Jackson and Greta are my original characters, but I still don't own CSI.
Last chapter! I may write more Wendy and Hodges stories in the future! And thank you again for the reviews!
Wendy looked up from the file she was reading and saw her sister chatting with Hodges. She froze, slightly embarrassed that her sister was intervening in the relationship.
Hodges looked at the woman he loved. He realized Marybeth was right - now was his chance. He took a deep breath and stood, never taking his eyes off Wendy.
Sighing softly, Wendy closed the file and rolled her eyes. "Okay, Marybeth, I cannot believe you came here and you two..."
Hodges walked to Wendy and put his arms around her. Before she could say anything else, Hodges kissed her passionately. For a few moments, there was no one else in the lab.
When they pulled apart for air, both were breathless and every doubt they had floated away.
As Wendy blinked her eyes and tried to find words, for once Hodges knew what to say.
"I have wished every day that I had gone after you or begged you to stay," he said. "I wish I hadn't waited even this long to tell you I'm glad you're back. But more than anything, I know I have something with you that I've never had with anyone. And I don't want to lose that. I know we've got a lot to make up for, but I am never letting you go again. I've been in love with you from day one, and I can't lose you again."
Wendy blinked and looked dreamily at Hodges. When she finally found her voice, all she could say was, "Huh?"
Hodges relaxed and smiled softly. "I had something amazing, and I never should have let you go."
Wendy smiled, then narrowed her eyebrows. "You thought about me even when you had a gorgeous Italian fiancé?"
"Yes!" Hodges said. "I thought I'd lost you forever. And no one else could even come close to you."
"Really?" Wendy asked. "Because I went out a few times, but something was missing. And when this CSI job came up, I wondered if I was too late."
"So did I," Hodges said. "But we're not too late."
Wendy felt like her heart was doing somersaults. She looked into Hodges' eyes and both felt nervous and relieved.
"You sure?" Wendy squeaked. Hodges sighed quietly. "I mean, it's been what, five years?" Wendy asked. "I mean, yes a lot has happened. But I know I've never stopped thinking about you."
Now Hodges felt almost giddy. "Whatever happens, as long as I'm with you, I can do anything."
Wendy smiled and gazed at the man she thought she'd given up forever.
In the silence, they didn't see practically the entire lab had gathered in the lobby and was watching. Everyone smiled as they watched the two reconnecting.
Judy brought Jackson and Greta to see Morgan and Greg just as everyone gathered around the oblivious couple. Jackson stared at Hodges and Wendy. After a few moments, he said, "Uncle Hodges, are you okay?"
Hodges and Wendy startled slightly and looked into each other's eyes. "I've never been better," Hodges said.
"Me too," Wendy said.
Everyone smiled. Jackson tugged on Greg's shirt. "Daddy, they're gonna kiss again?"
Wendy, Hodges and everyone laughed. "I think so," Marybeth said with a smile.
"Well..." Hodges and Wendy said at the same time. They leaned into a kiss, ignoring the cheers of their friends and coworkers. Jackson simply covered his eyes with his hands and said, "Ew!"
When they pulled away, the love in their eyes shone. Both laughed at their friends cheering for them. "All right," Wendy playfully said. "Back to work!"
Their coworkers groaned and went back to their tasks. Wendy smiled and laid her head on Hodges' chest. Hodges wrapped his arms around Wendy, determined not to let her go.
Jackson rushed up to the couple before Greg and Morgan could stop him. "Uncle Hodges, are you gonna show Wendy cool science stuff in the lab, like we did the other day?"
Hodges smiled at the little boy. "Yeah. But Wendy might know some cool science stuff, too." Wendy shook her head and smiled.
"Cool!" Jackson said. "But don't let 'em conk you on the head." Hodges smiled, remembering how they were experimenting with bicarbonate bombs when Wendy first came back.
Jackson smiled at Wendy. "I like that you're gonna work with Uncle Hodges and my mama and daddy and everybody."
"Aw, me too," Wendy said, smiling at the sweet boy.
"Uncle Hodges, aren't you happy?" Jackson innocently asked.
Staring into Wendy's beautiful face, Hodges smiled and said, " Yes, I am. "
"Me too," Wendy said.
The moment ended when both Hodges' and Wendy's cell phones chimed.
"Guess we'd better get to work," Wendy said.
"Yeah," Hodges replied.
Both agreed to meet at the end of their shifts. Wendy hugged her sister and Marybeth said goodbye to everyone.
As Jackson, Greg, Morgan and Greta went to Greg's office for lunch, Jackson spotted Wendy watching Hodges in the Trace Lab. He tugged at Wendy's jacket. "Aunt Wendy, I'm glad you're here."
Wendy smiled at the smiling boy, then looked back at Hodges. The former lab tech looked up and smiled warmly. "So am I," Wendy said, feeling truly happy.
The End