Laura sat, somewhat nervously, in the passenger seat of Carmilla's MG, blindfolded and having no idea what Carmilla had planned for her. She'd assumed Carmilla was done with her birthday surprises, but apparently she was wrong. Her day had started with breakfast in bed followed by a long bath and then an overdue drive in Carmilla's MG as that morning Rick had called to tell them he was canceling their escort. In the end, it hadn't taken months or even weeks but merely days to tie up loose ends. Beyond Rick's initial questions, no more were asked about their involvement. It seemed they were right to trust Diedre. A pill Carmilla, despite her voiced gratitude, was having trouble swallowing. Outwardly, she seemed to accept that it was over and that there were no further shoes to drop. But Laura knew better. Or thought she did. Maybe it was just that she was having trouble accepting it was over and that there wasn't one last time bomb out there waiting to explode. It was because of this that Laura questioned Carmilla's motives for taking out the MG. True, it was late October and it might well be the last day that year that would be warm enough to drive with the top down, but she still suspected it was something more.

"Are we there yet?" she whined playfully.

"Almost," chuckled Carmilla.

"And you're not going to give me any hints?"

"Nope."

"Fine," she huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You okay?"

"I was joking."

"Oh, I know you were," laughed Carmilla. "You're very good at being a brat."

"Bite me!"

"Later," Carmilla replied. "Maybe."

"Promises, promises," teased Laura.

"I still haven't given you the surprise I have for you at home," she replied, sounding serious. "Keep it up and you might consider it more a threat than a promise." The car came to a stop. "You can take that off now." Laura slipped off the blindfold and then blinked against the sunlight. "You know," Carmilla said thoughtfully as she engaged the parking brake, "I know we were given the all-clear this morning, but I'm still a little surprised you consented to the blindfold."

"Really?" Carmilla nodded. "Why?"

"Old habits?" She shrugged. "Giving up control and all that."

"I trust you."

"Yeah, but do you really trust that we're out of danger?"

Laura regarded her a moment before answering; "Was this a test?" She raised an eyebrow. "To see if we are?"

"A calculated one, perhaps," she admitted and motioned to her sidearm. "I noticed you're still armed."

"Yes," she conceded, "even though we're riding around in a mini tank, there's no harm being prepared."

"Exactly. But…" Carmilla sighed. "Shouldn't we be able to relax already? Or at least start?"

"Eventually?" she offered. "I mean, on the one hand, with every day that passes and nothing happens, it should make us feel safer, but…"

"But?"

"With everything we've been through?"

"It's hard to trust it?"

"Hey!" a voice called, getting their attention. "You two ready to get this show on the road or what?"

"We'll be right in, thanks Trish!" Carmilla answered.

"Carm?"

"Ready to get your tattoo finished?"

"Really?"

"Really," Carmilla affirmed with a smile. "Trish is going to do yours and finish/touch up mine." She grinned. "And tomorrow she's going to start on my back piece." She nodded towards a small, trendy looking, tattoo shop. "Trish knows the owner and talked him into letting use a couple of stations for the day." She took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "So, what do you say, Pup? Ready to get that tattoo finished?"

"Not how I saw my day going," she responded thoughtfully, "But, yes."

"Yes?"

"I need to talk to my dad later." She smiled. "Just might give me the courage to do it."

"Not that that isn't an excellent reason." She leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I mean, I get it, champion of pissing off the parents here," she joked, her hand in the air. "But is that the only reason?"

"No," she replied and opened her door, "that isn't the only reason." She got out and waited for Carmilla to join her. "In fact, I'd like to request a change."

"A change?"

"Well, addition, really." She took Carmilla's hand. "That we add October twenty-third, twenty-fifteen."

"You think I'm going to forget your twenty-fifth birthday?" Carmilla joked.

"No," Laura laughed and bumped their shoulders. "To commemorate the day we were set free. I mean, that's what this is all about, right? Rising from the ashes of all she tried to destroy?"

"I like it, but…"

"But?"

"Technically she died on the twenty-fourth," she pointed out.

"Fine," conceded Laura with a laugh, "the twenty-fourth."

"You don't mind a small addition, do you, Trish?" Carmilla asked as they entered the shop.

"Not at all," Trish smiled. "Speaking of changes, I have a proposal for you."

"Go on," Carmilla prompted.

"My friend here," she indicated a large, heavily tattooed man beside her, "had a cancellation this morning and happens to be excellent at lining." Carmilla raised an eyebrow. "I was thinking, given how well you sat for your first tattoo, Scott will start the linework on your back while I do Laura's tattoo. After I'm done Laura's tattoo I'll finish your arm, finish the lines on your back and maybe get some shading done. Depending on how tired I am, I should be able to get enough done that I'll be able to finish it next time."

"I like your plan, but…" she eyed the other artist, "no offense," she looked back at Trish, "but I came to you for your experience in scarring."

"No offense taken," he said quietly. "I've seen the pictures and I don't blame you." He nodded toward Trish. "She is the best."

"I knew you might have concerns so I printed two blueprints." She took them from a nearby table and showed them. "Scott will avoid the areas of most concern."

"That would free up tomorrow," reasoned Carmilla.

"You're still not sure?" asked Trish.

"I'm sorry, I'm not," she admitted.

"That's fair." Trish considered a moment. "He's got a steady hand, a gentle touch and some of the cleanest damned lines I've ever seen," she praised. "In fact," she pulled up her shirt to reveal an intricate geometric design on her ribs, "this is his. I know it's not over scar tissue, but…"

"The ribs freaking hurt," finished Carmilla. "Fine, I'm in."

"Yeah?" Carmilla nodded. "Cool," Trish smiled and motioned to two chairs facing each other. "If you're uncomfortable at all, or change your mind, let us know."

They were more than an hour into their tattoos when they were both startled by their phones ringing at the same time.

"Should you grab that?" asked Scott.

"Probably," Carmilla replied as she shared a look with Laura. "If they're both ringing, it can't be good."

Their calls had already gone to voicemail by the time they sorted themselves out and got to them, Carmilla reaching hers first.

"Dark," she stated. "Did you know Rick was making a statement?"

"No."

"He sent a link."

"Me too," Laura looked up. "Play on both but I'll mute mine?"

"Sure," she replied. "Why don't you guys take a break?"

"Okay," Trish replied and took off her gloves. "Smoke?"

Scott nodded, followed suit, and both headed outside.

"Good afternoon," Rick greeted. They'd already missed the announcement and were watching a recording. "We have recovered the remains of two people in a hidden underground bunker on the outskirts of the Karnstein Estate. While the room itself was still intact, all evidence but the badly burned remains were destroyed, including the video camera, USB and the weapon used in the murder/suicide of Diedre and Lilita Morgan. While the small amount of DNA recovered was not enough to confirm that the remains are the Morgan twins, they are a familial match to Diedre Morgan's daughter." He waited for the murmurs to die down. "In light of this evidence, the Vancouver Police Department is in the process of closing the Karnstein investigation." He held up a hand to stall their questions. "We have combed through all the evidence on the USB we received. All but twenty-eight of the two hundred detained have been released and compensated thanks to Karnstein Industries, for their time, cooperation and inconvenience. The balance of the detainees are being held for further questioning and are facing charges ranging from extortion to murder to attempted murder and human trafficking. Those that only committed their crimes out of fear for the safety of their loved ones, will be shown leniency, where possible. Those that committed their crimes of their own accord or for their own gain will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In both cases, the crimes are so severe that they can not be ignored, nor go unpunished, all together." He paused to take a sip of water. "As for the multitude of crimes committed by, and for, the Morgan twins; while they may have escaped punishment for those crimes, and while I can not speak on behalf of my department as a whole, I feel that justice has been served." He paused again. "We have also discovered the location of a hidden vault. Once it's contents are evaluated and their sources proved legitimate, the funds generated will be distributed as follows; one quarter each to the Vancouver Fire and Police Departments, one quarter to Diedre Morgan's daughter and the balance to the, yet unnamed, Karnstein foundation. Some information from the USB and letters will be released to the public next week." He smiled. "I'm pleased to announce that Detective Laura Hollis will be receiving the 'Chief Constable's Commendation' in recognition of her work on the Karnstein investigation. Also, effective immediately, Detective Hollis is on an indefinite leave of absence. While she has certainly earned a vacation, this time I know I can speak for my colleagues, should she choose to return, she will be welcomed back with open arms and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors, even if that doesn't include the Vancouver Police Department." He scanned the room. "Thank you for your time."

They turned off their phones and put them aside.

"So?" asked Carmilla as she propped herself on her elbows. "Is it really over?"

"Looks that way."

"A special commendation, huh?" teased Carmilla as she waved the artists back in. "Pretty cool, Hollis."

"Yeah," Laura blushed. "I wasn't expecting that."

"Do you think you will? Go back, I mean?" asked Carmilla as the artists walked back in and went to wash their hands and put on clean gloves.

"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I'm too well known now to ever work undercover again."

"True," conceded Carmilla and lied back down, "even without the case, a few fights and people are bound to start recognizing you."

"You guys ready?" asked Trish.

Laura watched as Carmilla closed her eyes and drifted off soon after Scott resumed his work.

"Just how gentle of a touch does he have?" she joked to Trish as she looked down at her progress.

"You complaining?"

"Not at all," she assured her. "But I can't imagine sleeping through it."

"Probably has something to do with the nerve damage," reasoned Trish. "Your mapping helped a lot, I know which scars hurt the most and Scott is leaving those for me."

"So, between his 'gentle touch' and the nerve damage?"

"And her pain tolerance," added Trish. "It probably feels like a weird massage," she shrugged.

"Can you make it today's date instead?" Trish nodded and Laura went back to watching her sleeping girlfriend and wondered if maybe it was more than that. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. "It's over," she thought with a smile. "And somehow we got away with it." How was it possible that their greatest ally was also the real mastermind behind it all? She sighed as something she hadn't expected washed over her; relief. Sure, it'd be a while before she stopped watching over their shoulders; after so long it was a force of habit, but maybe it could finally become less of a priority. She could finally focus all her attention on her other passion; fighting.

She smiled again; despite her leg injury, she was really looking forward to showing Randa, and the world, what she could do. Was she better than Carmilla? Maybe. Not that it was a fair comparison; they weren't in the same weight class. She would always be small for one fifteen. Sure, she could put on a little extra muscle to make up the difference, but it slowed her down and she couldn't do anything about her greatest disadvantage, her height. Carmilla, on the other hand, was a natural fit at strawweight. She had a size advantage at atom weight, Laura's natural weight class, but the weight cut wasn't easy on her. Carmilla could, and had, done well at flyweight because of a speed advantage, but it usually came at the price of size disadvantage. No, strawweight was perfect for Carmilla as it was so close to her natural weight. As long as she trained properly, she rarely had to cut weight to weigh in at one fifteen. They couldn't have hoped for a better result. Not only were they free and clear, but they also had a little more than two months to train, worry-free. Maybe even for the first time ever.

"I'm done," Trish announced.

"Already?" she asked as she checked out her new artwork.

"You sit almost as well as your girlfriend does," she praised. "I swear you even fell asleep for a bit."

"I might have," chuckled Laura. "I don't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep."

"Go on, check it out in the mirror," prodded Trish as she finished wiping down her arm.

"Wow," she gushed, "it's… wow." She turned and gave Trish a one-armed hugged. "Thank you." She turned back to the mirror. "I love it."

"I'll need to do some touch-ups when I finish up Carmilla's back and it'll be at least six more months before I can touch that scar…"

"I like it the way it is," she interrupted, "it looks like it's supposed to be a part of the Phoenix."

"Good," Trish smiled and applied Lafontaine's healing lotion, "that's what I was going for." She looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. "I don't mean to overstep, but the accident where you got that, it almost killed you, right?" Laura nodded. "I think you should honor that." She shrugged again. "I mean, most people can't say they survived almost being blown up." She chuckled. "You know I was working that day? I actually heard it."

"You know, the sad thing is, that wasn't the first time or even the last."

"Not to mention how many near misses?" piped up Carmilla.

"You're awake," Laura observed.

"Sharp as ever, Pup," she teased.

"What do you think?" she asked as she went to give her a better look.

"You changed the date?"

"Sharp as ever, Kitten," she joked and shrugged. "Today's the day they closed the case."

"It's over?"

"It's over," she affirmed and then started when Trish sprayed something cold on her arm. "What's that?"

"A new liquid bandage your friend is working on," explained Trish. "It's waterproof, but I wouldn't soak it or take a loofa to it. Once it starts peeling, it's ready to come off."

Carmilla frowned as Laura's cell started ringing.

"What now?" thought Laura as she went to answer but it went to voicemail before she had the chance. She waited for a voicemail alert but got a "Call me," text instead.

"Rick." She shook her head. "I'd better call him back," she added before kissing Carmilla briefly. "Where did Trish go?"

"Quick bathroom break before she gets started on my arm."

"I'm, uh, going to call him back outside, got any smokes?"

"Maybe in the glove compartment."

"You can have one of mine," Trish offered her when she returned and handed her one along with her lighter.

"Thanks."

She slipped her jacket on carefully over her arm, went outside, lit her smoke and then called Rick.

"Constable's commendation, eh?" she joked when he answered.

"Yeah," he chuckled, but she could hear his pride, "you deserve it."

"So, what's up?"

"You saw my announcement?"

"How else would I have known about the award?" she countered.

"Diedre left us very detailed evidence on each of the twenty-eight still in custody. All will be convicted with ease, however, there are three she thought were of particular concern and all died shortly after reaching their new accommodations."

"Concerning how?"

"All three failed to kill either you or Carm. All three lost loved ones because they failed. She feared, if set free, they might try again."

"Why, revenge?"

"They blamed you for their failures."

"And because they failed, you didn't have anything to hold them?"

"We had some flimsy stuff," he sighed. "Even if it stuck it wouldn't have held them long."

"Cause of deaths?"

"Still working on it but one died in his sleep, the second grabbed his chest and fell to the ground, the last grabbed his head before he died. All were alone, but monitored." He paused. "Any theories?"

"Loose ends?" she offered.

"Obviously, but how?"

"Where did the second tunnel lead?"

"The…" he sighed. "You think she faked it? Got away somehow?"

"It's not impossible."

"The video looked pretty convincing," he countered.

"You didn't answer my question," she pointed out.

"The tunnel?"

"Yes, the tunnel," she affirmed.

"It led to a sewer, from there someone could have gone anywhere."

"Damn," she sighed. "What does 'indefinite leave of absence' mean?"

"You still work for us, but won't be getting paid. If, however, you decide you're not returning before retirement age, you'll receive your full pension."

"That doesn't sound exactly kosher," she observed.

"It's not," he admitted. "It was one of the conditions set on Diedre's donation to the department. She wrote it would be a great shame if you didn't return, but she didn't want you to make that decision based on money." He paused a moment. "I hate to agree with a felon, but she has a point."

"Um," she blushed, "thanks?"

"You're welcome. Any thoughts on that? Your future?

"Not really," she sidestepped. "Just focused on wrapping all this up, our fights in January and a well-earned vacation. After that? I'm not sure."

"Fair enough. I'll text you when I get the cause of deaths."

Laura ended the call, leaned against Carmilla's MG and then sighed when she realized her cigarette had burnt away without her ever taking a puff. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked into the tattoo shop where Carmilla had again fallen asleep despite now having two people tattooing her.

She decided to tell Carmilla about the latest development once she had more information. She was more worried about the 'how' of it all, rather the 'why'. She couldn't help but wonder if it would ever truly be over. Sure, they might be safe, but in some cases, like Carmilla's, it would never be over and the scars that would haunt her forever couldn't be covered by a simple tattoo.

Later that night Laura sat with Dark and Brody in the Recreation Warehouse while the two talked about the latter's new Tae Kwon Do training. She was only listening enough to know what they were talking about and was more focused on Carmilla across the room talking to Bec and Angela M. by the pool table. She still hadn't told her about Rick's call, not that she'd asked. Maybe Carmilla had sensed something was off but didn't want to deal with it. Or maybe, just maybe, she trusted that Laura would tell her when the time was right.

"Laura?" Brody said as he nudged her with her phone.

"What?"

"Rick?" he prodded again and handed her her phone.

She missed his call so slipped on her jacket to go outside to call him back.

"Got some news?"

"Brain aneurysm, heart attack, and stroke. All within the same half-hour."

"Shit…" she sighed.

"Theories?"

"No," she admitted. "But let me talk to Laf and I'll get back to you."

"Fine," he accepted. "And Laura?"

"Yeah?"

"Happy birthday again."

"Thanks."

She ended the call and texted LaFontaine to meet her outside and then wandered over to one of the lit fire pits to warm up while she waited.

"Hey L, what's up?" LaFontaine greeted as they joined her.

"How far have you gotten on your nanotech research?"

"Prototype, why?"

"Could they…" she searched for the right words; "I don't know, be modified to give someone, say, a heart attack? Or maybe a stroke?" She sighed and realized she already knew the answer as she added; "Aneurysm?"

"Possibly." They considered a moment. "Everyone has electricity in their bodies, if you could somehow disrupt that electricity, like with a human EMP, maybe."

"And could you, say, engineer them to leave no trace?" They nodded, their concern becoming evident. "And could they, I don't know, be outfitted with your location-based detonator?"

"This is all hypothetical, right L?"

"Answer the question."

"Probably?"

"And…" she trailed off as Carmilla and father exited from a door further down. She shook her head and looked back at LaFontaine. "How long could they stay inside someone?"

"Like the ones I'm working on?" Laura nodded. "Indefinitely."

"Can you start working on a way to detect and deactivate them safely?"

"L, what the fuck is going on?"

"Three men died today, all of them a threat to me and/or Carmilla."

"And you're worried there's more microscopic ticking time bombs out there?" guessed LaFontaine.

"I don't know," she sighed. "And I honestly don't know which scares me more; tiny ticking time bombs or someone out there still pulling the strings."

"We're heading back to Toronto tomorrow, maybe I can answer one of those questions once I get back to my lab."

Laura gave them a quick hug and then went to join Carmilla and her father.

"Hey guys," she greeted as she took Carmilla's hand, "what's up?"

"Um," Carmilla stalled and kissed her cheek.

"Carmilla saw me leaving and…"

"And I wanted to tell him he might want to wait until after your last surprise," Carmilla talked over him.

"But, um, also I wanted to talk to you before I left," he added.

"Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Carm," she informed him coldly; she wasn't quite ready to let him off the hook for all his lies.

"I…" he shook his head and looked down. "I'm so sorry. Sorry for…" he looked back up, "well, for everything."

"I know," she sighed. "I don't know if it matters, but in her letter, she explained how you came to be Will's father; you never actually had sex with Carm's mom."

"But…" he stuttered.

"How?" blurted Carmilla.

"I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, I wanted to tell him first," she apologized to Carmilla.

"That's fair," accepted Carmilla. "Want to tell us how, then?"

"Another thing my father failed to tell me." She regarded him a moment. "Apparently, just before my mother was killed, they were trying for another kid. Turns out they needed a little help from a fertility doctor." She raised an eyebrow. "You were both drugged, however Diedre stayed with you to make sure nothing happened. Unfortunately, Carm's mom was still assaulted, just not by you and not violently. She simply paid your doctor handsomely and used your 'sample' to inseminate Carmen."

"I don't…" he sighed and then surprised her by laughing.

"How is that funny?" she asked.

"I had a lot of time to think while I was busy being a hostage," he explained. "I don't think I was ever 'in love' with Carmen. I loved her, yes, like a sister or a friend. All these years I felt so guilty that I'd taken advantage of her…"

"You were drugged too," Carmilla pointed out.

"I know, but that didn't make me feel any better." He sighed. "No, somewhere along the way I convinced myself I was in love with her. Like somehow that made it not as terrible." He shook his head and took her free arm in his hand. "I loved your mother." He squeezed her arm. "And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her."

"I know," sighed Laura and gave him a hug, "me too." He hesitated a moment before hugging her back. "We're still not okay," she informed as she broke the hug, "not by a long shot." She took Carmilla's hand again. "But we can be."

"Okay," he smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Better than I hoped for, actually. I'm, uh, going to head out. I'm planning to move back out to Abbotsford tomorrow and I want an early start."

"Take care, Dad, we'll talk soon." He nodded and headed off in the direction of his car. "Want to tell me what you were talking about?" she asked Carmilla once her father was out of earshot.

"Sure, but," she tugged her toward the gym, "it's just about time for your last surprise." She kissed her cheek. "Last one here, anyway."

"About that…"

"You don't even know…"

"But I have a pretty good idea," interrupted Laura on the way to the elevator. "I don't know that…"

"You're in the mood?" guessed Carmilla.

"It's not just that," she differed. "I didn't have a six-hour nap this afternoon like some people."

"You sure about that?" she mocked.

Carmilla turned and pushed her up against the elevator's wall and pressed the button for the roof.

"What are you talking about?" Laura asked.

"I wasn't asleep," she revealed and kissed her neck. "Not the whole time, anyway." She kissed the tip of her nose. "For example; Trish was right, he did have a gentle touch and I didn't feel most of it." She smiled and led her over to the fire pit and lit it once they reached the roof. "And I'm pretty sure I heard you snore at one point."

"Stop!" protested Laura. "I don't snore."

"Whatever you say Creampuff," teased Carmilla.

"Whatever," laughed Laura as she punched her arm playfully. "What did my dad want?"

"To give me this," she provided as she took a folded envelope from her back pocket. "Diedre told him to give it to us once the detainees were released and/or jailed." Laura reached for the envelope but Carmilla snapped it back out of her reach. "Want to tell me what you were talking to Laf about?"

"It's…" she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "It's just a theory I'm working on."

"About?"

"Three of the jailed men died shortly after reaching their new accommodations."

"And you're just telling me this now?" snapped Carmilla.

"I didn't…"

"Wait, that's what you were outside talking to Rick about?" she pressed.

"I didn't see any point in ruining both our days until I had more information," soothed Laura.

"I thought…" she sighed. "Whatever."

"Carm…"

"Just open it," she snapped as she handed her the envelope.

"But…"

"Can you?" Carmilla nodded at the envelope. "We're on a schedule."

"Fine."

Laura held it up to the firelight, tore off one end, slipped out the letter and then held it by the light of the fire so they could both read it.

"Don't worry," they read, "I'm really gone."

"Gone?" they whispered.

"It's really over," they continued, "Well, I suppose it won't ever really be over, not for either of you. There's little I can do about that now but to assure you that you, that everyone, is safe. The three men who died are the last of the loose ends. All three blamed you for the deaths of their loved ones and would have killed you given half the chance. As you thwarted their tasks, it was unlikely that any of the related charges would have stuck. I couldn't take that chance. Not after all I've done to protect you. Laura, you needn't worry, they were the only three, no other time bombs exist. I know you won't take my word for it so the location of my lab will reveal itself on the USB. My lab should answer any questions you have left and hopefully give you a little peace of mind. Take care you two, I have little doubt that your futures will be bright no matter what path you ultimately choose to follow. All my love, pride and respect to you both, Diedre."

Laura sighed as, for the first time since they'd driven away from their rendezvous, hell, for the time in the last decade, she felt herself completely relax as she tossed the letter and its envelope into the fire.

"I don't…" Carmilla started and then pulled her back from the fire as it briefly flashed blue and then flared. "You really think she'd have left behind evidence?"

"No," she chuckled, "I suppose not." She reached for Carmilla's hand and smiled when Carmilla let her take it. "I'm sorry." She shook her head. "All week I've been on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"That's 'cause you're like me." Carmilla squeezed her hand. "Always going to the 'worst-case scenario'."

"Coping mechanism," she admitted. "That way I'm not as startled when the other shoe does finally drop."

They both jumped as a small explosion went off behind them.

"C'mon," urged Carmilla as she pulled over to the edge of the roof. "Since we missed the fireworks at the estate that were supposed to go off tonight, I pulled some very expensive strings and had a small display set up for us here." She kissed her cheek. "Happy birthday, Pup." She kissed her cheek again and then went to hold her from behind. "Let's hope the next one isn't as eventful."

"That's the hope," replied Laura as she relaxed into her arms. "It's funny, you know, I was thinking that this afternoon; it may never really be over but eventually we might get used to being safe." She turned to look at her. "As long as we're okay." She regarded her a moment. "We are, right, okay?"

"Better than," she assured her and nodded towards the water. "Enjoy the show."

Laura settled herself in Carmilla's arms, smiling as the fireworks started and she heard a cheer from the other rooftop.

"I know," breathed Carmilla into her ear after a few minutes, "you said," a cold hand slipped under her shirt, "you were too tired for what you think I have planned for you at home, but…" Her hand reached her breast. The coldness causing her to inhale sharply and then hiss when Carmilla pinched her nipple. "Should I stop?"

"Don't you dare," warned Laura as she took Carmilla's free hand and directed it to her waistband.

"One condition," she stated as she undid her belt. "Watch the fireworks."

Laura did the best she could to do as she was told, the task becoming almost impossible as Carmilla pinned her to the wall as she, and the fireworks, reached their climax.

"No," she thought as she turned and pulled Carmilla into a deep kiss, "maybe it won't ever really be over. But," she thought as she broke the kiss and touched their foreheads together while she tried to catch her breath, "our future is bright, and more importantly, safe."

"I love you, Laura." she leaned back and met her eyes. "Today, tomorrow, always."

"Always."

A/N: I know right? Shock of shocks there's another chapter already! Even more surprising, this isn't one of the last chapters I had planned. I realized, while thinking about what I already have planned for the chapter after this, that there was too much time between the chapters and I've had to do way too much exposition at the start of the next chapter to catch up. So instead y'all got this. Thanks to the fan who reminded me about their tattoos, this is kinda for you. Remember, I live for feedback so please leave a quick review.

I hope everyone is well and safe. See you again soon, Creampuffs!