Sarah held still as Danny and Kono wired her up to a microphone in her ear and a GPS locater attached to the back of her jeans. She stared down at Steve as he lay sedated after the last seizure. The nurses had rushed in after Danny had run to the hall yelling for help. She cringed, recalling trying to hold his body still as he convulsed. It was even more frightening than the last one and more severe. He was getting worse.
She had to succeed in helping Danny, Chin and Kono get Leese out in the open so they could catch him and get a sample of the drug he'd given Steve. Time was running out, but what she was about to do wasn't a sure thing by any means. Leese could just be playing her, teasing her, and he could very well have no intention of leading her anywhere except on a wild chase around the island just for the fun of it while Steve laid in that bed. Even so, she felt she had no choice but to go. Leaving him was hard, but staying and watching him go through another seizure was even more difficult when the cure was out there somewhere, hiding in the form a cruel man who obviously had nothing to lose.
The door to the room opened and the doctor came in, followed by a nurse and Max from the coroner's office.
Sarah reached her hand out to Max as he gently grasped it. "Please tell me you've found something Max?"
"Not an antidote," he replied in that quick to the point dialogue he had, mixed with a hint of frustration, "but I might have located the origin of the drug to a South American plant that is used by some of the remote tribes in the Rain Forest. They use it to paralyze larger prey with dart guns during a hunt."
The doctor took over from there. "We sent a vial of Steve's blood to a hospital in California. We just don't have the resources here on the islands to run the tests that are necessary for this type of procedure.
"There must be something you can give him," Danny argued. "This is 2014 for Christ's sake, we're not in the stone ages. There has to be some drug out there that can fix this."
Max nodded, understanding his frustration and anger; this was his best friend they were speaking of, not just some random case. "Yes that would seem logical but under the circumstances, some drugs are so obscure that they don't warrant testing because the weight of the slight possibility of an antidote being needed just doesn't justify the cost of researching it. This is what we are dealing with now."
"So there is no antidote is what you're telling us?" Danny questioned.
"Not technically," the doctor replied.
"But there are medications combined together that can work just as well, if we can get our hands on the actual drug," Max explained, "then we can prescribe the correct ones that Steve needs."
Sarah looked at Danny and asked the same question they both were thinking. "But you said you knew where the plant came from, if you do then you should know the drug."
"No," Max corrected her. "I said I know the origin, there are at least seven known species of that plant. All with their own degrees of toxins. If we give Steve the wrong one, it could be fatal. It has to match what is in his system."
Danny sat down in the chair next to the bed. "Shit," he mumbled, "So if Leese doesn't have the actual drug on him, then we're screwed."
"How would he even come across it?" Sarah asked, completely baffled. "I don't understand. Where did he get it from to begin with?"
Danny looked up at them. "The docks. Leese was working at the shipyard. That's how we came in contact with him to begin with. His name popped up on a printout of employees working that night. Steve and I both thought it was odd that he took off running that day his kid was shot. He's involved in something that's involved with that drug, I know it."
Max voiced up his opinion. "Maybe they are transporting animals illegally into the country. They would need something to keep them immobile for the long trip up from South America and then through Hawaii until they got to the mainland. In small doses that might work."
"That's a good theory Max, but that's all it is," Danny said. "We need to find Leese."
"It's a good start," Kono jumped in. "Chin and I were at the shipyard this morning looking around but we didn't really know what we were looking for, hoping something would jump out at us. I'm going to head back down there, now that I have an idea of what to look for."
"If you don't mind Detective," Max volunteered. "I'd like to accompany you. I think I might be of some assistance." He looked over at Steve, "I admire Commander McGarrett very much and I'd like to help out all I can."
"Let's go," Kono motioned. She went up to Steve's bed, touching his arm. "Don't worry boss, we've got your back covered." She then turned to Sarah. "Keep your head, don't let Leese lead you someplace that Danny can't get to. If that little voice in your head says stop, then stop."
Sarah nodded, listening and taking her advice. "I will."
"Chin will have eyes on you too. He's back at the station, uploading current maps of the island that are off the grid."
"I feel safe knowing he and Danny will be close."
Kono pointed at her as they opened the door to leave the room. "Keep it that way."
Sarah watched his chest rise and fall as the machine pumped air into his lungs. The room was quiet except for a quick snort once in a while from Danny as he nodded off every now and then in a chair in the corner. They were waiting for the call from Leese. It was almost midnight and she hadn't slept a wink since the day before.
She was tired too, wanting to crawl up on the bed next to Steve and lie her head on his shoulder like she had become accustom too. Her mind began to drift to the night they walked on the beach when the phone rang, startling her.
Danny was out of the chair and alert in seconds as if he had been jolted by a shot of electricity. "Remember what we talked about," He reminded her of the strategy.
"Ok," she nodded, recalling his three rules. Keep him talking, make him be specific and don't make him mad.
"Good," He pointed at the ringing phone. "Answer it."
She picked it up, "Yes," she said into the receiver.
"How's lover boy? Have the seizures begun yet?" Leese chuckled sinisterly, finding humor in that.
"I hope you realize what you are doing," Sarah said. "If you just turn yourself in, you still might be able to help yourself. Don't make it any worse than it already is."
"It's going to get worse all right, just not for me."
"It doesn't have to be this way."
"Shut up! I know what you're doing and it's not going to work. Now listen carefully because I will only tell you once and if you get it wrong, then lover boy is a dead man."
"Ok," Sarah said agreeably, trying to stay on his good side.
"Go to the Zoo. Across from the entrance to the main gate there is a bench under a banyan tree. Under the bench you'll find a ringing cell phone. You have thirteen minutes. Better hurry, it goes to voice mail after six rings, but there won't be a message."
"But that's far from here. I can't possibly," she went to argue but heard the line click. She looked at Danny as he threw down the earpiece that was hooked into the phone so he could listen in.
"Let's go, let's go!" he rushed, tearing through the door.
She caught one last glimpse of Steve in the bed as she followed Danny out the door. "I love you," she said, hoping it wasn't the last time she saw him.
Danny came to a screeching halt in front of the Zoo as Sarah jumped out of the car, running across the lawn toward the bench under the tree. She could see it from the lights coming from the hotels across the way but the area was deserted. As she neared she could hear the phone ringing, not sure how many she had missed. She slid down to her knees in the grass before it and laid down seeing it strapped to the wood panel below. She pulled it free and flipped the old fashioned receiver up, putting it to her ear. "Hello! I'm here, I'm here!" she said out of breath. "Are you there?"
She heard silence, looking over her shoulder toward Danny in panic as he hung back; frightened they had missed the call.
"Diamond Head Road," the voice relayed the next location. "Makalei Beach Park. Find the picnic table. No car. Get rid of the driver. You have thirteen minutes."
She heard the click and looked down at her watch, knowing the park and also knowing it was a good mile, maybe mile and a half away. She could run an eight-minute mile on a good straight out track, but this had an incline up Diamond Head Road. She glanced over at Danny and didn't wait to explain. She jumped up and took off running.
"Sarah!" he yelled out and started to go after her but she was already around the curve of the Zoo building and in a full sprint. He ran back to the car and jumped in, reaching for the radio. He backed up, whipping the car around and throwing it in drive. "Sarah," he said into the handheld walkie-talkie that had a direct line to the earpiece she was wearing. "I heard Diamond Head Road. Where are you going next?"
She ran across Mansarrat Ave, approaching a different park on the other side that led up to Diamond Head Road, knowing it was the shortest route. "Stay back," she said, hoping he could hear her and the running hadn't jolted the wire. She couldn't stop and check, she had to keep going. She couldn't let Steve down.
Danny drove up Kalakaua Ave, trying to get a visual of her in the park, knowing she had to go that way, but it was too dark. "I'll meet you where Kalakaua and Diamond Head meet. What's your final destination?"
"Stay away," she panted, "He said to get rid of the driver. Go away Danny."
"Sarah!" he yelled. "Goddamnit! I told you not to pull this shit! Where are you?" He slowed down and tried again to get a visual of her. "Sarah!" he growled, "we have to be in this together."
"I got a lock on her location," Chin said into his mic. "She's dead center Kapiolani Park headed toward Diamond Head Road."
Danny sped ahead and waited on the edge of the park for her to appear.
Sarah ignored the chatter between Danny and Chin and kept up the pace, knowing her time was running low. She approached a group of picnic tables when she suddenly felt a sharp blow in her gut, stopping her in her tracks. She went to her knees, grasping her stomach feeling the wind get knocked out of her.
Leese came up behind her and hit her again in the back, knocking her down on the ground.
She got to her hands and knees, feeling disoriented and tried to crawl away but he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head back. "Going somewhere?"
She shrieked from the violent way in which he held her, knowing then she should have listened to Danny. She had done exactly what he and Kono had warned her against. The blade against her throat was cold, as well as the voice that spoke in her ear, "I was wrong. I wish it were him here instead of you. But he loves you, the same as I loved my son. He was all I had."
Sarah felt light-headed from the fear that was shooting through her. She scanned the park for Danny of Chin, cursing herself for letting this happen. "Please, please don't hurt me. I'm…" she shuttered, feeling the knife dig a little deeper, wondering if at any second it would slice her open. "I'm sorry for you, I am. But is this really what your son would want from you?" She gasped as he tightened his grip on her hair.
"I do this for my son."
Sarah's eyes filled with tears, knowing he was going to kill her in order to complete his revenge against Steve. She didn't think about death in the traditional way that she thought she would. The first thing that came to her mind was Steve and the job she had set out to do. She couldn't be helped at the moment scanning the area again only to find herself utterly alone with this madman. Her only regret now that she might never see Steve again. She hoped that she still had communication with Danny and Chin and that her last request would be granted. If she had to die at least she might be able to save him before. "What did you give him?" she cried. "Tell me what you gave him."
"A death sentence," he whispered to her.
She heard a commotion and a sharp pain below her chin, believing he had done it. She fell forward, instinctively clasping her hand over her throat expecting to feel a rush of blood and an agonizing struggle to breathe, but to her astonishment she felt neither. The voices she heard were Danny next to her and Chin through her earpiece. The commotion had been a single gunshot. He had cut her under the chin as he fell to his death.
"Sarah!" Danny yelled, dropping down next to her in a state of panic, thinking the worse had happened and he had been too late. "Sarah!" He practically screamed, rolling her over on her back to get a look at the devastation. Her eyes were wide with shock and fear as he pulled her hand away, only exposing the small cut.
"Da…Danny," she mumbled through the haze that was still the majority of her thinking, seeing him and slowly coming to the realization that she wasn't hurt.
He didn't think he'd ever felt so relieved in his entire life. He bent over her and scooped her up in his arms hugging her. "Oh my god," he said emotionally. "I thought he cut you. I thought he cut you." He held her tightly letting the moment settle in him before he let go. She was not only his friend but like a little sister. He felt the need to protect her just as much as Steve did, but only in a different way. He sat her up as he let go, getting a look at the wound. "Are you ok?" He used the sleeve of his shirt to pat the wound under her chin.
"Yes," she cried, leaning into him.
"Oh God sweetheart," he mumbled, hugging her again. "You scared the hell out of me."
She suddenly pulled away from him. "Where is he? He needs to tell us. He didn't tell me what he gave Steve." She shifted her body and saw Leese lying there, visibly dead. "No!" she cried out, crawling over to him and shaking him. "What did you give him?!" she yelled, tears filling her eyes as the panic set in. She began to search his pockets for the mysterious drug, finding nothing.
"Sarah," Danny tried to get her attention but it was as if she were in a trance. He grabbed her by the arm, forcing her to look at him and let go the frantic combing of Leese's body. "Stop! Look at me!"
"He has to tell us!"
"He's dead!"
Her attention went to him. "Why'd you do it?!" she said angrily. "Why did you shoot him? He didn't tell me what he gave Steve! How are we going to find out now?! How?!"
Danny shook his head, staring at her in amazement. "He was going to kill you Sarah. I had no choice."
"Yes you did! You didn't have to shoot him." She was overcome by the fear of going back to the hospital, knowing she'd failed him.
He grabbed her by both arms, getting her attention. "I shot him to save your life. It was the right thing to do and if Steve was here, he would have done the same thing."
"He's going to die because of me," she cried frantically. "It's all my fault. I didn't listen to you," tears streamed down her face. "I didn't listen and now he's going to die."
"Stop it!" he said sternly, shaking her. "You did nothing wrong. Leese had this whole thing planned out. You did everything you could Sarah." He put his hand on her face. "Steve would be so proud of you."
She fell into him again, sobbing.
He saw the flashlights in the distance making their way to them, knowing it was Chin with their backup. He felt relieved that Sarah was safe, but he couldn't express to her the equaled dread he did over knowing he had killed their only lead and also knowing very well he might have killed Steve in the process, but his only recourse was that he was assured that in Steve's eyes, he had done the right thing.
Sarah walked down the hall toward Steve's room, stopping before the entrance. "I can't," she whimpered to Danny. "I can't go in, not yet." She leaned back against the wall bracing her hands on her knees. "I need a couple of minutes first." She had been mentally trying to prepare herself for the last three hours after leaving the park and going back to the station before returning to the hospital. Danny had taken her straight to the ER to have the wound under her chin looked at closer and then they both took the silent and dreaded ride up the elevator to the sixth floor where Steve was.
"Its ok," he assured her, rubbing her back. "Do you want me stay out here with you?"
She shook her head, just wanting to be alone for a minute with her thoughts. She heard him go inside and stood up, running her hands through her hair. She felt sick to her stomach and bent over again trying to find some relief. The tears came back again as she used the collar of her shirt to wipe her face off. She had to prepare herself for what might come. The pain from that was excruciating. She had already decided that if it did happen she couldn't stay on the island anymore. It would be too hard. Memories of him would be everywhere. She'd move back home to the mainland to be close to her family. She thought of her parents and brothers, wishing they were there with her now. She'd never felt so lonely and afraid.
"Sarah," Danny said to her.
She shook her head telling him she needed more time.
"Sarah come here," he said, standing before her. She was unwavering and he knew what she must be feeling so he took the initiative and put an arm around her waist raising her up and forcing her to go with him.
"Danny please," she hesitated, "I just need a little more time."
"No you don't," he said, tightening the grip around her and practically pulling her to the door.
She thought the worst. He was forcing her because that horrible, gut-wrenching nightmare had arrived. She felt her throat close up and her head swirl, hoping she wouldn't faint when he reached for the door and pushed it open.
Steve was sitting up on the edge of the bed smiling at her. "I heard you had quite the night," he said. "I think I owe you a nice dinner."
Sarah's face succumbed to the relief that flowed through her from not only seeing him sitting up, but the sound of his voice that filled her with so much happiness she thought she might faint again, only this time from pure jubilation.
She stumbled toward him, unable to hold back her tears of joy as he slid off the edge of the bed and held his arms out as she fell into him.
He recalled being in the bed and wanting this so bad it hurt. He held her just as tightly, ignoring the painful after effects of the drug on his muscles. He didn't care, right now he needed this, and to his delightful pleasure she did too. He couldn't help but feel elated over her reaction when she saw him. She loved him. He saw it all over face and it was beautiful.
Neither one noticed the others as they slipped quietly out of the room, leaving them alone. Danny grinned at them as he closed the door.
Steve stroked her hair as she laid her head on his shoulder. "I should be mad as hell for what you pulled tonight, but I can't be." He smiled, kissing her forehead, "I love you too much for what you pulled."
She leaned back looking at him as he wiped her face with the back of his hand. "I thought you were going to die. I don't know how you came to be standing here right now," she kissed him, "but I love you too and I would do it all over again if I had too."
Her selfless act to protect him was overwhelming. He always thought of himself as the one who took care of her, but in this instance she had come to his aid without a hint of regret or care over her own safety, his was first. His eyes roamed her face, seeing her so clearly. "You're some kind of woman Sarah. Unlike anyone I've ever known."
She smiled, blushing slightly over his words. "You do crazy things when you fall madly in love."
He chuckled and nodded, agreeing with her analogy. He hugged her again and then moaned slightly. "I want nothing more than to stand her and hug you all night, but I need to lie down."
She helped him scoot back on the bed as he lay back with his head on the pillow, still holding his hand tightly.
"Did the drug just wear off?" she asked of his miraculous recovery.
"No. It was Max. He and Kono, along with some DEA officers tore the area apart I guess where Leese used to work and came across a shipment that was miss-marked, and the guy working crumbled, spilled his guts. It was something about a veterinary organization on the mainland that was using it instead of anesthesia on animals. It was cheaper or something I guess. They think Leese was getting kick backs for putting a stamp of approval when the shipments came through." He squeezed her hand smiling, "Max worked up the combo of drugs with my doctor. I woke up about half an hour ago. I feel stiff and tired and a little light-headed. My throat hurts from the breathing tube, but other than that it just feels like a bad hangover. They want to keep me here for a couple of days just to be sure I don't have any lingering effects."
"I can't believe it worked so quickly. You were in bad shape. The last time I saw you…" she began and then stopped, not wanting to relive the fear of seeing him go through the seizure. "Let's just say this is much better. Much, much better."
He looked at the clock on the wall that read three forty-five and then back at the weariness in her eyes that was apparent even though a smile was plastered on her face. He scooted over in the bed. "Lie down with me."
She was going to argue that idea because of where they were, but quickly snuffed it out, recalling how earlier she wished she could crawl up on the bed with him and put her head on his shoulder, now she actually could, and she didn't care at the moment where they were only that he was able to request this invitation. She wasn't about to turn it down.
He moved the IV tube in his hand to the side as she slid in next to him. They faced each other feeling content. His hand stroking her back, knowing what she had attempted that night but not knowing the full details just yet of her ordeal and not wanting to question it. Right now he just wanted to enjoy this moment, and was, tremendously. "Close your eyes," he said to her.
The gentle motion of his hand was soothing. She couldn't have been happier at the moment, succumbing to the peacefulness that was just being with him again in this place. She was asleep within minutes.
Sarah came out the backdoor with a plate filled with an oversized turkey sandwich, a pile of chips and a glass of iced tea in her other hand. She took the chair next to Steve, handing him the plate.
"You don't have to cater to me Sarah. I'm feeling better."
"Just be quiet and eat," she ordered, setting the plate down on his lap.
"Thank you." He leaned over, wanting a kiss, which she reciprocated with a smile.
"You're welcome." She lay back in the chair, looking out over the water from his backyard. They had released him from the hospital that morning after being satisfied of his condition, but telling him to still take it easy for a couple more days.
He devoured the sandwich, not realizing just how hungry he was until the first bite. He set the empty plate down on the side of the chair and stretched out. "It's kind of nice knowing I don't have to be anywhere or have anything to do."
She glanced over at him. "Feeling content are you?"
"Very."
"After what you went through, I'm glad you're taking the time to just relax."
He looked over at her as she focused on the view in front of her. He saw her in a different way now. The loyalty she had displayed for him that night was amazing but after hearing what had actually happened from Danny and then the tapes from Chin of the conversation between she and Leese in those final moments blew him away. She had a knife to her throat but still had the determination to seek out his remedy before she might die. It was chilling and surreal to hear it and know that it was Sarah. He had yet to talk to her about it, not wanting to bring up such a morbid conversation when they were both just enjoying the outcome at the moment.
He reached over and flipped the back of her chair so it laid out flat, catching her by surprise. At the same time he rolled off of his and onto hers.
She let out a shriek and then laughed, realizing what he was up to.
He laid out flat on top of her, resting on his elbows and moving one of her legs apart with his knee. "Hi," he said seductively, smiling down at her.
"You are feeling better," she giggled, wrapping her arms and leg around him.
He didn't answer but kissed her instead, moving his hips intimately close to her.
She joined in, missing this time with him; missing this closeness and knowing all too well how quickly life could change. She wanted him right then, not caring if a parade walked by the beach. She wanted him.
Their lips were locked as if this opportunity were the last they might have. The kiss deepened as well as the emotions that took over, turning this lazy afternoon into a sexy free for all. They tore into each other, gaining momentum from the other until he finally broke free.
"Inside," he said breathless, "we should go inside." He barely got the words out before he was back to business of devouring her lips.
She pulled down on him as he pressed into her, feeling she might explode from just the idea of being with him, knowing it probably wasn't going to happen in the middle of his backyard in the middle of the afternoon in full view of a public beach. She decided not to torture herself anymore and pushed back on his chest. "Inside," she panted.
He rose up and pulled her out of the chair and into his arms, kissing her again as he made his way to the house. Once inside the kitchen, he used his foot to kick the backdoor closed and set her up on the table in the middle of the room, pushing the items off on to the floor that she had used to make his lunch.
Sarah laid back and lifted her hips as he pulled down on her shorts, freeing her of the clothing obstacles.
He crawled up on the table between her legs, smiling brightly. "This is a good ole' fashioned solid wood table, let's hope it holds out."
She laughed, pulling him toward her with one hand and doing the same to his shorts that he'd done to hers.
"Oh my God Sarah," he groaned and shuttered, still holding tightly to the edge of the table with one hand and the other wrapped around her waist. He laid his head on her shoulder, mixing his sweat with hers. "You never cease," he paused, catching his breath, "to amaze me."
She whimpered softly and panted with him unable to move from being completely exhausted from their encounter. It was by far the best yet. She looked to her left, and started to giggle, realizing they had actually moved the table almost up against the counter.
He lifted his head, "What?"
"Either the earth moved while we were making love or we moved the earth."
He looked up and smiled at the position they were in now. He grinned back down at her. "Well at least the table held out."
"You weren't supposed to over exert yourself today."
He kissed her. "I think we'll just call this physical therapy."
She stroked his back as he laid back down on her. "I don't think I'll ever be able to sit at this table again and not think of this."
His hand moved slowly up and down the side of her body. He couldn't have been happier at the moment. Their life seemed to be falling right back into place. He was pretty sure she was feeling the same thing, hoping anyway, because she deserved it. He wanted her to be happy and know that he was there for her in every way that she had been for him. She had proven that she would offer the ultimate sacrifice for him. It was surreal to know that someone loved him that much. He rose above her, looking down at the woman who had stolen his heart.
Sarah smiled up at him as he looked at her, gliding her hands down his chest. She waited for him to say something but words never came, only that stellar expression that told her in words what he was thinking. She felt it all the way down to her toes, rising up on her elbow to be closer to him. "I love you too," she whispered.
He kissed her, lying her back down on the table. His emotions were off the chart, never before sensing this freedom that he did with her. It was a high that he never wanted to come down from.
Sarah sat at her work desk bored; staring at a report she had to finish but had no desire. She looked at the clock in the corner of her computer and groaned. The day was dragging on. She glanced up the stairs toward Steve's office, but knew he wasn't there. He and Danny had left early, working a particularly difficult case. It had been what she considered a category eight, in her ratings amongst his time away. It had been almost two days since they'd been able to really see each other and even then it was quick because the lab results had come in and they had to go back to work. She understood, but she still missed him.
She wondered if she would get a few minutes tonight when an email alert popped up on her screen. A smile instantly spread across her face seeing the owner of it. She maneuvered her mouse over the area and opened it up.
'Hey Sexy, Danny and I almost have this case cleaned up. I want to take you out tonight. No sushi or noodle joint. Five star. Pick you up at seven. I miss you. We need to talk about a couple of things. Important things. I'll see you at seven. Steve'
She sat back in her chair, re-reading the email, happy to be seeing him but wondering what it was he needed to talk to her about.
Carol dropped a folder on her desk, commenting on the expression on her face. "You ok?"
She glanced up at her, "What?"
"You look a little bewildered. Do you have some work you need help with?"
"Oh no, thanks though," Sarah smiled. "It's just an email from Steve. Sometimes I have to decipher what he's trying to say, it's like a code. Once a Seal always a Seal," she chuckled, turning the computer so her friend could read it.
Carol scanned over the message and then looked down at her with wide eyes. "Sarah," she said as if surprised she hadn't caught on.
"What?"
Carol squatted down next to her. "How long have you two been seeing each other now?"
"A little over seven months."
She pointed at the screen. "I think he's going to propose to you tonight."
Sarah narrowed her eyes almost laughing. "No he's not! He just wants to have dinner. This case has taken a lot of his time and we haven't been able to see each other as often. That's all."
"I miss you," she quoted him. "We need to talk about a couple of things. Important things!" she emphasized the last two words. "That sounds like he's preparing you without actually saying it."
"Carol…" she went to argue and then re-read the message, wondering if she were right. "It's just…he's never really talked about that. You know. I know he loves me. He tells me, but marriage?"
"Don't tell me you don't want it," she huffed, "Because I know for a fact that you would marry him in a second. You were always in love with him even when you were trying to convince me you weren't. I always knew."
"Of course I would," she blushed slightly. She read the email for a fourth time, considering Carol's theory. She couldn't help but become excited over the possibility. It was true; she would marry him in a second. He hadn't ever commented on marriage but had mentioned to her a couple of times on different occasions that commitment in a relationship was very important to him and he certainly had lived up to that. She never questioned his loyalty or his love for her. She felt the excitement growing over the possibility. "Maybe," she said, glancing up at Carol. "Oh my god, do you really think that's what he's saying?"
She shrugged with a smile. "I don't now, but it looks an awful lot like a proposal to me."
Sarah sat back in her chair, staring at the screen as Carol patted her shoulder and walked away. She let the word 'marriage' sink in but then shook her head. 'Ok, let's not get ahead of ourselves here,' she thought. "Carol's getting you all worked up and it may only be that he wants to talk to me about leaving my stuff at his place. Maybe he's just buttering me up with a nice dinner and in the end it will be because he needs to tell me something not so good.' She wondered then if maybe she had been leaving too many items at his house, but then she smiled, recalling him clearing a spot in the bathroom for her things and finding some of her clothes in his dresser mixed in with his that he'd put away. The marriage idea returned and she couldn't deny the excitement over the prospect of him asking, wondering then how he would do it. Would he get down on one knee, or maybe be in his Navy uniform? She'd seen YouTube videos of that happening. 'Stop it!' she scolded herself again. 'If it happens it happens. If it doesn't then that's ok too.'
She wouldn't let herself get caught up in the turmoil of that scenario, but even before that thought had a chance to settle in she had already decided that the little black dress he loved so much would be the perfect outfit for the evening. She wanted to look her best, just incase. She glanced at her ring finger and couldn't help but think how wonderful her life would be with his ring sitting on it.
She tried to focus back on her report, but knew the day was going to drag on even more in anticipation of that dinner.