DISCLAIMER – Not mine. Belong to Anthony Zuiker, et al, CBS and Alliance Atlantis.

A/N – Last chapter people. Hope you've enjoyed the journey. Was a very unexpected one for me.

Thanks to all those who kept reading and reviewing, it always makes a difference when deciding whether to continue a story or not,

Thanks especially to remoob1513 whose enthusiasm for my humble story made it much more fun to keep going, and of course to all the others who've reviewed over the months. It's been so much appreciated.

Chapter 13

Greg's mouth dropped open at the sight of her out-fit. "Wow, that's…Wow."

Sara smiled as she picked up her bag with towels and other beach essentials and closed and locked the door behind her. "Greg, it's just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Nothing to go have an embolism over."

Hopping into his sports utility convertible, Greg smiled, "Sar, I love you. Both as a friend, and well, you know I've been crushing on you since…well since you walked into the lab. So I gotta tell you when a guy is left speechless, especially when I'm left speechless it means that…"

She was looking at him with a totally dubious expression. It was then that another thing clicked into place for Greg. "You've never really believed it when someone's told you how attractive you are, have you?"

Sara didn't answer, just looked out at the passing scenery. Her hair blowing wildly in the wind. Greg took surreptitious looks at her every few moments. He knew by her silence that he was right. Having grown up in virtually perfect surroundings, he couldn't fathom how anyone who was as intellectual as Sara could never have seen or believed she was beautiful. He made up his mind, whether something became of their relationship or not, that she would know that she was beautiful. Not just physically either. But her sharp intelligence made that beauty indescribably sexy as well.

Stopping the car in an out of the way clearing that lead to a hidden cove, Greg jumped out of the car and hefted the cooler from the back. Sara sat in the car, legging hanging out of the open door. Noticing her silence, Greg shot over to her and grabbed her bag. "Come on! Let's go cool down."

Shaking off the funk she'd let herself into, Sara finally smiled. "You're on."

She slid off her shorts and t-shirt. Knowing it would make her uncomfortable, Greg tried desperately not to stare. It was a simple black speedo suit, but it made his mind blank, and turned back time to make him feel like a randy prepubescent teen.

For her part, Sara was equally impressed. Under the trendy clothes was the body of a swimmer. He wasn't as bulky as Nick or Warrick by any means, but what was there was toned and defined.

They cleared their throats simultaneously. "Okay, beat you to the water." Sara yelled racing for the shore.

Greg smiled wildly and chased her. Just as she reached the beach Greg caught up with her and grabbed her from behind. Lifting her he threw her over his shoulder fireman's style. Wading into the water he then lifted her off and threw her into the lake.

Surfacing after a few seconds, Sara laughed. "Would never have guessed you to be that strong Greg."

"The expression, 'never judge a book by its cover' exists for a reason," he said as he dove beneath the surface. A short time later, Sara felt him grab her legs and pull them from under her, causing her to go under the second time in as many minutes.

Re-surfacing, Sara sputtered. "Oh you're a dead man Sanders."

She took off after him, but wasn't able to catch up. Realising it was a waste of time, Sara headed back to the cove.

She popped the top off a soda when Greg finally returned and handed it to him. "This was a great idea Greg."

He finished half the can in one draught. "Just think how much more fun it woulda been if you'd have agreed to the jet-ski idea."

"I prefer the quite. It's nice after the noise of town." She lay on her towel and put her arm over her eyes.

Downing the rest of the drink, Greg grabbed the sunscreen lotion. "Hey, you might wanna consider putting this on," he said placing the bottle on the towel in front of her. "You're not very tan, and you don't wanna get all crispy before work."

Smiling she said, "You know what, how bout you put it on for me?"

Greg's jaw dropped, as he took the bottle of lotion and looked at it as though it were some alien artefact. "Ah, okay."

He was glad that she'd turned over on her stomach and couldn't see how badly his hands were shaking as he squirted the lotion onto his palms. Rubbing them together, he took a deep breath before smoothing the cream onto Sara's still slightly cool skin.

It took every trick he knew to stop himself from getting too excited. Chemical formulas, mathematical equations, physics problems. After a few minutes he was able to relax as he spread his blanket next to Sara's and lay down next to her.

Sara turned to him. "Thanks, that was nice."

"Mmm." Was all he was willing to reply.

"Greg."

He opened his eyes to find her staring at him. The moment stretched forever. They moved toward each other, and Greg's breath caught in his throat along with his heart. Sara smiled softly and closed her eyes.

Greg closed the short distance that remained and captured her lips with his own. The butterflies in both their stomaches were churning wildly, but as the kiss continued, the butterflies calmed down, and they were able to start enjoying the sensations they were causing in each other.

Relaxing into each other, they finally parted. Sara looked at him, her eyes showing the pleasure she felt. Without any words, they drew together again. This time their hands joined in the exploration. It was some time before they pulled apart again.

"Wow," Sara breathed.

"Uhh, yeah. Something like that," Greg replied.

"So I guess we have some kind of chemistry going after all."

Greg nodded still somewhat shell shocked. "Uh huh."

"Greg, you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be. I just made out with the woman I've been fantasising about for the past five years or so. And let me tell you, the reality DEFINITELY out strips any fantasy."

Smiling shyly, Sara looked down. Greg lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. "Sara you are the most beautiful woman I've ever known, and I'm not just talking about the physical stuff. Your intellect, compassion, bravery, all those things you endured when you were a kid, have made you strong, and that strength coupled with everything else makes you sexier than every single showgirl on the Strip combined. I love you. I always have, and I always will."

"Greg, thank you. You've made me feel something for myself that I didn't know was possible. I've begun to like myself a lot more lately, because you're always so adamant about there being something there to like. Even after getting drunk, being terribly mean to you, and telling you about my childhood, you never flinched. Never thought any less of me, when in truth I couldn't care less about myself somedays. Thank you, for loving me. I can't say it back to you yet, but give me time, coz I'm pretty sure I love you too."

The End

Epilogue to follow…