I am totally and completely disgusted with myself for taking so long to update this story. I honestly forgot that I began to write it. So, quick update on me; the last time I posted for this story, I had just finished my junior year of HS. I'm now nearing the end of my Freshman year of college. I have to say that I'm horribly disappointed with the first two chapters of this story, so they will be rewritten in the near future. At the moment, this chapter is off the top of my head because anything I might have written is on my computer at home, and I am on my laptop at school. I am posting this right now as a peace offering, and because I like where this ends as I have it. I am going to continue writing after I post this because I have no homework tonight!

Leaving:

Carly decided that the most efficient way to get the three to the airport was to drive them herself so they wouldn't have to leave cars in the car park. So, on Wednesday, Kim and Jason said their goodbyes to Sonny and Sam at the penthouse then headed off to the Loft to pick up Courtney (although, Sonny wasn't made aware of this particular detail). The car ride was somewhat tense. Jason and Courtney had somehow both ended up in the cramped back seat, forcing the twos' knees to bump whenever Carly took a turn too sharply.

Kim watched a myriad of emotions flit over Carly's face. Finally she asked, "what is it, Carly?"

The woman seemed to struggle with herself for a minute before she finally blurted out, "what are you going to do after the wedding?" Her eyes were glued fiercely on the road. "I mean, you'll only… you'll only have a month. Are you going to stay there? Come back to us? Go somewhere else?"

Kim sighed and contemplated her answer quietly for a minute before whispering "I don't know."

"I just mean," Carly began again, her voice a few notes higher than usual, "will I see you again?"

"I wish I could say that you will, but I really don't know." Kim answered. "I guess it depends on what happens with my friends. I might come back, but they would be more able to handle the situation. At the same time, I don't think many of them will accept me back, and I'm pretty sure that none of them will take me back completely. I really think that, in the end, I'll just be better off leaving all together. I have somewhere I can go that no one will think to look for me. No one will go there until it's already happened."

"So, after today, you just disappear forever from my life?"

"I guess so."

There was silence in the car for a few minutes before Carly finally choked out, "I want to be there when they bury you. I want to be able to see you one last time, even if you… even if you aren't really there."

"Carly, I don't think that a good idea-"

"Please Courtney. I need to. I just need to."

"I'll tell Jase to invite everyone from Port Charles, if there is anything left to bury." Kim finally conceded.

Carly nodded and allowed one of her hands to release the death grip it had on the steering wheel so it could wipe away a tear that was forming in her eye.

.:*:.

It had been predetermined that it would be easier if Carly never entered the airport, so goodbyes were said outside the building on a cement sidewalk.

Carly went to Jason first. She hugged him, told him to have a good trip, and reminded him that her husband wasn't there to control him. He let out a sigh of exasperation at the hint.

She hugged Courtney next. She was also wished a good trip, and then she was told that California had good weather that time of the year and it would be a wonderful idea to get some sun on the beach in a bikini. Courtney rolled her eyes and inconspicuously checked to see if Jason had heard the comment. He hadn't. She looked relieved.

Carly approached Kimberly rather cautiously. She carefully placed a palm on Kim's still flat stomach. "Goodbye baby Hart." She sniffed. She finally looked Kimberly in the eyes and proceeded to burst into tears and pull the former pink ranger into her arms in one swift movement. "This isn't fair, this isn't fair" was her mantra. After a few minutes, Carly calmed down and pulled away from Kim a little bit. "Tell Tommy the truth, regardless of if he's with someone or not." She advised. "You never know, maybe he'll want to keep you close, as a friend, until your time's up." She sniffed again. "And maybe, he'll want something more than that. Hell, he might even be able to find a way to save you. Just, let yourself be happy before you reach the end."

Kim nodded. "I'll write to you."

Carly promptly turned and began walking back to her car; stiff backed, head held high, tears streaming down her face. Silently, she whispered to the static air around her. "Goodbye Kimberly. I'll miss you. I hope you can find some happiness."