I was pleasantly surprised at how much time I had to write today!

Now, this will be the last chapter. Sorry, but I can't keep writing a story so far after the climax. I promise that I will start a new one though! :) I might do an epilogue for this, so this isn't the very last of the story. (I hate to be left with a cliffy ending even though it's fun to write)

"Good morning, luv." Nigel said softly. Kate yawned, then replaced her hand on his chest.

"Hey." She said with a smile.

"Sleep well?" Asked Nigel, a little playfully. She answered by lifting her head from his shoulder and planting a kiss on his cheek.

"I might have if I had gotten more of it." She said wryly. Nigel laughed a little and pulled her in for another kiss. It was a perfect moment, and probably wouldn't have stopped if Kate's phone hadn't rung. They pulled apart and sighed a little. Kate reached over to the little table by the bed and grabbed her phone. Caller ID revealed the only person who would call her at 7 am.

"Hey, Erica." She tried to sound a little perky, but wasn't doing a very good job.

"Where are you?!" Busted.

"Uh..." She gave Nigel an awkward look, which he returned. He knew who it was.

"When were you planning on telling me you were staying out the whole night?! I woke up and your car was still gone!" Kate decided to try to end the conversation and continue it later.

"Ok, I'm coming back now. I'll see you in a few." She hung up. Of course Nigel had to voice his opinion.

"Why is fun time always over too soon?"

Kate laughed.

XXX

She turned her key and opened the door. Poking her head in first, she snuck in like a little kid trying to escape a parent. As she made her way through the living room, Binky ran up to her, wagging as hard as his little tail could go. Kate gave him a don't-you-dare look. Binky ignored it and started barking.

"Binky! No!"

"KATE!" Kate sighed as Erica bulled her way down the hall, but was confused when she saw the tiniest smile flash on her face.

"Erica, I'm fine! I... was over at Nigel's."

Erica stopped in front of her. Her gaze was harsh, but, for some reason, melted into an I-knew-it smile.

"I know."

"What?"

"Where else would you be?"

"Well... I... um... it was really that obvious?"

"Duh. I saw it coming miles away."

"Then why were you so mad earlier?"

"I said I saw it coming, not that I approved of it."

"You increasingly confuse me."

"I know that too."

XXX

2 months later.

Kate walked sternly down the hall in her usual manner.

"Nigel, I need that tox screen before I go gray!"

Nigel was in Trace, and could've come up with a million snappy comebacks, but decided it safest to refrain. He poked his head out the door and handed her the results as she walked on by. She was on her way to Autopsy 1, and passed by the break room. But she didn't hear the news report showing on the TV...

"...alright, thanks Matt. For our next story, tragedy struck for Marine troops in Iraq early yesterday morning. After a bomb explosion, 9 men were killed and 13 wounded. Those who witnessed the ordeal have been sent home, and should've arrived about..."

Kate started her autopsy on a man with lung cancer. I'm glad I don't smoke. She thought. Right before commencing on the more complicated parts, Emmy walked in.

"Kate, there's someone here to see you in the lobby."

Kate looked up tiredly.

"Do you know who it is?"

Emmy just shook her head.

"Fine." Kate stripped off her gloves and robe and started down the hall again. Nigel and Lily met up with her half way there.

"Hey, Kate? The Hebert family is going to be here in a few hours. Do you have a cause of death?"

"No, I haven't been able to start yet. Apparently someone decided to pay me a visit." She made an annoyed face.

"Who, luv?"

"I don't know."

They got to the big doors and pushed them open. With Nigel and Lily waiting by the doors, Kate walked farther into the room and looked around.

"Kate?"

Kate's mind whirled. She knew that deep voice. Spinning around, she saw a tall, blonde haired man got up from his seat. His dark suit with bright gold buttons and white belt were perfectly aligned, and his white hat was in his hand.

Kate felt like she was going to faint, but could feel her feet moving beneath her. She yelled the name she had been wanting to yell for what seemed like forever.

"BEN!"

They ran toward each other, and when they met she threw her arms around his neck and he swung her around in circles. They were together again. When he put her back down, she still held on for dear life.

"Hey, sis." He said softly. She looked up at him, with something in her eyes that only he and Erica had ever seen before.

"I'm never letting you go again." She whispered. He stared at her, knowing that she meant it.

"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

It was then, and only then, that Kate let her tears fall.