Chapter Twenty-two: Love Comes To Those Who Wait

"So tell me," Bryan began slowly, watching Emily carefully over the bodies of four squirming Siberian Huskies, "do you love Jerry?"

Surprised at his boldness, Emily could only blink owlishly at him for several seconds. Then she laughed. "Of course not, not in the way most people define love."

Bryan seemed taken aback at her response and said nothing.

She cocked her head to one side, smiling coyly. "Why the sudden interest? Are you jealous?"

Bryan flinched as though she'd actually hit him and he looked up at her in surprise.

She chuckled at his expression. "Oh, come on, Rice. Did you really think I was that dense? There were a few too many holes in your explanation on the boat, and even I'm not blind to the fact that you get touchy when Jerry's around us." She sat back and absently ran her now-ungloved-fingers through Shadow's silky winter coat. "I just want to know why you chose to help Jerry. The real reason."

It was the first time she could ever recall seeing Bryan Rice look so unhinged. His eyes darted nervously, never looking at her face, and he'd clasped his hands so tightly that the knuckles had turned white. Finally, he agitatedly ran a hand through his hair and heaved a sigh. "The truth?" he asked, almost plaintively. She nodded. He sighed again. "The truth is, I helped Shepard because I knew that it would make you happy. I knew you would want somebody to help him out." He shrugged. "That's it: the simple truth."

Emily regarded him seriously as he stared down at Shorty and Buck. Clearly, he intended to wait for her answer before doing anything else. Slowly, she leaned forward, her eyes never leaving his face. "So tell me..." she said, deliberately echoing his earlier words, drawing his attention up to her face. "Do you love me?"

He smiled faintly. "I have for a long time, Hawkins."

She leaned a little closer still. "But you never said anything." It wasn't a question.

"Didn't think you'd listen," he said frankly.

She acknowledged his statement with a rueful grin. "You're probably right."

Now Bryan leaned closer, until their faces were only a few inches apart. "Will you listen now?" he asked, his eyes locked onto hers.

Shadow nuzzled her chin as she gave him a sly smile. "I might."

For a full, drawn-out minute, they let the words hang between them, neither of them moving except to accommodate the shifting of Jerry's dogs. Finally, Bryan broke the silence. "Kiss me."

Her eyes registered brief surprise at his straightforwardness. Then she smiled and leaned in to close the gap, her hand reaching up to rest on his neck, while he cradled her head in one hand. He kissed her gently, and she found herself savoring the sensation. Neither of them noticed that the rumble of the SnoCat's engine had shut off and the land-crawler had come to a stop. He pressed a little harder, and she slid off the bench to kneel at his feet, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her close.

Suddenly, the back doors of the vehicle were thrown open, blinding them both with sunlight. They broke apart to see Jerry, Katie, Charlie, and Dr. McLaren staring at them in open-mouthed surprise. "Well," Jerry said, regaining his composure and regarding Emily teasingly, "I guess we won't leave you two alone again."

"You're ruining the moment, Jerry," Emily scolded, staying in Bryan's arms.

"Yeah, well, that's my job, isn't it?" he asked playfully.

Emily rolled her eyes and looked at Katie. "Will you shut him up, please?"

"Don't bother, Katie," Jerry interrupted before Katie could say anything, "I'll shut myself up." With that, he slipped and arm around her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her soundly. Charlie whooped and catcalled before Davis glared him into silence, while Bryan laughed at Emily's stunned expression. Obviously Katie and Jerry had made up during the trip as well.

When they broke apart, Emily raised an eyebrow. "Took you long enough."

"Hey, don't go poking your nose where it doesn't belong, Emily Hawkins," Jerry reprimanded, his eyes betraying his amusement.

"Watch what you say to my girl," Bryan interrupted, a broad grin crossing his face.

Emily turned to regard him with curiosity. "Your girl?"

He stared defiantly back at her. "Yeah, 'my girl.' Are you okay with that?"

She grinned and kissed him quickly. "I suppose I am."

Thanks to all my reviewers. This was the last chappie! Tell me what you think!