Awake

By Dragon's Daughter 1980

Rating: K

Spoiler: Post-'Brutus'

Pairing: Larry/Megan

Disclaimer: Other than being a devoted fan, I have nothing to do with Numb3rs or Josh Groban. Happy New Year!

If I could make these moments endless

If I could stop the winds of change

If we just keep our eyes wide open

Then everything would stay the same

And I know that only time will tell me how

We'll carry on without each other

"Look," she said, pointing at the chestnut mare and her foal cantering across the grassy meadow, "Aren't they beautiful?" The rest of the herd was grazing and a few yearlings were galloping around the perimeter of the large pasture.

"Indeed," he agreed, his eyes focused not on the equestrian mammals, but on her. She was in a white blouse and red skirt that stood out vividly against the white picket fence that she was currently leaning on. A small hand-woven bag rested against the fence post. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun that rested at the nape of her neck. For once this week, her soft gray eyes were content and she looked rested. Oh, the weary look on her face had not disappeared, and he suspected that it never would, not as long as she held her job, but the expression was less pronounced than the day before. Her posture was relaxed as she enjoyed herself and he was glad for that. Her caseload was increasing, rather than diminishing, and he knew, from Charles, that she was nearing some degree of burnout.

Apparently the Assistant Director had seen circumstances that way as well since he put Megan off-duty again for the weekend — something that Larry suspected Don had insured would happen. On Friday afternoon, Charles had appeared in his office to pass on a message from his brother. Confused as to why the elder Eppes son would be seeking his advice as opposed to his own younger brother's, Charles had then proceeded to say that "Don told me to tell you that Megan has the weekend completely off. She's not expected back at work at all until Monday at the earliest." The younger professor had then given Larry a questioning look, waiting for him to explain. Instead of doing so, the older man had looked at his watch and excused himself to teach his Physics 101 class.

Gathering his belongings, he had immediately left CalSci after his last class to find her curled up on living room sofa, looking exhausted and utterly vulnerable in her slumber, her gun and badge placed on the coffee table. He had been loath to do so, but he gently woke her up and told her to pack a bag. When she had wearily asked why — another alarming sign, since she had always been enthusiastic about his surprise gateways these past few weeks — he had simply kissed her on the cheek and told her to go pack. She did not even try to tease an answer out of him. That was when he knew they had to make this trip, those term papers be damned. While he waited for her to gather her clothes and necessities, he made several quick phone calls before going to pack his own bags.

Because of the distance involved, Larry had chosen to take her car, letting her sleep in the front passenger seat as he navigated the highways and roads out of the city and past suburbia. It took a bit of work finding their destination, but the GPS system helped him avoid getting completely lost. He only took three wrong turns and made it to the sprawling, secluded ranch before nightfall. He had planned for this short retreat from the demands of their life for weeks, but it had kept being delayed by work, both his and hers. Fortunately, the proprietors understood the circumstances and promised to retain his deposit and reservation without charge so long as he called and informed them in advance of his arrival.

Megan had looked at him in sleepy confusion when he woke her up, disoriented by the change in flora and architecture of her surroundings. Once she realized where they were though, she smiled gratefully and allowed him to help her out of the car. Just being there, surrounded by towering trees and acres of seemingly untouched land was enough to bring some of her vibrant spirit back to her.

Though tired, she was as graceful as ever as she moved to help him pick up their luggage, which he unsuccessfully attempted to persuade her from doing. One of the proprietors, standing on the front porch to welcome them, had laughed softly as she waited for them to come within arm's reach. The woman was a friend of her family's housekeeper, and was exceedingly thoughtful when it came to the youngest Reeves and the man who accompanied her. The silver-haired woman had ushered them inside to eat a warm, homemade dinner before sending them straight up to bed. In the morning, they had awakened naturally to find a hot, freshly cooked brunch waiting from them in the dining room.

Megan had first brought him here to this half training ground, half free-roaming ranch during the summer as a 'thank you' for taking her to an antiques car show in the city. They had spent their week wandering the premises, chatting at times, but mostly walking in comfortable silence. Once he had adjusted to his natural concerns about staying in close proximity to equines for long periods of time, she had taught him the basics of horse grooming. To his surprise, he found it rather soothing…when he wasn't concerned about being kicked by a powerful hind leg. But he had also discovered that the shadows in her eyes faded with every stroke of the brush as she cleaned a black yearling's coat of dirt and sweat.

Watching her smile now as the young foal pranced up to the fence, searching for sugar cubes to eat, he wondered briefly if Don somehow knew about the long-standing weekend plans Megan and he had before deciding it wasn't a priority issue to ponder over. She was happy, and that was what mattered.

She turned to him, her earrings catching the light as she did so. The miniature crystals burst into a rainbow of colors, dancing across the pale skin of her neck, and catching the attention of the foal, who promptly began to sniff curiously at the little waltzing beams of light in the grass.

"Larry," she said quietly, "there's something I wanted you to have." He stepped closer to her.

"You don't need—" he began, but stopped at the look on her face. This was something that was for ithem/i, not just him. Her smile was a little shy as she reached down to pick up her bag. She laughed freely when the foal, having determined the source of the lights, stuck its nose through the fence and snorted into her hair. He smiled and bent at the waist, his hand reaching out for hers, but she shook her head, gently turning down the offer of assistance. The foal nickered in protest, putting its head over the railing and attempting to nip Megan's blouse. The couple moved out of foal-range to talk, one of his hands resting gently on her elbow.

Reaching to the bag, she pulled out a small rectangular object wrapped in plain brown paper. She handed it to him, saying softly, "I want you to have this." He carefully broke the tape holding the paper together as she continued to speak. "I was meaning to give it to you earlier, but you seemed a little reluctant, and I don't want to take this too fast, for you or for me. I know it's not professionally done, and there are some others that you can choose from. Anyway…I just wanted you to have it, at least. I know you probably can't take it with you, but maybe—"

"This is perfect," he breathed quietly, staring at the unwrapped gift, stopping her flow of words. He looked up at her, "I promise, I will try my best to take this with me."

She smiled at him, but he could see the gratitude of his acceptance and tears of pain in her eyes. Without any self-consciousness, he reached out and pulled her close, still holding the tiny picture frame in one hand.

"Thank you," he whispered in her ear, "I will cherish it."

"I am going to miss you," she confessed, the hitch in her voice the only clue that she was crying. He held onto her tighter and swallowed past the lump in his throat, ignoring the stray tear that fell on his cheek.

"It won't be forever," he told her soothingly, but as he did so, he looked up at the sky through the autumn leaves, 'Please let me make my dream a reality, and then bring me back to her. Let me keep my promise to her. It won't be forever.'