Author note: Ok, so here is the last chapter. I hope you've enjoyed reading the story - please feel free to leave some departing reviews.

Katelyn was discharged from the hospital after only a couple of days sporting a sling and a rather large easter egg shaped bruise to the side of her head. Lightman had threatened to sack her if she didn't stay away from work for at least a couple of weeks but that hadn't stopped Katelyn from sending Loker in to rescue her laptop from under her desk - he didn't agree with it, taking Lightman's side that she should rest up; but knowing that she would probably only stress about work anyway he'd reluctantly agreed.

Lightman had quite generously given Loker a few days off too; he hadn't ever been put in a position where he'd had to look after someone before but after watching her try to get dressed when she couldn't lift her left arm, he took to his new responsibilities quite well.

"You shouldn't be doing that!" he scolded as he caught her trying to slice a carrot one handed.

She had it pinned to the counter with the elbow of her 'slinged' arm and was precariously slicing through it with a large knife - Loker had to admit that she was doing rather well but he didn't fancy another wait in hospital.

"Give it here," he said lightly taking the knife and finishing the job, "what do you want carrot for anyway?"

She cringed a little and he prepared himself for a bout of radical honesty.

"No offence Eli, its been four days and you've been a big help but I don't think I can eat another frozen ready meal or something that started life as a packet mix."

He chuckled, her cooking skills really did put his to shame, "Ok so what are we making then?"

"I was thinking something simple like chicken casserole?"

"Simple...right, how do I do that?"

She giggled; "Bless, I knew you weren't exactly Martha Stewart but I'd have thought you could have coped with some fresh ingredients without supervision."

"I'm glad I amuse you, but I suggest if you would like an edible meal you stop making fun of me and take it back to basics."

Loker tried to sound offended but he loved to make her laugh, whatever the circumstances.

"Alright, I'll behave."

"Thank you, now how do I catch the chicken?"

The meal came out alright and Loker was secretly impressed with himself; she'd cooked for him a lot and he'd never really been able to repay the efforts. He finished the washing up and joined her on the couch. Given the site of her injury she couldn't cuddle up to him as usual so for the past few evenings she'd taken to lying down with her legs dangling over the arm of the couch and her head in his lap. The only frustration for Loker was that he couldn't kiss her that way - it wasn't for lack of trying, he just didn't quite bend in the right place.

"Can I tell you something?" she asked quietly looking up at him.

"Anything, as long as its not another criticism of my cooking skills, I don't think my ego could take anymore tonight."

She laughed softly; "Its not anything like that I promise."

"Ok then, tell away."

"Right, this isn't quite how I wanted to say it but something repeatedly seems to be telling me that life is too short and shouldn't waste any more time…"

Katelyn paused deciding that she wanted to be upright for whatever she was about to say; carefully she hoisted herself up swinging her legs back round so she could face him.

"Gosh its going to sound cheesy however I do it." she complained; obviously her upright status hadn't solved whatever dilemma was in her head.

Loker realised what she was going to say; after his time to think in the hospital he'd felt that he'd wait till she was feeling better; he wanted her to know that he meant it, not that he was just feeling sympathetic or concerned for her. They were such important words for him to say that he'd wanted the moment to be perfect; however, here she was sitting in front of him preparing to say them regardless of anything and Loker realised that was exactly how it should be. He had been wrong to think that there was a right time, a right place or a right way.

"Wait a second." he held his hand up to stop her.

Loker leant forward gently placing his right hand to her neck, his thumb resting on her cheek, he took a moment to take in the exquisite look of anticipation on her face before kissing her.

He pulled back slowly staying inches from her lips; "Kate," his voice was barely a whisper.

"Mmmm," she tried to make contact with him and he moved a little further wanting to get the words out first. He kept his eyes closed but could tell that that she was holding her breath; his heart hammered in his chest.

"I love you."

He could feel her pulse quicken under his fingertips and he caressed her cheek lightly as he closed the distance between them again.

Flashes of what else they could have together raced through his head and Loker didn't want the kiss to end in case he woke up and the last nine months had never happened; but this kiss was different, something had changed for the better. The way she responded to his lips confirmed that she loved him too; he didn't need to hear her say it right now, he could tell without a doubt.