Chapter 16:A/N: Hello! You're lucky, 'cause I had most of this chapter finished during the holidays, so it didn't take me too long to finish it. Took me a while to get round to posting it though. Now, this isn't the last chapter yet. My guess is, there will be one or two more.

Thanks to white rose01! Once again she beta-d my chapter, for which I'm very grateful!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed and read my story!

Barb from utah – Hey, it's nice to know you've enjoyed this story so far! I hope you'll continue to enjoy it! Thanks for the review!

Storm05/numbuh 14 – Welcome to the family of signed members. ;) I'm glad you enjoy this story! Thanks for the review!

White rose01 – I hope I didn't disappoint you in updating this 'quickly' again… ;) You know my busy schedule which is my life. Thanks for reviewing and thanks for beta-ing!

SaucerEyes – Yes, they are going to talk about 'it'. /grin/ I can just imagine a hand coming through the screen and start 'slapping some heads around'… as long as it isn't my head. ;) But then, can't have you buy a new screen just for the sake of getting John and Nicole to talk about 'it' when they're going to do that anyway. :p And don't worry about the grades/slacking off; I wasn't going to let writing fanfic get in the way of good grades. :p But thanks for the heads-up! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter! Thanks for the review!

Rachie Loves Donald Duck – Hey, nice to know my story cheered you up. Thanks for the compliment. /blushes/ As for your last question… I guess you'll have to wait and find out, but I do enjoy being evil… /grin/ Thanks for the review, and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

On to the story now!

Despite the more frequent stops, they still managed a good time to reach the area where they had been aiming for. Now they looked around, and decided to move on just slightly further to the large rocks so they had more shelter from the wind. There they put off their gear and decided who would do what. John had put up the small tent and Nicole had gotten a fire going on which she was now cooking their dinner. After that it didn't take long for them to be able to sit down and eat. Dinner passed in a comfortable silence. It was still light, even though the sun was starting to go down. After dinner Nicole started to gather the things they would need to do the dishes and John started to make coffee. When they were both done, John put the coffee in the thermos flask, took two mugs and motioned for Nicole to follow him.

"Where are we going?" Nicole asked him. John nodded towards the rocks.

"I want to bet that from those rocks you'll have a magnificent view of the sunset. Just thought we might as well enjoy our coffee by a sunset."

Nicole smiled. "Here, I'll take the mugs. You'll need at least one hand to climb on there."

"You can go first. I'll catch you if you fall."

"I won't fall." Nicole said, but there was no anger in her voice. She started to climb up and soon she disappeared from John's sight. "OK, I'm up. Your turn!"

Now John climbed up and before long he was standing next to Nicole who was already watching the view.

"You're right. This is beautiful. Do you have a knack for finding these places or something?" Nicole asked him.

"Common sense." John breathed, also in awe of the sight. They sat down against a smaller rock and John poured the coffee into the cups. Nicole smacked with her hand against her head. "Oh no! I forgot to bring sugar!"

John's hand disappeared into his pocket, came out moments later with a sugar cube, wrapped in paper, and put it in Nicole's hand. She regarded him for a moment, then asked: "Would it be too farfetched to also expect a spoon with it?"

The blond man grinned. "Yes. But you can use the back of this pen."

They enjoyed their hot beverage as they watched the sun slowly setting.

"I don't think I'll ever get enough of this." John said.

Nicole agreed. "Sometimes you wonder how people can just walk by a sight like this. Do you have to travel in space, in order to appreciate the beauty of the planet?"

John smiled softly. "Not necessarily, but I would say it helps."

Nicole nodded. "Yes, I suppose so."

The sun had almost completely disappeared at this point, and the cloudless sky told them it would be a cool night. They shuffled closer, and Nicole leaned comfortably against John's side, as they watched the stars slowly appear. No words passed between them as they regarded the sky and listened to the voices of the night. An owl, some late birds, a hedgehog walking through the long grass, crickets making sawing noises. They were too comfortable to stand up, even though they knew it would be better if they got down and ready for bed. Finally, Nicole shivered, and that was the signal for both of them to stand up, gather their stuff and carefully make their way down the rocks.

"Do you want another cup of coffee? There's still some in the thermos flask." Nicole asked.

"Yes, please."

John took the blanket they had taken with them and gave it to Nicole. She exchanged it for his cup of coffee, and they sat down on the blanket, close to the tent. After a long, comfortable silence, Nicole carefully brought up the subject they had 'discussed' earlier.

"Well, I suppose we should talk about that… eh… tension." She winced at her own sentence. John however understood perfectly.

"Yes, I guess we should…" For a while they looked at their hands, feet, or the ground, not quite sure how to proceed. Finally John cleared his throat. "Well, it usually comes after one of us makes a… 'weird' comment."

"You could say that again. 'Weird' is definitely the word to use here."

"Is it?" John asked uncertainly. Which made the whole situation even more weird.

"What do you mean?" Nicole asked.

"Ehm, it's just that… somehow whatever you or I said, it didn't feel… out of place, just… strange, coming from our mouth. Which makes it even more weird, 'cause if I remember correctly, everything we've said had something to do with…" John trailed off as he thought of the word he had wanted to say, and realisation dawned.

"Love." Nicole finished for him. John looked up and saw she was just as taken aback as he felt.

"Yes." John confirmed softly. For some time they just looked each other in the eyes, trying to make sense of their thoughts, both realising they had been trying to fool themselves.

"Nicole." For a moment John hesitated, but as he saw her looking at him expectantly he continued, sure of his statement. "I love you."

Carefully he looked at her expression. How would she react? Would she feel the same? Or had he just made a fool of himself, and lost his best friend? She looked relieved, and blushed. However, her next sentence totally threw him.

"I…I love you too."

"You do?"

Nicole nodded, a small smile shining through.

"Bu, but how, why?" John stammered. Nicole looked at him, both slightly confused as well as amused.

"Because you're John. Because I can spend ages with you, whether we're talking or just being silent. Because I miss you when you're not with me. Because you don't necessarily need words to know what I mean. Because I feel comfortable and safe with you. And because I love you."

Though still slightly baffled, John had to chuckle. "Normally you wouldn't be able to answer a question with itself, but I think I can make an exception here."

Nicole raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Good. Because I don't know how else to tell you." She scooted slightly closer and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Nicole let out a sigh of contentment, then looked up into John's eyes, and found herself losing herself in them. They sat like this for what seemed like ages, getting used to the idea. Slowly, John leaned down, and Nicole put her head in her neck. John's blue eyes seemed to ask permission, and Nicole replied likewise. A soft, tentative kiss took place. They pulled back slightly as they ran out of breath, but their eyes never left the other.

"I love you." John whispered.

"Love you too." Nicole whispered back. John held her more tightly, if possible, and both relaxed in each other's arms. The tension had washed away.

They sat like that for about half an hour, before they reluctantly admitted they should go to sleep. In silence they took their things and crawled into the tent. It was a small tent, where even Nicole, who wasn't all that tall, wasn't able to stand at the highest point. This made changing into night clothes rather difficult, but they managed, laughing at the other's unintended antics. Finally they were both lying in their respective sleeping bags. They chatted for a little while, before giving in to the sleep.

The next morning Nicole woke up to the face of a sleeping John. She was content to just watch him for a couple of moments. His mouth slightly open, his hair dishevelled, one arm outside the sleeping bag and on the floor. Some days ago, she had noted the worry lines which creased his face; more than anyone his age should have, but today the lines had faded slightly. She now understood why he even had them though. Not many people made decisions almost on a daily basis, which could either lead to the life or death of the people they tried to rescue. She knew she didn't know half of it, but she could imagine the emotional turmoil it would throw her in, had she been the one with that particular job.

Nicole checked her watch. 08:03 already! She was surprised John was still asleep. Normally he would have been up for almost three hours already. Well, as far as there could be a normal. He must have needed it… Anyone would be tired when spending one's time with Ben Evers. She sniggered.

"Whazzo funny?" A sleepy voice asked. Nicole's eyes flew to John's face where she found a pair of blue eyes, gazing at her.

"Oh, nothing… just thinking of something."

"Hmph." John grumbled, as he let his eyes fall close again.

"Don't fall asleep again! It's been 8 o'clock already."

John's eyes flew open. "C'me 'gain?"

"It's past 8. You slept for ages." Nicole exaggerated teasingly.

John sat up with a yawn, his head touching the tent cloth. "Guess I was tired."

He glanced sideways at Nicole who was still nicely cocooned into her sleeping bag. She smiled up at him lazily as he yawned again.

"I know a good way to wake up." She stated as she too sat up and began to climb out of her sleeping bag.

"Coffee?" John asked hopefully. Nicole laughed and shook her head. "You almost sound like Ben. No, I meant, taking a swim."

John shook his head almost imperceptibly. He could have guessed.

"I didn't know you took your swimming gear."

"I didn't." Nicole smirked as she took her towel and some clothes with her, outside the tent. John, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, fumbled with the zipper of his sleeping bag to get out of its warmth, and then followed Nicole outside. As soon as he stepped outside the tent in his boxers, he was dragged towards the river by a dark-haired tornado. Before he was well-aware of his partner's intentions, he was pushed into the cold water.

When John broke the surface again, looking extremely more awake, Nicole burst out laughing. John shook his hair clear from his face, and closed in on Nicole who was still standing on the grass, wearing a tank top and shorts. Between the fits of laughter Nicole backed away, but John caught up with her and picked her up. She struggled half-heartedly, clinging to him. Her reasoning was that he would try to dump her in the water, so if she would cling to him, he wouldn't be able to let her fall. However, John had other plans.

He walked into the water, and just let himself fall into it, together with his 'luggage'.

"Yikes! It's cold!" Nicole spluttered as she came back to the surface. She saw the head of her former partner, just a metre away, as he looked at her slyly through the wet blond curtain of hair. Wiping away her own locks from her face, she suddenly dove at him in order to push him underwater.

What she didn't know was that he had years of experience of avoiding brothers with the same intentions, so he skilfully manoeuvred himself out of reach. Before Nicole even realised where he had disappeared to, she felt herself being pulled underwater. They continued for a while, getting back at each other.

Slowly they calmed down as the sun shone through the leafs of the trees. At one point Nicole swam quietly on her back, while John made a couple of 'laps'.

"John?" The blond man looked up questioningly. "I love you."

John smiled and quickly crossed the distance separating them to gather her in a hug.

"And I love you," he said as he gave her a tender kiss. They held each other, both enjoying the physical contact. After a couple of moments Nicole pulled back reluctantly.

"We'd better get something to eat and then start moving if we want to come home today."

John nodded unhappily, though he agreed with her reasoning. Nicole walked out of the water and picked up the towel she had dropped on the ground before. John remained in the water. The dark-haired woman turned her head to look at him curiously.

"Since you gave me such fair warning, I didn't have the time to grab a towel or dry clothes. So I'll remain here till you've dried yourself enough for you to get me a towel." John smirked. Nicole folded her arms in front of her. "And what if I don't?"

"Then I'll get it myself, making sure it will be your stuff that gets wet in the process." John answered.

Nicole grumbled. "You're evil."

John nodded. "I know."

Nicole disappeared into the tent, muttering some things of which John was glad he couldn't hear them. Moments later she reappeared, carrying a towel with her.

"There you go. Getting all my things wet. Ha! And don't come into the tent until I tell you!" Nicole alternated between muttering to herself and talking to John.

"Yes ma'am." John grinned.

Before long, they were dry, dressed and ready for breakfast. They took their time to eat breakfast, enjoying the sunrise. Then they quickly packed up their stuff and decided on their route back. This time Nicole took the lead.

They had been walking for about an hour when they came to a point where the 'path' crossed the river. The water was very shallow at that point and there were rocks shattered all around.

"Don't get your feet wet. Remember your shoes aren't watertight." John warned. "You know what? Take my hand; I'll walk through the water and you walk over the rocks. That way, if you slip, you can lean on me." John looked up at Nicole.

"No thanks. I won't slip and I won't get wet feet."

John raised his eyebrow, but refrained from replying. Nicole, satisfied he didn't counter her, stepped onto the first rock. When she didn't slip, she looked back at John with a smile that said: 'See, I'm still standing.' John grinned.

Nicole went back to the task at hand, determined to reach the other side with dry feet. She made it. Looking back at John she smirked triumphantly. John shrugged and walked through the water with his water-resistant boots. Once he reached Nicole, she nudged him in the ribs. "I told you so."

"Yes, you did. I'm glad you made it."

"Uh-uh, you wanted me to slip. Admit it, you wanted me to slip, just so you could say 'I told you so.'" Nicole replied teasingly.

"Contrary to popular belief, I didn't want you to slip." John said with a serious expression. "However, it would have made my life slightly easier, since I wouldn't have had to deal with your 'I told you so.'" He added with a grin. Nicole laughed.

"Bad luck."

They continued to banter as they walked, and stopped for a short break. They still had some coffee left in the thermos flask from that morning, which they savoured, before resuming their journey.

Despite their bantering and continued 'weird' moments which weren't weird anymore, they managed to get some serious talking done too. Mainly about how to continue a relationship when neither of them had regular schedules.

"Well, even if I'm up in Five, I can keep in contact through radio. It's what I was thinking of a couple of days ago. As for seeing each other… there's a standing offer for you and Ben to come and visit the island, and meet my family. We'll just have to see what we can arrange." John said with a sigh of disappointment. Nicole nodded.

"Do I need a special radio or something?"

"Not necessarily. But I could alter one slightly to make it easier."

Nicole agreed, and they continued in silence for a while, until she suddenly broke it, saying: "I don't want to think about you leaving yet."

"Me neither."

They smiled sadly at each other. John put his arm over her shoulders, and Nicole slipped her arm around his waist. It seemed natural to walk like this, and they both revelled in the comfort of the other by their side.

The path, though not always very clear, led them through the woods, over hills and through valleys. And yet again they encountered the river, which curved through the valleys.

John wisely kept silent as Nicole sent him a warning glare. Confidently she walked over the first couple of stones. But when she stepped on the fourth rock, she slipped.

She tried to regain her balance, but in order to do so, she had to put her foot backwards, into the water. Immediately her shoe, sock and foot got soaked. John had to fight hard not to grin when Nicole sent him another warning look, but he pulled it off… only just. Nicole muttered and continued her way, though now she was much more careful. She reached the other side without further incidents, and John followed her.

He, unlike her, stepped into the water and carefully made his way to the other side, avoiding the deeper parts of the creek. At one point he was tempted to just stand there, revelling in the pulling on his ankles of the water. However, he kept it short, knowing there was a brown-haired storm waiting for him, which he shouldn't infuriate further. He stepped back on the dry ground.

"Welcome to this side of the water. I hope you enjoyed your stay in mentioned liquid, and if you would now kindly not say a word till I'm in a better mood, I would appreciate it. Thank you." Nicole told him with a pleasant voice, though he could hear her frustration shining through clearly.

"Why, thank you for the warm welcome. I did enjoy my trip from the other side, and I will be quiet if you so desire it. However, I just have one thing to say, which I cannot leave till you're feeling more up to it."

Nicole looked slightly alarmed, as though knowing what was coming, and was about to interrupt the man she loved, before he could say another word. Too late.

"I told you so." John said with a smile. His companion groaned. "I'll be quiet from now on."

Nicole rolled her eyes. "Well that's not necessary anymore. You've said the sentence I didn't want to hear."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry." John said with a smirk.

"No, you're not."

"No, I'm not. But seriously now, are you alright? Do you have dry socks with you?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I only got one foot wet. And I do have dry socks, but what good will it do, since I don't have dry shoes?"

"Not much right now. But you have a pair of dry shoes in your car."

Nicole looked at him incredulously. "I do?"

"Yes, under your passenger seat. Don't ask me how they got there, but the fact is, you do have dry shoes there. I saw them yesterday."

"Right. Well, let's get to the car quickly then, because I already hate this soggy feeling, and I haven't even started walking yet. Here, figure out the quickest way to the car." She handed John the map, which he immediately began to study. They had first intended to keep following this 'path', but it made a large detour if you wanted to quickly go to the car. It didn't take him long to figure out where they were exactly, and what direction to go.

"This way." He pointed.

The nonexistent trail they now followed was indeed shorter, but it was more difficult to get through. Nicole focused her thoughts on dry shoes, and tried to ignore the soggy feeling in her right-shoe as she followed John. The blond man used his watch as a compass and checked behind him regularly to see if Nicole was still there.

A short half-hour brought them back to the car. Nicole sighed in relief. She so hated wet shoes!

"Dry shoes!" she exclaimed as soon as she saw her car. John grinned and unlocked the doors. Nicole put her backpack on the hood, got out dry socks and a towel, and sat down at the passenger's side.

Five minutes later she was ready. John in the meanwhile, had put the backpacks in the boot, and came to stand at Nicole's side. "Ready to go?"

Nicole paused, shook her head, stood up and hugged John. Though surprised at first, John was quick to react and hugged her back. He let out a sigh of contentment.

"If I could," he murmured, "I would want this moment to last forever."

Nicole nodded against his shoulder. "I know what you mean." She looked up at him. "I just can't believe that twenty-four hours ago, we were still so stupid not to know…"

John gave her a lopsided grin. "Stupid to not understand our own comments?"

Nicole grinned. "Yeah. It seems so unreal to know I can have you, and you can have me, as more than 'just' friends and ex-partners. Yet at the same time I know this is real, as it should be. I want you, need you in my life. And then to know you have to leave within two days, while we finally found each other, that's just… unbearable."

John nodded and sighed. "I know. I just don't know what to do about it."

They stood in silence for a while, comfortable in each other's embrace, when Nicole suddenly looked up at him mischievously.

"That 'standing offer' of yours… from which date is it valid?"

John looked at her. "Whenever you want… when do you have to return to NASA?"

"In two weeks."

"Well then, would you like to join me on my trip home and meet my family?" John asked smiling. Nicole's eyes twinkled.

"I'd love to."

"OK. That's settled then." John leaned down and kissed her, and she returned it. When they pulled back, they smiled and let go of each other. John settled behind the wheel again, and soon they were back on the road home.

A/N: and that's it for now. Not completely finished yet, but we're getting very close now. I hope you've enjoyed this part. Remember, romance is just not my thing to write. (So don't ask how I ended up writing it anyway!) Bye - zeilfanaat