Twenty-Five: Gone

Soundtrack: Grace is Gone by Dave Matthews

Author's Note: My apologies for taking so long to post this. I have had a difficult time deciding on a resolution for this fic. And then on this particular resolution, I wanted more. But I just haven't been able to feel it, if any of you writers out there can relate. So, one of the coolest things about fan fics is the flexibility which allows me to reach back to my childhood and pull out the old "choose-your-own ending". This ending is the one that I think most readers are wanting. Hope you enjoy!

So take my eyes, take my heart, I need them no more…
If never again they fall upon the one I so adore

He'd lost track of how long he'd been sitting there. Time wasn't that important to him lately. He looked out at the water and watched it for a few moments. Lake Michigan was angry, churning up 4-foot waves. The wind was merciless, buffeting him until he could barely move his fingers. He stared at the ominous gray clouds moving in over the water. A storm was on its way.

It didn't matter much to him. He had been spending much of his "vacation" sitting in the cold rain and drinking beer. He moved his hands over the guitar. It would have to go inside when the rain started.

He had bought this house back when they were together, wanting to surprise her with it. He was sure she would love it. At least in the summer months. She considered Chicago her home and was always drawn to the lake. But he had never found the time to bring her here before things started to fall apart.

This was the first time since he bought it that he had spent any time in it. Hardison had set up a front company that rented it and it had made Eliot some good money through the years. It was a beautiful property right on Lake Michigan near Union Pier. The main house had enough room to sleep 10 people with two fireplaces, a fitness room, in-ground pool, hot-tub, and basketball court.

But the guest house was more his style. Smaller and closer to lake, it couldn't be seen from the main house unless you walked down the stairs to the secluded beach. It was a modest little house with an open floor plan, a full bar, and a brick patio perfect for sitting and watching the lake. And drinking.

They had worked hard for four months to establish Leverage International. They completed several jobs and he felt good working again. But as the months passed and his hope faded, life became more difficult. It was tough to accept that she wasn't coming back.

He finally broke down and called Nate. After a long talk, Nate suggested he take some time off to come up with his own resolution.

"You have to move on, Eliot. One way or the other."

He slid his cold fingers over the guitar strings and started playing chords from a favorite Dave Matthews song.

Excuse me please, one more drink. Could you make it strong cuz I don't need to think…

But he did need to think. He needed a resolution.

Hardison had called and said that someone had rented the main house and would be arriving today. He heard the car arrive several hours ago, but hadn't heard much else. Now he smelled smoke from the chimney. If he was lucky the storm would keep them from venturing down to the lake and he could brood in peace for the remainder of the day.

One drink to remember then another to forget…

And tomorrow he would leave.

He had a choice: go find her and win her back or move on without her. He was in a much better place than when she had come to his rescue. He knew he could live without her. But he would never love again. Not like he loved her.

How could I ever dream of finding sweet love like you again?

Had she really chosen Quinn over him? Was she still with him four months later? The thought was too much for him to bear.

He stopped playing, and gripped the neck of the guitar with his left hand. He dropped his head down over it and closed his eyes against the tears.

It was his fault, he knew that. She was his and he had taken her for granted. He had driven her away.

He shook his head. But after the Three Hitter Job he had opened himself to her, had told her it would be different this time. And she still left with Quinn.

She broke my heart, my Grace is gone…

"Are you crying?"

He snapped his head up towards her voice. He blinked several times, clearing the tears from his eyes. He couldn't believe it…

"Jocelyn?"

A sudden warmth filled his body. His heart stuttered just a little.

She was standing on the path that ran beside the guest house and down to the beach. He couldn't see much of her because she was wrapped in a thick blanket. Her hair danced around her face in the lake-driven wind.

She smiled at him, stepped off the path and onto his patio. He set the guitar on the bricks and stood up on shaky legs.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

She nodded toward the main house. "I'm on vacation. Rented your house."

He smiled slightly. "Damn it, Hardison."

She smiled in response. "You couldn't have chosen somewhere warm?"

He shrugged. "The lake… you…" He had difficulty putting words together and pushing them past the tightness in his throat.

She stepped closer, now within his reach. "I liked the song… can I hear some more?"

He shook his head slightly and tears slid down his cheeks. He wiped them away. "Maybe later," he choked out softly.

She stared at him for a few moments. "Tell me again it's going to be different."

"It's going to be different. I promise."

She opened her arms and pulled him into the warmth of her blanket. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her body against his. She leaned in to kiss him, but he pulled his head back. She raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a concerned look.

"I love you, Jocelyn," he said. "I always have."

She looked at his eyes for a moment and then responded. "I never stopped loving you."

He kissed her.

I could never love again, so much as I love you
Where you end, where I begin
Is like a river going through…
~ Grace is Gone by Dave Matthews ~

Author's Note: If you like this ending, I recommend you leave it at that and don't bother with any alternative resolutions that I might post after this. Thanks all for reading and thanks especially for the reviews!