EPILOGUE
Where Are You Going?
I do know where you go is where I want to be…
Casey dragged herself up the porch steps at sunrise. Her key rattled in the door and she jumped as the door jerked open and Jamie flung herself into her arms.
She wrapped her arms around her best friend—her sister, really—and gripped her tight.
"Don't take off like that again, ok?" Jamie said. "Promise?"
"I won't," Casey said. "I promise, from here on you can lock me in the cellar with the knowledge that I will definitely not be busting out."
They laughed, both struggling to hold back tears.
"Case," Jamie said quietly. "If you need to talk…"
"I know," Casey said with a smile.
Casey was surprised to see Reid and Tyler piled up in her living room. She looked questioningly at Jamie.
"They wouldn't leave," Jamie whispered with a smile. "Tyler wanted to make sure I was ok, and Reid…well, I think Reid wanted to make sure you were ok."
Casey rolled her eyes. "Isn't that just like a guy, to be so infuriatingly self-assured one minute and so considerate the next?"
"I think he likes you," Jamie said.
"I think I like him," Casey replied with a soft smile. She looked at the wiry body flung across her sofa.
"You should go get cleaned up," Jamie said, drawing her attention. "You look pretty skanky."
Casey laughed. "Gee, thanks," she said dryly.
She flounced to her room and Jamie walked to the recliner where Tyler lay sleeping. She lightly ran a hand across his forehead and he stirred, stretching and blinking his eyes.
"Hey," he mumbled sleepily.
"Hey," Jamie replied with a smile. "Casey's home. You guys are free to go if you want."
Tyler nodded but made little effort to get up. He moved over in the recliner and patted the empty spot.
"You wanna sit?" he asked, squinting up at Jamie.
Without a word, Jamie leaned down and placed her lips on his. Tyler cupped her face in his hands, holding her in place. She smiled into the kiss.
"My birthday's next week," Tyler said, breaking away. He looked deeply into Jamie's eyes.
"You're still afraid of your Power?" Jamie asked, remembering his nightmares. He nodded.
"Can you…will you help me? Stay grounded, I mean? I know it's weird and corny, but…I need someone to think about so I can tell myself not to use."
She smiled. "I give full permission for you to think about me," she said cheekily. She perched on the chair arm and lightly traced a finger down his jaw. "And I'll be here for you, to help you when you need it. But you're stronger than you give yourself credit for," she added.
Tyler took her wrist in his hand and gave it a tug, drawing her down to him. Keeping her locked close, he lowered his mouth to hers.
"Huh. So I am," he said with a grin. He leaned in for another kiss and was hit in the face by a pillow.
"Hey!" Jamie said with a laugh, looking at Reid.
"Sleeping!" Reid said irritably, rolling back over and snuggling into the couch. He smiled to himself as Tyler and Jamie whispered to each other.
A/N: I'm working on the last part of the series. Hopefully the muses will continue being so generous and I will finish before too long. Thanks so much to those who stuck with me this far, and a special thanks to those who took time to review. (Wow, that sounds kinda like an Oscar speech. lol)