To those of you that are reading:

Blahhh I made a copy-paste error with the reviews last time ... so I shall go back and respond to those of you I missed today!

I'm trying to crank the end of this story out while it's still fresh in my mind (and flowing!) ... so forgive me if I update fast and short!

I think they're good updates anyway (regardless of length)! That's why they call things "short and sweet" sometimes, after all!

As always, I love you guys and I'm so happy to have you here with me on this journey! c':

I might vanish for a while over Thanksgiving weekend, because my boyfriend and I have plans, but I'll be back! Never fear! I will not abandon you!


FYI: To whom it may concern: In my mind, Tank is 35ish, Kathleen is 21ish, Richtofen is 38ish, Takeo is 37ish, and Nikolai might be pushing mid-forty.


Decepticon-silverstreak: Nuuuu don't take them away! Bring them back! BACK! Don't worry, there's excitement on the way! And it's happening sooner than you might think! KEEP READING! PLEASE! D':

Hakanii-chan: YAYYY! And yes! I'm so glad you liked my replies! I do read and respond to everyone! And I'm glad you liked the lemons ... X'D ... c': And don't you worry ... I don't really want it to end either ... but that's why I have a sequel in mind! :3 There are still quite a few chapters left ... and a TON of excitement right around the corner ... so you've got plenty left in store! *hugs* (Your comments on the sexy times = I LOVE THEM! Hahaha! You make me feel like I'm doing something right! *squeezes and snuggles* I shall write a drunk Richtofen fic in the Deadshot Daquiri oneshots ... XD)

AnonymouseXI: HAHAHA THIS COMMENT. c': This made me giggle so hard. "Tsk tsk. Shame on you. And you obviously didn't try hard enough." XD ... dying ...! And YES A SEQUEL. I'm so happy that people are responding to it so positively! c: I tried really hard to make this story as long as I could ... but I feel the end nudging its way to the surface ... and I can't stop it anymore! Plus: it'll make me update even faster! :3

WickedIntentions: Yes. Yes we did. I'm glad my readers were entertained, too! Because I was certainly entertained by writing it ... and still ever-so-worried that I'm way more entertained than any of my readers will be! (But I guess the reviews should reassure me!) ... I love seeing your name pop up, dearest, no matter how long or short the response! And I certainly look forward to hearing from you again! *huggle*

xxz0eyxx: I love them too! c': ... They crack me up! And yes ... Samantha is so evil yet adorable ... *sigh* ... And ahaha don't you worry! I've totally been there! XD Love and kisses! xoxox

Chris Ahrens: Of course! Thank you for reviewing! c: ... And OH NO! I'm sorry that I messed you up on your artwork! D: ... Don't let my story get you behind! And as soon as I get Black Ops II, I'll try to see what I can do by way of incorporating material ... but my plotline has already strayed so far from the original plot ... I mean ... the earth is obviously not a nuclear disaster ... and the whole idea at the moment is to destroy the M.P.D. ... but of course we'll see whether or not that is successful! ... And I really do want to be a professional writer (and your encouragement means a lot!). It also means a lot to hear that I've made all of the characters seem human. My goal in writing this story was to add a human, vulnerable side to Richtofen (or reveal the human side hidden deep within). I wanted to put him into circumstances where that could happen (i.e., someone who challenges him, someone who makes him think differently, and ultimately someone he has feelings for). I've been writing for basically my entire life, so it's been a long process of development - and it's certainly encouraging to hear that my portrayal of characters is successful! (And I don't blame you for thinking that ze doctor is still evil ... I mean, he murdered countless people ... whether he was under the influence of an alien device or not ...) ... and I'm honestly about to cry with all these sweet comments! c': ... But don't worry; once this story ends, I'm definitely writing a sequel to continue it! And YES MORE TAKEO! I LOVE Takeo ... I really like thinking that he's a wise man, very honorable (even if he's a murderer like the rest of 'em) ... and very loyal once he respects someone. I shall definitely try to include him a bit more!

Ahren24-115: But ... he LOVES schpleens! ... he can steal your heart UND your spleen! And don't you worry ... I'm already plotting the sequel as we speak ... at least, the beginning! Nikolai loves him some vodka ... hehehe ... and hmmm ... hmmmm ... WE SHALL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ... IN THESE NEXT FEW CHAPTERS ... *suspense* ...

snakeyeslover2: HERE IS YOUR BELATED RESPONSE: "YES. I am SO glad you liked that line! ... Indeed, Nikolai's solution to everything is: "Clean a weapon with _ body part." Oh, what a sweet little dirty murderer. Hehehe!" And now this one: YES SEQUEL. And Sammy ... ... oh Sammy ... she's ... she's trouble, is what she is. TROUBLE.

Bu11etB1iss115: BELATED RESPONSE: "He DOES! He goes wherever the vodka is ... WHEREVER IT IS! ... And you are so welcome! I love reading all the NZ fics! They're so lovely ... I'm addicted to the fandom ... I can't help it ... and don't worry, the sad business will work out! And I'm doing much better! I just have a lot to do over Thanksgiving!" And I'm glad you're looking forward to the ending AND the sequel! They should both be quite interesting ... and quite interesting to anticipate! Oh, Nikolai's squishy squishy belly ... XD ...

flipnotes: Yeah ... Samantha ... has issues ... ... and even more issues ... And ooh Dark Link and Zelda ... Hmmm ... I like that idea ... it reminds me of Link/Midna ... But the opposite ... ! And in response to your review on Daquiri Deadshots: Heh heh heh ... yes indeed ... it would appear that Kitty's tastes are a bit on the rough side ... and definitely her tastes in men! c;


I am sipping chamomile tea and WEEPING WITH HAPPINESS OVER THESE REVIEWS. c': ... Oh my god ... I am in love with all of you ... NEVER LEAVE ME! :3


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... it's the beginning of the end ... the real end ... and no one seems happy about it.

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Between Dream and Reality
Zwischen Traum und Wirklichkeit


CHAPTER FIFTY


Beginning of the End
Anfang vom Ende


Tank shoved a disgruntled Nikolai towards the office door.

"No touchy," Nikolai grumbled, glaring back at him.

"Awww, come on, Belinski," Tank rumbled. "He likes you the best."

Nikolai scowled. "Oh, good," he muttered. "I am so happy."

He sounded like he meant the opposite.

"You know," said Kitty, hesitant, "I can go talk to him if you-"

"No," Tank interrupted, prodding Nikolai closer to the door. "Let Nikolai do it."

Samantha watched with amusement, hiding beside Kitty's hip.

Grumbling under his breath, the Russian lifted a big fist to pound at the door. One. Two. Three times. "Ey, Richtofen," he bellowed. "We are wondering, when do we go to the alien thingy?" He winced a little when he finished, squinting at the door, but there was only silence. Nikolai frowned and turned back to the rest of the group. "He is not answering," he observed.

Kitty opened her mouth to say something, but Tank spoke over her. "Try again," he said, grinning.

If looks could kill, Tank would've been added to Nikolai's roster of murder victims in a heartbeat. But since they couldn't, Nikolai made a noise of disgust and turned back to the door, knocking a fourth time. "Dempsey is making me ask again," he said bitterly. Tank scowled at him, and Nikolai grinned, speaking louder. "He is wanting me to annoy you."

A tinny, muffled voice sounded through the metal. "If you imbeciles vould shtop bozhering me," it snarled, menacing and deadly, "Zhen perhaps I vould be able to finish ze calculations und give you an answer."

That was enough for Takeo.

He turned to leave.

"I'm hungry," whined Samantha.

"Well, why don't we all go get some food," Kitty suggested, looking around at the rest of them. "We might as well eat something while we wait. And we could get munitions, too." She brushed back a long, dark lock of hair, glancing down at herself. "I need to change out of this dress, anyway."

"I could help you with that," Tank teased, winking. Kitty rolled her eyes.

"I agree with creepy girl for once," said Nikolai, sounding incredulous. "Food sounds good. And so does ammo." He sighed. "Why am I always needing more ammo?"

"Okay," said Kitty, businesslike. "Guess that means we should head for the storerooms." Then she gave Tank an imploring look. "I really need to change first, before I forget, so would you-"

"Yeah, yeah," grumbled Tank, grabbing Samantha's shoulder. "I've got the kid."

Kitty smiled with relief. "Thanks, Tank," she said. "I'll meet you guys there."

And as the rest of the group started off for the food pantries, Kitty headed back to her room.


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I shrugged out of the dress.

Undressing.

Again.

Felt like I'd done this way too many times today. I flushed with shame, but quickly shook it away. No time for that. Can't blame me for seizing the moment, I thought. Life's short. Especially this life. Might as well have my pleasures. And as I unbuckled my boots, I had a sneaking feeling it was about to be cut even shorter.

I quickly shoved that dark thought out of my mind, and pulled out some of the clothes I'd bought in Vegas.

Turns out being a high roller had some obvious benefits; and Dean's money was good for more than just sharp new digs. I grinned as I remembered the way the people in the shop flocked around me, waiting on me hand and foot. They offered me hors d'oeuvres from the cafe, champagne, even a warm towel for my face. Probably thought I was some rich heiress like the rest of 'em.

I laughed.

If only they knew the truth.

Of course, they probably wouldn't believe it if they knew.

Leaving my stockings on, I stepped into a pair of black, high-waist slacks. They hugged me snugly around the hips, a perfect fit; completely different from the men's trousers I'd been wearing lately. Then I tugged on a long-sleeved black sweater, soft and breathable. If I was going to fight aliens and the undead, I might as well be comfortable.

I was in the middle of pulling on some long black socks when the door to my room sprang open.

Wide-eyed, I scowled over at the intruder. "What the hell-"

"I vanted to shpeak to you in private," muttered Edward, frowning as he paced into the room.

"How did you know I-"

The look in his eyes cut me off. "Vhat is your plan, Kazhleen?" he asked, tense, standing stiffly in the middle of the room. "Do you have a plan?"

I blinked. "I figured we'd use the wave guns or some other energy weapon, since that seemed to have some kind of effect on it before, but I-"

"You figured," he snarled, sarcastic, rolling his eyes. But the anxiety within them was obvious. "Zhis is not a matter of figuring. Zhis is a matter of certainty. Or certain death."

"Well," I muttered, yanking on a sock and scowling, "What do you suggest? Do you have a plan?"

"I have a theory," he corrected, coming to stand over me. I glanced up at him. He was staring down at me with cold green eyes. "A theory zhat ze only vay ze device can be damaged is from ze inside," he hissed, his words coming out in a rush. "Und zhat means ve must find a vay to open it."

He was coming to me to share his theories now. Willingly. The shadow of a grin crossed my lips, but I fought it back. "How do we open it?" I asked instead, frowning. "I mean, is there even a way to make it open? I thought it only did that when it was taking or releasing a person as a host."

The look in Edward's eyes was chilling. "You are correct," he murmured.

My heart thudded.

"You want to give it a host?" I asked, horrified. "No."

He sighed, sounding bored. "Kazhleen, zhat is ze nature of sacrifice."

"No," I said, setting my jaw and getting to my feet. "I'm not sacrificing a person to die with that thing."

He gazed at me with cool, calculating eyes, examining my face.

"Und vhat if zhat vas ze only vay to destroy it?" he asked softly, watching me for my reaction.

I met his gaze with angry eyes.

"No, Edward," I hissed. "There has to be another way."

He just looked at me with that stony face of his, icy calm and emotionless. He offered me no explanation, no suggestion; just that dark stare, unfeeling and cold. This was the doctor, placing no value on human life, offering people up for slaughter. This was Edward Richtofen. This was the man I loved.

The murderer I loved.

Fuck my life.

"Zhis new clozhing is very becoming on you," he said quietly, but his eyes never left my face.

I ignored him. "I'm gonna destroy that device," I continued, closing my eyes. "I won't stop till I do."

"Such tenacity," he sighed, his voice a low purr. "My defiant girl, making impossible promises."

"But I will," I said, clenching my teeth. "I will. At all costs."

He took a step closer to me, and I felt the warm, calloused pads of his fingers touch my cheek. With a jolt, I realized I was crying. "Is no cost too great?" he asked, barely a whisper, tracing a tear with his fingertip.

I shook my head. "I'll do whatever I have to, Edward," I muttered, swallowing the rest of my sadness. The hard grip of determination empowered me, made me strong. I could feel the pulse in my veins, the knowledge that I'd stop at nothing. I looked up into his eyes, so green and cold; traced the sharp angles of his face. My heart shuddered. "I'll do it. Even if it has to be me."

Hot anger flashed behind his eyes.

"Nein," he growled, pressing his lips together. "I vill not let you."

"You can't stop me," I said, bristling.

"I vill if I must," he snapped, scowling.

I glared up at him. "If someone has to be sacrificed, if that's the only way, then I'm doing it," I said, ignoring the rage that was crackling around him. "I'm not even supposed to be here. That thing brought me here to begin with." I laughed suddenly, bitter. "It would be like the ultimate revenge," I said, grinning. "It brought me here so I could destroy it."

He was too furious to speak. He grit his teeth and stared at me coldly. "Nein, Sie nicht," he murmured. "If you plan on going to your death, I vill not program ze teleporter."

"I won't let anyone else die," I countered.

"Zhen ve shtay here," he said, stubborn.

I groaned, infuriated. "This thing ruined all of our lives," I muttered. "We have to get rid of it." He was still fuming, so stiff he seemed almost brittle. I shook my head. "It's not about you, or me, or anyone else; it's about the fact that the M.P.D. needs to die. Don't you get it?"

"Of course," he hissed, and a hint of desperation gleamed in his icy green stare.

Then his face crumpled.

I watched as the flood of carefully contained emotions burst forth, crumbling his cold, angry façade.

"Kazhleen."

I reached up and took his long face in both of my hands. "I'm not saying I'm going to my death," I murmured, feeling the shocking warmth of his skin. "I'm just saying I'm willing to die for this." My eyes flickered between his, sad and determined. "I'm willing to make sure this is finished."

We stared at each other for a moment.

Then he sighed, pulling my hands from his face. "You are villing to give me ze greatest gift, only to take it avay," he said, bitter. He scoffed. "Und you accused me of cruelty."

"Nothing about this is right," I said, staring at him. "Nothing. I mean, in a normal world, would you even want me?"

The look in his eyes scared me.

"Ja," he hissed. He didn't miss a beat.

My heart throbbed. "Why?" I asked, incredulous. "How?"

Now he grabbed my face, kissing me fiercely. His fingertips dug into my skin, painful. "Vhat is ze nature of attraction?" he murmured, clenching his jaw. "Vhat is ze nature of desire?" Even his kiss was painful, full of teeth. "Vhy do I burn vhen I look at you?" He pulled back to stare at me, his face twisted. "If I knew ze answers, I could find a vay to shtop zhis torture." He pursed his lips, going stone-faced. "But since I vill never know, I must have you."

"But Edward," I muttered, feeling the words press at my lips; the question I'd been avoiding, finally bubbling up. "What kind of … What kind of future would we really have?"

He was quiet, considering this. When he spoke, his face was solemn. "I am not accustomed to zhis. To any of zhis. Ze last time I vished for ze permanent company of anozher person …" he trailed off, closing his eyes, and shook his head. "It vould be a future vith you," he said quietly, opening his eyes to stare at me intently. "Und zhat is vhat I vant."

"Uh," came a gruff voice, interrupting. I glanced over at the door to see Nikolai, leaning into the room. "The creepy little girl wants you, Kitty."

I removed myself from Edward and walked over to meet Nikolai at the door. "I think we'll be headed off soon," I said, glancing back at the doctor for confirmation.

He gave a curt nod, but his eyes were threatening. "You have my terms," he growled, deadly.

Nikolai looked at us in confusion, but I kept talking. "That means we've gotta make final preparations and stuff. Make sure we've got weapons, ammo, that sort of thing… and get ready for the worst."

"I am always ready," said Nikolai, smirking.

"Alright," I muttered, nodding. "Let's go tell the others." Then I turned to Edward, biting my lip. "Will you program the teleporter?" I asked, uncertain.

He looked at me with hard green eyes, and I could see the warning in them.

"Please," I murmured.

He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.

Nikolai blinked. "So he is going?" he asked, frowning at me.

"Yeah," I grumbled. "At least, I hope so."

"I am ready to fight the hellpigs," said Nikolai, shrugging. "And kill the moon thingy. Stupid moon thingy," he growled, pulling out a vodka bottle.

"Guess it's time to break the news," I said quietly, heading out the door.

Nikolai grunted. "I will be glad to be finished," he muttered, taking a deep swig.

Finished.

Destroy the device, end it all.

Could it really be that easy?

Somehow, I had a sneaking feeling it wasn't; but still. I hoped it was.

Maybe this was the beginning of the end.

The real end.


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German: Nein, Sie nicht: "No, you won't."


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I can't wait to hear what you thought about this one ... !

Got a little glimpse of the doctor's true colors again ... *sigh*

But the heart wants what it wants, I guess.

... even if it is a murderer ... ?

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And Edward, don't suggest things if you don't expect Kitty to take them on her own shoulders! Geez!

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PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! *snuggles*

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Comments, questions, suggestions? Tell me!
ZE DOCTOR VILL LISTEN TO ALL ZE GLORIOUS WORDS...!

Ze Doctor Says: "I am not pleased. ... NOT ... PLEASED ... ... ... But perhaps your reviews vill please me."