A/N: Well I think its safe to say that university is crazily picking up now so do enjoy these updates while they last.
This is actually the longest chapter I have done in quite some time so you're in for a treat this time.
This chapter concludes the end to the New Mexico expedition so I hope you have enjoyed it

Thank you for the faves everyone =D

The early morning had always been a brief moment in which time stood still, before any movements could be made, before the initiation of start of the day. In this particular occasion Emily always took a few moments to reflect upon her thoughts. She lay blinking her eyes open as she awoke to the early morning sunrise as it sent warm orangey golden rays across the room. Patrick remained quietly breathing beside her, while Emily undisturbingly shifted her position so that she stared up at the ceiling and so Patrick was in her Peripheral vision. Patrick stirred and mumbled something unintelligible causing Emily to smile sweetly at her sleeping husband. She closed her eyes and pondered, feeling a tingling sensation on her back as she felt the reminiscent touch Patrick had become accustomed to do at night when they lay in bed together. The soft fingers circling her back became routine as he caressed her back, soothing her to sleep. These were the most precious moments of the day, when even though in the darkness she couldn't clearly see his face, she knew something in the gleam of his eyes was comforting, as much as the warmth of his touch on her skin, moving up and down her exposed back.

It had been several weeks since Emily had the chance of silent thought in the mornings, for they were usually interrupted by her sudden wave of sickness causing her to leap out of bed and stagger to the bathroom. Such peace had been rare and she found herself in awe of this short period of time she had before Patrick would soon wake up and the day would inevitably start. Usually they slept close to each other, at some extent touching, she found that she really enjoyed the mingling of legs during the night or his hand holding hers, lacing fingers close to his face as his hot breath brushed her while he whispered in the dark a myriad of things. It was during one of those nights that they could talk about almost anything and love each other for just being in one others company.

Emily never knew herself to be so lucky. Which is why she had been so startled the night before, confused as to how her life had fallen quite neatly into place. Nevertheless she had learned to adapt.

Emily had learned many things with Patrick; she had learned that he would fuss during his sleep, more than enough to wake her up at the beginning, but she wouldn't complain. The boyish expression of peace on his face while he slept was too precious to be interrupted and she eventually learned to let that go; she got used to his gentle arm searching for her in the dark and wrapping itself around her waist as he mumbled words from which she could only understand as being her nick name.

And she treasured the little details of him. He would always insist on making her eat something in the mornings even though she wasn't up for it or she didn't feel hungry at all. He held the door for her every time they walked through a door and protectively put his hand on the small of her back, leading her the way. Most of those little habits she had never paid much attention of. But all the more now became clearer.

Emily turned her head and gazed at Patricks soothing snore and began to think. She tried to rationalize about it, but she couldn't find the exact words to explain or reason about the feelings that happened every time she looked at him and caused her stomach to flutter and her heart to feel light; Or why her knees got weak when he looked at her from across the table and she knew he was about to kiss her.

She was lucky to be his wife and lying there in the comfort of their bed made her appreciate it all the more. Just as life would have it, Patrick woke, stretching his arms out giving way for Emily to nuzzle into his shoulder surprising him for she was usually so moody and more so absent when he woke in the mornings. He took a breath in her hair and spun a finger around a loose curl as she set her head tenderly on his chest, hearing his heart beat as he breathed in and out. She folded her hands neatly on his chest and rested her chin on them as she looked to Patrick coming face to face with him giving him a soft smile. He continued to fondle with her hair, something she rather enjoyed.

"Feeling better this morning?" he yawned.

She lay her head back on his chest "Yes, surprisingly I am."

"That's a good sign."

"Hopefully" she said rolling over to look at the clock.

"SHIT!"

"What?" Patrick asked startled.

"Its 7:30am didn't you set the alarm?"

"I thought you set it?"

She slapped her forehead "Ughhh...I married an idiot."

"They're all in their early 20's I'm sure your students can manage breakfast by themselves."

"That's not the point is it Patrick." She gave him a look of scepticism as she pulled her bathrobe on and rummaged around the room for clean clothes while Patrick did likewise with less emphasis on the urgency to rush. As Patrick finally located a white shirt and pulled it over his head he was astonished to find Emily already dressed and now searching frantically for her hairbrush as she held her hair back with the other hand.

"Is this what you're looking for?" he picked up the brush that was partially hidden in the folds of the comforter.

"Yes, thank you." She began to brush her hair, knowing it wasn't making much difference and so smoothed it down with her hands instead.

"Have you seen my hair tie?"

"Just wear it out...it's sexy." Patrick teased, kissing her neck.

Emily swatted him away. "Not helping Pat..." she ran to the bathroom and splashed water on her face, dabbing it dry with a towel. "Ugh let's just go" she stood by the door running a hand through her hair.

"As you wish" he complied following her out.

Meanwhile the students had taken the initiative and helped themselves to breakfast sitting resignedly at the table. "You know, it wouldn't have killed you all to be quiet last night." Heather pointed at the guys with her spoon.

"Us! Excuse me; I think it's safe to say the same thing about all of you." Daniel responded nonchalantly

She took a mouthful of cereal in. "Pfffft, as if, come on, not at that hour."

"Then who do you suppose it was then?" Daniel leant over to her closer.

"Morning" Emily chimed sitting down at the table as Patrick pulled the chair out for her.

Brian leant back, scratching behind his right ear. "Awkward..." he mumbled quietly looking at the floor as the rest looked blankly into space.

"Did you all sleep well?" Emily asked pleasantly.

Sara could see Nathan about to open his mouth and say something he would later regret.

"We-ughhh." He stuttered as Sara stood on his foot under the table, causing him to wince silently.

"Fantastic" she quickly recovered.

They continued with breakfast as normal, a minute later Nathan leant into Sara.

"What was that for?" he gritted.

Sara waved it off. "You'll thank me someday."

"Like when I have an excuse not to run a marathon?"

She looked at him casually non remorseful "Okay lets go with that."

"So what's on the agenda today?" Lauren asked breaking the tension.

"Well I did have a broad outline in which I wished to follow." She paused as Patrick came back setting a cup of coffee in front of her. "But it's our last day there, so I was thinking of something a little less structured" she trailed on.

"Less structured?" Lauren questioned as Emily began stirring her coffee leisurely.

"You'll see" she replied surreptitiously bringing her cup up to her mouth.

Later on, as the previous day they arrived at the Aztec Ruins National Monument like all other mornings the weather was typical of a hot sunny summer's day. The morning started off as mornings tended to be slow and informative. By lunch time it occurred that it was time to loosen up and let the students experience the environment by themselves without her guiding their every move.

"Alright I've given you enough teaching now; it's time to make your own findings and discoveries. She stood up from their resting spot and initiated their move positioning herself so that she was in everyone's focus.

"You'll be divided into three small groups, Patrick and I will float around each group, to ensure you are on the right track, Sara and Nathan will be group one, Heather and Brian will be group two and Lauren, Daniel and Chelsea will be group three." They all nodded compliantly.

"I will go with group one first and Patrick group two, we'll alternate every 30 minutes so you'll all have a chance with us. What your task is is to utilise the skills I taught you yesterday and earlier this morning and make your own observations, take note of your findings for they will be the basis for which you will write your scholarship essay on." The students looked nervously at one another.

"Any questions?" they remained quiet. "No? Alright then stay close and let's get started." She moved forward gathering her group together as the rest converged into their selected groups.

Emily gave Patrick a simple nod of approval as the groups began to disperse, surely an afternoon without each other would not be so bad, and Emily could put her sole focus on her students; she couldn't help but feel a little guilty that there had always been somewhat of a distraction from her teaching regardless of the progress that had made since their arrival. Emily wasn't known to share the limelight and to be subject to much of the talk there, by being alone Emily hoped this would allow her to take charge and re-establish the hold and professional respect she held but at some degree throughout the course of the trip lost sight of in the midst of her personal situation. Nevertheless she could sense that the students were worried about one particular aspect and Emily had all intentions of clearing it up when the moment arose despite her fact of un-decidedness.

As the afternoon took form and the students took to their given tasks, Emily seized this moment to make her observations for soon she would have to make the decision on who showed the most promise in the subject and would in the end earn the senior scholarship. Most of the afternoon she remained quiet and as she said she would, Emily stood back as she watched her students make notes themselves, excavating Native American artefacts, locating landmarks and ancient abandoned structures. By the end of the day it was evident that there was a clear distinction between her student's personalities. First off the girls, though similar in some extent were remarkably different.

Heather was a typical girl, obsessed with image and presentation but was the student who surprised people the most especially herself in terms of her intelligence, she was quite bright but to some extent did not grasp the full coverage and understanding in the subject that others at times had over them.

Lauren was quite noticeably Heathers best friend and were close friends as her memory recalled since 5th grade. She was athletically fit and enjoyed to be out in the nature, this was where Emily could see she worked rather well in practical situations which the expedition was more focused on.

Chelsea was the dreamer and was often overlooked for her ability in the subject, Emily had been unsure about her capability to turn her learning's into substantive knowledge, but along the course of the expedition she had seen much improvement and a fuller sense understanding.

Sara was ambitious, observative; intelligent and most noticeably mature. She was known for her ability to listen to all things taught to her and was versatile working well in both practical and written theory situations. Sara constantly impressed Emily and had high hopes for her.

The boys like the girls were significantly different.

Daniel was a different case; he was considered the class clown, coming across as being more focused on girls and others matters than that of his studies for not appearing to be paying attention. However Daniel was somewhat of a marvel for he consistently shocked the likes of his peers and Emily, when it came down to business and he manages to recall the little things people have said and has a broad understanding of the subject taught to him.

Nathan was a polite and quiet student. His interest in Native American history came from a distant family connection, so Emily could tell that Nathan felt more obligated to study the subject through family expectations rather than his self love for the subject. Though he has proven himself to have done quite well he lacks the natural love for the subject.

Brian was the charmer; he enjoys being around with the ladies and having a good time, but also knows when it is time to be serious. Initially he started out not knowing whether or not Native American study was the best of him, he eventually gained much understanding for the subject and since has become a strong contender in the subject for his ability to be flexible to all aspects the subject offered.

Looking back over her students again, she knew her selection would not be an easy one. Finishing up at the Aztec Ruins National Monument Emily took one last look back at it all and gathered up the group to leave. "Alright everyone, let's call it a day "and slowly proceeded out after them.

That evening as Patrick and Emily climbed up the stairs to their suite after having coffee downstairs the students bounded down hurriedly in laughter meeting them just about half way in an audible halt. They lost the beaming color from their faces and Chelsea bit her lip. Emily looked at them, dressed to impress.

Brian spoke first "I hope you don't mind Dr Gates, we were just heading out to the local bar, if that's alright?" The girls looked with pleading eyes.

A moment of silence occured before she finally spoke "Of course, you're all grown-ups do as you wish, just be sensible."

"Got it" Daniel reassured as they passed them down the stairs as they continued to venture off.

As Emily got to the top of the stairs she turned around just before they began to disappear. "I know you're all wondering so I thought I might clarify everything up now." god knows if they'll have any sense in the morning

"I haven't given much thought to it at this stage, but rest assured I will be there to teach till the remainder of the year give or take." Patrick shifted his eyes to her.

"You'll be left in good hands I can guarantee you that. I have no intention to give up teaching; too much effort has gone into the study I have done to get here. I will return when the time is right, probably not within the remainder of your under graduate study, but if any of you decide to further your education in post grad then I see no reason why I cannot resume to my normal duties."

They all gave pleased smiles; glad that she had cleared up a few questions they were afraid to ask but that she had been spot on in answering.

"Don't be out too late; we leave here at 9am...Enjoy your night." She said pleasantly knowing all too well of the tradition of the last night drink fest.

"They'll be sorry in the morning." Patrick said as Emily unlocked the door.

"It's a life lesson; everyone needs to learn and experience it at some point in their lives, just as we did." She replied looking at him as the door opened and she went to enter the room.

Patrick nodded entering after Emily and closing the door "Too right."

Emily unbuttoned her cardigan slipping it off and strewed it over a chair whilst slipping off her shoes, she ran her fingers through her hair and took a good scan across the room and sighed.

"So I hope this trip wasn't too terribly boring for you I hope."

"Not at all" he looked surprised "It was wonderful to get back, I've always loved it here, sure beats staying at home."

"I guess" Emily laughed.

"You're a much better teacher than I thought..."

"Is that so...?"

"Yes, your students obviously appreciate you; they're really quite bright and well grounded."

"Well I do try." She smiled smugly.

"Who do you think you'll choose?" Patrick sat on the edge of the bed.

"I really can't make a definite decision now, before they hand me their essays at least, but...I have a vague idea of who I'd like"

"And who is that?"

"I can't tell you that yet, it's not ethical."

"Ethical? Emily I'm your husband."

"And?..." she stirred.

"It's Sara isn't it?"

Her mouth was open for a few seconds until she eventually recovered "I'm not saying anything."

He laughed nodding his head "Yes, yes it most certainly is" He figured.

"And why is that Pat?"

"She's just like you."

"Just like me? She repeated.

"That's right I could see it these past few days, especially today, she's headstrong, intelligent mature, everything I see in you."

"The requirements for the scholarship does not include being like me."

"No, but certainly the same approach as you have to the subject."

She locked her eyes with his. "I'm not saying anything" She lay stretched out on the bed as Patrick leaned towards her on his side.

"Yes dear." He went along with it and Emily rolled her eyes playfully.

Though not fully visible to the everyday eye, Patrick knew Emily's body and could tell the few extra pounds she carried were beginning to make their appearance slightly but not noticeably through her thin white tank top.

"I love you, you know that."

She turned her head to the side meeting his gaze. "Of course" she answered looking slightly confused."I love you too."

"Just don't ever forget that."

"I don't think I will." She glowed.