I apologize for the long delay in getting this next chapter up. Along with everything for school I also developed a major case of writer's block so I don't believe I'm all too happy with this chapter. I'll let you all be the judge of that. There are still a few more chapters to go...I promise not to take so long with those. As always...please read and review.


After that night, the weeks just seemed to pass by quickly. Jen worked with the new therapist, Dr. Leavens…who also happened to be a survivor herself. This seemed to make things easier for her...someone on the same level as she was…someone who could understand what she was feeling. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate what Garret had done for her, but in reality he couldn't fully understand it all.

Before long the spring days blended into summer. With time, she found it slowly became easier again to be intimate…when Garret held and touched her, she didn't think of what had happened or allow the flashbacks to take over. The flashbacks were now almost gone. After that night she had only had a few episodes and each time Garret comforted her.

Her hand had healed as well, just as everything else was beginning to, but it left a visible scar that danced across the palm of her hand. Jen hated looking at it…finding it to be a reminder of what happened, but Dr. Leavens pushed her to use it as a driving force. She found that confusing at first, but soon realized what the woman had meant. As much as the scar would always be a small reminder…it would also push her to continue with her therapy so she wouldn't fall back to where she was before.

And although things were progressing well, the one subject she refused to talk about was her father. No form of prodding from Dr. Leavens, Stiles, or Garret got her to speak of him.


By the end of June, Jen could see and feel the changes in herself. She was more confident and indeed happy. The closeness with Garret was now beginning to intensify…her body responding more and more. Although intimacy was becoming easier she would still push him away if she began to feel uncomfortable. Garret would tell her he understood, but she could see it in his eyes that the closeness they shared bothered him even more…being so close and yet in some ways still far away.

During the Fourth of July weekend, the gang got together on the roof of the Medical Examiner's building to watch the fireworks being set off from the park. What Jen didn't know was that they were also surprising her for her birthday…albeit a few weeks late. She never told them when it was, but found out later that Lily and Nigel had done some digging.

Garret had purposely kept her behind that night while the others got ready…claiming they needed to go over some reports on a recent autopsy. When they finally arrived on the roof, Jen was shocked to see everyone wearing party hats and shouting birthday wishes to her.

Turning to look at Garret, "the reports…you knew about this."

Smiling slightly he nodded. "Would you have allowed us to do this if you had known?"

"No…probably not."

Garret placed his hand over the small of her back. "Come on…I believe there is cake over there with your name on it."

They made their way to the table and Jen was immediately enveloped in hugs from Lily and Jordan. Nigel and Bug then ushered her to the cake that was now lit with candles.

"You know the drill love…make a wish and blow them out."

Jen closed her eyes and a small smile immediately crept across her face. Opening them again she leaned in and blew out the candles. Everyone began clapping as Bug handed her a knife. Setting it on the table she took a few steps back and looked at everyone.

"I really don't know what to say. This last year hasn't been easy for me…I got more than I bargained for when I took the job here." She watched as some of them looked towards Garret and she smiled with slight embarrassment. "More than just that…I gained new friendships…but most importantly all of you have become my family." A stray tear began to fall and she quickly wiped it away. "Ok…now how about we cut this cake!"

The rest of the night passed quickly. Music blared…there was plenty of food and drink…when the fireworks started everyone quieted to watch the display. When it was over everyone stayed bit longer before going home.

When they arrived back at her place, Jen watched Garret disappear into the bedroom and appear seconds later. In his hand he held a small gift.

As he handed it to her, she looked at him, "you didn't have to get me anything."

"I know." He moved a few steps closer to her. "Go ahead…open it."

Sliding the ribbon off and then the paper she found a dark blue velvet box. Opening it she gasped at what she saw. "Garret…its beautiful." She blinked back the tears that were starting to form. Inside the box was a necklace…a gold heart with a diamond in the center dangling from a chain.

"I'm glad you like it." He placed his fingers under her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. "You captured my heart a long time ago…I want you to wear it close to your own."

Setting the box on the coffeetable Jen moved closer to Garret. "I promise." She brought her lips close to his and slowly kissed him. His body pressed closer into hers as she deepened the kiss. Moving her hands up she began to unbutton his shirt.

Not wanting to break the kiss, he did anyway and looked at her. "Jen…are you sure? I don't want you to do this unless your ready…" Just as he was about to say more she placed a finger over his lips.

"I'm ready…as ready as I can be. Whether we wait or not won't change what I'm feeling." She swallowed hard. "Can we go slow…its been a long time."

Garret smiled softly and nodded. Caressing her cheek he kissed her…the familiar feelings returning. Neither remembered moving into the bedroom, but at this point it didn't matter.

Jen slid Garret's shirt off and felt as his hands worked to slide off hers. As she felt his hands move behind, beginning to unclasp her bra she froze.

Garret immediately pulled back and looked at her. "I'm sorry…"

"No…no…its not you…its me." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. "Like I said…its been awhile. I'll be ok." To reassure them both she kissed him and this time when she felt his hands move behind to her bra…she accepted it.

Slowly Garret moved her to the bed and as she laid back Jen relished the feeling of his hands on her skin…skin that had never been touched in that way before. Her hands explored his body as well…something she wasn't accustomed to. The feeling of his skin against her own sent her heart racing.

The rest seemed to be a blur that only she remembered much later as Garret held her. She listened to his steady breathing and the soft beat of his heart as her head rested on his chest. Never had a man made her feel the way Garret did tonight.

Garret traced his fingers down the side of her arm as he held her. He worried that maybe this shouldn't have happened...she was quiet…too quiet. "Jen…are you ok."

His voice startled her and she slid back propping her elbow on the pillow. "I'm fine…just thinking."

"About?" His eyes locked into hers…waiting for an answer.

"I was thinking about tonight…how you made me feel. After my uncle and all those other men…it was always just sex. I've never known what it felt like to be this close to someone that you love." She watched Garret's eyes widen slightly in surprise and she smiled.

"I guess the cat's out the bag. I do…I love you…I have for some time. I've been afraid to admit it. Afraid that if I did I'll be hurt somehow, but after everything you've been through with me…"

Garret stopped her with a kiss. "I love you too."

The tears she had tried to hold back slowly fell and Garret pulled her to him. He listened as she softly cried…rubbing soothing circles on her back. After several minutes everything became quiet and he knew she had fallen asleep. Smiling to himself he lightly kissed the top of her head and let sleep finally take over.