[ this is the last chapter! thank you for reading this fic, and I hope you liked it. it's insane that I finished this so quickly, as I'm notorious for not finishing my fics.

also... new boone fic is called 'free and easy' ]

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NO TONGUE, PLEASE.

Dakota felt bad. Here she was, in the backseat of Javi's car, outside the airport, ready to go back to California. And she hadn't even said goodbye to Tyler.

He hadn't mentioned him wanting her to stay again, and so she assumed he hadn't really meant it that night they slept together for the first time. It was a week-long fling that was fueled by the excitement of storm chasing. But once the tornados died out, so would whatever they had.

That's what she'd convinced herself of.

But at least this time around, she wouldn't be distancing herself from Kate. In fact, she was going to New York first to help her present their data to the review board, hoping to land a grant to keep up their renewed research project.

"Door to door service," Javi said as he came to a stop. "Just like I promised. Brought you back in one piece."

"Yeah, just about," Kate snorted.

All of them laughed and then got out of the car, Javi helping with their suitcases. Then he looked between the girls.

"Look, when you both get to New York with the review board, they're gonna say that it was the fire from the refinery or the smoke or a million other things that caused that tornado to vanish. And that's fine, too. But the point is that we know these things can be disrupted," he said.

And as he spoke, a shuttle bus heading to a nearby hotel moved, revealing a stupid big truck that was covered in dents. And the owner was argued with a parking attendant. To Dakota, Javi's next words went in one ear and out the other for just a moment.

"We need a whole new branch of research on how to harness these storms," Javi went on.

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you don't wanna do the pitch? Sounds like you wanna do it."

Javi smiled sheepishly. "Naw. A partner? No. Go get us that money, you know what I'm saying? A fresh start, alright?"

"Maybe it's time to renovate the old barn," Kate offered, hinting that she was planning on coming back.

"I like that. I like that," he said, looking forward to more time with her. Then he spotted Tyler walking over, who didn't look too happy despite the tight smile on his face. "Oh, Owens!"

"Storm PAR. Sapulpa. Dakota."

She bit the inside of her cheek as he didn't use a nickname, proof enough that he wasn't pleased with her. His next words were directed at Kate.

"Still not telling me when you're coming back? Thought we were becoming best friends."

"I don't know. This could be it," she lied.

"Yeah, right," Javi scoffed.

Then Tyler finally looked at Dakota. "Can I get a minute with this one?"

Javi and Kate shared a look before stepping to the side, leaving the two alone. Dakota looked at the ground, avoiding eye-contact.

"The hell are you doing here?" Tyler asked, a frown on his face.

"What's it look like?" she asked, nodding to her suitcase. "Gettin' on a plane."

"I asked you to stay. You said you would," he said, sounding hurt.

"You don't mean it, Ty," she said softly, looking up at him.

Tyler had a guarded look in his eyes. "Don't tell me what I do and don't mean. You don't want to stay here? Fine. I'll come to California."

Dakota let out a humorless laugh. "You'd hate it in Santa Monica."

"Not if I was with you."

"You don't mean that—"

"Yes, I do," he cut her off. "Baby, I know it's only been a week, but I ain't never felt like this about anyone. I ain't never loved anyone like I love you."

Dakota's heart picked up speed, not unlike how it'd been during the storm that nearly killed her. Because she could see it in Tyler's eyes that he meant it.

"Ty," she whispered, stepping closer. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "I love you too. It kinda scares me."

The corners of his mouth turned up. "You ain't scared of nothing."

"Maybe I'm not as fearless as I thought. Like moving just because a boy asked me to — terrifying."

"Is that a yes?" he asked hopefully, leaning closer.

"I already bought my ticket," she told him.

He moved even closer, his forehead pressed to hers. "I'll reimburse you."

"Well, I'd have so much to bring back from California."

"Then I'll buy a ticket," he murmured, nose brushing hers. "You won that bet anyway. I owe you servitude. Packing boxes sounds like a good punishment."

"My job."

"I need a good mechanic to fix up my truck again."

Dakota sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You drive a hard bargain, Grandpa."

"Is it working, Young Sheldon?"

She grinned and stood on her toes brushing her lips against his. "You tell me."

He was grinning as he kissed her, Dakota tangling her fingers in his hair as he did so, pressing her body close up against his. And kissing Tyler felt more like home than California ever had. And there wasn't any way she could ever leave him, she knew.

"Okay," Javi said, clearing his throat awkwardly as the kiss went on longer than necessary. "No tongue, please."

Tyler and Dakota pulled away, both chuckling.

"So, I'm alone now?" Kate asked, shooting Dakota a knowing look.

"For now, yeah," Dakota said, looking at her apologetically as she leaned into Tyler's chest. He slid his hand into her back pocket, keeping her close.

"I'll forgive you," she told her. Then she hugged Dakota.

"Give me a call. Let me know how it goes, yeah?" Dakota said, squeezing Kate tight.

Soon, Dakota was watching Kate disappear through the doors before seeing the look on Javi's face. He looked devastate that Kate was going.

"You know," she said, catching Javi's gaze. "I've got a ticket for sale."

"What? Naw," he said, shaking his head.

"Well," Tyler smirked. "You know what they say — they being me. If you feel it..."

"Chase it," Dakota said with a grin.

Javi glanced through the window of the building, seeing Kate looking for the line to get her boarding pass. He glanced once at Dakota, who gave him an encouraging look. Then, he took in a deep breath and took off, running inside of the airport.

"Atta boy," Tyler said, grinning.

They watched as Javi caught up to Kate, surprising her. And after saying a few words, she smiled softly and stepped closer. Then Javi grabbed her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss that was years in the making.

Though they couldn't hear, Dakota brought her fingers to her lips and whistled for them, happy to see that Javi finally got the girl.

"Ready to head out?" Tyler asked, leaning down to kiss her neck quickly.

"Where we going?" she asked.

Just then, an announcement came over the intercom system, them able to hear it even from outside.

"Due to inclement weather on the horizon, please expect delays."

Dakota looked up at Tyler, both sharing a wide grin. And Javi and Kate were already heading back outside, having the same idea. Tyler grabbed the handle of Dakota's suitcase to roll it back his truck.

"Hey, baby," Dakota said, getting his attention as if she didn't always have it. "You're getting a parking ticket."