A/N: Guys... Thank you, for everything. For reviewing, for the support, for just being out there.

This is the end... of this little journey, but not of my marriage.

The thing with books... with the little stories we write is... the story goes on long after the book closes. Life goes on, rolling forward. Books, like fictional characters, are limited. They can give us a glimpse, a window, into life, but outside the window, Life is so much bigger, so much brighter and more beautiful, that we can't help but embrace it. To close oneself up in fiction for too long is to close the window, trapping ourselves behind sterile glass, cutting ourselves off from all the sights, smells and feelings life has to offer. Fan fiction in general, and this story in particular, has been my safe place during a rough patch... but now it's time for me to get up from the window and go outside, to engage in Real Life with an renewed vigor and passion.

That does not mean I will leave the site, not at all, or that I will stop writing... I am a writer, after all. but this story, this little fiction, has served its purpose, and now, it has come to its end.

Once again, thank you to those who've read, who've left their comments, who've engaged with me in a small way through this process. Thank you. And to my friends who have walked beside me throughout it all, coming into the Valley itself with me, listening to my rants and rambling, who've cried with me and gotten angry on my behalf, who've given me advice, hugs both real and virtual, and cyber-drinks and cookies, I am forever in your debt.

To everyone, I wish you the best this holiday season and if you haven't already, I hope one day you find your Hero. When you do, remember, the dragons are real. They can, and will, hurt you. But... if you believe in your Hero, you stand firm and you fight. And if you're lucky, you win and get... not a happy ending, but another chance at continuing the story.

Take care.
Rejoicing in the day,

-Mary

Chapter 10 -The End-
~~~

Leonardo found the woman sitting on the rusted bench in the patch of trees behind her home. Birds were chirping their tiny hearts out, though the day had taken on the first chill of winter. Leo shivered, drawing the parka closer around his shoulders.

Shell, I'm glad Ken lost all that weight, he thought. His old stuff's big enough to fit us and still almost new. It's not easy to find coats to fit over our shells.

He didn't bother trying to hide his approach and even deliberately stepped into the dry piles of leaves to rustle them as he came closer, but she didn't even acknowledge his presence until he sank down rather gingerly on the bench seat beside her. He could feel the chill of the metal through the thick sweat-pants covering his legs and shivered. She'd been out here over two hours already.

She must be freezing, he thought.

Mary glanced at him and he saw the ghost of a smile before her eyes went back to the distance she'd been staring into. After a moment, she shifted over on the bench and leaned against his side. Leo's arm came automatically around her shoulders. She was cold. She pressed against his side and only then did she begin to shiver, to tremble as if she were shattering, cracking apart. Her arms came around him, clinging as if she'd never let go and Leonardo heard a muffled sob. He tightened his arm around her, but said nothing, waiting for her to speak.

Leo was shivering slightly with the cold before the woman sat up. She pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her face before she would look at him.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"It's ok."

"You… the jacket… it… it still smells like him." She spoke so softly Leo just caught the words.

"I'm sorry," he said in sudden understanding. "I shouldn't have worn it…"

"Leonardo, no," she said firmly, meeting his eyes for the first time. "It's cold. I wanted you guys to have that stuff. I'm glad you can use it. Besides…" A faint flush crept up her cheeks. "I… really needed that hug."

Leo's hand came up without his thinking, smoothing the hair away from her face.

"Hey, any time."

She reached up, grasping his wrist, and turned her face so that her cheek rested against his palm. He was startled at how cold her skin was against his hand.

"You guys have been such good friends to me," she said softly. "Thank you."

Finally she let him go and Leo took his hand back, resisting the urge to wipe the tears off on his pant leg.

"So… what are you going to do now?"

"What do you mean?" The look she gave him was hollow, haunted. Leonardo waited. Mikell sighed. "I'm going to get back up and keep fighting," she whispered.

Leonardo nodded. "I'm not surprised."

"Oh?" The faintest spark of the old humor showed in her eyes for an instant before it was swallowed up.

"You've never been a quitter," he said softly. "And besides, you still believe in heroes, right? I mean… I'm here." He smiled. "Mary… you're going to get the happy ending."

Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she didn't look away. She drew a shuddering breath. "I… I don't know if I believe in happy endings, Leo."

The turtle stared. "But… I thought… I mean, you guys were talking last night and…"

She shook her head. "Leo, it's ok."

"How is it ok?"

What about Jessi and Arek? What about fifteen years? What about your family, your dreams? Everything you've worked for so long to build up, everything you love? Oh, Mikell, I know he dropped a bomb on you yesterday, but I hope you're not about to do something you'll regret for the rest of your life.

"It's ok because I don't believe in endings, Leo. I… I believe stories go on, even after the book closes. I believe that endings are only the beginning. I believe that where there is life, there is hope. And…" she looked away again, wrapping her arms around her middle. "Leo, maybe I'm crazy, but… I believe in him. I believe in my husband. I think we can make this work."

Leonardo nodded slowly, understanding and relief flooding him. "So… you're not going anywhere, huh?"

"Nope."

"And Ken?"

She drew another shuddering breath. "He came home. He says he's willing to try. He doesn't want to lose us, either."

"How about you? Are you going to be able to forgive him?"

She hesitated, the pain crossing her features once more. "It's… going to take a while," she said.

Well, I guess I understand that. It took a while for me and Raph to be ok after that fight... "Mary?"

"Yeah?"

"It's worth it."

She nodded. "Yeah, Leo. When you get a Hero, he's worth hanging on to." She leaned back, wrapping an arm around his carapace and hugged him again. For once, he didn't blush, but gave her a direct look. The woman's breath caught and the red crept up her cheeks for a change.

Leonardo smirked. "You know what?"

"What?" her voice was slightly breathless.

"You're cute when you're blushing."