A/N: Last chapter. Short, sweet, and a little sappier than I intended :)
Ian woke much later than normal. It was already 6:30. His hand stretched out, searching the bed for Hailey only to find it empty. He sat up, momentarily concerned that she had panicked and left. But he relaxed when he heard the shower.
He stood in the doorway watching her, assuring himself that she was still really here. He had no more clarity now than he did last night. Well she hadn't rabbited in the middle of the night, so that's a start. But the ferocity at which she was washing her hair told him that she had a lot on her mind. Well, no better time than this he thought to see where they stood. She had not acknowledged his presence, but as he opened the shower door she reached out behind her and grasped his hand, pulling both of his arms around her and leaned into his chest.
After a very enjoyable shower, Hailey set to the task of wrangling her unruly hair. Ian decided to see if he could make use of the small kitchen, he had made due with worse. He chuckled as Hailey managed to emerge right at the moment the bacon hit the pan, and as she came over to investigate he found himself looking at her smiling face. Knowing exactly what she after he indulged her by giving her a preview bite from the spatula. He almost came undone at the sound of her moan as she snagged her prize. She wound around him to sit on the counter, patiently waiting for him to finish.
They ate their breakfast in silence. So far, no actual words had been spoken by either of them. Hailey spoke first, and steered clear of the elephant in the room. "It was delicious."
"I'm surprised you haven't starved yet." He looked up teasingly.
"Hey, I can cook."
"You burnt macaroni and cheese, from a box, on the stove."
She grinned sheepishly at the memory. "Fine, I'm very adept at ordering take out."
Ian caught her continuous glances up to him. If he was going to get to the LA Field Office on time, he was going to have to be the one to bring it up. Eppes was likely to call out the cavalry if he didn't show up after yesterday, likely assuming he had drunk himself into a stupor somewhere.
"So." Her eyes lit up.
"So," she replied.
"Langley isn't all that far from Quantico."
"Figure that out all on your own?" Ian rolled his eyes. "So" he continued and reached for her hand, pulling her around the table to straddle his lap. "Let's see where this goes hmm?"
She nodded. "I like that idea." His hand brushed her cheek and she leaned into it. "I care about you very much. Don't ever doubt it." She nodded again and brought her mouth down to his. Turning his head he whispered in her ear what he should have said many years ago. "I. Love. You."