Greetings! Thanks for sticking with me this far. This is the final chapter in this story. If I get any nagging or requests, I may write a few more, but for now, I'm happy where this ends. It does heavily reference my Castles in the Sand stories, but you'll be fine if you've not read them. Comments are always welcomed. I'd like to think I take them all pretty well! Thanks! -CT

Chapter 9

Laughing and shaking his head, Harrison led the way to the blanket. Caitlin sat and watched as he carefully lowered himself down from his chair. It took a little rearranging but soon they were investigating the contents of the basket as shouts punctured the air. The demolition team was starting to work, led by a man who owned a local construction company.

First Harrison poured them both a glass of blackberry wine. Then he fixed a sandwich for Caitlin. He didn't need to ask what she wanted. This Harrison knew Caitlin very well, though she was still getting to know him. Taking the plate he offered her, Caitlin watched her dinner companion make his own sandwich. For a while, they sat in silence, watching the castles come down and the demolition crews spread out the sand, smoothing the beach down.

"Doc?" A voice called out approaching their blanket. Looking up, Harrison nodded, trying to figure out where he knew the man walking towards him from. He couldn't be much older than his early thirties. "Robbie Edmonds," the man walking towards them greeted him.

"Robbie," Harrison repeated the name, his eyes widening. "My, you've grown up." Smiling, the man sat. He wore a tee shirt with the name of the construction company responsible for the demolition.

"I'm still pulling down sand castles though," the man said with an easy smile. It made Harrison laugh. "I heard you'd been on the team that won. It is an honour to tear down one of your creations again."

"Thank you. Robbie, this is my friend Dr. Caitlin Snow. Caitlin, Robbie Edmonds. Twenty years ago I would pay young Robbie and his friends to tear down my sand castles at the end of the day."

"Doc here always made the coolest castles around. Still does from what I saw." The man grinned and pushed his hat back.

"Why do you tear them down?" Caitlin asked.

"Responsible beaching," the man replied. "See, the sea turtles can fall into holes and get stuck, the hatchlings can fall in and die. Sea turtles coming up to nest will turn around and go back into the ocean if they run into castles or structures left on the beach."

"Ah, so you did figure it out," Harrison said with a smile.

"I spent a day at the library trying to figure it out when you wouldn't tell me," Robbie replied. "Probably what you intended all along. Every kid that tore down one of your castles knew why before the end of the job. I made sure of that. Part of this competition is geared towards teaching beach goers the reasons behind what they're asked to do."

"I will admit, it was impressive to see so many castles being put up," Harrison stated. Robbie stood, looking out at the sea of castles being returned to sand.

"I need to get back to work. I wanted to thank you though. All those years ago, you really helped me out." He offered his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Harrison shook it. "It was really great seeing you again. I was sorry to hear about all the bad stuff that happened to you."

"Uhm, thank you," Harrison said, shocked to meet someone who didn't hate him for the accelerator explosion.

"Hope to see you around here more," Robbie called as he walked away. "And your lovely wife too."

"Oh, we're not..." Caitlin trailed off, realizing that the man was already gone. "Why did he think that?"

"You're still wearing your wedding band," Harrison pointed out. "People will always jump to their own conclusions."

"Oh," Caitlin said. She looked to Harrison, wondering how he felt being called her husband. "There are far worse people someone could think was my husband," she finally observed.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Harrison cracked. "Did I make your sandwich right?"

"Oh, yes, it's perfect." Gazing out at the ocean, Caitlin watched the waves crash against the shore. "How often do you come here?"

"This is the first time in probably fifteen years," Harrison said after some thought. "Tess and I stopped coming back after the car accident."

"Oh. In our time, that car accident is when you and Tess Morgan died," Caitlin informed him. They'd talked about the differences in the time lines before. While Harrison and Tess had been in the car accident, neither had died, though they'd both been severely injured. They'd managed to have another seven years together, starting on the accelerator together a year before Tess had died in another car accident. Apparently it was her death which kept Harrison motivated to finish the accelerator.

"Well, it didn't kill us, but it is a fine example of Harrison and Tess epicly fail at a romantic evening together." Caitlin watched tears well up in his bright blue eyes, and after a moment, she gently reached out and wiped the tears away.

"It's okay," Caitlin said after a long moment. "Joe told us about what happened that night. What you and Tess lost. Honestly, we all agree that you've lost more than any of us."

"Everyone on our team has faced their own challenges. Mine were just a bit more... obvious."

"Please. There was that night of the car accident. Then you lost Tess and Greg in the other car accident. Finally, you nearly lost yourself in the accelerator. You've been through a lot. So, when you tell me it won't always hurt, I believe you."

"It will always hurt at times. It just won't always hurt all the time," he replied gently. "Thank you, again, for being here." Reaching out, he took her hand and together they watched the sunset. They didn't seem to realize that they'd finished their meal until the sun was down and Caitlin realized they'd been holding hands the entire time.

"Sorry," Harrison said as she pulled her hand away. "Uhm."

"Don't," Caitlin said. "I grieved for Ronnie for a year and I got him back only to lose him again. You kept me from doing something completely stupid in my grief. You don't have to apologize for that." She smiled brightly at him. "Shall we pack up and head back to your suite?"

"If you're done eating." Laughing, Caitlin nodded and started packing the picnic up. As Harrison started helping her, she took his hand and shook her head.

"Go ahead and get back into your wheelchair. I can get this." He watched her for a moment before lifting himself back into his wheelchair. Seeing the look on his face, she decided to speak up. "I know how much you can do," she informed him. "I thought you could use a break after what happened today."

"Ah. Yes. Here, I'll take the basket if you're done." Nodding, she handed him the basket and stood, lifting up the blanket. "Careful." He turned his head to the side so that he didn't get sand in his eyes as she shook it out.

"All set." Smiling, Caitlin offered him her hand, and with a hesitant smile, he took it so that they headed inside holding hands. They managed to get back to the elevators without incident. When they got on the elevator, they were joined by an elderly couple. The couple gave them a look as they got in so that the two separated.

"Oh sweetie, you're that man who saved the boy," the old woman said. Looking up, Harrison smiled self-consciously.

"Yes ma'am," he answered, uncertain what else he should say.

"Good job young man," the woman's husband said, patting Harrison on the shoulder. "The world needs more young men like you willing to help others."

"Oh, thanks. I really didn't do much," Harrison said, adjusting his glasses and glancing at Caitlin.

"Oh, and he's modest too," the wife squealed. The elevator stopped on the elderly couple's floor. "Keep a hold of him dear. He's modest, kind, and good looking. Not a bad combination in a husband." Grinning, the woman patted Caitlin on the shoulder and winked. "I bet he's great in bed too." With a giggly squeal, the woman took off out of the elevator. Her husband followed, laughing at the looks on the faces of the two scientists.

The elevator doors closed and Harrison blinked in the mirror at the shocked look on his face. Looking up, he laughed at the shocked look on Caitlin's face. Frowning, she looked down at him. "Sorry, but you should see the look on your face."

"Mine? You should see your face. Mr. Good in Bed," Caitlin shot back.

"Hey, I think that was Great," Harrison shot back. "Get it right." The elevator opened to their floor and they got off, Caitlin shoving Harrison's shoulder as they did. "Hey! What did I do?" With a happy laugh he followed after her. "Flee from me woman!" Their laughter carried them into the hotel suite where Harrison continued to chase her around the rooms.

"You are the worse husband I've never had!" Caitlin shouted as she raced around. She made sure to stay slow enough that he wasn't too far behind. She wasn't sure how fast his wheelchair could go, but she wanted to keep it fair.

"Come back here woman! If I'm your husband I demand a kiss!" He laughed happily, lunging after her from his wheelchair only to miss catching her and falling forwards to the floor. He hit with a resounding thump which caused Caitlin to turn back.

"Are you okay?" Racing back to him, she was amused to find him laughing on the floor. With a happy chuckle he rolled himself over laughing up at Caitlin. "Missed me."

"Got you now!" He managed to lunge up with a speed she'd not expected, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her down to the floor with him. They ended up in a laughing pile of human bodies, Caitlin on top of Harrison, who still managed to keep a hand on her arms. After a long moment, their laughter trailed off and they stared at each other, his eyes naked as his glasses had gone skidding away.

She could have kissed him. Hell, she wanted to kiss him and it looked like he wanted to kiss her. Instead, she pulled away, standing as fast as she could. Taking several deep breaths, she straightened her clothing before turning back to him. He was struggling into his wheelchair, his arms trembling. Realizing he had overdone it, Caitlin moved forwards, wanting to help. As her hands touched his, he pulled away.

"I can do it," was his instant response. She pulled her hand away, understanding his reaction but uncertain how to alleviate the pain she'd just inadvertently caused. He continued struggling into his chair, eventually settling his legs into place. "My apologies. My behaviour was completely unacceptable." Without looking at her, he vanished into the bedroom, only to return a few minutes later with a pillow, spare blanket, and sheet.

"What are you doing?" Caitlin asked, watching as he spread the bedding out on the couch. It was obvious that he was making the couch up for someone to sleep on it. She could understand what he was feeling. After all, she'd been just as responsible for her actions as he was. How could he not think they were headed in that direction? She wasn't certain if it was fair for him to banish her to the couch though.

"Good night. Turn the lights off on your way to bed," Harrison said a bit coldly. To Caitlin's surprise, he moved over onto the couch, setting the glasses he'd retrieved from the floor on the coffee table. He didn't look at her as he pulled the blankets over his body and closed his eyes.

"Night," Caitlin mumbled, heading into the bedroom. She had rejected him, but he was sleeping on the couch. The man made no sense. With a sigh, she slipped out of her day clothes and into an over-sized tee shirt. Looking at the large empty bed she slipped into it, wondering if she'd sleep without nightmares without him.

Caitlin woke up screaming, thrashing against the sheet which was wrapped around her. Frantic to get away from the dream she threw herself from the bed, falling to the floor with the blanket wrapped around her legs. Still screaming in terror, she thrashed against the sheet, stood and started for the door.

"Caitlin!" The voice was firm yet soft, commanding her to stop. He was there, in the doorway, his hair crazy from being slept on and his glasses missing. "It was just a dream. Calm down." Recognizing him as a safe zone, she ran to him, throwing herself into his arms and lap.

"Ronnie died. I killed him," she sobbed. "And then I killed you." It was a new dream. She'd never hurt anyone else but Ronnie in her nightmares. Until tonight. Tonight had been completely terrifying for a totally different reason. "Please don't leave me. I didn't mean to reject you. I'm just not ready." She could barely understand herself through her sobs.

"Hush, it was just a dream," Harrison repeated, his hand rubbing up and down her back. "Calm down. You didn't kill anyone. That woman wasn't you. She hadn't faced what you had. She wasn't as strong as you are and you know it." His arms were strong around her, warm, protective. Yes, she'd only lost Ronnie a few months ago, but she wasn't certain if she could go without Harrison. He was her safety net, her reason, her friend. A part of her wanted him to be something more, but she didn't know if she was ready to let go of Ronnie yet.

"I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "I want to but I can't... I'm not ready yet."

"What are you talking about?" He pulled away from her a little, trying to see her face. With her first scream he'd woken. He'd been having nightmares of his own, dredged up by the anniversary so he hadn't been sleeping heavily. "What aren't you ready for?"

"To move on. With you." Her words stopped his own and he tried to figure out what to say. She was talking about a relationship between the two of them. Did he want that? He wasn't certain. He loved the feel of her body against his. Her curves and the silkiness of his skin. He'd not had that in a long time. There was nobody else he could talk with the way he did with Caitlin. There was so much about her that drew him to her. He knew she kept his nightmares at bay. Tess must approve of her or Caitlin's presence wouldn't chase his demons away.

"Okay. Listen to me very carefully. I understand what you are feeling. I feel my safest with you, but if you don't want to take this anywhere beyond friendship, I understand and I will respect that. Today was just... an overload of emotions for me. If you hadn't been here to keep me grounded, I don't know how I would have coped. I'm sorry I let things go too far."

His words helped her calm down. If he was willing to wait, she could go as fast or slow as she wanted. Taking a few hitching breaths, she wondered if their picnic had been similar to his picnic with Tess. "Was it the same?"

"Was what the same?"

"Our date, tonight. Was it the same or similar to the one you had with Tess?" She wasn't certain she wanted her first date with the man to be like a date he and his dead wife had shared.

"Hell no." He actually laughed. "It rained on us the whole time. My leg was in a cast so Tess wouldn't let me cook. We ended up ordering pizza, huddling under a beach umbrella and singing sea shanties." He laughed. "Tess had a beautiful voice, made me sound like a cat in heat."

"I don't sing very well," Caitlin informed him. He chuckled, his chest vibrating against her cheek. "You knew that didn't you?"

"I've seen the security tapes when you think you're in the lab alone," he replied honestly. "Don't feel bad. I promise, I will never compare you to Tess. It would be impossible. Tess knew me at a completely different time in my life. I was a different person. I'm not sure she'd like the cynical old man I've become."

"Her loss," Caitlin mumbled. "I like the man you are. Scars and all."

"I have a lot of those," he informed her. "You've not seen them all."

"Give me time. I'm a medical doctor and you seem to be accident prone if your stories about you and Tess are any indicator." He laughed again, and Caitlin chuckled along. The nightmare was receding the emotions still there beneath the surface, but sinking slowly.

"Promise you'll never compare me to Ronnie?" He meant it as a joke.

"You'll never have his thighs," Caitlin informed him, making him laugh again.

"Of that I am certain. I'm not a thigh man any how..." He let the comment sink in and she smacked him lightly after a moment. "Hey, you were the one who brought up cannibalism."

"You are awful. Now, let's go back to bed." A few minutes later and they were settled in the bed together. Caitlin had gone out to the couch to get Harrison's bedding and glasses. While she'd done that he had gotten into the bed. Falling back into their routine, she slid into the bed, snuggling into him, breathing in his scent. She could smell sunblock and the ocean. After a moment she realized that the ocean scent was always there, like an after shave.

"Why did you leave the beach?" Caitlin asked as they snuggled in the dark.

"Tess didn't want to come back after the accident," Harrison admitted. It was easier to face in the darkness, with Caitlin in his arms. "It was here, on the beach that she'd told me only earlier that day. Made it too painful for her to come back I guess."

"And for you?" She sensed that he'd stayed away out of respect to Tess. Why had he returned now?

"All the truly good things in my life happened at this beach, except maybe a few. Most of my happiest memories are here. The fifteen years since I'd last been here have been full of pain and loss. There have been good times, but not nearly as many as here."

"So, why come now?"

"I guess in a way, I wanted to say good-bye to Tess where I met her. Seemed fitting."

"Start and end your relationship in the same place?"

"Not end really. More like, letting go... of the painful parts." They fell silent again. After a moment he spoke, "Hogan is going to have a field day with the screaming and noises coming from these rooms tonight. Better toughen up now. Breakfast is going to be a real treat." Caitlin laughed a half-laugh as she drifted off to sleep. The morning would bring something new, but with Harrison by her side, she was ready to face it.

There it ends. I could probably write more, but I'm happy with it here. If I get any requests for more, I might consider it. For now, thanks for following! Hope you enjoyed! - CT