A/N: Thank you once again my amazing and faithful followers. It has been a wild ride this past year, but it has been a ride that I'm extremely thankful I took with you all. I am incredibly sorry for not holding up to my promise in that little authors note. I was offered a new job that has been wonderful but very tiring. Honestly, I have not written anything in about two months AND IT HAS KILLED ME! To top it off, I actually finished the chapter, went to post it and found that half of the bloody thing was missing! So, you really have no idea the joy I have at getting this posted lol.

As promised, this chapter is dedicated to my fantastically wonderful 200th reviewer, Tangle Up In You. Thank you so much. I hope you like this extra long finale :o)

Can I also suggest guys, listening to 'Smother' by Daughter while reading the first half, and 'Love More' by Sharon Van Etten while reading the second? Although some of the words don't match, the emotion behind the songs mirrors the emotions here perfectly :o)
…

Chapter Nineteen

The sun was setting, the clouds around them turning to fire; a fire that Flynn wished would engulf him and end it all.

The feeling of being able to breathe while his world fell apart was a feeling that he never knew was possible. Two weeks had passed since that night. Two long, tiresome weeks that had felt more like centuries. Centuries of not looking into her eyes. Centuries of waiting for his brother to die. Flynn didn't know that pain like that existed. The bullet to his shoulder felt like a reward in comparison.

Gazing out the small window, the sky's fire dancing across his bruised and cut face, Flynn couldn't quite understand how something as beautiful as the world they lived in could harbour the evilness that it did. Could harbour the hurt that it did. Everything looked so peaceful. So pure. But he knew that hidden in the shadows of the beauty, lurked the monsters that took pleasure in tearing it apart.

It wasn't until his own reflection jumped out at him, did he understand.

As they glided through the air, the clouds parting in their wake and the world's artistry shining out, Flynn couldn't stop the small gasp escaping his lips as he finally caught a glimpse of the one place on earth that called out to him and terrified him all at the same time. Corona. Any other day, he would have been left in awe at its loveliness; the high moors, a sea of greens and purples. The rocky plains; stepping stones down into a kingdom that shone like gold from their height.

He wondered if the monsters of the world had begun their work on it yet. He prayed they never would.

When he had been informed of the plan; the demand from King Fergus himself; that he be extradited to Corona for trial, an odd sense of release had washed over him. The two weeks of being placed in Solitude had been some of the longest in his life. By the end, a walk down the Green Mile would have been welcoming, and not a total surprise if he were being completely honest. For two weeks his thoughts had been consumed with the two people in the world that he cared more about than life itself.

Two people who he'd never see again.

The pain in his chest was all too familiar as his thoughts wandered to them. Eugene…dead…dying…he didn't even know anymore. The guilt that coursed through his veins at the memories of his baby brother played out in his mind like an old film. His unfulfilled promises ringing out like a siren. Empty promises, in the end. Silent prayers of sorrow was all he could offer now.

As for Rapunzel…well, he hadn't even been able to utter her name since the arrest. If he did, he was sure his heart would shatter in his chest. The look in her eyes that night…the look of fear as she watched Scott go for the kill…the blankness as she watched him fall to the ground. Flynn doubted he'd ever be able to forgive himself for leaving her with such memories. Memories that would take root in her mind and grow into nightmares.

He hated himself for that.

Catching sight of his reflection once again, Flynn turned away from the small window of the plane; his head hanging low as he stared at his cuffed hands. This was his life now. This was who he'd be forever. Anger mixed with defeat at the thought. With eyes screwed shut he pulled his head up; releasing a ragged breath before opening them once again to see Detective Max Guard sitting across from him with sad eyes. The whole journey had been spent in silence, but Flynn could hear loud and clear what Max was saying to him then.

With a clear of the throat, the detective stood before slowly shuffling over to the door of the cockpit. All Flynn could hear was a muffled whisper to the pilots before the door was closed over; Max turning round and hobbling back to his seat. Flynn could tell that he was still in pain. He had been on leave from work at the time of the King's demands, but the second he had caught wind of them, he had insisted he personally escort him to Corona. Flynn guessed, to finish what he had started.

"…I always hate flying." Max quietly spoke through the silence "Never know what to do with yourself. You always get caught up in your memories. The good and the bad."

Flynn couldn't help but look down once again.

"Well, I bet you'll be flying home with whole lot of good ones to add to the collection."

With a sad smile, Max gave a small nod of the head, silence setting in once again.

"You know, Rider…" He continued, his hands dangling between his knees "You have without a doubt, been one of the smartest kids I've ever had to chase after." Looking up, Flynn met the detectives stare "In my whole career, only one other case has ever had me as emotionally attached as this one did, and even then, the guy I was looking for was nowhere near as intelligent as you."

"With all due respect, Detective…" Flynn began "I think I'm a prime example of just how fine the line is between intelligence and stupidity."

"Caring for your brother is not stupid, Flynn." Max stated, his voice barely above a whisper "It's human."

Sitting back in his chair, Max looked down at his dangling hands, his lower lip quivering slightly. Exhaustion? Emotion? He didn't really know why he felt the need to share with the boy before him, but in the end he couldn't stop the story he had been holding in for so long; the story he had been hiding from the world for so many years, from spilling out.

"…I was just two years into my career when I got hit with my first abduction case…" He began solemnly "The kid…she was only 11 years old at the time…"

With a sad smile, Max forced the lump in his throat down. The lump that wanted so badly to burst out into an agonizing scream.

"She was only missing 42 hours before we found her…" He carried on, his glassy eyes looking everywhere but at Flynn.

Fixing his gaze on his hands once again, Max let a silent tear fall.

"He had spouted off the usual demands. A ransom for her safety." He croaked out, his right hand ghosting over the aging skin on the back of his left "…We had 24 hours to get the 500K together…"

Flynn could almost feel the pain in the older man's voice. The guilt. He wanted to say something. Anything. But in the end, silence was all he could utter.

All he could do was let Max continue.

"But me being me; the stubborn ass that I am, I had no intention in complying." Clearing his throat, Max finally looked Flynn in the eye; his own greying ones lifeless "…I wouldn't pay the ransom." Flynn could tell it was his confession "I believed we'd get her back safe and well. I wasn't going to reward the bastard for his deed…So I insisted that we wait…and we did. We waited thinking that we'd scare him, convince him into thinking that we weren't easily swayed under pressure…That we'd get him before he could harm her."

"And what happened?" Flynn whispered, his voice barely recognizable.

"…The next day, we got a phone call from some workers at the old quarry…" Max answered quietly "They'd dug up the body of a little girl that morning…Bullet wound to the back of the skull and note pinned to her t-shirt...Your loss then, it had said"

Flynn could feel the bile rise from his gut, his eyes squeezing shut as the words hit him.

She had just been a kid.

…Just a little kid.

Exhaling loudly, he sat back in his seat. He didn't know it was possible to hate someone he had never met.

"I take it that sort of case sticks with you for a while, huh?" He eventually asked, understanding now Max's determination to get Rapunzel back.

"It never goes away, Rider." Max responded, his voice broken as his silent tears began to fall "You never get over the loss of a child…especially if the child…is yours…"

Flynn, stunned, snapped up to look at the detective. The honest, yet brutal words of a father who would never forget. With mouth agape, he fought to find words that could be offered as some semblance of condolence…but in the end, no word spoken by man could ever be enough. Casting a glance out the window, Max cleared his throat once again, a silent confirmation that the conversation was over as he swiped at his glistening cheeks.

"Y'know…I never thanked you, Rider." He murmured while standing, straightening his tie as he did "…For saving me that night…"

Brows furrowed, Flynn gazed up at the man.

"You see, I thought I was already dead." He carried on softly "It took you jumping in with that bat to show me I wasn't…So for that, I thank you…Conrad and I, well we owe you our lives."

All Flynn could do was give a small nod before Max stood and headed towards the seat at the back of the plane.

"Best buckle up…We'll be landing in just a few minutes."

…

His feet had felt like lead as he was helped up; his cuffs cutting in to his wrists ever so slightly. Flynn didn't really know what to expect once they stepped off the plane. Cameras? News crews? He wouldn't have been surprised. He doubted there was a soul in the entire world who hadn't heard of his name by now. An unwanted fame. With head hung low, he braced himself for whatever was to come once he stepped outside; but what he was greeted with as the heavy door swung open, was nothing like he had been expecting.

Emptiness.

Not a soul to be seen for miles.

Only two lonely black limos down below.

Eyes squinting against the light, Max carefully led him down the stairs towards the waiting cars, the quietness almost deafening. As they reached the bottom step, a tall man stepped out from each car; both dressed in simple black suits and ties. With his confusion growing, Flynn turned to Max in wonder and panic as the detective reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys to the cuffs.

"You'll be following behind." He mumbled, nodding to the limo at the back before slipping the cuffs off and stuffing them into his pocket.

"What?" Flynn asked, rubbing at his wrists.

But without answering, Max slipped passed and disappeared into the front limo; the door being slammed shut behind him by the man in the suit. Gobsmacked, Flynn turned to the other car, the rear door (like the detective's before) being held open for him. Hesitant at first, he slowly made his way over, a quick glance at the suited giant leaving him with no comfort before he reluctantly climbed in.

Now Flynn didn't really know what to expect when he had gotten into that car, but he knew without a shadow of a doubt, he was definitely not expecting what he found.

He could tell that Fergus was still healing from his wounds. His bruised and bloodied face almost mirrored his as they sat staring at each other.

Stunned into silence once again, Flynn looked down at his feet nervously before glancing up at the King, the limo slowly pulling out to follow in the direction of the other. With the windows blacked out, he had no idea where they were headed. His guess, a secluded prison where he would be hidden away for the rest of his life.

Shifting under the penetrative gaze of His Majesty, Flynn cleared his throat, his own sights darting back and forth in every direction.

"Would you like a drink?" Fergus quietly spoke, motioning towards the bottles of Whiskey sitting in the mini bar at his side.

Puzzled, Flynn looked between the bar and the King.

"Uh…" He finally managed to stutter out "No…No thanks, I'm good. Thank you."

With a quiet nod, Fergus drew his attention away from the drinks and lifted a small wooden box that sat at his side.

"Cigar?" He asked, opening the box of Cubans.

"Uh…" Was Flynn's reply once again "Thanks…but I'm trying to quit."

And he was, if he was totally honest. He remembered Rapunzel had hated his smoking. That, and he hadn't been able to find a smoke in the past two weeks. Quitting was almost like child's play now.

With a soft smile, Fergus closed the box over and sat it back down, his eyes never leaving Flynn.

"How was your flight?" He gently asked, his hands clasping on his lap.

"It was...pleasant enough." Flynn lied, Max's story still ringing out "Corona looks very beautiful from where I was sitting. You must be proud."

Fergus just smiled as the Limo gently turned a corner; Flynn's curiosity burning.

"I certainly am." He agreed with a nod "Some may say I'm biased, but I believe it is the most beautiful place in the world."

Lips tugging up slightly, Flynn gave his own small nod before shifting in his seat once again.

"I don't think that's a biased opinion."

They spent most of the journey in silence, Fergus muttering every so often that they didn't have long to go. If Flynn was totally honest with himself, he found the King's politeness a little unsettling. He had no idea if the act of appearing calm and inviting was simply that. An act. Just a motion before he found himself stopping in a hidden part of the forest, forced on his knees and done away with.

Weaving in and out of the streets of Corona, Flynn tried to suss out the directions they were taking, but in the end, it had been futile. It wasn't until he felt the limo begin on a downward trek that he felt his panic build up once again. Underground. That's where they were heading.

Once they had finally come to a stop, Fergus had wasted no time in stepping out, Flynn warily following behind. He knew the end had come when he found himself in an underground car park, not a single vehicle to be seen. Not even Max's

"Try not look so worried." Fergus smirked, nodding to the suited giant that he could take his leave.

With his own firm bop of the head, Flynn watched as the man climbed back into the limo and drove off. He couldn't stop the relaxation from washing over him; his anxiety quickly fading away. But no sooner had his panic begun to fade before it was replaced with the confusion he was becoming so accustomed to.

Without saying a word, he watched as Fergus began to make his way down the car park, a quick glance over his shoulder and impatient nod of the head letting Flynn know he was to follow.

"Uh, Your Highness…" Flynn finally spat out, as he jogged to keep up "I don't mean to be rude, and I know that I really don't have any rights anymore, but can you please tell me what's going on? Put me out of my misery."

With a smile, Fergus let out a soft chuckle before coming to a stop outside an elevator that had been hidden away in shadows.

"Just follow me." He said, hitting the button for the doors slid open "After you."

A little reluctantly; and nervously if he was honest; Flynn stepped into the small space. He had no idea where they could have been heading, his mind wandering in all directions, but as Fergus stepped in behind him, the doors closing as he punched the button for the fifth floor, he knew that he wouldn't have to wait long to find out.

But the journey past each floor seemed to drag on, neither one of them uttering a single word as they climbed up through the unknown building. With eyes trained on the King, Flynn shifted from foot to foot; the calmness from the man at his side doing little to sooth him. By the time they had reached their floor, Flynn's panic had returned. He could feel his heart thundering away in his chest, threatening to burst out at any given moment. He had no idea what awaited him once those doors open.

He could only say that what he saw, was nothing like he had expected.

Brows knitted together, Flynn followed Fergus out onto the quiet hospital ward, the few nurses and doctors doing their rounds paying them little attention. Still in their silence, Fergus began to lead Flynn down the long white corridor, the muffled sounds of machines working away in the background breaking into their quietness.

"You know, I've been wanting to meet you for a while now, Mr. Rider…" Fergus finally spoke, glancing at the boy to his side "Understandably, of course."

"…Understandably." Flynn agreed, his voice barely above a whisper as they slowly made their way down the hallway.

"The world that you introduced my daughter to…" He continued, his voice laced with hurt "The danger that you catapulted her into; the danger that you threw us all into! It was unforgivable…"

Flynn felt the familiar guilt tear through him. Felt his heart shatter once again at the mention of her. As they reached the end of the hallway, Fergus turned to face him fully, a sadness dancing behind his eyes.

"When we were searching for you, I knew I wanted nothing more than to see you rot away behind bars for the rest of your natural life." He confessed; one that did little to shock Flynn "As far as I was concerned, you were nothing but a selfish, self-centred man who cared little about the lives of those who you were affecting…And now, at the end of it all, the lives that have been forever altered amount to far more than just mine and my families."

Dipping his head, Flynn forced himself to hold it together, because in the end, he was right. No matter how painful that truth was, King Fergus would always be right.

"I found it difficult to believe that one man could accomplish the things that you did." Fergus carried on, his voice never changing "I found it difficult to believe that one man could be the mastermind behind such an elaborate, yet idiotic plan. That he could send the entire MPDC into a frenzy. That he could cause a potential international crisis…"

With every word, Flynn felt his body break.

"And, on top of it all…" Fergus said "I found it difficult to believe that that same man could single handily risk his life, could put a bullet between the eyes of his own friend, just to save the lives of those looking for him...If it wasn't for that man, I wouldn't be here…and neither would my daughter…For that, I owe that man everything."

Flynn couldn't stop himself from snapping up in surprise, the sadness and hurt that was once etched firmly on the King's face quickly being replaced by a small smile. In disbelief, Flynn stared up at Fergus as he stretched out a hand; one that he found himself hesitant to take.

"Your Highness…" He softly spoke, his voice weak with defeat "I'm no hero. I shouldn't be treated like one…Especially by you."

"Son…" Fergus replied, his outstretch hand moving to rest on Flynn's good shoulder "Life, I have come to learn, is a very complicated thing that has the tendency to deal us a lousy hand. More often than not, we don't ask for the things that pull us down and disable us, but in the end, it is up to us to find a way to pick ourselves back up and keep moving forward."

In silence, Flynn looked down to his feet, the familiar burn of tears stinging the back of his eyes.

"You, I came to realise…" He carried on, his strong voice softening ever so slightly "Were dealt a particularly nasty hand." With a small whimper, Flynn could only reply with a broken nod "I heard about your brother…" Fergus practically whispered "Rapunzel…well, she explained it to me once we got home. About how he was ill."

Clearing his throat, Flynn pushed back the tears and forced himself to look up.

"Brain tumour." He croaked out "Operable, but only with the right insurance…Life dealt us a pretty shitty hand when we realized that we didn't have that."

"Mm-hmm." Fergus mumbled in agreement "In the end though, when it comes to the ones that we love, we never give up. Even when things seem hopeless...Am I right?"

"Yeah." Flynn nodded with a sad smile "You'll do anything to try and save them…but what you don't realize is that at the time, the decisions you make and the actions you take, can leave you worse off in the end…"

Tears falling, a laughter erupted from deep within Flynn's chest. A cynical, dry laughter that bore more pain than Fergus though imaginable.

"I mean, look at me!" He bellowed, hands falling to his sides "I kidnapped a girl to save the only family that I had left, and out of everyone in the whole world that I could have fallen for, it had to be her!? And on top of it all, after everything that I did and went through, I'll now never get to see either of them again."

"Why do you say that?" Fergus asked, his hands making their way into their pockets.

"Because she's the Princess…" Flynn replied, defeat evident "And he…he's already be dead…"

"Really?" He questioned, his lips curling up ever so slightly "And what makes you so sure of that?"

Unable to answer, he just stared at him, his confusion returning full force as he watched Fergus' smile grow; a small nod of the head telling Flynn to look behind him.

Brows knitted together, Flynn slowly turned to find that they had been standing outside a small room at the end of the corridor the whole time. Glancing back at the King, he was urged on once again to look, his smile never faltering. With the smallest steps imaginable, Flynn slowly approached the door, a small pane of glass separating him from whatever was inside.

And then…he saw it.

He saw him.

Hands flying to clutch at his hair, Flynn didn't bother trying to hold back the loud sob that broke out from his chest; his tears flowing fast and free as he stared in the window to see his baby brother lying sound asleep with a large bandage round his head.

"Did you know that Corona is home to some of the worlds most renowned neurologists?" Fergus asked before coming to stand at his side.

"I don't understand?" Flynn sobbed, turning to face the King "You brought him here?"

"I didn't need much persuading." Fergus replied, turning to look through the window with a proud smile.

Turning back, Flynn couldn't stop the small gasp from spilling out as he watched a very tired looking Rapunzel walk out from the bathroom before taking a seat by his brother's side; her hand immediately enveloping his as she closed her eyes.

"She hasn't left his side since he arrived here last week." Fergus quietly informed "All through his surgery, all 14 hours, she sat there waiting. Praying."

Wiping his tears away ferociously, Flynn turned to Fergus.

"I…I'll never be able to find a way to thank you enough." He whispered.

"How about joining my family and me for dinner tonight as a free man?" He smiled "And, as my friend."

Without answering, Flynn did the only thing he could think of. He smiled, and hugged him.

"…I'd like that very much."

Chuckling softly, Fergus patted Flynn gently on the back as they broke apart; a quick glance over his shoulder and a small nod to the nurse by the reception desk calling out to him.

"Well, we look forward to seeing you and Detective Guard tonight." Fergus smiled "But if you'll excuse me, I must go and fill out some paperwork."

"Of course." Flynn replied as the King began to walk off.

But before he could make it any further, he turned back, his smile still firmly set in place.

"…Go see your brother, Flynn."

With the first real smile he had managed to give in what felt like forever, Flynn nodded happily before Fergus dashed off. Taking a deep breath, his hands running through his hair once again, he slowly turned back towards the door, his hand nervously reaching out to grab hold of the handle.

He was surprised at the peace he felt as he stepped foot inside, the soft beeps from the machines bringing him a sense of comfort for the first time. Closing the door quietly, he chose to just stand. All he wanted was to look for a while, the sight of the two people he loved most causing his heart to flutter. But as the door clicked shut, her eyes opened. Wide and full of life. Just like he remembered.

She didn't say anything as she slowly stood to her feet; her attire of faded jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt a far cry from royalty. With eyes glistening and lip trembling she hesitantly stepped out, Eugene never rousing from his slumber.

"Flynn…" She finally whispered as she approached, her hand hesitantly reaching out to touch his cheek "You're really here…I told my dad to wake me when you arrived…"

"Shh…" Was his whispered reply as he reached out to brush a silent tear from her cheek "I just got here…" Glancing at his brother, he smiled "I just can't believe all this…"

Looking over her shoulder, Rapunzel smiled.

"I couldn't let him lose his battle." She said before turning back to face him "I couldn't let you lose him…"

Smile growing, Flynn reached out and pulled her close; his lips finding her cheeks, forehead and nose before reaching her lips.

"Thank you." He croaked before ending with a final kiss "…Thank you."

Pulling back, and wiping her tears away, Rapunzel smiled up at him as he ran a hand through her hair.

"So tell me Flynn Rider…" She began "What are you going to do now that you're a free man?"

Looking to his brother again, his smile never faltered before he fixed his gaze on hers.

"What am I going to do?" He asked, holding her close "…I'm going to live."

With her own smile growing, Rapunzel reached down and took his hand, his strong fingers intertwining with hers, clutching her hand tightly. He never wanted to let her go, and this time, Flynn knew, he would never need to again.
…

A/N: …What? Did you all really think I'd write a sad ending for these two? C'mon, it's Disney! (Although, I've probably ruined the film forever by now lol).

Anyway guys, that was the last chapter (actually quite devastated lol), but I really hope that you all enjoyed it. I would love to thank you all individually, because you have all been amazing. This is the first multi-chapter that I have completed in six years, and through doing so, I really feel like I've achieved something. So thank you. I really do love you guys :o)

But before I go, I just want to leave you all with one word…

…Sequel?