Author's Note: Hi everyone! It's a day late but, Merry Christmas! Sadly after this chapter there will only be two or three more :( Although there will be a sequel! I'm not sure when it will start due to my school works but it'll be in the works. also, thanks for everyone who has read this and stuck with. Anyway, here is the next chapter!

Chapter 24: LOSS

Mackenzie walked into the court room wearing a pair of white skinny jeans, a pale blue shirt, a slim fitting, grey suit jacket and dark grey boots followed by Dante, who was wearing a black suit and red tie, along with a white shirt. They took their seat in witness area.

"You still have the chance to back out, you know. No-one will blame you if you do," Dante whispered.

"I know but I want to do it," She replied.

Dante looked at the pain in her eyes and sighed. She was stubborn, so he knew Mackenzie wouldn't change her mind. He took her hand gently and she gripped it tightly looking down at it.

Mackenzie lifted her head and watched as her superior, Lieutenant Carter, sat beside her. She ignored the look of disapproval he gave her but he didn't say anything due to a look from Dante that said, Don't bother. I've already tried.

Ten minutes Shannon was brought out and was seated beside her lawyer. Her hands were cuffed in front of her and she looked pale but not as pale as Mackenzie who was now battling with feeling of guilt, fear and anger.

A few minutes passed by, every so often Mackenzie and Shannon shooting each other looks, one being full of fear and the other full of hatred, before the judge walked in and called the courtroom to silence. It was going to be a long day.

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Mackenzie returned to her seat after a ten minute recess. The trail had started at 11:00, it was now 15:00. Everyone was tired, Mackenzie in particular. Her torso and head were sore and the fear that was there at the start of the trail had only gotten worse. She knew something bad was going to happen but couldn't figure out what.

Everybody had been questioned, except the FBI who weren't able to attend. Dante and Lieutenant Carter's interviews had been quick but Mackenzie's was nearly three times as long. She was questioned on their military service, the case, Shannon torturing her and her escape. By the end of Mackenzie was feeling emotionally drained and Dante could see it.

Mackenzie took Dante's hand and looked down at their interlocked fingers.

"We can go home early," He whispered. "Nobody would blame you and besides we're not needed anymore."

"I need to see this through," Mackenzie replied. That was about the sixth time she had said that phrase that day.

Dante sighed as the Judge called the court to order.

"The jury and I have come to a verdict. We have looked at Miss Larson's crimes and have come to the decision that they are violent acts against society and break several peace conventions," The Judge said. "We have come to the decision that the only punishment that is suitable for the acts Miss Larson has committed is the death penalty. Further discussions will be made to finalize this."

The court room filled with noise but Mackenzie didn't hear it. She was in shock. Mackenzie stared straight at Shannon who had gotten paler. Her eyes were full of fear but the fear quickly turned to hatred and anger. Before anybody could react, Shannon vaulted over the table she was sitting behind and charged at Mackenzie. Shannon got a few good hits in before being dragged off kicking and screaming.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Shannon yelled. "I HATE YOU!"

Shannon was dragged off to a separate room still screaming and in tears while Mackenzie lay on the floor nearly in tears herself. Her lip was bleeding but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were moving too fast. She had to get out. She didn't care where, just anywhere away from the courtroom. Mackenzie got up and headed towards the door.

"Mackenzie, wait!" Dante called after. "Where are you going?"

Mackenzie started to run.

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Mackenzie didn't know where she was going but her body seemed to guide her. By the time she stopped she was outside a small diner. Mackenzie walked inside and quietly sat down at a booth at the back. The diner was practically empty.

Mackenzie's head was spinning. Shannon was going to die and it was her fault. Guilt consumed her and so did the pain of the past eight years. A tear rolled down her cheek but she quickly wiped it away as a waitress came to the booth.

"Good afternoon, I'll be your waitress for today. What can I get you?" The waitress said, overly cheerful.

"Black coffee, please," Mackenzie said.

"Of course. Anything else?"

"Some tissues or napkins too please."

"Of course. I'll be back soon," The waitress said leaving.

Mackenzie smiled and watched as she left. She then checked her watch. It was nearly 16:30. Dante must have been worried sick. Mackenzie pulled out her phone and found that she had ten missed calls and about twenty-five texts either from Dante or Carter but mostly Dante. She sighed and put the phone back in her pocket. They could wait.

A few minutes later the waitress returned with Mackenzie's coffee and some napkins.

"Here you go," She said.

"Thanks," Mackenzie said as the waitress put the mug down.

The waitress then gave Mackenzie a funny look. "Miss, are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. It's just been a rough day," Mackenzie lied with a smile. From the looks of it the waitress didn't buy it.

"I've seen the look in your eyes before. Nearly every day for the past five years," The waitress said sympathetically. "The look of someone that has lost their way. The look of guilt, pain and isolation. And you have the worst I've ever seen."

Mackenzie looked at her in shock. She felt all of those things. How did this waitress see all that by just looking at her?

"Is it really that noticeable?" Mackenzie asked.

"It is. Do you want a piece of advice?"

"Uh, okay."

"There are too many people in the world just to let one keep you down. It might hurt to lose them but maybe they weren't meant to stay," The waitress said.

Mackenzie looked at the waitress with a mix of confusion, astonishment and thankfulness. This woman didn't know her but had said what she needed to hear at that exact moment.

"Thank you," Mackenzie said.

"No problem. Happy to help," The waitress said with a smile as she turned to leave.

"What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?" Mackenzie asked before she left.

"Shannon."

Mackenzie looked at her in shock. "I'm Mackenzie," She managed to get out.

"Nice to meet you Mackenzie. Hope I helped," Shannon said. And with that she left.

Mackenzie smiled and whispered, "You have no idea."

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Mackenzie arrived back to her and Dante's apartment shortly before 18:00. The only light that was on was in the living room. She walked in to find Dante sitting on the sofa looking extremely worried. He got up upon her entrance.

"Mackenzie! Thank goodness you're okay!" He said pulling her into a hug.

"I'm sorry for running off. I had to get out," Mackenzie said into his shoulder.

"It's fine. I knew it was going to be hard but I wasn't expecting that," Dante said releasing her. "Just tell me where you are going next time, okay?"

"Okay," Mackenzie nodded, sitting down. Dante sat down beside her.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

For the first time in her life, Mackenzie actually wanted to talk about her problems. She nodded.

"Where do you want to start?" Dante asked.

"Well, I just need to tell you why I ran."

"Okay."

Mackenzie took a deep breath and took Dante's hands staring at them. "All my life I have had to come accustomed to people leaving. To not having someone there supporting me. My parents died eight years ago when I was only twenty years old but even then they still weren't pleased with my ambition to join the Military.

"I learnt to live with it because Shannon was there making the decision with me. She made the same choices, we were both on the same path but we ended up at different destinations. I lost her too when they tortured us five years ago. I lost my best friend and I mourned her a long time ago but now she's going to die and I have to mourn her again."

Tears started to roll down Mackenzie's face and Dante tightened his grip. Mackenzie looked up and straight into Dante's eyes.

"Then there's you. You just lost your sister due to my actions and yet, you're still here while I was the one who ran. I am terrified of losing you and I thought if I ran or left first it wouldn't hurt as much but it did. Gosh, did it hurt."

Dante stared into Mackenzie's blue eyes as she carried on.

"Dante, the truth is, I can't live without you. When Shannon kidnapped you, my world came down around me. With every time I say hello to you, I know I have to say goodbye. I can't take that anymore. I can't lose you, Dante. I can't lose you," Mackenzie said her voice barely audible.

Dante looked into her eyes for a few more seconds before kissing her. He pulled back as soon as he felt Mackenzie's grip on his shirt.

"You will never lose me," He whispered before kissing her again.

And with that Mackenzie knew she was going to be alright.

There was going to be no more torturing.

No more pain.

No more guilt.

It was just her and Dante.

And that was enough.