Fiona couldn't sleep. She had too much on her mind, so she rolled out of bed and reached for a robe draped over the chair next to the bed, taking her time to look at Henry's sleeping form. She couldn't help but smile as she watched him. He had been considerate and gentle while at the same time proving to her that not every moment in lovemaking had to be serious. It was a novel thought.

There was still some chocolate cake left, and Fiona grabbed a plate as she passed it on her way to the small balcony that looked over the city below. It wasn't as impressive as the roof garden, but it was late, and everything was quiet and still.

What now? She thought as she ate a small bite of cake. Henry had always been her crush and her dream, and now that dream had come true. At least a form of it had. Henry wasn't offering her forever, but they had shared something meaningful. She could feel it in her bones.

She had taken what had been offered, and she didn't regret it, but what now? Was it time to get a new dream? What did she want from life? She had gone from her parents' house to college, from college back to her parent's house.

Fiona had felt more alive in this one day than she ever had before. Was that all Henry, or was it because she was following a dream that she wanted and not following other's wants and wishes? If that was her and not Henry, what was her next dream?

She had an undergraduate degree in psychology, and she had always wanted to pursue it. Fiona had a hard time connecting with people and thought it might make it easier to deal with her shyness if she knew what made humans tick.

Henry wasn't staying, and her heart hurt at the thought, but she had loved him for so long from afar that his going wasn't going to change her life. She wouldn't pine for him anymore now than she had over the last fifteen years. Although, now she had some damn good memories to take with her, which was more than she had before.

"What are you thinking about?" Henry asked as she came up behind her, reaching over her shoulder and running his finger through the chocolate frosting that was left on the plate.

"I don't think I want to work the ranch anymore." It was the first time she had said the words aloud, and they felt good to say. It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Then you shouldn't, and you should do whatever you want," Henry said in a supportive voice as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Henry?" Fiona asked as she swallowed hard.

"Yes?" Henry buried his face in her neck and inhaled deeply.

"Are you naked?" she couldn't help the squeak in her voice.

"I am." He kissed her neck and sent a shiver down her spine.

"What if someone sees you?" They were on the balcony, after all.

"Then I hope they like what they see." Fiona felt Henry grin into her neck.

Fiona forgot what they were talking about as she turned to face him.

"Fiona, you are an amazing woman. You can do whatever you want. I know you can." Henry's voice was so sincere that she felt tears prick the back of her eyes.

"Thank you. I hope my parents feel the same way when I tell them." Fiona gave a hesitant smile.

"Why haven't you told them before?" Henry asked. "Why have you been doing something you didn't want to do?" He pulled Fiona back into the room, and Fiona managed to close the door behind her before Henry spun her around and started walking her toward the bed.

"Guilt," Fiona said, liking the look in his eye.

"Guilt?" It was not the response Henry was expecting, and he pulled back and looked down at her, growing very serious. "Why would you feel guilty?" Henry was perplexed.

"Someone in the family has to keep the ranch going, and I'm the most obvious choice. Mom and Dad have worked it for years, and they finally have a chance to do what they want to do because I took over. If I decide I don't want to do it, they will have to come back." Fiona shrugged. "They need to find someone else, someone who can keep it in the family."

"Why can't you keep it in the family? You'll get married one day and have kids to pass it on to," he insisted.

Fiona bit her lip and looked away. The conversation had gone from carelessly hopeful to very serious in a minute or two. She stepped away from him and tightened the belt on her robe. Henry noted the change in her demeanor and reached for his jeans, pulling them on while keeping his eyes glued to Fiona.

"What's going on, Fiona?" Henry asked as he took her hand and sat her on the edge of the bed.

Fiona shook her head. Since Wyatt's visit, her feelings had been too close to the surface, and that, coupled with Henry's presence pulling her off of automatic pilot and reminding her that she was still in the land of the living, was making her careless with her words.

"Fiona, we're friends, remember?" Henry squeezed her hands.

Fiona shook her head. He might actually be her best friend at this point.

"I can't have children," she said baldly.

Henry's eyes grew wide at her words, but he remained silent as he digested the news. When he reached for her and drew her close, Fiona let loose with a sob. It was never something that she had grieved, and now Henry was giving her a chance.

"You must have questions?" Fiona asked through a hiccup.

"So many, but we'll get to them eventually," he said as she squeezed her tight and let her cry.

"My Mom used to tell me what a blessing I was growing up. Mom said she believed for a long time that she couldn't have children, and when she found out she was pregnant with me, it was the happiest day of her life." Fiona cried harder.

"I can imagine that it makes it very hard hearing that story and knowing that you'll never experience that joy." Henry kissed the top of her head to soften the words. "Is your reason the same as hers, is there a possibility you can one day?"

Fiona shook her head. "Mom was lied to and never tried until she met my father; it's a long story and hers to tell. I," Fiona took a shaky breath, "I was young and pregnant and scared. The father didn't want the baby or me, and I didn't want to tell my parents because I thought they would be ashamed of me. I didn't get the medical attention I needed, and I miscarried. After I miscarried, I still didn't seek medical treatment, and I got an infection." Fiona felt herself turning inwards and shrinking. Even after all these years, she still hated herself for being so weak. She was still weak, which was why she was working the ranch when it was the last thing she wanted to do.

Henry pulled her close. "We all do stupid stuff when we're young, and most of it is due to fear."

"Not like this," Fiona shook her head.

"I let some guys I had just met drug my sister's drink when she went to the bathroom, then I watched her drink it without stopping her." Henry took a deep breath.

"We're they threatening you?" It was the only way Fiona could imagine Henry would ever let the guys he talked about get away with it, and he hugged her for the question.

"Doesn't matter, I didn't try to stop them. I couldn't think how to do it, and I don't know what I would have done if Finn hadn't interrupted and taken Lilly away from the situation." Henry shuddered. "That was the moment I decided to never be weak like that again."

"And you became a SEAL," Fiona nodded. "No one was threatening me, Henry. I made all of my own decisions."

"Looking back, you may not see a threat, but the young Fiona saw the threat of losing her parents' love and respect." Henry took a deep breath. "Was it Clayton Jennings, and is this what you told Wyatt?"

"Yes, to both. Although Clayton never asked me about the baby, he probably thought I had an abortion, and I didn't tell Wyatt I couldn't have children. I only told him that Clayton and I had dated in college, I had gotten pregnant and lost the baby, then we broke up."

"I'm sorry, Fiona. I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, and you had to go through it alone. Will you promise me one thing?" Henry asked, pushing her hair off her shoulders and wiping her tear-stained face with his thumbs.

"What," Fiona asked, lost in his eyes and the compassion she saw there. It looked so much like love.

"You'll let me be there from now on. I'm only a phone call or email away, and if you need me, all you have to do is let me know." Henry gave her a tender smile.

"Like a best friend?" It was the same thought she had earlier.

"Yes, and if I need you, I'll call or email you," he promised.

"What about this?" Fiona pointed to their current state of undress.

"It happened, and I'm not sorry it did. If it happens again, it's something that we will decide on together, but if it doesn't, then we'll still be best friends."

It was the reassurance she needed, her heart lifted, and she felt lighter than she had in a long time.

"Henry?" Fiona asked, biting her lip.

He smiled, knowing where she was going because the atmosphere was quickly changing.

"Can we decide together and right now to make this happen again?" Fiona ran her hand down his strong chest.

"Yes, we can," he agreed, flipping her quickly on her back. "I'm glad you're my best friend," he whispered. "I've never had one before."

"Me neither," she said seriously, but whatever else she had intended to say was lost as his lips found hers.

Best friends wasn't a bad place to be. It was one of the sweetest deals she had ever made.