I've taken one bite when she speaks up again, "I saw Hank today." There's a semi-forced casualness in her voice, not because he still means something to her, but because she's afraid the encounter might still mean something to me. Which, in all honesty, it still does a bit. It wasn't until after I had moved in with Sara that his phone calls had stopped completely, despite the knowledge that we were dating. I guess he took it more seriously after I answered her phone twice when he called; at first, he had just assumed both times that he had dialled wrong and phoned back. When I saw his number on the display when the phone rang for the third time, I let the machine pick it up: "Hi, you've reached the Sidle/Stokes residence," my voice had proudly announced, "We're not home right now, but leave a message and we'll get back to you ASAP." He didn't leave a message. Since then, apart from the occasional case, Sara didn't hear anymore from him.

What this topic calls for is a joke, so that it isn't so serious. "Hmm, should I be worried that Hank is the first thing that you think of after we declare our feelings for one another?" I give a cheesy smile to let her know I'm kidding, and it works.

She giggles appreciatively as she continues, "Don't worry, I wouldn't chase more than one person at a time, and you're it for me."

At first I smile, focusing on the last bit. Then I realize the way she had emphasized "I" was probably insinuating something. "Whoa," I forced my eyes to hers and grabbed her hand back. "You're it for me too," I spoke with finality to show that I wasn't just talking about this moment. "I may have been a bit of a playboy in my younger years, but I've never been unfaithful to anyone and I would never, ever do that to you." She started to interrupt me but I held up a hand to stop her. If she still has doubts about my commitment after this long, then it definitely was time to show her how serious I am about this. "Sara, I love you more than anyone or anything else in the world. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I don't know what I did to deserve you. But I promise that if you let me, I'll spent the rest of my life trying to be worthy of you." As I watched her eyes begin to tear up, my own vision began blurring. "When I say 'you're it for me', I mean you are it for me. The matching jogging suit, white picket fence, 'til death do us part kind of it. I want to grow old with you. I want to start a family with you. I want matching gold bands on our ring fingers so that everybody -- family, friends, and strangers -- knows that we're together." She turned towards me in her chair as I ungracefully got off my seat. I bent on one knee beside her without relinquishing her hand. "Sara Sidle, I want you. Forever." I reached into my pocket and pulled out the box, opening it with one hand to display the diamond ring within. "Please, make me the luckiest man on the planet. Marry me?" Once again my voice betrayed me. I meant for the last bit to be more of a statement to show that I'm sure that this is the right thing to do. Also, it cracked with emotion somewhere in the middle.

I watched Sara carefully as she opened her mouth twice to respond but didn't speak. The second time was the closest, when a tiny squeak finally emerged. I think the worried expression that took over my face made her realize that she couldn't wait for her voice to reappear before letting me know the answer. Instead she nodded and clambered down from her chair and moulded her body right against mine on her knees and gave me the sweetest kiss of my life. I pulled back after a moment, wiped the tear tracks off her cheeks and those forming away from her eyes as she did the same for me. Then I gently slid the engagement ring onto her finger. She admired the way the diamond caught the light for a moment before placing her hands on either side of my face and pulling me back into the kiss.

The second time we broke apart words were actually exchanged. "You know," Sara sniffed slightly, still trying to control her watery eyes, "I didn't mean you were unfaithful… I meant Hank."

I laughed, "See, now that's the second time you've brought him up right after I confess my undying love for you." My knees were starting to hurt so I stood up and pulled her with me and resumed our tight embrace.

Sara giggled as she continued with her explanation. "He and his fiancé were in that restaurant the Grandma crashed into, so I had to interview them and learned a few things along the way. First, they've been together, no breaks, for two and a half years… which yes, if you're keeping track, overlaps the period of time he was after me. In fact, that three week waiting period between meeting him and the severed finger lunch, he was on vacation with her in Hawaii."

"That explains why he was so worried about rumours you may have heard… See, I was right. Guilty conscious. You're lucky I came along to rescue you." I smiled and kissed her hairline, subtly trying to turn her attention back to me. It'd suit me fine if I never heard medic-man's name again.

Sara began laughing uncontrollably, and pulled back to face me. "You mean I'm lucky that you finally pulled your head out of your ass and made a move."

"Puh-tay-toe, Po-tah-toe." I replied grinning. "And watch the language would you? You're ruining the moment." She untangled her left hand from m waist and hit my right shoulder playfully. As she rested it there, the sparkling ring caught her attention once more and her face visibly softened. "Yeah, that's right, focus on the moment. We're engaged now." I beamed proudly at her and puffed out my chest slightly. "So what do you say we stop talking about Hank and get back to what we were doing before."

"Okay," she gave me a chaste kiss on the lips before adding, "For now."

I quirked an eyebrow, "I was thinking forever." I kissed her again to emphasize my point.

"Are you kidding me? 'Hank' is going to be my new secret weapon. Apparently whenever I need you to get off you ass and make a move, all I have to do is talk about him."

"Ha, very cute. Now can we stop talking about him?" I leaned in for a lingering kiss.

"Him who? Hank?" She replied through a coy smile.

"Yes." I kissed across her jaw. "I'm about to do some of my best work and I don't want you to miss it." I bent lower and kissed my way down her neck.

She moaned slightly and allowed better access, "What about dinner?" I could tell from her tone that she could care less about it right now.

"That's your own fault; you said his name again, I have no choice but to make my move." Her laughter vibrated against my lips nicely.

"I guess if you have to…" That would have been more convincing if her voice weren't so husky at the time.

I smirked as I nipped at her collar bone. "Besides, this is why we bought that new microwave. I think we take this to the bedroom now. What do you say future-Mrs. Stokes?" Sara Stokes. I like it.

"I say…" she suddenly pushed me away so I was a little off balance and started off down the hall. "I'll race you!" she shouted over her shoulder as I took off after her.

The End.

A/N: Thanks again for reading. Hope you liked it. If you have time, let me know; even if you hated it...