Final part of the five part subplot that started with Collapse :)

Decision

The office was quiet as they sat. For a moment, it was possible to hear a pin drop. But then Regina blew a raspberry and broke the silence. Rory had her close as she sat on her lap, gently bouncing her on her knee. Stephen sat by her side, close to her, with his body turned in her direction. Across the table, Boo, Callum and Freddie shared the other couch while Thorpe sat perched in the armchair. Marigold stood by the door of the office. She wasn't in everyone's good books so she stayed separate.

Rory thought about what she had just been told. I could've died. She believed it. She remembered the feeling. It felt like she was dying. She thought she was. I will die if it keeps going. They had explained what had happened and what the doctor had said. Stephen told her that it was her choice to make and that, whatever she decided, he would support her but that didn't mean he had to like it. She smiled when he said that. She understood what he meant. If she chose to keep going as a terminus, he wouldn't agree with her but he'd back her up regardless. She loved him for that. She could make the wrong choice and he'd be there for her because he respected her decision. But there wasn't a choice. She wouldn't keep doing it. There was no question. She had thought she wouldn't see Regina grow up, thought she'd never meet Jazza and Jerome's little one, thought she wouldn't see Boo and Callum get married. When she had blacked out, she had genuinely believed that it was the end. She had genuinely believed that Stephen was the last thing she'd ever see, that his voice was the last thing she'd ever hear. But it hadn't been. She had woken up in hospital to Stephen glued by her side. She had cried when she saw him, relieved that she had woken up. He had cried too. There had been hugs, kisses and tears. Then he had brought her home and it all happened again when she saw Regina. But then had come the hard part. They had to tell her the truth. And now they'd told her.

She had made her choice. Now she had to tell everyone. She looked to Stephen first. She spoke clearly so everyone could hear her. "Stephen, when we first discovered what I was, you told me that it was up to me how I used it. That it was my decision. You promised me that no one would force me to use it."

He nodded. "That promise is as true now as it was then."

She looked at him with wide eyes and nodded. Then she turned to face the group. "I'm not doing it anymore."

She saw the nods of acknowledgement from all the group coupled with small smiles. She could tell they all thought she'd made the right decision. She heard the clear sigh of relief from Stephen. He scooted closer still and put his arm around her. She nestled into him, still holding Regina on her lap and she decided that this was how it would stay. Nothing could convince her to give up the family that she made, nothing would convince her to continue being a terminus if it meant her death.

She closed her eyes and smiled, relieved that that hadn't been as painful as it could've been. She heard Thorpe talk, his voice calm but with a surprising sharpness. She snapped her eyes open and saw everyone's heads turn to him. "This is a family, Marigold. Look at them."

Rory turned her head to Marigold. She was frowning and her mouth was parted slightly. She had clearly been about to say something. Thorpe continued. "Rory has made her choice. It's her ability and her decision is final. She's decided to stop so that is the end of the conversation. Is that clear, Marigold?"

Everyone turned to Marigold. "Crystal." She nodded once, turned on her heel and left the building. Rory released the breath she had been holding. Once Marigold had gone, everyone started to smile.

"Good choice, Rory," Boo said.

"I agree," Freddie added.

Stephen kissed the top of her head. There weren't enough words to express his relief and she knew that the tiny little gesture he just did conveyed it all. She looked across to Callum. "I'm sorry Callum. I know you liked having as many termini as possible."

Callum smiled at her gently. "I like having termini but I'd rather have my sister alive and well. I agree with your choice, Ror."

She smiled at him and held out her hand. He took it across the table and gave it a squeeze. Thorpe stood with a smile. "Ok, so we're one termini down. That's ok," he added quickly. "We'll just figure out a new system. I suggest that each terminus be put somewhere accessible to all parties, perhaps here at the office. Then whoever is going out on call will be able to arm themselves. Rory, I believe there is a high risk taking you out in the field again. Though you may not use your power voluntarily, it does not guarantee it won't be used. There have been several occasions where a ghost has made contact with you and you've terminated them against your will. We cannot risk that happening. In everyday life, it should be fine as no ghost should wish to attack you but when faced with a potential threat, it may cause a problem. Do you agree with my assessment?"

She nodded gently. He continued. "May I suggest you take up a role as a researcher? And you can do the paperwork. That'll mean that you're still an active member of this team without you having to put yourself in danger."

Rory smiled at him. "I can do that."

He smiled back with a nod. "Good. That'll also solve who'll be staying with Gina because you'll be at home with her."

"See?" Stephen asked. "We can make it work."

A thought suddenly cross her mind and her breath hitched. "What about the Shadow Cabinet? I'm one of their stones, I'm-"

Stephen shook his head gently. "Let me worry about them. I'll take care of it. I promised you Rory. No one, no one, will force you to do anything. You've made your choice and no one will make you change it. I swore that to you then and I swear it to you now."

She smiled as she nestled back into him. Regina began babbling random sounds on her lap and she began bouncing her knee again softly. Stephen lay his head on hers and she heard Boo say she'd put the kettle on. Perhaps everything would work out in the end after all. Perhaps they could be normal.