A/N: Thanks for the reviews and support oh and excuse my little rant at the end of the last chapter. It wasn't meant for any of the regular readers or new ones, you guys are great! I just don't take no 'guff' (English slang before you ask) from nobody!. More fluff so be prepared...Without further ado...

Enjoy!


Mac nudged Don who had taken the change of colour in the traffic lights as a sign that he could drift off, he snapped alert at the honking cars and gripped the steering wheel, driving on and frowning to himself.

"Not getting a lot of sleep I suppose?" chuckled Mac

Don groaned "Hell. No." then he allowed himself a smile "Christ but I love him" he turned down the next street, blinking rapidly and trying to trick himself into a state of alertness before he and Mac arrived at the next crime scene

"How is George? She get my card?" asked Mac

"Yeah, she's grateful for the chocolates too" said Don

"But?" added Mac perceptively

"Its too much hassle, one night we're sleeping at my place depending on if I'm not working, the next she goes back to hers so I can get some rest and then there's Atticus and Adrian. We need a real place" he said without stopping for a breath

"Why don't you start looking?"

"Ah...wouldn't know the first thing. I've never really had my own place or a family. I'd ask my old man but y'know I really wanna do this on my own"

"You can have some help. Listen, why don't I sit down with you next break and talk you through it?"

Don nodded agreeably "Yeah, I'd appreciate it Mac"

Mac smiled "As long as you keep focused on this next case and stay awake of course"

Don looked sheepish "Sounds fair"


Much later that same night; Don was at George's apartment; after letting himself in and dropping his tuxedo jacket in the hall way, he made his way into the living room. It was here that he found his girlfriend. She was curled up in front of the TV wearing a stunning, figure hugging navy gown, her black heels discarded at her feet.

"So this is where you are" he said loudly

She raised her head, biting her bottom lip and looking sheepish "I should have called"

He scoffed and leant against the back of the couch with both hands "Well, yeah. I was in there for an hour"

"I'm sorry" she said still sheepishly and gave him an apologetic look "I got distracted putting Adrian to sleep in the bedroom. I've only just sat down"

He kissed her forehead, brushing away strands of her dark curly hair affectionately "Didn't you wanna go?"

She made a face "Well firstly I wasn't ready to leave Adrian alone yet...and I didn't feel up to it. I'm not, I feel..." she trailed off, unable to say what she was thinking, but he seemed to have guessed

"I wish you did come to the damn charity auction. Boring as it was. I wanted to show you off. You look gorgeous" he fixed her with an impish look "You're a knockout"

George flushed faintly and returned his kisses, planting one on his cheek "You're very cute but you're a liar"

Don sighed and straightened up, he came over to her side of the couch and sat down, letting his head fall on her lap, his legs dangling over the arms of the sofa.

"Why would I lie about that? I thought you were hot when we met and I think you're hot now" he said with a chuckle

Now it was her turn to scoff "Yeah. Right. You can't still think that. I've got this scar from the birth...I'm all pale, my hair is a mess. I just don't feel like me anymore. I don't feel...attractive or sexy or any of that. I'm just tired"

He blinked, completely unable to see what she saw. In his eyes she was still as beautiful as the day he'd met her and now even more so, she was the mother of his child.

He sat up to look at her, his brow furrowed "You serious? You got that giving birth to our son. You should be proud of that, its a part of you and...I can't believe you don't see what I see"

George shrugged, lowering her gaze "I just don't. This is a very strange time for me. Its hard to just accept that my whole life has changed and I know...I know its tough for you too but...thats how I feel"

He went silent, not sure what to say with her, he'd never been as good with words as George but he'd always been able to express himself through his actions.

Leaning forward he placed one hand over her stomach, with the other he tilted her chin up gently so she would meet his gaze, then he drew her into a deep kiss, it was more intense than any other they'd shared in a long time and by the time he pulled away he could see a change in her. George let out a soft breath against his lips, her heart fluttering, she reciprocated warmly with another kiss, sliding into his lap.

His arms went around her waist and his fingers travelled up to the zip of her dress and trailed it down slowly, brushing his hand over her bare, smooth back.

She shivered pleasurably, recounting the last time that he'd kissed her like that, the last time they'd been so intimate and she couldn't believe so long had passed. She was determined not to waste this opportunity.

Once she had gotten rid of his tie, she began unbuttoning his shirt with her fingers trembling in anticipation, she moved her kisses down from his lips to his neck, all the while smoothing the shirt off his shoulders.

"Where's Adrian?" he managed in a strained voice as she nipped at his ear lobe

"Bedroom" she murmured, wriggling out of the dress and reclining back on the sofa

Don took a few good moments to look at her, simply admiring her curves, her dark hair falling across her shoulder blades and let out a sigh.

"I guess...we better wait"

George bit her lip coyly "The bathrooms free"

He raised an eyebrow and lowered down to kiss her stomach, she giggled "So?" he muttered

"So, I think I need to get undressed and take a bath, maybe I might need some help getting into the bath. You up for the job?" she then planted a lingering kiss on his cheek

Don scooped her up in his arms, while she locked hers around her neck, holding on tight "I think I am.Lets get you cleaned up" and got unsteadily to his feet

George shut her eyes and kissed him "I love you" she said so softly that he was almost uncertain he'd heard it, he stared at her in surprise and she stared back, no longer smiling.

"Yeah?" he said finally

She nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. A smile built up on his face till he was grinning from ear to ear "I love you too"

George tucked her head into his shoulder and giggled with relief, he kissed her cheek and carried her into the bathroom.


After parking her car by the side walk, Stella straightened her outfit, a self indulgent smile on her face then she hurried across the street to Mac's apartment.

He answered the door a few seconds after she'd arrived, her face fell however when she saw that he clearly had other plans. Instead of his casual clothes he was suited and booted a stern expression on his face.

"Stella?"

"Mac" she sighed "You have to work?"

It quickly dawned on him that they'd had a date planned, he gave her an apologetic nod "Just got called in. We'll have to postpone tonight"

She raked a hand through her curls "Alright. Fine" she turned away and started to walk

"Stella wait" he said and caught up with her, he took her hand and gripped it "Will you hold up a second?"

She looked at him "Yes?"

"I have something for you" he reached inside his coat pocket and handed her an envelope "It was supposed to be a surprise. For your birthday"

He let go of her hand and she opened it, the wind blowing some hair into her face, she took a second to register what was inside and then stared at him in wonder "These are plane tickets to Paris"

Mac smiled modestly "Never let it be said that I can't take time off

She shook her head in wonderment then she kissed him letting out a little laugh of delight "How are we gonna get time off? Its one thing going to a charity auction together but this...people are definitely going to start gossiping"

"I don't care. I wanted to give you something special for your day" he said gently

She smiled back at him "You're full of surprises aren't you?"

Mac shrugged and smirked "So I suppose this means I am forgiven for cancelling our plans"

Stella cupped his head in her hands and gave him a big kiss, ignoring the wolf whistles from some passing teenagers.

"Oh you definitely are"


Rubbing the back of his neck, Danny raised his head from his microscope for a moment, using the chance to stretch his arms above his head, rolling his shoulder at the same time. It was a very late night and the only thing keeping him going was that in less than an hour he would be able to collapse in his bed with his girlfriend in his arms and get some much needed sleep .

Just as he was about to return to another hour of staring at many, many microscope samples and attempting to match them up to another, he saw Ronnie peer around the glass screen of the lab, a cute smile on her face.

"Hey baby, c'mere" he said, relaxing a little on seeing her

She gave him a mock stern look "Hey! It's Flack or Ms. Flack at work to you" then she sauntered over, holding a manilla folder "Got that?" she tapped the folder lightly against his chest

He scoffed "Alright, I get it. Be professional but don't think I didn't notice you checking out my ass yesterday in the lunchroom"

She pouted, dropping the folder on the nearby desk "You wish baby"

He kissed her, his arms snaking around her waist "You were"

She tucked her hands into the pockets of his lab coat, wriggling in even closer, then her hand brushed against some paper. She picked it out, smirking at him.

"Whats this, a love letter?"

He frowned at the yellow paper "Ronnie come on..."

She wiggled her eyebrows playfully and opened it up, her brow furrowing as she read it, then she looked up at his terse expression.

"She's been having a rough time hasn't she? With this case coming up and all" said Ronnie referring to Lindsay

He raised his eyebrows surprised by her calm reaction "Yeah.Yeah she has"

"You should go down to Montana and see her. She could use some support right now" she suggested, further surprising Danny

"You serious?" he said

She shook her head "Danny. Go. She needs you"

He stared into her blue eyes intently "You're not worried..."

"About what?" she interjected, she tilted up her head and kissed him lovingly "I trust you" she said softly "You need to be with Lindsay, she's your friend"

He stroked her hair and nodded in agreement "I guess it'll only be for a coupla days then"

She started to back away, a small smile on her face "There's that tox screen you wanted" she tapped the folder she started to back away, a warm expression filling her features "I am gonna miss you though"

Danny smiled at her "See you in an hour then"

She winked and then turned around, walking out of the lab.

He exhaled to himself, relieved and pleasantly surprised all at the same time. It really was a fresh start for them and he was determined that they were both going to make it work this time.


George let herself sink into the soft cushions of the couch, watching as Don's parents played with Adrian in his crib.

She was at their home on a lazy Sunday where she'd been treated to some real home cooking and many hilarious anecdotes about Don's tearaway childhood and was now reclining on the sofa with Don simply enjoying the day.

He was sat beside her, just as comfortable, his head on her shoulder, his mind far away.

"Do you wanna take a walk? See my old neighbourhood?" he asked quietly

She nodded, fine with leaving Adrian to his grandparents "Okay"

He took her hand and they stood up together "Ma, dad. We're just gonna get some air alright. You okay with Adrian for a while?"

Angie waved him off "We'll be perfectly fine. Your boy is a darling"

The couple exchanged an amused look, knowing full well how much they disagreed with that statement. They both loved and adored their son but during the many, many times he would screech into the night wanting a feeding or a change or simply some attention the last thing they thought was that he was a 'darling'.

After helping George into her coat and her doing the same with Don, they headed outside, it was a nice, quiet suburb filled with down to earth, working class neighbours that had been around since the detective's child hood.

"Can I say, this isn't quite the hardcore ghetto that Ronnie's been describing" said George conversationally, Don held her hand as they walked

"You know crazy loves to exaggerate. She only got into fights because she started 'em" he mused wryly

George smirked "I've heard about your little scuffles too. You weren't exactly perfect"

He snorted but didn't try to deny it. They walked on a little further in enjoyable silence, gazing at the first signs of spring around the area, the blossom in trees and the warm weather.

"This would be such a great place to raise Adrian. Long Island...is so much more peaceful than Manhattan" she said thoughtfully

"Ah hell no" muttered Don "Had enough of this place when I was a kid. What's so bad about the city anyway?"

"Nothing if you like soaring crime rates and crack dens" she said sarcastically

Don scoffed "Well if you hate it so bad you really shouldn't be a cop"

George rolled her eyes "I love New York, I really do, but I want to have a neighbourhood where my kids can play in a garden instead of on the street..." she trailed off noticing his expression "What?"

"You planning on having some more kids?" he asked pointedly

She smirked "If the right man comes along"

He chuckled wryly "Very funny"

"I know" she stopped walking, her eyes going over their peaceful surroundings "I wouldn't even mind commuting, I just think it would be great to live here"

He looked at her, suddenly deciding something "Then lets do it. Lets move here"

George kissed him "Love you" he smiled and moved his hand around her shoulder

They continued to walk along in comfortable silence until Don stopped, George looked at him, raising an eyebrow at his sudden nervous appearance "What is it?"

He let go of her hand and went down on one knee, she continued to stare at him not quite sure what he was doing until he retrieved a small velvet box from his coat pocket.

"Georgina Wheil, will you marry me?" he said simply, his eyes expressing everything he didn't know how to say

George stared down at the wedding ring, it had been his grandmothers and was a beautiful, classically designed ring, then she looked at him and knew he was genuine, her hand went to her chest, hoping to calm herself down but failing spectacularly.

"So, what do you say?"


A/N: The end is near...