So, I think just one more chapter for this story. I have contracted the fanfiction bug though, so more stories to come for our dear Mr. and Mrs. Blake. Thank you so much for the reviews. I'm so glad you like it. Please enjoy!

Everyone was on high alert following the altercation with Cooper Lewis and his lackey but it dissipated as the days went on. The leads Matthew had on Cooper kept running cold. His frustration was growing. Every plan Lucien had to try to get his hands on Cooper, Jean had thwarted. He was losing his touch. Rather, she was just better at knowing him and his devious ways.

Three weeks later, Charlie had a couple days off and decided to come stay at the Blake's. This gave Matthew some much needed time off to stay at Alice's. Jean and Lucien reopened the surgery since Lucien's memory was back, for the most part. Although, they had strict orders from Matthew not to accept any new patients until "this mess is ironed out." Life was moving on, but there was still that underlying fear.

Jean felt like she had been neglecting her spot on the Town Council. They had been very understanding and, fortunately, there had not been any pressing issues since Lucien's return. There had been two meetings which she needed to attend, which Lucien accompanied. One of which was this night. He was so proud of her. As he waited for her in her office, he reflected on their history and the Jean he knew and loved. The one who he had told at one time to find one thing and go after it. Of course, his Jean didn't stick to one thing. She went after several. And she conquered them. She was fierce. She was just. And she was perfect for the Town Council. Hell, he could see her as Mayor of Ballarat one day. He was excited to be here and be able to witness her accomplishments.

Jean went to her office to pick up Lucien. He was sitting in her desk chair with an adorable smile on his face. God, she loved this man. "Lucien." There was no response. She smiled to herself. He's lost in thought. Again. She took a few steps toward him. "Lucien!" He jumped and looked embarrassed. This only brightened her smile. "Where were you?"

Unable to contain his own smile, he told her. "I was thinking about you and all of your accomplishments." He rose and walked over to her putting his arms around her waist as she put hers around his shoulders. "How you've come a long way from farming, raising two boys alone, taking care of father, taking care of me…"

"Well, I'm still doing the latter. That's a full-time job!" She pecked him on the lips.

His demeanor turned serious. "I mean it, Jean. You have soared. I am ever so proud of you. I'm so excited to see what you have in store next. I love you." Tears came to her eyes as her jaw dropped a bit. He took the opportunity to kiss her deeper than the piddly peck. Effectively, showing her how proud he was of her.

When they came up for air, she told him, "I love you too." Giving him a sultry smile, she lowered her voice when she added, "Let's go home and I'll show you just how much." She walked away from him leaving a stunned Lucien. God, he loved this woman.

Lucien caught her hand as they headed to the elevator. He lifted his eyebrows at her, asking for a make out session in the elevator. She laughed and shook her head, bumping his chest with her shoulder. "Lucien! It's only one floor. You can wait until we get home." Disappointed, he agreed. They met up with Peter at the car and he drove them home.

They came home to find Charlie and Amy in the kitchen having tea. "Charlie! We didn't know you'd be here. What a lovely surprise!"

As Charlie rose, he gave them hugs and replied, "Yeah, Doc. Sorry I didn't let you know ahead of time, but I wanted to see how you were getting along."

"Nonsense, you are welcome to drop by anytime. Are you staying then?"

"For a couple days. If that's okay, Jean?"

"More than okay. You know where everything is. Help yourself. It's so good to see you, Charlie."

They spent the next hour getting caught up with Charlie. Peter and Amy went out. They had been doing that a lot lately, thinking no one was noticing. Jean was though. She was happy for Amy. She needed some positive people in her life. And Peter was nothing, if not positive.

"Well, I'm going to turn in. See you both in the morning."

"Goodnight, Charlie."

"Night, Charlie."

They both got up and walked to the studio hand in hand. Lucien went to start a fire and Jean went to change into her sleeping attire. Lucien stared at the fire and unbuttoned his shirt. As he pulled the shirt tails out of his pants, he suddenly remembered they had unfinished business. He looked up to see Jean in a new, rather revealing, nightdress. His eyes went dark as he slowly approached her. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten."

He replied, "I actually had. But…I remember now." Just before their kiss met, they heard a crash. It was the sound of broken glass. Broken glass from a door, perhaps. Lucien was sure whatever it was, it was not good. He looked at Jean and could tell she knew as well. "Jean, go into the bathroom and don't come out until I tell you." She opened her mouth to argue against and he continued, rather stern. "I mean it. There's no time to argue. I'll get my gun. You go now. Please." She begrudgingly went. He watched her close the door and went to get his gun.

"That's as far as you go, Doctor." He stopped in his tracks.

"Cooper Lewis," Lucien said as his hands went up and he turned around.

"I'm honored you remember me. I had heard your memory wasn't the greatest."

"Unfortunately, I remember you all too well."

Jean could hear everything from the bathroom and it took everything she had to stay there. She had to wait for the right time.

"Good, then let's pick up where I left off. You killed my brother and you will die for it," he said as he walked toward Lucien.

"Your brother killed himself! I was helping him up the bridge."

"Lies! Besides, you're the reason he was on that bridge in the first place!" He yelled at Lucien as he pistol-whipped him across the face.

Jean heard the commotion and couldn't contain herself any longer. She came out of the bathroom as Cooper and Lucien were fighting. Lucien was able to land several punches but Cooper was able to get ahold of the gun he had dropped in the scuffle. He was now standing over Lucien when he noticed Jean standing there. "Ah, Mrs. Blake I presume. I told you I would make you a widow. Now you can watch."

Jean yelled, "Noooooo!"

He aimed at Lucien and two shots were fired.

Cooper fell to the ground beside Lucien. Lucien opened his eyes to see Cooper lying there, eyes open. Dead. He looked up to see Charlie in the doorway to the studio, arm still stretched out, gun in hand.

Jean fell to her knees, thanking God for Charlie.

Charlie gave them both a half smile. "There's another guy sleeping in the parlor. He'll wake up with a decent headache." Jean and Lucien looked at each other, needing a minute to collect themselves, knowing this was now over.

Lucien's voice broke when he spoke. "Thank…" He cleared his throat. "Thank you, Charlie. Again."

"Don't mention it, Doc. I'll go call it in. You okay?"

Lucien looked to Jean again. "Never better." Charlie nodded and left the room.

Jean smiled happy tears as she regained her footing and made it over to Lucien. Lucien took his shirt off and wrapped it around Jean, putting her arms through the sleeves. At her questioning look, he explained, "As much as I love your new nightdress, I think it's a bit more revealing than you would want Charlie to see. Don't you think?" It dawned on her what he was getting at and quickly buttoned the shirt. Her hands then went to his face, inspecting the damage. "It looks worse than it really is."

"Somehow, I doubt that. What am I going to do with you?" The tears were back again. Lucien was sitting on his legs, knees bent, hands firmly on his thighs and took a deep breath.

Between sobs he told her, "It's over, Jean. No…" He looked in her eyes. "No more looking over our shoulders. It's finally over." She nodded and held him tight. He wrapped his arms around her.

Charlie appeared again, opting to give them another minute. He interrupted them when the ambulance got there. With instructions from Lucien, they cleaned and dressed his wounds.

Matthew and Alice showed up just as they were removing Cooper's body. Matthew was the first to speak, looking toward Lucien and pointing at the body. "Is that really him?"

"It is, Matthew. It's over." There were hugs all around. Relief that Lucien was going to be okay. Relief that it was over. Relief for the future.