For notes and disclaimer, please see part one.

Final notes—This has been an incredible two years—and I never thought I'd be posting on the same story for that long. I want to thank each and every one of you for reading. It is with deep sadness that I leave these characters, and this cat, but I appreciate you taking the time to go on this journey, too.

Especially huge thanks to Cindy Ryan. Without her plot bunny, this story would've never existed. Two little words, I think, is all it really took: "What if..." and then *boom*, we have 60 chapters. A novel of a tale. So glad to know you, Cindy. So glad we've bounced into numerous fandoms together. To borrow from an earlier fandom… "What's next?" :)

Much love to you all, ~K

Here's a couple things you might need to know, or maybe you just forgot: Ellie and Casey finally get married.

Happily Ever After

It was hard to believe that it was all over. In two weeks' time, they'd jetted off, celebrating married life on a whirlwind trip through Spain before settling into the new digs in Chicago. Well, they were still unpacking.

Neatly organized boxes, with crisply written labels were still scattered about in the rooms where they were supposed to be. Only the couch and TV were fully set up in the living room, and the master bedroom was a decorated, completed oasis compared to the rest of the cardboard maze.

Downy loved it. She bounded over each and every stack, perusing her new home from exquisite heights. In fact, as Ellie and Casey slowly made their way through the boxes, removing the items and putting them away in their new home, Downy mournfully meowed, as her play-place slowly dwindled.

It was odd, not to see palm trees, but seeing Lake Michigan was strangely reminiscent of home… excepting for the fact that Ellie's internal compass was completely turned around. She was used to the water being on the left, not the right.

With the kitchen partially put together, Ellie flopped onto the couch. Casey wasn't far behind her, though he held two glasses of icy cold water.

"Will this place ever be done?" she lamented.

"In no time," he promised.

As he sat beside her, she adjusted, resting her head against his broad shoulder. "What do you think they're doing in LA right now?"

He glanced at his watch, mentally calculating the time difference. "Right now… Doing the same thing we are: thinking about the ones they miss."

"When's our first trip back to visit?"

Downy, not to be left alone, jumped from her perch onto the back of the couch before joining her owners properly, settling into Ellie's lap.

Ellie laughed. "I think Downy might like to meet the kitten cousins."

Casey couldn't help but agree as he petted the calico. "I was thinking we might need to go next month… Nobody throws Independence Day celebrations quite like the Queen Mary…"

"John, that sounds absolutely perfect," Ellie said, looking up at him.

Chuck stared at the blank television screen. "What do you think they're doing right now?"

Morgan huffed a sigh. "Having some awesome deep-dish pizza."

Alex shook her head. "It's far too early in the morning for that. Even in Chicago."

"But, don't you bet it's incredible? Chicago-style pizza… in Chicago? We so have to go. When we visit, that is," Morgan added.

"We should let them get settled, though, right? It'll help with the separation anxiety… if we aren't bouncing over there immediately. We should give them time," Chuck said.

Sarah could tell he was trying to convince himself more than he was trying to convince the others. Wordlessly, she stood, moving toward the kitchen for more coffee.

"But, we will go visit. At some point. And I'm sure they'll come here," Alex said with a nod.

"It's just that this apartment isn't the same, y'know?" Chuck said quietly. After all, they sat in what had originally been Ellie's apartment. She'd been the one to find the place, to fall in love with the hacienda-feel, the welcoming courtyard where they'd all spent so many hours, having wonderful memories.

Morgan nodded, placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "We'll be okay, Chuck."

When the doorbell rang, Chuck blinked. "Kinda early for visitors…"

Sarah emerged with her steaming mug. "I'll get it," she said, waving them off. While she crossed toward the door, the others turned to see who could possibly be gracing the door. When she opened it, however, there was no one standing there. Concern gripped her when she realized that whomever had been fast, as there was no one even in the courtyard at all. At the very least, if someone attempted to surprise them, she could use her hot coffee as a weapon.

What distracted all of them was the very soft sound, something that sounded an awful lot like—

Alex jumped to her feet. "Is that…?"

"No way…" Morgan stood as well, spotting what Sarah hadn't seen initially—the carriers on the stoop.

Chuck slowly made his way toward Sarah, as the sound rang out again.

The pet carriers were matching, though one was labeled "Walker/Bartowski" and the other "Coburn/Grimes." Inside were tiny, friendly balls of fur. Chuck carried them both inside, offering the appropriate one to Alex and Morgan.

Morgan held it while Alex immediately freed the little creature, a baby Persian. While Alex cooed over it, Morgan scratched her head. "What is it?"

Alex checked the collar and immediately laughed. "Her name is Starch."

Chuck lifted the occupant of the other carrier, a small tabby, entirely black. "Hey, there," he said to it.

The black cat peered at the one holding him curiously before spotting Sarah beside him. Immediately, the cat wriggled to get out of Chuck's hands and into Sarah's.

Sarah traded with Chuck, the cat for the coffee, holding the little dear securely. "And this," she said, "is Hamper."

"Who could've…?" Morgan began.

"Who else?" asked Chuck.

"I guess Casey and Ellie didn't want you… us… to be lonely without them," Sarah said.

The End.

…no really… this time it is… ~K