All right, I don't think anyone's even reading this now, so I guess this epilogue is really written for me. (If you are reading this, review dammit!) I just... couldn't leave my favorite character hanging like that, so I wrote her an epilogue, just tying up some loose ends.

Thanks to every single one of my readers! If you want to read more about Trent, she's starring in an X-Men fic I'm writing, called Fur, Fangs and Mutant Freaks. Please read it and review!


Epilogue

It was a clear night from Thierry's mansion, and despite the light pollution of Las Vegas most of the stars were visible. The moon was waning, a mere sliver, like a god's fingernail.

Trent was the sole person awake in the mansion. She could hear and feel the others, twisting and turning in their sleep. Orion's loss and Selyah's death had affected them all, albeit in small ways: The had fresh, realistic nightmares, now about losing their own soulmates, and most of them couldn't look Trent in the eye, couldn't deal with her pain, her loss.

She sat in the common room, curled up on the couch in front of the TV, not really watching it. She hadn't slept for two weeks straight; her grief was eating away at her, putting out the light in her eyes, fading the luster in her hair, removing the confidence, the Cool that she'd cultivated for so long. She was merely a shell of her normal self.

She heard a creak in the floorboards behind her, but she didn't look up--she knew who it was; he'd been trying to talk to her ever since she came back from New York. She had managed to avoid him thus far, but tonight she was tired. Too tired. What do you want, Ash?

She heard him sigh. I just want to talk to you.

So talk.

She felt him sit down beside her. Look. I.... I'm .... sorry--for what I did.

Trent turned to face him. And what did you do, Ash?

He gulped. I... I raped you. I tried to drink your blood. And... and I forced you to leave. To go on the run.

Eyes as cold as an Antarctic winter glared at him. I don't forgive you, Ash. You're scum; you're beyond scum. Yeah, so you've finally realized the hell you put me through--so what? People like you don't change, Ash. They can't.

Maybe not. At least, I hadn't changed before you came back, Trent. But seeing you... dealing with your constant presence here, a living reminder of who I was... I've never been so consumed by grief in my life, Trent. That's why I was so angry, why I refused to admit I'd done anything with you--I couldn't deal with the guilt.

I don't really expect you to believe me when I say I've changed, or that I feel your loss of Orion almost as acutely as if I'd lost my own soulmate. But I swear to you, Trent, I'm different. Being with Mary-Lynette, inside her mind... it's made me realize what it's like to be human, or rather to be humane, good, to have morals. I can't promise you that I'm completely reformed, Trent. But I know I want to change my habits more than anything else in the world. He took a deep breath. I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry about Orion, Trent. And that I want to be your friend.

She studied him, her blue eyes indiscrutable. Without warning her hand reached out, touching his temple, and then she was inside his mind.

Ash tensed, forcing himself not to react, not to push her away. He trusted her; he had to let her see for herself the proof she wanted. She brushed his walls away, flicking through his thoughts, his emotions, like they were files on a computer screen. After a while, she let go, sitting back.

She looked sad, more than anything else. A shaky smile crossed her lips. Well, I'll be. Looks like you have changed. She swallowed. I forgive you, Ash.

***
Two days later

Trent, are you sure you want to do this?

Trent Raven smiled at Thierry's concerned face. Yes, Thierry. I'll miss you guys, but... I can't stay with Circle Daybreak anymore. There's just too much pain for me, here--too many memories. She laughed. Besides, I don't really fit in with you guys--I'm not exactly the hero type.

They were all there, all the people she'd gradually grown close to at Circle Daybreak. Poppy, Hannah, Thierry, Mary-Lynette... Ash.

She was saying goodbye.

Ash put his hand on her shoulder, his face concerned. Trent, you don't have to do this. We'll help you through the pain; we'll help you recover!

She smiled sadly, shaking her head. I appreciate the offer, Ash. But I have to deal with this on my own.

He sighed. Just know... you're welcome here any time.

She grinned. I know... and hey, maybe I'll stop by sometime, give you guys a ring! You never know!

They chuckled weakly. Mary-Lynette hugged Trent. Thanks for... confiding in me, Trent. You're a good friend, she whispered. Trent smiled. Good luck with Don Juan over there, she thought at Mary-Lynette. I think a nice strong dominatrix like yourself should be able to whip him into shape!

Mary-Lynette laughed, and then pulled back, looking Trent in the eye. Trent... do we really have a chance? she whispered. Can he really... change? Is there any hope?

Trent nodded. He already has changed, sweetheart. And of course you guys have a chance--you're freaking soulmates! You can't avoid having a chance!

Mary-Lynette laughed, and Trent turned to go with one last wave at her friends. She hopped on the motorcycle Thierry had given her as a goodbye present, pausing for a second to take one last look at the mansion.

She could feel his presence in there. She could feel the memories of the fights they'd had, the night when he'd left, the night when they'd discovered the children. It was almost like the place was haunted, except that the ghost only spoke to her.

She smiled faintly, remembering how shocked he'd been when their bare skin touched and she reacted with a kick at his head. She turned to face the sunset, kicking the motorcycle into action. Goodbye Circle Daybreak; goodbye Night World; goodbye Orion. From now on, she was just and only Trent.