Chapter 23: Storybook ending?

With a screech, the maids ran out of the room eager to communicate to the King and Queen what had happened in the bridal chamber.

The curse had been broken and the rightful heir of the throne finally could - in his human form - take his position as Prince and enjoy his beautiful bride with whom he promptly fell in love.

But all that only happened because she was brave enough to dare him to shed his skins before her. And she beat the crap out of him too.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

I was looking nervously at my watch every five minutes, eager to be on my way. My nervousness was noticed by Tony and Ziva, who grinned and shook their heads, mercifully keeping quiet about my obvious agitation. Punctually at noon, I jumped from my seat and got my gun, badge and wallet from the drawer, before looking at Gibbs.

"Boss, I have to..."

"Go."

I smiled and left, just to stop when Gibbs said without lifting his eyes from his screen.

"Say hi to Laura for me."

I couldn't help the grin on my face and left in a hurry towards the parking lot, took the Porsche and sped down to the Hoover Building. Finding a parking space was difficult, but I did with some minutes to spare. After locking the car, I ran to the steps leading to the main entrance to the Hoover and checked my watch again.

On the exact strike of the clock, a small petite brunette came out of the building, her hands swinging beside her body. There was a skip to her step that wasn't there before, as if she was lighter. She froze when she saw me a few steps down. She hesitated before smiling a little, finally climbing down the steps towards me.

"Hi stranger."

"Hi." I saluted her, my hands still stuck on my jacket pockets trying to fight the desire of grabbing her right at lunch time in front of several coming and going agents. I studied her face but all I found was serenity in her eyes, none of the eager desperation I had commonly associated with the Laura I had first met.

"So?" I asked, curious about the results of the disciplinary meeting.

"I'm free now."

"They've fired you."

She nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on my face.

"No regrets?"

"Nope."

She smiled, showing her dimples to me, her tiny freckled nose crunching a little.

"Apparently, I have been offered a position in NCIS. A civilian position as resident psychiatrist. I've got a recommendation from the Director himself."

"Good. Really good." I rolled on the balls of my feet, unsure of what to do next. My stomach complained that it needed to be fed, so..."Wanna have lunch?"

"I could eat something."

I threw my arm lazily over her shoulder and we slowly started walking towards the deli shops down the street.

"Timothy."

"Yeah."

"I'm civilian now."

"I know."

She stopped and looked up at my face and for the first time since I had met her, I could see a quiet contentment in her eyes.

"Now I can do this." She lifted one arm and slid it up my neck, bringing my head down so she could capture my lips in a sweet kiss. When we separated, I just smiled softly at her, squeezed her waist gently and urged her to continue walking, crossing the street towards the restaurant.