Disclaimer: Sorry. Don't own the show. Don't own the characters. CBS does and they should all be happy, happy people.

Well hello again! I hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter and have been looking forward to this one. I'm still not sure how many chapters I'll have before this story ends! Oh well… I might just have a long epilogue after this to tie up the loose ends. I really hope that everyone had a good time reading this story. If I get any more ideas for fanfics I might decide to write another, but for now… More than meets the eye will soon be coming to an end!

"Terry!" Alan Eppes zoomed in on her as soon as she stepped onto the front porch and gave her a big hug, careful to avoid the sore spots that his sons had warned him about. Terry smiled warmly and gave Alan a light kiss on the cheek. He was such a kind man... No wonder his sons turned out so well. "I'm so glad you could make it for dinner. I wasn't sure you'd be up to it so soon! Don and Charlie are just setting the table now. I'm not sure what Larry and Amita are up to but… I doubt I would understand anyway. Please, come in here and have a seat! I'll fix you a drink… Coffee?"

It was three days since Terry had been released from the hospital, and physically, she was a lot better. Sitting in the living room in Charlie's house and listening to the sounds of the brothers chatting in the kitchen made her feel a lot calmer. It was a familiar scene that relaxed her somehow. Terry sighed and pulled her hair out of the loose ponytail that she had crafted at home in an attempt to get rid of an oncoming headache.

Her emotions had been going haywire since meeting her husband in the hospital, and Terry knew that she was on an edge. His arrival had been so sudden, so unexpected. Back in the room, when she was on morphine and her head was already spinning, he had said "I left Natalie". And she remembered asking, in her drugged state- "Who's Natalie?" And then he told her. She couldn't speak to him, or even look at him after that. Why did he have to spring that on me like that? When I was already vulnerable… But Don had been so kind, listening to her when she was blabbing like some idiot. Terry honestly wasn't sure what she should do. She married this man, but that didn't mean that she had to allow him back into her life after what he did to her. Being married was like having a duty to her husband… but was it really what she wanted, to go back to him? She didn't know what she wanted. Terry rubbed her temples roughly as she leaned back against the sofa and shut her eyes, willing her headache to go away.

"Hey… are you feeling alright?" Don's worried voice coming from somewhere above her head startled her, and Terry jumped. She turned around and saw her partner holding a cup of coffee for her, his eyes skimming over the much smaller lump on her head with concern. Don set it down on the table in front of her and sat down lightly. Terry's eyes followed his hand as it slid slowly over her knee to grasp her fingers. For some reason, she had to struggle to swallow back the tears that were threatening to spill down her face. When was the last time Don was being so sensitive? When we were at the Academy together… Terry mutely chastised herself for being such a sentimental fool. Those sweet Academy days were over and she knew it. Now she just had to stop being so nostalgic and at least attempt to face her demons with her husband. But it was so incredibly hard to keep focused with Don looking at her with those eyes and such a kind expression on his face…

"I was just thinking." She said, looking at him and feeling a smile creep into her face. Don had his eyebrow raised and was stroking her finger lightly. He didn't seem to notice what he was doing, but Terry wasn't about to tell him to stop. It felt… comforting, and nice. "About what I should be doing… I've been avoiding his calls for the last three days and I really don't know how long I can keep it up. It really seems like he wants to try again…" Terry paused and looked at Don curiously, wondering why he was chewing on his bottom lip like that. He only did that when he was very anxious, and what was there to be nervous now? She relaxed against the back of the chair and felt Don do the same. "But I don't know what I should do. I just don't want to make another mistake, you know?"

"Yeah," Don smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I understand. Hey, I'm glad you came here for dinner… Charlie and I cooked, did you know? It was quite a riot… Dad started getting really worried when we told him we needed to use the oven." He chuckled and was glad to see that Terry laughed with him. "But don't worry… everything should taste good, I hope."

Funnily enough, everything did taste good. The whole table was in good spirits, and Terry was having a great time. It was hard to imagine that just a few days ago; she was at the mercy of five very dangerous men and that Larry had practically been placed on house arrest. With Larry, Amita, Charlie, Alan and Don talking and laughing and enjoying one another's company at the table, Terry forgot about her worries for a while and let herself enjoy the feast.

&&&&

"Did you drive yourself here, Terry?" Alan asked as he rinsed the dishes before sticking them in the dishwasher. Terry, Alan and Don were doing the dishes in the kitchen whilst the other three members of their party were having a very detailed (and to Don, very long-winded) conversation about the relationship between human anatomy and mathematics. No one was quite sure how that discussion was started, but at least they seemed to be having fun.

"No, I took a taxi Mr. Eppes," Terry replied as she passed Don a glass to dry with a dishcloth. "I wasn't really feeling up to driving yet. But maybe in a few days…"

"I'll drive you back." Don offered quickly, putting the clean glasses back in the cupboard. He instantly regretted the interruption. Alan glanced at him with a slightly mischievous look but said nothing. A wide grin had plastered itself on his face. Fortunately for Don, Terry missed the look his father gave him and was drying her hands. "It wouldn't be a problem." Don gave his father the evil eye and shut the cupboard doors loudly, hoping to wipe that smirk off Alan's face.

"Thanks, Don." Terry said sincerely, touched by his concern. Don was really being such a knight. She wondered how long it would last, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched him. He was so sweet. Alan closed the dishwasher and switched it on, still grinning manically. Terry looked at him suspiciously. The whole family seemed to be acting a little strange today.

After saying their goodnights and goodbyes, Terry and Don walked out to his van together. Don was whistling some tune that sounded familiar, but Terry felt that her brain was too tired to attempt at recognizing it. She slid into her seat and buckled up carefully, remembering to avoid her sore ribs. Her head wound was thumping slightly, but it was a lot easier to ignore it right then compared to just a few days ago. Anyway, she had to admit that none of her injuries seemed quite so painful with her partner acting like such a perfect gentleman. It was odd…

"Terry?" Don had started the vehicle and was backing it out of the driveway. He paused for a moment to ask her, "Do you feel like having some ice cream or something at my place?"

For some obscure, unknown reason, Terry heart began to speed up at an unbelievable pace. She had to mentally remind herself to keep breathing. However, before she had actually finished processing his words in her head, Terry heard herself saying, "Sure, why not? Chocolate ice cream would be nice." Don grinned happily and pulled out of the driveway, trying not to appear to be too pleased that she had accepted.

Stupid, stupid Lake… Terry silently berated herself when she realized that it was too late to take back her words. Don seemed relieved that she had agreed, and Terry didn't want to make him feel as though she didn't appreciate his kindness. He's your partner, for god's sake! Just because you think you're in love with him doesn't mean it's a good idea to hang around his apartment at night… even if he is being exceedingly nice to you at the moment.

"How is it like being back at your apartment now, Terry?" Don asked in an attempt to make conversation, as soon as the silence grew too long for him to bear. I hope she doesn't feel obliged to accept my invitation… What the hell was I thinking anyway? Her husband's in town, for goodness' sake! But she doesn't seem to be too keen to move back with him and… STOP IT! Terry's your partner and your friend and she doesn't need you trying to mess with her life.

But she would be making a mistake if she leaves LA… Don couldn't help thinking. Screw her duty to her husband or whatever. He'll never be able to love her like I would. And he'll never be able to protect her in the line of duty…

Terry's reply interrupted his train of thought suddenly and Don almost forgot what he had asked. "It's a little hard." She paused and looked out the window, her hands moving around the dashboard restlessly. "When I got home from the hospital that night, I was half expecting to see Gerald there to greet me like he always did. And then I remembered what happened…" Terry sighed and ran a hand through her hair agitatedly. Suddenly her voice dropped, and was shaking slightly, "I got a call from his daughter yesterday. She… she asked me how I was. I couldn't answer her properly. I felt like I couldn't even talk to her. And I'm an FBI agent! Every day I talk to people who have lost loved ones in the most horrifying of ways, and I… I've been in a situation many times where people have died beside me, so… why is this different? I don't understand; for the last four days I've been trying to analyze…"

"Hey… There's nothing to analyze, Terry." Don met her eyes deliberately, once they had reached a red light. "You went through something traumatic… and just because you're with the FBI, it doesn't mean that it was something you were supposed to go through and still understand the reasons behind why it happened. You were very brave. You were outnumbered five to one and didn't lose your head once. Yes, someone died trying to protect you, and it was terrible that he was killed like that. But you must not feel guilty for that because it's not your fault. Chambers' was the cold blooded killer that night, not you."

The light turned green and Don turned away from her slowly. Terry felt tears prickling in her eyes and wiped them away before he saw them. But then she remembered something, and she touched his arm lightly before saying, "Don..? I- I've been meaning to thank you for a while, but I never really managed to say it properly. So I'll just say it now... I want to thank you, for finding them… and me. I don't really remember much from that afternoon, but… I remember hearing your voice from outside that van and I also remember feeling so glad that you were there. I knew that you, of all people, would get me out of there alive."

Don gripped the steering a little harder and bit his lip. I wish I could have been as sure as you were… "It wasn't all me, Terry. We had almost thirty agents working on this case and digging up everything they could on Chambers and his men. And of course Charlie was inspiring. He did so much. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to narrow down the warehouses and it would have taken a much longer period to find you."

"Yes, I know." Terry was smiling slightly now. "But I also know you. I've talked to Charlie, and I've thanked him already. Your brother is a lot wiser than he pretends to be. He told me how much you did to try and find them. I've seen you at the office, Don… I know that when you're wrapped up in a case you don't let anything distract you. And I'm glad you got wrapped up in my case. Just… just let me thank you, Don."

Don didn't know what to say in reply. He just shook his head good naturedly and swung into the car park of his apartment building, his head spinning. He felt his stomach churn uncomfortably as Terry patted his arm gently as sat back in her seat. Don knew that he needed to talk to her- at least he could try to stop being such a wuss and tell her how he felt about her.

It's not that easy… His inner child whined.

But it had to be done. He couldn't let his feelings for her jeopardize his performance at work. That would just be dangerous for both of them. Don knew he needed to face it, now or never.

Terry had been to Don's apartment a million times in the past. She had sat on his sofa doing paperwork until midnight. They had run over interviews with suspects and witnesses over his dining table over the weekend. And sometimes, after wrapping up a big case… they would celebrate with chocolate ice cream and a beer each, and maybe even watch a movie of Terry's choice. This felt a lot like that, and she wasn't about to complain. It was nice spending time with Don again, feeling relaxed and unstressed.

She followed him into the kitchen, stopping her cheerful stroll suddenly when she realized how tense Don was. He was still chewing on his bottom lip, and had a strange faraway look in his eyes. Terry could almost see the speed at which his mind was racing. She opened the cupboards where she knew the bowls were kept and pulled out two, not taking her eyes off her partner. Something was not right.

&&&&

This is ridiculous! I'm a grown man; I can at least try to talk to her and not waste time like the moron I'm acting like now. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?

Well… She could reject me. Or run out of here screaming. He glanced at Terry, who was taking the bowls out of the cupboard and looking at him curiously. Knowing that she could practically read his tension, Don stopped biting his lip and pulled the ice cream container out of the freezer. But I don't want her to reject me. What we had was so good…

"Here." Don tried to snap out of his daze as he handed her the ice cream and opened the drawer where a few (hopefully) clean spoons were dumped. He could feel Terry's eyes staring at the back of his head, wondering why he was so nervous. Then he heard her sigh and turn around to open the box of ice cream. Well, she is a profiler… eventually she's going to figure out what's wrong.

It's now or never.

Don wasn't really quite sure what made him do it, but as soon as her back was turned, he pressed the 'on' button on the radio sitting on his kitchen counter. Damn! Wasn't thinking… Alarm bells started to go off in his head, but it was too late to react. Don quickly did an about face before she caught him gawking at her. A soulful voice instantly poured out from the speakers, and to his surprise, Terry turned around and smiled at him.

"Hey… This is my favourite song."

&&&&

This is my favourite song.

She almost whispered the words… she was so scared that if she spoke any louder the magic would be gone and she wouldn't be in Don's apartment, with him looking right at her with that strange expression in his amazing brown eyes. It was as though the whole world had melted away when he moved closer to her and took her hands in his. It almost as though this was meant to happen… like they were meant to be this way a long time ago.

… I need you in my arms, need you to hold,
You're my world, my heart, my soul,
If you ever leave,
Baby you would take away everything good in my life,

And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know,
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go

How do I ever, ever survive?

Before she knew it… before her mind could think of the millions of reasons why she should pull away, Don had wrapped his arms around her waist, and her hands had found her way around his neck. It had been such a long time since she danced with anyone. He pulled her close, so close that their bodies were just touching. Terry knew that he didn't want to push her into anything that made her uncomfortable. She had to make the next move, didn't she? Her mind was blissfully blank, not thinking about the past or the future. It was fixed on the present, and the fact that when she allowed herself to lean onto this man, that he did not pull away.

Without you,
There'd be no sun in my sky,
There would be no love in my life,
There'd be no world left for me.
And I,
Baby I don't know what I would do,
I'd be lost if I lost you,
If you ever leave,
Baby you would take away everything real in my life…

Her voice was caught in her throat. Where have you been, Don? He had moved his head slightly, so that his breath just tickled the side of her head. As they swayed slowly across Don's kitchen floor, Terry felt his arms unravel from her waist and glide upwards to her face. She knew that she was trembling, but she couldn't stop it. Terry didn't feel frightened- she just didn't want to screw up the magic. She had almost forgotten what his touch had felt like, but to her it was more amazing than ever. His thumb stroked her cheek tenderly, and she was surprised to feel that his hands were shaking as well.

"Terry…" he whispered into her ear, the sound of his voice making her shiver. Terry's eyes were closed- she didn't want to open them and realise that it was all a dream. "I never forgot… what we had. And I'll never forget it. We had so much together…"

She drew away from him gently, slowly meeting his eyes. "I know." Don kept his hands on her face, but his thumb had shied away from her cheek. In his eyes she saw what she needed to see- that same Don whom she loved ten years ago, and who loved her back, with his tenderness and his loyalty and his trust. They had both changed, that was true… but some things about them had remained the same. Like how much they still loved each other. "I remember everything."

"I…" He stopped and bent down slowly to plant a hesitant kiss on her forehead. His voice was had dropped to a whisper. "I wasn't sure. But I need to be sure now. I can't let you go back to him, Terry. He may be your husband, but he can't love you like I do. I was such an idiot to have let you go after we left the Academy. Back then, I didn't realise how much being with you meant to me. But now I do… and I can't let you go again. It was killing me, when you were kidnapped, because I kept thinking that… that I might lose you and it would all be over for me…"

"But you didn't lose me." Terry said suddenly, putting a finger on his lips to silence him. "And now look where we are. I never stopped loving you, Don And I never will. Even if I go home tonight and you tell me that you don't love me anymore… that won't change anything. Because right now, all that matters to me is that we're together."

"But I love you." He said it really quickly, stumbling over the words. Then he took a deep breath and tried again. "I love you."

&&&&

Oh God, she thinks I'm an idiot. I can't even say three words properly. Don felt like he was going to break out in sweat any minute now. She said that she never stopped loving me. She said that she loves me. She loves me. She loves me…

Don't leave, Terry! I love you.

But Don's brain was already too far gone for him to try saying 'I love you' for the third time. Terry's face had broken into the most beautiful smile that he had ever seen, and he couldn't resist when she pulled his face down towards hers. His knees had turned to jelly, and his mind was a million miles away.

When their lips met, it was like a surge of electricity passed through his body. Don drew her closer, letting himself forget just for that night, that she was his partner… and there were rules against this sort of thing. Because right then, with one kiss, they had flown ten years back in time, back to the Academy. Back to the time before either of them knew heartbreak, or grief, or betrayal… and all they remembered was everything wonderful that they felt when they were together.

And by the time they pulled apart, breathless and flushed, the ice cream that Terry had scooped into one bowl had melted into a brown, sticky puddle; quite forgotten. As much as he tried, Don couldn't keep the stupid grin off his face. He knew that Terry could see how idiotic he looked, but right then, it didn't matter. She loves me. She loves me. He couldn't think of anything else.

And fortunately for him, neither could she.

TBC

Have I kept everyone happy? I hope that everyone enjoyed Chapter 11 because it took quite a while to be finalized… Anyway, please drop me a review and tell me what you think!

The song lyrics used in this chapter are from the Lee Ann Rimes song 'How do I Live'. I am in no way affiliated with her so... I would just like to say that it's a really romantic song and that I'm just borrowing it for that purpose. Thank you!