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Epilogue
"Don't you think H will eventually harp on me for housing a fugitive?" Ryan asked as he and Libby looked around in an isolated beach house.
"Yeah probably. We'll take care of it when the time comes. The good thing about all of this, is I'm working for the mob now," Libby grinned.
"And what does that mean for me?"
"You're girlfriend has a good reputation and they should respect you as well," Libby said. "Should I bleach my hair blonde or go brunette?"
"That's a random and hard question," Ryan chuckled. "Dye it brunette, you'll look more mob like."
"Good idea."
"Are you sure about this Rick?" Horatio asked. Rick's truck and horse trailer was parked behind them along the curb.
"Very sure Horatio. I'm tired of this work, and my dad needs my help back at home on the farm. He's getting down to the wire if you know what I mean." Rick sighed.
"I'm sorry about that Rick. I wish you well, and say hi to Libby for me if you see her." Horatio winked.
"Oh you'll see her you just won't know it," Rick chuckled. One of his horses stuck its nose out of the small window of the trailer and whinnied.
"That's true." Horatio said and the horse called again. "Looks like they're ready to go."
"I need to, I have a long drive ahead of me," Rick said.
"Good luck Rick, come back and visit sometime," Horatio said and they shook hands.
"I'll try, thanks for everything Horatio," Rick said and waved as he drove out of the lab parking lot. Horatio sighed sadly and walked back into the lab to lock up his office for the night.
"I didn't recognize you," Horatio chuckled.
"That's the whole point isn't it?" Libby said and they walked along the dark beach. She brushed her shortened brown locks from her face and walked barefoot in the shallow surf.
"I guess so. What are you going to do now you are free and unrecognizable?" Horatio asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know. Ryan and I are going up to Alabama to help Rick settle in. After that I'm going to settle down for a little while, get a few tattoos, and make a new identity. It's kind of nice, I get to start all over again." Libby said and looked out over the moon lit ocean. Horatio followed her gaze for and was silent for a while.
"Did you ever figure out what happened to Ron?" Horatio asked.
"Honestly I am not certain. I think he tipped Cardoza off and ran; I don't believe Ron ever trusted me." Libby said.
"That's why you confessed?"
"Yeah, I think I could have gotten Rick out of everything even if I hadn't confessed. Cardoza would have gone down for conspiracy instead." Libby explained.
"We had a strong case." Horatio said quietly.
"I never knew you had feelings for Nevins until Rick told me. I'm sorry," Libby said sincerely.
"I once did. We were good friends, she was a good state attorney," Horatio said.
"She was." Libby agreed and yawned.
"You should go home and sleep."
"I know I should. I'll end up sleeping for days though." Libby chuckled and they turned back to their cars.
"It comes with the job." Horatio sighed.
"I'm with you there." Libby said and they were silent as they walked up to their two cars. "If you ever need me you know where to find me."
"Be careful. I know you have talent and will use it. The Mob will appreciate you." Horatio said.
"Thank you, and I'll steer clear from Dade in the future." Libby smiled.
"Good idea. I hope to see you soon, but not in cuffs or at the business end of a needle." Horatio said.
"I'll try," Libby said and took her eyes off him for a moment to rifle around in an old Mercedes Rick had stolen. There was a ton of clutter of random junk in the passenger seat that she had to move to the back or it would drive her nuts. She stood back up to say goodbye to Horatio and looked down the barrel of his Sig Sauer. "Time out Horatio," Libby breathed. He pulled the trigger and the air exploded with the blast of gunfire.
I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead.
Wait, no I'm not.
Libby had closed her eyes and she cracked one to look at Horatio. He had an amused look on his face. She then heard someone groaning in pain on the other side of the street.
"You really think I would kill you?" Horatio asked with a cock of his head.
"It crossed my mind." Libby exhaled.
"Aw I scared you," Horatio teased and walked across the street. Once she had stopped shaking some Libby joined him. He had kicked a long rifle across the pavement and looked down on the man he had killed.
"That's Saris," Libby said.
"I wonder who he was after." Horatio said.
"Probably both of us," Libby shrugged. "I'm just glad he's dead." She walked back to her car and leaned against the cool black finish.
"I really am sorry Libby," Horatio said after joining her.
"I know, I didn't need to blow up like that. What I need to do is go home and sleep. I'm not at the top of my game." Libby sighed.
"Yes and you need to move on before any other people get here." Horatio said; there were sirens wailing in the distance.
"Good idea, and thanks for everything," Libby said. "I'll see you soon."
"I hope so," Horatio said and watched her start up the Mercedes. "Drive it like you stole it," he called as she backed up.
"Oh I almost forgot," She exclaimed and stopped the car. Libby pulled a few papers and keys out of the glove box and handed them to Horatio.
"What's this?"
"The keys and legal forms for Rick's house, he forgot to give them to you before he left." Libby said.
"He wants me to have that house?"
"Yes, he really cares about you." Libby smiled.
"Wow, I am honored." Horatio said.
"Watch out for the neighbor though, he can be evil. I'll see you later," Libby said as a patrol car showed up on the end of the street.
"Good bye, be careful," Horatio called and waved as she sped out of the lot and into the night.
