Author's Notes:  Remarkable how it took me six months to write three parts, eh?  So sorry.  But at least the wait has ended.

Flesh Wounds Epilogue

            A week later, Gabriel let himself into Athena's apartment, smiling at the music pounding through the apartment.  Linkin Park, it sounding like.  Underneath the pulsing beat, he heard someone in the workout room, and left the dinner he had brought on the kitchen table, briefly warming his hands on the fire in the fireplace.  Athena was pounding on her punching bag, performing moves that made him wince at the complexity and position.  The CD stopped playing, replaced by one that was a bit softer.  The girl began to move through a series of katas, and Gabriel was content to just watch her.  He knew she knew he was there.

            She was dressed in loose black pants and a sports bra; as she moved, the soft light made her glow.  Then he blinked.  That was no trick of the light.  The slim girl was literally glowing.  And, he suddenly realized, it was because of him.  She had stopped, her back to him, and he quietly crossed the room until he was behind her.  His hands hovered just above her skin; the glow brightened.  Moving down her pale arms, he watched with fascination as the light followed his fingers.

            Athena was also watching his hand, having to keep herself almost impossibly still to stop from melting into his arms.  "Tell me," he whispered hoarsely.

            "Tell you what?" She asked softly.

            "Don't play games with me, girl."

            Her hands clenched into fists as she felt his lips on the back of her neck.  "You're scared," he murmured.  "The euphoria's worn off, and now you're terrified of what this means."

            "Aren't you?"

            "Fucking terrified."

            She smiled to herself.  It was not often Gabriel used such language.

            "But I've learned to not let fear run my life," he continued.  Backing away, he stood in the middle of the room, arms at his side.  "My soul may be bound to the cycle of time, but time has never owned me.  You have.  I'm yours, and I know you're mine."

            "I don't know if I can lose you," she replied, not turning around.  "This is the first time I've ever known how much I loved you.  I don't know if I could survive this time."

            "Baby, don't you see?  You'll never lose me.  I will always, always be with you.  Of course I'll die.  I'm mortal, after all.  But I'll still be with you.  You're only focusing on the downside instead of the fact that I will always be with you, in one body or another.  You don't love my body, Athena.  You love my soul, and that…that is immortal.  My soul will always be with you."

            She slowly turned, her gaze meeting his.  "Fate says you lose me, but what they don't say is you'll find me again."  He spread his arms.  "I'm here, right now.  I love you.  I'll never leave you.  I can't."

            As she studied him, hundreds of face flitted over his features.  He was right.  His heart, his soul, those were the same.

            His voice dropped to a hoarse, fervent whisper.  "Let yourself fall, my Princess.  Let me catch you.  I'll be your shelter, the place where you can just be you.  I won't protect you.  You don't need that.  But I'll be the place where you can heal and protect yourself.  Just…just don't run away.  If you do, I'll find you.  I'll fight God and Satan for you.  I will die for you.  I will do anything for you."

            She hesitantly stretched out her right hand, fingers spread; he pressed his palm to hers.  Her glowing skin brightened, passing to him; their hands seemed to meld together.  "You see?" He asked softly as the Witchblade turned to liquid, spreading over both their hands and wrists.  "We are bound, through time and space and power."  Gently pulling her close, he added, "Close your eyes."  He took her other hand, rested it against his heart.  "Feel me."  He pressed his hand against her heart.  "As I feel you.  There's no difference.  There's no me without you.  And there's no you without me.  We're one."

            Her eyes slowly opened, meeting his; he gave her a soft smile, but did not say anything more.

            The phone rang in the other room, and then suddenly cut off; Gabriel heard it crash into the wall.  Raising his brows at her, he grinned, then felt her lips touch his.

            The Witchblade melted back into itself; he tangled his freed hand in her hair, angling her head to the side before bending his knees and scooping her up in his arms, then headed for her bedroom.  "Do you have a fire in every room?" He asked between kisses.

            "Just this and the living room…oh, and the bathroom…and the den…" she laughed, pushing off his over-shirt.

            It was as if it was the first time.  He explored her body as if he had never seen it before; she reached for him as if she were a newly touched virgin, shy and hesitant

            As their pale forms twined together, he held her gaze as he slowly slid into her.  Their hands joined by the Witchblade, they saw themselves reflected in each other, their flesh gleaming from their intensity.  The Witchblade continued to spread over them until they turned to raging rivers, blending together to become an ocean.  He became her; she became him.

----------------------------

            The next morning, Gabriel slowly opened his eyes, inhaling the scent of Athena's shampoo…green tea and jasmine.  Looking over at her, he smiled.  "God, if this is a dream, don't wake me up."

            She laughed, stroking his cheek, and leaned over to capture his lips with hers, then grew serious.  "I'm going to have to be out of town for the next few weeks."

            "Okay.  You'll come back?"

            "One way or another."

            "When do you leave?"

            "Later tonight."

            "You'll be careful?"

            "Yes, Mummy."

            "Shut up and come here so I can tell you good-bye," he grinned, bringing her down to him.

----------------------------

            "So, you got back okay?"

            "Yeah.  G-man?" Xander asked.

            "Called earlier, a cup of tea in front of him and a nice book in his hand."

            "'Thene, your dad's weird."

            "Nah, just British.  So how are the Scoobies?"

            "Spike's writing poetry, or so he says.  He wants your address."

            "Go ahead and give it to him and, of course, give them all my love."

            "Of course.  I'll come visit.  I may even bring the Bleached Moron, if he's good."

            She laughed.  "I miss you already, my darling."

            "You too, my Princess."  He talked to someone else for a moment.  "Gotta go, honey.  Buffy needs me, and I think Anya wants, uh…"

            "Hello sex?  Reassurance sex?  Just plain sex?" Athena suggested.  "Go, and be careful."

            "I love you, 'Thene."

            "You, too, Xand."

            "Now, don't go too crazy up there in New York.  I've seen the news."

            She laughed.  "I'll see you around, darling."

            "You, too, honey.  'Bye."

            "'Bye."  Clicking her phone off, she walked toward her bike, hands in her jacket pockets.  This year may not suck as bad as she thought it would.  And she probably just jinxed herself.  Damn.  Smiling, she kicked the Harley into gear and headed for upstate New York.

----------------------------

            A week later, Sara Pezzini woke up to find the Witchblade gone from her wrist.

Fin. (Finally.)

EAN:  Okay.  Sorry again for the, uh, irresponsibility on my part.  So, what did you think?  A sequel sound good?  And hopefully, it shall not take a year or so to finish.  :S  Thanks for the support and stuff.  And reviews are always welcome, savvy?