The wedding ceremony was a perfect blend of Linus and Camille. There was laughter and smiling and splashes of colour everywhere, and the love of family shone through in every word and gesture. Camille wore white, but had chosen to dress Kirsten in a sari in a vibrant shade of blue. Standing beside her best friend as she recited her vows, Kirsten tried and failed several times to avoid locking eyes with Cameron, who stood in his place as Linus's best man. At one point, Cameron had offered her a hesitant smile, and Kirsten had been so focused on fighting back her blush that she almost missed her cue to hand Camille Linus's ring. She was saved from her sudden panic at the thought of having Cameron escort her back down the aisle when one of Linus's many cousins decided to grab her and form an impromptu celebratory conga line behind the bride and groom. The reception was unassigned seating, much to Kirsten's unending gratefulness, and she slinked off as soon as she could to hide at a table in the back corner. Hours later, she was still sitting there in the shadows, sipping at champagne even as she acknowledged that she was a little drunker than she planned on being. Fisher had joined her at some point, and Kirsten reached over and stuck her fork into the large slice of wedding cake they were sharing before she took in the detective's rueful smile. Her frown as she followed Fisher's gaze to the dance floor softened into a smile of her own as she watched Linus spin Camille around in circles. Fisher made a soft rumbling noise in his throat, and Kirsten glanced back at him.
"Feeling like you missed your chance, old man?" she asked him softly, and Fisher blinked in surprise before he chuckled under his breath.
"No," he said with a small head shake. "Me and her, we were just a flash in the pan. Everyone knew that Linus was always Camille's endgame. I'm happy for her. For both of them."
"Naw, Fisher, that's so sweet," Kirsten sing-songed, draining the last of her champagne glass. The waiter who'd been doting on her for most of the night materialised almost instantly to top her up. Fisher rolled his eyes before he spoke again.
"Speaking of endgame," he commented, nodding towards the dance floor again. Kirsten glanced over her shoulder and found herself looking directly at Cameron, who was laughing along with Chelsea as they carried out the jerky choreography to a bad 90s hit.
"You have the subtlety of a brick," Kirsten sneered at Fisher, scooping up a forkful of cake and sticking it in her mouth.
"Someone had to say it," Fisher shot back. "Watching you two pine over each other is nauseating."
"This is a pointless conversation," Kirsten snapped at him. "You do remember that he..."
"Hi."
Kirsten dropped her fork as that one single word caused her heart to stop momentarily. Spots started to form in front of her eyes as she realised that she was trapped.
"Hey, Goodkin," Fisher said, holding up Kirsten's plate. "Cake?"
"Actually, I was kind of hoping that I could ask for a dance," Cameron said softly, and Kirsten finally looked up to meet his hopeful gaze. She knew her face had gone crimson.
"I, uh, I don't..." she stammered. She desperately wanted to form full sentences, but it was as though her brain had completely stopped functioning.
"Oh, go on, Clark," Fisher urged. "You've been sitting here all night."
Kirsten shot him a withering look that she sincerely hoped conveyed just how badly she was going to kill him later, and then turned back to Cameron, who gave her that hesitant little smile again that made her heart start to jackhammer in her chest. Taking a deep breath, Kirsten slid out of her chair and held out her hand towards Cameron.
"One dance," she murmured reluctantly, watching as Cameron tried and failed to stop his smile from spreading. She let him lead her through the throng of happy wedding guests until they reached the edge of the dance floor. Just as Kirsten went to take a step forward, the fast-paced music faded out into a gentle ballad, and Kirsten felt her cheeks flush as she glanced awkwardly towards Cameron. He responded by holding out a hand, and Kirsten only faltered for a moment before she stepped into his open embrace, placing one hand in his offered one and the other on his shoulder. Cameron placed his free hand on her waist, and the pair started to sway softly to the music. Kirsten gritted her teeth as she tried to keep her breathing calm.
"It's good to see you, Stretch," Cameron murmured in her ear, and Kirsten nearly fell apart at the sound of that all-too-familiar nickname.
"Cameron, please don't," she whispered back, focusing her gaze directly over his shoulder and immediately spotting Camille watching them with clear expectant fascination. Kirsten swallowed hard. The way her sari fell left an expanse of her back exposed, and she was suddenly very aware of Cameron's thumb tracing small circles against her skin.
"How's Nina?" The question took all of her courage, and immediately made her heart ache. Cameron cleared his throat.
"I, um, I'm sure she's fine," he said gruffly. "But I couldn't say for sure. We... we separated a few months ago."
Kirsten quickly pulled away so that she could gape at him in shock.
"You what?"
Cameron continued to move them around the dance floor in small circles.
"Things weren't working," he explained softly. "Honestly, I'm not sure they ever really did. So we made a choice."
"But what about..." The words escaped Kirsten's mouth before she had the chance to stop them.
"Jack?" Cameron finished for her. "We share custody, but he's still so young, he needs to be with his mom most of the time."
"That must be hard for you," Kirsten offered gently, leaning in closer to him again. Cameron made an affirmative sound.
"I love my son very much," he murmured. "But Nina and I, we're civil, so I think we'll be able to work something out once we move back here."
Again Kirsten was left staring at Cameron in astonishment.
"You're moving back to Los Angeles?" she asked, and Cameron chuckled under his breath as he nodded.
"Nina got a job offer," he explained. "And obviously I can't take care of my son if I'm on another continent, so..."
"I didn't know," Kirsten bit out, glaring daggers at Camille over Cameron's shoulder. Camille quickly ducked behind Linus, but Kirsten could see she was still watching eagerly.
"Don't be mad, Bones," Cameron soothed. "They don't know either. I haven't told them yet."
Kirsten knew she looked baffled.
"Why not?" she asked in confusion. Cameron sighed against her ear.
"Because I wanted you to hear it from me," he whispered. Kirsten felt her whole body soften, and without thinking, rested her chin on Cameron's shoulder. Cameron didn't even miss a beat, just pulled her closer and continued stroking her back with his thumb.
"I have missed you, Stretch," Cameron told her softly. "So much. I wanted you to hear me say it, that I was coming back, for you."
"Cameron," Kirsten whimpered, pulling back so that she could take in every inch of his face. "Wait, please."
"Kirsten?" Cameron asked, concern creeping over his features. Kirsten swallowed against the lump in her throat.
"I'm sorry," she croaked out. "I'm sorry for everything I said to you. I was awful to you, and if I had the chance to take it all back..."
"Hey, hey!" Cameron cut her off, letting go of her waist so that he could put his hands on her cheeks. Kirsten suddenly realised that she was crying. Cameron stroked a thumb across her cheekbone, wiping away a wayward tear.
"Kirsten, you were broken then, but you weren't ready to be fixed," Cameron murmured. "And I was too proud to accept that I couldn't help you. Walking away was not my greatest moment."
"Cameron," Kirsten whimpered. "I'm sorry. I should have told you..."
"Kirsten," Cameron spoke her name like a promise.
"I love you."
They'd said it in perfect unison, and they both blinked for a moment in surprised shock before an embarrassed smile tugged at Cameron's lips, which in turn made Kirsten's cheeks flush scarlet. Letting out a breath of relief, Kirsten folded herself against Cameron's chest, and he tangled his fingers into her hair as he pulled her in as close as he could. Kirsten wasn't even sure if they were dancing to the same song anymore. All she could hear was Cameron's heartbeat racing against her ear, and she was positive that her own heart was beating just as fast.
"Hey, KC?"
Kirsten lifted her head and felt the corner of her mouth curl into a half-grin.
"Yes, CG?" she murmured teasingly, and Cameron chuckled.
"Do you think anyone would notice if we got out of here?" he asked under his breath. Kirsten glanced around, finding first Fisher wearing a smug expression even as he knocked back a drink, and then Linus and Camille jumping up and down excitedly while they shared a celebratory kiss.
"I think everyone would notice," Kirsten grinned, "but I really don't care."
Cameron smiled back at her, stroking a finger over her cheek again before he slid his free hand into hers. Kirsten revelled in the warmth of his palm against hers as he led her from the dance floor, but she also took the time to stick her tongue out a Camille before they exited the room. Cameron stroked his thumb over the back of her hand as they paused in the lobby of the hotel. Kirsten cocked her head at him.
"Where to, Captain Big Hair?" she smirked, and Cameron let out a genuine laugh as he cast his eyes upward.
"I have a room upstairs," he offered cautiously, and Kirsten raised her eyebrows.
"Why, Dr Goodkin, are you trying to seduce me?" she teased, giggling even as she let go of Cameron's hand and practically skipped towards the elevator bay. Pressing the call button, she turned and wrapped her arms around Cameron's neck as he came up behind her.
"Kirsten Clark, I think you're still a little drunk," Cameron commented, and Kirsten smirked again as the elevator doors opened with a tiny pinging noise.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Kirsten teased, and then let out a squeal of surprise when Cameron scooped her up and walked her into the elevator. He managed to nudge his floor number with his elbow, avoiding letting Kirsten go. She laughed as she pressed her nose against his.
"I love you," Cameron murmured, and then his lips finally met hers. Kirsten wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned the kiss she'd been waiting five years for, gentle at first and then growing in intensity as they both clawed to get closer to each other. The elevator doors slid open, and without missing a beat, Cameron stepped out of the elevator car and began walking them down the hallway. Kirsten frowned when he suddenly broke their kiss.
"Cameron?"
The man in question glanced around and then gave her a bashful look.
"I think we just walked straight past my room," he admitted sheepishly. Kirsten blinked at him for a moment, and then let out a genuine laugh as she wriggled out of his grasp and planted her feet back on the floor. Cameron rolled his eyes even as he grinned, and he took her hand again as he led her back past a few doors. He slid a swipe key out of his pocket and then gave Kirsten's hand a gentle squeeze. Kirsten smirked at him.
"So here we are," Cameron murmured. Kirsten felt her heart soar, and there was no stopping the smile that crept across her face.
"So here we are," she whispered back, and Cameron lifted his hand to gently cup her cheek as he kissed her again before he opened the door. Kirsten gave him her most sultry look, and then took Cameron's hand and very slowly and deliberately led Cameron into the room, making sure that the door latched firmly behind them even as she again wrapped herself around the man she knew she'd love for the rest of her life.