Author's Note: I appreciate all the positive reviews and I'm glad everyone seems to be enjoying the story so far! I've enjoyed writing it and the path it's taken. On that note…hmm…I encourage honest opinions at the conclusion of the story, but please don't be too upset if it doesn't turn out the way you want. Sometimes, these stories take on minds of their own and go places I didn't anticipate! On that note, enjoy the final installment!

She had always loved flying at night. The big dark void ahead of her, the twinkle of the stars in the distance the only light besides the dim one in the cabin….she didn't know what it was, but she had always felt a sense of peace at moments like these.

Hell, she needed that peace now, what with her emotions and head in a mess.

She was grateful it was Grunt who sat silently beside her in the co-pilot's chair. She had to be honest – she had enjoyed both their company this past year. Stealth was a bit more outgoing and voiced his opinion….often. Grunt was quieter, taking in the scene before making a statement.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Have you made your decision yet?" he asked her, sensing her turmoil.

"No." She gave a small chuckle. "I'd kill for a piece of paper to list the pros and cons."

He looked at her, his face expressionless. "Why don't you? I can fly this as easily as you, giving yourself time to make your list."

She looked at him skeptically. "You know how to fly."

"You think I was born a demon?"

She managed to swallow her shocked explicative. He had her attention now!

"What were you before?" she asked. Why did you change over? she wanted to ask.

"Someone who could pilot planes," he answered, knowing what she really wanted to ask. He sighed.

"I can't help you make a decision by telling you my story. I can tell you, however, that I'm content with what I am."

Content. Not happy, just…content.

He rummaged around and produced a pen and an old manual. "I think you could use this," he said, handing them to her. "We can switch places, or I can just take over from here. You might want better light, though."

She glanced behind her. That would be the logical choice, but she would lose the peace she felt with the night sky.

He seemed to read her thoughts. "Trade places with me. There's more light on this side," he told her.

She smiled gratefully.

She titled her list, drawing a line down the middle. She shook her head, hardly believing she was doing this. Grunt watched the many emotions play across her face as she would write, then pause, tapping the pen against the paper as she thought.

He sensed his partner in the doorway and waved him back, not wanting to disturb the current mood. He took his hint and left.

"Want to read it out loud to me?" he asked as she seemed to finish.

She glanced up, realizing she had forgotten he was there. Silly, she thought, then who'd be flying the plane?

"Not really," she said apologetically. "Just things I needed to work out in my head."

"What's your biggest reservation?" he asked her, his voice quiet, his tone comforting, almost reminiscent of a therapist. Was that his former life? she wondered.

She looked out at the night sky, now milky gray with clouds. "That I won't get to see my friends again."

"Interesting."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, if it had been a year ago, you would have said the killing."

She was stunned. He was right. Had she gotten that used to it? She had scared herself the last few "jobs" when she realized she had begun to enjoy the hunt. A feeling of satisfaction overcame her every time she made a kill. She had always reasoned that it was because the nonhuman was evil and had to be stopped. Now she wasn't so sure.

"If you do decide to continue, you need to be aware of a few things," he continued quietly, seeing his comment had unnerved her.

"That would be…."

He was proud of the fact that she had pulled herself together, that there wasn't a waiver of uncertainty in her voice.

"You would be hunting higher level nonhumans. With that comes greater power. I've been told the Board has been impressed with your performance, so they might offer more."

She pushed off the feeling of pride. Doubt started to fill its space, along with a nagging suspicion.

"What's in this for you two? If I decide to make this permanent, what happens to the two of you? What happens if I decide no?"

"We'll be reassigned if you say no," he shrugged. "If you make the right choice, we'll still be able to work together." He paused, not sure whether to tell her this or not, but after working with her for a year, he knew her pretty well. He might as well tell her everything. "We'll be granted additional power as well."

"So it would best for the two of you if I cut all ties and remained."

"Yes."

She nodded. "I appreciate you being honest with me."

He shrugged. "No reason not to be. You'd find out sooner or later."

She crumpled up the paper and put it in her pocket. "I think I'm ready to take control again," she said, and he caught her double meaning.

Nodding, he relinquished the pilot's seat to her. She would make the right decision. He and his partner would see to that. It had been part of their mission given to them by a Board member to see that she remained.

"Will it be any different, appearing before the Board this time?" she asked, a note of uncertainty creeping into her voice.

He shrugged. "Each time it's different. I can't really say."

They lapsed into silence and when she landed the plane on the small, private family strip, she wasn't any closer to making that final decision.