Brenna wasn't outside the station like all the other times, she was sitting at a table on the beach outside the beach house in Cozumel and she wasn't alone. Mac sat in the chair to her right and Greg in the chair to her left. As far as she could tell they were about to enjoy breakfast by the sea.

Slowly her mind tried to wade through the confusion, Greg was gone so how was he here, oh yes, it's a dream. This was much more pleasant than her usual dreams, reaching forward she grasped the pitcher of orange juice. No one was going to shoot at her in this dream and despite knowing that Greg was gone she wouldn't have to relive the awful day it had happened.

It was strange to have Mac and Greg at the same table, they had never met and in light of the circumstances it should have been very awkward but instead was somehow comforting. Mac's presence had that affect on her. Neither male seemed to mind and they all sat in companionable silence munching on scones, coffee and juice.

Eventually Greg spoke, the sea breeze ruffling his sandy blonde hair. "I'm sure she's let the garage go to hell. She would always just set down whatever she was using wherever after she was done with it, never where it actually went."

"I went in there after something the other day. Pretty messy but not too awful." Dream Mac spread butter on a scone and took a bite.

"Does she still have little frozen icicles for feet when she comes to bed?" Dream Greg took a sip of coffee while smiling knowingly at Brenna.

Mac rolled his eyes and nodded while still chewing.

"I'm right here you know?" She pointed to both men with the butter knife she'd just picked up. "I can hear you."

"I know sweetheart. I'm just making sure Mac knows exactly what a precious gem I'm handing over to him." Greg leaned to his side and planted a kiss on her cheek. Brenna reached up and touched the place his lips had just been. It had felt so real. His eyes, still close but receding as he leaned back were exactly as she remembered them, right down to the little crow's feet that had just begun to grow in the outer creases.

"I do know, and I thank you. I promise she will be well taken care of." Mac was staring at Greg across the table in rapt earnestness. They were obviously sharing a silent moment of conversation Brenna didn't understand in the least.

Brenna let out an irritated sigh. "Even in my dreams men are pushy, high handed heathens! I'm not a jewel, I'm a person. I can take care of myself. I choose to love." She leaned back in the chair with her arms crossed.

"Trust me babe, I know." Mac leaned in and brushed her hair back before kissing her forehead. She stole a glance over at Greg. He had a wistful but happy smile on his face and it tugged at her heart.

"I miss you." She whispered in a voice choked by the emotion welling up in her chest. "I haven't forgotten you, I never will. I still love you."

"I know, I love you too, but I'm gone. I can't be here for you. It's good that Mac can be." He took her hand in his and ran his thumb softly over her knuckles. "I'm glad you have him."

The table was gone, along with the chairs and all the food. Suddenly the three of them were standing barefoot in the sand with the surf lapping at their ankles.

Greg raised the hand still in his and kissed her fingers softly. "I have to go."

Brenna shook her head silently as the tears coursed down her cheeks. It wasn't a sharp pain like when he had died but it still hurt a dull throbbing ache that encompassed her whole chest and left her unable to speak.

Mac placed a comforting arm around her and she could feel his soft breath brushing by her ear. Greg dropped her hand and began to walk away.

"No." She cried softly but didn't follow. She knew somehow that she couldn't follow even if she tried. Finally she turned and burrowed her head into Mac's chest. They stood in silence, him stroking her hair softly and her breathing deep, trying to reign in her emotions.

The moment changed, the breeze was gone and she could feel cotton sheets against her skin. There was the weight of the quilt her grandmother had made that adorned her bed. She was still encircled in Mac's arms, her face resting on his bare chest. Just as in the dream, Mac stroked her hair softly.

A weak gray light filtered through the window. She remembered they were under a snow advisory and wondered without much interest if it had snowed in the night. The kids of the area would likely be upset if it stuck around and ruined their trick or treating.

"You awake now?" Mac stopped stroking her hair. She nodded in response. "You okay? You sounded like you were crying in your sleep."

"I'm fine."

"You sure? You haven't had the bad dream in a while, did something set you off, bring it back?"

She stilled. She wasn't surprised he knew about her nightmare although she'd never truly told him about it. He was right though, she hadn't had it in a while, not since he'd been staying with her.

"No, it wasn't that. It was a nice dream actually, just a little sad."

He pulled her in tighter to him in a hug. "I love you." He breathed into her hair and kissed the crown of her head.

"I know. I love you too." She stated it simply as the fact that it was. As if she'd been saying it every day for years. Mac stayed silent, embarrassed by his emotional reaction to her quiet, unadorned declaration.

In a moment, she tilted her head to look up at him and brought her lips to his. She deepened the kiss conveying her need and he responded with as much fervor. He wanted to touch her, every inch of her.

Brenna could only think that she wanted him to claim her for himself in the most visceral way. She wanted him to kiss, touch, pierce and mark her. His touch was too gentle for what she desired.

Brenna nipped lightly as his lip and gripped his closely cropped hair. Mac seemed to take the hint and his hands became rougher as they scoured her body. He tweaked her nipple lightly and she sucked in a breath at the sensation.

Mac's other hand gripped her butt firmly and pressed her against his firm member. She moaned at the feeling and ran her nails down his back with just enough pressure. Mac growled with lust and flipped her, pinning her under his body.

Suddenly he stilled. "Brenna we have to stop." He choked out hoarsely. "We used the last condom last night." He pinned her hands above her head and pressed his forehead to hers. His eyes were closed and he was breathing hard in a visible attempt to calm himself.

Brenna squirmed and struggled to free her hands so she could continue her ministrations. She'd heard him but found she really didn't care. He was hard and throbbing between her legs, less than an inch away.

She tilted her face up and kissed him fiercely, he loosened up for an instant and she took it. She gripped his hips and pulled him toward her as she plunged herself down onto him.

"Brenna." He moaned in defeat as she began to move. In only a few strokes he gave in entirely and took over the rhythm making it harder and deeper.

Brenna climaxed on a guttural moan digging her nails into his firm butt. He joined her only seconds later and collapsed on her before shifting his weight to one side so as not to hurt her.

He was sweating lightly and breathing hard. She smiled to herself at what she'd managed to do to her big burley man.

His breathing slowed and she feared he'd fall asleep on her. She delivered a sharp slap to his bare bum that elicited a squeak of surprise from Mac.

"No sleeping! I'm hungry, I want scones!"

Mac groaned, "I don't even know what a scone is."

"They are delicious as you will soon find out!" With a giggle she wiggled herself from underneath him and grabbed her robe off the floor. She tied it around her waist and kissed him swiftly before bounding down the stairs intent on the making of scones.

***************

She was right, scones were delicious. Especially warm out of the oven with butter and honey as they were eating them now. He polished off another before taking a sip of the strong coffee she enjoyed so much.

"Have I told you what an amazing cook you are?" She just smiled in return and took a sip of her own coffee.

The moment was so wonderful he hated to mess it up. He especially didn't want to say anything that could possibly ruin the day or cause a fight but deep down he knew they needed to have a talk and he didn't think it was doing either of them any good to put it off.

"Brenna," he began then cleared his throat. She was staring at him waiting for the continuation. " I never asked if I could stay here, I just barged in because Herrick had threatened you. I mean we never talked about what the boundaries were in our relationship."

He stopped and she sat with her eyebrows raised for him to continue. She nodded slightly in encouragement.

"We haven't heard from him, not that I think he's given up, but I don't want to overstay my welcome. I don't want to be a burden or make you uncomfortable."

Her face feel. "You want to leave?"

"No. I just...." He faltered looking for the right words. He knew he was messing it all up and she was getting the wrong idea but didn't know how to say it right.

"Of course, you have your own apartment and it was wrong of me to forget that. I couldn't really expect a bachelor like you to be really enjoying playing house with me. It must have been hard sometimes, I should have thought of that."

She turned away and started to busy herself with the dishes.

In sheer frustration he all but shouted, "No!" She stopped immediately and turned around in shock.

"I messed that up so bad. I got tongue tied and then you just assumed it was going to be bad and ran away with it." He took a breath. "That isn't what I meant at all. I don't want to leave. I love it here with you. I am enjoying it but I want you to want me here. Not just that I barged in and made myself at home."

She sat still for a moment longer. "I do want you here. Please don't go."

"That is all I needed to hear. I'm sorry it got so messed up. I'm not always the best at communicating. I'm here as long as you want me." He got up and walked to her and took her hands.

"I guess I didn't really listen all that well either, I panicked and assumed you wanted to get away. Especially after this morning, that was more than enough to send a bachelor running." She stared down at her feet.

"I was really happy to hear that you love me. It's good to know we are on the same page." Still holding her hands he swung them out a little. "The lack of protection.....I don't know how I feel about that. How do you feel?"

"I was too turned on to care. That wasn't right to do without taking your feelings into account but really, honestly, if I got pregnant with your baby........I'd be fine, I'd be happy. But it isn't all about me, you should have had some say in it." She looked up and there were tears in her eyes. "I have already missed out on having kids with the first man I ever fell in love with, I'm 30 years old and I don't want to miss my chance with you."

Before she could utter another word he was there with her face cupped in his hands kissing her. "I'll put my apartment on the market, tomorrow. With you is the only place I want to be. Marry me, have children with me."

"What that a question or a demand?" She laughed; it was so unreal that they were having this conversation.

"Both? Will you?" His heart hung on her answer. "I've messed this up too, no ring, no down on one knee but dear lord I mean it."

"Yes." She kissed him then before he could stumble over anymore words and it was perfect.