Packaged Deal

A/N: Sometimes I don't know what I'm doing. Review, let me know.

Disclaimer: CBS owns them. I just suffer for it.


Nowadays kids in college get what is termed 'care packages' from home. They're like little survival kits; filled with homemade cookies and soap, toothbrushes and playing cards, gum and kool-aid. Heaven forbid these newly independents forget where to buy soap and have nothing to drink.

But I digress. When I went to college it was a rite of passage. This was it—whether we chose to go or got pushed out of the nest, certain ties with home were severed and we were forced to open our wings and give flying solo a try. Mail was, and remains, a big deal to those just starting out on their own. It gives one the feeling of importance.

We had a case recently that was based at a college. It involved ricin laced brownies that were part of a supposed care package. As I sat interrogating student after student I was reminded of you. I know, Sara, that you are neither starting out on your own, nor do you need to be reminded to shower or brush your teeth (you've always had terrific hygiene, Honey) but I thought instead that you might use a little pick-me-up.

I love you honey, nothing will ever change that.

Forever Yours,

-G


The letter alone brought tears to her eyes, but she was delighted when she opened the box. She pulled out a big sweatshirt of his that apparently hadn't been laundered. She smiled as she breathed in his scent and snuggled the sweatshirt briefly.

Next she pulled out a decorated wooden box of assorted teas: English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, and Earl Grey. Mmm. She licked her lips. He knew her too well.

She stopped at that realization.

He knew HER.

No one in her life before now had ever really known her.

Not really.

With this realization a new hope was born. A new determination brought forth.

She pulled the sweatshirt over her head and started some water boiling before settling on the couch and pulling out her phone.

As she opened it she was surprised to hear a voice already on the other end.

"Hello? Sara? Are you there?"

"Uh, yeah. Gil?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome…for what?"

"For knowing me."

"Are you ok Sara? Do I need to come get you?"

"No, I'm fine. Actually I'm coming home soon. I got your care package today. It made me realize a few things. "

She heard him laugh on the other side. She missed hearing him laugh.

"Yeah? Like what?"

Her voice lowered considerably and he had to strain to hear her. "You're the real deal, aren't you?"

His breath caught in his throat. "Honey?"

"No one has ever known me like you do Gil. No one has ever known me. I'm not even sure if I did. "

He waited for her to finish her thoughts.

"In a single letter and a kind gesture you pulled out all the stops." He could hear her starting to cry. "I'm ready to come home now."

"I'll be right here waiting for you."

"You really are the real deal. You're funny, really smart, and gorgeous to boot—but you really do like me don't you?" He could tell by the change of her tone that she was kidding, but he answered truthfully anyhow.

"Honey, I like you and I love you."

"All of me?"

"All of you. The whole packaged deal."

Fin


A/N: on the count of three press the button that says GO as fast as you can. Ready? ONE…TWO…THREE!!