for Donna, who supports me no matter what ship I'm sailing

This is it… I really hope it was worth the wait. I want to thank everyone who's taken the time to read and reply. Writing E/G for the first time has been an incredible experience and a lot of fun. It was nice to feel inspired again. Thanks to all of you, again. You made it worth it. -clw


Part X: Lonely No More

As soon as they walked through the gates of O'Hare International, Grace looked over at her mentor and smiled. "We're home."

Doctor Novak nodded, "We are. Did you enjoy your excavation?"

"Yes," she allowed herself to think briefly of the time they spent in Australia. Grace suspected it would be her last dig for a long time. The brunette opened her messenger bag and carefully removed a portfolio packet. "I wanted to wait until we landed before I gave this to you."

The professor raised an eyebrow. "Your thesis?" she questioned. It was highly unusual for a student – even a student as skilled as Grace Manning – to turn a thesis in well over a month early. "It's finished? Or do you want me to revise it?"

"It's finished." Grace opened the first page of the packet and removed a sheet of paper. "And this is a request to have the rest of the semester off."

"What?"

"Dr. Novak, it's been an honor to work under you, but I have a pressing personal matter I must see to now."

The older woman studied her protégé, confused. "So… you're quitting? Is this a letter of resignation?"

"Possibly," Grace answered. "I'm not sure of my plans yet. I'll know more at graduation, but if you can't hold a position for me until then, I understand."

"I'm not quite sure I understand." The professor motioned to a small café with some tables. "Can we sit and discuss this, at least?"

The younger woman hesitated. She wanted to see her family before she had to leave again. However, Grace wouldn't be unkind – Dr. Novak made provisions for her like no other professor. She at least owed her an explanation. "Okay."

"How long have you been planning on leaving?" she asked Grace.

The brunette shrugged. "It's always been a possibility. Things changed, I changed, over the holiday a few months ago. My life changed and at the time I felt I couldn't see those changes through. I had too many dreams, too many loose ends that needed to be tied, and I couldn't follow my heart. My thesis and completing my degree was the last of what I needed to do."

"Months." The professor frowned. "You've been thinking of this for months, and you didn't breathe a word of it to me?"

"It didn't seem fitting. You're my professor and while we have a professional friendship, I didn't think you'd want to be bothered with the mundane details of my Christmas holiday."

"Grace, you and I both know we have more than a 'professional friendship.' We're colleagues, and friends, and have been since the moment you became my assistant two years ago. You're one of the most talented anthropologists I've trained and you have a bright future ahead of you."

"How was I supposed to tell you I didn't want that future any longer?" Grace questioned. "You've always looked after me and I didn't want to let you down. What would you think if I told you I almost didn't return for this semester? That when we left for Australia, I nearly boarded a plane bound for New York? I respect you, Dr. Novak, but this isn't something I'm sure I want anymore."

"Then what do you want?"

The younger woman sighed heavily. That was a question she didn't know the answer to. The easy answer was Eli, but there had to be something more. "Have you ever been in love?"

The professor raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Love? That's what this is about?"

Grace nodded, slightly embarrassed. "We… I, uh, you see…" she trailed off. Her brown eyes closed and she took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "My boyfriend works for Sony Records in New York and I want to go be with him."

"This is about a boy?" Dr. Novak frowned, suddenly finding the woman before her a little less impressive. "Your future, your whole future is in front of you, and you're throwing it away over some boy?"

"I'm not throwing it away. Staying in Chicago in January was the hardest decision I ever made. This degree is important to me and so is my future. There's a place in my life for all of my dreams, but right now I have to make a place for Eli." Grace stood and began buttoning her coat again. "I've been offered a job lecturing by the University of Chicago and I've also been accepted into Northwestern's doctoral program. I have options here, but I always have options in New York. Why can't I get my doctorate at NYU?"

"Grace," the professor interrupted, "I want to apologize. It's not my place to judge you and I think I forgot that."

"Thank you for the opportunities you've given me over the last three years. I consider you a mentor and a friend and I'm grateful to have worked with you. You should know that Eli would never allow me to walk away from my dreams. If he would, I'd be in New York with him right now. I'll be back to receive my degree in May and we'll have made some decisions about the future. If you can hold the position until then, then I'm grateful. If not, then I understand." The brunette leaned over and hugged the older woman. "I need to go. I'm leaving for New York tomorrow afternoon and I want to see my family before. I'll be in touch."

"Good luck, Ms. Manning. I look forward to hearing about your future." The anthropology professor sat quietly, lost in thought as her student moved on with her life. After much thought, she reached for the clear portfolio Grace had given her. Pushing aside the enclosed note, Dr. Novak began reading about the effects of British imperialism on the Aborigine culture in Australia.


Six months ago, Grace was certain she would have scoffed at someone who suggested she'd be here now. Before Christmas, a chance at this life was never a possibility. Eli was nearly a thousand miles away and (as far she was concerned) out of her life for good. She was still a bit amazed at how quickly things went for them.

At the moment she was standing on the street in front of Eli's New York home. He lived in a brownstone owned by an elderly, retired woman. Grace met her on her first trip east, but she was doubtful the landlady would remember her. To be honest, Grace wished she could forget that visit. The flight back to Chicago and subsequent months were some of the hardest of her life. Getting over Eli Sammler wasn't an easy task and not something she wanted to do.

Which made taking the first step towards the brownstone even harder. What if she knocked and another busty redhead answered? The brunette wasn't certain that wouldn't be the case. Yes, they'd talked this time – Eli was committed to her this time, but because of past experience there would always be a thought lingering for her. Now she needed to take that first step and talk to him. She needed to see him.

The landlady, Mrs. Kirkland, didn't remember her. Luckily, Eli was home so she led her to the door and left quietly. Grace stood, still unsure of what to do. She hadn't been announced, so she could still turn and flee. He would never know… at least until he called, looking for her and someone told him she was in New York. The best thing she could do was knock.

After her first, quick knock Grace waited patiently. There wasn't any sound coming from inside and she thought maybe Mrs. Kirkland was mistaken. Eli would have answered by now, right? A few more moments of silence led her to the conclusion that he wasn't there. Grace pushed her disappointment down – all of these doubts would go away if she could just see him. Glancing down at her watch, she decided it was still early and he could still be working. She'd do some window-shopping down Fifth Avenue, and then call him later.

"Grace?"

She looked up and he was standing in the open doorway. He was wearing baggy gray sweats matched with a black t-shirt. Grace noticed his feet were bare and his hair was wet. Her face reddened when she put it all together. "You were in the shower."

"Yes," he answered. Eli shifted so he was leaning against the door jam. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see you, but what're you doing here?"

The brunette frowned, suddenly wondering if he was alone in the apartment. "Is it a bad time?" She looked around him and asked, "Do you have guests?"

"No." He stepped back and held the door for her. "Come in. I wasn't expecting you, is all. We just talked a few nights ago and you didn't mention coming."

Grace stood in front of him, unsure of what to do. "I decided it the night I left Australia. We haven't talked since then."

"But you didn't call—"

"I can leave, if you want." She crossed her arms defensively. "If it's inconvenient, I can get a hotel."

Eli's face immediately changed. "No. I'm not saying that." His eyes dropped to the floor and he exhaled. "Let's start over. I'm glad you're here." Stepping forward, he took her in his arms. She still fit perfectly in his arms. "I missed you."

She pressed a light kiss to his shoulder, finally feeling complete. "I missed you too. I got tired of waiting and I needed to see you."

"Is everything okay?" He stepped back, but didn't lose the connection between them. "Things at home, at school? Did something happen?"

"Everything's fine. I'm so restless without you and I was being counterproductive. The only thing that was really keeping me there was the dig in Australia. It's finished now, so I came as soon as I could."

"What about the rest of the semester? You don't graduate for another two months."

The brunette shook her head. "I'm finished. I handed my thesis in early. If Dr. Novak thinks it needs to be revised again, she'll let me know. If not, then I'll have my Masters soon."

Eli leaned forward and kissed her lips. "That's awesome, Grace! I'm excited for you."

And he was, she could tell. He was smiling and his eyes were shining with love. "I just… I wanted to be with you. I needed to see you and find out where things stand between us."

"What do you mean? We both know where things stand."

Grace took his hand and led him to the couch. They sat down facing each other. "Is this permanent, Eli? Are we together?"

"Yes." He squeezed her hand trying to reassure her. "I love you. You know that, right?"

She nodded. "I know. I just… I've been offered a job teaching in Chicago and I've been accepted into several doctoral programs around the country. Including NYU. I have some options to look at, but I know I want to be where you are."

"You didn't tell me you applied to NYU."

"I didn't think I'd get in. My application was submitted kind of late. I applied online a few days after you left for New York."

"And you didn't mention it?" Eli questioned. "That's kind of… big."

"It was a long shot," she explained. "I didn't think about it enough to mention it. Mom got the letter while I was abroad. I decided to tell you in person. Eli, I know you love it here and that it's a part of you. I won't take that away from you."

"I love Chicago—"

She pressed her fingers to his lips, stopping any further words. "Relationships are about compromise. I know in my heart you would move to Chicago if I asked you too. That's enough for me. We don't have to decide now, Eli. The earliest I have to answer any of these offers are May. Whatever we do next, we need to make the decision together. I don't want to be away from you."

"And our family?"

"It's a two hour flight," Grace reasoned. "They want us happy and they'll support whatever we decide."

He smiled at her. "You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

"Everything but one thing…" she paused, searching his face. He loved her and she had to trust that. "Is this what you want? If it isn't, then all of these decisions are pointless."

"Grace," he breathed. He cupped her face between his hands and looked intently at her. "Do you believe me when I say I love you?"

She nodded.

"Do you trust me?"

Again, she nodded.

"Then you should know the answer to that question."

"I do," she told him. "I was giving you an out."

"I don't want one."

"No?" she asked, wanting him to be sure.

"Not now, not ever." He kissed her again, taking his time and tasting the sweet crevice that was her mouth. "I…I know I can live without you, Grace Manning, but I don't want to. I don't want to be alone any more. I want you to be part of my life."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"That's what I want too," she told him. "I want you. In New York, in Chicago, in Los Angeles. In Paris, if that's where we end up. I know everything will be okay as long as we're okay."

"I know that too."

Eli stood suddenly, and offered her his hand. Grace looked up at him, curiously, and asked, "What? Where are we going?"

"Take my hand, Grace."

She did without hesitation. Eli pulled her up and led her toward the door. He pushed her bag aside and held out her purse. "Eli?"

"Trust me."

The brunette studied him for a moment, before she nodded. "Okay."

When they left the brownstone, Grace still didn't know where they were going. Her hand was tucked firmly inside of Eli's and she knew he wanted to surprise her. She found that take those first few steps with him were the hardest – it was like walking around a corner and not knowing what was one the other side. But as they walked further and further away from his home, her steps became easier. Grace knew he would never intentionally put her in danger.

Fifteen minutes later they arrived at their destination. Her eyes widened in surprise, but Grace couldn't stop a smile from coming to her face. In front of her was the sprawling campus of New York University. "Eli—"

He looked down at her, affection shining in his eyes. "I thought we should at least explore our options. This seemed to be the best way to start."

The brunette nodded, suddenly overcome with emotion. "I don't know what to say."

Eli put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his body. "You don't have to say anything. It's enough that you're here."

Grace turned her face into his shoulder and smiled. It was the first time in months she felt completely free and happy. She knew it was because of him. "I do have to say one thing."

"What's that?"

"I love you, Eli Sammler."

Title Credit: Rob Thomas' Lonely No More

-finis-