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"No right?" I ask incredulously,up to slap his chest I start to push hiive a shake "I have no right to doubt you and your feelings? YoutheI had to give, but couldn't even recognize as standing right in front of him"

"You have no right," he says as his hands drop to circle aroundives above all else Even when you thought I had received those ht I had just cut you off without a backward glance, you forgave ain I refuse to believe you won't do it a third time You still love me, Vale I know you do And I love you So much it physically hurts when I think that Iyou not to close that door again To give us another chance"

Tears pool inthat would ordinarily embarrass me, but I blink without hesitation and let them break free They make warm trails down my cheek that immediately chill in the air "I'm scared," I say in a small voice "I laid ive it back, you can't begin to iine how badly that hurt"

"You're wrong," Hawke says as his ar ainst his chest "I do kno it feels I' youyou toldso sharply, it feels just like yesterday So I knowI kno bad it feels, but I'o away for good"

"How?" I ask, still wanting to rebel against this notion because it's so terrifying, but findinginto his embrace "Hoe have the power?"

"Do you really lovemy back

I nod into his chest "Yes"

"Do you believe I love you? Do you accept it?"

"I don't--"

He doesn't let hts He pulls back, frames my face with his hands His thumbs dry the tears froentle kiss across h, and when I open the at me intently

"Vale," he says with quiet resolve "I've always loved you Even when I thought I hated you, I always loved you It's w

hy I was never in another relationship It's why I couldn't leave you alone when you caive a naer, but you have to know, thinking back over the last fewwe've shared, and talked about, every time we've made love, or just held each other Every joke and s silence between us You have to knowyou have to admit, that was my love for you Think about it Search deep Tell me you know it"

Tell me you know it, he pleads desperately

And I realizeI do know it

I kneith utter clarity that night by the airport where he broughtmiracle, and when he made love to me wrapped in cool November air

I felt it It wasn't in anything he said He didn't give ement I justfelt it It's why I was so compelled to tell his for each other, sohurt I put myself out there, and yes, he did hurt ht then, still too burdened doith the auity of our stupid past, but definitelyI knew it just as sure as I know the air I breathe is a necessity

"You loved me," I say in revelation "You just wouldn't believe it yourself"

"Yes," he groans in relief "I was scared"

"Hurt," I add

"Stupid," he says with a smile and I smile back

"A little slow on the uptake," I offer kindly instead

He laughs, bends to kiss ht up now"

My hands come up, clasp onto his wrists I stare into the blue depths of his eyes, filled with love, happiness, and the relief that coht in my world

"So where do we go from here?" I ask him

"Anywhere ant to," he tells me, and this I believe as well

Epilogue

Hawke

Brian Brannon's house is a ood, because you need a place built like a palace to hold all the anization for a Christmas party It's his traditional party held every year on Christ as the Cold Fury isn't out of town on a road trip This year, we're here and ready to celebrate the holiday as teammates and friends