Chapter 20 #3
His heart pinched hard in his chest. “I said that, trying to tell myself that’s all it was to me.” Crusher shook his head. “I was wrong.”
Her lips trembled, and she swallowed hard. “I’m a scientist. You have to give me all the facts so that I can form a hypothesis.”
“Fact one.” He kissed her forehead in front of everyone and couldn’t give a damn who was watching. “You care about people you know and so many more that you don’t know.”
She blinked, her cheeks flushing pink. “I fail to see how that impacts your statement that you were wrong.”
“Fact two.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You were a badass from the moment I met you. Standing up to me when you didn’t know if I was friend or foe. Racing through the jungle when you were injured. Holding it together when others might have fallen apart.”
Her brow wrinkled. “I still don’t see how—”
He touched a finger to her lips. “I’m not finished. Fact three.” Crusher stared down into her eyes. “When I handed you off to Marsh, and they took off with you in the van, I felt as if part of me was leaving with you.”
Her eyes rounded. “You did?”
Crusher nodded. “It hurt.” He raised her hand to his chest. “As if my heart had been ripped from my chest.”
Her fingers curled into his shirt, and a tear slid down her cheek. “That’s how I felt.”
“But I couldn’t believe it,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips. “I’ve spent my life avoiding relationships. I thought I was immune to commitment...to...love.”
Her eyes filled with unshed tears and shone at him. “I didn’t think I was capable of love. There were no facts to substantiate it.”
“And now?” Crusher whispered.
She smiled up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
“When you burst into my life, the facts scattered like the wind. I haven’t been able to gather enough for any of this to make sense.
” She laughed. “It wasn’t until I knew I would never see you again that I realized, not everything is built on facts.
” Marta shook her head. “It blew my mind.”
Crusher nodded. “Exactly. And as I stand in this room, I realize that if I were to die today…” he tipped her head up and lowered his head until his lips hovered over hers, “I’m glad I could be with you. I love you, Dr. Marta Hale.”
“I love you, too, Jack Bailey,” she whispered, rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
“Can you hear me?” a staticky voice sounded in Crusher’s ear. His head jerked up.
“What?” Marta asked.
Before Crusher could answer, Hammer replied, “I hear you.”
Marta frowned.
Crusher raised a finger and listened, his breath lodged in his lungs.
“Draco here,” the staticky voice said.
“And Cate,” Cate Marsh’s voice sounded a little muffled.
“We have Krauss,” Draco said. “Outside the conference center.”
“What about the virus?” Hammer asked.
Crusher reached for Marta’s hands.
Static erupted in Crusher’s ear.
Hammer pressed a hand to his ear and headset. “Draco, can you read me?”
“I hear you,” Draco said. “Moving closer to the building with our captive.”
“The virus…” Hammer started.
Crusher’s hands tightened around Marta’s, his gaze on Hammer.
“He still had it,” Draco said. “We have it now.”
“Did he release any of it?” Crusher asked.
More static.
“Draco,” Hammer started. “Did he—”
“No,” Draco said, his voice clear, the static gone.
“It’s all here. He chickened out when he saw us.
He ran, but Cate stepped out and tripped him.
When he realized he was caught, he promised to tell all if he could get a lighter sentence.
He’s ready to spill his guts. I’m taking him to the Interpol guys. ”
“Roger,” Hammer said.
Crusher let go of the breath he’d been holding, joy swelling up inside, spreading across his face in a broad grin. He gathered Marta in his arms, kissed her soundly and spun her around.
She landed, laughing. “I take it, he didn’t release the virus?”
“He didn’t. We’re going to live a long, happy life.” He kissed her again. “Together, I hope.” He raised his eyebrows, his breath hitching. “That’s if you’ll have me in it. I’m not as smart as you, but I promise to love, honor and protect you as long as we both live.”
“You’re smarter than you think. Add strong, loyal and sexy as hell, and you’re more than enough for me.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers. “Now that I know what love is, I’m not letting it go again. I love you, Jack.”
As they kissed, Hammer turned to the people in the room.
“The man Vasquez hired to release the virus has been apprehended...with the virus. He did not release it into the ventilation shafts. As soon as we have absolute confirmation, you’ll be allowed to leave the facility.
In the meantime, we’re going to be just fine,” he said, a smile breaking across his face.
Cheers broke out in waves as interpreters relayed the information.
Crusher pulled Marta close and murmured against her hair. “We’re going to be just fine.”
Marta smiled up at him. “Better than fine. We’ll be together.”
Crusher laughed. “And alive.” He’d never been happier or more optimistic about the future—one he could spend with this woman, who was an even more amazing scientist.