A/N: Okay, so I am quite ashamed of myself. I had this chapter written a long time ago, but I didn't like it, so I deleted it and started again…and again…and again. I'm still not 100% sure I am happy with it, but I've had such a writer's block that I decided to go ahead and post it to finish the story out. If you are still here, thank you for waiting and I hope you enjoy!

WARNING: This is rated M for a reason and some smutty goodness follows. If that offends you, then you might want to hit the back button now.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Safe except for my DVD copy.

Tatum tucked the covers around Mei, who was snuggled into the couch. She brushed her hair back and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night, sweetie," she said softly. She had never had a child of her own and was surprised at the maternal instincts she had felt from the first moment she had met Mei.

Mei smiled up at her. "'Night, Tatum; 'Night, Luke," she called before closing her eyes and dozing off.

Luke turned all of the lights off and double checked that the door was locked and the alarm set. Once all was secured to his satisfaction, he put his hand on the small of Tatum's back and gently pushed her toward the bedroom. "Let's go to bed. We've got a big day tomorrow."

She nodded, stepping around the boxes that were stacked on the floor. They had been packing the entire day, and all they had left to do was box up the items they would need in the morning, along with a few pieces of large furniture. Luke had decided that they would rise early, finish packing the moving truck, and head out of town before nine a.m.

The day before, he had rented security boxes in several banks and had placed copies of the disk in each of them, along with instructions on what was to be done if anything happened to any of them. Then that afternoon, he had met with Captain Wolf and had picked up Mei's new passport and birth certificate. She was now officially his and Tatum's adopted daughter.

Tatum slipped into the bed, stretching her sore muscles; she sighed and relaxed into her pillow, watching as Luke flipped the light off and stared at his outline in the darkness. Her heart jumped into her throat as he slid under the covers, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. They had had one hot and heavy moment in the Audi, several moments of cuddling on the couch and shared a kiss here and there, but they had not actually been intimate with each other yet.

She had to admit to herself that she was somewhat weirded out about doing anything physical with Luke while Mei was just down the hall, but in that moment, with Luke's warm body pressed up against hers…his calloused fingers stroking over her thin camisole…his hot breath washing over her cheek…she was ready to throw caution to the wind. Anyway, she would have to get used to it sooner or later since she was now a mom.

Luke sighed as Tatum wiggled her butt into his lower abdomen, and he tightened his hold on her. Ever since their make out session in the stolen Audi, he had remained in a semi-aroused state. Now, with her ass pressing up against him, he became completely hard in an instant. He groaned low in his throat; it had been so long since he had been with a woman. The last time had been before Annie had been murdered, and that had been over a year ago. He wanted this with Tatum, and he hoped he could keep it together long enough so that she would enjoy it, too.

He pushed forward gently, pressing his erection into the soft flesh of her bottom, and placed a light kiss on her temple before brushing her hair back. She turned to face him, and he immediately pulled her over onto her back and hovered over her, resting his weight on his arms. He looked down into her face questioningly, surprisingly feeling very unsure of himself.

Tatum nodded and closed her eyes as Luke's lips landed on hers, and she ran her palms up his arms, thrilling at the muscled sinew she felt under her fingertips. Even though he had lived on the streets for a year, he was still a magnificent male specimen. She had seen him in ass-kicking action, and that memory stirred recently-awakened sensations in the pit of her stomach. She moaned and opened her lips when Luke's tongue swept over them. He immediately wrapped his tongue around hers, and she arched up, wanting more friction between them.

Taking the hint, Luke pressed his lips against hers once more before pulling back slightly and peppering her face with light kisses. He felt her squeeze his upper arms, her nails digging into his flesh, and he smiled. They would be perfect together. He skimmed his lips over to her ear and nibbled slightly before gliding his mouth over her neck. She arched her head back to give him easier access. He dipped down into the hollow of her throat and then continued his trek lower, trailing kisses over her chest. He stopped when he arrived at her breast, suddenly nervous.

He looked up at her shadowy outline, his brows knitted in worry. He had chosen to never think of her past lovers… But what if he did not measure up to her expectations?

"Luke, don't just sit there and tease me," she said softly, and he pushed his misgivings away.

"I'm not," he said. "I was just thinking."

She wiggled against him again. "Well, stop thinking so much. I need your blood in other areas of your body right now, not your brain."

He laughed and pulled upward quickly to kiss her on the lips again. "You are amazing," he whispered with a chuckle.

Tatum shrugged playfully. "It's just basic medicine."

Luke saluted her. "Yes, Doctor."

She grinned and pushed the top of his head down. She needed his mouth on her body. She had waited for this moment for what seemed a lifetime, and now that the time was at hand, she did not want to waste a moment of it nor forget any part of it. She was determined to commit his every move to memory.

He placed his hands around her waist and sat back on his knees slightly, kneeling between her legs. Slowly, he pushed the thin material of her camisole up her torso, revealing inch by delicious inch of her silky skin to his eyes. He wished there was better lighting in the bedroom so he could feast on her, not only with his senses of taste and touch but also sight, but he was unwilling to take his hands from her, so he blinked to adjust his eyesight to the darkness.

His mouth went dry as he pushed the fabric up over the full mounds of her breasts, her pale skin shining in the weak light coming through the curtains from the street outside. She was so beautiful, and he wanted to worship her the way she deserved. His lower body was screaming for him to rip her clothes off and bury himself in her heat, but he held onto his tight control. He wanted their first time to be special.

Tatum sat up slightly and pulled the camisole over her head, tossing it onto the floor. She lay back and looked up at Luke, slightly uncomfortable being naked in front of him. She hoped he would quit staring at her. Finally, she pulled her arms up to cover her chest.

"Huh-uh," he said, pulling her hands away. "Let me see you."

She shook her head, feeling her face flame. "Luke…"

He bent back down and kissed her again, his lips soft and warm against hers. "You are so beautiful, Tate. Don't hide from me."

Tatum chose to ignore him and instead slid her hands over his shoulders and back, feeling a multitude of scars. "What happened?" she whispered, feeling the ridges what she thought felt like old gunshot wounds.

Luke looked into her eyes, which were a light grey in the moonlight that reminded him of liquid metal. "An assignment went bad…"

"I'm sorry," she said softly, running her fingertips over the ridges.

He bent down, stroking her sides with his palms. He hovered over her left breast for a moment before cupping it with his hand. When he slid his thumb over her nipple, she moaned and arched into his hand, causing him to smile. He bent down and took her soft flesh into his mouth, laving circles with his tongue. He then moved to her right breast, worshipping her with his mouth. "Fuck, Tate, you are so beautiful," he repeated, thrilling when she responded by wrapping her legs around his waist and trying to pull him closer.

"Luke," she moaned, needing him closer. She wanted him inside of her; she could not take much more of this.

He sat back and pulled her pajama pants and panties down her legs in one swoop. He quickly shed his own sleep pants and laid back down, resting between her thighs. His body was wound tight, and his erection was getting almost painful. It reared of its own accord, seeking entrance to the warmth it knew was so close.

Tatum wrapped her legs high around his waist and tried to pull him down to her. She was so ready for him, and she did not think she could take much more. "Please…" she begged, needing him to touch her.

Luke reached down between them and stroked her, spreading her wetness around and stretching her, trying to ready her body for him. She bit down on her lower lip to stifle her cry, vaguely cognizant that Mei was just in the other room. Slowly, Luke slid into her, groaning as her body gripped him and pulled him in deeper. "Fuck…" he said under his breath.

Her eyes rolled back into her head as he stretched her, the sensations zinging through her all the way to her toes. She gripped him tighter with her legs, and as he began to thrust in and out of her, she lifted her hips to meet him.

Bracing his arms on either side of her head, Luke tried to control his pace, but the feeling of her surrounding him was almost too much for him. He wanted Tatum to reach climax before he did, but he was afraid he was going to blow like a sixteen-year-old boy his first time. He tried to focus on his breathing, but all he could think about was the woman wrapped around him. And he found that they did indeed fit together perfectly…as if they had been made for each other.

As Luke picked his pace up, Tatum felt herself beginning to feel a pull in the pit of her stomach, and she instinctively knew she would not last long. She was surprised, as she had never been able to climax without more manual stimulation, but she did not have much time to think about that as she felt her entire body tense up before exploding into what seemed a million pieces. She rode the wave of pleasure before she felt herself floating back to Earth. In that moment, she felt Luke's arms tighten on either side of her head, and she heard a guttural growl rip from his throat.

After a few moments, he collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily. Tatum stroked his back with her fingers, languid under the warmth and weight of his body. She felt she would never be able to move again nor did she ever want to.

Eventually, Luke's voice broke into her bubble, and she was pulled back to reality. "Are you all right?" he asked, worry lacing his voice.

Tatum forced her heavy eyelids open to look up into his concerned expression. "I'm great. Why?"

He shook his head. "I was just afraid I was too rough and might have hurt you or squashed you."

She giggled and snuggled into his side when he turned onto his back. "Of course you didn't. I'm fine…more than fine," she added, feeling her face blush.

Satisfied with her answer, Luke sighed in contentment and pulled the blankets up over them. He knew he had many more nights ahead of him to make love to her, and he promised himself he would never waste a single one. But he knew he would also rest easier once he had his two girls out of New York City and harm's way.

xXx

"You're sure about this?" Luke asked as he prepared to drive into the Holland Tunnel. They would soon be out of New York and into New Jersey, starting their cross-country trek.

Tatum nodded. "Yes. I'm sure." She looked around at the familiar surroundings that had been her home for so long. She was nervous but excited about the future possibilities.

Mei was bouncing in the seat between them, excited about entering the tunnel. She had been all over New York City with Quan, but she had been working and had not really ever been able to enjoy the city as a young girl. Now, she was excited about the prospect of traveling across the United States and seeing things she had never seen before. Luke had promised her they would stop in Chicago and take her up in the Sears Tower.

Tatum laughed at Mei's enthusiasm. She, on the other hand, was dreading the long haul in the moving truck, but she kept her thoughts to herself. She did not want to dampen Mei's excitement about the trip, but she did look forward to stopping for the night and getting to stretch out.

"Well, here we go," Luke said with a grin as they crossed over into New Jersey. They had sent the $30 million back to Han Jiao with a note from Mei, explaining to him that as long as the Triads left them alone, they would do the same. Luke had been relieved to get that monkey off their backs, but he knew he would feel much safer once they were far from New York. He knew Han Jiao would want revenge, but he hoped it would be too much trouble, considering he had his money back.

When they crossed the state line, Mei let out a small cheer. "We made it!" she said happily. She then looked up at Luke. "Are we safe now?"

He sighed. "One day at a time, Mei. One day at a time." He looked over at Tatum and smiled. As long as they took it one day at a time and were careful, he saw no reason for trouble. But he made a silent vow that he would never put his guard down and would remain constantly vigilant. The two ladies to his left were his entire world. They had saved him – both from his demons and from himself. They had taught him to love again…to trust again… They had given him his reason for living back.

If it was the last thing he ever did, he would ensure Tatum and Mei were safe.