"Not quite. The notes I found in her safe were invaluable. They've put the doctors on the right path, it should only be a matter of days now. Your brother is going to be fine and by the looks of it, Helena hasn't suspected a thing." Jack watched as Sabrina absorbed the information. Her grace, as always, left his breathless. In the face of risking so much for a sliver of a chance, she was an oasis to behold. Smoothing out invisible wrinkles in the sheath that barely concealed her nearly nude frame, she allowed a small smile, bowing her head slightly. "I can't believe it," she replied softly. Jack watched silently as she closed her eyes, basking in the rhythmic sounds of the waves lapping against the cool sand. Victory was at hand, she could feel it and so could he. Turning his gaze to the horizon, he felt the warmth of the setting sun against him and for the first time in a long time, revelled in the fact that the work he was doing brought him the kind of satisfaction he'd always longed for. Teri would have been proud. His heart gave a soft sigh of sadness at the memory of his long deceased wife.

And then Sabrina deftly closed the space between them and threw her arms around him, hugging him close. The gesture warmed his heart and he slowly, but surely, returned the warmth to her. "Thank you Jack," she murmured, her breath tickling his ear. "I couldn't have done this without you." Jack pulled back slightly, but only to allow himself to look at Sabrina up close, still encased in his arms. Soulful brown orbs shone as she regarded him thoughtfully. Something was different between them, a realization of sorts after weeks of carefully avoiding the topic. Cautiously, Jack lifted his hand to cup the side of Sabrina's face, the tips of his fingers grazing the softness of her skin. Sabrina inhaled a sharp breath, a jolt of electricity shot through her. Yep, they were definitely tearing down the barrier they'd put up. Slowly his mouth took hers in an achingly languorous kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, reluctantly, Jack offered a selfconcious grin. "Thank you," he said, his velvety tone working its magic on her, "I couldn't have done this without you."