Marcus smiled as Molly went over to the bag that had his things in it that one of his brothers must have dropped off. Molly returned to the bed but instead sat on Alison’s lap. I stiffened when I saw Molly open her hands and there sat a royal blue box.

“Alison.” Marcus said roughly but loud enough to catch her attention. Alison looked up at him surprised. I looked back at Molly and watched as she opened the box. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?” He asked with a crooked grin. Alison finally looked down and gasped. I felt my heart swell as she started crying and nodding her head frantically. Molly helped Alison slide the ring on before Alison got up and kissed Marcus.

Glancing over at Shane I saw that he was staring at them intently, and I wondered what was going through his mind. Frowning I knew he didn’t know that he knew that he was my ‘one’. Forming a plan in my head for my brothers to talk to him, I nodded to myself and went back to watching my sister smile and be herself once again.

After we finished visiting Marcus, Shane and I just walked around the local park together. Everything was so perfect with Shane. The pain was gone and so were the nightmares. I felt like my old self with him beside me. Gently smiling I grabbed his hand and intertwined our fingers as we walked under a wooded path.

Soon we came to a clearing where a pond was. So I led him part of the way down the shore until I found some good logs, and we just sat and watched the scenery.

“I love you. You know that right?” I said randomly as I smiled at his concerned and confused face.

“Yes.” He dragged out.

“Good.” I said curtly as I smiled wider and hid my laughter of my secret knowledge from him. Abruptly standing I held my hand out to Shane and saw that he still looked confused but decided to ignore it and enjoy each other.

The rest of the day was spent joking around and small races in the park. Once we made it back Shane left briefly to get a few more things so he wouldn’t have to go home after his shifts. Once he had returned we enjoyed the comfortable silence as I lay against him and read a book. I believed that he was reading with me, but at one point I felt his breathing slow down and knew that he was asleep. Chuckling softly I woke him and then led him to the bedroom before I let him surround me as I finished the chapter. Once done I found myself on my back, and a very aroused Shane above me.

The week passed quickly as Shane worked and I built a new test for Jenson’s students. It felt good to build a program again, but I knew I didn’t want to do it the way i did in the past ever again. Sighing I stretched as I stood up from sitting at the computer.

Glancing over at Shane, I saw that he looked different as he worked in the kitchen. Shane could make a mean steak and had this special rub for it that he wouldn’t tell even the ingredient used to Alison. But I swore it locked all the juice in. Quietly I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist as I buried my face in his back. He smelled like smoke from working his midnight shift this morning, but I didn’t mind.

Chuckling Shane spun and then I found my face lifted and my lips upon his as he backed me up against the refrigerator. His hands moved on my sides and that’s when I noticed that they had a slight tremor to them. Pushing him back I quickly snatched up his hands and brought them to eye level. I knew he tried to hide it but I could still see him shaking. Locking eyes with him I saw that he was still nervous.

“If they can’t deal with it they can leave.” I whispered firm. Shane nodded and kissed me again as my hands found their way into his slightly damp hair from our shower earlier. Shane pulled away and I saw him smile.

“I wasn’t done prepping the food.” He whispered against my lips. “And now I want to eat something else.” Chuckling I pushed away from him. Shane pouted but I just smiled.

“Later.” I promised as I walked over to my bookshelf.

I had a nagging feeling recently that someone had been watching me. Quietly I lowered to the bottom shelf and moved the books out of the way. I then poked the back corner until the small panel popped loose. I removed the panel and looked at the hidden keypad. Sighing I typed in my code and heard the familiar click beside the bookcase up at eye level where a picture of Molly and Alison was on the wall. I removed it from the wall and looked at the Safe and was ready for the scans. I stayed still as it took my retinal scan and then I placed my hand on the screen. After another small beep, the safe unlocked. I pulled it open and looked inside to the flash drive. I pulled it out and looked at it in my hand.

“What’s that and why is it hidden like that?” Shane whispered as his arms slipped around me.

“This little thing is what caused the ambush. I didn’t have it on me and I wouldn’t give up its location. People believe it was destroyed but I haven’t had the heart to destroy it. It’s my greatest creation.” I whispered before I place it back and shut the safe. The lock clicked and I replaced the picture before lowering and fixing the bottom shelf.

When I stood up I was caught in Shane’s sad expression.

“I know we have talked about it, but I still want you to take your friend’s and family’s advice and see a PTSD therapist.” Shane said gently. I smiled and nodded. I would do anything for Shane.

The doorbell ringing interrupted us as Shane went rigid. I kissed his lips before I walked over to my security panel. Smiling I saw Trevor standing at the door and sticking his tongue out at camera.

“Dude let me in!” he yelled as he rang the doorbell again. Chuckling I opened the door for him.

“Hey Trevor.” I chuckled. Trevor went ramrod straight at my smile and it just made me smile more.

“Holy shit.” He whispered before he shook his head and blinked a few times. “Where is he? I want to shake his hand.” Trevor said pushing past me. I followed him and watched as Shane came out of the kitchen. Shane had stopped mid step at the sight of Trevor walking up to him. Trevor was about my size, but I could still see that Shane was a little intimidated from his nervousness.

Sighing I went to his side and watched their exchange. Trevor was staring at Shane impassively with his arms crossed. He suddenly smiled and stuck out his hand.

“I am not judgmental and anyone who can make this loner smile like he did in boot camp, deserves a medal.” Trevor said chuckling. I felt Shane relax as I stiffened.

“Hey!” I said offended. My outburst just made them chuckle, but Shane just slung his arm around me after he released Trevor’s hand.

“It was a compliment towards me.” Shane chuckled.

“Yea, but an insult towards me.” I grumbled. Trevor just shrugged. He then lifted his other hand and I already knew what he had.

“Lisa sent her Chili with me with her regards and congrats.” Trevor said. I quickly snatched it the thermos bag away and left to set the Crockpot up in the kitchen. When I walked back out both men were smiling and I saw a broad smile on Shane’s face that almost looked a little sad. Walking up to them I slipped beside Shane again.

“What did you two talk about?” I asked firmly. Trevor looked at me.

“Nothing.” I was about to ask more but the doorbell rang. Frowning at the two troublemakers I walked over and froze at the security screen.

Quickly I swung it open and stared surprised at Dimitri. He was standing with a cane. I glanced down and saw the prosthetic leg before I looked up at his relaxed face.

“Hey man, nice neighborhood. Now can I see your home?” I nodded and stepped back. Dimitri Hawthorn is walking. My mind screamed in my head. I followed him in and watched as he hugged Trevor who shrugged at my silent message of if he knew about the leg.

Quickly getting back into reality I watched as Dimitri looked at Shane with a smile.

“You must be S but let me introduce myself. I’m Dimitri Hawthorn and I’m sorry that my son, Devon, attacked Luke.” Shane smiled gently.

“Nice to meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you and I was glad to help with that situation. I’m Shane Caudwell.” I saw Dimitri frown.

“Caudwell… I know that name…Quinn Caudwell, do you know him?” Dimitri said frowning at Shane. I saw the sad look in Shane’s eyes and quickly but unnoticeably stood beside him.

“Yes I do but I would like to know how you know him.”

“I have his younger sister in one of my classes.” Dimitri said gently. I felt Shane stiffen.

“Yes, I remember Rebecca is in the local university. I haven’t spoken to her in a long while.” Shane’s voice had gotten soft.

“I’m sorry for her loss but she never mentioned another brother.” Dimitri mused.

“I’m not her brother. I took her brother’s last name shortly after our accident.”

“AH! That’s where I recognize your name; Becca had said that he brother’s fiancé was the only survivor.” Dimitri’s voice had gone gentle as he finally put the pieces together. He looked between Shane and me and finally saw how close we were standing together. A small smile broke on his face. “Things make sense now. Rebecca had spoken about how Shane was spending time with an old crush.” Dimitri chuckled before he stuck his hand out to Shane. “I’m glad you found him again.”

“Me too.” Shane said with a small smile before we glanced at each other. I blushed a little at the memory of the shower since his heated gaze was the same now as it was then.

“Where is Bret?” Trevor said interrupting our connection.

“Caught in traffic.” Dimitri sighed before he walked around the living room. “Nice place.” He mused.

Shane pulled me against him before he kissed my head and spoke softly.

“Should I start the steaks?” I nodded and smiled up at him. He looked less nervous and more relaxed than when Trevor and Dimitri weren’t here.