So this is the end of the road for this story. I hope it meets with the approval of everyone-J

"And now with you as inspiration
I look toward a destination
Sunny bright that once before was blue
I have no more than I did before
But now I've got all that I need
For I love you and I know you love me."-The Monkees 'Papa Gene's Blues'

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"I don't know what's going on with him, Lil. He's just so weird lately. He thinks I don't notice but he just seems off and I can't even put my finger on it."

Claire was sitting outside a café picking at a salad while she talked to her sister.

"I wouldn't worry about it too much sis; he loves you so much, I'm sure it's nothing to be concerned about."

"But he always talks to me about things. I even went to Maggie and she said maybe it was a case that bothered him but he always tells me about the cases. I know if any of those affect him badly."

Claire sighed and ran a hand through her hair in obvious frustration and worry.

"Okay, break this down for me. In what ways is he different?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it. I keep catching him just looking at me. He tries to cover it by saying things like he's just so taken by my beauty or some such crap. There's just something distant behind what he says."

Claire couldn't help the crack in her voice. She had never been in love like this and had gone through so much with him. She had even found a way to come to terms with his absences and even developed her own coping mechanisms to comfort herself or at least distract from the worry caused by the danger he faced. But then there was this new worry and there was no getting around it and it scared her worse than she had ever been scared before. Staring down Wayne in one of his rages was nothing compared to this fear. In those cases it was only her life that she was in danger of losing. This time it was her reason for living and that was so much more to lose.

"Oh Clairey-berry, don't get all weepy. I cannot see that man going anywhere. How's everything else? You know, like intimately?"

"Is that the only place your mind can go? My baby sister is obsessed with sex."

"No, hon, I am not obsessed with your sex life. It's just that if he were thinking about leaving you, things would change in the bedroom too."

"Well, things are fine I guess. He's a bit more, um, amorous than normal, I guess. He-I don't know-he's more tender or something. Like he used to sometimes be like he had something to prove and I get that-I can't tell you about it but I understand. Anyway, he's not like that anymore. It's all soft and sweet and romantic."

Claire was flushed red and hoping that those at the tables around her couldn't figure out what she was talking about. This was so very confusing. He seemed so distant and contemplative except in bed and that was better than ever which was really saying something because it was always amazing with him.

"I really don't see where you have cause for worry. I think he just has something on his mind and hasn't figured it out enough to tell you about it yet. Take a breath and enjoy being with him and let it work itself out."

"I know you're right sis but it's just so hard. So how are things with Adam?"

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As much as she felt things were in no way resolved, talking to Lily always made Claire feel a little better and she even found herself humming a bit as she walked into the house. The first thing that hit her was the aroma, something was cooking and it smelled wonderful.

"Derek? Where are you, babe?"

Derek appeared from the kitchen wiping his hands on a towel that was flung over his shoulder.

"Hey beautiful, sorry I didn't hear you come in. Can I get you a glass of wine?"

Claire was visibly taken aback; this was much more connected and present than he had seemed in weeks, well outside of bed that is.

"Sure, wine would be nice. What smells so good?"

Morgan came back with the wine but held it out of reach until Claire gave in and offered a kiss.

"Let's see, rice stuffed chicken breasts, steamed asparagus and a spinach salad."

"Wait, you can cook?"

Derek put a hand to his chest as if mortally wounded.

"Ouch, now that one hurt woman. I should cook for you more, God knows you deserve it. For now, just sit back and relax, I'll have this on the table in just a few minutes."

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Dinner was magnificent and Claire made sure Derek knew she thought so. She couldn't quite get over the setting. He had gotten out the good dishes that she hadn't even known he had and lit candles and she was beginning to feel silly for her earlier worry but then there was the inevitable pause and there he was just staring off into space like he wasn't even in the room with her. Just as she was about to speak to try to bring him out of this fog he had gotten lost in, he seemed to return to her and flashed that brilliant smile. Claire reciprocated with a smile of her own but couldn't shake that nagging feeling that something was not right with her boyfriend.

"So gorgeous, how about we take a walk and get us some ice cream for dessert?"

Claire stood and held out a hand for him and off they went. Once they were headed back toward the house with their treat, she thought to herself how this all felt very much like when they first had met and started dating. The conversation was light and happy and Derek was entirely hers. She for once felt that she wasn't sharing him with whatever dark or confusing place had been routinely taking him from her lately. Their ice cream was finished by the time they walked up the steps to the front door of the house. Claire reached for the knob but Derek took her hand gently and turned her to face him. She studied his eyes and saw that he was more present than she had ever seen him in the time she had known him. She was disquieted though to see fear and uncertainty in his eyes. Her brow furrowed in question to him of what this was all about.

"Claire, I have to ask you something. I have gone back and forth in my head to try to figure out if this is the right thing to do right now but I have to. Every day that goes by and I don't ask this question, I feel is lost and even wasted. I tried to give some space for you to be able to trust all that we have and for me too. Neither one of us has allowed ourselves to feel this kind of love before and sometimes it has scared the hell out of me but I realized that there's nothing to fear in this unknown. The known is what I should fear."

"Derek, what on earth are you talking about?"

"Honey please let me talk this out; I want you to understand this. I love you so much and I see things when I look at you. I see things that spell the end of the road for someone I used to be and that scared me at first but now I realized that there was a lot about him that I didn't like all that much anyway."

Derek maintained constant eye contact with Claire as he lowered himself to kneel before her on his front stoop—not his, their front stoop.

"Claire, I am asking you to be my wife, to let me be your husband. Please, sweetheart, will you marry me?"

The world began to swirl around Claire as she tried to digest this question presented to her. Her daddy had been right and she should have taken more time figuring out what to say. Obviously this was the reason behind his recent distance. Claire began to feel as if she might faint until she locked eyes with Derek and felt at once steadied and that gave her the answer.

"Yes, yes, Derek, I will marry you."

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