"You still a little nervous?" Nick asked Maggie finally as they walked across the bridge together, close to being linked arm-in-arm as they drew closer to their destination. The two had not talked since the parking lot revelations were revealed, which made Nick worry that Maggie was going to do something drastic, just like the time before.

And I can't afford to lose her again. Grissom went after her that time and almost lost his life had Maggie not shot first. She lost her job, her sense of direction and then me. She gained a loser boyfriend who abused her, a friend over here and now, a best friend who was used against her in a crime willingly, just so that she could have her children back. What more can she take?

Damn. I guess it's my turn now. But, at least I'm here with her and not Grissom. He took care of her, in a way, but I think she needs me. Ok, Nick, it's a little selfish and stupid, but I think Maggie still needs me. I think she still loves me, no matter what.

"Me? Nervous? Nah. I'm just tired of being in trouble all the time and bringing danger to everybody I know. You know what I mean." Maggie put her hand on the white railing, dragging it along with her as she walked, interrupting Nick's erratic thoughts. Her fingers caught, several times, on the tears and splits in the white-washed wood, but none sliced her skin.

"You know, sarcasm does not quite fit with your personality still."

"At this point, I don't quite care anymore. My life seems forfeit, anyhow, and I don't want anybody to get into any trouble on my account. Why show my true color when all people are going to do is smear them?"

"Ok, then. What else are you thinking about?"

Maggie stopped mid-step, startled by the question. "You know me too well."

"Your face is sometimes like an open book. At those times, I can read it. Other times, you like to hide and keep it closed. In this case, I see that you miss something."

"My son mostly," Maggie admitted as Nick stopped to face her. "I miss my parents a lot, and sometimes Eddie and Grace. Chris is all right now, he forgave me and we talked it over. And I love his new wife." She paused. "Well…I guess I miss how things used to be, like when we – I mean, the last time I was here. In Vegas. Before all of this came apart." She shrugged her shoulders.

Nick cupped her chin with his large hand. "What else do you miss?"

"Do you really wanna know?"

"Sure, why not? I know everything else about you. Why not know what else you miss?"

"You," came her whisper, which didn't quite surprise Nick, who felt the same way.

"Then why did you leave me like that?" Nick let go her Maggie's chin. "You just packed up with Michael on your back and left me. I'm glad you left a note and I'm glad you called when you were far out of my reach. But, I didn't quite understand. We had problems. We had a lot of problems. I didn't know you were taking it seriously."

"Taking what seriously? Our sudden break-up after yelling at me about the landlord wanting to kick you out and then you wanting me back after I left you?" Maggie crossed her arms. "No, Nick. I admit that it was a bad mistake. It was probably one of my worst ones yet. We broke up after arguing about the baby, money, our relationship and everything else. I guess we were ready, but not quite ready, to be in a complete relationship. And we both miss it."

"As you've pointed out to me many times before, it seems like you want to be back together."

"And I do."

"So do I, believe it or not."

"But, Nick, are we ready for this again? Can we get through our problems and be a couple?"

"I don't know. I'm not quite ready to tell you everything yet. And being a couple is sharing and communicating, which we aren't good about."

"We can try again." Maggie looked into Nick's eyes and uncrossed her arms, letting her stubborn nature flow away, admitting the truth. "I was told you were kidnapped as well, Pancho. You and Warrick battled out who was getting a case, as always, and you got it and you were taken hostage and buried alive. Everybody watched you through a video feed, even your parents. Catherine's father put up random money, but that was blown up, Grissom almost with it and one of the suspects. You were in there for so long that people thought you were going to commit suicide with the gun given to you."

"Who told you all this?" Nick was aghast, incredulous that Maggie knew some of the story and things he could not tell her.

"I heard it here and there, whispers in the lab and some tidbits from Catherine," Maggie rushed out, holding onto Nick as he tried turning away. "Nick, don't be hard on her. She didn't tell me much. She just confirmed what I heard and said it got the team back together. Grissom asked Ecklie for his usual night team back and got it, even though Warrick and Catherine were on another shift."

Nick could only shake his own head.

"Can you tell me anything else?" Maggie whispered, wanting more, but somehow wishing she didn't say that to him.

Nick pushed her away as a reply, almost walking in the opposite direction and leaving her. In the end, though, he remembered his assignment and only left his back to her.

"See? See, Nick? This is what I've been feeling ever since we started arguing the first time around." Maggie crossed her arms again. "You turned your back against me. You thought I was a nagging, stressed-out mother, which I was probably was because of everything going on. But it doesn't mean you turn away from the people you love the most. And I know I am deeply in love with you still, Nick. I just wish you would open up to me again. I miss it. And I really missed you more."

Still, there was silence.

"Nick, please talk to me. I didn't mean to learn about something you were quite ready to tell me yet. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry about everything, especially leaving you. But, what I'm never going to be sorry about is falling in love with you, because I can't stop it, even when I was with Eric. I still loved you then and I love you now."

After a moment, Nick turned back to her, his arms crossed as well. "You mean it, Maggie?"

"Of course I do." Maggie walked over to Nick and put her arms around him, grateful that he returned the favor lovingly. "Now, stop giving me a pouty attitude and come with me. We need to see what's going on, to see if everything is true and the evidence speaks it."

"I don't pout. You know that."

"You do so, Nick. And it looks good to see you act out again."

"I don't 'act out'. Catherine calls it 'emotional' and I think she's right."

"You call it what you want, but we still need to –"

"Hey, are you two lovebirds done arguing yet?" Brass had walked up behind them, carrying a flashlight. "You're supposed to be over the bridge and meeting up with the Tanners. Can't your little talk wait a while?"

"I guess so…" Maggie looked to Nick. "What do you think?"

Nick kissed her on the forehead, separating himself from Maggie before anybody else saw them. "Brass is right. We need to get over the bridge."

"Just say it to her, Nick. I know you want to." Merriment shone in the Detective's eyes.

"What? Do we need witnesses or something?"

"I think he's overheard everything," Maggie interjected.

"Hey, you're not a part of this conversation," Brass laughed.

"But, I'm also here and you can deal with it or get punched for talking over my head like that. Besides, our relationship is none of anybody's business."

"If you're working together, it can be, according to Ecklie."

"Ok, ok, I get it." Nick laughed as well as he grabbed Maggie and put her back into his arms. "Come back to me, Maggie?"

"I think we'll talk about it later, after the case," Maggie replied stiffly, becoming nervous, as if invisible eyes – other than Brass – were watching her.

"Just get on with it," Brass growled, waving the couple ahead, motioning for them to separate. "We're all waiting for you to get there. And I think Quentin Tanner doesn't like people being late."

"Sure," Nick said, letting go of Maggie once more. "Let's go."

As Brass watched the two separate and then continue to walk across the bridge, he noticed that, as the two reached the island's shores and walked to the meeting point, Nick took Maggie's hand and gripped it tightly, his gun perched noticeably on his belt.

I know that a lot of things went on in the last two chapters. Just to let you know, because I posted two chapters today, make sure you read the previous one, about the new evidence in the case. Some people do miss it in the email alerts! So, you can ooh and ahh all you want, because this chapter is a nice romantic one. Oh, and you can review too...please?