Title: Serpent's Kiss
Chapter 10 – After the Storm…

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked Sheldon as he watched her having her arm finally cleaned and stitched up once the piece of wood and its splinters were fully removed.

"Nothing a week in the Bahamas wouldn't fix," she said with a tired smile.

"Now I'm all for that," Caleb said firmly.

"Are you okay? I mean with Riley being Rinaldi's informant and all? Have to confront and ultimately kill him?" She asked with a slight wince as the doctor finished the last stitch in her upper arm and pulled it tight to close.

"For the most part," Caleb said with a deep frown. "It's hard to think back to the worry I was feeling when he was first taken by Rinaldi's man and I thought he was dead but he was the man in black…taunting me and…and I'm still trying to downplay in my mind how he could have done that to Smith. Or even had a part in it."

"I know," Sheldon said giving the doctor a quick thanks and then heading out of the ER with Caleb. They walked up to Chloe and both she and Sheldon exchanged warm hugs. "Mom are you okay?" Sheldon asked in concern, noticing the bruises her mom had on her face and now bandaged arm.

"Nothing a week in the Bahamas wouldn't fix," she smiled.

"Runs in the family," Caleb said dryly. "Nickel getting fixed up?"

"Broke a few of his ribs," Chloe sighed looking at Sheldon in concern. "Are you okay?"

"I am now that Rinaldi is dead," she commented without hesitation. "That's one piece of scum the earth doesn't need and won't mourn."

"Neither will any of us," Nickel said walking up to them.

"Are you supposed to be up already?" Chloe asked giving him a warm hug.

"No," the doctor said hurrying after him. "I told him he needed to stay overnight for treatment," he said shoving the pills and prescription into Nickel's hand. "But what do I know…I'm only a doctor…" he said turning to leave. "And here comes his other partner in crime. Just because you have high stations in the government doesn't mean you can neglect your health!" He said angrily to Milton as Milton limped past him, supporting himself on one side by a cane.

"What's that all about?" Milton piped up as he neared the group.

"Aren't you supposed to be here overnight?" Nickel asked his battered friend.

"Aren't you?" Milton countered.

"See what I have to put up with?" Chloe sighed, making Sheldon and Caleb laugh as another doctor walked up to them.

"Garth Bensen is going to be just fine. He will have to stay here for a few days to make sure the surgery doesn't get torn and the other…" he said checking his chart. "Rawlings…yes he to will be fine. Was touch and go and we almost lost him once on the operating table but I think he's going to make it," the older doctor smiled.

"Can we see him?"  Nickel asked softly. And as if on cue Rawlings wife and children rushed up to the crowd.

"Director Washington?" She asked with teary eyes.

"He's going to be fine Miranda," Nickel smiled to Miranda Rawlings.

"Can I see him?" She asked the doctor. "I'm his wife."

"You are? But…" he said looking back at the ICU room he just left. "But I thought his wife was already with him?"

"What?" Nickel asked quickly. "There is a woman with him?"

"Came in with him. Paramedics say she probably saved his life. Hasn't left his side…she said…she said she'd be safe by his side," the doctor said with a frown.

"Can't be," Sheldon started.

"Why not? There are the only one that wasn't killed…" Caleb agreed.

"And we never knew if it was a man or woman," Milton added.

"The insider?" Nickel asked with a frown. "We need to see her," Nickel said firmly.

"Room 3E. Just make sure that only his wife stays the longest but when my nurse comes you'll all have to leave. He does need his rest," the doctor directed.

The group walked with some hesitancy and some expectation towards room 3E. The insider…was a woman? But who? Sara was the only one that they knew was a major player in the Rinaldi organization and that suspicion was only confirmed just recently. They rounded the corner and peered into Agent Rawlings room to see an older, but very distinguished and very recognizable woman sitting beside Rawlings bed.

"I knew you'd come," she said slowly standing up. "He said if I stayed with him I'd be safe and you'd find me here," she said walking up to them.

"Sofia Rinaldi," Nickel said warmly. "You are safe. This country and this man owes you a very large debt of gratitude," Nickel said in a warm tone.

"Is…is Marco dead?" She asked softly.

"He is…sorry," Nickel offered.

"I'm only half sorry," she said with watery eyes. "Are you Mrs. Rawlings?" She asked Miranda.

"I am," Miranda replied.

"Your husband is a good man. I couldn't let him die," Sofia said taking her hand. "This country needs more good men like that."

"Thank you," Miranda said with teary eyes. "You saved his life. I can never repay you."

"Just make sure all this information gets to the right sources," she said handing Nickel a key and piece of paper. "At the club you'll find everything."

"You took a great risk," Sheldon piped up.

"I had much to risk," she said as they all finally left Rawlings room and let his family finally see and say hi to him. The others walked slowly into the hallway to finish their discussion.

"How long have you been working against your husband?" Milton questioned.

"There were others before Smith. Other Agent's from other parts of the world – mostly the ones you never heard about. He would kidnap them, torture them and try to brainwash them. If they wouldn't turn the snake bite would finish them off. Agent Smith was the breaking point. When he was finally discovered as an Agent and captured I knew that I just couldn't let his family be punished like that. So I started to help him when he arrived but I have been working with you or various parts of your organization for many years before that. I just didn't have the courage to leave until Smith and then Rawlings assured me Marco was going down. I'm not sorry for that," she said firmly. "He was an evil man."

"We can finish this in the morning," Nickel said looking at the tired woman before him. "Can we take you to a safe house?"

"I'll take care of it," Milton said quickly. "Go and get some rest."

"See you in the morning," Nickel said giving his friend a quick hug. "And thanks for having my back on this one."

"Don't I always?" Milton chuckled as he led Sofia Rinaldi out to a waiting Crown Victoria.

"Well I think it's time we got going," Nickel said to his family.

"For some reason I'm always left out," Mac said walking up to them.

"Let me guess you're not staying here either?"

"When have I ever listened to orders Nick?" Mac said giving him a firm hug. "And you know whenever you want to volunteer Chloe to be my partner I'm all game."

"Yeah right," Nickel said putting his arm around his wife in a protective manner.  "But thanks…I know you always have my back."

"Always," Mac said with a wink. "Well I'm due at the spa."

"Spa?" Caleb asked with a frown. "You go to a spa? For what?"

"For anything I want," Mac said with a broad grin, making Nickel roll his eyes. "Want to join me?"

Caleb looked at Sheldon and then back at Mac. "Maybe in another life," he said making them all laugh.

"Briefing meeting day after tomorrow," Nickel said as Mac turned to leave.

"You want me there? Nick I haven't walked through those doors in…"

"In a long time my friend. Don’t you think it's time you did?"

"You're not offering me a job are you?" Mac asked with a frown.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Nickel smiled. "Just come and share a few stories with the guys."

"That's it?"

"That's it," Nickel promised.

"See you in the office," Mac said with a smile as he turned to leave. "Maybe…" his voice trailed off.

"And speaking of the office," Sheldon said slipping her uninjured arm around Caleb's waist. "We won't be in until the day after the day after tomorrow."

"Why did I know you'd say that," Nickel sighed as he and Chloe slowly walked out of the hospital after Sheldon and Caleb.

--------------------

"So what is the deal with you and Mac?" Chloe asked in wonder.

"What deal? We're old friends. He's helped me out from time to time. Nothing major," Nickel said trying to avoid the subject of Mac's past attraction to Chloe. But he knew she sensed it, especially with his display in the hospital waiting area.

"Are you jealous because I helped Mac? It was your idea remember?"

"Me? Jealous of Maxwell Jacobson?" Nickel retorted. "My dear that is…"

"Bang on right?" She teased.

"What?" Nickel asked in slight embarrassment. "Look just because you spent time alone with…"

"I know you know. That he used to have a thing for me," she said with a coy smile.

"A thing. Really? What kind of thing did he have for you?" Nickel teased.

"Oh funny."

"Why do you ask anyways? Something I should know about?" Nickel asked with a hint of worry in his voice.

"Just wondering…you seemed kinda protective around him at the hospital and I thought it was sweet…in a high school kinda way," she ended with a slight laugh.

"High school?" Nickel smiled. "Like he's hitting on my girl and I should take him out back and kick his ass?"

"Something like that?"

"I see. For one thing…" Nickel said pulling their Lincoln into the garage of their large mansion. "He's slightly bigger than I am. Although I'm faster he's just…"

"Not whom I fell in love with," Chloe said seriously as the car came to a stop and they were alone in the quiet garage.

"That is what I am thankful for every day," he said turning to his beautiful wife. "You know when I came up the hill and saw the car shot up and Mac nowhere in sight I...Chloe I feared the worst," he said with a slight frown. "But Mac told me on the way over to the hospital what you did. That you helped save his life."

"It was needed," she responded in a soft tone. "I wish I could have been there to help you," she said letting a finger trail down his shirt. "Too bad those ribs took a real beating," she said looking up at him with a shy smile.

"They did," Nickel responded. "But the rest of me didn't," he responded playfully. "Besides I don’t mind being on top for a change."

Chloe looked at him in surprise and then just leaned in and kissed her beloved husband. They made it into the house much later.

-------------------

"Are you going to be okay?" Milton asked Sofia Rinaldi as he dropped her at the safe house and prepared to leave.

"I will be," the attractive older Italian woman said firmly. "You know it's not that late and…and well I still know how to make a good cup of coffee…that is if you're not rushing home to anyone."

"Just some unpaid bills," Milton quipped. "And I'd love some coffee."

"Please Director Bak…"

"Milton," he said in a gentle tone. "No need for formalities at this hour."

"Milton," she said with a sophisticated smile. "Please come in."

"Oh the boys are gonna love this," he sighed as he headed back inside the safe house after giving another brief nod to the guard inside the front door. "Nick's gonna kill me."

-------------------

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked Sheldon as he came and stood behind her, both now facing outside into the dark New York night.

"I will be…in a few days. Still can't believe how many on the inside were involved," she said with a heavy sigh, letting herself fall backwards deeper into Caleb's embrace.

"I know…Riley…Smith…Rinaldi…you," Caleb said hugging her. "Sheldon when you were gone…those hours…they were pure hell. I…I kept seeing Smith's battered body replaced by yours and…and then when I found you…the way you were…how you looked…god Sheldon I kept wondering what he did…" Caleb's voice trailed off in a weak tormented tone.

Sheldon twisted herself around in his arms and let out a sigh as her head rested on his strong chest. She listened to his rapidly beating heart and closed her eyes. "He didn't hurt anything that won't heal," she whispered, almost by rote.

"I've heard that before…Sheldon I know you," Caleb said in a soft but firm tone. "What happened?"

"He…" she said as her eyes instantly watered. "Oh Caleb…he did hurt me," she said with a slight sob. "The things he said…how he touched me…" she said making him wince both inwardly and outwardly. "His hands…I still feel them…his words…I still hear them…the laughter…the commands…he wanted me to kill you," she said as some tears ran down her face and pooled on his forearm. "Caleb I couldn't have lived with myself if I had killed you."

"It would never have come to that," he said trying to reassure her everything was okay. "Sheldon he can't hurt you anymore."

"I know," she said wiping her tears away. "I was so afraid…I can't imagine what the others thought…the ones with families…never seeing their children grow up…never knowing it was one of their own betraying them…never…" she said starting to lightly cry.

"Shhh it's okay," Caleb said holding her close. "It's been a long day for both of us. I know you're tired and as much as I want you right now I think I'll draw you a hot bath and we'll get some sleep."

"Sounds great," she said looking up at him with a soft smile. "But only if you join me."

"What?" Caleb asked with a slight frown and a growing smile. "But if I join you then…"

"I'm not that tired," she teased. "Okay I am but not too tired for that."

"You're on," Caleb said taking her hand and leading her to the bathroom. He started to run the water, letting the steam fill the room, warming both their bodies as they slowly undressed.

Sheldon made a reflex move to cover her still visible bruises but Caleb gently pulled her hands free. "You are beautiful no matter what."

"I just wish these ugly marks would go away already," she sighed. "They are terrible reminders of what…"

"I know," Caleb said pulling her close, their naked bodies firmly pressed up against each other. Caleb was mindful of Sheldon's stitched and wrapped arm as he pulled her flesh to his and started to gently kiss her. "I love you Sheldon…more than you'll ever know."

Sheldon smiled under his compliment and whispered the same back into his ear, kissing and tenderly nibbling on the sensitive parts of his ears and down his neck. A few minutes later the Jacuzzi style tub was full with warm soapy water and then finally two bodies totally immersed.

"Now this was worth is," Sheldon said laying on top of Caleb's body in the warm water.

"Oh you ain't seen nothing yet," Caleb teased as he moved himself into position. "Let me show you what I mean." Sleep would have to wait.

--------------------

"I wonder what Rinaldi's wife must have been thinking all those years," Chloe said softly as she lay in Nickel's arms much later that night. "I mean she was brave to say the least but she must have been scared as well."

"Probably why it took her so long to come forward...at least to anonymously identify herself as being on our side," Nickel said with a frown. "I mean I would be afraid to cross Rinaldi and I was never married to him - thankfully."

"Will she be okay? I mean being around such a lifestyle for so long would tend to leave it's mark on someone. Wouldn't it?"

"You'd think," Nickel said looking at her with a faint smile. "But I guess she knows if she ever tries to come up against us we'll have all the information she gave us and that would at least implicate her in a few of his dealings."

"What if she changed industries altogether?"

"My dear you do have a suspicious mind," Nickel teased.

"Well I did acquire some of your 'good' habits by being married to you for this long," she teased.

"Oh you'll pay for that," he said rolling himself on top of her, making her laugh.

--------------------

"So what do you plan to do now?" Milton asked Sofia as they sipped their coffee's in the small kitchen of the safe house.

"Move on I guess," she confessed with a sigh. "I have no other skills except watching how a business was done. I know Marco had a few clothing lines that, although the money went to pay for some of his dealings, were legitimate businesses and I might try making a go with them."

"Do you have enough to fall back on?" Milton asked already knowing the answer.

"Do you know Milton or are you wanting me to confirm what you think you know?" She lightly teased.

"I think I know but I guess I want to hear you say it," he said with a slight shrug. "Will you be okay?"

"With the Director of the FBI as my personal bodyguard, how could I not?" She replied with an enigmatic smile.

"You took the words out of my mouth," Milton smiled. He looked at his watch and then at her with a slight frown. "I should be going," he said standing up.

"Are you sure you want to?" She asked, hinting at an invitation.

"No. But my men need to know that..." he said as his voice trailed off in a hushed whisper as she walked up to him.

"I understand. Appearances are everything," she said softly.

"Another time perhaps," he said leaning in and giving her a slight kiss on the cheek.

"I'll take you up on that," she said as he turned to leave.

"I hope you do," he smiled back before turning and leaving the room, inwardly cursing himself for walking away. Yet he knew inside she was the key material witness and insider to the largest mob take down in years. It would be bad form, he mused as Paul would put it. Better wait until the heat dies down. And he knew it would...patience would be in order now.

"Night boys," he said to the police guards inside the door as he made his discreet exit.

Sofia watched from the upstairs window as the Director got into his unmarked car and drove away. "There will be another time Milton," she whispered as the curtains closed her from view. And inside she knew there would be.

--------------------

"Are you asleep?" Caleb asked Sheldon as he lay beside her that night.

"No," she said turning over to face him.  "Can't seem to sleep well these days," she said with a weak smile. "Got any remedies?"

"Maybe a few," he smiled. "I can make you something warm to drink if you'd like."

"I'd like that," she whispered softly.

"Be right back," he said kissing her before exiting the bed.

Sheldon watched him go with a smile that quickly faded as soon as he left the room. I can't get that madman out of my head, she whispered inside her mind. Will I ever be free?

'You'll never be free of me…' her captor tormented. 'I'll always be with you…in your head…you'll always hear my voice…'

"No," Sheldon said as her eyes started to water.

'Always in your head…'

"No," Sheldon said wiping angry tears away. "NO!" She yelled in frustration, bringing Caleb back to her in a hurry. "I'm okay," she said quickly. "Just telling my demons to leave me the hell alone."

"They will in time," Caleb said holing her hand. "Don’t forget you only confronted both Rinaldi and Riley today. You have to give those nightmares time to fade," he said softly.

"What if they don’t?" Sheldon moaned as she lay back down on the pillow. "What if I am haunted forever?"

"I'll never let that happen," Caleb assured her. "Come on and help me," he said holding out his hand for her to take.

Sheldon and Caleb walked slowly to the kitchen and Sheldon slumped herself down onto a chair and watched Caleb in silence as he prepared something to help her sleep.

"I wonder what drove someone like Riley to want to join someone like Rinaldi in the first place? You worked with him, did he seem…well like a traitor?" Sheldon asked softly.

"Not at first," Caleb said with a slight frown. "But Riley was always lured by money. Sometimes when we were riding together…the things he'd say and mention…well sometimes I guess it seemed that money and the acquiring of wealth and station was all that mattered. And other times he'd be hard core loyal. He was hard to read. He admitted during the fight that he was surprised the Directors were alive but I countered with the fact that he hid his death so why couldn’t they?"

"Did he kill Smith?"

"He helped," Caleb said with a sigh. "I think it was the snake bite that did it ultimately but inside I know it was Riley. Just like that night I knew something was wrong when his body didn’t show up after I was told he was dead. Still sad that he chose that way. I mean he must have known it wouldn't last forever."

"I think sometimes these guys do think it lasts forever," Sheldon said with a slight yawn. "I mean why else would they chose a life they know will ultimately end in bloodshed – usually theirs? They must believe they are untouchable."

"Yeah Al Capone thought that," Caleb smiled. "And look what happened to him."

"Taken down by the IRA," Sheldon teased.

"You mean IRS," Caleb sighed.

"I know," she lightly laughed. "Hey want to watch a movie or something?"

"Okay sure," Caleb said sensing Sheldon didn't want to be taken into her hellish dreams too soon. "Anything you want," he said with a smile as he finished her drink.

"How about Romeo Must Die? There's this hunk – Russell Wong…"

"Not him again," Caleb moaned. "You always watch that movie because of him."

"Well you can choose…how about Twisted?"

"He's in that one too," Caleb said throwing a tea towel at her.

"Okay fine…you choose," she pouted.

"How about?" He said walking up to her and leaning in close. "Romeo Must Die."

Sheldon offered up a large smile before she gave him a warm kiss. "You always know what I like," she said taking the glass and heading for the couch.

Caleb turned and looked at her with a smile. He knew that as soon as she finished the drink she'd be asleep. But as long as she went to bed with semi-happy thoughts that's all that mattered.

"Well are you coming or what?" Sheldon said popping in the DVD and pressing play.

"Oh wouldn't miss this for the world," Caleb said sitting down beside her and pulling her into his embrace. "I have only seen this about a hundred million times."

"Very funny," Sheldon remarked in a dry tone.

Sheldon sat beside Caleb sipping the drink he had made her until her eyelids were too heavy to stay open by themselves and she was soon lightly sleeping in his arms. Caleb planted a soft kiss on her head before gently easing himself away from her side and taking the glass to the kitchen. He turned off the  light and gently carried Sheldon to their bed and carefully lay her on her side and spooned in beside her. He watched her face lightly frown and then the frown disappear and let out a quiet but heavy sigh.

"Soon my Princess," he said softly as he gently kissed her forehead. "Soon they will be more than distant memories. Soon you won't think of them again." Caleb turned off the light and closed his eyes to join her in the dark realm of sleep. Sadly his nightmares were just as vivid as hers.

---------------------

The following day Sheldon and Caleb spent most of it lounging around their apartment, lightly talking, making love and just enjoying their solitude.

Nickel and Chloe spent most of their free day together as well, dotted with the obvious phone call from the field Agent's who were now going over every inch of the Rinaldi mansion – under Milton's direction of course.

Cecil and Paul took a late flight home from Italy, both tired and sore but happy to be going home victorious.

---------------------

"They are still rounding up snakes and venom," Milton said walking into Nickel's office the following day. "Can you imagine what those Agent's must have been thinking when they were bite by those things," Milton said as he slightly limped to a chair and sat down in front of Nickel. "Yuck!"

"Where is the cane?" Nickel questioned.

"It's not cool," Milton smiled. "Gave it back."

"To where?"

"The hospital. You remember? They gave it to me in the first place," Milton said with a laugh. "Besides I can walk just fine."

"Right," Nickel smiled.

"Where are Sheldon and Caleb?" Milton asked looking at the files in his hands.

"Taking some much needed time off. Packing for a trip to the Bahamas I think."

"Tell them not to go diving."

"Why not?" Nickel asked in concern.

"They could be left behind and eaten by sharks," Milton mentioned.

"You saw that movie? What is it…open water?"

"Yeah so?"

"So that's only in the movies," Nickel groaned.

"But it's based on true events," Milton protested.

"Why do I bother?"

"We wonder the same thing," Cecil said as he walked into Nickel's office.

"Where's Paul?"

"Still trying to shake off his heroism," Cecil smiled. "He saved my ass you know. Probably going to tell the President right now and ask for a medal.."

"Saving your ass is a big deal. You're an Intel Geek," Milton laughed.

"Oh funny," Cecil snided. "I thought you said Mac would be here today."

"He had other plans…I forget her name," Nickel smiled.

"Just us three…like old times," Milton said firmly. "So how was Italy?"

"Busy," Cecil said with a slight yawn. "But Paul was amazing. The way he drove the Ferrari was…"

"Ferrari?" Nickel questioned.

"Well they ran out of Honda's," Cecil said quickly.

"Ferrari?" Milton said looking at Nickel. "Did he get a new company car?"

"No," Nickel said firmly as his secretary walked in.

"Message for Director Baker," she said handing a slip of paper to Milton. "From a Sofia…"

"Thanks," Milton said quickly, shutting her up.

"Sofia…as in Sofia Rinaldi?" Nickel asked aghast.

"It's not what you think," Milton said quickly.

"She's the widow of…" Cecil started.

"Trust me it's…"

"You didn't," Nickel started as well.

"I need a drink," Milton sighed. "So about the Rinaldi data…"

"He didn't…" Cecil said looking at Nickel.

"Guys?" Milton tried again.

"The same night?" Nickel asked Cecil.

"You know the biggest take down in years," Milton tried once more.

"Do you think…" Cecil started.

"At the safe house?" Nickel asked in wonder.

"The files…you know the records that will lead us to the other…"

"He wouldn't…" Cecil said.

"Yes he would…" Nickel tried.

"Well it's not like we had sex or anything!" Milton blurted out, making both Nickel and Cecil stop their talking instantly. They both looked at him with wide-eyed stares. "So about the files we found in the mansion."

"Right…" Nickel said taking some papers before him and looking at them. His face broke into a small smile and then he started to lightly laugh. Soon Cecil joined and soon all three Directors were laughing about the one sentence that had stopped them all.

"But you didn't right?" Nickel asked.

"You have to ask?" Milton retorted.

"Okay so back to business…" Nickel said in a serious tone as all three once again started into their regular jobs.

---------------------

"I can't believe we are actually going to the Bahamas," Sheldon smiled as they sat in the airport hanger, waiting for their seats to be called.

"I can't believe your dad actually agreed," Caleb smiled.

"I guess with all we've been through he knew he couldn't say no," she said softly, her gaze now turned and fixed itself on something outside the window.  "Strange…"

"What?" Caleb wondered.

"Just that with all Rinaldi's power and Riley as his aide he'd use snakes as his final resort."

"Well it kinda makes sense actually," Caleb said thoughtfully.

"How's that?" Sheldon asked in wonder.

"A snake was the first symbol used to tempt the first humans with greed. I think it's fitting that Rinaldi temped all his co-horts with greed and used the symbol for it for all of his victims death."

"Like in the garden of Eden," Sheldon whispered softly. "Right the snake…and it was the greed of the humans that caused…strange…"

"What?"

"That Rinaldi would use something religious as his death mark."

"Rinaldi was a religious man indeed. His God was money and power. That's what he thought would offer him immortality for the return of his soul."

"Yeah immortality in hell perhaps," Sheldon replied in sarcasm. "Couldn’t he see his future?"

"You mean that it would end in death the way it did?"

"Yeah," she said with a frown.

"When you think you're indestructible do you even think about the future? Do you even care?"

Sheldon let the question sink into her mind and knew that Rinaldi didn't care about the future because he thought it would always be there. She was glad he was gone and didn't miss him or his traitorous clan for one second. She missed Agent Smith and the ones before him that were pawns for his testing wiles.  But Rawlings had survived – showing them that every once and awhile the good guys do manage to prevail and justice is served. That thought made her smile. It wasn't all in vain after all.

"Hey," Caleb said shaking her from her thoughts. "I hope you're thinking about what we'll be doing tonight."

"No," Sheldon said quickly.

"No?" Caleb asked in disappointment. "Why not?"

"Because I forgot," she teased as they finally heard their row numbers called. "But you can remind me all you want on the flight over."

"What if you forget tonight?" Caleb teased back.

"Then you can show me. I'm a quick learner remember?" She smiled as she stood up to board. She hugged him close and pulled his head close for a long warm kiss, not caring of the flight attendant who was calling them to board.

"I love you Caleb. I never want to lose you again."

"I love you too Sheldon. And that's something you'll never have to worry about – ever again."

THE END

**Dear readers…we'll this thriller has come to an end. I do hope you enjoyed the story and this chapter. I always leave lots about their personalities to be discovered in up and coming stories and adventures. Please check my profile bio to see what's being uploaded currently, what's coming soon and new stories to be added. I am going to updating more frequently so add me to an author alert so you'll be alerted to each new chapter as it comes out. And trust me there might be a few surprises along the way…so review if you liked it and my hard work and remember not only me but also Sheldon and Caleb appreciate your time to read and your reviews! Love you all**