Ok guys, really sorry about the wait for this, the final chapter. I'd almost given up writing after a handful of spiteful comments made about another of my fics, but thanks to my mates and all those wonderful reviews I recently re-read, I decided to at least finish this one.
Let me know what you think, and a huge thankyou to everyone who has reviewed so far: this chapter wouldn't exist without you.
'Hey,' Cassie said, softly.
'Hey. You ok? You ran out pretty fast...' Jake asked, sitting on the swing next to her.
'Yeah, I'm fine, just.. Dom managed to tread on my toe, ruin my shoes and spill punch all down my dress.' She smiled.
'Yeah. He seemed pretty upset. He left, trying to find you.'
'Well, he hasn't yet. Let's hope he never will. How come you've come out, anyway?'
'Aah, I got bored. Jodie managed to fall over while we were dancing. She's only sprained her ankle, but she swore she'd broken it. Made Mrs Greenfell phone her parents. They were worse. Demanded to know why they hadn't phoned the ambulance. It was just a sprain!' he said, swinging high on the swings.
'It'll all be over in an hour, anyway,' Cassie said watching him. 'Fancy a walk?'
'Sure,' he replied, slowing down on the swing, then jumping off. They started to wander down to the beach.
'Cass.. where are you taking me?' Jake asked, smiling. He stepped onto the soft sand and smiled even more.
'Only so I can take these damned shoes off,' Cassie explained, bending down to undo the complicated buckles. Jake bent down too, and after assisting her, took off his own shoes and socks. They strolled down to the waters edge, and sauntered along the sand where the sea meets it, getting their feet wet.
They walked in silence, only the sound of the waves to keep them company. Before long, however, the sandy beach turned into jagged rocks, and so they scrambled up (with great difficulty on Cassie's part... the dress didn't help.) and sat on top of the rocks, looking out over the sea.
'Beautiful, isn't it?' Cassie said, bringing her legs close to her chest and hugging them.
'Yes,' Jake replied. 'You are.'
Cassie turned her head to see Jake looking at her in the same way she had been looking over the sea. She smiled broadly, shying her head away from Jake's gaze.
'Don't be stupid,'
'I'm not.'
She looked up again to see him. He had never been more serious in his life. Cassie looked at him, deep into his eyes, and immediately melted.
'Jake, I...' she started, but Jake's finger lightly pressed against her lips, telling her to stop. She did, and Jake moved his finger away, replacing it with his lips. He slid his hand into Cassie's hair, and stroked it gently. Cassie closed her eyes, lost in the moment Her hand reached onto his shoulder, her other cupped lightly around his neck.
It was a short kiss, but replied with a longer one, which in turn was replied with a longer one still. Jake's heart beat wildly: he could not believe it. He was here, on his favourite spot, with the girl he loved. Nothing could have come between the pair of them that night, as they sat under the stars, the soft sound of waves crashing against the rocks. Jake had his hands gently stroking Cassie's hair; his other hand being fondled by Cassie's. They sat in silence for a while, before Jake spoke quietly.
'I'm always here for you, Cass. Always. I'm always here for you, I'll always be here for you, and I'll always care about you. I would have quit this stupid war if it weren't for you. I mean, yeah, it's great to say I'm doing it for the good of the nation, that my main driving force behind all this fighting and killing was the safety of the earth, but to be honest Cass: I couldn't care less about that. What I do care about, however, is ensuring that the girl whom I love is safe and out of harm's reach. Ensuring you are safe.' Cassie said nothing, just looked up at the stars.
'I love you, Jake. I really do. And nothing, not parasitic slugs, not morphing capabilities, not even slimy Jodie Price can ever stop me. Nothing.' She looked up at him, smiling. He smiled back.
'Come on. If we're quick we can still catch the last dance,' he said, holding his hand out for Cassie to take it. She did, and they walked off into the night, hand in hand, together as one.