Happy Reviewer Responses:

Wildphire: Hey Claire! Why didn't you tell me you got a penname? Anyway, here's your update!

Buri208: I don't normally say this to reviewers but you are my best friend so I can: shut up!! I can write what I want!!!!!!!!

Psycholioness13: Gary does seem to have a habit of popping up at the wrong time!

And much thankfulness to everyone else who reviewed!!

A/N Ooh, happy happy! As is probably evident from the title, this is the last chappie. I actually finished this fic!!!!! This is the last chap of Aftermath. I'd like to thank all my reviewers, you guys rock (huggles reviewers)! Fluff, for all you fluff lovers out there. And I'm sorry for my sporadic updating; unacceptable behavior on my part. And I left you with cliffies too- *dodges thrown tomatoes* With no further ado, may I present the final chap of Aftermath. *bows as curtain pulls back and lights dim* Have fun and I'll see you in Bermuda!

Finale

Jonathon closed the door behind him with a soft click. It was hopeless from the start, he told himself. You knew that. To even think that Alanna would love anyone- that was like thinking that Roger was an evil traitor, trying to kill him and everyone else in the palace loyal to him and his parents and take the throne for himself. It was crazy! Hopelessly and undoubtedly crazy. I wonder if Duke Baird has any advice on possible insanity, he wondered. But then again, it wouldn't do for someone to overhear and think the Crown Prince was serious about being insane. He sat on his bed and picked up his book, a biography of Emry of Harse. After flipping through a few pages, he set the book on the table next to him. He just couldn't concentrate. He rested his head in his hands and closed his eyes. Purple eyes swam up into his vision.

I'm scared, Jon.

It's that simple. Love scares me.

Why should I trust you? You could have any of the ladies at court. Why do you want your scrawny squire who no one else knows is a girl? Your squire who you can't flirt with, who you can't brag to your friends about- What would you want with me?

Gods, he thought. I love her. I, Jonathon of Conte, love Alanna of Trebond, who every one thinks is named Alan, who's going to be the first lady knight in over a century.

A soft cry from the other room jerked him out of his thoughts. It was Alanna. She cried out again, and the sound was quickly cut off and muffled. His indecision could be seen in his face. Should he go- or not? Making a choice quickly, he stood, walked over to the door and walked into his squire's room, shutting it behind him.

"Alanna?" he asked quietly. He walked hesitantly over to her bed. "Alanna?" She was sleeping, that was clear from the way she was curled among the blankets. Her face was buried in a pillow, clearly the reason her cry had been cut off. Her knees were drawn up near her chest and her hands were on either side of her head, tense, her fingers digging into the soft pillow. Her cat, Faithful, was curled against her. When he saw Jonathon enter the room, the cat stood, stretched and jumped off the bed. Jonathon didn't see the cat leave the room as he was preoccupied by the expression on Alanna's face. Her brows were knitted and her face twisted in an expression that closely resembled fear.

Jon sat next to her and shook her shoulder. "Alanna," he murmured. "Alanna- wake up." She stirred slightly and he shook her shoulder again. Suddenly, her left arm shot up and grabbed his forearm in a viselike grip. He bit back a curse and gently tried to pry her fingers loose. He noticed that her fingers were freezing cold and shivered as the cold seeped through his thin shirt. "Alanna." He tried again. "It's just me, Jon." She sat up and her eyes opened, fear reflected in the purple orbs.

************************************************************************

She was drowning, drowning. She wasn't in the Chamber, she knew that, just drowning. Water pulled her down, and she struggled, weighed down by her heavy clothing and the metal blades on her feet –skates. She managed to get her head above the freezing cold water and cried out. Then she was pulled back under and she breathed in a quick gulp of air before her head went under. Suddenly, a hand reached and grabbed her shoulder. She grabbed in, desperation and fear giving her numbed hand the strength to grab. "Alanna." She heard her name called. "It's just me, Jon." She pulled her head above the water, and opened her eyes-

Only to find herself back in her bedroom, her body trapped by blankets, Jon's blue eyes too close to hers. "Alanna?" he said worriedly. "Are you alright?" She looked into those concerned blue eyes and felt a surge of nervousness that had nothing to do with her dream.

"Bad dream," she said quietly. "I was-" She faltered. "I was drowning." Suddenly, she realized that his upper arm was trapped by her hand. She let go hurriedly, a faint blush on her cheeks. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Alanna found herself wishing that he would move his face. Those blue eyes were too close and her mind supplied much too detailed memories of last night and- She shook her head hurriedly, trying to erase the memories. They couldn't- she couldn't- and- and she wanted it. She'd never admit it, but- she loved Jonathon. But there was no way he felt that way, the pessimistic side of her argued. But with those blue eyes so close and all the times he had said things to the contrary running through her mind, it was hard to keep that in mind. She heard him saying something and jerked herself back to the present.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"I said," he said. "I should probably go." He stood and walked towards the door. Alanna sat, wrestling with herself. Do I want him to go? And if he didn't- She disentangled herself from her blankets and walked over to him.

He had his hand on the doorknob when she grabbed his arm. "Don't." She suddenly found herself staring into his deep sapphire eyes. His eyes left hers for a second in a quick scan of her body. She flushed, acutely aware that she was wearing only the old shirt she slept in, cut low in the neck, dipping between her breasts, and short, coming only to mid thigh.

"Why not?" he asked, voice soft. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around him.

"I-" She stopped. "Don't ask me to tell you Jon, please." There was silence for a moment, then he tilted her chin up, so their eyes met.

And he kissed her softly, lips and tongue softly caressing hers. She was stunned for a moment- too stunned to react beyond the obvious: kiss him back. By the time she's gotten her senses completely back under her control, she didn't want to stop kissing him.

"I love dreams," he said softly when he pulled away at last. "Especially when they well-"

"Aren't dreams," she finished. She laughed. He kissed her lips, staying the rest of her laughter. Her hands were by this point, tangled in his hair. His hands- one of them ran up and down her spine, sending tingles up her back. The other was working on unbuttoning her shirt.

She opened her eyes and met his. Her fear was beginning to resurface. But, a nasty part of her mind murmured. Since when has that ever stopped you before? Jonathan pulled her inside his room and shut the door.

"I love you, Alanna." His voice was so soft it was almost a whisper. She fought with herself internally, yet again debating. His eyes were overbright. Please, please let her say yes! She suddenly buried her face in his shoulder.

"I love you." It was barely a whisper, and well muffled by his shoulder, but he heard the words he'd been straining for. She loves me! It was the only time she'd ever say that to him, but once was enough. He lowered his head and kissed her temple.

"Really?" Please don't let it have been a fluke-

By way of an answer, she raised her head. Standing on her toes, she pressed her lips to his. He put his hand behind her neck and deepened the kiss.

Neither of them pulled away that time. And they didn't speak again until much, much later. But then again, that is the way it should be when one is in love. Words are unnecessary. They don't need words.

A/N YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm done!!!!!!!! And I'm sorry for letting down all you fluff lovers- I felt too pervish writing what came after. So I ended it there. Hopefully, you all could figure out what came next. And if you couldn't- you probably shouldn't be reading this. Until the next ficcie! Zhai'helleva! ~Queen's Own