Almost Paradise

"Shawna!" Chris bellowed. "What are you doing up?"

Shawna ignored him as she - in fuzzy pink bunny slippers - stumbled down the stairs to the kitchen. Oblivious to Chris, she began to fill a tea kettle with hot water.

"And close your robe!" he said sharply.

Shawna pulled it tighter over her blue flannel nightgown. She glowered at him briefly before turning up the gas burner.

"Get back in bed," he shouted, before I have Vin carry you upstairs."

Shawna coughed and sniffled in reply, clearly unimpressed.

"Over his SHOULDER," Chris added threateningly. "Backside in the air. Do you want that?"

Shawna sniffled again. Chris handed her a box of tissues.

"I don't know who's worse. You for catching it or JD for giving it to you."

"He kissed ME," Shawna reminded him.

"Uh-huh," said Chris tartly.

"With TONGUE, young lady."

Shawna shrugged. "So? He's cute. So what?"

"'So what', she says. Now Buck has to take care of him, and I have to watch out for you." At that moment, Shawna sneezed all over him. "And not get sick myself," he added. "People will think *I* was the one in a lip-lock with JD."

"Tell them you were giving him mouth-to-mouth," Shawna retorted.

"And by the way, I need new slippers. When you go to the store, get me the hairy ones that look like bear's feet. You know.. the ones with claws?" She smiled. "They growl, too."

Chris sighed in resignation and picked up his car keys from the kitchen counter.

"Anything else, your highness?"

"I could use a foot rub--"

"NO!" And with that, Chris slammed out the door.

Shawna heard the Dodge pull out of the driveway, and then the phone rang. It was JD.

"I heard you were sick. I'm really sorry."

"It was worth it," Shawna cooed playfully.

"Really?" JD sounded genuinely surprised, a note of uncertainty in his voice.

"Really," she said with conviction. "And JD...?"

"Yeah?"

"I can't wait to do it again."

JD nearly dropped phone back into its cradle.

"Who was that?" asked Buck. He took in the smitten look on the young man's face. "Oh, I know. Shawna."

Shawna hung up the phone, idly tracing a fingertip along the handset as she did so. JD. She had never really given him much thought before. He was just another member of Chris's team. But now, she saw him with new eyes. He really was cute, and even a little shy. And she liked that. She remembered the heat of his lips on hers and a small shiver raced through her body. She pulled her robe tighter around her, and went to get some orange juice out of the refrigerator. Chris would probably make some more chicken soup for her when he returned from the store. She smiled to herself. She could think of other ways to keep warm, all in the glow of those hazel eyes...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JD came by a few evenings later, after Shawna had gotten over her cold. Despite what she'd said, he still felt guilty. And also...intrigued. Chris was out. Conveniently so, it seemed.

"Come on in," said Shawna, leading him to the couch and sitting close beside him.

"I came to see you because--well--I'm really sorry that you got sick."

"It wasn't so bad," she smiled, squeezing his hand.

JD smiled back and put his arm around her shoulders. "I don't think I got as sick as you did. I wish I could've been here...to take care of you." Before long, he was gently massaging her neck and shoulders.

Without thinking, JD leaned closer and gently nuzzled her neck.

"I enjoyed our kiss," he said softly. "I've been thinking about it ever since."

"What about Casey?"

JD stiffened slightly. "Casey had made a pass at Ezra and at Vin when she was mad at me, so it's over. Besides...Casey never kissed me like you did."

"YOU kissed ME."

"And I'm about to again."

JD nibbled gently at her neck, kissing her slowly along her throat, his hands starting to roam over her body. She relaxed into him, feeling his strong, solid chest against her back. She tilted her head back, seeking his warm mouth. They kissed, a long, soulful kiss that made Shawna's toes curl. She turned to face him, feeling the heat from his toned body.

"My room," she whispered, taking his hand. She led him into her bedroom. It was spacious, and decorated in a Native American motif.

"I-I've never been in your room before," JD stammered, suddenly nervous. "Did you do these paintings?"

"Yes."

"You're very talented."

"Thanks." Shawna smiled. "Come here."

JD gulped. He hesitated a moment, then took the photo of Chris that was on her dresser and set it face-down. Shawna reached for his hand and drew him to the bed.

"Sit down," she urged gently.

JD sank onto the bed beside her. "I-I thought you like Vin," he said.

Shawna shook her head. "It was just a crush. You know. A silly schoolgirl kind of thing. Besides..." She took his hand and placed it against her chest. "He's not the man you are." She leaned closer. "I'm definitely interested in you," she said in a passionate whisper.

JD smiled. His hand slipped under her top. Shawna smiled at the look of surprise on his face when he realized she wasn't wearing a bra.

"I thought you always wore a...you know..."

"Not tonight," she said, and kissed him passionately.

She leaned back, pulling JD on top of her. He kept one hand on her breast and cradled her head with his other hand. He wanted to devour her then and there, as his senses were inflamed by her. For him, there was suddenly no one and nothing in the world but Shawna, right there, right then.

For Shawna's part, she wanted him to love her, to want her, to need her more than anything. This was the man she had always belonged with, and now she was sure of it.

"I love you, Shawna," JD said hoarsely.

She held him closer to her. She was barely able to find her voice as she said softly "I love you, too, JD."

"I-I want to make love to you," he said.

"Please..." she begged.

"I want...I want..." she hesitated, afraid to say the words. "I want to be with you forever," she said at last, the words tumbling out in an anxious rush.

JD smiled and fumbled awkwardly in his pocket. His trembling hand drew out a wrapped condom.

"I want you to stop, JD," she said, her voice trembling.

"Why?"

"I don't want you to do this unless you really want to."

"Do YOU really want to?"

She kissed him again, by way of reply. Her hand guided his as he unzipped the front of her jeans. He nearly choked when he discovered she was wearing a thong.

"Do YOU always wear these?" he asked.

"I just bought it today," she admitted shyly. "Do you like it?"

"Very much," he murmured, nuzzling her neck again. He pulled her to her feet and the two undressed each other quickly. Shawna admired his well-built, compact body in the moonlight that streamed through her bedroom window.

JD guided her back onto the bed, settling in beside her. Gently, he rolled onto her, Shawna's warm body fitted against him perfectly. JD nuzzled her nipple, watching it harden under his loving attention. Shawna arched her back and moaned softly. Her fingers dug into his hard-muscled back, her head now dizzy with pleasure. She could feel his heated manhood nudging against her leg. She parted her moist thighs and reached for him just as the room was flooded with light.

"WHAT THE HELL--!!"

Chris stood in the doorway, a look of shock on his face.

"SHAWNA? JD?"

Buck appeared just behind him. "What's going--"

Buck's jaw dropped as Shawna and JD scrambled for some covering.

"Chris, I--" began JD.

"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE WEASEL" shouted Chris.

Buck grabbed him from behind, hanging on with all his might. "Now, Chris, calm down!" he shouted. He half-dragged the blond from the room and down the hall, even as Chris struggled to free himself.

"That's my kis SISTER, dammit," he screamed, even as Buck half-dragged him down to the living room.

"Shawna P Larabee!" Chris was shouting from downstairs.

Shawna and JD struggled to get dressed, their hands shaking at the thought of what awaited them downstairs. They could both hear the muffled sounds of Buck's voice trying to calm Chris.

"JD," said Shawna, chewing her lip worriedly. "Maybe you should leave by the window."

"No," he shook his head. "I'm not ashamed about what we did--well, were going to do." He looked at her, his eyes full of concern. "Are you?"

She shook her head. "No. But Chris will kill you, you realize that?"

JD smiled."Okay, then why don't you go downstairs first?"

"Good idea."

When Shawna reached the living room, Buck was seated on the couch and Chris was pacing restlessly. He looked up sharply as she walked in, but said nothing.

"Well, here's our little nymph," grinned Buck, ignoring Chris's angry glare.

Shawna glanced at the floor, then sat gingerly on the edge of the couch. It worried her that Chris hadn't said anything yet.

"Where's JD" Buck asked nonchalantly.

"He's coming," she said, as JD appeared on the stairs. JD sat between Buck and Shawna, and took her hand in both of his, trying to look more confident than he felt.

At last Chris spoke. "Just WHAT were you two--No, don't tell me, I know damn well what you were doing."

"She's not a kid anymore, Chris," said JD. "And you should stop treating her like one." He turned and smiled into her eyes. "She's a woman."

"Now, Stud..." Buck said warningly to Chris.

"I'm sorry," Shawna said in a small voice. "But I'm not sorry for doing it."

"For DOING WHAT?" Chris demanded.

Buck gave Chris another warning look. "JD's right, Chris. She IS a woman. Any man with eyes can see that."

"How long has this been going on," Chris continued, ignoring him.

Shawna lifted her chin defiantly. "It's really none of your business."

"It's MY house!"

"Fine," she shot back. "Then we won't do it in YOUR house!"

"Buck's not letting you do that in his place, either!"

"Well...Chris..." said Buck. "It's JD's place, too, and we sort of have an understanding..." His voice trailed off as Chris gave him a withering look.

Chris leaned toward JD until his face was just inches away. "I hope for your sake you really care about her." JD stared back in surprise. Seeing the look on his face, Chris sank down onto a chair, his head in his hands. "I know you do," he sighed.

"Now you're thinkin'," smiled Buck. He turned to JD. "Ya got good taste, there. And I think what Chris means is that if anyone's gonna romance his sister, he's glad it's you."

Chris looked up. "Is that what I'm trying to say?" He forced a feeble smile. "I guess it is."

JD sighed in relief. He was going to be allowed to live. He squeezed Shawna's hand lovingly. The look between Shawna and JD was unmistakeable.

Chris stood and began to pace again. He ran a hand through his hair. "All right, look...Just...just not in the house. I DON'T want to know, okay?" His voice dropped to a mumble. "She's still my baby sister..."

Shawna jumped up to hug him. "And I appreciate your trying to protect me. But now I have JD to do that. You trained him, yourself, after all."

Chris hugged her back. "Yeah," he admitted. "He's one of the best." He shot JD a look. "But you treat her right, you understand me? Or I'll show you some things about killin' a man that you haven't been taught."

"And I'll help him," added Buck.

Chris flopped back down in his chair. A growl emitted from the seat beneath him. He looked surprised, then reached underneath him, withdrawing a large bear-foot slipper. "I think this is yours," he said, handing it to Shawna.

She took it with a murmured thanks, her cheeks blushing.

Buck grinned. "JD, you're in for quite an adventure..."

The End