"It isn't as bad..." Cam began, sensing her hesitate, but Blair stopped her.


"Yes, I know. It isn't as bad as it looks." She put it from her mind for the moment. When she had Cam naked, she took off her own clothes. She started the water in the shower and drew Cam in with her.


"Oh God," Cam groaned softly. "That feels so good."


"Mmm," Blair responded, finally beginning to relax herself. She reached for the soap and worked the lather over Cam's body.


"And that feels even better," Cam whispered, her eyes closing. She was nearly asleep standing up. The hot steam and Blair's soft hands lulled her into a state of near torpor. By the time Blair was finished washing Cam's hair, she wasn't sure she would be able to remain standing.


"I'm not going to be much good for anything in another minute," Cam murmured, her speech slurred with fatigue.


Blair wrapped her in a large towel and brushed the damp hair back from her forehand. She kissed her gently on the mouth. "Believe me, Commander, you are good for a great many things, which I'm sure you'll remember after a little sleep. If not," she added as she led the way to the bedroom, "I'll be sure to remind you."


*****


Renee Savard opened her eyes and tried to focus on the figure leaning over her. Finally, she said, "Hi."


Stark smiled. "Hi yourself."


Savard carefully took stock, assuring herself that she could feel the bed covers touching each foot and each hand. Then she wiggled her fingers and toes, finally sighing with relief. "Apparently everything is working, yeah?"


"The doctors say you'll be fine," Stark said, a small catch in her voice.


"You want to give me a rundown of what 'fine' means?" Savard said quietly.


"I guess the doctors should probably do that," Stark hedged.


"Paula," Savard said, and this time her voice trembled. "I'd prefer hearing it from you."


"Hey," Stark said gently, reaching for her hand, cradling her fingers between her own palms. "You're okay, Renee, really. You took a bullet in the left shoulder. They said it pretty much severed the major vein from your arm. But the nerves are okay -- they think you'll have a little weakness for a few months. You bled like hell though, and they gave you transfusions for that. You've been out of it for a day and a half because of all the anesthesia and the shock. But, you're going to be fine, Renee."


Savard closed her eyes for a few seconds, and when she opened them, her smile was stronger. "That doesn't sound too bad. A little rehab and I should be back in the field, right?"


"Don't see why not," Stark said positively, although at the moment she didn't want to think about that. She still couldn't shake the feeling of terror she'd had when she'd found her on the ground, lying so still, covered in blood.


"Did I get him?" Savard asked.


This time, Stark's smile was brilliant and her eyes flickered with something hard and edgy. "Oh yeah, you got him. You got him in about a million pieces. He took a little unexpected ride on his own rocket fuel. Straight to hell, I hope." She forced back the rage. Later. There would be time to let it out later. "You're a hero, Renee. You deserve all the credit you get."


Savard shook her head. "I don't think so, Paula. Roberts was all over it out there. If it hadn't been for her..." She broke off abruptly and her eyes widened, more fear-filled than when she had first awakened and realized that she was in a hospital bed. "Oh God! Is she all right? Ellen Grant? What about Grant? There was an explosion..."


"They're both okay," Stark said quickly. "Grant will be in here a while but the Commander has already been released."


Rene closed her eyes for a few seconds. "Thank God," she murmured.God, is it finally over then? She was beginning to remember -- running through the dark, the flash of the explosion, the tearing pain in her shoulder.


Stark frowned when she realized that Savard was trembling. "I should go. You need to rest."


Savard opened her eyes again. Softly, she said, "You look like you could use some, too."


"Yeah, maybe," Stark said with a sheepish grin. She was actually about to fall down she was so tired. But she couldn't leave just yet. "So...uh...Savard -- just in case you have any memory problems, you know -- from this little...uh, episode...I...uh...wanted to remind you that we -- you know -- have a date. Right?"


Renee Savard smiled, and this time her eyes sparkled with their old vitality. "You don't need to worry, Agent Stark. It would take more than a bullet to make me forget that."


*****


When Cam awoke, she was naked in bed and Blair was beside her. For a few moments, she lay quietly, simply luxuriating in the feel of Blair's arm possessively draped across her body. She liked the weight of it, the quiet reminder that she belonged there--with her.


"He's really dead, isn't he?" Blair said into the still darkness, part statement, part question.


"Yes," Cam said, reaching for Blair's hand, interlacing her fingers with Blair's and squeezing gently. "We don't have a positive ID, but I expect that we will when the forensics people are finished."


"Who was he?"


Cam hesitated for a second, and then said quietly, "He was a State Trooper assigned to your security detail about ten years ago - when your father was still governor."


Blair rolled onto her side and pressed tightly against Cam's body, nestling her face against her shoulder. After a moment, she said, "I don't remember him. I don't remember any of them."


"There's no reason that you should," Cam said gently. She brushed her fingers lightly over the curve of Blair's breast, and Blair shivered in her arms. "We're not supposed to be memorable. We're supposed to do our job and keep out of your life."


There was an edge of bitterness in her voice that she couldn't quite hide. Harker had tarnished so many things she valued. Dishonoring his oath was the least of his sins. It enraged her every time she thought of him watching Blair with his fevered distorted longings, all the time that he had been entrusted with her care.


"I seem to have quite a few pleasant memories of you though, Commander," Blair whispered softly, rubbing her palm lightly over Cam's chest, chasing away her demons.


Cam's swift intake of breath followed fast on the surge of excitement that rippled through her. She shifted so they were face to face and she kissed her way along the edge of Blair's jaw to the corner of her mouth. "Let's make a few more."


Blair pushed Cam down and moved on top of her, straddling her hips. "Let's."


"I love the way you look when you're on top of me," Cam murmured, reaching for her breasts.


Blair leaned forward, catching her lower lip between her teeth as Cam's knowing fingers closed on her nipples. She rocked, slow easy strokes, teasing herself as well as her lover as her wetness coated Cam's stomach. When the pressure began to peak and the tingling started on the insides of her thighs, she dropped her head and closed her eyes, bracing herself with her hands against the mattress on either side of Cam's shoulders. Her breath came in uneven sobs as she gave herself to the escalating urgency between her legs, pressing harder, faster. Soon, it would be impossible to stop.


She forced her eyes open and struggled to focus on Cam's face. "Should I wait?" she gasped.


"No," Cam rasped, barely able to force the words out her chest felt so tight. "You're so beautiful when you come."


Cam brought one hand down between them and slipped her fingers between Blair's legs, cupping her as she thrust.


"Oh Cam," Blair moaned, riding hard on Cam's hand. She jerked once and then she was gone. As the spasms continued to bombard her, she collapsed against Cam's chest, groaning softly.


"Sorry," Blair finally murmured. "I seem to be afflicted with terminal lust."


"Nice," Cam remarked, running her hands up and down her back. "Have I mentioned lately that I find you terminally sexy?"


Blair laughed, leaning up on one elbow and shaking the hair back from her face. "You think we're safe together?"


Cam stroked her face, then raised her head and kissed her gently. "Oh yes. Quite safe."


"Are we free now?" Blair asked, suddenly serious.


"Yes."


But they both knew that wasn't quite true.


"I'd prefer that you not scare the hell out of me again for a while," Blair said, pressing her lips to Cam's bare shoulder, tasting the light tang of salt and feeling her desire rise again.


Cam brushed a kiss into her hair. "I have no intention of scaring you again at any time. I know it's hard to believe at the moment, but these situations are extremely rare. I hope you'll be able to believe that someday."


"You're not resigning, are you?"


"I don't want to," Cam said quietly. She tightened her grip and held Blair closer when she felt her stiffen. "It's what I do, Blair, and it feels right to me. It lets me be with you more than I would be able to under any other circumstances. I don't want to see you for a night every couple of months. Not for the next seven years."


Blair tried hard to put her fear aside and to listen to what Cam was telling her. She couldn't deny the reality of the situation, because if Cam were not part of her security detail, it would be very hard for them to be together. It would still be hard for them to have a personal life, but that was not a new challenge for her. She had been working outside the system in that regard all her life. She sighed.


"I don't know if it will work, but I'm willing to try."


"If it doesn't work," Cam assured her, "I'll do whatever I have to do. Blair, I love you."


Blair moved on top of her and looked intently into her face. "We'll both do whatever we need to do, Cam. Because I love you, too."


"Is that so?" Cam murmured, catching Blair's fingers and pressing a kiss to her palm. Then, she moved Blair's hand down her body. "Perhaps you could repeat that."


Blair laughed, watching Cam's eyes as she touched her. "As you wish, Commander."


The End