A/N 1: Apologies for any mistakes I've missed, I'll do a cleaner edit in the next few days but I didn't want to make anyone wait any longer for a little distraction. Enjoy!

Last Night of Road Trip

Seattle, Washington

Carmilla stared at Laura across the table as she circled her glass of iced Patron with her right index finger. Neither of them was sure, or happy, about their plan going forward, it was, however, their only plan and tonight, unfortunately, was their last chance to make it believable. She reached across the table with her other hand to stroke Laura's elbow with her thumb, trying to get her attention. Laura met her eyes, smiled and then leaned over the table to talk to her, the music in the club was loud enough that speaking at a normal volume was impossible.

"You sure about this?"

"Cold feet?" she teased.

"A little chilly, maybe," Laura admitted.

Carmilla leaned back to regard her a moment as she took a sip of her Tequila.

"We're here," she reasoned, "we might as well proceed as planned for now and then reassess after we've talked to Xena?" She leaned back to look around and spotted a likely target seated at the bar. "What do you think?"

Laura downed the last of her drink before answering; "I'm going to the bathroom."

"Is that a 'yes'?" Laura nodded. "Wish me luck?"

"Good luck," Laura chuckled and kissed her cheek.

Carmilla watched her walk away, sighed and swallowed the last of her Tequila. She studied the woman at the bar as she worked up the nerve to talk her; she'd been hoping Laura would say 'no'. Carmilla picked up her glass and mustered her courage as walked over to the bar and took a spot next to a tall redhead. She rested her elbows on the bar, her glass between her hands as she looked past the redhead to the bartender further down and noticed the redhead's almost empty glass as she waited for the bartender to notice her, the redhead catching her eye and smiling as the bartender acknowledged her.

She touched her shoulder to the woman next to her and leaned in to ask; "Can I get you another?"

"Um, sure," she smiled and extended her hand, "Sharon."

"You're welcome," Carmilla replied as she took her hand and then added; "Carmilla." She let her hand go as the bartender come over to take their order; "Two Coronas and whatever my new friend is having."

"Was that your girlfriend?" asked Sharon.

"Yeah," she smiled, "Laura." She glanced in the direction of the bathroom and found Laura talking to Betty and glancing her way. She looked back at Sharon, surprised her hands or voice weren't shaking when she continued; "We were talking," she smiled, "and we were wondering if you like to join us at our hotel?"

"Both of you?" she replied with a deep blush.

"Well…" her reply was cut off as Laura placed a hand on her shoulder and forcibly turned her. "Hey…" she greeted.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" yelled Laura.

"But we…"

"Fuck you!"

Laura didn't give her a chance to defend herself and stormed off across the bar.

Carmilla fished her wallet from her back pocket and threw a hundred dollar bill on the bar to cover their tab and turned to Sharon: "I'm so sorry…"

"You should probably go," she interrupted.

"Yeah, I probably should," she sighed and took a long swallow from one of the Coronas the bartender had just placed in front of her. The bartender took the bill with a raised eyebrow: "Keep the change," she told her, mouthed another 'Sorry' to Sharon and then pushed her way across the dance floor.

Carmilla took a deep breath of fresh air as she got outside and found an uncomfortable-looking Steven who pointed in the direction of their Jeep when he saw her.

"Laura! Wait!" she called out, the blond was at the back of the Jeep talking to Betty. Laura spared her a glare, said something to Betty and then slowly walked over, her arms across her chest.

"What?" she spat.

"What's wrong?" she asked as Laura looked past her. She checked to see what Laura was looking at and found that several people had followed her out of the bar and some of them already had their phones out. "C'mon, Pup," she cooed, "we talked about this."

"Talked about taking someone back to the hotel for a little fun, yes, but…"

"Then what's the problem?" she questioned as she stepped forward to take Laura's elbows in her hands.

"Seriously?" she hissed as she tore her arms from Carmilla's grasp and then ran her hands through her hair. She looked back at her; "You really don't see a problem?"

"I don't unde…"

"Fuck, Carm, you can't wait to fuck Danny till we get home, you have to pick the one woman at the bar who looks just like her?"

They stared each other down a moment before Carmilla dropped her gaze; "At least she never lied to me." She met Laura's eyes and tilted her head. "Not until she met you anyway."

Her cheek was already stinging from the slap before she realized that Laura had even moved and was already walking away.

"Laura!" she growled, rushed after her and reached for the door handle only to have it torn from her hand as the Jeep reversed. "Laura, c'mon!" she yelled as she slapped the window, almost laughing when Laura gave her the finger without looking at her. "Laura!" she yelled and ran her hands roughly through her hair. "Fuck," she sighed as she pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

"You know that's our ride, right?" Steven asked as he joined her.

"It's not far," she shrugged, "up for a walk?"

He looked around as he zipped his jacket against the slight chill in the air.

"She could probably use some time to cool off." He looked around again. "No," he said in an undertone, "we're too exposed." He glanced over his shoulder. "We still have a tail."

"What are they going to do?" she scoffed. "Gun me down in the middle of the street?"

"They could."

"It'd have to be a headshot." She tossed her smoke and zipped up her leather jacket. "Fine," she conceded and took out her phone to look up the closest bakery. "Compromise?" He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. "There's a bakery a couple of blocks from here, take a cab from there?"

"Fine," he sighed. "An olive branch might not be a bad idea." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Let's go."

Carmilla checked the map, put away her phone, and started walking.

"Can I tell you something?" he asked, breaking the silence after a few blocks. She shrugged. "I know she lied to you."

"Your point?"

"She hated it."

"So?"

"Look," he pulled her to a stop, "I've known Laura a long time." He shook his head. "I admit, I should've seen it sooner."

"Seen what?"

"Everything she's done; pushing her way through, not one, but two tough degrees, learning every martial art under the sun, hell, her whole career! Both of them!" He took her shoulders in his hands. "She did it all for you! All! Of! It! To. Help. You." He took a deep breath. "She loves you, you idiot."

"I didn't… that's not…" she shrugged off his hands and started to walk away. "That was her choice," she said quietly, "I never asked for her help." She glanced at him. "I never asked her to sacrifice everything for me."

"True," he conceded. "But ask yourself this; where would you be if she hadn't?"

"You don't think I haven't asked myself that every day since I found out?" She sighed and came to a stop, grateful for the glare of the bakery's lights and an escape from this uncomfortable conversation. "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not grateful for everything, it's just…" she sighed. "I can't help but wonder how things would have been different if she'd just been honest with me from the beginning." She looked inside and then back to him. "Grab us a cab?"

She pushed open the door to the bakery once Steven had nodded and taken out his cell phone. As Carmilla bought a dozen doughnuts she couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the chat she'd just had; talking about honesty with someone who she and Laura had been lying to for the last two weeks.

As she walked outside with her prize she caught a glimpse of her reddened cheek in the window's reflection. She shook her head; she wasn't sure she should have pushed Laura so far or said the one thing she knew would get under her skin. Steven was already waiting with a cab when she got outside, neither of them breaking the silence again until they were almost back at the hotel.

"She never wanted to lie to you," he said and took her hand. "I've never seen her that angry."

"Your point?"

"She wouldn't get that mad if she didn't love you as much as she does."

"If that were true, she wouldn't have lied to me in the first place," she retorted as the cab came to a stop. She got out as Steven paid and started towards the hotel. She looked at him as he fell in step beside her. "I can forgive the lies and the half-truths, but…" she trailed off with a sigh.

"But?" he prodded.

"I hate that she's shaken my trust in my friends, had them lie to me too."

"Hey," he pulled her to a stop in the hotel's lobby, "they only agreed to help her because they care about you."

"And what?" she snapped. "That makes it all okay?"

"Shouldn't it?"

"I don't know," she sighed. She looked at the elevator and then back to him. "Look, I get it, my stepmother hasn't just fucked up my life. Each and every one of them has been in danger just for knowing me. I know they want this over just as much as I do, but…"

"You don't know if your friends are really your friends?" he guessed.

"How can I not wonder?" she asked, amazed the quiet man was so perceptive.

"Here's what I know," he replied, "yes, she put people in your path she thought could help you." He put a hand on her arm and gave it a squeeze. "But you made them your friends. Changed their lives for the better despite the shit." He shook his head. "Those boys? Brody and Dark? They'd be lost without you."

"So?"

"So," he smiled, "does it really matter how they got there?"

"I…" she chuckled and shook her head, "I guess you have a point," she conceded as they got into the elevator. "Any advice for dealing with the tiny angry gay?"

"Duck?" he joked.

"And after that?" she laughed.
"Apologize, apologize, and then apologize some more," he suggested. "The doughnuts might help."

"Want one?" she asked and opened the box for him. "C'mon, one less for us to eat?" she urged as he hesitated. "C'mon, you know you want one," she taunted.

"Fine," he relented as the elevator opened on their floor. "Can I take a sprinkle one for Betty?"

"Sure," she smiled. "Head out by ten?"

Steven nodded and added a "Good luck" before they went their separate ways, Carmilla taking the time walking to her room to figure out what she was going to say before realizing she hadn't taken her room key.

"Shit," she sighed as she knocked on the door and wondered if Laura would answer. Fortunately, she wasn't left wondering for long as the door swung open to reveal Laura already walking away. "Laura, I'm…" the words died in her throat as Laura turned to glare at her and pondered if she was about to be slapped again or have the best sex of her life.

Carmilla still wasn't sure as the door shut behind her and Laura closed the distance between them, took the box of doughnuts from her, set them aside and then engaged in her a deep and passionate kiss as she pushed her back against the door.

Laura pulled away for a beat and searched her eyes; "I'm s…"

Carmilla cut her off with a kiss as she lifted in her arms and carried her to the bed. She knew words would fail them both at the moment snd this was one of those times their actions could speak for them.


Carmilla leaned against one of the pillars by the window staring out at Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains thinking about their last night in Seattle, the hum of those waiting for the Press Conference barely registering as she remembered the look on Laura's face when she's entered their hotel room.

"Hey," Laura said quietly as she joined her, a hand at the small of her back, "you okay?"

"Yeah," she smiled and kissed Laura's cheek, "just thinking about our last night in Seattle," she confided with a blush. "I really wasn't sure…" she trailed off with a small frown as she spotted Steph being escorted by a member of their security team. "What's she doing here?" They watched as she was asked to wait and the security guard went to approach them. "She's fine!" Carmilla called and waved Steph over.

The security guard stopped and looked at Laura for further instructions.

"Oh, for…"

"I am the 'boss'," Laura joked.

"True," Carmilla conceded and smacked her behind playfully, "Don't let it go to your head," she teased before turning to Steph. "Hey you!" she greeted warmly and gave her a hug. "You okay?" She stepped back but kept Steph's arms in her hands. "What?" she prodded when Steph didn't reply.

"I wasn't…" stuttered Steph.

"Look," Carmilla started, "whoever she was to me, she was your mom." She rubbed her arms. "It can't be easy."

"No," Steph sighed and slumped slightly, "it's not." She shook her head. "I know she wasn't perfect but she was all I had."

"That's not true," Carmilla differed. "You've got us." she smiled. "And I was thinking, a bunch of us are going up to the cabin for Christmas and coming back New Year's day, you in?"

"Really?" Steph blurted.

"Why not?" she replied and let her arms go with a squeeze before reaching for Laura's hand. "Meet your dad and all your half-siblings?" She shrugged. "Or hang out with us and most of the fighters?"

"Will, um, will…"

"Danny be there?" guessed Laura. "Maybe."

"Speaking of which," Carmilla interrupted, "why are you here?"

"To bring you this," supplied Steph as she took a large manila envelope from inside her jacket. "It came this morning," she explained as Laura took the envelope, opened it and looked inside. "There's a USB and letters for me, Carmilla, the Vancouver Police Department, and Laura." She looked at Laura; "I read mine and made a copy, but…"

"We'll get the original back to you as soon as we can," Laura assured her. She looked over at Rick and then back to Steph. "How would you feel about speaking at the press conference?"

"I don't…"

"No, it's a good idea," urged Carmilla. "Give them a bigger picture? Tell them about the woman you knew?" She chuckled. "Maybe take a little pressure off of me?"

"I know what my aunt did to you. What my mother couldn't stop…"

"How?" questioned Carmilla.

"Danny didn't tell you?" she deflected as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Um, she said I could use her laptop to check my email and…"

"You read my book?" guessed Carmilla. "No, Xena didn't tell us." She tilted her head. "Is that what you fought about?"

"That, um, that happened before the party." She sighed. "Finding out who I was, when she sobered up, was the last straw."

"Maybe if we talked to her?" offered Carmilla.

"You'd do that?" Carmilla shrugged. "Why?"

"I care about her." She smiled. "We both do and we want her to be happy." She chuckled. "Is it a little weird her dating my little sister?" She chuckled again. "Maybe. But if I can get over it, maybe she can too?"

"Maybe."

"Look, if Christmas is too much pressure, the three of us can head up to the cabin once all this settles down?" suggested Carmilla.

"You think that's going to happen anytime soon?" joked Steph.

"This'll help," Laura said as she indicated the envelope in her hand and then glanced at Rick again. "So, what do you think? Want to tell them about the woman you knew?"

"Not right now," sighed Steph. "I'm not…"

"It's okay," Carmilla assured her as she gave her a quick hug. "I get it." She smiled. "And I don't blame you for wanting to stay anonymous as long as you can."

"It's not just that," admitted Steph. "I'm afraid they'll ask questions I don't have answers for."

"Like?" prodded Laura.

"Did I know my aunt was a monster?"

"Did you?" questioned Carmilla.

"I never met her and my mom didn't talk about her much." She wiped away a tear. "She told me, in my letter, that her biggest regret was letting any of it happen. She didn't try to make excuses though."

"That had to sting," remarked Carmilla as she noticed Rick walking towards them. "That giving up you wasn't the biggest."

"It was her second," she replied wryly.

"A close one, I'd guess," assured Laura as Rick reached them. "You should probably head out."

"We'll talk soon?" asked Steph.

"Sure thing," Carmilla replied as she hugged her one last time before she left.

"We're up in ten," Rick informed them.

"You might want to delay that," Laura replied as she handed him the envelope.

"What's this?"

"The second USB," Laura replied.

"How?"

"Doesn't matter right now." She nodded towards the meeting room they were using as a green room. "Shall we?"

He regarded them a moment, nodded and started walking, the two falling in step behind him.

"There are also letters for me, Carm, the VPD and her daughter," supplied Laura. "Only the last has been opened."

"So that was…"

"Her daughter, Steph," answered Carmilla. "I suspect she sent them there so Steph could read her letter before it was taken as evidence."

"Laura's right, you could be a cop," teased Rick.

She felt Laura squeeze her hand and glanced her way.

"Careful," she mouthed.

Laura let her hand go to retrieve several pairs of latex gloves from her pocket so they could read their letters. Carmilla couldn't help but think reading their letters with Rick present wasn't ideal. What if they revealed their involvement? There would be no explaining it away. What if the whole thing was a setup? One giant last "Fuck you"?

Carmilla took a deep breath as she pulled on her gloves and took her letter from Rick; they would finally know if they were right to trust Diedre. She relaxed immediately as she read the first few paragraphs; Diedre had done far more than just cover their involvement, she'd given them an excuse to know all that she had already told them. It wasn't until she reached the part about Nancy did she learn anything new. As she read, she wondered; was this simply meant as a backup plan should they have failed to meet her? Or was it also meant as an alibi?
"Nancy acted of her own accord," she read," albeit manipulated by my sister. Julien was hired by Nancy and Julie by me, though Frank. I couldn't have Julie blatantly interfere with Nancy's plans as I'm certain Lil was aware of them. That was always my biggest challenge; balancing your safety without her not finding out. I'm not sure why Julie fell from the roof, I can only assume it was guilt over taking her twin's life. Something which won't be a problem for me."

Carmilla's letter ended with more apologies and Diedre telling her how proud of her she was. She sighed as she refolded her letter and slipped it back into its envelope. She wished Steph had agreed to speak in her mother's defense. How was she, after supposedly only learning this information now, suppose to go out there and defend her? She could, she reasoned, admit that they'd suspected, for a while, that Deanna Karnstein was two people and that one might have been protecting her from the other.

"You okay?" Laura questioned, her thumb stroking the back of Carmilla's neck.

Carmilla shrugged and met her eyes; "You?"

Laura returned her shrug and then leaned in and whispered; "I need to pee." She looked over to Rick. "We'll be right back."

She didn't give him a chance to object and headed to the closest bathroom, the hum of reporters louder than it was before. "The natives are getting restless," Carmilla joked as they let themselves into separate stalls. "So?"

"Not now," Laura sushed.

"But I thought that was why…"

"No," Laura laughed, "I really did need to pee and I wanted a minute to collect my thoughts."

"That's fair," Carmilla chuckled.

They met at the sink.

"You okay?" asked Laura.

"As much as I ever am."

"You two just about ready?" Rick called from outside the washroom.

"Be right there," replied Laura as they dried their hands. "C'mon, let's get this over with."

Carmilla took her proffered hand as they made their way to the press conference., both waiting near the edge of the room as Rick took his place behind the podium.

"Good afternoon," Rick greeted. "As I'm sure most, if not all of you, have already seen the video, we won't be showing it here." He let the murmurs die down before he continued. "We received the second USB that Ms. Diedre Morgan spoke of along with several letters, one of which was for the Vancouver Police Department. In it, she thanked the department for their work and apologized for wasting their time." He paused a moment. "She also included the exact location of the room seen in the video, which has already been relayed to our team on site. We have, at this point, no reason to doubt the validity of the video." He looked around. "Questions?" None came. "Thank you. Ms. Carmilla Karnstein would like to say a few words."

Carmilla took his place, the hum of conversation quieting almost immediately.

"Um, hi," she started to a few uncomfortable chuckles. "I was the recipient of one of the letters from Ms. Morgan." The hum returned. "In it, she described her efforts to mitigate her sister's damage and why she resorted to drastic measures to see that it came to an end." She looked down a moment as she considered her next words. "We had suspected for some time that my stepmother was two people and that one of them may have been working against the other." She gauged their reaction. "As it turns out, she was responsible for keeping my parents safe after they faked their deaths." She smiled at the whispers of "Parents?". "Yes," she continued, "it was my mother, whose full memory has yet to return, that warned us." She again waited for the hum to die down. "She did not ask for forgiveness, though she did apologize." She sighed. "I've come to learn, in the last few months, that I've had a small army watching over me for many years and while I am grateful to all of them, none sacrificed as much as Deidre Morgan. I'm not saying she wasn't partially responsible for the many terrible things that happened to me, if for no other reason than she failed to stop them, she did, however, sacrifice the most. While I may never be able to forgive her, I am grateful for her efforts." She took a deep breath. "Without her help, I have little doubt I would not have made it this far nor would have many of my loved ones." She took another deep breath. "Questions?"

"How are you feeling?" someone shouted.

"Relieved and disappointed," she replied to their laughter.

"Disappointed?" someone called.

"Disappointed I didn't get to see, in person, my prison that was the Karnstein Estate go up in flames and that my stepmother escaped punishment for her crimes." She let that sink in. "But I can't help but be relieved. For the first time in my life, I'm not afraid. This part of my story is finally over and I can start looking forward to the next chapter."

"So, what's next?"

"Training for my next fight," she replied simply. "After that?" she shrugged. "We're taking our first worry-free vacation." She waited for their laughter to die down. "If there aren't any more questions?" She waited for a moment. "No?" she prodded. "Thank you for your time."

She passed Laura as they traded places and went to stand next to Betty. She tried to listen to what Laura was saying, but as she had before, she lost herself watching as Laura took complete control of the room. Not to mention how good Laura looked in her dress uniform.

"Yes," Laura sighed, "my father is alive and well. In the letter I received, she explained that her sister had become convinced that we knew their secret and because she didn't know that Carmen Cochrane is still alive, believed my father was the only person who could have known." She held up her hand to stem their questions. "No, my father didn't know who his captor was. And yes, he's fine." She paused. "We will likely be releasing the full contents of the letters in the coming days as well as any pertinent information from the USB." She smiled. "Thank you all for your time."

Laura didn't give them a chance to ask any questions as she gathered her notes and then headed back to Carmilla's side.

"C'mon, let's get out of here," she said quietly as she led them out.

She, along with Laura, Steven, and Betty, followed their escort through the maze of hallways of the convention centre and back to their Jeep.

"Gym?" questioned Steven as he started the car.

"Home," replied Carmilla. "I'm all peopled out."

"You heard her," Laura affirmed. "Let's head home." She squeezed Carmilla's hand. "Shall we invite the boys over for a barbeque?"

"They can grab the ribs from the fridge and bring Lucy home?" Laura smiled. "Sounds like the best plan we've had in a while."

Carmilla took her phone from her pocket to text the boys but it rang before she had the chance.

"Dana," she stated as she answered his call and turned on the speaker. "Good afternoon, Mr. White, to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"For the last time; drop the 'Mr. White' crap," he joked. "I saw the press conference, how are you holding up?"

"Good," answered Laura.

"Relieved," supplied Carmilla at the same time.

"I bet," he chuckled. "Is it over then?"

"Everything but the paperwork," replied Laura lightly.

"Good to hear." He paused a moment. "I was thinking, since you've got most of the cast up there, we'd send up a camera crew for a few days? Get some candid footage for the finale?"

"When were you thinking?" questioned Carmilla as she glanced at Laura with a raised eyebrow.

"Whenever you think is a good time, maybe sometime in the next few weeks?"

"We're having a party this weekend," Carmilla offered to Laura's surprise. "It was supposed to be a surprise birthday/Halloween and now, victory party."

"Sounds like a plan," he replied, "I'll give you a call on Friday with the details."

"Let us know if you need anything," Laura offered.

"Will do. How's the leg?"

"Been training at a hundred percent for a few weeks now, feels pretty good," supplied Laura.

"Good to hear. I'll talk to you in a couple of days."

Carmilla ended the call, texted Dark and Brody their plans for the night and then texted Bec so she could warn the others of the film crew coming that weekend.

"I miss Perry," sighed Laura.

"Tired of being my manager already?" teased Carmilla. "Why don't you give her a call?" she suggested. "The plane is already there."

"How come?" she asked as she took her phone out.

"They were supposed to be a part of the surprise."

"Oh," Laura blushed, "sorry." She frowned as her phone rang. "Speak of the devil." She answered the call. "Hey, Per…"

"What the actual fuck, L?" interrupted LaFontaine.

"Laf?" stammered Laura.

"You couldn't give us a heads up?"

"Why are you calling on Perry's phone?" questioned Carmilla.

"Because she's still talking to Rick on mine."

"Rick?" prodded Laura.

"You didn't know?" they sighed.

"Laf, what's going on?" Laura asked gently.

"My lab?"

"Your shiny new super-advanced lab?" questioned Carmilla.

"Hers," they stated.

"Deidre?" asked Carmilla.

"Fuck, Laf, I didn't…" Laura shook her head. "You're fine. Betty and I went over the contract with a fine-toothed comb. Aside from the questionable sale price, there wasn't anything out of the ordinary."

"Price?" Carmilla whispered.

"One dollar," provided Laura.

"Laf?"

"Hey Carm, you okay?"

"I am," she smiled, heartened they'd asked despite their own worries. "Did you ever meet your boss?"

"No, everything was by text or email."

"Did she," she looked at Laura, "ever have you work on anything in particular?"

"Yeah, uh, a few things…" they admitted reluctantly."

"Such as?" prodded Carmilla.

"Explosives." They hesitated. "A, uh, location-based detonator, but she already had most of it."

"Laf, it's okay, you couldn't have known," soothed Carmilla.

"But, she, uh, she helped too."

"Helped, how?"

"I'd have never cracked the translator without her help." They shared a look. "And the only reason I was able to kill the parasite was because she got me an unaltered version of it, I wouldn't have…"

"Saved as many lives without her help?" sighed Carmilla.

"No."

"Laf, the plane is already there, you two might as well head out whenever you're ready," offered Carmilla.

"I don't…"

"She's right, Laf," interrupted Laura, "you've done nothing wrong, showing up, unprompted, only reinforces that."

"Maybe bring anything you think is relevant?" suggested Carmilla.

"Will do."

"I'll let the crew know to expect you, just let them when you're on your way. You and Perry can use the guest room in our apartment at the gym. I'll ask the boys to leave you a key."

"Thanks, Carm."

"No, Laf, thank you."

"You're welcome?"

"I already knew how much you helped us but I suspect it was far more than any of us knew." She sighed. "So, yeah, thanks."

"You're welcome," chuckled Laf. "I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow."

Carmilla ended the call with another sigh.

"So… surprise party?"

"You don't seem very surprised," observed Carmilla.

"Dark, might have…"

"Why?"

"Because I had a surprise for you too," revealed Laura.

"Oh, really?"

"You were going to push the button on the detonator before the Halloween party."

"Well, that is disappointing," chuckled Carmilla.

"So," Laura started as they pulled up to the house, "what's the plan?"

"Until the boys come over?" Laura nodded. "Get changed, have a beer and blow off some steam in the gym."

"I can think of better ways to 'blow off some steam'?" teased Laura.

Carmilla held her reply until they were inside and she had a cold beer in her hand.

"As tempting as you are in that uniform," she said huskily as she handed Laura a beer and then used her free hand to finger her lapel. "I am far too distracted and need to clear my head."

"Distracted?"

"Doesn't all this seem a little too…"

"Convenient?" offered Laura.

"I was going to say 'easy', but yes." She kissed her briefly and took her hand to lead her to the bedroom. "I mean, like why send us letters if she planned on telling us everything anyway?"

"I case we didn't show?"

"Maybe." She shed her clothes and slipped into her gym clothes. "No," she shook her head, "she knew I'd show." She slumped onto the bed and watched as Laura changed into something more comfortable. "What if she did it so we'd have an excuse to know what she told us?"

"I don't know," sighed Laura as she slipped out of her blazer. "I just…" she tossed her blazer on the chair and went to lean on the edge of the dresser and ran her hands roughly through her hair. "I feel like I'm waiting…"

"For the other shoe to drop?" finished Carmilla as she got up and went to start unbuttoning Laura's shirt. "Worst case it for me."

"I'm sorry?"

"Worst case scenario; somehow the police find out we were there," she met her eyes, "how much trouble would we be in?"

"They'd had to prove we knew what she had planned," she replied thoughtfully.

"And if they could?"

"If they could prove we knew and did nothing to stop it or report it?" Carmilla nodded. "At a minimum, we'd probably face accessory charges." Laura closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "It just…"

"Seems too easy?"

"Let's just say I'll breathe easier when Rick tells me they've found two bodies and can DNA verify them."

"You think the video was doctored?"

"It's not impossible."

"Even if she somehow faked her death, she wouldn't have been able to…"

"What?" Carmilla didn't answer as she left a confused Laura behind to retrieve her laptop. "Carm?" She opened it, pulled up Diedre's video and paused it almost immediately. "What is it?"

"Did you notice that when we were there?" she asked, pointing to a smaller door to the right of the door they'd left through.

"What's your point"?

"What if there was another door?" she posited as she snapped her laptop close. "Or…" she sighed. "What if she was taping us?"

"I don't…" Laura sighed. "I guess all we can do is wait and…"

"Trust a, presumably, dead woman?" Laura shrugged and nodded. "I'm going to clear my head." she kissed her softly and then leaned her forehead against Laura's. "Everything but the paperwork, right?"

"Hopefully."

"Not something I've ever had a great deal of," she met her eyes, "hope." She smiled. "Until I met you." She kissed her briefly. "See you in a bit?"

Laura nodded, kissed her again and then sent her on her way with a playful slap on the behind. She made her way down to the gym, stretched her legs and started a slow jog on the treadmill.

Carmilla was frustrated; it was supposed to be over. "Does it matter?" she thought. "No matter what else happens, she's dead." She shook her head and upped the speed. "Send me to jail," she smiled, "she's still dead, it's still over." She chuckled. "I didn't even have to get my hands dirty."

She upped the speed again, her thoughts, her worries finally falling by the wayside. She knew there were still hurdles to overcome. She also knew it could be weeks, months, maybe even years before all the questions were answered and they'd truly be free of Deanna's stain. At least now they shouldn't have to face any new problems.

"Finally," she chuckled, "more steps forward than back."

"Hey," greeted Laura as she joined her, "Rick's got an update."

"Good news?" she asked as she hit the stop button and then grabbed a towel on her way to sit on the mats against the wall. She patted the spot beside her with a smile and then wiped her face as Laura took her invitation.

"Hey, Rick, good news?" Laura joked when he answered her call.

"The news is…" he hesitated; "weird."

"Weird?" they echoed and shared a look.

"The room itself was intact but the tunnels leading away from it are collapsed."

"Tunnels?" mouthed Carmilla.

"Two sets of remains were found, both had gunshot wounds to the head and one was missing its hands." He sighed. "Everything else was ash; the furniture, the camera, the USB, even the gun was melted."

"Then how are there any remains?" questioned Carmilla.

"Your guess is as good as mine," he admitted ruefully. "Maybe we'll get some answers from forensics but I'm not hopeful."

"Was there anything else in the other letters that we need to know?" asked Laura. "More than "LaFerry Industries'?"

"They're not in any trouble," he rushed to assure them. "I mean, we do have some questions and we'd appreciate Laf taking a look at the remains, but aside from that…" They sighed in relief. "She, Diedre, outlined how she'd like to have her assets allocated; half goes the Vancouver fire and police departments," he chuckled, "something about 'making up for all the overtime they caused."

"And the rest?" Carmilla prodded.

"A quarter to her daughter and the balance to your new foundation."

"Once you find where she hid it," joked Carmilla.

"We're working on it," he supplied. "The room the video was taped in wasn't the only location she provided. Seems she took a page from your father's book, Carm, and buried more than half a billion dollars on the estate's grounds."

"And they're digging it up now?"

"We've already found it," he advised. "Now it's just a matter of counting, evaluating and determining its source…"

"Evaluating?" interjected Laura.

"Like Carm's father, there's cash in multiple currencies, gold, silver, gems, artwork…" he chuckled again. "Think Smaug's hoard, only smaller."

"She must have been planning this for years," marveled Carmilla.

"...I'll get copies of the letters and USB to you as soon as I can," he continued, not having heard Carmilla's comment, "but I have to ask; is there anything you're not telling me?"

"Such as?" questioned Laura as she shared a look with Carmilla.

"Like where the two of you disappeared on your birthday?"

"We went for an unescorted bike ride," Laura stated. "And we were home at the gym when the estate exploded. Anything else?"

They held their breath.

"No," he replied. "For now."

Laura ended the call and dropped the phone to the mat between her feet.

"Why did everything burn but their bones?"

"Simple answer?" Carmilla nodded. "She doused everything but them in a super accelerant."

"And complicated?"

"They were infected by the parasite at some point and she doused everything else?" Laura dropped her head in her hands and sighed; "I don't know."

"Well," Carmilla started confidently, "let's look at we do know." Laura looked up to her, her hands on the back of her neck. "Lilita is dead, yes?" Laura nodded. "We can assume all evidence we were there is gone, yes?"

"Seems like it."

"All our loved ones are finally safe?" Laura nodded and smiled. "We're safe?" She nodded again as she rested her elbows on her knees. "So, it's over?"

"Everything but the paperwork," laughed Laura.

"Look," she started as she went to kneel in front of Laura and took her hands, "even if we are implicated. Even if someone saw us there or on the way to or from. Even if they could prove we knew and didn't do anything to stop it." Laura frowned. "Did we really do anything wrong?"

"Obstruction?"

"Fair." she tilted her head. "Anything else?"

"We're lying about where we were," Laura pointed out.

"True," she conceded. "But did we pull the trigger?"

"No."

"Did we give her the gun to do it?"

"No."

"Did we set the explosives or detonate them?"

"We sort of did, though she added more, and you were supposed to detonate them," she replied. "But, no."

"Even if they could prove any of that," she continued seriously. "Even if we get sent to jail." She smiled despite Laura's scowl. "It doesn't matter." She kissed her. "I feel only relief and not an ounce of guilt for what I did or didn't do." She stood and offered Laura her hand. "Nor should you." She pulled her into arms. "I survived my childhood." She kissed her. "I can survive a few years in jail so long as you're still waiting for me when it's over."

"Always," Laura smiled.

"And that, and everyone's safety, is all that matters, right?"

"Right."

"I've been fighting this fight for so long, I'm not sure I know who I am now that it's over," she admitted. "But it's as over as it can be." She rested their foreheads together. "We finally get to move forward."

"Together?"
"Always."

A/N 2: hey folx, hope everyone is safe and healthy. This chapter was originally titled something else, but in light of recent world events, and despite the fact that it was named long before any of this happened, I thought it might be prudent to go with a safer title for now.

I know that real life is very scary right now. And I'll be honest, we should be scared. Or at least scared enough to ensure our own safety by staying home when possible, physically distancing when we can't and washing our hands so much they're dry all the time. My job isn't essential in the grand scheme of things when those working in health care and those doing what they can so we can all still live somewhat normal lives despite the crazy are far more important, but I am considered essential at my job. We will get through this though. My last thoughts on this are; stay calm, be kind, be safe, and thank everyone risking their own health so we can all still function. Everyone is so stressed, and even if people aren't crapping on those in the service industries, it's still really crappy for them right now. A simple 'thank you' could be the one bright spot in their days that makes the crap worth it.

As for where the story is going? I'm sad to say it's rapidly coming to its close. Two of the last chapters are already mostly written and the last is thought out so hopefully, I'll be able to give you all something to distract you from the world sooner rather than later. Till next time, Creampuffs!