Her boxes were already packed, everything orderly, nice and neat.
Goodbyes were said over beers, and hugs were shared. It was sad, but so new and wonderful. Another page turned. He wasn't there and she really didn't care; she hadn't expected him to be. Nick and Greg, Catherine and Warrick, they were enough and she was happy to have such friends.
Would anyone ever care for her like that again? She doubted it.
She'd slept that night on a pillow of beer and memories, her room devoid, save for her bed. She dreamed of him leaving with her, packing up his car and following her. She dreamed it all. But that was the point of dreams, they rarely came true.
Sara awoke, laughing at herself for being so fickle. Dreams, okay. Yeah right.
Dressed in standard jeans and tee-shirt that said 'Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy', she ate a granola bar and shoved one last box into the back seat of her SUV.
It was hot that morning, very hot. She never liked the heat. But she put up with it for him, because he wanted her there. She was over being mad, being wanton, being desperate. She was leaving and that was all that mattered.
Sara took a long, lasting look at the apartment that she had called home for nearly five years. It didn't mean much. Saying goodbye to the lab had meant more.
He stood there beside her SUV looking sheepish and forlorn. But she didn't care. She still loved him, she would always love him, and she didn't care. The last of her boxes were shoved into the spacious trunk and she was ready to take off.
It was hot and dry out, the sun pounded down on her bare shoulders. She wanted to sob; she'd assessed the whole situation wrong. Go figure.
Walking to him had seemed like miles when in reality it was mere feet. His eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses and his hands were thrust into his pockets. They stood regarding each other in the early Nevada sun. Reaching out for his hand, she wanted to scream. This is what it took to bring them together.
"We could have been amazing." Her hand squeezed his and he glanced down where they were intertwined and smiled.
"I still love you. I always have." Nothing ambigous about it. Finally something simple.
And it was her turn to grin. Something she'd known all along, "I know."
Sunglasses on, grin plastered on her face, she kissed him. It was deep and thorough and everything she'd need to feel for, well, ever.
Ten times sadder, but so much lighter. No more worse for the wear, something better.
And then she was gone, and he was still standing there, hands in his pockets, grinning.
