Hey people. Sorry this took me so long, and sorry to wrap it up so quickly. It's just been open-ended for WAY too long, and I'm afraid if I don't finish now, I never will.

"Papa really isn't coming back, is he?" Mila asked. She took the wet toilet paper and threw it into the trashcan. Kyle shook his head.

"Sorry," he said quietly. "I have an idea, but I'd rather not tell you. Let's just get out of here and figure out…"

Mila finished Kyle's sentence with, "the rest of our lives."

Kyle looked down at his suitcase and stared. The idea of life somehow continuing hit him pretty hard, and he didn't say anything as he got their things together and closed up the room.

"Will you be here?" Mila asked.

"Huh?"

"Will you be here, Mr. Hyde? Will you be here with me?"

"Erm…" Kyle gazed into the girl's eyes. She looked desperate. So desperate. Her soul craved comfort, but could he supply?

"Mila, I…"

The salesman was unable to speak. His thoughts were sporadic, and there were no proper words to convey his feelings. Mila swallowed hard and continued to look up at him.

"We need to go," Kyle said quietly. She nodded and followed him out of their room.

They checked out of the motel and headed to Kyle's car. It was another dry day, of course. Mila walked across the small parking lot looking at her feet. Kyle wanted to help, but he wasn't sure how. He couldn't get too close. If they palled around together much longer, he was afraid that he might fall in love with her, if he hadn't already.

"Where will we go?" Mila asked.

"L.A., I guess. Is that alright with ya?"

"Yes." She nodded and got into the car.

Kyle had a cigarette before they left. He tossed the butt onto the gravel and slammed the car door shut. He looked at Mila. She was staring out of the window, gazing at the motel.

"What're you thinking?" Kyle asked.

Mila stayed focused outside and quietly said, "I don't know."

"You're afraid?"

"Yes."

"It's okay."

Kyle put his hand on her shoulder and patted her gently. Mila smiled. She turned to the ex-detective and closed her eyes happily.

"I'm glad I came with you," she admitted. Kyle was losing a battle with his smile.

"Me, too," he quietly agreed.

It kind of felt like Kyle Hyde was disappearing. He was being transformed into some sort of sappy wuss. But then again, his whole personality had gone down the shitter after he shot Bradley. Maybe rebuilding from the ground up would be the best thing to do. How do you change like that? It's a gradual progression, but life just moves on its own sometimes.

"I have an idea," Kyle said suddenly. "Stay here."

He jumped out of the car and went back to the motel. Mila watched him as he went to the only payphone.

"Hey," Kyle said into the receiver.

"Hi sweetie. Didn't think I'd hear from you for a while. Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Listen, do you think you could set aside some space in your apartment for me?"

"For you? Kyle, we've talked about this. I don't want you living with me."

"No, no. It's not for me. A girl."

"A girl?"

"The Evans girl. She's with me, and I don't want her bunking with me."

"Ohh, I see. Alright, handsome. I'll see what I can do. When will you be here?"

"A day, I guess. Thanks Rachel."

He hung up the phone quickly and glanced at his car. Mila was staring at him, almost eerily. He smiled sheepishly and came back to her.

"I got a place for you to stay," he said as he sat back down.

"Where?"

"A good friend of mine. She'll take care of you."

"Ohh…" Mila looked down.

"What? You want to stay with me?"

The girl nodded solemnly. Kyle sighed. I can't have her with me, he thought. But, well…

Kyle put his arm around Mila's shoulders.

"Hey," he said softly. "Look here."

Mila turned to him and stared with wide, innocent eyes. Kyle cupped his palms around her cheeks and held her like that for a moment. Mila made a little smile.

"I'm not going anywhere," Kyle reassured her. "Rachel is a nice woman, and you'll love being with her. I'll see you all the time."

"Sure?" Mila asked. Kyle nodded.

"I won't disappear. Not like your papa."

"…sure?"

"Yes," Kyle said, feeling a little miffed.

Mila reached up and placed her hands over Kyle's, keeping them around her face. She closed her eyes and smiled.

"I can feel your heartbeat," she said. "It's soft."

"Yeah, alright," Kyle said. He wanted to roll his eyes, but his tolerated it anyway. "Mila?"

"Mr. Hyde?"

"Kyle. Please call me Kyle."

"…Kyle?"

Kyle pressed his nose against Mila's. He smiled as he felt her gentle breath against him.

"I'll take care of you," the salesman said. "I'll always be here."

Mila was nervous but happy. Kyle looked at her eyes, still closed, and he did the same. He pulled her face to his and kissed her delicately on the lips.

Her first kiss, I'm sure.

"Mila?" Kyle whispered after he backed off a little. The girl's face was bright red. "Is this okay?"

"Yes," Mila peeped. "Kyle?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I uh, love you, too…"