TWELVE

FINALE

PART I

"Wake up like a quarter to twelve / Hoping that today I'll be someone else / So dumb how I talk to myself / This is hell on earth but I can turn it into heaven / What makes me mad, All of the lost time / Only left here to realize / What makes me mad; Can't open up my eyes / Just when I think it's over / Just when I think I've lost my mind / I'm in field of clovers / I'm running forward back to life / Went a little crazy yesterday, Everybody saw, but it's okay / Swimming in a river of my feels / Looking in the mirror, like what's the deal? / Now, now, no matter what the doctor's offered me / Gonna shake that dark cloud off of me / Finally know how fast I gotta run / Now I'mma move for my kingdom come / Always on the move for a rainy day / Needed to change..." -Jojo

-X-

"Better run when you hear the sirens coming / 'Cause they will be coming for you / Run when you hear the sirens coming / Better run when you hear the sirens coming / When you hear the sirens coming; the blue lights are coming for you / I wanna turn those blue lights / what have you done? / Into strobe lights / There's no need to run / Not blue lights flashing lights / If you've done nothing wrong / Maybe fairy lights / Blue lights should just pass you by." -Jorja Smith

She was the one where you wished there could be happy ending for.

Through all the struggles + the bullshit there just had to be a point where you realized enough was enough, right?

The faint aroma of meat could be smelled all the way from Korinna's rental room. Her eyes pulled open taking some time to get adjusted to the slight brightness that poured behind her from the blinds. The hand that still had an IV embedded within reached outwards to grab onto her phone and check the time: 12:01 pm. This was the first time that Korinna had ever slept in this late before in her life. Under the recent circumstances her body granted her the chance to sleep in longer, surprisingly. Shuffling around and resting on her back she stared up at the white ceiling, how clean and undamaged it looked. Must be nice to have on a daily. As Robert Frost would say Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Sighing Korinna pushed herself upwards into a sitting position, immediately waiting for the rush of nausea to hit but felt nothing. 'That's a good sign,' Korinna thought to herself and moved to stand on her feet just as Dr. Woon entered the room. Korinna blinked a few times realizing that her vision was also still in tact. Stretching she pulled on her glasses just as Dr. Woon made his way over to her.

"Well good morning, cupcake." Dr. Woon greeted, with his commercialized smile.

Korinna rolled her eyes with a slight smile, "Good morning, sugar baby."

Dr. Woon gave a sarcastic laugh in return as he reached outwards to gently rest his hands on Korinna's shoulders, causing the sixteen year old to take a seat on the edge of the bed. "Alright let's see what we're working with on this early afternoon."

"Sheesh no breakfast in bed? You won't even let me wash my ass first before you start examining me." Korinna complained as the man began the usual check up, pressing along her face and feeling around the area of her skull.

Dr. Woon snorted, "You should be thanking me. Plus I have something better than breakfast in bed."

Korinna raised an eyebrow at that while Dr. Woon quickly flashed a light into her pupils, finding himself pleased that the teen hadn't flinched this time around. Dr. Woon nodded his head in content and stepped back, "Alright let's get you out of this depressing room."

Korinna remained still as Dr. Woon pulled the IV out and held his arm out for Korinna, if needed as he led the two out of her room. As the two moved further down the dim clean hallway, they appeared closer to the smell. The two made it to the staircases Korinna easily trying to pick up spend down the steps, "Come on grandpa can we go any slower?"

"Patience. You may seem fine but that doesn't mean you're in the clear internally." Dr. Woon sternly replied.

With a roll of her eyes Korinna allowed Dr. Woon to continue helping her down the steps. Swinging right towards the kitchen Korinna easily picked up on her grandmother's dark hair that waved at the middle and her raspy voice. It was the sound of laughter that caught Korinna off guard. Dr. Woon carefully let go of Korinna stepping back to sit at one of the velvet chair's across from the kitchen.

Just as her Yaya began to speak once more she stopped her instructions to glance over her shoulder, "O paidí mou eíste teliká xýpnioi Nómiza óti eprókeito na koimoúntai óli tin iméra." (oh my child you're finally awake I thought you were going to sleep all day.)

When she didn't receive a response from her grandchild she tapped the person beside her on the shoulder and pointed, "I think she's waiting for you to turn around, oraiótatos." (darling)

Licking his lips he turned the stove off, then took the spatula to lift the loukaniko and place it to the side. Once satisfied with how the food looked on the counter, he wiped his hands clean then moved to pull the apron off. If you were Korinna in this moment I'm sure you would be just as impatient as she was. While the figure did all of this Korinna slowly made her way around the island to see no other than Carl Gallagher dressed in his uniform (which consisted of a black button up blazer with some pins attached to it, gray slacks, and shiny dress shoes) smiling up at Korinna's yaya. "Thanks for your help."

"Oh you're welcome, oraiótatos." Yaya cooed now holding the apron and patted his cheeks.

Carl finally turned around to face Korinna. All Korinna could see was his uniform and a smirk on his round lips. There was no way that Korinna knew that Carl would just show up here, it was a surprise to her but she knew she was happy to see him. Carl didn't have much time to take in Korinna's appearance besides catching her bad bed-hair and the darker bags underneath her eyes that looked painful. However she still looked just as good as the day he left her, she quickly walked over to him with her arms held out to make their bodies instantly collide. Carl let out a breath one arm wrapping around the small of her back and the other rubbed the middle. Carl picked up on how tight Korinna hugged him but he didn't mind and brushed it off as the two desperately needing to be near one another. It was harder than Carl expected, being away from Korinna like this again but his future relied on it. If Carl continued staying on the south side he might just end up back in juvie or jail and that's not something Carl wanted. He was fifteen and focused on defining his future and this girl in his arms was a huge part of it.

He hated to leave just when he got Korinna back but she was nonetheless supportive and if that didn't say anything about her, then Carl didn't know what to tell you. Carl squeezed back just as tight, needing this hug for a number of reasons. When Korinna decided to step-back, Carl kept a hand on one of her hips as Korinna stared up at his head, "I was thinking you'd be bald as an egg right about now like when you were nine." Earning a few laughs from the people in the room.

Carl shrugged his shoulders, "The barb cut a few inches. I mostly keep it brushed back to create an illusion so it looks shorter, don't think I'd just let anyone mess with my hair Ren. That shit's important."

Breathing out a laugh Korinna shook her head as Carl interlaced their fingers, "You cooked for me?"

"Yeah your yaya taught me how to make the sausages or lou- whatever she called them earlier. All the other stuff, the omelette, bacon, and fruit salad was all me." Carl kept his gaze on the side of Korinna's face as she eyed the food on the counter.

Carl reached out with one hand to grab the plate and nudged his head, "Sit."

At this point Korinna circled around the island ignoring the stares of her yaya and Eric's. Carl gently placed the plate over the sink and onto the island in front of Korinna. She picked up the fork eyeing the food as her stomach began to rumble, "If there's cricket legs or something like that in my eggs that's your ass, Carl."

Carl's lips held amusement as he rested his hands on the edge of the sink, "It's nothing like that in there. I promise. Want to try this new juice I got from whole foods? There's one left. Everybody else at the house had mixed reviews about it but it was free so why not?"

Sliding the bottle filled with orange liquid towards his girlfriend Carl watched as Korinna chewed and stared at the bottle. "How long have you been here?"

"Just got in this morning." Carl replied, moving to sit down on one of the chair's at the island.

Korinna hummed at that, stabbing at the fruit next.

"Christmas isn't for another few weeks, dummy." Korinna teased chewing her food.

Carl playfully scowled, "I know..."

Korinna placed her fork down as she began to unscrew the bottle, "Don't tell me...you came back just to tell me that the army actually knows about the aliens."

"I wish that were the case," Carl muttered a smile written on his lips before he sighed making the room tense, "Monica died."

That put a bad taste in Korinna's mouth along with the pineapple lemon cayenne probiotic water. It was like there were a ringing in Korinna's ears and the playful energy she had sorta dimmed at hearing this news. Immediately placing the bottle down Korinna placed her hand on top of Carl's knowing how he felt. Although Monica wasn't the best mother Korinna could still tell that it bothered Carl, based on his facial expression.

'Fuck,' Korinna thought to herself thinking that she just saw the woman a day or two ago. She seemed fine and her usual self. It was weird. Carl squeezed her hand back thanking Korinna silently. The two remained in silence, Korinna now noticing that Yaya Rokos and Eric Woon had stepped out onto the balcony. Korinna asked two questions: how she died? and if Carl was okay? After that the two remained quiet with Korinna returning back to her plate but not once did she let go of Carl's hand.

It felt like hours with the two spending time together. They had spent majority of their time in the living room watching shows on Netflix on television but paid more attention to each other. Their conversations went from Carl's time at military school and how undecided he was on what branch he wanted to devote himself into. Korinna kept her attention mostly on what Carl was up to and the insane hazing stories that happened to others there and how no one really bothered to mess with him. After feeling like everything was too focused on him Carl turned the direction of the conversation around.

With his head resting in Korinna's lap he shifted his head, "Enough about me. What have you been up to? I feel like I cut everything off since I've been away."

Korinna sucked in her lips, her eyes on the television that played the horror movie black Christmas; debating if she should say anything. There was a whole list of things Korinna wanted to be honest with Carl about but she didn't know what the cost would entail if she did. Glancing around her to make sure that her Yaya and Eric weren't in ear range Korinna adjusted her eyes to the lionhearted boy laying against her. Carl blinked, a small frown starting to appear as he tried to figure out what would be coming out of Korinna's mouth.

Swallowing Korinna whispered, "Can you teach me how to use a gun?"

Carl had never sat up so fast before in his life. It almost gave him whiplash. He swung his body around placing his feet on the shaggy rug and turned to face the girl beside him, "Why?"

"Really? You're gonna ask me why?" Korinna glared.

Carl bit down on his bottom lip nodding his head, "You bet your ass I am. Why do you need me to teach you that? You'd never wanted to know before so why now? Somethin' going on you'd tell me, right?"

"Nothing's going on. This is just like that time you taught me how to use a taser and I taught you how to use the blow torch and we were what? Nine and ten come on Carl, why are you making this such a big deal?" Korinna challenged.

Carl licked his lips, "Have you asked the Gimello's or better yet your Yaya?"

"Why the hell would I ask them? You know what their answer would be."

"Then why don't you give me a reason why I should if there's nothing going on with you?" Carl tried to bargain, his eyes in slits as he grilled Korinna.

Korinna could deal with competition well and leaned her elbows on thighs glaring at Carl, "The reason is you're my boyfriend and as a good boyfriend you should teach me how to shoot a stupid gun. If you don't well...I'll just dump you and find another way."

"A good boyfriend?" Carl smirked, "If you were a good girlfriend that's what you'd be. Good. Don't get mixed up in that shit, Ren. Plus you're not goin' anywhere unless I say so."

Korinna laughed in disbelief throwing her head back before meeting Carl's playful eyes, "Who do you think you're talking to Francis?"

With his pointer finger he tapped Korinna's nose, "You Olivia."

Korinna shrugged her shoulders, "Alright."

Carl frowned at that knowing that Korinna wasn't the type to just give up so easily. She leaned forwards feeling underneath Carl's uniform, "Are you trying to offer me sex right now?"

"No you idiot. I know you have something on you." Korinna denied but felt Carl quickly grab onto her wrists and shove her back against the couch, her hair sprawled out around her on the cushions.

Panting Korinna stared up at Carl who towered over her with a smirk, "Tell me why and I might just think about it."

Flipping them over Korinna sat on Carl's hips, "I'll give you a gift if you do. I owe you since you gave me this dagger necklace that I now never take off."

Carl allowed his eyes drift to Korinna's chest tapping the necklace that dangled in between them, "What? Like get my name tatted on you?"

"Don't be stupid." Korinna muttered making Carl snort.

"Fine." Carl sighed making Korinna smile at him with teeth and all.

Korinna sat back pulling Carl up with her as he said, "I don't know if I should be worried or turned on that you're this excited to be shooting a gun."

Whacking him with a near by pillow the two let out a small laugh. Soon the two headed upstairs (with wandering eyes of course!) for Korinna to get dressed from her lounge around clothes to her proper winter clothing. Carl sat on her white modern comfy bed touching the small objects in her room. It was weird watching Korinna live like this, nice but weird.

"Yo Ren what do you think about me getting jacked off by some guys for money?" Carl questioned.

Korinna instantaneously made her back into the room with her head tilted to the side, "Why?"

Carl eyes held amusement taking in Korinna's tense stance, "I was talking about it with Kev and Ian at breakfast this morning. Did you know Kev's stripping at a gay club now?"

"What?"

"Yeah... Mickey's baby mama Svetlana, stole the bar right underneath Kev and V's nose so he's stripping now." Carl informed.

"But how?"

"I dunno think they were all in a relationship together and she tricked them into believing she truly loved them and stole the bar- some shit I don't know. Fiona was talking about it and V was pissed." Carl continued playing with Korinna's phone.

Korinna pushed her glasses further up her nose after pulling a hat over her head, "Shit. That's the scam of the year."

"Question why is this crimson chin asshole texting you?" Carl pointed at Korinna's phone.

Korinna yawned, "Who?"

"Ethan Dolan." Carl pronounced as he read the name.

"He's my friend?" Korinna answered.

"Okay." Carl dismissed locking her phone and got to his feet to shove the device into her back jean pocket, obviously to get a feel of her ass. "No one should be that concerned about you except me."

"You right." Korinna agreed, pecking Carl's chin before interlocking their hands and turned to leave the room.

As they left the room Carl asked again, "So how would you feel about the whole guy jacking me off for money thing?"

"How would you feel if we had a polyandry relationship with Ethan?"

"A what?"

"A relationship like Kev, V, and Svetlana had. Except that's called polygamy since Kev's the only male in the marriage with two women."

"So what's the definition of poly...andry?" Carl sounded out the word.

Korinna smiled, "Basically you and I'd get married to Ethan."

"Oh fuck that I'm not letting that crimson chin asshole touch you. Nope. I don't share." Carl interjected, taking the lead down the hallway now tugging on Korinna's hand; who laughed at his reaction.

"So just that we're clear that's a no right? Kev and Ian said you get mad money and if we're getting married...someday then I need to start saving up." Carl asked again after some silence, checking over his shoulder at Korinna whose eyes held love but lips held a scowl.

Korinna boldly latched onto Carl's face making sure his eyes were meeting her's, "I'm all here for stripping but that's prostitution or escorting. That's a different story. Don't even think about it, is what I'm saying to you, focus on military school for now, okay?"

"Sure thing baby girl." Carl smirked liking the dominance.

xxx

Damn, Carl felt like he was being a push-over when it came to the girl's that he loved. Somehow he didn't mind if he knew it would make them happy. Carl hadn't talked much to his family since he went to military school and knew they were all deep into their own shit, so he didn't know the latest with Korinna. All he knew after cooking breakfast at his house for his family that he went by to see Nicky and Vito. Nicky wasn't too fond of Carl after he brought Dom around when Korinna was in the hospital but Vito was more understanding. It also seemed that their new sister seemed to be getting along well with the Italian men. When he went by Carl knew they were into something and it wasn't no family gathering either. All sorts of people we inside of the condo the house reeking of weed and probably the making of bullets but Carl wasn't too sure. It would explain why Korinna was not staying with the brother's at the moment.

Vito sent him away with the information he needed along with Jovanna, Carl learned, introduced herself and pointed out why Korinna had chose him. Heading downtown out of the hood, Carl paid the price to take the train to where Korinna would be. Carl still didn't have any answers and wanted to know why Korinna's grandmother was really here. Carl didn't know too much about Dimitri's mother since she was never around, in fact neither of the two's grandparents were around much kinda ironic since their actual parents couldn't do the job. However at least one of Korinna's grandparents decided to look after her. Carl just wanted to be a part of Korinna's life not only the good but the bad as well, shit, he's been around long enough to handle the bad. This Korinna was a new one but still looked like her. She smiled a bit more, maybe because she got what she wanted from Carl - which was him teaching her how to shoot. So with permission, that was strange to say, from Korinna's yaya's forty year old boyfriend he gave the okay which was weird since her grandmother wasn't keen on it.

If Carl wanted answers and wasn't getting it from Korinna then he'd get it from her Yaya or her doctor boyfriend. Carl and Korinna explored downtown Chicago before heading back to the south side where they chilled in an empty lot. Carl taught Korinna all that he knew and that it wasn't just about picking something up and firing it, that you had to have respect for the deadly weapon. Korinna didn't care about all of that, she just wanted to make sure the job would get done - little did Carl know. Of course the lesson was filled with determination and a little bit of flirting and Korinna was a good student. She picked up well. Carl figured now was the time to stop since there could be cops swarming around and suggested they go back to his house. Although Korinna preferred to stay she tells Carl that she'll catch up with him later, saying that he should go spend time with his family. With a kiss to her forehead Carl makes sure that Korinna promises that she'll stop by later and takes his leave.

Carl was right about cops swarming around as she re-located, a few cops stopping to question if she saw any "suspicious activity," which she denied that she had and continued on her way. Stopping at another lot filled with a few junkies as soon as they saw Korinna pull out her gun they quickly left the scene for the girl to do her business. Spreading her legs evenly, Korinna held the pistol in both of her hands, with one finger on the trigger and her eyes leveled with her target, she fired.

Blowing out a breath that swirled into the winter air Korinna did a little dance to see that it did indeed hit her target. Smiling she picked up an old liquor bottle to place on top of the bullet infused trash can and returned back to her spot. Korinna got into position firing twice since she missed the first time. Since she hadn't had enough time to realize a car riding by, she heard and felt the sirens behind her. Sighing she put the safety lock on and shoved it in the front of her jeans and swiftly turned to face the car. It was no other than Officer Winslow, Dominique's father approaching her with a smug smile on his face.

"Korinna Rokos. Carl's new girlfriend right?" Officer Winslow addressed the small teen that boldy stared up at him.

Korinna crossed her arms, "Mr. Winslow-"

"Officer Winslow." The brown-skinned man corrected.

Korinna pursed her lips as the man circled around her. "What are you doing out here alone? Shouldn't you be, I don't know with your so called family?"

"You know I was just on my way to them." Korinna kept her eyes straight until the man moved to stand before her again.

Officer Winslow looked her over, "Uh huh likely story. Do you want to explain to me why you're out here firing bullets like it's nobody's business or should I just arrest you now?"

Korinna raised her hands up in the air for the man to see, "I'll keep my hands up right here while we're talking just in case you get trigger happy. But I don't recall shooting any bullets."

"Really? I just saw you firing when I was scouting the area are you telling me I'm seeing shit, kid?" Officer Winslow got close on the teen.

Korinna kept her hands and chin raised, "I don't know I wasn't at your last eye-exam but you could say anything. Anything to make me look like a crook, that's what you swine's do right?"

Officer Winslow chuckled, "I see what this is...this little tough girl act isn't flying with me kid. I have probable cause to frisk you right now based on what I just saw you do. It looks like to me you're the one that's a little trigger happy."

"And I'll file a report for sexual harassment. I'm not doing anything Officer, I was just roaming the streets trying to get back to my family but yet you're harassing me for something I didn't do." Korinna said watching as the Officer laughed once more.

Officer Winslow shook his head, "Unbelievable! So if I go over to that broken bottle and inspect that area I won't find any bullets?"

"I don't know what you'll find."

"Did you hear those shootings, five minutes ago?"

"It's Chicago. There's always shootings, doesn't mean you need to stop a random teen just because you felt like it." Korinna argued.

Officer Winslow stopped in his tracks and anazlyed the bi-racial teen before him. Taking a deep breath he peered over at Korinna with wide eyes, "My ex-wife gave me some information. Said she had a client that came from a troubled home life, lost her mother to drugs and the streets, two of her brother's were dead, one was in jail and still wasn't right when he got out, and was brought back to a whole new world by her father and his new family where she had it made. Yet she wasn't grateful enough for it. Also said her father started randomly cancelling appointments just to find that she was no longer in the country. And she told me that her client wasn't that old, a teen on the verge of having multiple personality disorder. Now I wonder where that teen could be? If that could make a person involve themselves into criminal activity, what do you think?"

Korinna felt her hands falter a bit as she started to piece two and two together. Officer Winslow knew and her old therapist in Skiathos must have been his ex-wife. Korinna felt her vision becoming double again but she kept her composure. Gulping she shifted her eyes back to Officer Winslow's threatening eyes, "There's no telling what her client might do but she shouldn't be judged for her faults."

"You're right," Officer Winslow hummed staring at the ground briefly before crouching to meet Korinna's dark eyes, "The crime rate in Greece is generally moderate. I heard there was a girl that was paid off to not spill any secrets that happened between her and this problematic girl. I also wonder what would happen if I ever came across this girl, would I ruin her life like she's done others or just let her slip away?"

"Is there something you want to tell me Officer Winslow, you seem a little-"

"Enough of the bullshit!" The man roared causing Korinna's eyes to widen but she didn't flinch at his tone, "I can see the gun hanging against your damn hipbone! I am a Officer. You cannot fool me, this is my job! Did you honestly think I would just let you continue on after you laid hands on my daughter?"

Moving from one foot to the other Korinna held a ghost of a smirk on her lips as she tilted her head to stare into the man's face, "I'm sorry Officer but all that other stuff previously that you've said has nothing to do with me. I have done nothing wrong. Yes I may have hit your daughter and I regret that truly and hey you can tell her that but if you're not going to arrest me I have things to do: like living the rest of my life."

When Officer Winslow didn't act in response, Korinna took that as her cue to leave. Officer Winslow stared at her in shock before laughing and pinching the bridge of his nose. Calling out to the teen he yelled, "I got you right where I want you, Rokos! You're shook aren't you?! Watch your back!"

His words only made Korinna pick up speed and she thought to herself, 'No you should watch yours.'

The man would let Korinna go for now but next time, if there was a next time; he wouldn't.

A/N: Because I didn't feel like being extra like my previous two stories and writing a long finale. DON'T WORRY THIS ISN'T IT LOL! So I'll divide it into pieces, in this part I really wanted this one to be out so you can all channel in on the drastic change of my girl Korinna Rokos. Carlinna is back in the house people! Carl shouldn't have taught Korinna how to handle a gun, especially if he doesn't know what's going on with her but don't you worry, all secrets come to light as Dom's dad just revealed. Fun fact! If you don't remember in Been That Way I had named Korinna's therapist Dr. Winslow without knowing there would be a character with that surname. I thought that was cool to throw that little plot twist in plus more drama ;p

I really wanted this piece out for you all to see what is becoming of Korinna. It's scary. So we just figured out that she has DID also called multiple personality disorder which she was unaware of. That's part of what's really going on with her and would explain a lot when it comes down to her symptoms. Do you think Officer Winslow will try to take Korinna down or let her go for good? What are the Gimello's planning now that Jo knows that Korinna has plans to take down the luh's kids with or without them?

So much more to come. Hopefully I'll write a little more again tonight (it's 3 a.m.) and post. I'm really hoping to have this finished before Christmas but I also don't want this to end :(

BTW the finale was refreshing js. Sorry for the spoilers, "h!" lol.

Now I'm gonna go eat waffles and sleep because I'm your local fat ass! :D

Goodnight / Morning!

Thoughts?

-ALES