Epilogue
All's Fair in Love and War
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2 months later
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Sun filtered through the wooded landscape as Jane confidently trekked between the trees. It was an uncommonly bright winter day. Mindful of the crunchy, frosty leaves, she stealthily maneuvered through the shadows to track the target. The prey was on the move.
Using hand gestures she signalled to Zapata to move to her left while she maintained a northern route. Gun at the ready, Jane was relieved that she had been given medical clearance for field duty a few weeks ago. She had missed the energy and adrenaline of active duty.
Focus! Jane returned her attention to the task at hand.
A branch snapped up ahead and she crouched behind some dense bushes to investigate. Up ahead, Jane spotted a male figure dressed similarly to her — camouflage gear, combat boots, ammo — she raised her gun and aimed just as the man turned in her direction.
Reade's face filled her scope and she squeezed the trigger.
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3
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2
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1
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Direct Hit!
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Pink paint splattered all over Reade's upper chest. She stood up with a wide grin as Tasha broke through the trees with a whoop of triumph.
"Pink is definitely your colour," Tasha pointed and giggled, "Very in season."
Hands on his hips, Reade looked down in dismay, "I can pull off anything, but still, I would prefer to see you in blue."
A shot interrupted their ridiculous commentary.
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SPLAT!
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"Jane! RUN! I've been hit!," Tasha glared down at the blue paint that spread across her shoulder and helmet, "Damn it, Weller — only cowards hide in the trees. Come on out and fight!"
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Anticipation strengthened Jane's stride as she plunged into the forest. If she judged correctly, Weller would be coming from the northeast. She adjusted her direction and evasively headed towards the high ground to gain a better vantage point.
Borden had advised the team to take part in more group activities outside of work to foster friendship and build trust. Because of Jane's ribs, they had started with more tame adventures like Game Night and the she had been cleared by medical, they could raise the bar.
Jane grinned wolfishly as she gained the high ground. The team had divided into Guys vs. Girls and she was determined to win. She was certain she and Weller were the last ones standing — Patterson and Borden had already been eliminated about twenty minutes earlier.
The losing team had to treat the winners for drinks… and suffer the bitter taste of defeat. Jane would have been happy with just the bragging rights, except, she and Weller had made a their own bet. Their wager significantly raised the stakes on what was once a simple outing with friends; there was now a big decision riding on the outcome of the paintball game.
Moreover, Kurt would be insufferable if he won.
She noticed a flicker of movement in a copse of trees to her left so Jane shifted her attention to focus intently through the scope. A smirk of glee snuck across her face as she caught a brief glimpse of Weller. She steadied her breathing to await a clear shot until...Damn. Jane grimaced, he was moving away from her position.
Oh well, it wouldn't be fun if it were easy.
Standing cautiously she calculated a route through the forest that allowed her to circle around Kurt's trajectory. She prowled behind trees until she found her opportunity. Her footsteps made no sound in the brush as she crept up behind Kurt and nudged his shoulder with the barrel of her paintball gun.
"Surrender."
Kurt froze and groaned; he dropped his gun, slowly raised his hands, and turned. Unable to hide a grudging smile he nodded, "Good game, Jane. I guess the girls won."
She lowered her weapon and held out her hand for a handshake unable to hide an infectious grin, "This was fun! We should do it again!"
But her victory was short-lived. The smile dropped from Jane's face when she felt the sharp pressure of a paintball impacting her thigh. She looked at Kurt in confused disbelief.
Kurt only shrugged, still holding the small paintball pistol he had pulled from his pocket. Jane could not believe it; she had lowered her guard and Kurt had SHOT her!
While she gaped like a goldfish he begin to crow boyishly, "I win!"
"You cheated! You cheated!That doesn't count— you already surrendered."
"Don't be a sore loser, Babe. All's fair in love and war." he put his hands on her waist and tugged her closer for a kiss but Jane wiggled out of his grasp defiantly.
"And is this love… or war?" She crossed her arms shrewdly.
"Both, of course"
Jane pouted and stomped her foot; she didn't care if it was childish, "You still cheated — I don't think it should count. I demand a rematch."
Kurt leaned forward and gently cupped her chin in his hand and pulled her close for a kiss, "Is it really so bad that I won the bet… We practically live together already."
It was true. Jane spent most of her free time with Kurt, and they usually stayed at Kurt's apartment. Most of her clothes were there as well as the new belongings he had been helping her collect. Kurt had asked her to move in with him officially last week, but she was dragging her feet. She was reluctant to lose her place of refuge. Jane was loathe to admit that a tiny part of her still feared that he would change his mind.
Kurt had gamely proposed a wager on today's paintball game — if he won, she would move in officially and if she won, they would reassess next month.
Honestly, she was tired of listening to her insecurities. She had been working with Dr. Borden to regain her self-confidence and raise her expectations. Kurt had been nothing except supportive and trustworthy.
Jane knew that she had never been happier — she knew they were ready for this step.
She melted into him and framed Kurt's face in her hands as she gave him a deep, lingering kiss. She brushed her nose against his and gazed fervently into his bottomless blue eyes before whispering against his lips, "I want to move in— but I still won."
It was important to keep the record straight — there were bragging rights to consider.
Kurt's face broke into a huge grin as he lifted her up and twirled her around and around in the sunlight. They laughed freely as she slid down his body as he freckled her nose and cheeks with butterfly kisses until he pressed her against a tree to passionately crush his mouth against hers.
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Unbeknownst to Kurt and Jane, they had two, extra pairs of eyes witnessing their celebration.
"Told you I'd win the bet," Tasha boasted as she and Reade quietly left to give the couple some privacy.
"Yeah, yeah- I'll give you your money next week," Reade grumbled
"Hold on. Double or nothing, they won't let us know they're official until next week," Tasha couldn't resist another friendly wager.
"Those two are pretty private, I'll take that bet, we won't find out for at least two weeks." Reade spotted a conniving look on Tasha's face, "And no influencing the outcome, Zapata, or you forfeit."
The two bickered and conspired until they met up with Borden and Patterson at ground zero. They made up an excuse about losing Jane and Weller in the forest… to give them some extra time together.
Only those two would use an epic paintball battle to decide when they would move in together. A walking fairytale in camo gear and paint.
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10 Months Later
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It was the early in October, Kurt and Jane were taking advantage of a lazy Sunday to enjoy one of the last sunny days of the year. After breakfast at a local bistro and a leisurely stroll around Central Park they had settled on a park bench. Kurt was reading the newspaper while Jane had reclined on the bench with her head cradled in his lap.
Kurt found it hard to focus on the paper— he was easily distracted by the smile playing around Jane's lips while she slept. She had fought heartily against her need for a nap, but once she had relaxed it had only taken minutes for her to fall asleep.
It had taken Kurt months to truly convince Jane that she was the love of his life. Even now, when she woke up from the occasional nightmare he could read the wide-eyed fear in her eyes when she saw his face. Those nights always made his throat swell and his heart ache. On those nights he held her a little closer and made love to her more intensely; Kurt would do anything to ensure that Jane knew she was loved.
Sandstorm had been taken down when Jane had managed to turn Roman. Now, Roman consulted with the team to investigate the remaining tattoo cases and reveal further cases of corruption. Damn did that man hate him at first. Roman wanted his sister back— and he resented Kurt's presence in Jane's life; but together, Kurt and Jane were slowly bringing him into the team.
Kurt ran his hands through Jane's hair absentmindedly and twined his fingers around her curls. It as amazing how much his life had changed in a year.
Last year, he was Jane's tormentor. Last year, Kurt had let Jane go through hell while he was complicit in her agony. Now, he had earned her forgiveness. Now, he was her lover and fiancé. The corners of his mouth lifted when Jane's lashes fluttered as she roused from her nap; the engagement ring on her finger sparkled as she unconsciously reached for his hand.
Kurt marvelled at how he could hold his whole world in his arms.
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Jane slowly drifted into wakefulness to the feeling of Kurt playing with her hair. She fought a silly smile; he loved to do that. She lay there boneless, with her eyes closed for a minute longer just enjoying the moment… just enjoying this peaceful, lazy day with her favourite person.
It had been hard to trust him — to trust their relationship. Jane was so used to the floor dropping out from under her feet, that she had spent months waiting for the punchline. It had taken a lot to get them to this point; lots of conversations, fights, therapy and reassurances.
Last year was a study in penance. She used to be the nameless, tattooed woman in Time Square — the traitorous amnesiac who inspired her team's hatred. She was so down-trodden, terrorized and depressed that she barely struggled through each day. Last year Kurt was her unrealized dream and a factor in her downward decline.
This past year had transformed her life. She had paid the price and now she could reap the rewards. Now when Jane had nightmares, she woke up to Kurt's reassuring face. Now, she had a family: Roman, the team and her fiancé — all of whom cared about her, flaws and all. She expected and demanded more from life.
Jane let her viridian eyes open to meet Kurt's gaze. He was her starting point, and now they were on a journey together.
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Jane smiled up at Kurt and they sat in comfortable silence admiring the fineness of the day. She giggled as Kurt leaned forward to peck her lips and then tilt over and drop a kiss her stomach. Their hands met as they caressed the barely-noticeable bump.
"Come on, Beautiful, we should feed you. The baby's probably starving."
Kurt stretched and raised himself off of the bench before he gallantly held out his hands and tugged Jane to her feet. If Jane thought Kurt was overprotective before, it was nothing compared to now — and she was only three months along!
She grinned mischievously, "Baby wants ice cream."
"Ice cream? She wants ice cream?" Kurt shook his head at Jane's childish request.
"Yes, he does."
"Well, she can have ice cream after a balanced, nutritious lunch." Kurt countered neatly.
"Fine, but he wants mint chocolate chip." Jane swung their joined hands and beamed at her fiancé.
"Whatever you want, Jane."
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The End
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It's sad to see it end but I finished it.
My first ever fan fiction — When I started I had no clue if I would ever complete it but it's shocking how addictive it is to write on this site
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To all my lovely reviewers — you kept me dedicated to the outcome and were so encouraging.
I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it
I am thinking some outtakes or something might be in order, but there are so many ideas floating around my head. My new focus is on this out-of-the-box future fic that I can't get out of my head. Once I actually write something and plot it out, I will see if you guys like it.
*Hint* Future fic. Kurt and Jane are happy until someone from her past intrudes.
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If you have read my story all the way through, please let me know your impressions and any new ideas