Happy Revenge day, my Demily friends! Revenge aired where I am tonight, although I'm not thrilled about watching it with Daniel gone. I shall persevere and view it nonetheless. ;) Thank you to all of you who joined in our "group therapy session" this past week regarding Episode 4x11. I'm still in recovery from Epitaph, to be honest. Mercy.

Anyway, on with another chapter! I'm sorry I'm behind in posting it. I had planned to have it finished at least a couple of days ago. I hope it goes without saying that I am beyond appreciative of your continued support of this story, but please let me say a big THANK YOU again for your feedback, favorit-ing and following of my fic. :)

Side note: I know I am terribly behind in updating my other two fics for any of you who are interested in those. I have been writing updates on each as well and am going to do my best to get them posted very soon.

I've rambled, per usual. Happy reading. :)


Chapter Eight

His words had been eloquent, but why shouldn't they be? Daniel was a poet, always and forever, and more over, he was clearly speaking from his heart. Emily was suddenly taken back to a time when it was just the two of them being accompanied by an inconvenient rain shower. The captain of the boat had politely handed them an umbrella to share, but it only temporarily sheltered them from the downpour.

Nevertheless, Daniel had persevered, knelt on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Still struggling to admit the truth in her heart, her heart which was rapidly beating, Emily had been stunned by his proposal. But as Daniel looked up at her with hopeful eyes, she felt overcome with her own emotional pull towards him. It was one of those rarest of moments when revenge was not on her mind. All she could see was his handsome face, loving her and wanting her to be his for the rest of their lives. So she had said yes, not because of her plan, but because she wanted to, all the while feeling as though she could hardly breathe.

Emily felt the same way now as Daniel asked her to be his again... emotions engulfing her, the need to gasp slightly for air. There was not a plan to worry about now though, not when it came to him. She did not cry the first time he proposed, nor any of the other times for that matter, but she was crying now. Tears were streaming down her face because Emily had finally reached a breaking point where she let her walls crumble, where there was no more hiding who she was from the man who had always loved her... who unimaginably seemed to love her more now than he ever did before.

Emily had fought Daniel every step of the way, but she now realized nothing felt better than allowing herself to just be with him, to allow her heart to respond in a way that was amazingly natural. She could reply with confidence now, perhaps really for the first time.

Daniel heard Emily's answer before his eyes even opened again. One simple, but perfect, word spoken so softly he almost did not hear her. Yes.

His heart lifted as his eyes searched her's for affirmation. "Yes?" Daniel clarified, the hope in his voice apparent. Having just finished pouring his heart out to her, he was prepared for her to turn him down yet again.

Emily nodded, a soft smile forming. And there it was again: a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Yes."

Daniel returned the smile with a beaming one of his own, utterly relieved and pulled her face to his to kiss her. Emily's light laughter at his enthusiastic response tickled his lips so that he soon was laughing too. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around him as he continued to hold her face, kissing her with excited passion. This felt right...finally. Maybe it had taken them each nearly destroying one another to bring them to this place of flawless alignment.

Dropping his hands, Daniel now scooped Emily up into his arms and carried her the short distance to the bed to gently lower her onto the plush spread. Her eyes danced up at him as Emily lie flat on her back with Daniel hovering over her, resting the weight of his body on his right arm. "I love you, Daniel."

Her words momentarily took his breath for it was only the second time he had heard Emily say them with the certainty that they were actually sincere. Daniel lifted his fingers to her cheek to gently trace his thumb across her bottom lip. "I love you... Amanda."

There was something about Daniel saying her real name now that caused warmth to spread in her heart. It still sounded foreign to be called by it, but the fact he was selective when he did, made it special to her. It was a representation that he knew the real her and he loved her more because of it. Now it was Emily who lifted her hands to Daniel's face, pulling him downwards until his lips were entangled in her own again. Daniel moaned in response, and shifted their bodies to the side so that he could fumble with the zipper on her dress. He was soon successful, and Emily's dress along with his clothing were in a heap on the floor seconds later.

Daniel paused to fully take in the beautiful sight of her long body stretched diagonally across the bed in surrender. He would never grow tired of her, of that he was absolutely certain. Emily watched as Daniel slowly began to make his familiar ascension up her leg with his lips, starting with her ankle. But she reflexively closed her eyes when Daniel reached her inner thigh, the sensation overpowering. He kept going tonight though, up and around the curve up her hip until he reached her smooth stomach.

Now holding her waist in his hands, he lovingly kissed its entire surface, hesitating slightly when he came to her scars. He always did. The guilt he felt at seeing them gripped him, and sensing this, Emily would usually run her fingers through his hair which would cause Daniel to look at her and receive the reassurance reflecting in her eyes. Tonight was no exception, but this time held greater significance. For not only was there the reminder of her forgiveness, there was also one of complete restoration. He knew it. She knew it. And as Daniel lowered his lips to Emily's scars, he recognized the special gift growing behind them. His gift to her and her gift to him.

When they became one, it wasn't on the cusp of a heated fight as was often the case. It wasn't rushed or lined with feverish passion either which was common as they desperately sought relief in each other, their attraction to one another nearly driving them insane. Instead, it was slow and possessed a sweetness that reminded Emily of their first time together. Not long ago, she had wanted nothing of the sort, but tonight, she would not have wanted it to be any other way. It represented how they had come full circle together.

Daniel held the back of her neck with his hand, wrapping Emily's body securely against his with the opposite arm. And when she smiled up at him, he knew this was the moment between them he'd been waiting for since he first laid eyes on her.

"I bet it was the pool table," Daniel said a little while later, breaking the peaceful silence as they were now lying on their backs.

Emily furrowed her brow at his random comment. "What?"

"When we had sex on the pool table...I bet that's when you got pregnant." They, of course, could not know for certain when the conception had occurred, but it was a nice thought, nonetheless.

"It was pretty incredible," Emily agreed with a smirk, glancing over at Daniel. He was staring at the ceiling with a devilish grin plastered across his face at the recollection. "But if you ask me, the shower sex was pretty incredible too."

"Oh yeah, that was hot." He rolled onto his side and began kissing the nape of her neck, mumbling, "Why haven't we done it in there since?"

Emily smiled, both at his question and the sensation his lips were creating. "I don't know. We should."

"We definitely should," Daniel breathed into her mouth. Emily continued to smile against his lips, feeling herself becoming lost in him once again. But the growling of her stomach reminded them both that they had skipped dinner. Daniel laughed, pulling away.

"Sorry," Emily chuckled. "Our dinner over there's probably ice cold now."

Daniel looked over his shoulder at the candlelit dinner she had prepared which still awaited them. "That's what they invented microwaves for, right? I'll be right back," He said, kissing her once more.

Emily sat up, watching him slip on a pair of boxers and whisk their dinner plates out of the room. She herself then rose and slipped on a robe before walking out to the balcony Victoria had once claimed as her throne. It was now dark outside, making the lit beach house even more prominent in the distance. Emily thought of her dad again, the conversation they'd shared earlier, and then about Victoria.

Bringing a protective hand to her still flat stomach, Emily's mouth began to curl. She and Daniel would share their news with her former and future mother-law tomorrow.

They waited for a time the next day when they knew Victoria was alone at the beach house. The aging beauty opened the front door, finding it odd that they had actually knocked. "Daniel..." Victoria greeted with pleasure, happy to see her son. Her smile quickly fell. "I see you've brought Emily with you." She made an about face to lead them further into the house, her black locks cascading down her back.

Daniel and Emily cast one another a knowing smirk as Victoria turned back around. "Victoria, forgive me for intruding on your time with Daniel, but I simply insisted I join him to share our good news," Emily smoothly replied with an overtly feigned smile.

"Oh? And what news is that?" Victoria sneered, bracing herself.

Daniel wrapped his arm around Emily's waist, enjoying watching his mother squirm. They glanced at each other before turning to Victoria in smiling unison, "We're pregnant."

Victoria grimaced, feeling as though she might become physically ill, and brought a hand to her chest as if that would somehow calm the heaving sensation she was suddenly experiencing. "You really are going to be a grandmother this time, Victoria," Emily added with a coy smile.

"Yes, and imagine our surprise, Mom, since you provided proof that Emily was sterile."

Slowly, Victoria lowered herself to the arm of the sofa. She had feared this might happen when she realized Daniel's reunion with Emily was in fact real, but of course, had not been able to do anything to dissuade it from occurring without showing her hand. "Must have been a misdiagnosis."

"I'll say. And conveniently, by two different doctors. I just can't imagine how they could have both been so terribly wrong." Emily tilted her head in false ignorance.

"Of course, Emily and I couldn't be happier," Daniel chimed to rub salt into his mother's open wound, and Emily shook her head with a smile before he added, "In fact, we've decided to get married again."

Victoria scoffed. "How...repetitious... yet again. Take it from someone who had the misfortune of marrying the same man twice... things are not better the second time around."

Emily continued to reply innocently. It was a game she and Victoria had played ever since her Hamptons arrival, and she missed it as of late. "Oh Victoria, surely you want your grandchild growing up in a loving, stable home with two parents."

Victoria scowled, hating Emily more by the second, if that were even possible. "Does your father know about this?"

"Know what?" David asked as he entered the beach house rather tensely which Victoria ignored, but Emily immediately noticed.

"It seems we're going to be grandparents, David. Oh, and Daniel and Amanda have decided to remarry."

David forced a smile. "That's great. Congrats, you two."

"Dad, what's wrong?" Emily asked, assessing his current lack of enthusiasm had nothing to do with their news.

David sighed, all eyes on him. "I just had a call from Nolan. Malcolm Black is finally on the grid again." Of course, Nolan had been monitoring the madman's aircraft traffic for weeks thanks to the FAA locator numbers he was able to retrieve from Kate Taylor's phone.

"Is he heading here?" Emily questioned.

"Too soon to tell. He departed Ottawa a short while ago."

Daniel instinctively pulled Emily closer. "What are we going to do?"

David glanced at Victoria who was standing with a tightened jaw, then to his daughter who was looking at him in calm expectation, and finally to Daniel, the source of the most recent question. "As soon as Nolan can determine Malcolm's destination, I'm going to make some calls. He didn't get to where he is without making some serious enemies."


"How are you doing, Jack?" Emily pensively inquired of her childhood friend, entering the destroyed remnants of the Stowaway. Jack had been working to repair it for the past several weeks in small increments. Granted, it was a long way from completion, but it gave him something to do with his hands.

Jack did not bother to look up at her as he nailed a fresh board of wood into the wall. "I haven't seen my son in over six weeks. How do you think I'm doing?"

Emily closed her eyes, shoving her hands in her pockets. "I'm so sorry, Jack. I can't imagine how hard it is to be separated from Carl, but...it's for his protection."

He dropped his hammer to the floor and rose to a standing position, remorseful about snapping at her. "I know. I just wish I knew when it was going to end."

"Soon, hopefully. It seems Malcolm Black is finally en route. Nolan's tracking his flight plan."

"So he's coming here? For all of us?"

"Maybe you should leave town too," Emily suggested in concern.

"No way..." Jack shook his head with determination in his light eyes. "No way I'm leaving you, David and Nolan to finish this without me."

"Jack, you saved my life and Daniel's when you fired your gun at Kate... You've done more than enough. I've taken so much from you. I...I don't want to take anymore." Jack averted his eyes, pained by the reminder of his significant losses. "When this is done... I really hope you can be free of me...once and for all." It is what Emily wished for him, complete freedom from her and her web of chaos. Jack had sacrificed too much for her, and she just wanted to do right by him for once.

"I'm never gonna be free of you, Emily... not really." He raised his shoulders, slightly shaking his head at the absurdity of the situation. "Truth is...I'm not really sure I want to be."

"You're a good friend, Jack." Emily smiled regretfully to which Jack formed a sad smile in response. He was a good friend to her even though she often times did not deserve it. But he would forever see that innocent nine year-old girl trapped in her eyes, and that is what always kept him moving forward. Emily drew a short breath. "I'll be in touch."


The following afternoon, Daniel and Emily sat in the Manor living room on opposite purple couches with Daniel working on his laptop and Emily going through the week's worth of mail she had been avoiding. Her muttering interrupted his concentrated thought. "I should've noticed this before."

Daniel looked up with a furrowed brow as Emily tore open the envelope. "What is it?"

"It's a letter from Charlotte." Her eyes quickly scanned the contents of the letter. "She's going to be finished with her rehab program next week, which is now this week, and she wants to come home."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea considering the MB situation."

Emily continued to read. "She says she's not going to be home to stay. She just wants to see you and address our unfinished business."

"And what unfinished business is she speaking of exactly?" Daniel set his laptop to the side, deciding his work could wait. "You know... you and I've never really talked about what went down between you two."

It was another one of those topics Emily was is no rush to share, but she knew it was bound to come up at some point. She sighed. "Charlotte wasn't really...receptive... to the truth."

"You said she broke your infinity box," Daniel prompted.

"That was just the tip of the iceberg, unfortunately."

"What did she do?" Emily looked away from his question, having a flash of entering the in tact Stowaway for what would be the final time. Charlotte was waiting for her at the bar with a spiral. Naively, Emily had begun to read it, interested to read her sister's thoughts and feelings, only to soon sustain a harsh blow to the back of her head causing everything to go black. "Em...what did she do?" Daniel repeated with dread.

"She set fire to the Stowaway... with me in it...after she knocked me out."

Nothing should cause him surprise, but this did. Sure, Charlotte had her flaws, but in Daniel's mind, she was still his sweet and misguided sister, not someone capable of cold-blooded murder like their mother. "What?!"

Emily closed her eyes when she saw horror in his. "Before you say anything else, you need to know...what I did to her first." She reopened her eyes so that she could face his reaction of her next statement. "I'm the one who kidnapped her, Daniel."

"You kidnapped your own sister?" Daniel asked rhetorically, absorbing her confession.

Emily looked off to the distance before quietly replying, "I thought it was the only way to take down your father."

Daniel heaved a jagged sigh. He had long suspected this was the case, but to hear Emily confirm it was forcing him to actually acknowledge it had occurred... another ugly truth he didn't want to be a reality. "How could you do that to her, Em? I mean, really?"

"I'm not proud of it," Emily admitted in a whisper. "I don't regret destroying your father, but...I do regret that it was at Charlotte's expense. I don't expect for her to forgive me, or for us to have a real relationship... When I showed her the infinity box, I was...foolishly hoping that maybe she could...understand." She shook her head, the notion sounding even dumber to her now.

"And instead...she tried to kill you. And you protected her...just like you did with me," Daniel softly surmised, a hint of appreciation filling his voice.

Emily shrugged a little, not wanting any commendation for her actions. "I guess I couldn't blame either one of you for wanting me dead after what I did."

"We have all made some really despicable choices, Em...but...if you and I can find a way beyond all of it...then you and Charlotte can too."

"I hope you're right," Emily whispered, her expression strained. "I know people wouldn't understand or believe me, but...I really do love her."

Daniel nodded slightly with a kind expression washing over his face. "I get it."

Emily gazed at him for a long moment, admiring the man he had become, admiring what they had become. "Thank you, Daniel."

This seemed to puzzle him. "For what?"

"For keeping your promise to me. For...not judging me."

Daniel stood and crossed the short space to the opposite couch, taking a seat right next to her. Emily's hands were clasped in her lap, and he took them in his. "I accept you. You accept me. Isn't that what real love is all about?"

Emily's mouth creased in one corner. "You're such a romantic."

"I know," He sighed again with a half-smile. "I can't help it."

"Please don't ever change," Emily softly requested, drawing Daniel's eyes intently to her own. "I'm counting on you to balance me out... I know I really suck at expressing myself, but...you make me better, Daniel."

Daniel brought his hand to her face in a familiar motion, pressing his lips to her's and then to her forehead. "We make each other better, Em."

It was a complete one-eighty considering they had once only elicited the worst in one another. And finding any security in Daniel was the last thing Emily expected, but letting him in had turned out to be just as much a salvation to her as it had been to him.

The sound of the doorbell ringing swelled. "I'll get it," Emily offered, rising and leaving the living room. When she returned a minute later, Margaux was slightly trailing behind.

Daniel stood, startled to see their visitor who was armed with an icy exterior. "Margaux..."

"Daniel," She replied, her French accent curt.

"Please, have a seat," Emily suggested politely as they all three sat in unison, Daniel next to Emily and Margaux across from them. "Can I get you anything?"

"No. Thank you. My visit will be brief."

"What brings you by?" Daniel warily asked.

"Your heroic act accompanied by the reunion of one of the Hamptons most elite and fascinating couples has sparked much interest from the media. I know you two have received multiple offers, and have declined all of them. But... I am hoping you will allow Voulez to feature an article."

"Margaux, I don't think that's such a good idea -" Daniel disapprovingly began.

"Why not? After all, we had the exclusive to your elaborate wedding last year," Margaux strategically reminded, studying the couple before her. Daniel seemed uncomfortable by her presence, and Emily...well, Emily was just being Emily, she supposed – poised and un-alarmed.

Daniel grimaced. "Look, Emily and I are done being in the spotlight. And quite frankly, I'm a little surprised that you would want to have any part of this."

"Why?" Margaux raised her brow. She had been prepared for such a response from him. "Because you and I were once lovers? When will you ever learn, Daniel, that business comes ahead of emotions for me? This article...would be good business." She pulled out the drafted proposal agreement from her sleek briefcase and laid it on the coffee table. "I don't expect an immediate answer, but please consider it." Margaux looked directly at Daniel. "I think you at least...owe me that."

"Well, that was awkward," Daniel commented with a sarcastic tone once Margaux let herself out.

Emily was now the one to raise her brow, releasing a shallow breath. "Maybe we should consider her offer."

Daniel turned to her, slightly appalled by the suggestion. "Are you crazy? Not only do we not need more publicity, we cannot afford to draw anymore attention to ourselves with Malcolm Black still on the hunt."

"Hopefully, my dad's plan will have worked, and Malcolm's enemies will have taken care of the problem by now."

"That is uncharacteristically optimistic of you."

Emily smirked in amusement at Daniel's reply. "True. But...I gave him my word that I would stay out of it." The amusement disappeared from her face. "A promise that is proving to be rather difficult to keep."

"Please tell me you're not planning to break it."

"I'm not...because... I have to keep the baby safe." Daniel closed his eyes, relieved by her words. Rather than saying anything, he slid his hand across her stomach, something he now did often, and a gesture Emily found herself loving each time. In turn, she would cover his hand with her own as they symbolically held on to the innocent life they had created. "I know it hasn't been very long, but...I'm already so in love with this baby, Daniel... And it scares me because...there are so many things out of my control right now."

Daniel parted his mouth to speak, but was thwarted by Nolan slipping through the patio doors, laptop in hand. "Sorry to interrupt this little Hallmark moment, but we've got a problem. A big one."

Daniel and Emily looked up at him with furrowed brows. "What's wrong?" Emily asked.

"Even though it seems a blood bath occurred in Miami this morning, the last confirmed location of our resident psychopath, as of ten minutes ago... Malcolm Black's plane is showing to be en route again...I think he's coming here."


"This party was a horrible idea. I cannot believe I let you talk me into this," David chided under his breath. "We are putting a lot of innocent lives at risk here."

Emily pretended he was uttering kind words, or at least that's what her expression conveyed. She could not have her guests thinking otherwise."You said yourself, Malcolm Black removes people quietly in private torture, not in public massacre. It's safer for all of us to be with a mansion full of people," Emily countered, feigning a socially polite smile. Her last minute Labor Day party tore through the Hamptons' party circuit at lightening speed. Having a shooting take place at the former Grayson Manor only seemed to intrigue people more. The turnout was sensational.

Jack approached them from behind then, his voice wedged between Emily's right shoulder and David's left. "Chief Alvarez is missing. No one has seen him since he left the police station last night."

David cut his eyes. "Well, that's no coincidence. Although, I'm not quite sure why he would go after Alvarez."

"It could be because of Kate. Maybe he wanted to question him," Jack offered.

"Or maybe it's because he's really just a dirty cop promoted to police chief. Perhaps, we should ask Victoria." Emily cast her eyes across the room at her enemy, who'd had a noticeably cozy relationship with the missing man, David and Jack following suit.

From another position in the crowded room, Daniel felt a tap on his back and turned around to find his sister wearing a genuinely happy smile. "Charlotte!" Daniel exclaimed at the unexpected sight as she threw her arms around him.

"Surprise."

"We thought you weren't being released until later this week?"

"I convinced my doctor to release me a few days early so I could be here for the holiday. Don't worry, I'm completely clean and fully in control," She assured with another smile. A smile that Daniel had previously thought might be gone forever. But then it fell from her face. "Where's Emily?"

"She's over there with David," Daniel replied, lifting his hand to discreetly point.

Charlotte looked through the crowd with mixed emotions. "So you two have really have gotten back together?"

Daniel nodded, wondering what was going on in her mind at the moment. "As crazy as it may seem, yeah."

"I still can't believe you took bullets for her."

Was Charlotte approving or disapproving of his choice? Daniel could not really decipher. Her eyes were wide, but oddly neutral. Deciding it was best they continue this conversation without the risk of listening ears, he asked if they could somewhere more private. Charlotte nodded and Daniel led her back through the foyer and up the stairs to one of the many guestrooms. Once they had taken a seat on the edge of the bed, Daniel continued, "Charlotte, a lot's happened since you left town."

Charlotte snorted. "I'll say."

"I want to thank you."

She cocked her head, confused by his remark. She could not remember the last time she had done something good. Sure, getting clean was a good choice, but it was done purely out of necessity. "Why?"

"For telling me the truth about Emily...that she's really Amanda Clarke. It's changed everything."

Charlotte dropped her chin. "Are you trying to tell me that I'm ultimately responsible for your reunion?"

Daniel grinned at her brow being crinkled from the prospect of the credit she clearly did not desire. "I'm trying to tell you that you opened the door for us to have honest conversations for the first time." He paused, lowering his voice to a serious tone. "I know what she did to you, Charlotte."

Charlotte's eyes dropped to her lap ashamedly. "And I suppose you know what I did to her?"

"Charlotte," Emily said quietly from the doorway. "You're home." Charlotte and Daniel stood as Emily walked towards them. She and Charlotte stared at one another for an awkward moment before Emily tentatively leaned forward to hug her sister, looking over at Daniel as she did so. Emily could tell from his eyes that he shared her concerns for Charlotte's safety, but that he was pleased to have her home as well.

"I'd like for us to really talk about everything that has happened between us. My therapist says I have to face my past if I want to move forward with my future," Charlotte resolutely explained.

Emily nodded a little in soft encouragement. "We can talk whenever you want, Charlotte."

The brunette's mouth curved a little in response though it could not really be called a smile. She turned to give Daniel a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to go say hi to our mother." And then to Emily, minus the kiss on the cheek. "And our father... It's a good thing I just spent the past nine weeks in therapy," Charlotte mumbled as she exited the room.

Emily looked at Daniel knowingly. It had already proven to be an interesting night. "We better get back downstairs."

Daniel's hand caught her wrist. "Just a second...I want to give you something... I wanted to give it to you before the party, but we got interrupted." Emily looked at him curiously as he reached in his coat pocket. "Now, I know you said you didn't need an engagement ring, but it just doesn't seem right you not wearing one... Anyway, I thought you might like this."

When he opened the small velvet box in his hand, it revealed simple bands of tiny diamonds crossed into a double infinity symbol. "Daniel," Emily breathed, taken aback. "Where did you find this?"

"I know a guy that's a jeweler." Daniel smiled, pleased by her reaction. "Do you like it?"

Emily did not care about jewelry or any of the material items money could buy, but she did care about infinity times infinity, and Daniel knew that. She looked up at him appreciatively. "It's perfect."

Daniel smiled again, removing the ring from the box and slipping it on her finger. He then brought her hand to his lips. "A journey with no end."

Emily promised, "I'll wear it for the rest of my life."


Another A/N: I just had to include more happy Demily moments in this chapter. It was another form of therapy for me after Epitaph, lol. I hope it was believable. It will not be perfect for them always because as we all know, they wouldn't be Demily that way. I do like to think though that the characters could share truly happy moments if their storyline had continued to be developed on the show.

I also hoped you liked the integration of the additional characters. I felt it was important for Jack & Emily to have an exchange after the role he played in the shooting, for Margaux to make an appearance and for Charlotte to return. Anyway, I'm not entirely sure that I'm pleased with the way this chapter turned out, but I tend to feel that way often because I never want them to be disappointing. So, I'll let you be the judges. Your thoughts are welcomed and requested as always! :)

Thanks!

Only Hope-7 xoxo