Epilogue


Megan stood in the doorway to Darien's apartment, her skin pale and her normally vibrant hair had lost it's luster. Thanks to the location of the chip, none of her hair had been shaved and the bandage was hidden at the base of her neck. She hugged herself and looked up into Darien's eyes. "Hi."

He stepped out of her way and said, "You wanna come in?"

She entered, taking her jacket off. "Darien... I just wanted to say... I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Meg," he said, closing the door and coming up behind her. "You were used against your will. Do you even know when they put the chip in?"

"I went to the hospital for an appendectomy a few months back. They could have possibly put it in then, but... God, Darien... I was their puppet for so long. I terrorized a wonderful woman and completely without my knowing it."

He put his hands on her shoulders, softly rubbing them. "You remember the last time we talked? Graduation?"

Megan smiled slightly. "How can I forget?"

~~~~~~
Graduation Day
~~~~~~

"Darien Gabriel Fawkes." He stepped forward and took the red book, shook the hand of his principal, and proceeded down the steps. As he returned to his seat, he spotted Megan sitting in the back, with the Ws. He hadn't seen her since prom night. She smiled at him and winked, then mouthed something. He frowned and mouthed 'What?'

She repeated 'You're busted.'

A shiver ran down his spine. The glint in her eye, the impish curl of her lips... she was up to something and he wasd definitely in trouble.

The fear began to ebb when they reached the Ts, but then Morgan was standing next to the stage. It was almost time for her to go up. Darien scanned the audience. Several rows of black caps faced him. He noted that several students had decorations on them; drawings, declarations of love for a significant other.

"Megan Beckett-Winters."

She shook the principal's hand, then turned her back to the audience.

Darien froze.

On the top of her cap was a full-color shot of him, wearing the bear-head, running bare-assed across the football field. The shot made famous at their high school after that game. She turned back to face the audience and yanked her robe open. She was wearing a long, white T-shirt on which was written: The Bare Bear was Darien Fawkes!

The kids grew silent.

The faculty seemed to visually steam.

Parents watching the proceedings gasped.

And Darien Fawkes felt three inches tall.

He had been busted.

---

"Did you have to out me," he asked later, standing outside his house.

Megan stroked his cheek. "You're cute, Darien. Maybe I should have asked you out for real."

"Maybe we can rent Hudson Hawk sometime."

Megan smiled. "I'd like that."

There was a long pause, while Darien looked down at his dress shoes. They were scuffed and one of the tassles was completely missing. He finally looked up and said, "I love you."

Megan didn't even pause. "I think I should go."

"Wha... did you hear what I just sa--"

"I heard you, Darien. I just don't want to hear it." She took his hand and tenderly rubbed the knuckles. "I'm going to college in New York in the fall. You'll be here and... and I'll be there. Long distance relationships never work."

"Sure they do... they always..."

She kissed him lightly on the cheek. "No. Just... let's end it here." She released his hand and went to her car.

He watched as she drove off into the night. Her tail lights flashed at the end of the block and she turned. Darien Fawkes brushed his eyes, surprised to find them wet.

~~~~~~
Present Day
~~~~~~

"That was the last time I saw you."

"Yeah... I've missed you Dar-Bear." She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Have any music we can listen to?"

He reached over her shoulder and hit the button on the radio. Softly, the song "A Whiter Shade of Pale" began to play. Megan laid her head on his shoulder and murmured, "Mmm... I love this song."

*We skipped a light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
But the crowd called out for more*

Darien began to sway to the music, holding Megan tightly to him. As they danced, Megan raised her head and looked into his eyes. "I won't leave you again, Darien. I promise."

*The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray*

He bent down and kissed her, a long and sensuous kiss that lasted well into the night.


~end~