Monica said nothing; she just stared at him, a small smile plastered on her face. John raised his eyebrows, expecting an answer. Instead of answering him Monica leaned down and pulled his head closer with her good hand under his chin for a tender kiss. After they broke apart she smiled. "A ring would have been nice too, but this is so much better."

John shook his head in confusion. She pointed to the dog happily jumping up John's back and he laughed. Monica smiled back at him and for the first time in days, the smile reached her eyes. John got up and pulled her to her feet. They stood chest against chest and John looked at her. "You haven't answered my question yet."

Monica put her hand on his chest and smiled. "What's girl to stay when a wonderful man like yourself asks her to become his wife?"

"How about yes," he tried, earning another loving smile from Monica.

"Do you even need to ask?" She questioned.

John put his two hands up, considering the possibilities. "The way I see it Mon, that's the way it goes. One asks a question and the other answers it.

But if one of the parties doesn't play along, there's confusion."

Monica threw her arm around his neck and pulled him closer for a hug. He didn't resist her, how could he resist such a wonderful and loving person as Monica? They were content to stay in each other's arms for a while until Monica pulled away and took his hand in hers. "I want nothing more than to be your wife."

The look of pure adoration on her face took his breath away. And suddenly he realised why he fell for Monica in the first place all those years ago. He thought he loved her back then. Oh boy, was he wrong. Over the years he learned to love her more and more. "I love you Mon."

The earnest of his words made Monica's tears come out in an unstoppable cascade. He pulled her to him and she sobbed into his shirt, the events of the last few days coming to the surface. He lifted her chin with his finger. "What's with all the tears?"

She stubbornly shook her. "I'm just happy that's all."

"That's not all, is it?" John questioned, knowing very well what she was going to say.

"What if something happens to you tonight? Do you really think I could handle that?" She sighed.

"I could say the same thing. But we have to do something. I don't want to run and hide for the rest of my life."

She nodded her head and lowered it to the floor. "I know," her voice turned into a whisper.

John tilted her head to look at her. "When this is over, I'll propose to you in a way you will never forget."

"Thank you," she whispered and threw her arm around his neck for another hug. When John finally pulled away, he looked at the table.

"We should get something to eat."

"I'm not really hungry," Monica shook her head stubbornly.

"Is it something I said?" He questioned, mischief in his eyes.

She smiled at him. "You really know how to talk to me, do you? You know very well I can't resist when you're looking like that. And you always use it when you want your way."

He grinned at that and led her back to the table, pulling the chair out for her. She sat down and looked up at him, motioning with her finger to come closer. John did as he was asked and he was rewarded with a quick kiss on the lips. He smiled and sat down opposite her, holding her hand over the table. With the other hand he took a bite of his sandwich and Monica smiled. "What?"

She looked at their linked hand. "You'll have to let me go eventually."

"Why's that?" He asked in confusion.

"Because, on the contrary of some people in this room, I only have one good arm at the moment." She grinned.

"Sorry," he replied sheepishly, letting go off her good hand. He felt little paws on his leg and looked down at Amigo, who was giving him an irresistible look. He broke a piece of his sandwich and gave it to the dog. He happily took the food in his mouth and ran around the kitchen, bouncing up and down.

"I don't think that was very wise John. First lesson in dog training: Never feed a dog at the dinner table." She shook her head in amusement.

"I know," he paused. "But when he looks at me like that, he's even worse than you are."

Monica held her arms up in defence. "I have nothing to do with it. You picked the dog."

"I just couldn't resist him," John smiled.

Monica patted Amigo who was now sitting next to her. "I can see why. He's adorable."

"Just like me," John replied cheekily, causing Monica to burst out in laughter. "What?" He questioned, a big smile creeping on his lips.

Monica patted his hand over the table. "Yes, you are a good boy." They both smiled and continued eating in silence. When they were done eating, John cleaned the table and Monica went in the living room to play with Amigo. The small dog was sitting in front of the door. "John?" She called out to him and he emerged from the kitchen. "He wants to go outside." John walked over to him and opened the door, the dog running happily outside. Monica looked at him. "Do you think that's wise?"

John shook his head. "He'll be fine. They guy's after us, not after our dog." He laid a hand on her arm. "Don't worry."

Five minutes later they heard soft growling on the other side of the door and John opened it to let the pup in. He came running inside, bouncing around the room with a piece of paper in his mouth. Monica instantly turned white. "Oh no..."

John turned to look at her. "What's wrong Mon?" She pointed to the dog and John walked to the small ball of fur, taking the paper out of his mouth. He carefully checked the contents. "Uh oh."

"What?" Monica asked, her voice slightly shaking.

He held the note in front of her. "It seems my twelve year old neighbour left me another love letter." He grinned.

She playfully swatted him on the arm. "You scared the hell out of me."

"I can't help it if I'm irresistible."

"You're so full of yourself John Doggett."

"Yeah," he replied smugly. "But you love me anyway."

She followed him to the couch, where they sat down, shoulder against shoulder. She looked at him. "So?"

"What?" he asked confused.

"How long has this thing between you and your twelve year old neighbour been going on?"

"You jealous?" He retorted.

"Extremely." They both started laughing, trying to lighten the mood of what was awaiting them. Monica looked at him. "Want to know what I'm in the mood for?"

"What?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

She playfully punched him in the ribs. "Behave!" She paused. "I was going to say I was in the mood to watch something on TV, but if you're not in on the game, too bad."

He completely turned to her. "I'm all ears." He frowned. "Let me rephrase that."

"Don't bother John." She smiled at him, thankfully that he was being very playful this afternoon. They both knew they should be talking about what was awaiting them in a couple of hours, but both of them wanted to relax first and enjoy each other's company.

Monica relaxed in the couch, her head on John's shoulder. When he started changing Channels every five seconds, she was getting nervous. She stopped his hand on the remote. "Will you please stop doing that?"

He sighed. "Sorry, I guess I'm just a little edgy."

She turned her hand in his so that their palms were touching, linking her fingers with his. "I know, but you're making me nervous too." She looked at him. "How about doing something useful this afternoon?"

"What did you have in mind Agent Reyes?"

Just as she was about to reply, a little ball of fur jumped on the couch, happily licking the intertwined hands. Monica pulled her hand away from John's and looked at the puppy. "You're not supposed to be up here Amigo." Amigo raised his ears, as if he was trying to understand what she was saying, not moving an inch. She looked at John. "Maybe he'll listen to you."

John shrugged his shoulders. "Let him. I'll put a blanket on my couch and everything will be fine."

Monica snorted. "Right. That'll give him something more to eat."

"What are you talking about?"

Monica grinned. "I didn't want to say anything, but the dog you picked out is known to be a destructor when young. They eat everything they can get, and believe me, they love blankets and towels."

John groaned. "Damn, I knew a ring was a better idea," he pouted, earning an even bigger grin from Monica.

"He'll be fine. We'll just have to train him harder." She got up from the couch and rummaged through his box of videos. She pulled one out with a big grin on her face. "This is useful stuff."

He smiled when she put the tape in the VCR and the credits started playing. "I knew you were a sucker for 'Unfinished Business'."

She sat down next to him, his arm going around her shoulder pulling her closer. "This is my favourite Hunter episode of all times. I cried for days when the VCR ate my tape." She smiled when she felt John placing a kiss on the top of her head.

They spent the rest of the afternoon watching a little TV, neither of them not really noticing what they were actually watching. Their minds drifted off to everything that was at stake tonight. John had been confident at first, but now that le moment supreme came closer, he didn't know what to think anymore.

Both of them got ready together, making sure their anti-bullet vests were put on correctly. John had to help Monica put on hers and when she was standing in the middle of the living room with her vest on, he couldn't resist the urge to kiss her. She threw her arm around his neck, softly sobbing into his shirt. "I don't want to lose you."

He tilted her head, giving her a confident look. "You won't lose me. We won't be alone. There'll be very capable agents at hands. They won't let anything happen to either of us." He placed a feather light kiss on her lips. "Okay?"

She gave him a watery smile. "Okay."

Hand in hand they walked to the door when they heard a nervous tap, finding a very worried-looking Skinner standing on the other side. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be," John said, glancing lovingly at Monica.

They followed Skinner to John's SUV. He looked at both of them. "We placed a tracking device under the hood, just in case," he explained. He handed them two wireless microphones and earpieces. "Be careful what you say," he winked. They both put the devices on and got in the car. John gave Monica a last glances before starting the car and driving off.

The drive to the Bethesda Montgomery Mall was spent in an uncomfortable silence, tension heavy in the car. Monica was staring in front of her, John's hand tenderly resting on her knee. She glanced at him and smiled. John parked the car in the parking lot and got out, making sure everything was safe without being too obvious. He walked to Monica's side and opened her door, holding his hand out. She took it and he pulled her to her feet, slamming the door shut behind her. They cautiously walked to the elevators, John's hand lightly resting on the small of her back. Once they were in the elevator, John turned to Monica. "I know this is gonna sound weird, but what do you wanna watch?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Whatever. I'm not really here to watch a movie."

John put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "I know that, but we might as well catch something interesting." He offered her a sympathetic smile.

"I really don't care John. Weather it's a chick flick or an action packed thriller, I won't be able to enjoy it anyway."

He gave her a tender look. "Everything will be fine, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Somehow I don't think it's me he's after. I'm worried about you," she replied.

John sighed, took her hand and looked her deeply in the eyes. His eyes travelled to her microphone before he mouthed a well meant 'I love you'. She gave him a reassuring smile and after they got out of the elevator and John had paid for the tickets, they made their way inside. John bought some popcorn on the way in. They sat in the back of the theatre; luckily it was a very calm night, because once Dan showed himself it could get very ugly.

After a few commercial and previews the credits started rolling and Monica allowed herself to relax just a little and put her head on John's shoulder. "Do you want some popcorn?"

Monica shook her head. "Thanks," she whispered. "I can't eat right now." She got up from his shoulder and looked at him in the dark. "How can you possibly eat in this situation?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I can eat in any possible situation darlin'," he said in a tick Georgian accent, causing Monica to smile.

She shook her head. "You're unbelievable John Doggett." She saw John smile in the dark, before looking around him and placing a hand on her cheek.

"I'm just trying to release the tension."

She returned to her previous position, her head on John's shoulder, trying to watch the movie. While munching on some popcorns John did the same, carefully listening the smallest sound. In the middle of the movie, Monica got up. John looked up at her. "What are you doing?"

"I need to go to the little girls room."

He got up from his seat. "I'm coming with you." They left in silence and while walking down the stairs, John felt his legs becoming wobbly and shaky. He dismissed it on nervousness and accompanied Monica to the bathroom, stopping outside. "I'll wait here for ya."

She turned to him, before walking inside. "Thank you."

John was leaning against the wall waiting for Monica, his vision becoming blurry and his head started to hurt real badly. Suddenly his legs couldn't hold him up anymore and if someone hadn't caught him, he would have fallen to the floor in a heap. He held Skinner's voice yelling something and felt something hard and cold against his temple. Although he was becoming weaker by the minute he knew what was happening: Somehow Dan had managed to get inside and he was holding John against him as a human shield.

He thought he heard Skinner yell. "You have nowhere to go Dan Winslow; you've got to let him go."

Dan's lips curled into an evil smile. "Tell me another one." He pressed the gun harder against John's temple, pulling the almost unconscious agent backwards. John was slipping in and out of consciousness, barely registering what was going on. His breathing became shallow and his pulse was speeding up.

And then everything happened in a blurry. Monica came out of the bathroom, scaring the hell out of Dan. He fired at her and Brad jumped in front of her to save her the bullet. His body slumped to the floor and Monica pulled her gun out, aiming it at Dan. "Let go of him," she yelled, her voice loud and angry. "Let him go you sick son of a bitch or I'll shoot you myself."

He shook his head confidently. "You seem to forget lover boy her." His voice was icy and calm. "If you don't back away now, I'll have to shoot him too."

Monica put her hand up and tried to reason him. "Okay, okay, you've got our attention. I'll put my gun away, but don't do anything stupid." Monica heard a voice in her earpiece.

"Agent Reyes put your gun down and try to talk to him. He might listen to you. If Agent Doggett manages to move and inch or two, AD Skinner has a good aim at him."

Monica did as she was told and as calmly as possible she put the gun on the floor, holding her good hand in the air. "Let's talk Dan."

He shook his head. "I have nothing to say to you."

"You won't get out alive," she tried to reason him, but he kept shaking his head stubbornly. Monica saw John's eyes open again, giving her a reassuring smile. Monica approached Dan cautiously and when he kept her gaze on her Monica's eyes travelled to John's, a sign that it was the moment to act. John put his elbow in Dan's stomach as hard as he could. Dan was surprised, having thought that John was still unconscious. Before he had the chance to react, Monica heard a shot and Dan slumped to the floor, pulling John along with him. She rushed to them and kicked Dan's gun to a safe distance. John was lying on the floor, clutching his stomach in pain. "It hurts..." She barely recognized his voice, it sounded shaky and very weak.

"Take it easy, paramedics are on the way."

"My head.... hurts... throwing up," he started mumbling before slipping into unconsciousness.

Monica pulled his head in her lap, tenderly caressing his hair. "Hang in there..." Tears were starting to roll off her cheeks and she looked up when she heard Skinner's compassionate voice.

"The ambulance is here," he softly said, standing behind her in a protective manner. "He'll be fine."

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I hope you're right Sir. God knows I hope you're right," she moaned, tears starting to fall even harder. When the paramedics arrived near John, Skinner had to pull her away from him. They looked at her.

"Has he said anything to you?" one of them asked.

Monica nodded. "Headache, he clutched his stomach and he felt like throwing up."

Both paramedics looked at each other. "We have to get him out of here as fast as we can."

Monica's eye turned wide in shock. "What's wrong?"

"Probably poisoning." They put John on a stretcher and rolled him away in a hurry.

Monica turned to Skinner her face white. "Oh my God, the popcorn." She paused and whispered. "We shouldn't have done this."

He put his hand on her arm. "It was our only chance to catch him." He squeezed her arm. "John will be fine. He's strong and he will fight this."

Monica nodded her head, watching at the other stretcher passing by. She walked over to Brad, who was now covered in blood. "Monica," he softly whispered. "I love you." Monica was fighting back tears and watched as they rolled away Brad. She looked Skinner and he touched her arm.

"Are you okay?" he worriedly asked.

She shook her head. "I-" she whispered, suddenly falling to the floor. Skinner knelt down next to her and her pulse was racing.

"We need a paramedic," he yelled, trying to calm Monica down. Her skin felt cold, white and clammy. She was shaking from the cold. Skinner looked up when another paramedic came running in. "She's going into shock."

The paramedic kneeled down next to Monica and helped her sitting up, putting a blanket over her shoulders. "We need a stretcher in here!" he yelled and not a minute later they came in with one and gently laid Monica down, putting a thermal blanket over her. Skinner watched as they rolled her away to a waiting ambulance and drove her off in a hurry.

GEORGE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL, TWO HOURS LATER

Monica awoke in a white blinding light, looking at her surroundings. Next to her bed she saw Scully sitting in a chair. "Hey, how are you feeling?" she worriedly asked.

"I feel fine," Monica said with a dry throat. "But I'm thirsty."

Scully got up, took a glass of water and held it to Monica lips, letting her take a few sips. "Take it easy Monica. I'll give you more in a minute."

Monica looked up at Scully, wearing her heart on her sleeve. "How's John?"

Scully smiled, reassuring Monica before even answering. "He'll be fine. The popcorn was spiked but they managed to empty his stomach just in time. If he had thrown up, he would have been in a much worse condition."

Monica sat up in her bed, only to be held back by Scully's hand on her shoulder. "I want to see him."

Scully shook her. "They won't let you out of bed. Besides, John won't know if you're there or not. He's sleeping it off and he'll be weak for a couple of days. You'll probably get released in the morning, but John will have to stay here a little longer."

"I need a favour." Scully nodded her head. "I want you to go in John's room and take the keys to his house."

"Um, I don't be to be curious or something, but can I ask why?"

A big smile appeared around Monica's lips. "Because Amigo is just a little pup and he needs someone to take care of him."

Scully smiled. "So you settled for a dog then?"

"Actually John did." She frowned at Scully. "I should warn you that he's trouble."

"That's okay. If I can handle Mulder, I certainly can handle a little pup." She gave Monica's hand a squeeze. "I'll pick him up on my way home."

"Thank you Dana." Suddenly Monica's face turned serious again. "Have you got any news on Brad?"

Scully looked at her sympathetically. "Yes, but I'm afraid it's not good news."

Monica swallowed hard. "Oh my God, is he..."

Scully shook her head and frowned. "No, but he might as well be. They managed to remove the bullet that had gotten through his vest, but he has lost a lot of blood. He slipped into a coma during surgery and the doctors say he'll probably never regain consciousness."

Monica's face turned white and her voice became a whisper. "He's a plant because of me."

"You can't say that," Scully replied, looking at Monica. "He wanted to save you."

"He shouldn't have given his life for me."

"Listen to me." Scully paused to look at Monica. "It's not your fault. It was his choice to jump in front of you."

Monica groaned. "He did it because he loves me."

Scully nodded her head. "He did and you can't blame yourself for that."

A lonely tear made its way down Monica's cheek and she looked back at Scully. "Can't you talk them into letting me see John?"

Scully smiled warmly at her friend and moved to the door. "I'll see what I can arrange. Try to rest in the meantime."

Monica nodded and let her eyes slip shut. She awoke a few hours later to the steady beeping of a heartbeat and opened her eyes. She turned her head towards the sound and she saw John sleeping very peacefully. She smiled at him and locked up when she heard a soft knock on the door. Skinner came walking in, softly talking not to wake John. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Sir. I'm still feeling a little dizzy and a little weak. They say I can go home tomorrow." Monica looked at her watch and then at Skinner. "You're still walking around here awfully late."

Skinner nodded his head. "Yes, I came to check on AD Follmer."

"How's he doing?"

"Still no change. I talked to the doctor and ..." He paused to look at Monica. "He'll never get out of his coma. There's no brain activity at all."

Monica winced, remembering the ordeal that happened to her not that long ago. She leaned back in her pillow, folding her hands in her lap. She looked back at him. "There something you're not telling."

Skinner shook his head in agreement. "AD Follmer had a living will. He doesn't want to live like that."

Monica looked at her hands neatly folded in her lap. "They're gonna pull the plug."

"Not yet. They have contacted his parents in England and they're on their way over. I guess the decision is up to them, although I doubt they'll go against their son's will."

"They won't. They highly respect him. It's gonna be so hard on them," she whispered, while turning her head to John. He was still peacefully sleeping, his breathing soft and even. Skinner walked over to Monica and stood in front of her, blocking her view.

"He will be okay. I talked to the doctor and they gave him something to sleep. He probably won't wake up until the morning." He smiled at her and squeezed her hand. "Although there is something I should tell you."

"What?"

Skinner paused and scratched his nose. "I think you might expect a visit from Kersh."

"Why's that Sir?" Monica asked confused. "Was it something we did?"

"Yes and no. Somehow Kersh is aware of the fact that you and John are in more than friendly relationship."

"How does he know?" Monica questioned.

Skinner shook his head. "I have no idea. He was aware of what was going in this case, because I told him myself. He was sitting in the van looking out for the killer." He helplessly held his hands up. "That's all I can tell."

"Was it something we said?"

Skinner frowned. "I don't think so. I was listening in on you the whole time and you said nothing incriminating."

Monica's eyes turned sad. "So he's going to split us up?"

Skinner shook his head stubbornly. "Not if I can help it. I won't let him split the two of you up, don't worry."

Monica smiled thankfully at her boss. "That's very nice of you Sir. You have been very supporting of us and I really appreciate it." She moved forwards to take a look at John. "I'm sure John appreciates it too." She looked up at him, her eyes questioning. "May I be so free to ask why you're doing all this for us?"

Skinner smiled at her. "That's a long story Agent Reyes and I think you should rest." He gave her hand a squeeze and sadness washed over his face. Before Monica could ask him what was wrong, he turned around and silently left the room. Monica looked at John for a while before she felt her eyes growing heavy and she dozed off.

GEORGE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL, 9.30 am

Monica woke when she felt someone gently touching her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked straight into John's icy blue eyes. She smiled at him. "I don't think you should be up yet."

He was sitting on the side of her bed. "I just wanted to touch you."

With a little help from John, she sat up and he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I was so afraid I was gonna lose you."

John grinned at her. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

She smiled back at him. "I don't want to get rid of you. I love you."

His whole face lit up and he smiled. "I love you too." He placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I know I promised you a proposal you wouldn't forget, but you'll have to wait a little longer."

"I can wait. And I do want to marry you. More than ever before," she said honestly.

"Who said you could get out of bed," they turned their head to the voice coming from the door. Scully shook her head while looking at John. "I knew you couldn't be trusted." She paused and tried to look mad at him. "You ask a favour from me and this is how you repay me," she casually said, trying to keep the laughter out of her voice.

John smiled sheepishly. "Sorry." He got up from Monica's bed and walked back to his, laying down. Scully walked over to him and put something in his hand. "Thank you."

She nodded. "It was nothing." She looked at Monica who was giving them a suspicious look. "What?"

Monica looked from Scully to John. "You two are up to something."

They both shook their heads, Scully failing miserably to contain her laugh. "At least it has nothing to do with me."

"Oh?" Monica questioned.

Scully held her hands up. "I'm sure John will tell you." She looked at John and turned back to Monica. "I talked to your doctor. They want to keep you one more day, because your blood pressure is a little high. And since they'll remove your stitches tomorrow, they said it was easy to have you at hand."

Monica smiled sheepishly. "Do you think you could..."

"Yes, I'll take care of Amigo," Scully interrupted her. "That'll keep Mulder of my hands a day longer. He loves the dog." She gave them one last look and walked off.

Both heads turned to look at the door when they heard a formal knock. Skinner walked in with a serious and worried look on his face, followed by Kersh. Kersh took a chair and sat down, looking from John to Monica. "We need to talk."

"Sir?" both of them questioned at the same time.

Skinner raised his eyebrows at Monica and the younger agent immediately understood. Kersh gave Monica and John a straight look, his eyes settling on John. "Someone told me there was something going on between you and Agent Doggett?"

"Sir?" John questioned, surprise evident in his voice. "There's not going on between Agent Reyes and myself. We're merely colleagues and partners and yes we are friends, but that's all there's going on."

"That's not was I was told," he replied stubbornly.

John shook his head and leaned back in his pillows. "There's nothing going on between Agent Reyes and myself." Kersh looked from John to Monica and she shook her head in agreement.

"Agent Doggett is right, Sir. There's nothing going on between us," she said, watching Skinner trying to contain a smile. "You can ask AD Skinner. He's our supervisor; he knows everything that's going on. Ask him." Monica said.

Kersh turned his head to look at Skinner. "AD Skinner?"

Skinner swallowed and kept a straight face. "They are right Deputy Director. If they were in a relationship I would have gotten hold of it a long time ago."

Kersh nodded. "Very well." Kersh got up and looked at Skinner. "A word outside AD Skinner." Kersh asked.

"In a minute Sir. I need to ask them a few details about the shooting."

Kersh got up and left the room. John let out a sigh. "You're putting yourself on the line for us Sir."

"I know and I hope the you are worth it." His eyes paused on Monica. "You wanted to know why." She nodded. "Well, let me explain something. Fifteen years ago I had a wonderful partner. I fell in love with her and she fell in love with me. We had a wonderful time together until someone couldn't keep his mouth shut and told our boss that we were in a relationship." Skinner paused and his eyes turned to John. "We were split up and she got transferred to the field office in Seattle. We promised to keep in touch, but that didn't last long." Sadness washed over Skinner's face.

John smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry Sir."

"I still regret it." He looked from John to Monica. "I don't want anyone to live the same thing. Nothing is worth losing the love of your life, certainly not a job." He smiled at them. "I didn't want anything like that to happen to you, but you do realise that you'll have to be very discreet."

John nodded his head. "We know Sir and thank you for everything." Skinner softly closed the door behind him, John feeling a ting of sadness for his boss.

Monica watched as John got out of his bed, holding something small in his hand. He sat down next to her and took her hand in his. "Monica, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me?" He held a small silver and platinum ring with a little diamond on it in front of her and wiped away the tears that were falling down her face.

She let out a soft sob and smiled at him with teary eyes. "I'd love to, but on one condition." When his eyes turned wide in fear, she immediately took his hand. "Nothing like that John," she paused and looked at him. "I want us to get married on the beach where you released Luke's ashes. I want your son to be with us."

John put his hand in front of eyes, trying to hide his upcoming tears from her. She pulled his hand away from his face and he allowed himself to cry. For Luke, for her and for everything that had happened the last few days. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me Mon." With that he put his lips on hers and tenderly kissed her. They both pulled away when they heard a knock on the door, revealing a highly amused Skinner.

"Cut it out, will you?" He smiled warmly at them. "Kersh is gone and I managed to convince him there was nothing going on between the two of you."

John shook his head. "Thank you."

Skinner motioned to the door. "I just came in to tell you this. I should get going. I have an awful lot of work to do." He turned to leave when John called him back.

"Sir?" Skinner turned around to look at John. John looked at Monica and she nodded, knowing what John was going to ask him. "There's something I want to ask you. And I would be honoured if you said yes." He paused and smiled. "I've asked Monica to marry me and I wanted to ask you if you wanted to be my best man."

Skinner beamed him a huge smile and shook his hand. "I'd love to." He turned around and was holding the door handle when John called him back.

"Don't forget to wear sandals."

Sometimes, things didn't turn out the way you'd like them to. And sometimes they turned out better than in your deepest fantasy. Life is a gift and you have to take it with both hands, not thinking back about the missed opportunities, but looking forward to everything you have achieved in life.

THE END.

Author's Note: I'm taking a little break now, but if enough of you are interested in a little sequel, let me know. I was thinking about John's romantic marriage proposal (again) and maybe the wedding. It promises to be a huge piece of fluff. If you wanna read that, send me a quick note and I'll see what I can come up with.