The NYPD moved about the warehouse, some checking the building for any more abducted people, others pushing the members of the Rat Fang Gang into squad cars. In the corner, Dr. Jordan was examining the gashes in Emily's arm, the relics from the strike of the chain meant for Penny, with Officer Kurtz, Roger, who now had a temporary bandage on his hand, and Mimi standing nearby.

"Well, Miss Goodhall, nothing seems to be broken, but I do suggest coming down to the hospital so we can properly treat this. It wouldn't hurt to check for internal bleeding after you got battered up a bit back there."

"Ironic, isn't it?" Emily chuckled, looking at her arm. "This might become a scar. Then I can say I got one from protecting Penny, just like how Zack got a scar from protecting me."

"Let's just hope you don't get it contaminated like Zack did. Mrs. Chang, for starters, would be heartbroken if she had to see the entire Goodhall clan go extinct."

"Funny," Emily replied dryly. "Very amusing."

"Which reminds me," Dr. Jordan went on. You should come down with Miss Goodhall, Mr. Davis. We might need to put some stitches in that hand. There's no need to worry, though," the doctor added quickly as Roger opened his mouth to say something. "Many of my associates know all about HIV, and are not too afraid to treat patients with it." At that moment, Mark, Collins, Joanne and Maureen walked up, with Penny following close behind. Maureen was holding Mr. Twiggers, who had some of the stuffing leaking out of the large gash from the switch blade. The second Penny saw Emily she broke into a run.

"Emily!"

"Penny?" Emily leaped forward, embracing the small child. "Oh, thank heavens you're safe. Look at me, sweetie. Did they hurt you?"

"Miss Goodhall, I think it might be a good idea if we take Penny to the hospital as well. There's no telling what happened to her before she was rescued," Dr. Jordan informed. Emily looked up suddenly, her face betraying fear. "It's okay. She will be safe. The Rat Fangs are all in police custody. They can't take her again." Emily sighed and relented. "Come on, then, Penny." Dr. Jordan announced, leading the girl away. "We should get going." Penny glanced unsurely at Emily.

"Go on," Emily assured. "I'll join you in five minutes." Smiling broadly, Penny hugged Emily, who eagerly returned the embrace before the little girl left with Dr. Jordan. "Mark, I'll give you back your scarf later, okay?" Emily grinned, holding up the slightly blood-stained gray and blue scarf that had been lying next to her. "And thanks for loaning it to me."

"Anytime," Mark smiled back.

"Hey, hold on," Maureen spoke suddenly, looking closely at the slashed Mr. Twiggers. "Guys, look at this." She reached into the large tear in the stuffed rabbit and pulled out a scrap of paper."

"Let me see that," Officer Kurtz took the paper from Maureen and examined the writing on it. "…heat into liquid form, and then combine… Oh…" Officer Kurtz suddenly started to laugh. "Miss Goodhall, your father was a certified genius!"

"Someone want to explain what that paper is?" Mark asked.

"This is what they were looking for," Officer Kurtz announced. "This is the formula for that master drug they had been trying to make, the one Miss Goodhall's father stole when he went AWOL and took his family into hiding."

"Wait just a moment!" Emily gaped in surprise, taking the formula. "Do you mean that this whole time, this was hidden inside Mr. Twiggers?"

"Brilliant!" Joanne smiled. "Not even the most hardened drug dealer would think to look for something like this inside a child's stuffed toy." Emily stared at the formula for almost a minute.

"Mark, could you loan me your Zippo?" Once Mark had handed Emily the lighter, she used it to set fire to the formula.

"Hey, you sure that's a wise move, Emily?" Collins asked.

"That accursed paper cost the lives of my entire family," Emily replied. "It's more trouble then it's worth. It should have been destroyed long ago. Besides, without that formula, there won't be a need to worry about anyone else hunting me down to find it. And that means, I can finally get the life my family wanted for me. A normal one." The Bohemians all watched the formula burn, until it was nothing but a small pile of ash.

"Come on, Emily," Mimi said after a long pause. "Dr. Jordan's right. You and Roger both need to get medical attention."

"You guys go," Emily waved. "I'll join you in just one moment." As soon as Emily was alone, she lightly stroked her locket. "It's over, Zack," she whispered. "Tell Mom and Dad, it's finally over. You can all rest easily now. I can finally live the safe life you wanted for me.

AN: Okay, honestly, who saw that coming: Mr. Twiggers being the location of the formula? If you saw it coming, pat yourselves on the back, you're very good at guessing. If not, yay, I surprised you! Anyway, only the epilogue is left, and that will be up right after I post this.