Showtime

Epilogue

Kate watched him climb over the back fence awkwardly, and land on his knees with a thud a few feet from her.

"Hello" she whispered as he gingerly picked himself up.

He took her in his arms, kissing her roughly, pulling away breathless he brushed her hair away from her face "I love you" he said.

"I love you too" she smiled, half his features were hidden by shadow, but she could see the intense look on his face "You do realise that it's bad luck for you to see me right now, before we actually get married?"

"I thought that was just your dress" he said, his hand slipping inside the thin t-shirt she wore, he started kissing her neck.

"Me too, I think" she whispered, leaning back so he had better access.

"I don't care" he whispered "It's been ages since I last touched you properly"

"It's been a week" she drew in a sharp breath as his hands went to her backside, pulling her against him. She could feel the pot on his arm rough against her clothes.

"Ages" he groaned, kissing her again "See what you do to me woman?"

"Hmmmm" she said, her own hands wandering, feeling triumph as his kisses became urgent.

They stumbled back through the open patio doors, he removed the t-shirt, his hands teasing her. She started unbuttoning his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders, kissing his chest.

"Oh God Kate" he groaned. That was all it took, she wrestled with his belt, kissing him as if her life depended on it. His own hands pushed her pants and panties down in one move.

"Sssh!" she suddenly stopped, her hands on his chest as she listened.

"What?" he snapped, cursing the cop instinct that overrode everything else.

"You hear that?" she hissed "Someone's in the back yard!"

He fastened his belt, irritably, heading for the doors they had just come through. He pulled his gun awkwardly, resting it on the pot while he eased the door open with his foot.

"Stay there" he ordered, taking in the disarray he'd left her in, she'd put her pants straight, but she stood, chest heaving in only a bra, flushed, hair ruffled. He sighed regretfully, shaking his head as he went through the door.

"No chance" she said, unlocking the strong box and getting her handgun, wrapping his dis-guarded shirt around her she followed him through the door "You can't shoot straight with your right hand!"

She could see flashlights sweeping the garden "Halt! NYPD" ran out "Drop your weapon!"

"I'm Detective Flack!" she heard Don call back, holding his gun out so the officers perched on the fence could see it, he took his ID from around his neck and slowly made his way across the garden "I live here!"

Kate reversed back into the bedroom, returning the gun to the strong box and sitting on the bed.

He shut the door, a wry smile on his face. She held her fingers to her lips, pointing in the direction of the spare room where her parents were currently sleeping.

"What was that about?!" she asked.

"Someone" he started "Saw me climb over the fence and called the cops" he was grinning.

Kate laughed.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"Well what was I gonna tell them?" he replied "That I snuck into my own house, over the fence, to make love with the woman I'm gonna marry tomorrow because her parents are staying and we have to behave like a couple of teenagers?!"

She sat on the bed, laughter bursting out of her "And you call me Krazy! You told them we had an intruder and you chased him off?!" she said "They're gonna be out there now, looking for this mystery guy, tut tut, wasting police time is a serious offence!"

He lay flat on the bed "I feel like a complete idiot" he groaned, the groan changing tone as she crawled up his body.

"You are a complete idiot" she said, looking down at him "But you're my complete idiot"

…...

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it just remains now for me to introduce my friend, colleague and best man, for his speech, Mac Taylor"

Don led the applause as he sat down, watching Mac stand up. Kate leaned in to him whispering in his ear.

"You're gonna pay for that dumpster story Flack"

He grinned "Oh I know" turning to look at her "Mrs Flack"

She grinned back, taking her glass of champagne and looking up at Mac as the applause died down.

"Around eleven years ago" Mac began "A hotheaded, sarcastic and very talented 2nd grade Detective first came into my crime scene. In those eleven years, I have seen that Detective grow as a professional and a person, into someone I am glad and proud to have as a friend and colleague"

Don looked down, embarrassed at the words, as Kate slid her hand into his and squeezed it, Mac continued.

"We have butted heads on several occasions, but our professional relationship, and our friendship has always come out the stronger for it. When he asked me to be his best man, Don said I had saved his life, more than once. That is true, but he has also saved mine, more than once"

Don smiled as Mac paused again.

"Eighteen months ago, Kate arrived on the scene like a whirlwind. She's bright, beautiful and full of energy. She also has an answer for everything" Mac paused again as the assembled guests laughed "Which is why they are perfect for each other. They have known each other a long time, but like Don and myself, not always been on the same side of the fence, as I'm sure many of you here will remember. I have been told many stories..." he looked down at them smiling "Blame Danny for that" he told them before continuing "Of them clashing over things, and of practical jokes and pranks that would make any precinct C/O's hair grey. I'm glad I didn't have these two as rookies" he waited for the laughter to die down again "But with maturity and experience, these two finally realised that we are all on the same side, and watching them fall in love was touching and at times, highly amusing. I know you are all eager for the party to get started, so I shall end by wishing Kate and Don a long and happy life together, Kate and Don!"

He held his glass up and the room toasted, sitting down he turned to Don.

"Thank you" Mac said quietly, his eyes shining.

"No Mac" Don said, the small glimmer of a tear in one eye "Thank you"

"When you two have finished with the bromance" Kate leaned round Don, looking at them both, lightening the moment the two men were having trouble dealing with "It's time to get drunk" she held her glass out to Don pointedly "My glass is empty"

He laughed, taking it from her "Mac?" he offered, standing.

"I'll have a beer" he said.

…...