Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm really, REALLY, REALLY sorry about the wait. My muse for this story took a rather long, unexpected vacation, and I couldn't think of anything for a very long time. I only just finished it a few minutes ago. I want to thank the few reviewers I have, and say that it's greatly appreciated to recieve notes from y'all. Very encouraging. Again, I'm really sorry, and I hope you enjoy the final chapter.


Raven stood to her full height, looking Top Dollar in the eye. "Your fight is now with me," she said coldly. "If you go after Sarah, I swear to God I'll kill you before you can touch her." She glared at him, awaiting his next move. Upon turning her back to Top Dollar, she was grabbed around the neck and drug out to the roof. Rather than calling for help as she usually would have done, she kept silent, not giving Top Dollar the satisfaction of knowing she was scared. However, when she saw Eric emerge from the stairwell into the pouring rain, Raven struggled to break free. "Eric! Just go! I can handle him!" she cried out. A choked cry escaped her as she felt the cold steel blade of a pocketknife being buried into her side. She had time only to whip her head around and begin to speak before being unceremoniously tossed to the side, left to dangle from the side of the church, unseen by anyone else in the area. She struggled for a moment, regaining her balance and attempting to pull the knife from her side. She slipped, and threw herself back at the rickety beam she'd caught onto with all her weight, deciding it would be best to leave the knife until she was able to be back on solid ground. For now, she hung almost helplessly from the roof, only able to try, in vain, not to panic and pray that Eric was alright as she listened to the clanging and screaming going on above her. She gasped as both men slid down the roof, using the adrenaline being pumped through her system to fling herself upward and remain unseen. Eric thought her dead, and she aimed to keep it that way for as long as possible. However, she couldn't contain herself as Top Dollar snuck up on Eric, and she screamed, "Behind you!" hoping to God he turned around or moved, anything to get himself out of harm's way. Unfortunately, her warning wasn't quick enough, and she was forced to watch as Eric was harmed. She gritted her teeth and glared at Top Dollar, trying not to finish the job of destroying the worm herself. It was Eric's task, she must stay out of it. Eric turned on him, sending the wave of obviously painful memories and visions that had been haunting him the past two days to Top Dollar, the emotion contained in them killing him. She smirked as he fell to his death, almost laughing as he was impaled on a gargoyle. She scrambled to her feet, moving as quickly as she could to Eric's side as he slumped against the roof.

"Never did do things the easy way," he said with a laugh, trying to hide his obvious pain.

"Well, at least we know you'll never do anything half-assed," Raven responded, tossing his arm over her shoulders and helping him to his feet. They returned inside, heading down to the main floor and back out to the cemetery. Alberecht had left after Eric followed Raven to the roof. She helped him down to the ground, propping him up against Shelly's grave. She sat beside him, barely having time to figure up an answer to the question she knew was coming before it was asked.

"How in the hell did you survive that?" Eric asked between breaths, looking up at her questioningly. Raven sighed softly, avoiding his gaze while she answered.

"I … I was there, the night you died. I watched you fall. Your body landed about six inches away from me. I couldn't handle it. Especially not after losing you to Shelly. I hardly saw you as it was, and then, the next thing I know, you're dead. I couldn't take it. I killed myself. I guess I couldn't rest without you knowing."

There was a long silence after her speech. Raven couldn't bring herself to look at him, too afraid of what she'd see. Eventually, she couldn't stand the awkwardness of the situation and looked up, only to see Shelly approaching from the opposite side of the grave. She looked back down at Eric, her vision clouding with tears as she realized what was going on. She leaned down, pressing her lips against his cheek and whispering, "I love you," before standing and turning her back on her friends, wrapping her arms around herself and slowly walking off into the night. She remained in the city 'til Sarah was grown, watching and guiding the girl until she could care for herself. Then, she returned to Eric's loft, blocking up any possible entrances so she could be left in peace. She curled up in her favorite armchair by the fire, reveling in a few final memories before dying once more.