a/n: This is by far the hardest chapter I have written. I hope it came out ok. For me, Myles is the hardest character that I write for, so if I don't always get him right, please forgive me.

I also wanted to say thanks for all the kind reviews I have gotten. I am honored that you would view my work as something that you would desire to read, and that you would take the time to let me know. I enjoy writing, and this story stuck in my head asking to be written, but hearing from others who enjoy is an experience like no other.

As for some of you who are still getting over Bobby being dead, I struggle with that too (glad this is fiction). I struggled with that in this chapter at the end. It is important to me to be realistic, and understand how it must feel to lose someone and then love someone else. My father died when I was young, and my mother has shared some of her own struggle with me, and so it is with that in mind that I wrote the ending to this chapter.

Anyway, enough of my rambling....Read on.

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Tara had barely seen her sister off before she tore into the wrapping paper on the rectangular box. She had to admit, as she tore off the ribbon, that it was beautifully wrapped, however, her curiosity overwhelmed her desire not to disrupt the package. He had told her to open it when she missed him, and in honesty she had missed him from the moment she broke contact with him.

Peering inside, she smiled as she saw that Myles had placed two more individually wrapped boxes inside, as well as a rectangular envelope. The words "Open me last" were neatly written in his bold handwriting on the envelope. Picking up the longer, rectangular shaped present inside, she opened it slowly. Deciding to savor each gift. Discarding the silver wrapping paper, she found a black velvet box. Noticing that her hand shook ever so slightly, she laughed quietly at herself. What was she shaking for? Her heart answered her question, even before her mind realized it. Even as she opened the bracelet, she was amazed at how her heart hammered in her chest just seeing a box from a jewelry store coming from Myles.

The bracelet inside was beautiful. One thing she remembered well from working with Myles for so long, was that he had exquisite taste. Looking on the beautiful heart shaped emerald adorning the bracelet, she smiled that his tastes had not changed. Taking the smaller box, she opened it to find beautiful earrings and necklace with the same heart shaped emeralds. Finally, not able to keep from opening everything tonight, she gently lifted the envelope.

Absently, she traced her fingers over the words he had printed there. Carefully, she opened the envelope and pulled out the card. On the front was a picture of a bouquet of red roses, and the words "Thank you" written in fancy script. When she opened the card, two plane tickets fell onto the table in front of her. Myles' handwriting filled the inside of the card, and she focused on his pristine handwriting.

"Tara,"

She stopped there, remembering how he said her name with a hard "ar" sound rather than the "air" sound that most people said. He had always done it, but she had not thought anything of it until this trip. Now, it seemed as if it was his own private name for her, and it thrilled her to hear him say it.

"I hope that you like the few surprises I put in this box for you. This week I have felt a piece of me live that I never thought would ever live again. This card says "thank you" on the front because I am forever grateful to you, my dear Tara.

When I saw the emeralds in the jewelry store, I immediately thought of your eyes. In those stunning green eyes, I have found strength that I have never seen in any other person. It is beyond my scope of understanding how I could have worked with you for so long without really observing those resplendent eyes.

The shape of the emerald is a heart, which puts me in mind of the heart of a woman who has lost so much, and yet never ceases to love. This week I have seen a devotion to your son that goes above simply being a great parent. Watching you, I have seen a love for others that has caused me to be ashamed of my own failings.

In this card, you find two plane tickets. They are open ended. I chose these because I want to see you again. I want to see Samuel again.. No date is set because I want to see you any day, any time. You will notice that the tickets are for first class. Simply stated, you are first class. You deserve the best.

Words can not express what you have given me in one short week. I am deeply indebted to you. Normally, I am one to pay my debts quickly, and thoroughly. This debt will haunt me forever, and yet, I will work to pay it for as long as you permit me.

Forgive me if I am being too brash. Though many people would call me verbose, I am normally much more subtle when it comes to my feelings. For you, I am laying open my heart as I have never done before. My hope is that it is not too much.

Myles "

Tara read the card several times, tears rolling down her cheeks, feeling emotions that she had not felt in a long time. At a different time in her life, this kind of note would have scared her off. However, knowing Myles as she did, she knew this card had to have been hard for him to write. Opening his heart was not something he would do without much contemplation. It was a gift he gave her that money could not buy.

Looking towards her clock, she realized it was too late to call Myles. Heading straight for her computer, she felt like she had to connect with him, even if it was only via email. Logging onto the internet, his name popped up immediately. He was online.

Tara: Fancy meeting you here.

Myles: Couldn't sleep. How about you?

Tara: Been doing some reading.

Myles: Anything interesting?

Tara: Yes.

Myles: Did I say too much?

Tara: No. I came on to write you an email. To say thanks. For everything

Myles: You are most welcome. Though, you have no reason to thank me.

Tara: I miss you.

Myles: I miss you too.

For the next thirty minutes they talked together before they told each other goodnight. As Tara laid her head down that night, she realized that she wanted someone to hold her. And for the first time since before she was married, she found that the person who captured her imagination was not Bobby. Though she would always love Bobby, and he would have a place that no one could fill, she knew that tonight, she longed to be held by a blond haired, well-spoken FBI agent.

Sleep did not come quickly, as Tara cried into her pillow for all she had lost. For the guilt she felt for moving on. And for the new love that was blossoming in her heart. Greif, guilt and joy all vying for attention, but she was determined to choose joy.