A/N: So... last chapter for this story! But certainly not the end of the romance! Be sure to check out the sequel, titled "Time to Say Goodbye." I should be posting the first chapter in a couple of days. And (insert shameless plug), it's much more suspenseful than this one. I think ya'll will like it. At least, I hope you do.

Thank you so much for all your kind reviews, especially Clarissa, CNovak929, and captain-distracto for never failing to review. I appreciate you guys so much!

Chapter 7

Casey snuggled closer to Jack's chest as the first lights of dawn shone through the curtains of his hotel room. His remarkably muscled chest rose and fell in time with his rhythmic breathing. She wrapped her arms tighter around his waist, suddenly cold, and she let her head fall onto his naked chest. The air in the hotel room was cold, but her sudden shiver didn't surprise her-- they'd generated enough heat through the night that she wasn't used to the chill of the hotel room. A smile spread across her face when she remembered the four times they'd made love. It had, without a doubt, been the most incredible night of her life.

Her smile faded when she remembered that he'd have to leave. She wouldn't see him again. Honestly, she didn't know why she was doing this to herself—falling for a man that was basically untouchable.

Jack stirred suddenly, and Casey looked up at him. His eyes slowly opened, heavy from sleep, and a groggy smile spread across his face when he saw her. "Good morning," he whispered.

"Good morning," she returned, tilting up her face to softly kiss his lips. His fingers raised goosebumps on her flesh as they brushed against her bare back.

"You're awake early," he said as he glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Oh, so I didn't wear you out enough last night?"

Casey laughed at the twinkle in his blue eyes. "Thanks to you, I won't be able to walk for a week." Jack snickered. "I was just thinking."

He moved his arm slightly, drawing her even closer to his chest. "About what?"

She sighed, not wanting to ruin the few hours they had left together. He nudged her, growing concerned. "About," she searched her brain for the right words to say. "About how you have to leave today. And how last night was the best night I've had in the longest time." She looked up at him, into his eyes, and she couldn't stop the moisture from reappearing in her own eyes. "And about how I've fallen in love with a man I'll never see again."

Jack wrapped his other arm around her in a tight embrace. Her tears fell on his skin, and he felt a tightening in his chest. "Listen to me, Casey Novak," he said as gently and firmly as he could. He put a finger under her chin and tipped her head up. "I love you. And we will figure out something."

"A long distance relationship where you can't contact anyone from your old life?"

He grinned. "Casey, I survived three years undercover in the mob. I'm resourceful." His face grew serious. "Do you trust me?"

Casey bit her lip thoughtfully. After the night they'd spent together? She smiled and nodded. "Absolutely," she whispered.

Jack smiled and pressed a kiss into her hair. "Good. Because I couldn't bear it if you got hurt because of me."

She glanced toward the clock and then looked up at him, an impish smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "You know, we've got about an hour before you have to be at the airport."

"True. But I thought you said you weren't gonna be able to walk for a week already."

"Good thing my job has me sitting down a lot, right?"

Jack chuckled and kissed her deeply. She let out a hearty laugh as he moved his arm from under her and rolled on top of her, and he smiled at her before he kissed her again.

Flushing Airport

"Where is he?" Elliot paced impatiently in front of the small private plane that was already swarming with U.S. marshals.

"They'll show." Olivia crossed her arm and watched her partner, amused.

"Casey said they'd be here twenty minutes ago."

"They probably got tied up."

"Doing what?"

Olivia shot her partner a look, and he flushed a little.

"Oh."

"Hey!" A familiar voice behind them caused them to turn around. Olivia couldn't suppress a smile when she spotted Casey and Jack walking toward them, fingers interlaced. "Sorry we're late," Casey said apologetically as they stopped next to Olivia. "We got a little… um…"

"No explanations necessary," Elliot said quickly.

Olivia leaned toward Casey and whispered, "Don't listen to him. I'd better hear every single detail." Casey flushed and suppressed a snort.

Jack stuck out his free hand toward Elliot. "Listen, I hope there're no hard feelings from before."

Elliot shook his head and clasped the proffered hand. "Forgiveness is Casey's prerogative, and I guess she forgave you." He grew serious. "But if you hurt her, you'll have a hell of a time running from me." He grimaced as Casey slapped his shoulder.

Jack shook his head and grinned. "Don't worry. There's no way in hell I'd hurt her."

Olivia smiled. "I believe you."

"Hey, Calhoun!" A marshal stuck his head out the plane's door. "We gotta get moving!"

Jack sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Okay!" he called back. He turned to look at Casey, who was biting her lip to keep from crying.

Olivia nudged Elliot. "Let's give them some privacy," she whispered. They moved a few yards away.

Casey cleared her throat. "I guess you really have to leave."

Jack nodded. "Yeah." He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. "I wish I didn't have to."

"Me too," she whispered.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close, and her hands settled on his biceps. The kiss was slow and heated, with just as much passion as the previous night but with all the love they could muster in just a few moments. Finally they pulled apart, breathing hard. Jack rested his forehead against hers and sighed.

"Hey lover boy!" The same marshal stuck his head out of the plane again. "Get your ass over here!"

"Shut up!" Jack yelled back. He smiled at Casey again. "I really should get going."

"Yeah." She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing herself to relax into his strong embrace. He put one hand on the back of her head and tenderly stroked her hair.

"I'll call you," he whispered in her ear, and she laughed. He pulled back a little and grasped her hands. "As soon as I get wherever I'm going."

Casey shook her head and smiled. "You shouldn't."

"You think thugs with guns scare me?" Jack raised an eyebrow. He leaned in and pecked her on the lips. "'Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while.'"

She shook her head and smiled despite herself. "You weren't kidding when you said you were a hopeless romantic. Only a hopeless romantic would quote The Princess Bride like that."

Jack smiled and brushed her cheek with his fingertips. "I love you."

"I love you too." She tilted her head and quickly kissed him again. "I'll see you again soon."

Jack smiled. "'What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.'" He looked up at Elliot and Olivia, giving them a look that said, Keep her safe. Elliot nodded and smiled at him, and Jack returned the smile. He moved his hand off her waist and grasped her hand, holding it as he moved toward the plane, letting go at the last possible moment.

She sighed as she watched him walk across the tarmac and walk up the steps to the plane. On the last step, he turned and waved at her. She swallowed hard and waved back. Then he disappeared into the plane.

Casey sighed again as the plane revved its engine and turned toward the west to take off. She hated this. Just when she'd finally gotten past Charlie and found a great guy, he had to go into witness protection to stay safe. But in the back of her mind, she knew he was leaving for her sake too. And somehow, she knew she'd be seeing him again.

Suddenly Casey was conscious of two people coming up on either side of her. "You okay?" Olivia's voice registered in her brain as the older woman slipped her arm around her shoulders.

Casey nodded and gave her a half-smile. "I will be," she murmured.

Elliot comfortingly patted her on the back. "It'll take some time."

"Something tells me I'll be seeing him sooner than I think."

Olivia looked at her in surprise. "What makes you say that?"

"I somehow doubt that Jack Calhoun has ever been much of a rule follower."

Elliot chuckled and put his hand on Casey's back. "I'm impressed with him. Not every guy can quote Emerson and The Princess Bride in the same conversation." He grinned at Casey's laugh. It was good to hear her laugh again. "You up for a drink?" he asked as the two detectives walked with her back to the car.

"Of course. I know this great little Irish pub on 34th Street. You guys interested?"

Olivia smiled. "Absolutely." Suddenly she looked up at Elliot. "Since when do you know Emerson?"

Fin.