JENNA: * Marcus nods, but before he can speak again, the front door opens, admitting Jo, Elle and a few bags of food. Jo smiles briefly at Shane, looking a little worn out, but she follows her mother immediately to the kitchen, where quiet conversation ensues as the two go about meal preparation. "I hope you haven't bankrupted us," Marcus calls comfortably, and Elle shoots back, "Need I remind you who minds the money around here?"

JUSTIN: * Shane looks rather relieved at the return of the two ladies, as he was quickly making himself look ridiculous in the conversation with Marcus. "Jo, why don't you let me help with the cooking? I haven't had the luxury of a kitchen in at least a year, now."

JENNA: * Elle pokes her head out of the kitchen, looking somewhat surprised. "Well, if you really want to," she says, glancing at Jo, who arches an eyebrow and shrugs, ambling out to the table. "Come on, then," Elle beckons. "We don't have all night, do we?"

JUSTIN: * Shane hops to it, shrugging out of his coat as he goes, and -- taking a moment to find a suitable location -- deposits it, along with his weapons, before continuing. "I've yet to prove my cooking worth to Jo, but it's hard to prove anything with a campfire, an old pot, and a few rabbits." He grins, pausing by Jo to give her a brief kiss on the cheek. "And I can't pass up the chance to get a second opinion, too."

JENNA: "Well," Elle says as he enters. "You at least have more enthusiasm for the kitchen than Jo ever did. Though I suppose she gets by." She turns back to the counter, where she had apparently begun chopping vegetables. "It must be frustrating not to have the supplies you need, really."

JUSTIN: "If you only knew..." Shane says, and spying the vegetables, he turns Jo a glance over his shoulder and grins devilishly. "You'll be happy to know..." He turns back again, stepping over to the sink and rolling up his sleeves to give his hands a wash. "I've been forcing Jo to eat her veggies. Doesn't like the green stuff. A pity, honestly. More foods in life than beef."

JENNA: * Elle chuckles, directing Shane to take over vegetable-chopping while she works with the meat. "Never did like them, much as we hoped it was a childhood phase." She smiles a little wistfully, then glances at him, a hint of concern on her face. "Eating habits aside, is she doing well? Life on the road can be unpredictable ..."

JUSTIN: * Shane gives his hands a quick shake and towels them off, taking over the task without missing a beat. "I would say she thrives on it, if anything. There've been close calls, but... we watch each other's back. Perhaps we ended up together for just that reason." He sniffs slightly, a brief smile touching his lips.

JENNA: * The concern fades slightly as she continues to work, and she shakes her head. "Well, as long as she's okay. I know.. she won't want to stay here long, but -- it was more than we could have hoped to have her come home at all." She glances at him again and shakes her head.

JUSTIN: * Shane finishes with the vegetables, sectioning them off into piles with the edge of the knife. "It won't be the last visit, if I have anything to say about it." He wipes the knife free of vegetable residue, and almost mutters the next part. "Not that she listens to me on most occasions. But I can be just as stubborn as her, if I put my mind to it." He glances over at the meat to see how Elle is progressing, and pops a piece of pepper into his mouth.

JENNA: "Good." Elle grins at him. "We wouldn't survive another wait this long. Just do some sort of salad with those, if you would, dear." She shifts over to the stove to season and cook the meat. "You'll let us know if you ever settle down anywhere, I hope? Or if any children happen along? I'd like to hear about that."

JUSTIN: * Shane blushes profusely at the last comments, fetching a large bowl to start a salad going. "I'm not... I mean, we haven't..." He'd be embarrassed by the suggestion from anyone, but coming from Jo's own mother it's on another level. "If... /if/ we ever have children, you will of course be the first to know."

JENNA: "Good," she says again, clearly amused by his discomfort and tutting him. "Well, it's only a matter of time, I expect," she says matter-of-factly. "Either way, do stop by. I know you'll likely be traveling a lot, but ... if you're in the area." She pauses, frowning slightly. "Where are you two staying tonight? We don't have much room here, but I'm sure we could make a space if you have nowhere to stay."

JUSTIN: "Oh -- we wouldn't want to intrude, but..." Shane glances over his shoulder, to where Jo is sitting at the table and no doubt catching up with her father. "Well... we could afford an inn, but maybe... if you can find the room..." He shrugs his shoulders lightly, turning back to his salad preparation. "It might be nice... for her."

JENNA: * Elle nods, turning to get some dishes out of a nearby cupboard and serving the meat out onto them. "Well, if you don't mind making do with Jo's old room ..." She pauses, turning to him. "The bed is large enough to share, and we've had little to do with it since she's been gone -- just kept it clean. It's not much more than a guest room now."

JUSTIN: * Shane blushes slightly again, but he manages not to look too embarrassed, compared to the previous time. "That would seem fitting -- thank you." He stirs the salad around one last time, and collects a few smaller bowls, portioning it out.

JENNA: "It's the least we could do," Elle says firmly, taking the bowls, when he's finished with them, and setting them with the plates. She glances at the food critically. "Well, it was short notice, but we did what we could, right?" She takes two of the plates and starts for the table. "Jo, go get some silverware, would you?"

JUSTIN: * Shane takes the remaining plates and starts after her, noting with some belated disappointment that he only got to make a salad. Still, it was nice being able to make anything besides rabbit and fish. "I'm sure it will be delicious." He says lightly, carrying his cargo to the table and setting the plates down.

JENNA: * Jo glances up when he enters, breaking off a brief conversation with her father. She murmurs a polite thank you when he sets the plates down, hopping to her feet to get the silverware as requested. When she returns, she lays it out quickly before taking her seat and glancing sideways at Shane. "Have fun?" she asks mildly.

JUSTIN: "Preparing vegetables for you? There are few things that would give me more joy." Shane smirks, then grins, pinching some of the greenery in his bowl between his fingers and ferrying it to her own. "Good for your health, you know."

JENNA: * Jo very politely returns what he's given her. "I don't need more than my own share," she suggests, and Elle tuts her from across the table. "Just make certain you eat it all, young lady. I'll go clean up your room a bit after we've eaten -- make it proper comfortable for guests." Jo glances sideways at Shane and arches a brow.

JUSTIN: * Shane looks innocent enough, stabbing salad into his mouth and pretending he didn't just get a suspicious look. He swallows down his food and dabs at his mouth with a napkin, then clears his throat quietly. "I'm sure it'll be much more comfortable than the inn, right Jo?" He returns her glance, smiling.

JENNA: * Jo's look hardens slightly, but she shrugs and turns back to her meal, moving to the meat before she decides to deal with the salad. "Cheaper, too," she says, and that earns her a smack in the back of the head from her father. "Some gratitude," he remarks, and she manages to look a little guilty. Elle merely smiles comfortably and eats her meal.

JUSTIN: * Shane chokes slightly on his salad at the sight, giving a weak cough. He stands and goes to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water, and to keep anyone from seeing the look on his face. Drinking down half the glass before he even returns, he turns Jo a wary look before sitting down to eat again. "Sorry."

JENNA: * Jo lifts her shoulders in a very, very faint shrug, and Elle sniffs. "You'd think we weren't even going to offer. For heaven's sake, Jo, of /course/ you're to stay here if you're ever in town."Jo's mouth twitches into a faint smile, but she continues paying most of her attention to her meat, and her only response is a quiet, "Okay."

JUSTIN: * Shane reaches a hand over to lightly pat Jo's arm, silently wondering at her apparent displeasure. Not the time to ask about it now, though, so he goes back to work on his food with a steady pacing. He doesn't stop until more than half of it is packed away, at which point he slows down and looks around the table.

JENNA: * Jo, as usual, has packed away the meat with gusto, slowing only to pick at the unwanted salad. It vanishes fairly quickly as well, though both her parents are taking their time with the meal. "If you rush through life as fast as you eat, you'll be old before your time," Elle remarks, and Jo gives her a hard look. This earns only a smile and a jab from the older woman's finger. "It was true when I said it the, and it's true now." Jo heaves a sigh, leaning her elbow on the table and smiling -- she feels very much as though she's seven again.

JUSTIN: * Shane hides a grin behind his napkin, giving Jo's leg a slight nudge with his knee. "At least she takes her time when she bathes." He remarks, polishing off the last of his food and water.

JENNA: "At least she bathes," Marcus grunts, and Jo turns her gaze sharply to him. "Dad --" she starts, but Elle has already taken up the story. "Yes, well, when she first came to live with us, she seemed to consider them torture ... at least that has changed." She arches an eyebrow at her daughter, who sighs. "I'm not still seven, am I?"

JUSTIN: * Shane laughs, finding the idea that Jo could ever turn her nose at a bath close to absurd. "Hard to tell, some days." He teases, giving her hair a reassuring pet -- not that it much makes up for the poking. "I'm almost not sure I believe that story, considering..."

JENNA: "It's true," Jo grumbles, popping another vegetable into her mouth. "I'd have gotten mistaken for a townie if I was too clean, and street kids don't take kindly to that." She chews and swallows, then shrugs. "So I always made sure I got good and grubby before I went out." Elle sighs. "I thought you'd be the death of me, really."

JUSTIN: * Shane stares at Jo and tuts loudly, leaning his elbow on the table to rest his cheek against his hand. "Such a problem child, Jocasta. I suppose I should be grateful you aren't into the grubby thing anymore." He smirks, wondering if he'd have ever gotten away with the same thing in his house. Honestly, though, it's hard to get grubby when you're separated from the only dirt by miles of open air.

JENNA: "I doubt you were an angel, yourself," Jo replies drily, but she's prevented from saying more when Marcus pushes himself away from the table, reaching for an old pipe. "I'll be on the porch, Elle," he says, and makes his way outside, though not before catching Jo in a one-armed hug. After he's gone, Elle clears her throat with a smile. "Don't mind him.. he has a difficult time dealing with his emotions."

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs lightly, and begins to collect the emptied dishes into a pile to carry back to the kitchen. "I'll take care of these while you spruce up the bedroom, if you don't mind?" He gets to his feet before Elle even has a chance to answer, collecting the pile in his arms to carry off.

JENNA: "If you like, dear," Elle says, giving Jo a level stare before getting to her feet and starting for the stairs. Jo takes the unsubtle hint without a sound, following Shane to the kitchen. "So?" she says quietly, taking up her post next to him to rinse and dry.

JUSTIN: * Shane deposits the stack next to the sink, and begins to wash and rinse them one at a time, finding the simple act to be a welcome reminder of his own home-that-was. Looking over at Jo when she arrives, he gives a faint smile. "So, I think you have very nice parents. They remind me a little of my own."

JENNA: "They're good people," Jo says with a nod, though she does look tired. "I didn't.." She stops and shakes her head, taking the dishes from him as he finishes. "I owe them a lot for what they did for me when I was young." She shrugs slightly. "But it was hard for me to believe in them at the time."

JUSTIN: * Shane pauses in his work, letting the hot water run over his hands for a bit while he stares down in thought. "You're independant," he says finally, starting up again, "and who can blame you, considering what you went through at such a young age." He can't blame her, but he can still hope she'll lose some of the stubborness over time.

JENNA: * Jo shrugs, not interested in pursuing that subject farther than she needs to. "Being here is strange," she says quietly -- and mostly to herself. "But it's not bad." She glances at him sideways before he can respond to this, however. "Mom asked you if you wanted to stay here, right?"

JUSTIN: "It came up." Shane snags the last couple of plates and lowers them into the sink to scrub. "I said we wouldn't want to intrude, but I... thought it might be a nice thing." He finally looks over to match her glance. "Was I wrong?"

JENNA: * Jo shortly looks away, shrugging as she sets the plate she was drying aside. "It doesn't bother me. I was just surprised. I know they don't have a lot of room." She also didn't think they'd kept the bed, but she doesn't voice this opinion, having a fair idea the reaction she'd get.

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles a little, handing her the last of the plates and rinsing his hands of soap suds. "We don't take up much space. And we can be quiet, when we want to be." He grabs a towel to dry off his hands, leaning against the counter and watching Jo finish up her work. "As long as we don't give them a reason to come scold us in the middle of the night, I think they'll enjoy having you for the night."

JENNA: * Jo snorts, finding the likelihood of her parents having to scold them in the middle of the night slim to none. She finishes drying the last dish and wipes her hands on the towel, leaving the dishes to dry. "Either way, I am tired," she says. "Just as well not to have to hunt for an inn. Or take Avery up on any other favors." She grins, starting out into the dining room.

JUSTIN: * Shane glares briefly, unrolling his sleeves as he leaves the kitchen behind her. "All commentary about Avery aside..." More for her benefit than his, as he could rant about the man for an hour if he wanted to. "Hunting for an inn was probably not anyone's worry when the decision was made." He comes up behind her and sneaks his arms around her waist, propping his chin on the top of her head. "You are always about business."

JENNA: "Business is easy.." Jo half-turns in his embrace, snaking an arm round him in return. "It's a habit." She rests her head against his chest for a moment, only to startle away when Elle comes back down. "Well -- it's as good as it's going to get," the woman says, completely ignoring their proximity. "If you're tired, please go rest -- we'll be happy to see you in the morning."

JUSTIN: * Shane eases off of Jo, helping to turn her in the direction her mother just appeared from. "Thank you very much -- we appreciate the generousity." He puts a hand to Jo's back and starts forward, not quite tired, but just as willing to rest anyway. "We'll try not to sleep in too late."

JENNA: * Jo lets him push her along, smiling faintly as her mother waves good night to them both. She picks up a little speed as they start up the stairs, resisting the urge to pause when they reach the top and instead making her way rapidly toward her room. She pushes the door open hesitantly and finds it much the same as she remembers: a bed, a dresser, and a window open to the street. As for personal effects, she never had many.

JUSTIN: * Shane walks along after her, in no particular hurry, and stops behind her to peer into the bedroom. "Quaint... looks comfortable." He smiles, easing the door the rest of the way open so he can step inside. "Same bed you had as a child? It's bigger than the one I had as an adult..."

JENNA: "It's old," Jo says quietly, walking over to sit on the edge of it, then flopping slowly backward. "Mom said it was her mother's ... I think. I think she lived here before she died." She stares at the ceiling for a moment, then rests her arm across her eyes wearily. "A little creepy, thinking about it ... but I didn't know the difference, back then."

JUSTIN: * Shane tuts quietly, seating himself on the bed and leaning over to untie his boots. "My parents lived and died in my old house, and I lived there for at least a decade. Never once thought it was creepy." He kicks his feet free of the footwear, and leans over Jo to tug her arm down from her eyes, smiling. "You don't think your bed is haunted, do you?"

JENNA: * Jo wrinkles her nose at him, wriggling her hand around to clasp his as she kicks her boots off. "Maybe not. But ... I've never lived in a place long enough to get that used to it." She grins at him, stretching her legs out as her boots fall to the floor, then letting them drop. "There's a bath here, if you want it.. only one, and it's downstairs, but it might be good to wash up."

JUSTIN: "I was going to suggest the same to you, actually." Shane swipes a fingertip down the drige of her nose. "I'll probably take one before we leave. You need the relaxation more than I do." He leans back again, giving a stretch. "And when you get back... I might have a special surprise for you." He gives her a wink.

JENNA: * Jo gives him a suspicious look, sitting up and leaning back on her hands. "A surprise?" she says doubtfully, though she does get to her feet, frowning a little bit. She hadn't really planned to stay more than the night. "All right.. I'll go. But you ought to take one, too."

JUSTIN: "Plenty of time in the morning, deary." Shane snags her hand and gives it a squeeze as she gets to her feet, then lets it go again. "Unless you think I smell." He arches an eyebrow in her direction, moving his hands to unbutton his shirt.

JENNA: * Jo shrugs, giving up the fight for the moment. "I'll be back in a bit, then." She hesitates, momentarily tempted to derail whatever plans he has, then shrugs lightly, turning away and starting down the stairs to the bath. She has a brief conversation with her mother, then turns to the bathroom, locking the door and starting the water.

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs heavily once Jo is out of range, and begins to wonder if a bath is going to be enough to get her relaxed and comfortable. Coming to visit her parents has been a mixed bag -- mostly good, but it's certainly got Jo distracted and perhaps even a little confused. Getting to his feet, he walks over to shut the door, then tugs his shirt off, folding it on top of the dresser.

JENNA: * Jo doesn't take as much time as she usually does, attempting to conserve hot water for her parents as much as anything. When she pronounces herself washed sufficient, she steps out of the tub and towels off quickly, pulling her clothes back on before she's completely dry and hanging the towels nearby. She makes her way back up the stairs without any other encounters -- apparently her mother has joined her father on the porch. She pauses in front of the door to her room and pokes her head in, arching an eyebrow.

JUSTIN: * Shane is flopped out on the bed, apparently trying to calm and relax himself before he springs his "surprise" on both of them. At the sight of the door cracking open, he shifts up onto his elbows and tilts his head. "Well, come in, you already know I don't bite."

JENNA: * Jo rolls her eyes and steps inside, now wishing she had taken the time to towel off more thoroughly. "I wonder.." she says drily, ambling over to lie down on the bed next to him and propping herself up on one elbow. "Never can tell what a person will do when he's cornered."

JUSTIN: "Cornered? Are you suggesting that you're stalking me?" Shane grins, reaching over to pluck at her damp shirt. "Or maybe just get me wet..." He arches an eyebrow, dropping down from his elbows and stretching, then folds his arms beneath his head.

JENNA: "I can do both, if you'd like," Jo says drily, grinning and casting a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure she closed the door. (She did.) Then she scoots closer to him, dropping one around his middle and resting her head against him. "So what's this surprise?" she asks drowsily.

JUSTIN: * Shane tugs her a little closer, so he can nuzzle at her wet hair (he might as well, she'll be getting the blankets and pillows damp anyway) and plant a kiss on her forehead. "Well. Considering the big day you had today, and your unwavering courage, I've decided you deserve another backrub."

JENNA: * She levers herself up slightly to look down at him in surprise, expression doubtful, suspicious -- and interested. "So what's the catch?" she asks curiously, tilting her head. Given the battles she's been through to get him to even kiss her, she doubts this singular suggestion comes without a price.

JUSTIN: "Always so suspicious, aren't you? And I thought I was the paranoid one." Shane grins, lifting a hand to tug gently at her hanging hair. "Maybe I just want to show my woman a little affection." He sits up a bit, looking her in the eyes. "I just want you to relax and be comfortable, all right? You don't have to do anything for me in return."

JENNA: * Jo frowns at him, knowing he knows better, then sighs, slumping down again. "All right ... if you say so." She then sits up, taking a long stretch before reaching down to pull her tunic over her head -- apparently she's decided that disrobing in front of him will be sufficient payback for whatever he has in store for her.

JUSTIN: * Shane is ill-prepared for the sudden exposure, and he jolts back against the bed, staring up with widening eyes as Jo's breasts appear a mere couple of feet from him. "J-Jo! Wh-what are you--" He snaps his head to to the side, belatedly, and sneaks a few quick peeks from the corners of his eyes. He tries not to sound as alarmed as he is -- in fact, he laughs, albeit nervously. "I thought I already told you to be careful where you point those things."

JENNA: * Jo sniffs, unrepentant and significantly unsympathetic. "You'll get used to them -- they're not going anywhere, anyway." She does, however, resist the temptation to do any number of cruel and interesting things to him, instead turning away to lie down again and roll over on her stomach. She pillows her head on her arms, smiling comfortably.

JUSTIN: * Shane takes a deep breath and squeezes his eyes tight, as if trying to erase the lingering image burned into his retinas. He sits up slowly, feeling a bit embarrassed for not anticipating some crafty, underhanded tactic like that -- not that he doesn't deserve it, considering what he plans to do. Crawling over to straddle her legs, he leans forward gingerly place his fingers on her still-damp skin, getting used to the feeling all over again. "Now, if there are no more tricks up your sleeves, perhaps you can relax and let me perform my favor, hm?"

JENNA: "No sleeves at the moment," Jo replies comfortably, closing her eyes. "So if I have any tricks left, they're probably out in the open. Unless you want to check my pants." She opens one eye, grinning at him, then closes it again, relaxing as much as she can. Whatever he's got planned, it must be monumental -- and that in itself is enough to make her nervous.

JUSTIN: "Perhaps another time." Shane says quietly, though a stray glance does pan down to her butt before quickly shooting up again. "Another time, and somewhere far more private." He shakes his head a bit, clearing his quickly sinking thoughts. He has a job and a mission, and he can't let himself get distracted. His hands begin their ministrations, working away at Jo's shoulders and upper back. They're clearly not as bad as they were the first time, which is probably a good thing, as it will leave more room for relaxation.

JENNA: * Jo sighs, sinking into the bed a little as she relaxes. "I suppose it can wait," she says, opening her eyes again and attempting to glance back, even though she can't. She's itching to ask what he's up to, but she decides to let him come around to it on his own -- at least she's getting a backrub out of the deal.

JUSTIN: * Shane manages to keep his composure while he works, in contrast to his raving lunacy the last time he attempted this feat. When he considers what the other options are, rubbing her back really doesn't seem so bad. "I'm certain your parents would appreciate your patience..." He leans over, moving one hand to the bed to support himself, and places a kiss against the back of her neck. "You /would/ want privacy, right?"

JENNA: * Jo makes a pleased noise, nestling into her arms as she's unable to control a pleasant shiver at the touch of his lips. "I never much liked doing that kind of thing in public," she says drily, doubting very much this is where he's actually headed. It makes for a pleasant thought, though.

JUSTIN: * Shane makes a quiet snorting noise, sitting back again before continuing the massage. "Good to know." He smiles a little, wondering if it was wise to even bring that up at all, but. "I was thinking, Jo..." He shifts slightly, taking a breath before he continues. "Being in your parents' house, it's gotten me thinking..."

JENNA: * Jo opens her eyes, frowning slightly, though she attempts not to tense, since he's doing such a fine job on her back. "What about it?" she asks, guessing he's finally gotten down to the matter at hand. And guessing she probably won't like it.

JUSTIN: * Shane stops his hands for a moment, fingers twitching closed. "Well, ah..." His face turns rather nervous, though she can't really see it, and he rubs at his forehead before setting his hands to task again on her lower back. "I know you're... well, adventurous -- and there's nothing wrong with that -- but, um. I was thinking about... using some of our money, to... to buy..." This isn't as easy or as smooth as he'd hoped. She's far too suspicious for his own good.

JENNA: * Jo sighs again, but this time it's with less contentment. "What is it, Shane?" she asks, keeping her tone of irritation to a minimum. She wants to turn and look at him, but she decides that would be nothing but counter-productive. "Whatever it is, I promise I won't yell at you -- okay? So get it over with."

JUSTIN: * Shane swallows, and leans over again -- as if to keep her from launching at him -- and rests on one forearm, his other hand combing through her hair. "I... I wanted to talk to you... about getting our own place... a-a house, of our own. You know... t-to settle down, you and me..."

JENNA: * At this, Jo goes very still, gaze blankly seeking the far wall. "Ah," she says after a moment. "I see." She unfolds one arm, reaching out to coil her fingers lazily in the blanket. "I guess that shouldn't surprise me ... you never did much like traveling." She twines her fingers a little tighter, then releases them, sighing once more.

JUSTIN: "It's... it's not that I don't like the travel, I just... want somewhere to come home to when I'm done..." Shane sits back again, and slides off of her, moving to sit on the edge of the bed and dangle his hands between his legs. "And... I don't like travelling /constantly/..."

JENNA: * Thus released, Jo sits up slowly, folding her arms across her chest, though her back is turned to Shane. "I see," she says again. "I ... don't want to stay in one place all the time." She falls silent, shaking her head, and doesn't speak for several minutes. "But.."

JUSTIN: * Shane turns his head to look at her over his shoulder, at least for the moment unaffected by her half-nakedness in his seriousness. "But...?" He shifts his position, moving closer to her again, and placing a hand against her back. "I don't want to tie you down to one spot, Jo. I don't want to make you unhappy. I just... feel uprooted."

JENNA: * Jo nods slowly, staring now at the bed in front of her. "I.. I don't want to stop traveling," she says after a moment. "But.. if a house will make you happy.." She shrugs. "We can get a house." She glances over her shoulder at him. "A place to rest.. I guess it wouldn't be so bad."

JUSTIN: * Shane slips his arms around Jo's waist and tugs her closer, resting his head against the top of her own. "We can still travel, I promise. Just some time off in between adventures, yeah?" He feels just a little like he's forcing this on her, and it isn't a particularly pleasant feeling. In fact, it rather dulls any excitement he might have had at the sound of her agreement.

JENNA: * Jo nods again, though she can't do much else to reassure him with her arms currently occupied. "I ... can probably do that," she says finally, feeling oddly tired. She leans backward, resting against him and wishing she could lower her arms without scaring him half to death -- they're beginning to ache.

JUSTIN: * Either by coincidence or ESP, Shane reaches over and finds her shirt, depositing it in her lap and kissing the top of her head. "We should sleep. There's all the time in the world to discuss this, so we don't need to worry about it any more tonight." He gives her a gentle squeeze and eases away from her, turning to slip off the side of the bed and arrange the blankets for sleeping.