AND THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

A Gunslinger Girl fanfiction, based on works by Yu Aida.

Authors note: So this wraps up And the Adventure Continues. Thanks to anyone who has been silly enough to stick with me this far, I hope it was worth the effort... and this certainly is not the end for Jethro+Monty.

As always, special thanks to Professor Voodoo for the continued use of Genco Ribisi, and Sam Tyler belongs to the BBC.

EPILIOGUE

Scotland had always welcomed those of independent spirit, offering sanctuary and retreat from the world amongst its craggy landscape. Beyond tall, arched windows, framed by thick velvet and sheer fabric curtains, the high walls of Edinburgh Castle stood just visible above rooftops and bare trees, painted into soft relief by dull morning sunlight.

Placing his nearly bare breakfast tray to one side, Jethro Blacker relaxed back into downy pillows, listening as sounds of the street below wafted skyward to seep muted past double glazing alongside that picturesque scene. Somewhere down there people were going to school or work, out shopping or enjoying the seasonal ice-rink and winter fair set up below the towering edifice of Castle Rock: normal, everyday undertakings, distant and distorted.

One hand reached up to brush against a patch of wadding still taped to his face, protecting battered tissue and bones. Apparently it could come off shortly, but for now he was instructed, on no uncertain terms, to rest; and someone, for once, was taking doctor's orders very seriously indeed.

But that was endurable, and right now he was perfectly content to lay here and enjoy the view.

Spending another moment to drink in far sights his eyes shifted closer, back over the city and through this expensively furnished hotel apartment to where a skinny figure perched prettily on the edge of their bed, just out of reach.

Feeling his gaze upon her, Monty rustled newspaper pages again, flipping it back on itself to easier handle the broad sheets, looking more closely at a small side-column article.

"Here we are: 'Police have released the identity of a suspected suicide victim found dead in his Manchester hotel room two weeks ago. Now identified as Hakan Ahmed Çelebi, a Turkish national in the UK on business, his death has yet to be linked to suspicious circumstances. Reiterating assertions that investigations are continuing however, Detective Chief Inspector Sam Tyler of the Manchester Police has asked that anyone acquainted with Mr. Çelebi come forward should they feel able to bring information to the case. Authorities have been unable to make contact with any of Mr. Çelebi's relatives, and as such his remains are scheduled to be repatriated to his native Turkey for burial later next week'." From where she sat the girl looked at her partner, "Sounds like they're close to calling it a day."

"That would be nice, though an extra little while to let things cool completely won't hurt lest MI5 decide to take an interest..."

"You don't have anyone who could keep them off our backs?"

"Possibly, but calling in favours when not required is something I would rather eschew... Besides, we're stuck here at least another week until I get given a green light."

That earned a disapproving look. "Had you seen a doctor earlier they may have avoided needing to re-break your cheek bone."

"You know as well as I Demirer needed dealing with before he found opportunity to talk to anyone." Now the recumbent man grinned, wincing slightly, "Besides, the Scots have a better bedside manner than the Italians, and they do house calls."

"I still think..."

"Yes dear."

That was met with another unimpressed look, and the handler shrugged. "Look at it this way luv: we've nothing so urgent it needs to be chased up immediately. Genco's still fine-tooth-combing your report in the hope it clears up some loose ends, or explains Anasetti, and the printing press is long gone; we lost our chance there the minute we boarded the wrong flight out of Cyprus..."

"We really are just about back to square one on that..."

"Almost. Not quite, but almost."

Now the girl looked pensive, broadsheet hanging loosely from one hand. Then she sighed. "There are still too many questions: that, Nick and Shamus, Moratti, Mary, Anasetti... reading between the lines Rome is still climbing walls over his incident."

"Another good reason to avoid them if we intend to make headway on any of the above... though of course, when they get a bee in their bonnet, our lords and masters have a tendency to call whether we want to chat or not." Reaching across his tray Jethro picked up the china coffee cup still nestled there to drain its last tepid dregs, careful not to spill any on white sheets.

"I would prefer not..." Resting on the room's small table, Monty's computer binged: new mail, and leaving the paper in reach of her partner's grasp its owner stood, smoothing out imagined creases in her black skirt before looking back at him. "...but when Rome says jump..."

"...where to this time?"

And The Adventure Continues.