SUMMARY: It was a dark and stormy night.... :-) Raging Storms By Michele Savage Hilary walked back into the front door of WENN shaking the water off her clothes. The crashing thunder only served to incite her mood even more. She'd stayed late because she hoped the rain would slow enough for her to wait for a taxi. But of course not; why should anything or anyone co-operate. "Damn him!" she cursed loudly. She threw her hat onto Gertie's desk and started to go into the ladies room when the hall light that was usually left on overnight went out. "Hell, where does Betty keep that flashlight?" She muttered assuming it was in the writer's room. She made her way down the darkened hallway by memory. Hilary pushed open the door to Betty's office and felt her way around the desks that occupy most of the room. She pulled open the desk drawer and felt for the flashlight. She started to turn on the light when she heard what sounded like the front door open and straightened quickly. *Who could that be? Everyone else is gone.* She crept to the door leaving the flashlight off hoping not to give her location away to the intruder. She defensively held the flashlight near her head should she need to use it as a weapon. Hilary dropped her shoulders in brief relief when she recognized the footfalls on the marble; but then gripped the flashlight tighter. *I should use it on his head!* Taking a deep breath, she moved into the hallway. "What the hell are you doing here?" He jumped not expecting anyone, "Hilary! What are you doing here?" "The damned Taxi drove off without seeing me in the bloody rain. What's your excuse?" "I left my hotel key here." Jeff answered. "Someone took it out of my wallet when she swiped money for lunch!" he glared accusingly. "I was hungry, and you owe me." She sniped back, "besides I saw no key. Is it lost with your other wife?" Jeff rolled his eyes tiredly. "Hilary give it a rest will you please." She smirked her mouth and silently walked into the green room. She forcefully slammed the door behind her, knowing full well it would swing back at Jeff. Hilary gave a satisfied grin when he heard it make contact. Jeff grabbed the door moment before it hit him in the face, and took a deep settling breath. He walked into the green room reigning in his anger. "All right. I've had enough of this. You have done nothing but verbally slap me since I got back. I explained to you what did and didn't happen in great detail. I -tried- to show you the letters I sent and you burned them. We are settling this here and now, because I can't take it anymore." She stood, incensed, "You can't take it anymore?" She growled, "You did not have the rug pulled out from under you abruptly; and HERE of all places. 'Let's humiliate Hilary in front of everyone.' She threw up her arms dramatically to make her point. She walked close to him and jabbed a finger into his chest, "You didn't lie awake at night wondering what was wrong with you and why you were suddenly thrown over for the first tramp to come along!" She finished the sentence more emotionally than she'd intended. She caught herself and turned away when Jeff grabbed her arms. "Hilary." he said softer. She wrenched out of his grasp but he was faster and held tight. "Let go of me please." She whispered. He hesitated, then pulled her back against him. He lay his head against the back of hers, the scent of her hair sending a wave of desire coursing through his body. He closed his eyes trying to squelch it. "Darling, there is nothing wrong with you." He said quietly, "if you had read my letters you would have known that." A sob escaped her throat before she could stop it. Jeff squeezed her arms softly. "Mittens, I've told you many times nothing happened between Pavla and I. I wouldn't let it. I belong to you Hilary. My body is yours. My heart is yours." He leaned and pressed a kiss on her neck where it met her shoulder blade. Hilary threw her head back against his shoulder, "No." She cried emotionally, "please don't do this Pumpkin." He smiled at her usage of his nickname. It felt good to hear it from her lips again. That to him was all the forgiveness he needed. He turned her slowly, "What don't you want me to do?" he asked, brushing her tears away with a finger. "I don't know." she said, tears starting again in earnest. "Just hold me." she said in a ragged whisper. He pulled her tightly to him and wrapped her in his protective embrace. She cried softly against him, feeling at home in his arms. Jeff moved to settle them on the floor and lay her across his lap, rocking her and letting her cry. "I love you Hilary. That never -ever- stopped." he assured her, "It never will stop." He turned her face toward his and kissed her deeply. She returned his kiss taking comfort and pleasure in his mouth. She knew him so well. She suddenly got angry at Pavla for trying to steal what belonged to her. Her anger became focused on Jeffrey. He -is- hers. And dammit she would prove it. The thought that Pavla even tried to make love to him angered her. She deepened the kiss forcefully, wanting to make him hers and hers alone again. She pulled at the tie he was wearing unknotting it and pulling it from around his neck. Jeff was surprised at the change in Hilary's movements. No not surprised. He knew her well enough to know what she was thinking. He lay her down and straightened beside her. He lifted her enough to reach his hand behind her back and pull down the zipper on her dress. He inched it off her shoulders as she worked the buttons open on his shirt. "Hilary, I am yours. Let me prove it to you please," he huskily whispered in her ear, earning a deep moan from her. "Yes," she said passionately, "prove it to me." At her urging, he pulled off the remainder of her clothes and then removed his own. He inched his hand over her body, leaving no part of her flesh untouched. She threw her head back and arched her body as she felt his slender fingers find the warm moistness of her arousal. She clenched her hand at her side, the desire overwhelming her. "Jeffrey, I need you." She sighed. He stopped the sweet movements between her legs suddenly, "You what?" he breathed against her ear. He nearly lost his will power when she opened her eyes and gave him a look that begged him to complete their union. She swallowed hard, the ache in her building strongly, "I need you; inside me. I need all of you." She pulled his mouth close to hers. "I need to know you need me too." She whispered against his lips. "Oh, god Hilary I never stopped needing you." He told her, relief in his voice. For the first time since he got back, he felt like he had his wife back. His true wife; the only one he ever intended on having. He moved and swiftly entered her; both needing to be complete again. He began the rhythm that was theirs alone. One they were accustomed to after years of lovemaking. Hilary rocked her hips against his, feeling finally that she was whole again. "Please don't leave me again." She muttered against his shoulder. "No." he moaned gutturally. "I couldn't if I tried." She cried loudly as she felt her body come alive. "Oh, Jeffrey." She arched against him, clutching his shoulders tightly as her orgasm hit her explosively. She bit her lip drawing blood as he thrust hard against her, his own climax taking over. He tangled his hands in her hair pulling at her as he made his final quick thrusts and collapsed over her exhausted. She held him tightly, her muscles still contracting. She sighed happily and relaxed her body for the first time in months. Jeff moved slightly to look at her. He was careful not to dislodge the connection they still shared. Staying together like this, still connected moments after lovemaking, was something he cherished with her. He loved the feel of her body completely surrounding him. He brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her. "Hilary, I ..." She stopped him. "Please don't talk. Just stay here." He nodded and lay his head beside hers. "I just wanted to say, I love you." he said softly. She brushed a finger across his lips, "I love you too." She closed her eyes, and still feeling her husband's body within her, fell into a peaceful slumber. The End...