Author's note: It's the end of the line now it seems. Hybrid War is almost over. Only an epilogue left, and then this fan fiction is finally complete. It has been a joy writing it, my longest story so far, and the huge amount of feedback it has achieved has made me so incredibly thrilled. I'll miss writing it, the characters, the little universe of the story. But I'm so glad ya'll have enjoyed it, and reviewed. Thank you. And please review again. I am an addict. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

Disclaimer: See a previous chapter for standard disclaimer. Basically, I own only a few character not mentioned in any of Underworld's incarnations. Please do not sue. Savvy?

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CHAPTER 25: BRINGING IT TO AN END

Selene stood beside Michael, silent, letting him be the one to explain. She watched him slowly begin to relax to return to the Michael she was used to as he told Lucian what they had heard. She studied Lucian as he listened, watching for any sign of emotion towards what Michael was saying.

She couldn't find anything. But she was hardly surprised.

Michael finished, growing as silent as Selene and the rest of the crowd was, waiting for a reaction from Lucian. The vampires seemed unsure of just what to think, the lycans looked like they were ready to either shrug and say, "It's a vampire," or tear Marcus apart. Whichever Lucian decided to do, she surmised.

"But Brian did not rape?" Lucian finally asked.

"No, he did not," replied Erika, from the entrance of the throne room. Everyone turned to see her and another female vampire, Dominique was her name if Selene remembered correctly, coming towards Lucian, Sonja, Michael, and Selene. "He didn't even follow me after I ran. I doubt he would have actually tried rape, had he even had a real chance to," she added.

Lucian raised an eyebrow at the new arrival. "Aren't you supposed to be with your, mate?" he asked her.

Erika glared. "Not at this moment. He's being too much of proud, stubborn jackass for even me to tolerate. And that's saying something," she added. "Listen, I don't know you that well, but from what I do know, I didn't think you would be at all happy about an unfair execution. Especially since it involves, well, burning," Erika explained.

Something flashed in Lucian's eyes, but it was gone as soon as it was there.

Selene noticed the other Death Dealers come to stand behind her, Kahn standing at her other side. Many of the lycans came to stand behind Michael, waiting for their alpha's decision. They all watched Lucian, standing by Sonja, waiting for Erika to explain the whole situation.

"There's more to it than this attempted 'seduction', isn't there?" he asked, and Erika nodded. "Tell me."

***

Marcus stared out the window, body rigid and tense. If he wasn't so numb he would have changed, taken hybrid form, and ripped the rooms to shreds. He was a fool to go through with this, to push Erika away just because he felt incompetent for not being there for her. He knew she was right. But something in him would not let him back down.

Pride. And Elders had it in spades. He had failed to protect her when it mattered most, and he had let her rule him. He had shown himself to be weak with her, and he could not let it be that way. He was ruler, Elder, hybrid. Corvinus. He could not let her rule over and through him just because he loved her.

At least that was what his pride told him. But he was slipping. He could not see how this would benefit anyone. Yet he could not so easily let Brian live either. The traitorous Death Dealer was vile and weak.

And had been there to save Erika when Marcus hadn't.

No. He had made his decision. He would stick to it. He would not let Erika or his conscience sway his ruling.

***

Lucian strode out of the throne room, his gait long and quick as he headed for Marcus' chambers. He paused when he heard lighter footsteps and a familiar scent filled his senses. He turned, facing Sonja as she walked up to him.

"What are you going to do?" she asked, folding her arms. "Threaten him? Tell him what he is doing is wrong? That he's being rash?" She didn't give Lucian a chance to answer. "And just what makes you think that you would not at least be tempted to do the same thing if the roles were switched?"

Smiling ruefully, Lucian shook his head. "You want me to keep from yelling?" he asked, sarcastically. A soft sigh escaped his lips, and he came over to kiss her fiercely. "Yes, I would be tempted. Far beyond tempted. You are everything to me. And Marcus obviously loves Erika." Lucian stared down at her.

He knew what Marcus was thinking. Knew that the Elder was a proud one and to have been away from someone he truly cared about, well, it had to be quite humiliating and frightening. He knew how it felt to be unable to save loved ones. He also knew that it was now pride, not the need to protect Erika from Brian, that was fueling his decision now.

Leaning down to kiss his beloved again, he then whispered in her ear, "But there's one thing I would do that Marcus didn't. I would listen to you if you asked me not to."

"I know. But just remember, you would be incredibly tempted," she reminded, smiling up at him. "I only want to make sure you don't act as rash as he is acting. You males have a tendency to make things worse," she replied, winking.

Lucian growled softly. "I should take that as an insult. But I'm afraid I love you too much and around you, I have no pride," he told her.

Sonja grinned. "I know. Now go, black mail or twist his arm or whatever you're planning on doing to Marcus," she ordered, motioning for him to go on.

"As you wish," Lucian replied, bowing and turning around to continue towards the last Elder's chambers. It was time to bring the bigger picture back into focus for Marcus. Time to let him know he was not going to act on whims and male pride any longer, not for things like this.

***

Erika, Dominique, Kahn, Selene, Alexis, Adam, Michael, and Selene all stood in a small group, the rest of the vampires and lycans beginning to intermingle as they waited for the outcome of Lucian's "talk" with Marcus.

"Do you really think he can keep Marcus from killing Brian?" Dominique asked, though who it was she asked was unclear as she never moved her gaze from the floor.

"Yes." It was Selene that answered, though Michael nodded to confirm it. "He can. And he will." She looked up as Sonja came back into the room, walking over towards their group. Now all they could do was wait. Everything as out of their hands when it came to this.

***

Lucian didn't bother to knock when he reached Marcus' chambers, instead he just entered, ignoring the look of rage on Marcus' face when the Elder hybrid turned towards him. "Hello, Marcus," he greeted, smiling. "We need to talk."

Marcus growled. "There is nothing to talk about, not now," he replied, facing the window yet again. The sun was about to rise. "Can you not wait even twenty minutes?" he asked, sighing in exasperation as Lucian came to stand next to him.

"I'm afraid not. Because I think you need to be told just how big a jackass you are, and told immediately," Lucian remarked nonchalantly. He grabbed the fist that had been heading for his head, gripping it tightly. Without turning to face Marcus, he continued. "Let Brian live, Marcus."

Yanking his fist away from Lucian's grasp, Marcus stared at Lucian. Not for the first time he realized that even being taller than Lucian, you still were staring up at him it seemed. "Who do you think you are, telling me how to rule my coven?" he asked incredulously.

Lucian finally turned to face Marcus, his eyes flashing black for an instant. A warning. "This is not just about ruling your coven anymore. If there is to be peace between our kinds, we have to see to such matters as this. Killing unjustly!" He growled as Marcus walked away, his back to Lucian now. "You can't walk away from this, Marcus. You have no justification for killing the Death Dealer. Exile him, keep him locked up for a few centuries, but killing him? Just because of your foolish pride?"

Marcus roared. "You know nothing of the situation!!"

"Actually I do. Erika came to me and the others. She told us everything. Michael and Selene heard this Brian. He is going to face whatever sentence you decide on, and he will face it with dignity and humility. He is ready to accept it. Without a struggle." Lucian smirked. "He is handling the situation better than you are, from what I hear."

At that last statement, Marcus let himself turn, though he heisted from charging Lucian still. "Get out," he hissed, black eyes focused on Lucian's throat.

"No." It was a command, not an answer. Lucian's own eyes flashed black, but again they went back to normal. Still, he was only warning. "Change back. We are not handling this as beasts. We are handling this as leaders, rational, sensible beings."

Marcus panted, his whole body tensing and his rage boiling in his veins. He stared Lucian in the eyes, trying to make the lycan hybrid back down. Trying to force him into submission as he and the other Elders had done centuries ago with ease by merely glancing at him and his kind. He was an Elder, he was in charge, and he was seeing his whole world, all the laws, all the order, crumble and fade to dust, scattering in the wind.

Lucian took a step towards Marcus, who backed up. He was no longer acting like an Elder. He was acting like an animal, like the animal Viktor had always believed the lycans to truly be. Backing himself into a corner and ready to lash out in blind defense. He didn't know what he was anymore, and it frightened him.

"Marcus," Lucian whispered. "End it. End this tyranny you and Amelia and Viktor held onto for so long. Let it go." He stood straight, seeming to tower over the taller, fully changed hybrid. "Lessen Brian's judgment or face war again." He walked over to the door, glancing back at Marcus one last time.

"And I can tell you now that Erika will be on my side in this war. As will a few other vampires. Listen to reason, Marcus, and quit being such an egotistical prick." Letting out a sigh, Lucian opened the door and walked out, leaving Marcus alone with the threat of war picking back and the prospect of loosing Erika forever.

Emitting a soft whimper, the hybrid Elder sank to the floor, broken by an ex-slave and ready to admit defeat as he changed back to his normal form. It was time for the last Elder to die as well.

***

Everyone looked at the entrance of the room as Lucian came back, striding over to Sonja and the others. His expression was blank, but his eyes were calm and his body was relaxed. Only thing was, he could be like that even while seething with rage.

"He will spare the Dealer," he told them as he stood next to Sonja. "He won't risk the consequences he will face should he not," Lucian assured them.

Dominique let out a loud sigh of relief, leaning against Erika's shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered. Erika smiled and nodded her thanks, but it was obvious the problem had not been solved for her. Only one person could fix what was bothering her, and he was around now.

Lucian turned, sensing someone coming. He turned to watch the entrance, everyone else turning as well, waiting for whoever Lucian had sensed coming. A few seconds later, Marcus entered, fully dressed and in normal form once again. His hair was brushed back, but his face was tired and his eyes were blank.

He walked over to Lucian, inclining his head slightly towards the lycans' leader, then turned towards Dominique, avoiding Erika's gaze. "You may go, tell Brian he is cleared of his charges, and that his only sentence is he cannot come near myself nor Erika, and he is to have an escort at all times outside his room for the next three months," he informed her, watching vacantly as the servant vampire nodded and rushed off to do so.

Marcus briefly glanced at Erika, but the young vampire turned away and walked off, following Dominique out of the room. The Elder faced Lucian. "Let's finalize the treaty," he stated softly.

***

Dominique rushed into Brian's room, grinning as the startled Death Dealer looked up, confused. "You've been cleared!" she exclaimed, hugging him and then backing away, grimacing as though she realized she had touched a skunk. "Well, mostly. You do have a sentence but only that you have to stay away from Erika and Marcus, as well as have an escort outside this room for the next three months or so, but that's it," she explained.

Brian stared at her, still somewhat confused. "I thought you hated me," he said, watching as Dominique looked around his room, her nose wrinkling at how sparse and bland it was.

"No, I just can't stand your guts, but I don't hate you," she quipped, winking at him. "Now, I have to go, Erika wanted to talk to me about something, but I'll come see you again later, promise," she told him, kissing his cheek.

Smiling back at him one last time, she walked out of the room, Brian's gaze following her until the door was closed. "I'm cleared," he breathed, collapsing back onto his bed.

***

Erika sat inside her old room, waiting for Dominique to return from visiting Brian to tell him the good news. She let out a sad sigh. It looked like she would be moving back in. Not that Marcus had kicked her out, back here. She had a feeling he wanted her back, from the look he gave her earlier.

But she couldn't go back to him, to that bedroom, their chambers. Not now, not yet. Maybe someday, but it would all depend on Marcus really. She had to wait and see if he had changed, if he had left behind the stupid pride that had possessed him during their argument up until Lucian had talked to him.

With a sigh, she stood, going over to her dresser to get some new clothes to change into. She felt dirty, grimy, and really wanted a shower and a nap. But first to pick out what to change into.

She looked through her drawers, searching for something comfortable, very comfortable, yet still presentable. She heard her door open, but kept on looking through her clothes. "So, how did Brian take the good news?"

"I wouldn't know," a familiar, masculine voice replied, startling her. "I haven't seen him since he was taken to his rooms," Marcus continued, staring down at Erika. "I want to talk to you."

"Well, that makes one of us," she said coldly, standing up. "I must ask you, Lord Marcus," she winced inwardly when he bowed his head at the title, even though she had said it deliberately, "to please leave my rooms. But if you insist, since you are Elder, we will talk."

Marcus looked up, eyes pleading. "I was a bastard, a jackass, and as someone else said, an egotistical prick. I let my pride and my title get in the way of what mattered, and let myself be blinded. It's sadly a bad habit with Elders, and though I am a hybrid I am still an Elder." he came closer, but she stepped back. His shoulders slumped, dejected, and he backed away. "But I do love you. I can never make up for accusing you of trying to rule me, through me. Nor for not listening to you, for pushing you away."

Erika nodded. "You're absolutely right. About everything," she replied curtly.

"I know. But I am sorry," he whispered. "I am sorry," he repeated, louder this time. "And I love you."

She stood there, silent and cold, and clinging to her resolve. Bloody hell, she didn't know it was going to be so hard to reject him, to say no. She was pissed, hurt, but she still wanted to run to him, hold him, tell him she loved him too and everything would be ok between them. But she was not about to let him off so easily.

"You want to make it up to me, prove you won't be such a sodding wanker again?" she asked. When he nodded, she continued. "All right then, here is how you can prove it. Do not touch me for the rest of the day, do not kiss me for a week, and do not attempt to seduce me or make me stay with you for the next month. If and when I do return to your chambers, I will only be sleeping in the same bed, nothing more. Not for at least a week."

Marcus nodded, just happy she was giving him a second chance. "I understand. Is there anything else?" he asked, waiting.

Erika's breathing picked up slightly, as though she were nervous. "Yes. Give me one last kiss before you go," she told him. "But after that, nothing more until I say so, understood?"

Slowly approaching her, the Elder nodded. "I understand." Leaning down, Marcus captured her mouth, kissing her slowly, languidly, trying to make it last. But Erika was desperate, hungry, and soon it was frenzied, fierce, overwhelming. In the end, it was Marcus who broke it off, panting and dying for more.

Erika stared up at him, her eyes clouded, and she knew if he had kept going, she would have given in. They both knew it. That was why he had stopped. She smiled. "Give me a week, no kissing, touching, only talking."

"I can do that. A new start?" She nodded. "This time then, I will court you the proper way, my dear Erika," he whispered and backed away. "Your friend is nearing, I should go." He gave Erika a longing glance and then turned, leaving her alone until Dominique entered, her eyes questioning.

"I'll tell you everything, later. First, I want to get a shower," Erika declared. A cold shower.

***

Selene and Michael entered her old room, Selene swiftly walking over to turn on a lamp as Michael closed the door and stood, waiting for an order, request, some sign of what he was supposed to do. Marcus had given her the key to the room, so that they could rest for a little while.

This was her room. He remembered being here once before, but he didn't have a chance to really look around then. Michael took the opportunity, his eyes looking over everything, taking in the sparse decorations, the weaponry, laptop, books, a few pieces of furniture, a door that probably led into a bathroom, another that most likely led to a bedroom.

He stopped when he saw the portrait. He could recognize some of the faces from his dream, memory of Lucian's attempt to kill Viktor, how he had almost saved Selene. Almost saved her family. This was his mate's family.

"You should get a shower," Selene stated. "You're covered in blood, and probably need to wash the wounds on your back and torso," she added. Her expression, voice, it was all business like, but her eyes were wavering.

"Maybe we both should," Michael suggested, waiting to see her reaction. He smiled softly when she shot him an incredulous glare. "It isn't like we haven't been together, Selene," he said, approaching her. "Or like we have never seen each other, fully nude."

"I know that Michael," she replied impatiently.

Before she could continue, Michael's mouth was covering her own, his hands moving to hold her waist. He pulled her to him, and she responded in kind, letting herself go again, letting herself give in to the desire in her stomach and in her core.

She needed a rock now. A foundation that would not crumble even though practically everything else had. Pride and warrior nature and her need for control, all of it be damned. She wanted comfort, she needed something to cling to other than her own determination to survive and to go on. She wanted to feel warm again, to feel as close to human as she could get now.

"We'll both get a shower," she whispered when Michael broke the kiss, pulling away from her for a moment. "We can both get one," she said again, staring up at him. "Just, hold me for a moment first," she requested almost silently, her voice so soft and desperate.

"I can do that," Michael told her, wrapping his arms around her tightly, holding the frozen Death Dealer to him. They were on her ground, and she had given in, she had set aside her usual control. Michael knew tomorrow she would let a few more barriers break. Later she would cry, let herself truly mourn at last. Kissing her neck, he knew he would be there for her as she did. Now they were free to just, be with each other.

It was a welcome change.

***

As all of the vampires and lycans left, Lucian turned to Sonja, smiling at her softly before kissing her forehead. "Well. Everyone has gone off to rest. The memorials will be after sunset, Marcus decided, and we are left all on our own." His smile turned into a wolfish grin. "Why not celebrate the newfound peace, my love?"

Sonja laughed softly. "Yes, why don't we." She took both of Lucian's hands on hers, pulling him out of the room. "In fact, I think we should go out and celebrate. I want to enjoy the sunlight. I spent this whole new life of mine not ever appreciating it, and now I truly can," she explained.

"Yes ma'am. Where shall we go? A museum? An art gallery? A park?" he asked her as she followed her lead. "Somewhere with closets we can hide in," he added suggestively, pulling her to him for a fierce kiss.

"You are indecent, you know that, right?" she replied. Smirking impishly, she stood on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, "Somewhere with closets. We never did get to act like horny teens when back in our time after all."

Picking her up and carrying her to the garage of the mansion, Lucian chuckled softly. "And you my dear, are just as indecent as I am. If not more so. You just get away with it because you're female," he teased. The groaned softly as she nuzzled his neck, smiling contentedly.

Perhaps what would happen now that the war was over wasn't such a mystery anymore. Somehow, he had his beloved back, giving him a reason to live after the battle. Giving him a reason not to have the same fear of it ending that Radu had harbored.

Peace had finally come, he had a purpose without it, and now his kind could live as equals, out of hiding. It was finally time to truly live.