Last chapter, Folks. Thanks so much for all your reviews and encouragement. I know it seems kinda sudden to end this way, but after last chapter, lounging around in the sun just seemed anti-climactic, so I sent them home. Hope you've enjoyed the product of my muse…

Three days after the attack on Sara, Ian walked her home to her apartment. They both had wonderful new memories to carry with them, and a bond between them that was unshakeable. They had gone to the beach and bartered for silver jewelry in Puerto Vallarta, and had gone to see the old fort in San Blas that guarded against pirates roaming the Tres Marias islands in the 1700's. They had danced in the zocolo on Saturday night to the good- natured amusement of the Lo de Marcos residents, then walked beside the ocean beneath the stars. They had taken a river tour in a speed boat and seen the alligator farms. And they had spent many glorious hours in bed and out getting to know one another in every way possible.

They had been mostly quiet on the trip back to New York, letting it sink in that the vacation was over and they would have to return to their lives and all that implied. Dante would be nasty as always, and mispronounce her name chronically. Irons would keep Ian busy with numerous tasks. But they would somehow continue what they had started. Ian would do his best to keep Irons unaware of the bond between himself and Sara, and Sara would try to pretend that everything was the same in her life. They would continue to meet at Sara's apartment in the evenings as often as possible, and take what comfort and pleasure they could from their stolen time.

As Sara opened her door and let them in, she dumped her bags on the floor and rummaged quickly in a drawer. She turned back to Ian, a smile on her face, and pressed a small object into his hand. He looked down at the key resting in his palm, and as realization dawned his grin grew into a dazzling smile and his eyes burned with happiness.

"Thank you, Sara," he said simply, not knowing the words to express what this gesture meant to him.

"You shouldn't have to keep coming in through the window," she replied. "I think I'm gonna get that thing fixed." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, and he leaned down and touched his lips to hers, starting a kiss that lasted for several minutes.

"I have something for you as well," he told her when they broke apart. He pulled a small, simple box out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. She opened it to find a silver box-chain with a lovely pendant on it. It was a single heart-shaped ruby just smaller than a dime, bordered about the edges with beautifully worked silver. Sara gasped.

"Oh, Ian, it's beautiful!" She felt tears coming to her eyes.

"I wanted you to know that no matter what happens, you are the keeper of my heart, and I will always love you," Ian told her softly.

Oh, Ian," Sara sighed, tears sliding down her cheeks. "I love you too." She hugged him fiercely, and he ran a gentle hand down her hair. Then he took the chain from her fingers and fastened it around her neck.

"Sara, I must go," Ian reminded her, taking her hands in his. "Irons is waiting for me. Impatiently, no doubt. But I'll return as soon as I can."

"I'll keep an eye out for you around the city," she said. "Call me when you think you can make it for lunch or dinner or something."

"I will." He looked deeply into her eyes, and all the longing and love he had for her was within his beautiful brown eyes. "Sleep well, my dearest lady." He turned in a swirl of black coat and was gone, pulling his gloves back on as he stalked out of her building and made his way through the dark city back to his master's side. And he vowed to himself that someday, somehow, he would find a way to be by her side forever, where he knew he belonged. Even if it meant breaking free of Irons. Or killing him.