"You're just into me so much now because I won," Duncan smirked from across the table at Huddle House. "I'm into it. Makes me feel like you're my fangirl."

Courtney gagged. "As if. I wasn't surprised, anybody could've won against Beth." To be completely honest, ever since she got her supposed boyfriend (Courtney still didn't fully believe he wasn't a hired actor) Beth has been annoying as hell.

He laughed as he grabbed his napkin again trying to get the little remains of ink off her face. "She's aight. Nothing against me though. Most importantly, this money means I can live on the wild side without having to worry about not being able to get myself out of trouble."

"Oh no you don't," She swatted his hand away. "You are going to be responsible about this, Dun-"

"Pleaseee princess, when have I ever been responsible?"

Courtney rolled her eyes, "There's a first time for everything."

Duncan kicked her foot with his and then placed his hand on her knee, "You don't have to act like you don't love my bad boy ways, babe. There aren't any cameras around."

She scoffed and put another packet of sugar in her coffee. He was right, but she was never going to let him know that. It felt refreshing to be away from the cameras, celebrating just with her love—well she would never tell him that, but smoothing about distance really did make the heart grow fonder for her.

Duncan slid his hand off her knee and placed it on top of her hand that rested on the table. His eyes made her melt, he knew how she felt about that look. "I'm really happy that I'm here with you. It makes it all so much better."

At the time, Courtney didn't fully understand what Duncan meant. But now as the final competition against Tyler (Yes, she was very surprised too.), Duncan's cheering for her made the world of a difference. She had no idea what was going on, all of the eliminated contestants had joined the two of them in the lounge hours ago. She could literally hear the ticking of the clock when Duncan finally took a break from the bellowing. True to his character, Chris had a stunt double flip their way in as some sort of lame attempt to make it seem as if Chris himself had the ability to do so.

"It's about f***ing time," Duncan shouted. "I've been waiting hours to see my princess take this competition by the balls."

Courtney slapped her forehead, "Duncan, please try to refrain a little from the vulgarities."

Chris subtly flipped Duncan off behind his back as he smiled brightly for the cameras. "Welcome to the final competition! While I realize that you nuisances have no patience, you'll just have to learn how to shut up and be patient for a little longer because this challenge is going to take some time to prepare."

The group of teens groaned in unison.

Another hour later, Courtney was sprinting down the hall of the—well she had lost track at this point—of the hotel. Chris had released Tyler and her from the lounge an hour and a half later. Chef had taken the contestants one by one out of the room and placed them in random rooms throughout the hotel. Whoever came back to the lounge with the most contestants won. It had only been two minutes but Courtney figured the best strategy would be to ride the elevator to the top and work her way down using the stairs; she was a C.I.T., she knew what she was doing. She stopped in her tracks at a door with a skull carved into it.

She threw herself in the room and saw Duncan twirling his pocket knife around on his finger. "Princess, you came to rescue me!" He jumped up and kissed her. It was a kiss she could have gotten lost in… if there weren't a million dollars on the line.

She pulled away and grabbed his hand dragging him out in the hall with her, "No time! We have to win this! Do you have any idea where the others are?"

"Damn, you're hot when you're determined," He smirked. "I don't really know, except that all the rooms are connected to something significant each of us did. Like when you and I reunited in that room by-"

Courtney slapped her free hand over his mouth, "International television, Duncan! Shush!"

He licked her hand causing her to pull it back, "Sir yes sir."

She was lucky enough to find Gwen in the arcade; she had no clue as to why she would be in there, but she didn't have time to ask questions. Izzy had jumped out of the vent at her. Geoff and Bridgette were making out in the hot tub—no surprise there. Noah was in the business room. Justin was in his bathroom staring at himself, he was quite embarrassed to have been found while was in the middle of applying his mud mask. DJ had been in the garden playing with his most recent Bunny. LeShawna had been in the room her and Courtney shared, most likely because she was the person who she vented to about her struggles with overcoming her breakup. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9! That made nine! She just needed one more person to win this competition!

Much to her disappointment, Tyler must have already covered the spa because neither Lindsay nor Heather was there. And that's when it hit her—the piano! She sprinted her heart out to the piano she had found Trent at before, she heard the others huffing and puffing behind her. The white, pristine walls were blurring in her vision, she heard the piano. She burst into the room and found him. Trent sitting there smiling to himself as he played some melody. She was sure it was beautiful, but her ears were failing her. She was so numb to her surroundings; she was in a state of shock. She had done it. She finally won something. On her own, no help from her Dad or Duncan or whomever else she had leaned on before.

Trent stood up with a grin so wide it could've touched both of his ears, "I knew you'd know where to find me."

The speakers around them blared out with triumphant trumpets, confetti exploded from the sprinklers (It didn't take a C.I.T. to know that was illegal.), Duncan was already lifting her up. Chris had come into the room with the briefcase.

"Congratulations, Courtney! You just won Total. DRAMA. REWIND," Chris shouted, handing her the briefcase. Then, he leaned over and Courtney could've sworn she was dreaming because she heard him whisper, "You earned this."

The afterparty was a whirlwind. She had received hugs from people she knew thought Courtney was a not-so-friendly b-word. It was overwhelming. She hadn't felt so much adoration in… well, ever. Her dad even texted her, and that bastard hadn't made an effort to contact her since he cheated. That was what sent her over the edge. So, very quietly, she slipped out the door and took a cab to Huddle House.

It was there, at 3 AM, she was sitting under the slightly swinging fluorescent light starting at a swirling cup of coffee. She should be happy, she had everything she could ever imagine. But she wasn't. It seemed like everything she looked forward to only ended up being anticlimactic in the end. Something always felt missing.

The bell on the door rung as a new customer entered. Courtney almost robotically poured another packet of sugar into her coffee. "My God, Princess. Would you like any coffee with that sugar?"

She dropped the packet into her coffee (effectively ruining the drink) and spun around in her seat, and for a second—just a second—she forgot about everything else and only saw those blue eyes. "Duncan."

"I saw you sneak out, but was afraid you needed a second to have everything settle in," He smiled that half-smile as he slipped in the other side of the booth.

"Yeah," She sighed. "It's a lot."

"Ha, I remember. And you were the one who couldn't keep her-"

"My dad texted me!"

She didn't mean to do that. She hated blurting things out, she was supposed to always think things through. Why did he make her forget to do that?

Duncan drew in a breath and drew his hands together, "What did he say?"

Courtney shook her head and threw her face in her hands, "I haven't opened it."

He took her phone—without asking—and read the text aloud, "Congrats honey! I've been wanting you to come visit me, when is good for you?"

Courtney raised her head, anger bubbling in her.

"Fuck him." Duncan declared, turning her phone off.

"Duncan," Courtney was about to scold him, but then her anger turned into uncontrollable tears. Her father abandoned her for some slut and she was suddenly worth his time again now that she had won the money. She felt him slide into her side of the booth and wrap his arms around her, but it didn't stop her sobs. No, it was when she felt a tear fall on her shoulder that she looked up and saw his eyes watering. He quickly looked away.

She placed a hand on his face, turning it towards hers, "Duncan?"

"I just don't like to see you cry, ok?" He muttered, wiping away the few remaining tears.

Silence fell over them as she registered this. Something was different. She was different, so was he. She felt a bit more whole now, as she looked upon her love who was so compassionate towards her. For maybe the first time in her life, Courtney was speechless. So, with very little thought, she said, "Fuck him."

Duncan looked stunned, his mouth agape. An almost cynical grin appeared on his face before he broke into a bought of laughter. She sniffled and started giggling too. The two of them probably looked insane to the few people that inhabited the restaurant with them. Their hysterical laughter echoed throughout the building, and the joy spread to everyone's face. At 3:15 AM, everyone in the cramped Huddle House had smiles on their faces.

After getting a hold of himself, Duncan gazed into her eyes, "What now?"

Courtney sighed. What now? Well, she supposed she would go home and help her mom lay off all the extra shifts. Pay their remaining therapy bills. Pick her fall semester courses. HER COURSES! She could go to college; she was going to her college. With a proud smile, she said, "I guess I have to get ready for college."

He kissed her head, "Damn straight. I'm dating a future lawyer who's going to scare the shit out of everyone in the courtroom."

She laughed, and then her happiness was replaced with the same uncertainty she had as she floated away on the Boat of Losers, "What about us?"

"Don't you worry about it," Duncan waved. "I'm going wherever you are. I get to be the fanboy now—although that doesn't sound cool enough. Hmm, fan-badass. Yeah, that's much better."

"But how?"

"I may have been a total idiot before, but I wasn't so stupid that I didn't put some money away. I even invested some of it. Your man knows how to profit off his money," He smirked.

This definitely shouldn't have been enough of a plan for Courtney Satella, but she took some solace in the uncertainty Duncan was so comfortable with. The future looked bright for the Duncan and Courtney, and that was enough for her. They were together. They were happy.

Wow, I can't believe that this is done. I know I took a long time to complete it (I am very thankful for your patience with me), but I feel like the ending I would've written a year ago for this story would not have done it justice. I hope that you all enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it!