A/N The fates seemed to have been conspiring against me for writing this, the last chapter. It was supposed to all be done before, this was the only chapter not written as a rough-draft, and well, fates seemed to have not wanted to let me write it, but finally I did. It's been a fun ride folks, love all of you who have read and reviewed, look for more from me real soon, soon as I get back...

"So." She started, and he grinned.

"So." He replied.

"I guess that's a new one, gives a new meaning to a kiss literally sweeping someone off their feet." he grinned faintly, but it disappeared just as quickly. "You going to give me a sip of good caffeine?" He held out his coffee cup as she raised the bed and proceeded to take a long gulp of the hot liquid.

"You said a sip." She grinned.

"So, it was a big sip." His look quickly turned serious again. "Cheer up, I'm alright."

"You almost died." She shrugged.

"I've got more lives than a cat. If I can survive being in the middle of a lake in a sailboat with a fourteen foot metal mast in a thunderstorm I can survive this." Again, the smile flashed across his face.

"I was worried." She smiled.

"Really?" He nodded.

"The last week has been hell you know." She grinned.

"So are you saying you missed me?" Her grin tamed to a smirk as he tried to avoid the words that she knew he would say.

"Yes I am." She laughed and leaned over to kiss him passionately. "I don't think that this is the best place for that though." He said as he finally pulled away. She laughed as she leaned back against the bed.

"Hmm...you're right, too many rooms too close together. Wait til tomorrow when I have my own room." He grinned and this time it stuck.

"Sounds like a good idea." He said in a low, sexy voice that sent shivers straight to the base of her spine. He leaned down to kiss her again as Aaron returned with a cup of coffee for himself.

"Right. I thought I had given you lovebirds plenty of time." She grinned at her brother. "By the way, fine sir, I still haven't asked whether or not your intentions with my sister are entirely honorable."

"Aaron! We've already crossed the line of honorable, and I am a grown woman." She watched as Garret blanched with glee. Her brother simply glared at her.

"Can you ever be mature sis?"

"With someone like you as a role model? Hardly. Mr I'm-sixty-years-old-and-still-crash-on-my-sisters-couch you have no room to comment." He grinned at her.

"Ok, fine, you have me there. But that does not mean that I want to walk in to see my sister making out with her boyfriend. It was not something I wanted to see thirty years ago nor is it something I want to see now." She laughed. "The only difference is thirty years ago I would have battered the guy to a bloody pulp." He looked pointedly at Garret.

"But you're all grown up now. Mr. Maturity who knows how to keep his temper in check." Aaron nodded.

"Right. Provided that he loves you and wishes to see no harm come upon you. For fear of harm coming upon him." Again, the dark eyes of her brother met the dark eyes of her boyfriend.

"Never want to see her hurt." She smiled as she heard Garret say that, although with the faintest hint of the stress her brother was putting on him. What was it that Aaron had said? If they could put up with him, they could put up with her? She supposed that wasn't a totally bad thing. And Garret seemed to be holding up to the task quite admirably.

"Well then, I'm going to go check on Cesar, I left him with a neighbor and I hope he's doing alright." She laughed.

"Him and that damn dog." She knew it was to give the two of them more time alone, but still, her brother would use that time to check on his dog as well.

"He loves it. Just like he loves you." She could tell there was more on his lips. "Just like I love you." She grinned a broad grin, a loving grin.

"Really?" She asked, teasingly.

"Really." He kissed her gently but passionately.

"Good. Cause I love you too." She pulled him back by his tie as he started to back away, finally breaking the kiss when she ran out of air.

FIN