Chapter Ten: Return

(Ramona's POV)

My eyes ease open slowly and I try to adjust to the lack of darkness. I was enveloped in it for a while after opening the door, but now it's fading away. I smile a little as I see the sunlight streaming in through the window of my apartment. Does that mean that I got my reality back? Only one way to find out. I crawl out of bed and walk over to the phone, dialing Scott's number. No answer, but it does go to his voice mail. I don't leave him a message, but only because I know one other person who can tell me where he is right now.

"Heeeeeyyyy its Ramona," Wallace says when I dial his number.

Name: Wallace Wells

Age: 25

Status: On the phone and drunk as hell.

"Wallace, are you drunk again?" I ask him in an exasperated.

"Of course I'm drunk, didn't you read my status info?" Wallace asked. I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Whatever," I tell him, "Do you know where Scott is?"

"He went with Kim to Envy's party," he says with a slurred voice, "That bitch!"

"Dude, Wallace, Envy's cool now, remember?" I remind him.

"Ahhh once a bitch, always a bitch," Wallace gripes.

"Just tell me where they are Wallace," I tell him.

"Envy's place," he says.

"Thanks Wallace," I tell him.

"Sure Ramona, it's your funeral," he says, hanging up the phone. I decide to grab something nice to wear before leaving, but I realize that Scott won't really give a damn what I wear. I grab a light blue hoodie and matching skirt and quickly change into them. How should I get there? Entering by way of subspace seems a little tacky now for some reason. On the other hand, it is the fastest method of travel. On a third hand though, I feel kind of wiped. If I go in there now I may not be able to leave again. Better safe than sorry. I pull on a pair of relatively comfortable shoes and head the door. Envy's place isn't too far, but for me it isn't short enough. Having to spend the last few days only able to visit Scott in my dreams has got me in kind of a rush. I'm out of breath by the time I reach it. I pull open the door.

"Ramona Flowers," a female voice calls to me, "Good to see you." Envy, dressed to the nines as usual.

"Hey Envy," I greet her, "Is Scott here?"

"I saw him with Kim a while ago," she says, "I think they went out to the balcony."

"Thanks Envy," I say, "Hey um, how are you doing?"

"Better," she says, "I got out of business with Gideon's little empire. Apparently, him getting his ass handed to him by Scott was a big legal loophole."

"Glad to hear it," I tell her, laughing.

"I don't know why I even got involved with him," she says, "The guy was such a prick."

"Hey, don't sweat it," I tell her, "It happens. Besides, you and I are in the same boat on that one. I did a lot of crap for him that I'm not proud of, but at some point you have to stop blaming yourself. Just figured that one out the hard way."

"Good advice I guess," she says with a grin, "Thanks Ramona."

"It was nothing," I tell her.

"Whatever you say," she says, "Now I have to go be a good hostess. Go see your boyfriend, will you? He hasn't shut up about you since he got here."

"I'll do that," I tell her.

"Oh, one more thing," she says, "I don't go by Envy anymore. Call me Natalie." I nod and she gives a satisfied smile before walking off.

I head out to the balcony and see Scott and Kim standing there, dressed up even. Kim is wearing at a bright blue dress and Scott is wearing that suit from Value Village.

"You two look like a couple of refugees from a dollhouse," I comment, grinning at them.

"Ramona," Scott says, "Hey. You came."

"Yeah Scott," I tell him, "I wouldn't have missed it. It's so good to see you." I rush up to him and throw my arms around him.

"Hey, I know we just went through a life and death thing back there, but there's no need to be all sappy," he says, "Not that I'm not flattered and stuff." He gives me his trademark nerdy grin.

"I'm sorry Scott," I tell him, "I'm sorry that I was so stupid."

"Feeling guilty isn't stupid Ramona," he says, "In fact, I think I'd be more worried if you didn't."

"Thanks," I tell him with a small smile.

"Hey, if we're done being all sweet and romantic, let's go get smashed," Kim says, "I mean, this is a party, right? Let's cut loose."

"I can do that," Scott says, pumping a fist in the air.

"I thought you didn't drink Scott," I say, giving him a confused look.

"Today's a special occasion," he said, "Kim's been filling me in on what happened with NegaRamona. That's a good thing, so let's celebrate."

"All right, sure," I agree, "Where's the beer?"

"Over here," Scott says, leading the way. Once we find the cooler, which is huge by the way, and each grab a beer.

"What are these?" I ask.

"Molson," Kim says, "Local brand. Better than that cheap American swill any day."

"Hey, my dad drinks that cheap American swill," I tell her jokingly.

"Try this," Scott recommends, "You'll never want to go back."

"Hey, can I join in?" Natalie's voice asks as she walks over.

"It's your party," Scott points out, "Knock a few back with us if you want."

"Cool," she says, grabbing a Molson. "In that case, I propose a toast. To Ramona's evil exes; may they burn in the hottest fire of Hell."

"I'll drink to that," I say, grinning. We all clink our Molson bottles together and begin to drink. Let the good times roll on, I think to myself, grinning.

The scene centers on Ramona's smiling face before fading to black

A/N: Well, here we are, the end. You slogged through all ten chapters of my crappy fight scenes, occasionally poor characterization and bits of comedic fluff that didn't have shit to do with the storyline. Congratulations. Have a cookie. *bakes a fresh plate of cookies.* Anyway, thanks for hanging there. As I mentioned earlier, my next fic will be an attempt to make a story based on the actual comics. I've already got a basic plot in mind, so hopefully that'll be along pretty soon.