Once Jamie finally heard the front door to Eddie's building unlock he almost jumped out of his skin. He had only pressed her button a few moments before, but it felt like an eternity to him. He flung open the door and took a sharp right toward the stairs; he didn't have time to wait for the stupid elevator.

He took the stairs two, maybe three steps at a time until he reached her floor. He raced down the hallway, only slowing once he was a couple doors away from hers, trying, but failing, to walk the rest of the way. He raised his hand to knock, but waited a moment, trying to catch his breath, before finally knocking on her door.

She opened it almost immediately. He could tell she'd been crying, but hell, she was still as beautiful as ever. He breathed a soft "Eddie", his heart still pounding about a mile a minute. She looked like she was about to break again, only barely managing to say his name in return, her voice cracking the same as she had that afternoon, right after he declared Sorrento DOA.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes telling her all she needed to know. She let out a soft sob and then they were in each other's arms. They held each other tightly, pulling strength from the other. Jamie was the first to pull back, searching her face for answers. He must've found what he was looking for. He choked out "Eddie… I…", but he couldn't finish. The next instant he was kissing her.

This kiss was similar to their first two, but so much deeper. It was so much more than anything they had shared before, because now they knew. They knew it was more than mere lust, more than whatever they were before. They could both feel it.

She let out a surprised whimper when he kicked the door shut behind him, his foot blindly reaching for it before finally making contact. He stepped forward, pushing her against the wall by her front door, needing the support from it. Kissing her made him lightheaded and he felt like his knees were about to give out on him at any moment.

When they finally pulled apart for air, it wasn't much, just a few inches. There was no way he was letting go of her right now. They leaned their foreheads together, each struggling to catch their breath. Once he thought he could manage words, he looked up into her eyes. "I love you." He held his breath, trying to gauge her reaction. She was stunned for a brief instant, but quickly smiled, not sure whether to laugh or cry some more. She ended up somewhere in-between. "I love you too."

He let out that breath in a deep grunt, the relief overwhelming. His lips were on hers again in an instant. Her arms reached up, grabbing his shoulders from behind, holding him as close to her as possible. His hands moved to either side of her face, first holding her in place, afraid she might pull away. Then he was wiping at her tears and moving her hair back from her face.

When they separated he didn't let her go, but started to kiss her cheek, her chin and down to her neck where he found a spot he liked. "I… I'm so sorry." He spoke between kisses. Wait, he was apologizing? Through the fog her mind had become she heard, but didn't quite understand. "What…?" was all she could get out, and that was on a breathy sigh. She wasn't even sure he heard her.

He pulled back up to look up her. He struggled for breath a couple times before he repeated himself. "I'm sorry, Eddie. I'm so, so sorry." She gave herself a mental shake, trying her best to focus, but she was still lost. He sensed her confusion and continued. "I… I didn't know. I didn't know it was the real deal. I was so stupid. I'm so sorry." His eyes were now red and he was tearing up over his own stupidity, over all the wasted time.

Eddie just smiled and nodded before pulling him back in for another deep kiss. Knowing she needed this as much as he did. But Jamie wasn't finished; there was more he needed to say. "Eddie… I didn't know it then, but I know it now. I know this… us… it's real. So, if you're in, I'm in." He leaned in and captured her lips once more before she pulled back. She was crying again, but she was smiling. She nodded as she answered him; nearly laughing she was so giddy. "I'm in. I'm so in."

She pulled him back to her.

The rest of the night was a blur. One minute he had her pushed up by her front door, then they were on her couch, kissing and laughing and exploring, and then clothes were being tossed aside as they stumbled to her bedroom, doing their damnedest to remain connected at the lips the whole way.

By the time they reached her bed they were both naked and gasping for breath. She slid up the bed, toward her pillows before laying back and reaching for him. In an instant he was above her, then inside her. She let out a surprised gasp, reaching her arms around him. She was holding onto his shoulders again, keeping him against her heated skin, needing as much contact as possible. Her nails dug into his shoulder as he moved inside her. She arched back, her head digging into her pillow as she gasped and moaned. "Oh God, Reagan…"

When Jamie woke up the sun was just beginning to peak out from the horizon. He laid there, his partner sprawled across his chest, remembering the night before. When they had finally drifted off to sleep it was really late, or really early, depending on how you looked at it. Both utterly exhausted from the stressful day and one more round of intense, long-overdue lovemaking; both taking their time the second go round. His legs were still jelly, but he wouldn't trade it for the world. Oh the things that woman did to him.

He thought back to everything that had happened the day before. Beginning with how close he came to… But he refused to finish that thought. Then that look on Eddie's face… His brother's words… The realizations that rocked his whole world… Being in Eddie's arms… Being in Eddie's bed. It was true, in just one day his whole life was changed forever.

Eddie shuddered in her sleep and Jamie pulled her tighter to him, careful not to wake her. He was worried that she was having a nightmare, reliving the shooting. He felt her quiver a few more times before he kissed the top of her head and gently stroked his hand down her back. That seemed to do the trick because she sighed contentedly in her sleep and seemed to settle.

As he continued to stroke her back, he smiled to himself; she had been right all along. He was happy to admit that yes, he was in fact, ruined for all other women. He couldn't remember it being any better with anybody else. Granted, his past wasn't THAT extensive, but he had never experienced what he just had with Eddie. And they were only just getting to know each other this way. He couldn't begin to imagine what it would be like once they had fully explored and learned each other's bodies, preferences and reactions. Yes, that was a subject he was more than happy to learn.

He couldn't imagine it getting any better than this; lying here, perfectly content with the woman he loved sound asleep in his arms. Yeah, this was all he'd ever need.

As the sun began to shine more brightly through the cracks between Eddie's curtains another thought stuck him. It was Sunday, so he could lounge around in bed with her for a while, but he would eventually have to go home to get ready for Sunday dinner. He figured his family would understand if he wasn't up for church this morning, considering the previous day's events. But if it had been a workday he'd have to be leaving soon to go home and change for work. He didn't like that thought much. He'd rather stay in bed with Eddie for as long as possible; maybe fix her breakfast… perhaps sneak in a joint shower, if she let him… Anything but rush out of here at first light as if she was just some meaningless one night stand.

No, this was Eddie. She was his home. Whenever it was just all too much, they were the safe haven that the other needed. Up till now that had meant drinks, darts, a silly movie, target practice at the range, or just pretty much anything they could do together. But now, now they were… Well, he wasn't quite sure what they were. After he got here last night, there hadn't been very much talking, just their mutual assurance that they were both "in". Then they proceeded to reaffirm that promise in the most intimate of ways.

But what did that really mean? He knew what it meant to him; he was all in. She was it for him. But did she see it the same way? Was she on the same page or was he moving too fast? He knew she loved him, but did she want to take it slow? He felt like they had already been dating, just without all the physical benefits, for the last four and half years. Did she need…

"Stop it. You're thinking too loud." Eddie grumbled, her worlds slightly muffled from her place against his chest. Jamie chuckled at that, she always knew when he was too deep into his head. "Sorry, baby. Go back to sleep." He kissed the top of her head and continued to rub her back. She yawned dramatically and stretched like a cat against him. "Baby, huh? I like it." She smiled up at him before snuggling back into his side.

He smiled at her again, that was his Eddie… She was adorable and unpredictable, she made smile him like no one else and she just brightened up his whole day. Truth be told, after his mom and Joe died, so did his hope for a happy future. But since he found Eddie… Well, he actually had a future worth looking forward to.

Somewhere deep down inside he found the courage to just go for it, to take that risk, because as they both knew all too well, life is short.

"Hey, Eddie?" He knew she wasn't back asleep yet, she was drawing lazy circles around his hip with her fingertip. "Hmmm…" was her only reply. He took a deep breath; this was it, now or never. "Marry me."

He felt her tense beside him before she slowly looked up. Then she pushed herself up into a sitting position while roughly pushing back her hair that had fallen over her face as she slept against him. "Wait… Wait, what? Are you serious? Or are you just delusional from lack of sleep?" She was definitely surprised. Okay, so she was downright shocked. But at least she didn't look terrified, that was a good sign.

He smiled and brushed his hand against her cheek, making sure she could see all the love in his eyes before he answered. "I've never been more serious in my life. I love you." She had no doubt that he meant it, but it was just too soon… Wasn't it? "I love you too, but married? We haven't even been together 12 hours yet." It was way too early for her to wrap her sleep-deprived brain around this. She needed coffee… Or a shot of some good whiskey.

She didn't get it; he had to make her understand. "Eddie, we've been together for years, don't you see that? The only difference between what we were before and what we are now is the sex. And if you had any doubts about our compatibility there, I think we blew them the hell out of the water last night." They both smiled at that comment, well, she actually blushed, but he could tell she was still unsure. "I have loved you for years and I know that nothing will ever change that. You are my partner and my best friend and now, you're also my lover. Please, be my wife as well." She just looked back at him, still unsure and breathing so deep he was afraid she was close to hyperventilating.

He took her hands in his as he continued. "Yesterday, after you left to be debriefed, I had a talk with Danny. He made me realize how you knew I was in trouble and he reminded me how truly short life can be. I can't imagine losing you like he did Linda. We've both had really close calls recently. We've wasted so much time already; I just don't want to waste another day without you. I want you… with me… Forever." She was crying now; he hoped that was a good sign.

He took a deep breath and tried one last time. "So, will you, Edit Janko, agree to be my wife and make me the happiest man in the universe? Eddie, my Eddie, will you marry me?" She was straight out sobbing now, but she had that silly grin he loved so much… Then she started nodding frantically and he almost collapsed with relief.

He reached for her and pulled her into his lap as she finally mustered up the words she wanted to say. "Yes, oh God, yes, Jamie. Of course, I will marry you!" Once in his lap she launched herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck and her lips seeking out his. They both smiled through the kiss, almost laughing with happiness. She pulled back from him for a moment before capturing his lips again. "I love you so much Jamie. The only place I want to be is by your side."

After a few more kisses she just held him to her, tucking her head in against his neck, just enjoying being in his arms. "Oh, Jamie, I've dreamed about this. I always wanted it to be you. Always."

He smiled, well actually, he couldn't stop smiling. He had the woman of his dreams in his arms and she had just agreed to marry him. He didn't think he could be any happier than he was right at that moment. "Well, I'm just glad you said yes when you did. I was afraid I'd have to bring out the big guns." She pulled back to look at him. "Big guns?" she questioned, confusion evident in her features. She thought that proposal was pretty big as it was.

He gave her his cocky Reagan grin. "Yeah, I was about to start quoting sappy movie lines if I had to." She just raised her eyebrows, urging him to continue. "Uh, let's see… After the way I ran over here last night I had that Billy Crystal one fresh in my head." She laughed and leaned her forehead into his shoulder. He started to recite that line, only getting out the first half before pausing, knowing that she would join in and finish it. "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody…" He smiled when she leaned back, looking him in the eyes, before they both repeated the rest of the line, almost in unison. "You want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

She smiled again, still having a hard time believing that this was really happening. "Well, Reagan, you really picked a good one there. And under the circumstances, quite fitting." She laughed again, before turning serious by the intense look he was giving her. Their lips met again and he eased her down on the mattress. "Well, Ms. Soon-to-be-Reagan, it's true. It was like I was lost, with no hope for a real future before I met you, and now I can't wait to start the rest of my life with you." She leaned up to meet his lips, too overcome to speak, needing to show him how she felt.

He knew that look in her eyes; he knew she must see the same in his. There was no need for anymore words right now. All he needed was her, and all she needed was him. And at this moment, all they both needed was for him to be inside her.