Okay, this is a little bit longer than usual. And gosh, it was difficult. I bet tomorrow I find that a few of my hairs have turned grey. But I hope it was worth it.

On a personal note: I don't like and don't see Sara too angsty. I think that privately, she can be much more straightforward than most give her credit for. And with Eli, there's nothing left to be afraid of anymore, no secrets left unsaid, I mean those she usually tries to hide, which gives me more opportunity to take a look how she'd be with someone that had once already been let in the world behind the walls and defense mechanisms. She's hidden herself and hated long enough. There has been a shift in their relationship. Now Eli is the insecure one. And I like a strong Sara. I really do. And I don't think it's OOC. I think of that cocky: "You're the Detective, go detect!" followed by that gorgeous smirk. Makes her all the more... lack of fitting word... hmmm... yeah... confident Sara is simply hot!

Agree or disagree, like it or don't, but this is how it goes on.

26. There'll be an us

Eli was tired. Tired, grouchy and hungry. Not a very enjoyable combination. She yawned for what seemed like the tenth time in a row as she fumbled with her keys. She'd been out and about for at least 10 hours and after that tiring day before all she wanted now was something to chew on, a shower and her bed. Her precious, lovely, soft, wonderful bed. Yet there was so much to do.

She pushed the door open and threw her keys onto the little table by the door, picked up her mail and skimmed through the few envelopes as she walked without really looking towards her kitchen, getting rid of her shoes along the way. She only looked up as she put the mail down on the kitchen counter. And immediately winced and averted her eyes.

"Catherine!"

"Eli!"

Right there in the middle of her kitchen, fishing a bottle of water out of her fridge stood a really scarcely clad Catherine Willows. Scarcely as in only wearing panties.

Eli turned on her heel the same second as the plastic bottle hit the floor and the almost naked blonde protectively crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"I'm sorry Catherine, I didn't know I had, uh, additional visitors. I haven't seen a thing, I swear."

"No, no, this is your home, I should have put on a shirt, I am sorry. I'll be back in a second, okay?"

"Yeah, of course."

Catherine rushed back into the guest bedroom, her face flushed and muttering a curse under her breath. As soon as the door opened she heard Leonard's muffled voice ask:

"What wrong gorgeous?"

A few hissed words from Cath and Eli heard a rumbling laughter erupt from Leonard.

"I never pegged you for the shy type, Miss Willows, certainly not after-"

"Will you shut up, Leonard?" Catherine screeched.

Eli almost doubled over trying to keep her laughter silent, that was how Catherine found her as she returned to the kitchen, now wearing a large t-shirt that almost reached down to her knees.

"Very funny, Trent. Please feel free to be amused at my expense." She growled still a bit embarrassed and with bright pink cheeks.

The quiet laughter changed into a broad grin as Eli couldn't help but keep on teasing.

"Well, since I feel myself capable of judging these kind of things, damn, Cath, you still have a dancer's body. Could we probably repeat this scene, only this time I'll deliberately not look away and turn around politely?"

That comment earned Eli a slipper pointedly thrown at her head as Leonard appeared in the frame of his room.

"I thought you weren't into blondes anymore, precious." He too, grinned and wore nothing but his trademark pin-striped boxers; Leonard had never bothered being self-conscious, particularly not in front of Eli, who had seen him completely naked often enough.

He snaked his arms around Catherine from behind and she snuggled a bit back into the warmth his body radiated.

Eli smiled contently.

"I'm happy for you guys."

Catherine beamed at her and smiled a bit uncharacteristically coy and Leonard kissed her crown.

"And now, kids, back to your room and don't let me keep you from what you've been doing, but don't forget the water this time, you'll sure need it." Then she winked at Catherine and added.

"I guess I'll have to go search for my earplugs, since I have first hand knowledge of some of Leonard's outstanding skills. And please don't let it stop you when you suddenly hear some very loud music. That will be me trying to convince my head not to acknowledge the other noises I might be hearing and conjure up some matching images." She couldn't keep the mock-disgusted expression in place and smiled smugly.

Catherine blushed again and even Leonard's cheeks grew kind of rosy, but he blew an air kiss into Eli's direction and dragged Catherine back into the guest room, nibbling at her neck playfully in Eli's plain sight.

She chuckled and huffed "So nice not to be the first one to have sex in your own apartment." before she slipped into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Civil, that was probably the best word to describe her encounter with Sara that night. They had found a missing girl on the database that fitted the description of their DB and had followed that lead.

Their conversation was quiet and revolved around the case. But there were shy glances and small smiles. Lots of small, half-hidden smiles, followed by suddenly looking out of the car window turns of heads.

"Eli..." Sara started after a particularly long pause. But Eli stopped her instantly, knowing that it was up to her to make a move.

"Hold on, Sara. Look, both me and you know what drove me to say the things I did. I freaked out, fucking big time. Something I all those years didn't even dare to think about was suddenly so close within my reach and I got the coldest feet you can imagine."

"Wait a sec. Hold that thought, okay?" Sara steered the car into the next parking lot and put it into park. Then she turned to face Eli. Oh yeah, she was still mad, and she thought Eli deserved her anger. It had cost her a lot to take this chance. She would most certainly give it another try, the damn butterflies in her stomach hadn't and wouldn't come to a rest. They had even been there in the morgue. It just felt right. Talking like there were friends again with Eli that day felt right, looking into those dark brown eyes felt right, touching Eli felt right. God, she was in trouble, if Eli only knew in just how much. Why now, why again, after so much time? She was sure Eli hoped for nothing more than a slow rebuild of their friendship, but that wouldn't be enough anymore. Where had she been? Right, that woman infuriated her. Sitting there in the passenger seat, kneading her hands in her lap, looking at her with those puppy dog eyes, smelling like - coffee and tobacco and that bloody perfume, not wearing lenses but those unbelievably cute glasses. Anyway, angry, yes. She was supposed to be angry and leave her hanging just a little bit longer.

"Eli, it was about some kind of beginning, recuperating. And that wasn't just cold feet, you completely blew me off. You haven't been the only one who needed a lot of courage. It took me a lot to send you that mail. And I foolishly thought that had been exactly what you'd wanted. Honestly, Cupid, what am I supposed to make of this?"

Eli stumbled over the words she'd wanted to say. Talk about a heartbeat that surely wasn't healthy anymore. She'd called her...

"Sara, are you aware of what you just called me?"

"Yeah, I mean, no. What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You called me Cupid..."

"I did not!"

"You did, too!"

"Did not!"

"Did, too!"

"I- alright, stop it! I might have. Don't pester me about it, it was a slip."

"It'd better be, because that just doesn't fit me anymore."

"Doesn't it? It used to suit you perfectly."

"I am not that person anymore, Sara! You swore you'd never use that nickname again! And I'm sorry. I do want this, exactly this. Moments like the one that just happened."

Sara lowered her head and couldn't help but smile.

"Do you have any idea how good it is to see you smile like that? What that does to me? Sar, I've never been very good at apologizing. But please let me try. Tomorrow at seven, I'd like to pick you up at home and spend the evening with you. I'll be in the car waiting, so it is your decision. If you don't come down I know that you're not willing to take the risk again and I will understand. Okay?"

Eli held her breath and waited.

"Okay."

She released the air she was holding and beamed at Sara.

"Thank you. I promise I won't screw up again. I won't-"

But Sara silenced her.

"Don't make promises you won't be able to keep. Everyone messes up once in a while, just how much is what's essential. Tomorrow at seven. I'll be there, I've already made my decision."

She started the car again and put it into drive, sparing an astonished Eli one last glance before she headed back on the road.

"Come on, stop thinking about it. Let's find that killer."

Eli didn't have the time to sleep. There was a lot to plan. It had to be perfect. Not too over the top, not too your-half-hearted-apology-let's-go-to-a-fancy-restaurant-thing. An escape though, from the city they lived in, from the glitz and glimmer as well as the abysses of violence and murder. Something saying: You mean something to me, but at the same time simple and delightful.

In her bathrobe, she slipped into the living room, relieved that Leonard and Catherine had obviously fallen asleep, since it was dead quiet in the apartment. She fixed herself some coffee and a sandwich and opened her laptop.

Telephone calls were made, instructions given, the food shopping she would do herself and deliver it to the guys who were setting the whole thing up. She even managed to close her eyes for three hours. All that was left to do now was getting ready and picking up Sara. She stood in front of her closet and just couldn't decide. In the end, she was just like any other woman. Changing ten times before finding the perfect outfit. Comfortable, but not too casual, dressy, but not too swanky. All right then. Glasses, wallet, keys. Everything else should already be there.

Sara faced the same problem. Eli hadn't said anything about where they were going. A show? No, they wouldn't be able to talk there. An expensive restaurant? Again, no, too simple for someone like Eli. It had to be something unique, something only Eli could come up with to apologize in her very own way. She was nervous. Black tight but comfortable slacks. Can't go wrong with those. A dark brown blouse with a v-neck and three quarter arms and a buttoned, low cut black vest. Perfect. She could go almost anywhere in this, except maybe the really high class events and places. But then, Eli knew she hated those, she would never take her to something like that. Posh black boots with a low heel and a knee long coat completed her outfit. She looked good. And she would make sure Eli would notice. Notice that for her, this wasn't just about talking and trying to become friends again. It was about telling Eli that anything was possible. That they were essentially looking into the same direction. Her stomach churned a bit and she quickly downed a glass of cold water before she grabbed her keys and purse and headed downstairs.

Eli was leaning against her car, one hand on the hood, the other in her jeans-pocket. The anxious look on her face gone and replaced by a cautions smile the moment Sara had opened the door and stepped out of her building. Sara swallowed. It was a bit like that day at the beach and the few weeks after that. The time she had realised that she'd fallen for Eli the first time. When she virtually couldn't take her eyes off Eli. And the scene the day before had just proved in a very painful way that Eli did care. And that woman knew how to dress. Simple but impeccable. Dark blue jeans, a black button down shirt, black leather shoes and jacket. A belt buckle with flames on it and a hat. A hat, like those Chicago mobsters had been wearing, black and sitting a bit on the back of her head. She looked bizarrely amazing. As Sara closed in, Eli bowed just the tiniest bit, held her hand out and opened the passenger side door of her vintage Mercedes.

"Miss Sidle, I can't even begin to express my delight that you've decided to join me tonight. " She said with a warm and low voice. Sara took her hand, curtsied smilingly, acknowledging the gesture and slid into the car.

Eli walked around it and sat down beside her in the driver's seat, looking over to her.

"Honestly, thank you."

They stared at each other for some long seconds.

"You look- great, Sara."

She didn't. She looked stunning, but she wouldn't tell her that. As many somersaults as her stomach might perform, she wouldn't risk this by scaring Sara away with doing something stupid like beginning to woo with her. Oh, she wanted to, but... No. Today was about something else.

"Thanks, Eli. You don't look all that bad yourself. The hat really suits you." Sara let her gaze wander over Eli again. Oh, this wasn't good. They had to end up being on the same page and quickly, or else this evening would end up in disaster.

"Okay, it's a bit of a drive but there's music and a bottle of water on the backseat and last but not least, me to converse with. Let's get going then."

Sara began to frown as they passed the Vegas city limits and drove out into the open desert.

"Eli, where the heck are you taking me? There's nothing out here, I know this area pretty well, nothing but-"

"Sand and rocks and the endless sky? Yes, normally. Today there's something more out here. Just sit tight, another ten minutes and we're there."

"Okay. You know, a nice restaurant or a bar would have been just fine."

"I know. But I'm saying I'm sorry here. And you, you're too important to me to go somewhere just nice. Be patient, Waves."

They turned off the main road and jolted down a dusty side road towards a formation of rocks. As the road became almost too narrow to drive on, Eli slowed the car down and stopped.

"We're here."

"Here? Where's here? Here's nothing but-"

"Yeah, I know, seemingly sand, stones and the endless sky. At least the endless sky will look quite beautiful in just a moment, when the sun will start to go down and there definitely is more to this place that meets the eye at first sight."

Eli climbed out and rounded the car again to offer Sara her hand.

"I'll show you. It's just behind those."

Side by side they walked slowly around the rocks Eli had just pointed at and catching the first glimpse of what lay behind them, Sara gasped and turned to Eli.

"You are crazy! You've gone completely mad. This is just- beautiful."

Eli watched as Sara hesitantly walked towards the Arabian style hut tent, colourful cloths waved in the light breeze and handcrafted pillows were scattered over the warm ground alongside a low table inside the tent. Torches were placed all around the area and a wind chime jingled happily. On a second small table stood a samowar, ready and filled with hot Turkish çay, black tea flavoured with cinnamon and cardamom. Outside the hut tent waited a grill, already fired up and a kind of an outdoor kitchen area with a water tank, mobile sink and anything Eli needed to cook completing the scenery.

Eli went to the samowar, filled two glasses with the hot amber liquid, added some sugar and handed one to Sara, who still looked completely flabbergasted. She accepted the glass and shook her head.

"Sara?" Eli tried to shake her out of her reverie.

"Sar, I have something to say before I start preparing something to eat for us. Just listen to me for a moment."

She closed her eyes for a second before she resumed, with a slight tremble in her voice.

"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. I've been selfish and arrogant and cruel. I've hurt people, deeply. Most of all you. I thought I lost you for good. My friend, my advisor, my conscience and my constant reminder, the woman I loved. But life tossed me into big bad Sin City and we met again. And slowly, gradually you learned to see how much I had changed since that dreadful weeks and that horrible day and were willing to give our friendship another try. And I was suddenly so scared at just the idea that I might hurt you again, that I blew you off. That was unreasonable, unfair and with that I had done what I so carefully wanted to avoid: I did hurt you. I was a fool and I know that now. Please accept my apology. I am truly sorry, Sara."

Eli raised her tea glass and caught Sara's glance.

"To friendship, for what it's really worth."

Sara nodded. Eli had used almost the exact same words she had told Leonard the day before. She looked around and a calmness settled down on her that was hard to dismiss. All that effort just to apologize. If this had been a date... But it wasn't. As much as Sara wished it was. Where had her doubts gone, her anger? Dissipated, vanished into thin air, that was so untypical of her. But then again, maybe it was because she knew what she wanted now. After the little play of thoughts yesterday there was no denying it anymore.

"To friendship." She echoed.

They clinked glasses and enjoyed the excellent hot tea.

Sara stared at the sky, now bathed in shades of yellow, orange, pink and red.

"Sara, make yourself comfortable in there. You can tie the cloths to the sides and you will have an incredible view across the desert and the dawn. In the meantime I'll cook. It'll take about an hour."

"Eli, come over here, will you?" Sara wore the strangest expression as she said that. Eli's heart skipped a beat. She inhaled deeply and stepped closer and into a gentle, unexpected embrace.

"This is so much more than 'I'm sorry'. It is impressive and amazing." She let go and offered Eli a wide, gap-toothed smile.

"Thanks for bringing me here."

Eli still stood rooted to the spot as Sara had turned and did as Eli had told her, watching the sun go down. 'This is so much more than I'm sorry.' The words resounded in Eli's head. She watched as Sara propped her head up on some cushions, lying on her back looking at the horizon. She seemed relaxed and not at all mad or disappointed anymore. She looked content and awaiting.

Finally turning to start preparing the couscous salad, grilled vegetable skewers and sheep cheese with tomatoes, garlic and herbs in tinfoil and the hummus, a light bulb went off in Eli's head.

She fished her phone out of her back pocket and dialed a familiar number.

"Einstein."

"You've talked to her, haven't you? What did you tell her, what did she say to you? She's different, she's like someone replaced angry sad Sara with a calm and relaxed substitute. It's almost scary. I mean, I'm scared. What is..."

"Hello to you, too, Eli! Listen. Yes, I talked to her. But I needn't say much. Don't worry, precious, everything is alright. This is still Sara. She just realised something yesterday. Just go with the flow and don't be afraid. I gotta go, I'm having dinner with a gorgeous lady before she has got to get to work. See you tomorrow."

And he hung up, leaving Eli speechless and with even more question marks popping up one by one over her head. Deep in thought she continued cooking. I there was one thing she could do without thinking about it, it was cooking. The routines she long ago had memorised by heart pacified her. All was well.

Half an hour later Eli dished up. Sara's glance flickered over the food on the table and her smile grew wide. Eli had toasted some pitta bread on the grill and the tent was filled with the scent of exotic spices and grilled vegetables. Her mouth started to water and she tucked in like a starving woman, those were some of her favourite dishes and it looked just perfect. And it was. Sara hummed in satisfaction as she took the first bite of her hummus-covered zucchini. Turmeric and fenugreek and a touch of mint on the zucchini, chickpeas and sesame and roasted sweet pepper powder in the hummus. What a delightful assault to her taste buds. An explosion of flavours.

"You should do this for a living, honestly, this is some of the best food I've ever tasted."

Eli smirked through a mouthful of couscous salad and a piece of melted sheep cheese.

"One year at the CIA."

Sara frowned in disbelief.

"At the CIA?"

"The Culinary Institute of America. Why do you think I was an undergrad at 21?"

"You never told me that!"

"I'm telling you now. There's so much we don't know about each other yet and so much we already do. We never had a chance to fill the gaps, I made sure of that. But we can now."

"And we will. Why is it that we fall so easily into old routines?"

"I think it's because we liked who we were and how we were in each other's company. We kept that memory and had tucked it away somewhere safe. They say when something ends badly, you only remember the horrible parts, but the truth is, you will always keep the good things in mind, somewhere hidden, buried deep. And it's coming back when you realise that not all had been bad. You remember vividly. And that's a pretty neat thing, I'd say."

"It sure is. I liked us, like this. Whenever it was just the two of us, things were quite okay."

"Yeah." Eli grinned and then grimaced.

"Can it be like that again? A clean slate, a fresh start?" Eli asked hopefully.

"No, I don't want that. Apart from the- you know, any of the things we've done together are still important. No blank white page. I won't forget, I haven't forgotten. That included the good as well as the bad. It made us who we are today."

"It sure did." The weight of the guilt settled with full force on Eli's shoulders again. Sara won't forget. She'd always keep it in mind, reminding her of what Eli had done. But Sara eased her worries a bit.

"We just simply begin were we left off as friends. Or at least try. We sure have changed a lot since then, but somehow we are so very much the same."

Eli patted her stomach and grinned.

"Not so very much the same. I'm a teeny tiny bit more now, definitely after this meal."

"Oh don't whine, this was healthy AND tasty food. And by the way, Eli, it does suit you. Very much."

"A compliment, Sidle, really? That earns you a freshly brewed coffee."

"Oh, you're a mind reader, I'd die for some right now."

"Stretch out and wait, I'll be right back!"

Eli complicatedly disentangled her legs from amidst the cushions and groaned loudly as she felt that they'd been fallen asleep from remaining in the same position for too long.

"Are we getting old, Trent?"

"Not funny, Sar. I'll always be the younger one. You're just more dexterously."

Eli used the grill to heat the water and Sara stared into the starry night sky. It was easy being confident around Eli. She knew all her flaws, her insecurities, she knew about her childhood and each and every thing she had lived through growing up. She was the woman who had sat cross-legged with her on the floor, oozing trustworthiness, who had not flinched a single time or interrupted the flood of words in which her story had come out, but had listened carefully, had held her and let her go without hesitating as she felt the nearness had gotten to Sara and she needed her space. The tears that had welled up in Eli's gentle brown eyes and her quiet understanding and the unuttered amazement about who Sara had become despite her ordeal. And the only one she had ever been able to really goof around with, being herself because Eli did not care where she came from, had seen behind the sadness and the fear and the insecurity. The woman she had fallen in love with and yes, was falling for all over again, because someone like that was who she needed. Someone who didn't push her, didn't question her when she withdrew, didn't wonder when some days she shied away from the simplest touch, wouldn't be afraid or repelled when she woke up screaming or crying.

But she had seen the expression of sadness and worry that had run over Eli's face ever so briefly as she'd said she'd never forget what had happened. The hurting had to stop.

Sara got up and walked over to Eli, who stood just inside the halo of the torch closest to the 'kitchen area' and filtered coffee.

"Eli..."

A bit startled since she hadn't heard her coming, Eli turned around and came to face a suddenly melancholic looking Sara. This wasn't good. This look could mean 'This was wrong, please take me home, I can't give you what you want, I changed my mind.' So close, so far away... Eli pressed her eyes close and clenched her jaw. Preparing for the worst. She could take it, if it made Sara feel better not getting any closer to her, she would accept it, without questioning her decision.

Sara immediately sensed what Eli was suspecting. Oh no, she shouldn't be thinking that. The self-consciousness that Eli had sometimes displayed with Sara in college had been cute, because she had been the only one that could shut Eli up or make her feel uncomfortable, the one who had tamed the tiger, and on the outside, for others, Eli had always been the one seemingly in charge, but not this helpless insecurity now, that wasn't supposed to be there, hadn't they just come to an agreement? Eli faced away from Sara and took a deep breath.

"It's okay, Sara, I don't hold grudges and I never judged you or thought bad of you and I won't start that now. Do what you think is best for you. I'll be fine."

Sara stepped even closer. Softly she said:

"Eli, I forgive you."

She stopped to let the words sink in and let Eli really register and understand what they meant.

"I won't ever forget, but I think I understand and I. Forgive. You. I want this chance as much as you do. Honestly, truthfully, for real. No turning back now anymore, I do want you in my life, Elizabeth Trent!"

Eli virtually deflated in front of Sara's eyes. The tension that had been in her, with her, around her for ten years fell off her. But so did her strength, everything that had kept her going, had made her want to be a better person and proving it, each day anew. Sara had just given her affirmation that it had been worth it.

"Sara, could you give me a moment? Would you probably finish making coffee, I need, I-don't, I-" Eli stammered, completely blown away.

Eli took a few tentative steps away from Sara, then turned and broke into a run. Sara watched her, irritated, but let her do whatever she needed to do right now. Eli jogged toward a particularly big rock that overlooked the others and began to crest it. She took her jacket off, laid it out and sat down on top of it, staring into the darkness. As Sara finally concentrated on the coffee again, filled two mugs and walked back towards the tent, Eli stood up, let her arms fall down at her sides, hands balled to fists and shouted into the darkness at an amazing volume. Just one shout, long, loud and resonating. Then she shrugged back into her leather and carefully climbed down again.

The faintest hint of a smile showed on her face as she came within reach of the flickering light again.

Sara almost dropped her cup. She was beautiful. Finally freed and full of life, her eyes like liquid chocolate but set alight with amber fire. Panting from the exhaustion of the past years, the climb and the bloodcurdling yell, looking straight at her. The worry-lines gone and she was literally radiating.

She set the cup down unheedingly as Eli came to a halt at the entrance of the tent, spilling half its content all over the table, it flooded past plates, built a little sea around bowls and drenched the napkins and the little paper bags that held the tea lights.

"Stop right there, Eli!" Sara managed to utter with a strangled voice.

Eli stopped dead in her tracks, complying without even thinking about it, but her smile grew wider.

"This might as well be one of the bloody best days of my life. Thank -" Eli didn't get much further than that as two fingers gently touched her lips and shut her up very effectively.

"Just stop talking, stop wondering, stop thinking about it, yesterday, today, tomorrow and do what you always wanted to do or I do it!"

Oh, no no no, too close, not now, while the adrenaline was pumping through Eli's veins, when she felt ready to take on anything. She couldn't just turn her whole world around and then even send it into a spin. She couldn't look at her like that, with that tender admiration, with that burning gaze that rendered her helpless and let her knees grow weak. After all this time plant this additional seed of hope in Eli.

Sara's hand sneaked around her neck and brought her even closer to Eli. They were almost the same height, so they looked each other straight into the eyes, heads held high, their breathing becoming heavy, only an inch between their bodies. They stretched the moment, taking every last tiny detail in. The flush on Sara's cheeks, her breath that smelled like the few sips of coffee she had already drunk brushing over Eli's lips, the anticipation that showed in the slightest tremor that went through Eli's whole body as she understood that it was real. It's that moment, those precious seconds when you feel everything tenfold, when the world around you crumbles and fades and all that is left are emotions. Eli's hand finds Sara's free one and their fingers entwine naturally. Eli's breath hitches and they both stare down at their joined hands.

"God, Sara..." Eli whispers and runs her thumb over the back of Sara's hand. "Really? I mean-"

"Eli, kiss me..."

In the movies, there'd be fireworks and violins, people clapping, depending on the location of the kissing pair or a best friend standing nearby with that 'Aren't they just too cute'-expression on their face.

But here, in the dead of the night, in the middle of the desert, there were just two people kissing each other, softly delving in every new sensation. Everything had its time and place, and this was theirs, their moment. The gentlest of caresses, a careful approach. They moved slowly, touching, tasting, nipping, learning. They didn't deepen the kiss, didn't give in to the tentatively growing desire between them, the rest of their bodies never touched. This feeling itself was insane enough. As they finally parted they just looked at each other with amazement. They knew. They both knew that everything that had led up to this moment just made it all the more special, extraordinary.

"I don't want to let go."

"Me neither, Waves."

Eli gazed into Sara's eyes and lifted their entangled hands, kissing Sara's lovingly. Sara opened her mouth and closed it again. Imagining it had been one thing, but this was overwhelming. She felt herself shaking. That was when Eli let go of her hand and wrapped her arms around Sara. She drowned in that warmth and protectiveness, slung her arms around Eli's neck and buried her face in the cold leather that covered Eli's shoulders, cooling her face on it and inhaling deeply. The smell of well cared for, smooth leather, shampoo and Eli's skin invaded her senses. Strange, yet so very familiar. They melted into each other, not quite understanding how it had happened, just that it had and that a whole world of possibilities lay within their grasp.