this is the optional epilogue for those who wanted a bit more of a happy ending. :) enjoy!
Desmond sat on bench a little ways away from the rest stop, thinking. Ever since the scene earlier that day with Shaun, the air in the truck had been tense. Desmond sat as far away from the infuriating Brit as he could, not speaking to anyone. Rebecca and Lucy had spoken little, and most of the ride had been spent in silence. This was their single rest stop before reaching the hideout up north, and Desmond was quietly relishing the fresh air and the distance between he and Shaun.
The rustle of grass indicated someone was approaching behind him, but Desmond didn't bother to turn and look. His 'assassin abilities' should be more than enough to alert him to danger, he thought bitterly.
"Mind if I sit here?" Lucy's voice sounded tentative, as if she were worried he would lash out again. Desmond responded with a noncomittal shrug.
"You don't have to be afraid of me, you know," he murmured as she sat down next to him. "The only person who has to be afraid of me is Shaun."
Lucy sighed. "Desmond, he didn't mean it."
"How could he not mean it?" Desmond blurted, staring hard down at the ground. His fingers curled into a fist. "That bastard acted as though people's lives didn't mean anything! Like they were dolls or something." He put his face in his hands, the image of the slain soldiers once again rising to his mind.
Lucy put a hand on Desmond's arm. "Listen, I know he's harsh. Shaun shouldn't have said the things he did. But he's been through a lot, much more than you know. He's just taking his own bitterness out on you. He can't help it, it's a defensive mechanism for him."
Desmond raised his eyes to Lucy's, and the woman was surprised to see the amount of pain in them. The tough, uncouth man she was so fond of was crumbling before her eyes. His eyes seemed to beg for help, and instinctively, she pulled him into a hug.
"It's hard, I know," she whispered to him. "The pain may never go away. But you have to remember, you're not alone in this. Whenever you need anything, I'll be there. I promise."
Desmond was silent, but his hold grew a little tighter before releasing her. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were a little clearer.
"Thanks, Lucy," he said, standing. "I needed that. But if you tell anyone what happened here I'll..."
"You'll what? Kick my ass?" Lucy teased as the two began to walk back to the truck. "You couldn't beat me in a fight even with your new skills."
"Oh yeah?" Desmond responded with a grin, his old self returning. "You wanna bet on that?"
"Twenty bucks on Lucy!" Rebecca called from the back of the truck. Desmond shot her a frown, and Lucy laughed, nudging him affectionately.
"C'mon, don't look so down, you haven't even lost yet!" she taunted, neatly dodging a quick lunge from Desmond. She quickly clambered into the truck as Desmond gave chase, and Rebecca shook her head fondly as she closed the door. Shaun, in the driver's seat, rolled his eyes and continued their journey to the North.