A/N: Last Chapter of my novel. Sad to see you go, but we have to part. May we meet soon enough. :) It's been a great pleasure writing this for NaNoWriMo 2011, and I can't wait to write another novel in 2012. I'll be able to have my laptop again, and I'll probably be in Singapore continuing my studies. Wish me luck in becoming a veternerian scientist and a National Geographic Photographer.

DISCLAIMER: I'm a good person of the society. Why the bloody hell would I steal? (Even though they are really tempting). All rights go to CBS for CSI:Miami, YUMGirlAndMoltMan for her/his characters, and Coldplay for their meaningful lyrics. :)

Epilogue:

Ryan's POV (10 years later):

I opened the door towards my locker, giving out a silent 'Yeah!' as the working hours are finally over. My mind wandered back to my beautiful wife back at home, cooking her famous lasagna, with our precious little daughter whom we called Artemis. I don't really have a thing for baby names, so I let my dear beta choose it. Turns out the name comes from a Greek legend, what a coincidence.

I could distinctively hear Travis' unique British Accent as he walked into the room, "Anyone interested in some pints for the night?"

I could hear Walter's manly voice just beside me, as he too, opened up his locker, "Sure, why not? I'll go. Ryan, what about you?"

I sighed, missing the days when I was a bachelor, "I'm sorry, but I've got to be home."

"What's the rush? You're a big bloke already!" Travis laughed, but abruptly stopped when I showed him a gold ring around my wedding finger, "I have a wife and child waiting for me. Does that answer your question?"

Everyone glared back at Travis, blaming him for asking such an obvious question, as he uttered a small 'sorry', "That's all right," I smiled as I closed the locker door, trying to keep him happy, and not feeling too bad about it, "I get that all the time from most people. It must have been my age that fooled you, huh?"

"I guess it is," Walter laughed, while Natalia walked into the locker room, "May I tag along?"

"Sure you can, my lovely! Everyone is welcome to join in the celebration," Travis raised his arms, signaling what he had said. I decided to use this opportunity to break away from the circle, taking a few steps backwards before turning around, raising my arm in the air and waving back at them, "I've got to go, bye guys."

I didn't manage to see their reactions or their actions, but I heard a "Bye Ryan!" cried out in unison, as I pulled the lever on the door and walked out of the room. By the time I turned right and entered the main alley, I thought I felt a cold brush at the side of my body as a familiar Cuban came into view, "What's up, Wolfe?"

"Nothing, Eric. You do realize we're one big family now, right?" I looked back at him, shaking my head like I always do when I like to make fun of someone. However, it backfired on me, as Eric did his half-smile in victory, "And you do realize it means that I'm your Uncle-in-law and you should have more respect for me?"

I rolled my eyes, that's what's it's going to be, old man.

Hey, I'm listening, and I'm standing right here, next to you, his index finger jabbed my arm, letting out a silent hiss along with it. I backed out and raised my hand in defense, as if I was sorry for the joke that I just said, "All right, all right, I'm sorry, Uncle Eric," I emphasized on the word Uncle, just for him to hear the sarcasm lingering on my tongue. It came along as an amusement for him.

"You know that we're going to have a family dinner together tonight, right?" Eric elbowed me in a brotherly manner just as Calleigh joined in the little gathering, with a smile on her face as she gently rubbed her now bloated belly.

I laughed, a little annoyed because of him not being able to trust me, "As always, Uncle. As always."

"All right then," he chuckled, wrapping his arms on Calleigh's waist, even though she herself didn't really want it, "We'll see you later. I can't wait to see Artemis and Anastasia again."

"Of course you do," the curve on one side of my lips raised in a semicircular form as the three of us reached the elevator, "I'll see you guys then."

"Tell me your secrets and ask me your questions,
Oh let's go back to the start,
Running in Circles, coming up tails,
Heads on a science apart."

Anastasia's POV:

Thoughts shifted through my head as if I'm flipping through a book; a book about my life, about the events that happened ten years ago.

In one flash, it was when Casey Akrisons kidnapped me, and another was when the both of them tortured me in their little lair, stabbing me on the knee. I looked at the corner to see their two children, Maxwell and Britney, who only stood there, helpless in this situation. It's their parents after all.

A boy killed in front of me, an innocent boy. He was just unlucky that he is part of the club. He fell into my arms after taking the force from the stab that Grey gave to him with his hand, for fighting back against his words. He never meant to die.

I looked into my hands, stopping the continuous swirl and dropping the wooden spoon unto the pot, to which I was stirring the corn soup from, remembering it being covered with the blood from him, I could have saved him, but I can't. He died because of me, because of who I am, because of my family. It's my entire fault.

"Mummy? Are you OK?" my little angel popped through the doors into the kitchen, with a drawing of our family. I knew that she was about to show it to me and her father when he returns home from work.

I turned off the gas stove, feeling satisfied that the corn soup has reached its optimum temperature and texture, before turning around and squatting down in her direction so that we could see eye to eye, holding out my hands as she ran up towards me, the ends of her dress flowing behind her as she ran, before the both of us met, "I'm fine, honey. Just making sure the soup is resting. You know how sleepy Mr. Soupy could be."

As we broke of the embrace, Artemis cocked her head and looked at me, eyes changing from a dark brown to an Egyptian gold colour just like her father, before being back to the normal brown, "Mummy's lying again. It's not your fault, please don't be sad," just like her grandfather, she caught me red-handed.

I ran my hand down the hem of her dress, soothing it of the rough edges. I can't believe I could come this far. She's beautiful, just the way I want it. The way we want it.

"Want what mummy? Mummy, are you crying? Please don't cry," her mouth was carved into an 'O' as she reached out her hand, touching the tear that escaped my eyes and run down my cheeks.

I smiled, being grateful for a caring daughter like always, as I wiped the tear away at the brush of the fingertips, standing back up straight. I placed both hands on each of her shoulders, "Honey, I'm fine, okay? Don't worry about mummy. Mummy's going to be okay," I motioned for her to leave the kitchen, "Why don't you get ready for grandmamma and grandpapa?"

She was a diligent and disciplined girl, so she would never disobey me. She nodded in silence, though feeling some concern for her mother, and went out into the living room. I placed the pot where the corn soup was in on the marble tile, supported with a cloth so as to maintain the heat, before placing a new pot on the stove. I walked towards the refrigerator and got out a jug of blood, and sighed as the hallucinations come back to me, throwing me memories like never before:

The blood in my hands, and on the floor. Mine as well as others. So this is what 'war and rage' feels like.

I thought hope was lost, but it flickered when the door bursts open to the sound of my father, "GREY! I'm here just as you wished! What do you want with my daughter this time?"

I heard them bicker word for word, each of them not backing down without the fight. My eyes could not grasp how quick they are throwing punches and kicks at each other, invisible to the human eye. But finally, father found Grey's weak spot and sent him flying and crashing against the wall. The angry look on his face, he looked like a monster, a stranger which I did not recognize. I never knew what he did to Grey after I left. He never told me what had happened to him.

I felt a set of arms wrapped around my waist as I poured the contents into the pot, "I'm home, my lovely," I smiled at his voice and scent as he kissed me on my neck, where he bit me every single day before he goes off to work or is parting me for the moment. It feels very comforting that he is near me again, protecting me from dangers the world could offer. Seems that I've forgotten all about the freshly made wound due to the heat of the moment, or maybe because I've gotten used to it. After all, he's the alpha of the pack, and I'm the beta.

"You know," his nose rubbed against the back of my neck, slowly but smoothly going up. He knows that I love it, as much as he does doing it, "Our daughter is getting worried for you. Are you sure you're all right? Is the past bothering you again?"

I rotated the knob, hearing a click before the fire starts, before settling into the right amount of heat, "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me," I pouted at him, in hopes that he would leave me alone. However, as always, he nuzzled against my neck and nibbled my ears, expressing deep concern, "Don't lie to me, my love. We're strongly connected, aren't we? I could hear your every thought even though we are far away from each other. I can't stop thinking about you even though I am in the fields."

I sighed, thinking that too much CSI work has gone inside his head, always searching for clues, just like me, "All right, Mr. Wolfe. They do seem to bother me sometimes."

He spun me around, being oblivious to the cooking pot behind the both of us, "You know we could get help if you'd like. See a psychiatrist or something," his eyes were twinkling with protection for his wife.

"Hey, I'm fine. It's all over anyways. Besides," I hugged him, tightly like a life line, before letting go with a gentle peck on his right cheek, right beneath his eyes, where his 'bags' were, "You are here for me, and that is all that matters."

"I'll always be there for you, sweetheart. Where would I be without you?" he smiled, as he directs his index finger to the same spot where I kissed him, "And would you mind doing that to me again? I think I kind of missed it."

The both of us laughed just as we heard footsteps from outside the door, "Oh, look at the time. They must already be here," Ryan looked down at his watch, before pressing his lips against mine, matching with equal softness and heat, his sweet scent lingering around my lips even though we stopped, "I'll help you with the utensils while you warm the blood, yeah?"

"Okay," I smiled at him, my heart beating with pleasure, like it was our first kiss all over again, as I turned my attention back to the pot. He was my best friend, and now he's beside me for the rest of our lives.

I'll always will be, Ryan winked back at me with a little sense of mischief, as he got out the plates and the cutlery from the bottom left hand drawer, before turning to leave the kitchen, Thank you for being a part of my life.

And you too.

I poured the now warmed blood back into the jug, before bringing each of the food outside towards the table. Ryan must have let my family members in, because father and mother were already at the dining table, deep in their own conversation, while Uncle Eric and Aunt Calleigh, together with Artemis, just entered the dining room, laughing over some jokes that he once shared with me, which was now shared with my daughter.

With the dinner table set, all of us sat down on our respective places, and I began pouring the blood into the glasses, each one for my family members, when I heard a "Wait."

"What are we waiting for, grandpapa Horatio?" Artemis looked up at him, cocking an eye on him for a second. Father gave a slightly cheesy grin, as his lips met Artemis' forehead, pulling her hair back gently, "Aren't we missing some people?"

"Who grandpapa?" just as she asked, the doorbell rang. Ryan, being as polite and gentlemanly as ever, got out of his seat and went to get the door. He came back with a gigantic, muscular grey wolf, and a lean brown wolf. Both of them are Ryan's parents and my parents-in-law. He pointed towards our common bedroom, the one used for guests who happen to stay in our place should they wish to, "Your clothes are in the cabinet at the back corner. Anne has sorted it out for you guys, so you should find everything you need. It's great that you took some time to come here and be with us for dinner tonight."

We waited patiently as the wolves nodded at Ryan, before heading inside the room without any second glances. After a few minutes, Don and Jesse Wolfe walked out of the door, with Don wearing a crisp black shirt and some jeans, his usual look, whereas Jesse dawned on a black dress, one that I've bought for her and kept it in the cabinet along with her clothes. She's seemed to have caught the message and I could tell that she was very ecstatic, satisfied with just the dress itself.

Our little girl must have been in for a shock, because she squealed in excitement, yelling "Grandpapa and grandmamma Wolfe!" before springing out the seat and running out towards them. Don caught her just in time, carried her up, and cradled her like a baby, "There's our little girl. How's it going sweetheart?"

"I'm great, grandpapa. I drew mummy, daddy, and me today," she squirmed her way out, forcing Don to place her down gently, as she disappears into the living room, returning with the paper she showed me and probably her father before-hand. Don, being a lovable and caring person that he is, gave a little 'Ooh!' in anxiety as he looked at the paper, and patted Artemis' back as he returned the paper to her, "that's a very nice drawing you have there, Artie," he loves calling her that, and he is the only person who is allowed to give her that nickname, says so the girl herself, "you sure do have a talent for drawing."

"Thank you Grandpapa Don!" she smiled with glee, the innocence of the child never ceasing to wonder. She grabbed hold of Don's hand, leading them towards the dining table, and showed them their seats, before skipping her way back to hers. What a sweet little girl, I thought to myself.

As dinner commences, I scooped up some of the lasagna and placed it on Don's bowl, followed by Jesse's, earning a little 'Thank You' from the both of them. On the contrary, Ryan distributed the glasses to everyone in my family, accept for Calleigh, who was still human, but bearing a child. Uncle Eric and her child. Afterwards, I placed some lasagna on Ryan's plate, before finally Artemis'. He rubbed his hand back and forth quickly, face full of delight, and constantly licking his lips, "Hmm. Anne sure does make the best lasagna's in the entire universe," prompting a laugh from the whole family.

As we nibbled on to our dinner, Jesse got the ball rolling, "Anne, did you buy this dress for me?"

I placed the fork and spoon down, taking hold of the glass of plain water before sipping it and putting it down again, "Yeah I did. I thought you might need a little something. What's wrong? Is it too small for you? Did you not like it? I could buy another one for you, if you'd like."

"No, no, no, sweetheart," she shook her head, trying to clear me of the misunderstanding, "The dress is perfect for me. I do love it a lot," she grinned as she paused for a moment, taking a slice of the lasagna and popping it inside her mouth, before looking back at me, "How do you know I like a certain dress?"

"Well," I mischievously eyed at Ryan and he playfully elbowed me, "Ryan told me what you like, and I thought I should do it, after all that you did for me, and my family."

An 'Aww' explicated throughout the room, before it broke out in laughs. "So," Father brought the group back into attention, "How's Mac by the way?"

"He's doing fine, H. He sends his regards," Don took a bite of the lasagna, the same feeling every time he took a bite. It's as if he loves it, probably craving more, "New York has the lowest criminal rate at this period, so far. But as for our supernatural buddies, not yet."

"I see," Father looked out into the distance, swirling his glass containing blood, before looking back into his beloved family members around the dinner table, "Maybe I should pay a visit sometime. I'm starting to miss the city."

"I'm sure the team would welcome you with open arms," a famous 'Don-smile' headed for his direction.

After a few more conversations and eating as well as drinking, everyone helped out to wash the dishes, while all the more telling me to take a break after all the cooking I've done. I hesitated at the beginning, but I let them do it. After all, what can I say to a bunch of strong-headed people even though I'm the co-owner of this house?

I was looking out into the forest, leaning against the balcony, letting my mind wander around, when an arm slung around my shoulders, "It sure is a nice night out here, isn't it, my lovely?" Ryan let out a silent growl of pure enjoyment, as he edged nearer, letting my lips meet his again. He seems to really love it, enjoying the life that he has been living. Out of the blue, he pulled my shirt slightly open, as he began examining the bite mark he left on my left shoulder, which seemed to leave a scar, running his fingers through it, not planning to press down, in case it hurts.

"Aww, shucks, it left a scar. I'm sorry, my Annie. I didn't mean to. Why am I so careless?"

Sometimes he over thinks too much, and it annoys me further when he blames himself for it. To get him to stop feeling sorry for himself, I leaned my head against his chest, rubbing on it as I continue taking in the scenery, that's all right. At least more people now know that I'm yours, right?

I think so, my love, he made sure that his shoulders weren't stiff so that I wouldn't feel strains on my neck, does it hurt?

Nope, it doesn't, I let out a tiny grin, and it'll be all right after awhile. It's not a big deal.

If you say so, my love. I thought I heard a little 'snuff' as if he blows his nose, How's work?

Not bad, I guess. Being able to meet new animals, and help them in every way, it's been an amazing experience. In fact, they weren't even scared at the fact that I'm a dhampire-werewolf! Either I am being too kind to them lately, or they have very good instincts about creatures like us. And as for the clan, all is good. Father introduced me to the members and they were very happy that I'm helping to strengthen the bonds between vampires and werewolves.

The both of us laughed. I know heads will turn in our direction from inside the house, but we didn't care. What about you?

Oh, you know the usual. We managed to get another thug behind bars. Did you know the gruesome murders he did? He kidnaps little girls and killed them, amputating them on the spot. I could have, and would have, killed him in the interrogation room, but I let the humans take him into justice instead, he rubbed his eye bags with his thumbs, soothing it, being an old habit of his. As for the pack, they seemed to be listening to my orders for now, maybe it's because they heard about my "heroic incident", the one about me saving you.

Well, that certainly reminds me of something I know.

I know, sweetheart, he wrapped his arms around me. Even though I don't really need it because now that the temperature of my blood is higher than of an average human, his presence certainly calms me of any pain and stress that could make me insane, even from the simple things that happened daily, I promise to take care of our daughter, and to protect you as well, till death. But since you're part dhampire, part werewolf that did ease some of the strains on my back.

We were enjoying in each other's presence, grasping hold of what we told each other, keeping it inside our hearts for a better memory, when we heard the sound of a wolf ululating. It was a call to meet, and it sounds urgent. Ryan lets go off me, before placing both hands on the balcony, closing his eyes while concentrating on listening towards the sounds, "Anne, it's time. They are calling out for our help," he turned to look back at me, before standing up straight yet again and reaching out his hand, a sign of invitation, "Shall we?"

"We shall," I reached out and grabbed his hand, before the both of us went back inside the house. It's time we grow up and do what we have been destined to do.

What we have been destined to do.