A/N: hehe thank you ubergrif500 :) I know I shouldn't crave reviews, but I do like knowing people's opinion :P That aside, I hope you enjoy this penultimate chapter XD

Rays of Bitter Sun Light

Two weeks passed by.

Harry Davis was buried. The funeral wasn't all tears and depression. In true Harry style, people had a party the night before, getting thoroughly drunk and disorderly. Later the next day, the party continued as they lead a procession down the the graveyard, music playing as they buried him. People drinking, eating. Everyone making toasts to the dead man. There were those who cried, but everyone remembered the good times they had with Harry. Letting him know it.

The three Rizenbool children had never seen anything like it, but they did not hate the idea. It was the best therapy they could think of for Lucy who still seemed to mourn the loss of her friend. But when ever she talked about him after that funeral, it was always with a smile on her face.

Lucy and Zarraq seemed to reconcile their differences. Though it was on shaky grounds, the two planned on working on their relationship. But ever since that day that Lucy awoke, it seemed she never really let go of his hand. Edward never understood how she could have been so forgiving, but clearly the girl knew something they didn't.

Lucy also finally moved in with Gracia and Elysia. Both of whom were wary of Lucy's older brother, but tried to see it from her point of view.

In those two weeks, Lucy came to find out that Edward and Alphonse had learned of her name, and told them to tell Winry as well. But while Gracia and Elysia and taken to calling her 'Tash' again, none of the three of them could bring themselves to. She was still their 'Lucy'.

One morning, on the day Lucy was having her brand new automail finally fitted, Lucy and Edward were left talking in the operating room. Lucy was sitting up, wearing a tank top and shorts, he'd never seen her in anything so skimpy, it was a little strange.

"It was kinda pointless you looking up my real name," she commented, looking at the scar on her right hand, looking a little unbalanced with limbs only her her right side. Edward wanted to reach out and try and hold her up. But he knew all too well that would be an instant smack between the eyes.

"Why?"

"You still call me Lucy."

"Would you rather we call you Chaandi? Or Tash?"

"That's your prerogative," she shrugged, which looked a little strange with only one arm, "but I still say it was pointless."

"But now we know your identity… it doesn't matter what we call you, it's just a title. It's just… sort of nice to know where your friends come from."

She looked at him. Her glasses were off, her face looked softer, her eyes looked almost kindly. It seemed she had gotten used to not wearing the glasses when in the house, though if a new person walked in, she would either close her eyes or grab her glasses before she looked at them. But it was better than nothing. He doubted she would ever stop wearing them.

"I guess that's true…" she nodded.

"Lucy!" called Winry, walking in, "I'm so sorry! That man is utterly impossible! He keeps making these ridiculous demands. Why he wants automail in bulk I don't understand."

"Training facility?" asked Edward, curiously.

"Doubt it. He looked like a thug to me, but it's not really my business. I'm not making them for him, he's too rude. Anyway- Luce, do you want me to do the limbs at the same time?"

"Yeah," she nodded making a face, clenching her hand, "better to get it over with faster."

"Ed, you do her arm," instructed Winry, "I'll do her leg."

"All right all right…"

As the two positioned the limbs to be plugged in, Edward look at Lucy's face. There was a strange concentration in her eyes as her right hand gripped the chair tightly.

"Ready?" asked Winry. Lucy nodded. "Now!"

As the two pushed the limbs back into position, Lucy grunted, biting her lip, then let out a small scream, closing her eyes. It lasted about a second, and then she was calmer, taking deep breaths. It always hurt.

"You all right?" asked Winry.

Lucy opened her eyes and grinned. "Yep!" She jumped to her feet flexing her arm then leg. She looked surprised. "This is… this is amazing. It's been a while since automail as fitted me so well!"

Edward grinned and put his arm around Winry's shoulders. "That's Winry for ya," he grinned, "she's a genius!"

"I know!" she looked up at them smiling. Then stopped. She put her head to one side as though thinking. Winry and Edward stood before her, his arm around her shoulders, her with her head on his chest and a spanner in her hands. "I have to talk to everyone," she said suddenly.

The two frowned.

"Why?" asked Winry, looking confused.

"I just do," grinned Lucy, "tonight I think. At Gracia's."

"What's it about?" Edward was suddenly very nervous, he wasn't sure why.

"It'll be fine, it's not that bad."

"Promise?" asked Winry, coming forwards.

Lucy couldn't help but take note of the look of longing Edward gave Winry as she moved away. "I promise," she beamed.

*

That evening, everyone came to Gracia's house. All for dinner. It had been a long time since they had all been together. It was the first time since Lucy, or Chaandi, had arrived that she had been with her entire family, including her brother.

In their living room, Leo and Elysia were playing together running around away from imaginary bad guys, fighting them off with impersonations of Edward's circle-less alchemy. Rose, Winry and Gracia were sat on the sofa talking together, about anything that took their fancy. While Edward and Alphonse discussed the best way to transform different metals into each other. In the door way Lucy stood, leaning against the frame looking around at them, smiling softly.

"They're good people," Zarraq said quietly, standing behind her.

"Yeah…" she agreed, "I'm lucky to have them."

"You really are…"

"You too. Eventually."

He chuckled. "Edward still holds what I did against me."

"So do I… but I'm a little more forgiving," she chuckled and looked up at him, "you are my brother… you've always been in my life. Even if it wasn't always in a good way."

"Chaandi… you're… you're…"

"Amazing? Brilliant-?"

"Not what I was going for, but never mind," he rolled his eyes and ruffled her hair, "are you sure?"

She looked up at him. Her mismatched eyes met his blood red. As usual he focused on her right eye, she guessed it was because he was more comfortable with it… it was a colour he knew and understood. While the rest of her makeshift family always seemed to concentrate on her left.

"Never been so certain in my life, brother," she said calmly, "somethings you just have to do… even if it means sacrificing what you want most."

He reached out and touched her shoulder. For the first time since they had been reunited peacefully, she returned the gesture by laying a hand on his, gripping for a moment, then letting go and walking into the room.

Zarraq stood stunned for a moment. He hadn't realised that before. While she visibly seemed to forgive him, speaking to him normally and not changing her mind when talking privately, after the day she regained consciousness she held him at arm's length to a certain extent. But just then… just then she… she relied on him… for support.

He felt something he never thought he'd feel, not because of Chaandi at least. Pride… pride that his little sister wanted him there. Maybe needed him. But that the same time he hurt… in sympathy for what she was about to do.

He guessed that was the role of the older brother. Being there for her… supporting her as she went… and feeling proud of her when she did what was right. He wasn't there yet, he wasn't really a big brother yet. He had a long way to go, but it was starting. That was all that mattered.

Dinner time came and went. There was not a moment's quiet, not an awkward moment, just constant noise and chatter. Lucy/Chaandi's family had grown to accept Zarraq as a permanent fixture. While Edward and Elysia still held him in contempt, the others treated him well, welcoming him hesitantly to join in the family he was apart of through Lucy.

After dinner came dessert. After dessert Elysia and Leo fell asleep by the fire. Strangely it was Zarraq who noticed this first. For the first time since being amongst them, he took charge. With almost no one paying attention it was he who picked up both children carried them to Elysia's room and tucked them in. While the other's were too distracted by Edward's rather pathetic attempt to win in a card game between himself and Lucy (Alphonse kept telling him he'd never one before, he wasn't about to start now), Winry caught sight of the act. Curiosity spurred her on to follow him.

As he laid both children in Elysia's bed and covered them with her blankets, she could see a small smile on his face. He paused for a moment to touch the children's head before straightening and turning. He started a little to see Winry standing at the door with her arms crossed, a smug smile on her face.

"Edward would throw a fit if Lucy wasn't beating his ass at cards," she said mildly.

"Then I should be glad she is," Zarraq smiled at her, and walked towards her. He paused just in front of her and flicked the switch to turn off the lights. "They need to sleep."

The two left the room and Zarraq closed the door a fraction, leaving the light shining on the children's faces, so they would not be afraid. As the two peered in without meaning to, they could see Leo trying to get closer to the warmth of Elysia, who immediately, in her sleep, put her arms around him and gathered him close.

Zarraq sighed. "I should have been like that."

"You should," agreed Winry, "she needed a big brother."

His laugh was hollow. "You do give it to a guy straight," he muttered irritably moving away.

She reached out and touched his arm. "But you've got a chance now, Zarraq," she told him, her smile more gentle, "don't throw it away."

He paused looking at her. "I never hated her. I just… hated what she represented… thought she represented. I think I always loved her, like a big brother has to- I just never really knew it."

Winry frowned. "I guess… I can see it… You've never left her in a position where she could die… unless you count that time in the rain-"

"I didn't-"

"No excuses. But otherwise you haven't. You cut that circle into her palm… but you fixed it up again, probably feeling bad. You've taken money from her, but only a little each time, to survive, leaving her the majority of it. To be honest, you subconscious was in a constant battle… I'm glad this side won."

"I might live to regret it- but for the moment so am I."

Their eyes met unexpectedly, and the two found themselves smiling at each other. It was gentle… friendly. The first connection either of them had to each other.

The two rejoined the rest of the collective, only to find Edward still trying to win, when he could only loose. Two minutes later, Lucy was looking smug and Edward had buried his face in his hands.

It was at this point that Lucy looked across to Zarraq, she nodded discretely. He looked a little worried but nodded in return.

"I'm getting the wine," said Gracia getting up, "thanks for taking the kids up Zarraq," she added as she left.

Zarraq sat there looking shell shocked. "I- i- i- it's fine," he stammered, his dark cheeks flushing red.

"Never thought I'd see that," sighed Lucy, "great big lummox like you, blushing coz auntie thanked him."

"Shut up Chaandi," grumbled Zarraq.

"Or else what? You can't do anything to me!"

"Shut up Chaandi!"

"Awh he's still blushing!"

"Chaandiii!"

"Enough Tash," sighed Gracia re-entering the room, "though you do look very sweet when you blush, dear."

He flushed even redder, receiving more giggles from both Alphonse and Lucy, while Rose and Winry rolled their eyes at each other. Edward looked on, he didn't trust what was going on. He didn't like it.

"Lucy," he said suddenly, "there was a reason you wanted us all here. What's going on?"

Gracia frowned. "What's this?" she looked at Lucy, who sat shifting in her place on the floor uncomfortably.

"Actually auntie Gracia organised this… I'm just using this to my advantage."

"Lucy what's going on?" asked Rose, looking worried.

Lucy's eyes were fixed on the floor, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. Zarraq wandered if she'd just make something up then slip out on them during the night. It wouldn't have been the first time she had done that to some one. But these people were different to her.

She suddenly stood up, and took the wine bottle from Gracia and the glasses.

"I'll pour the wine first," she said calmly.

"But-"

"Please sit down auntie Gracia."

They watched as she methodically gave out the glasses and poured the dark red liquid into the clear sparkling wine glasses. She looked as though she was concentrating.

She poured her own glass, her eyes still hadn't met any of there. There was an uneasy quiet about them all. All anticipating what she had done, or what she was going to do.

Finally raised her head she raised her glass to. "Before I tell you, can we have a toast?"

Looking surprised, they all raised their glasses with her. Zarraq resisted the urge to frown. This was not what the girl had planned. She was winging it.

"To family, we love each other unconditionally, we can always forgive and the fact that we are never really separated."

Around the room there was a collective warbling of "To family." All were far too concerned with that was coming next.

Lucy took a long gulp from her glass, in the least lady like fashion, same as ever and finally looked at them. For a moment she looked at them all in turn, her eyes resting on each individually. She finally looked at Edward and took a breath, looking just above them, her hands clasped over her glass in the attempt to hide her shaking.

"I have to tell you something…" she started slowly, building her confidence within herself, something that had not been witnessed for a long time, "I've made a decision, and I have to tell you now, I am not changing my mind, I will not change my mind. Nothing you can say will."

There was almost a collective nod. No one breathed.

"I'm leaving," she said suddenly, then words tumbled from her lips, all chasing after the other in a confused mass, "I'm leaving for a while. I need to go after Theodore Fuller, my other brother. I need to bring him to justice. He ruined my life in Central, and her killed my close friend and destroyed another- you've all seen Marie recently! She's a shadow of who she was before, and it's his fault! I'm going to make him pay I have to." She looked around again, they all looked stunned. Shocked, as though they could not believe their ears. Only Zarraq smiled. She had finally been able to say it.

"So why do you have to leave?" demanded Edward suddenly breaking the silence, "what's that got to do with you leaving?"

"I've been speaking the the investigation bureau, they're useful when their scared of people you know," she laughed sardonically, "he's left town, on the run really. But from my own research of him, I have a fair idea of where he'll head. He'll go into hiding and disappear if we're not careful. So I'm going after him and I'm going to bring him back here kicking and screaming if I have to."

"But that's the military's job-"

"He's my brother. He did that to get to me. It's my fault- I'm going to at least bring the perpetrator to justice-"

"Why do you think it's your fault-"

"He told me it was to ruin my life. I don't think I'm bad luck or anything, honest, Ed, I don't, but I have to go. I have to bring him back."

Edward glared at her. But didn't say anything. What could he say?

Lucy looked around the room. While Edward looked angry, the others looked shocked.

"H- how long will it take you?" asked Gracia quietly.

"I dunno," Lucy replied, her tone breezy and light, "days, months, maybe years. Seriously doubt it'll take all that long. But I can't stop until I've brought him back."

"When do you leave?" asked Alphonse.

"Day after tomorrow."

"So soon?" Rose looked ready to cry, "couldn't you stay another week?"

"Rose… if I did that… I would be constantly saying 'Just another week… another week won't hurt'. Then I'll loose his trail, I can't risk it. I'd love to… but I can't risk it."

The silence in the room was deafening. Then…

"Fuckin' finally… finally you piss off," snarled Edward.

The anger and bitterness in his voice caused everyone to look at him.

"You've been nothing but trouble since you got here. It'll be nice to have some normality back."

"Ed!" Winry tried to quieten him- no use.

"No! It's true! With her here it's been once disaster after another! Maybe we'll get some peace and quiet around here!" Edward looked up at her, golden eyes flashing, "danger seems to follow you where you go! You've only been here a few months and you have the balls to call us your family? Don't be so fucking conceited." With that he rose and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Lucy stood there, stunned. She had been expecting protests, anguish, frustration… but not anger. Not like that.

"I'll go after him," Winry said quietly, "he didn't mean it Lucy- he's just-"

"Go after him Winry," she smiled, she suddenly looked happy, it was almost worrying, "he needs you."

The blonde girl hesitated, then nodded smiling sadly and walked out of the room after Edward.

"Lucy… are you sure about this?" Gracia said slowly.

"Of coarse I am. He's my brother-"

"Only by blood," insisted Rose, "you don't have allegiances to him-"

"No I don't, which is exactly why I have to do this. I can use the con of he's my big brother to locate him and bring him in." Rose looked ready to burst into tears. Lucy sighed. "Listen Rose… I've been travelling all my life… this is me going back to what I know. It'll be easy for me to catch him."

"Will you come back?" asked Alphonse quietly.

Lucy finally looked at him. Her youngest friend. But her first. She had pleaded with him to let her stay without too many questions and he was the only one to do so. He took her in with no questions asked. He was the one who introduced her to a life with people who cared for her, loved her, unconditionally. Out of all of them, Alphonse was the only one who had really stayed constant. And he looked utterly heart broken.

A lump caught in her throat. Without thinking she walked to his side, and knelt beside him, looking up into his brownish blue eyes.

"Of coarse I'm coming back," she insisted, "how can I leave you…" she looked around, "how can I leave any of you. I don't think I'd be able to survive."

Gracia put her glass down, walked over to her, knelt and pulled her into a tight hug. Holding her close to her breast. Lucy could hear her heart thumping hard, her arms shaking and a wetness where Gracia's cheek leant on the crown of her head. She said nothing.

Lucy didn't know when it happened, but soon Rose had joined them, taking her hand.

Zarraq smiled as he looked at the group of them. Alphonse had sat on the floor with them, his arms around Lucy's waist. Somehow he didn't feel left out or intrusive. Simply as though he could not bring himself to feel the same as them.

He stood suddenly.

"Gracia," he said suddenly, "no… that's wrong," they looked towards them, "auntie… I don't know if this will be a comfort to you or not, but I intend on going with her. To look after her."

Gracia smiled through her tears, "come here," she beckoned him.

Not even knowing why himself, Zarraq felt himself stand and walk towards them, and knelt with them.

"Of coarse it's a comfort," she told him, touching his cheek. He didn't flinch, he smiled. "Knowing she has someone with her who will look after her… that's wrong too- knowing you two will be together, looking out for each other, it's a great comfort. I'm your aunt, the closest thing you have to a mother at the moment. You share no blood with me or my daughter, but that makes no difference. You are Tash's brother. No matter what's happened in the past- we'll put it aside." She pulled him into a one armed hug.

Alphonse chuckled and sat up suddenly, looking at Gracia hugging brother Lucy and Zarraq. They looked at him.

"This is the first time we've been together, all together, and it'll be the last for a long time."

Lucy sat up, gripping Rose's hand and Gracia's. "Yeah- but there has to be a first and last time for everything."

She cracked a smile.

Without meaning to, she glanced at the door. Winry and Edward weren't back. They weren't with them, experiencing the moment to. She sighed. Nothing was perfect after all.

*

"Ed!" called Winry, "Edward! Get back here!"

She was outside calling for him. The evening was still warm though they were nearing autumn. Edward was walking away from the house slowly.

"Edward Elric!"

He stopped, but didn't look back.

Winry sighed and shut the front door behind her and ran after him. It was frustrating. Why was he being so stubborn? Then again… Edward Elric… it meant stubbornness.

She caught up with him, grabbing his arm.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she snapped, "why are you being so childish? Do you not want her to come back."

"Good fucking riddance," he snarled quietly.

"What the hell does that mean?! She's a friend… She's Gracia's niece. Elysia's co- sister! How can you even think that!"

"Easily, she's nothing but trouble ever since she got here, nothing's gone right."

"You don't mean that."

"Yes I do!" he shouted, finally looking at her.

Winry looked momentarily taken a back. Then she smiled. "You just proved yourself wrong," she sighed, "you don't want her to leave. You want to look after her. But you think you can't. Do you want to go with her?"

"No…"

"Why don't you just tell her that?"

"Winry no," he snapped, "this is her fight, if I got involved she'll hate me. I can't go with her. I can't help her- I can't do anything. It's better that she's leaving! Good fucking riddance!"

Winry frowned. "You know, I'd almost think you were in love with her."

He looked at her then started laughing. "You are kidding," he almost choked through his laughter, "Winry you're so stupid sometimes!"

"That's why I said almost," she growled, crossing her arms. Edward was suddenly very grateful there was no spanner near by, "but you do love her… even in this short time. I know you want to look after her- I do too! I don't want her to go. I want her to stay here, where it's safe. If she goes after Theodore Fuller… she's just running after trouble." She sighed heavily. "You can't get angry with her, not because she's leaving. You have to respect her decision. Even if it's it rather stupid."

Edward chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "At least you admit that it's stupid." He took a deep breath, looking up at her. "Should we go back?"

"Yeah… I think so…"

Winry almost growled, she knew Edward would never apologise for what he said to Lucy. He had far too much pride. He could never bare to admit he was wrong, though he always blamed himself for everything that happened to them.

As they walked back to the house, Edward stuffed his hands in his pockets hard. He wanted desperately to take Winry's hand in his, but quashed the want.

"Hey Ed," Winry said suddenly, "why is it so funny for you to be in love with Lucy? She's not an ugly girl… and she's fun."

"I don't think she's ugly," chuckled Edward, "she's sort of cute really. Cute isn't always a good thing though."

"So why's it so funny?"

"You've seen us together! It's never exactly going to be like that. We're friends, sometimes not even that." He shook his head. "Nah… I think I love her… you know, like a friend, I'm never really sure though, there's still so much to learn…" his face darkened.

It was one of the reasons he didn't want her to leave. They had just exploded the mystery that surrounded the girl, and he was getting to know her, the real her. Now she was leaving, before they could make solid anything they had learned of each other.

"But I could never be in love with her…" he trailed off, trying desperately hard not to say anything more. He wasn't sure he could deal with a rejection… not from Winry. Not on the same night as loosing someone else so close to him. That moment was too perfect, at the same time… the timing was entirely off. 'Someone up there really doesn't like me,' he thought savagely.

"Who then?" she asked suddenly.

He looked at her. She was looking at the door, concentrating on where she was going. This had to be a joke… it just had to be.

"What?"

She looked back at him, her sky blue eyes met his golden. "Who do you love then- I mean who are you in love with?"

"What do you mean?" he stopped walking, "why would-"

"I know you. I know the symptoms anyway. You go all day dreamy and you get too nice."

"I'm always nice!" he protested.

"Nicer!" she laughed stopping and looking at him, "go on! I won't tell anyone."

He scowled. "It's not that."

"Ed! C'mon! I've known you for years. Tell me!"

"I can't."

"Why not? Come on Ed!"

He tried walking ahead of her. "No!"

"C'mon! You can't do this to me!" she grabbed his arm trying to pull him back, "c'mon! Please please please please pl-"

Edward lost his temper. He turned on her pushing her arm away from him. Then without thinking, pulled her closer and kissed her hard. There was a moment where all that could be heard were the songs of the crickets in the grass and the soft breeze floating through the leaves. The he pulled back, looking at her. She stared up at him, her eyes wide, a hand going to her lips slowly.

"Sorry," he said shortly, "but you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

"I- i- it's ok," she stammered, she looked almost shell shocked.

He sighed. He had done it now, and there was nothing he could do to change it. Alchemy was amazing, but it couldn't turn back time.

"Winry, it's you I'm in love with. I have been for a while now… I just never really noticed it. I always thought it was just because you and me have been friends for so long. But… yeah… I'm fairly sure I'm in love with you."

Winry blinked. Once… twice… three times. She seemed to be thinking something through, as though she wasn't sure what to make of it.

"It's all right," Edward grinned, trying to force his disappointment to the back of his mind, "I'm sorry, I just thought you should-"

"Why should you be sorry? I'm just surprised…" Winry had regained her voice, "Ed… this is hard for… I… I was in love with you. Since we were children."

His heart jumped. Was it possible?

"But… I waited so long… you never paid any more attention to me… you had other relationships, with other women. You never noticed how I felt about you. So I forced my feelings aside. I gave up on you."

His hope plummeted.

"At the same time… I guess feelings can't always be so pushed into the distance." She smiled up at him. Edward felt as though he could float away. "I can't promise you everything… I can promise I'll try."

He grabbed her hands and pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "That's all I ask, Winry… as long as I have you that's all I ask."

Winry smiled, her eyes closed gently. "Never had you down as a romantic, Ed."

A heat spread across his cheeks, but he stayed quiet, only gathering Winry closer, resting his chin on the crown of her head, still surprised that she fitted beneath his chin even now. He was just grateful that she did, he felt he could protect her better.

Through his blush he smiled gently. All of a sudden Edward felt far more hopeful. He and Winry would work out, Alphonse would pass the alchemy exam but he would turn it down, Lucy would come back, Theodore Fuller would pay for his crimes, Zarraq Nabeel would turn out to be a good man. He was so certain. Just then it felt as though nothing could go wrong. And it was simply because Winry was with him, holding him tightly to her, and he holding her in his arms. It should have been a dream… but it was reality.

"We should go back inside," Winry murmured.

"Mmm," Edward mumbled, he released her, and grinned broadly as she leaned up to kiss his cheek and take his hand, pulling him back towards the Hughes' house.

Maybe life wasn't looking so down.

Once back inside, they found the room far calmer. Rose, Gracia and Zarraq sat on the sofa talking in low voices. Rose rested on Gracia's shoulder, it appeared that Zarraq and Gracia were the ones in deep conversation. Meanwhile Lucy was sitting up against Gracia's legs, her own stretched before her as she leaned on her aunt's knees. One hand gripped to her brother's. Alphonse lay on the floor, his head cradled in Lucy's lap, curled up, facing her abdomen. He seemed to be dozing a little, his eyes were closed as Lucy's fingers were tangled in his soft dark blonde hair.

As the two stood in the door way for a moment, before entering the room, they smiled. It really did look like a family. Admittedly a family that was being separated, but one that was looking forward to being reunited later. Even Zarraq was beginning to not look out of place.

Lucy looked about half asleep. Her body was relaxed, her eyes were half closed and where she played with Alphonse's hair, her movements were becoming more and more languid.

"I'm going to miss her," murmured Winry.

"So will I."

Lucy's eyes slide over to the new couple on the door way. A small sad smile tugged at her lips. She was right. It was always going to happen. It wasn't that she didn't hurt because of it, but she never had a claim in the first place… his heart had belong with Winry. She knew that… so she gave up before even trying. Still… she hated the fact that she had no control over her emotional reactions.

Then again… there was a happy ending. It wasn't her own, that didn't matter, it was still there.

Her eyes closed as she drifted into sleep. She felt safe, warm and loved. Everything she had always wanted. Now she was leaving it all behind.