Hi everybody! After all the great reviews and epilogue requests, I wanted to say thank you and congrats because I got the numbers I wanted! So here's your epilogue! I hope you like it—I'll be sure to keep it as epilogue-y as possible. Meaning, It'll probably be nice and short. DISCLAIMER: As per usual, I own nothing of the Virals. All rights go to Kathy Reichs.


Tory's POV:

"Cooper!"

A blur of grey shot from the kitchen and halted at my feet. I bent down and scratched the rambunctious wolfdog behind the ears. Coop cocked his head to the side, loving the attention. I laughed at his cuteness.

"Now, Coop," I mock-scolded. "You know you're not allowed in the kitchen when Kit's making breakfast."

I left Coop and took a seat at the table as Kit set a plate of eggs and waffles in front of me.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Kit said, sitting down with a mug of coffee. I myself poured a glass of milk.

"Morning, Kit. You're not rushed this morning. Pretty laid-back at LIRI I take it?" I said shoving egg whites into my mouth.

"Yup, but I will be working late tonight. So no Secret Service meetings, house parties or boys in this house." He eyed me thoughtfully.

I snorted. First off, ever since Kit learned of our wild adventures—minus the Virals part of course—he'd never quite looked at me in the same light. I knew he was proud but there was always that flash of fearful respect. I suppose it would be a shock to learn your fourteen-year-old daughter tracked down the lost treasure of Anne Bonny.

Second, who the hell did he think I knew to invite over for a house party. The only people that liked me were the guys who all lived on the island too. Which leads me to the third point: his emphasis on the no boys was a hoot. I knew he wasn't comfortable with my only friends being males, but come on! They were trust worthy. Hell, I was dating one of them.

"Yeah, I know." At that moment my phone vibrated, signaling a text message. I pulled it out of my pocket and skimmed the screen. I looked back up at Kit.

"It's Hi. He wants to know if I'm aloud to hang out." My voice was hesitant, almost edgy. I had been sentenced to a somewhat house arrest. Although Kit had relaxed his grip on my short leash after a lot of moping and depressed looks from me. Seriously, he needs to buy parenting books. But hey, it's not like I'm about to go suggesting it anytime soon.

Kit set down his coffee mug and looked out the kitchen window, thinking. He turned to me and gave me a wry smile. "You aren't planning World War Three are you?"

I laughed for real. "No, Kit. Just hanging out."

"Alright, but I don't want you leaving the island. On Morris at all times."

"Deal!" I said smiling.

He looked at his watch. "I've got to go. I'll call later to check in on you if I can. Keep your cellphone on you."

"Will do."

Kit threw back the rest of his coffee, kissed the top of my head and strolled out the door, petting Coop on his way. I quickly typed out a reply to Hiram and finished my breakfast, tossing the dishes in the sink. I brushed my teeth, slipped a swimsuit on, gathering my hair into a messy bun and sped towards the door. Coop on my heels. I flung it open and leaped back in surprise. Ben was standing on my front step, a grin on his handsome face.

Coop launched out the door before I closed it, greeted Ben and raced on ahead as I stepped toward Ben. His arms reached out and snaked around my waist. He planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Morning, beautiful."

My face flushed. I wasn't entirely used to getting greetings like this from Ben yet. As adorable as they were.

I stood on tip-toes and lightly pecked his lips. "Good morning. I think we're meeting at the bunker today. But I'm not allowed off the island."

Ben nodded then crashed his lips on mine, striking up a passionate lip-lock. Well someone was clearly not satisfied with a light peck. I smiled into the kiss, my hands laid gently on his muscular chest. We'd been dating officially since Friday, two days ago. We got together at the dance.

We broke apart and Ben wrapped an arm around my shoulders. We made our way to our secret hangout where Hi and Shelton were undoubtedly waiting. It was a bit of a hike to get there but I didn't mind, it was time spent with Ben. Coop would occasionally barge out of the bushes then disappear again, as it to confirm that we were still following.


As we neared the bunker I saw Coop's tail flick and disappear into the entrance. Ben and I smiled, silently counting down.

3,2,1—"Ahhh! Wolfdog attack!"

We burst out laughing as we ducked into the entrance. Coop was sitting on a sprawled out Hiram. A triumphant look spread across his snout.

"Coop, off!" I laughed. Coop jumped off and plopped onto his dog bed.

"Thank you." Hi said sitting up and shaking his head.

Shelton wiped his glasses. "Took you a while to get here. Hit some detours on the way?"

Hi threw his head back laughing like mad. "Ben and Tory sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes—!"

"Shut up Hi!" I hissed. Then cleared my throat. "So what are your big plans for today? " I asked.

Hi smiled and paused for dramatic effect—which really pissed me off when he did that—and cried, "Swimming!"

Shocker.

I rolled my eyes and walked outside with the guys. The boys pulled off their shirts and shoes running for the water. I peeled off my T-shirt and short-shorts, sliding my feet from my flip-flops. I jogged down to the water, wading out to my waist. Two arms circled my body. Hugging me from behind. I smiled at Ben.

"PDA!" Hi screamed. "My eyes! They burn!"

He fell back dramatically in the water, floundering. Ben released his grip and went after Hi, lunging all his weight onto him. We continued on through the entire afternoon, laughing and messing around in the water. Eventually we got out and sun-dried on the beach.

Kit called checking my where-a-bouts and other general stuff. He had to leave to tend to an unfortunate turtle who'd been injured on a crab trap.

We lounged on the beach Shelton and Hi wrestling with Coop, me happily leaning against Ben. Eventually Shelton's mom texted him to help her with some algae sample or something before she started on their dinner. Hi left shortly after, saying his mom was planning to drag him off to temple to make up for missed visits.

It was just Ben and me. I would have invited him over but decided I should follow Kit's wishes for once. Even if that meant denying your boyfriend some quality time in your conveniently vacant house. But Ben found a loop hole I couldn't turn down.

"Your dad said no boys in this house. Meaning your house. He said nothing about you going over to mine." He leaned down but stayed just out of reach. Teasing.

Jerk. But a cute jerk!

I nodded my head and smiled as we walked back together, hand in hand.


Marching up the steps, he pushed through the door and I heard his dad call from the kitchen.

"Ben, you home?"

"Yeah, dad!"

"Great! What do you want for dinner?"

Ben thought about it, shrugged. "I don't know, but whatever it is make extra, Tory's joining us!"

There was silence, then Tom Blue's head popped out around the door frame grinning.

"Oh! Hey, Tory! Well dinners ready regardless with plenty to go around. So, Ben, looks like your options have been cut." His voice was friendly and joking but his eyes landed on Ben suspiciously. I'd never been invited over for dinner before so he must have wondered what was up. Ben shot his dad a give-me-a-second look and lead me to the living room. Huh. Guess it slipped Ben's mind to tell his dad we were dating. Oh well, I hadn't told Kit yet either. Haven't found the right time yet.

"Wait here a minute." He said kissing my forehead.

I sat back and looked around the living room. It was cozy looking. I stood and walked over to a shelf holding photo. I looked at one and laughed quietly to myself. It was Ben when was maybe six grinning at the camera holding a two-foot bass. His mom, Myra Blue, was crouched down behind him, smiling at her son. It was cute to say the least. I don't think I'd ever seen Ben smile like that except for when... he looked at me.

I heard feet in the hallway and sat back down on the couch as Ben and his dad walked in. Ben looked a little red. Wonder what they had talked about.


Ben's POV:

We had spent all day at the beach near the bunker. Not that I minded, we usually did anyway, and it had been fun. I practically had a heart attack when Tory sat down next to me, leaning on me as we dried off. She was everything a guy wanted and she was mine! I had gotten an absolute thrill when I woke up the morning after the party, looked in the mirror and was able to declare Tory was now officially my girlfriend!

I still remember her falling asleep in my lap that night out on Loggerhead while we sat under the stars. Or that sense of victory after kicking Jason's ass and hearing Tory admit she loved me too.

I really didn't want to leave that beach but Hi and Shelton had already left and it was moving into the evening hours. I kind of stung when Tory said Kit wouldn't let her have anyone over. Specifically boys. Meaning me. I know Tory hasn't told Kit about our relationship, but then I haven't told my dad yet either. We'd been dating officially as of Friday. Two beautiful days ago.

Oh well.

Then I got an idea. If I couldn't go with Tory, then maybe Tory could come with me. Yeah I know this 'looking for a loop holes' attitude could cause some problems between me and Kit as far as getting his permission to date his daughter went, but I didn't plan on doing it all the time. Just in certain situations such as this one, where it involves Tory being home alone and me not being allowed to go over to see her.

"Your dad said no boys in this house. Meaning your house. He said nothing about you going over to mine." I leaned in to her lips but stopped just before they touched. I was totally teasing her, and by the irritated, almost pleading look in her eyes, it was working!

She nodded as a smile broke out across her face, clearly pleased with my suggestion. So I took her hand and we walked back to my place. I opened the door and my old man, who was in the kitchen called out to me.

"Ben, you home?"

"Yeah, dad!" I hollered back.

"Great! What do you want for dinner?" Came his reply.

I gave it some thought, and came up with nothing. "I don't know," I called. "But whatever it is make extra, Tory's joining us!"

There was silence. I slightly winced.

Shit! Dad's as laid back as mud but how's he going feel about me springing 'I've got a girlfriend!' on him?

Quite well actually.

The old man's head popped out from the kitchen and he grinned. Although he was also eyeing me funny, he kept his tone light and joking.

"Oh! Hey, Tory! Well dinners ready regardless, with plenty to go around. So, Ben, looks like your options have been cut." He said. Look still in place.

I knew that look. He didn't know what was up, but he suspected something. And if his suspicions were right, I was in for those stupid 'You Have A Girlfriend' jokes he's supposed to say to make you extremely uncomfortable just so he gets a good laugh at your expense. Well as least it was my dad and not mom. Oh God, I'd die if she started commenting. It'd be squeals and giggles, and embarrassing mom comments. Like I need that!

I locked eyes with my dad, silently telling him I'd just be a minute. He nodded and disappeared.

I walked Tory to the living room, sitting her on the couch.

"Wait here a minute." I said and kissed her softly on the forehead. Man, I liked doing that!

I walked into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. Dad was waiting with his arms crossed, a cocky grin on his face. He pretended to brush some dirt off his shirt.

"So," He started casually. And it begins. "I see Tory's here. Have a chat with her lately?"

Oh he's good. I narrowed my eyes at him chewing my bottom lip.

"You can cut the crap now." I said evenly.

He laughed at this. "Looks like Benji's got a girlfriend."

I scowled. I hated nicknames. Especially that one. Although, thinking about it, if Tory called me that I'd probably think it was cute. But only from her.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, dad. So please, try not to blow it for me."

"What are you talking about? I'm hip!"

I pinched the bride of my nose. "If you were hip," I fought the urge to laugh. "You'd know nobody says hip anymore."

He laughed turning back to the stove. I stole a peek over his shoulder. Penne and chicken. Sweet. I started for the door, dad following behind.

Suddenly he whispered in my ear teasingly, "You going kiss her now?!"

He laughed silently as I turned a bright shade of red. I rounded the corner and saw Tory moving back to the couch. I took a quick glance in the direction she'd come from and saw the shelf with my kid photos on them. The most prominent one being me at age five holding a two foot bass and grinning like a maniac. I groaned internally. She's seen my kid photos. Great.

I sat next to her and dad took up a leather arm chair opposite the couch. He smiled at the two of us. Tory averted her eyes, a light pink spreading on her cute features.

"Dinner's ready, so come when you're ready. And it's a pleasure having you dine with us tonight, Tory" He said and moseyed out to the kitchen again.

Tory smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Blue!"

"Tory, you know you can call me Tom." He called back chuckling.

We were alone more or less. She was sitting really close to me. Hell, she was practically on my lap! I smirked down at her. I kind of enjoyed the five inch height difference. She looked up beaming.

"After dinner we can watch a movie. Dad will be doing his late night ferry runs between Charleston Harbor. We can watch a movie or..." I blushed. Oh yeah, so macho.

"Or...make out you mean?" She grinned as my face heated up. Damn it!

"Uh..Gah—hum..." And this is a prime example of why I don't talk.

Super job, Blue. Who needs your dad to blow things when you're doing it just fabulously! I thought.

She laughed and scooped up my hand, dragging me to the kitchen. Dinner went really well. Dad wasn't embarrassing, and it was relaxed. After, like I predicted, he had to leave to make his ferry runs. He said he'd call in advance to let us know when he was going out to get Kit from Loggerhead. Thank you Dad!

Tory and I plopped on the couch after we made popcorn. She was curled up leaning against me and I'd draped a blanket over the both of us. We were watching one of the Die Hard movies. The new one I think. Tory had plucked it off the shelf with interest. I fell in love with her all over again.

As the movie played on and we laughed at really funny, stupid or corny bits, I looked down at her head resting on my chest. I couldn't but think this feels so right. I could imagine sitting on a couch in this exact position, probably watching Die Hard, only ten years down the road. I couldn't see that image with any other girl. Tory was mine, and I planned to keep it that way forever.

I wrapped an arm around her and hugged her tight, kissing her temple. She smiled and snuggled closer. I realized I brought out a whole other side of Tory, and I liked it. That fantasy future was looking more and more like a reality as the movie played on.

I sighed happily. What another perfect end to a horrible week.


So...? You like? I thought ending it like this would be sweet and romantic, but at the same time slightly casual, I mean, they're watching Die Hard for crying out loud! But it is Ben and Tory, so I think you'll agree Die Hard was an accurate choice of movie for them. I hope I did not disappoint. I apologize if it wasn't quite what you were hoping for. But it is what it is, and I like it. So Review please and thanks! Also Check my new story if you haven't already; A Living Nightmare. Ok write you later

-V6