Ancient History
Chapter Thirteen: End
By Ddoskocil
------------------------------

Last chapter. It's finially done. Thanks to everyone who read and double thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Sorry this chapter took so long, but I'm really terrible at ending stories and this one did not want to flow into an ending. Finally though, it seemed to want to end with John. But that seems okay since it started with John.

Anywho, thanks again and enjoy!

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

Erika twirled her stick as she stared at her cousin. He responded in like and took a step toward her. Erika watched as she stepped to the side, circling him. With a smirk, John lunged forward and snapped out with his left stick while his right jabbed at her midsection. Erika jumped and dodged to the right, her own sticks coming up to protect her stomach. The sound of sticks hitting sticks echoed in the small gym.

"Carson's gonna kill me when he finds out I let you spar," John commented lightly as he watched her again, carefully circling her position. Erika just smiled as she faked right, hit left and swept him off his feet. She stood over him with a huge grin on her face. John frowned and rubbed the back of his head as he sat. Erika, feeling bad, offered her hand and helped him up.

"Yeah, well, I've been in that infirmary for a week now. I love that man, but he's being a bit overprotective. And you know how I hate that," she said lightly, but she saw John wince. "Besides, I'm fine. The other set of memories are almost completely gone, I don't feel nauseous anymore, and I could really use the physical activity." She bent and picked up on of John's sticks and tossed it to him. "By the way, thanks for going easy on me."

He rubbed the back of his neck again. "Easy? You've got to be kidding me? These are some of my best moves." Erika was astonished for a moment before she realized the joke. A slow smile spread across her face and finally ended with a tiny chuckle.

"I think I'm about done for today," she added as she rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck to the side. "Don't want to over do it, or Carson will never let me off world again."

"It's not off world I'm worried about," a new voice said from the doorway. Erika closed her eyes and swore under her breath. Very slowly she turned around to face her keeper.

"Hello, Carson," she said through a grimace.

"Don't you 'hello' me, lass. I ordered bed rest for at least three days and here I find you sparing when you should be resting. Am I going to have to move you back into the infirmary?"

"I, uh, think I'll let you two love birds work this out," John commented quickly as he inched past Carson. The doctor whorled around much faster than Erika would have thought he was able to.

"I haven't even started with you, John! You were supposed to help me keep her on bed rest. I can't believe-" Erika tuned out Carson's ranting as she sneaked out of the gym behind him. She walked slowly down the hall, her body aching. But it was a good ache after so many days lying in the infirmary and then in her room.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Carson asked as he came up next to her. Erika titled her head toward him and smiled. Impulsively, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. He took a few steps back as he tried to regain his balance, but he wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her closer and Erika let herself melt against him. When she finally stepped back, there was a crocked smile on her lips.

"What was that for? Not that I mind, love," Carson said, a confused expression on his face. Erika's smile brightened.

"I love you," she replied. She turned and walked slowly back to her quarters. Carson stood watching her for a second before he jogged to catch up. They walked hand in hand to her room.

---- ----

John watched Erika and Carson enter her quarters and suppressed a shudder at the thought of what they were doing behind closed doors. He really did not want to think about his baby cousin beingStop that train of thought.

But instead of rushing to the door and demanding for Carson to stay at least three feet away from Erika, he shrugged his shoulders and went the other way. They deserved some time together after everything that happened. Plus, John knew that this slow time would not last. It was only a matter of time before there was another catastrophe that would draw the two apart, and he knew it would most likely be his team that caused that emergency.

He sighed. Times of quiet never lasted, but they could be enjoyed when they happened.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's it! What did you think? Hope you enjoyed. Look for other stories with Erika that are coming to a page near you. Thanks for reading!

Ddoskocil ;)