Sara stretched lazily, regaining her senses. She had just had a long needed rest after her shift, and now she was ready to face the world again. She remembered the night before…she had gotten back to Greg's apartment to find him still asleep in his bed. She had walked over to him; to place another kiss on his cheek when, lightning quick, he grabbed her and hauled her into the bed with him. Laughing and giggling, along with Sara's protests about being scared to death, they kidded about for a while, tickling each other and fooling around. Then, when their energy had worn down, Sara had made herself comfortable lying down snuggled into his bare arms and chest as she told him of the case as she had promised him. Then, after that, they just slowly about everything under the sun, slower, slower, until Sara's eyes drifted shut with Greg being the last thing she saw.

But now she saw that Greg was not here. She sat up lazily, stretching again, and sat up on the edge of the bed. She saw some clothes laid out on the bed, and she wondered very warily whose they were; she didn't think Greg would look so hot in a small female tight tee-shirt, a pair of loose female jogging pants and a definite female silvery blue bikini. Greg walked in, fully dressed, and beamed at her. "Hiya sleeping beauty." He walked in further and sat next to her, giving her a kiss. "How did you sleep?"

Sara grunted. "Great Greg. I feel better now that I've slept. What are we doing today?"

Greg smiled at her. "Today? You mean this evening. You slept for a long while Sara. It's already 4:30." Sara's mouth dropped, but Greg just laughed. "Don't worry, I checked the schedule. Both you and I are off this evening, and you have tomorrow off too. Tomorrow I have to work. That means that we're doing something special tonight. You owe me."

"I can't believe I slept that long", she muttered to herself. Then she shot her gaze to Greg. "What do you mean I owe you?"

Greg laughed again, his enchanting smile making Sara's stomach flip and her heart pound. "You promised me something. Tonight I'm getting my dues, and do you notice something?" He sniffed on purpose.

"Oh, your cold's better? That's great Greg."

"Yup", said Greg, hopping up. "Now, take this. Catherine said this would fit you", he pointed to the clothes, and explaining to Sara what had been in the package she had brought home. "And take a shower. I'll cook some pancakes, and then I'm taking you to a special place." Sara was about to complain when he started to rush her on. "Go Sara, we need to start now if we plan on getting there in time." Sara never argued, and she made her way to the shower.

Two hours later, Greg and Sara were still driving along the highway through the growing trees and wilderness. Greg was concentrating on the road, talking with Sara about his family. She had requested it, being that she had no real family of her own and that Greg's Norwegian heritage was intriguing. She could listen to that voice for eternity and never be bored, and she was lost in a daze of listening to him when she felt the speed of the vehicle they were in lessen.

"We're here", he said, not able to keep the pleasure out of his voice and smile. "Now, Sara, I have a little tale to tell you." He got up and walked over to Sara's door, opening it for her and offering his hand to help, which she accepted.

"What's it about Greg?" Sara never gave one of her cheeky remarks. She was genuinely interested in what he had to say, especially if it would tell her what Greg was about to plan.

Greg, holding her hand, gently led the way through the trees. Sara took in the fresh smell of evergreen needles, and the air pure of industrial contamination. The stars of the night sky was not bleak like it was in Las Vegas…with only the light of a full moon, she could see the star speckled with stars like a glittering sequined dress. She never realized how she herself felt pure and free out here, and she listened to Greg as he spoke ahead of her.

"Well, as you know, my mom and dad met in the U.S.A, even though mom was born in Norway. While dating, they went on vacation here to Las Vegas, where dad knew a lot of places to have fun. Then, on their last night here, my dad led my mom here, and they made an agreement." He stopped, both talking and walking. Sara heard a rushing noise ahead of her, but she could not see. Greg moved to one side and looked at her with a loving expression expressed only in his eyes…his grin exploded with impish delight. "Sara, come here and see. Now you repay your debt to me in full."

Sara quizzically raised her eyebrow. "What debt Greg? You've been saying that all night and I don't know what it means."

Greg mockingly laughed maniacally. "Sara, don't you remember when I told you that story about why I hate high school?" Sara nodded, and a few seconds later, her mouth dropped when she finally realized what he meant. He said it just to clarify. "You promised to go swimming with me, and here we are."

Sara walked up to where he gestured, and she gasped when she saw the gorgeous site that lay in front of her. The rushing noise had turned out to be a waterfall that lay a few dozen feet from where she stood. Below it, and right in front of them, was a pool of still water that looked so fresh and inviting in the warm, muggy forest night. A large flat rock lay on the same side of the shore as them, and across from them was a large wall face. Sara marvelled at the beauty the water's reflection made on the rock wall, dancing constantly with a pale blue that immediately calmed her, made her remember the times when she had swam in the moonlight of the neighbour's pool at one of her old foster homes. Tears of joy sprang to her eyes. "Oh Greg…it's beautiful here."

Greg turned her to face him. "I know. You can admire it better from further down…come on!" With that he started racing down the small incline to the waters edge, stripping off his tee-shirt as he went. At the edge, he flipped off his shoes and socks, and he hauled his jeans off to reveal a pair of slick swimming trunks. He walked into the water, letting his feet adjust, and then he submerged himself completely in the water. He turned, swimming backwards, looking at Sara who had just caught up to him. He laughed happily, and as he spoke his voice was just audible over the roar of the falls. "Come on Sara, the waters great!"

Sara gaped at him, disbelieving that this was actually happening and a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Sanders, you clown!" She laughed. "You just want to see me in a bikini, which by the way, I'll get revenge for. Asking Catherine…what were you thinking?"

"I was thinking you wouldn't come if I didn't just surprise you into coming." Greg said cheerily. He may be in love with her, but he knew never to become naïve about what she would and would not do. "You need to loosen up, and what do you know? Gregory Sanders is here to help you do that. Now come on in."

Sara looked about for an escape, but seeing as a spaceship wasn't anywhere near to abduct her, she resigned. She lifted her shirt over her head and let her jeans fall to her feet. She walked timidly into the water as Greg watched her intently. The instant the water hit Sara's feet, she was sent to a soothing nirvana, and her senses were at ease. She, like Greg, vaulted herself into the deeper water where Greg was still treading water and staring. Sara swam near and splashed water in his face, sending him back to the here and now. He grinned a competitive grin. "Hey, that's not fair!" He made ready to splash back.

"Got to be faster Greg!" She called playfully as she dove before he could splash her. Greg circled about once, and when she did not come up, he dove to root her up. When he did dive, he still could not see her until he received a playful shove on the back. He wheeled around to see Sara, like a dramatically beautiful apparition in the aquatic milieu. Her skin looked fair and flawless, her body looking toned with the powerful strokes of swimming as she headed topside for air. He followed in quick pursuit to the air above. He broke the surface gasping for the air his lungs begged for. He brushed his scraggy wet hair from his face, as did Sara who treaded water next to him.

The competition not forgotten, Greg splashed Sara in the face, to which he was swiftly dealt another splash in return. This went on for a minute until they both just swam towards each other, admiring each other in the light. Their job was forgotten. Their friends were forgotten. There was only them, and they revelled in the love that they shared. Greg leaned his forehead against Sara's in a nuzzle, but knew not to push her. This wasn't necessary. Sara tilted her head upwards and caught Greg's lips in a tender embrace. Greg looked at her lovingly, and softly returned the kiss. The peace that exuded from the aquatic environment had really had the perfect effect on Sara. She was so carefree, so lost in the simple treasures life had to offer.

After a while of tender affection and bonding, and drying off from their nightly swim, they started their long drive home, Sara sleeping harmoniously on his shoulder as he drove back to the neon madness of Las Vegas. Greg smiled in pure contentment as he felt her face nuzzle deep into his neck as she sighed in sleep. 'Looks like my plan worked', he said to himself. He looked into his mirror at her, thoughts of the future flooding to him. He leaned his head to the side and planted a kiss on her soft hair. 'I love you. Now and forever.'