He blinked. "What?"

"I knew there might be a sniper in the trees, but I threw them out anyway because I trusted that you'd be there for me."

He threw back his head and laughed. "My God, that's got to be the most original declaration I've ever heard."

"Stop laughing." She tried to steady her voice. "It meant something to me. It's not easy for me to lean on someone else, to trust. You told me I wasn't alone, that I didn't have to be alone. Well, I'm going to take you up on it." She paused. "So make up your mind about it."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll make it up for you." She stepped closer and laid her head on his chest. She could hear the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear. "I'll follow you all around the world until you get tired of seeing me and Barry behind you. You won't be able to look at another woman because I'll scare her off."

"You'll clear the way to me?"

"Anywhere. Anytime."

"I guess I don't have any choice, then. Since I'm such a peaceful man, I wouldn't want to see violence inflicted on an innocent-ouch. You kicked me."

"I'll do worse than that if you're not-"

"Shh. No threats. Do you know what it took for me to wait until you came to me?" He cupped her face in his hands and looked down into her eyes.

She inhaled sharply at what she saw there. "Then it served you right. There's nothing wrong with being a little aggressive."

"There is where you're concerned. You've threatened both my person and my manhood in the past."

"That was different."

"Everything that's between us is different. That's why it had to be right or not at all."

"And is it right now?"

His face was coming nearer and his voice was only a breath of sound. "You tell me."

The End