A/N: The title? Pun not intended, not even a little bit, haha. This isn't the end, though it may look like it. We have some unfinished business after all...You guys are awesome. Peace! :)

To The Hilt

Twenty One Years Ago

Kara walked into her bedroom after a hard day's training. She stripped and threw her sweaty, horrid smelling clothes onto the floor. She stifled a yawn with the back of a hand. Gods was she tired...

Hey.

Stephen who was in his room shot up from his nap.

Hnhh? Huh?

Kara laughed.

Aw, how sweet. You were asleep. Still, I'm sorry. Talk to you another time.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, leaning on his free hand.

You could have spoken to me during training.

This made Kara's face heat up.

Not about what I was thinking I couldn't.

Stephen was rather interested in what she meant.

Colour me intrigued. Alright, I'm coming over.

Kara stepped into the shower. A knock on her door caught her attention as she grabbed two towels. She opened the bathroom door and slipped inside before she gave her visitor the go ahead to come in. Stephen entered the room and stood before her bed. He heard her chuckle.

"You can sit down you know. The kettle's just boiled if you want some tea".

He picked up a mug, snorted and sat down, sighing as the mattress sank. He could just fall asleep again right now...

Kara popped her head around the door. This effectively ended his thoughts of sleeping. She rummaged around in the bag on her desk as carefully as she could, trying not to give him too much of a view.

Not yet anyway...

She grabbed a razor.

"What? Unless you want a yeti in bed, I need to shave".

This made his heart thud and throat dry up. Stephen had two thoughts...

Bed?

...Yeti?

He scoffed. "I bet you aren't that hairy now, come on. And, bed?"

Kara bit her lip. "Yeah", she smiled, "Yeah".

He was hesitant, understandably from her past experience with men.

"Are you sure? Really sure?"

Kara mmphed, and walked back into the shower. She lathered up and continued her shower, rinsing her body free of suds, before grabbing her shampoo bottle.

"It's just...it's up to you, okay? I won't do anything. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable".

She flushed. "Stop making me like you".

He laughed. "Alright. How can I make you hate me?"

The young woman washed the last of the soap out of her hair, making sure no soap entered her eyes. She wrung out her wet locks and moved around to the door. She took a breath, dropped the razor into the small bin by her sink and a brave step forward and placed her hand on the handle.

Stephen was just about to pour water in his mug when his girlfriend opened it, she heard a thud. Stephen had dropped his mug. His mouth hung open, he didn't know where to look. His girlfriend pointed at his expression.

"That might make me slightly annoyed at you, but, you'll have to try much harder if you think it will make me leave".

Stephen shook his head, managing to shut his mouth. The click of his jaw broke something in the room.

"Sorry, I just...Kara...".

She tilted her head. His gaze drifted from her face, lower and lower until he began turning a vibrant shade of red.

"Don't act innocent, you know damn well what that's doing to me". He stood up, on wobbly legs. Kara's hands shot out, and she grabbed his biceps.

"Breathe".

A minute quirk of his mouth and a mumble had her snickering.

"I'm trying".

His hands were mere inches from her hips, and he was beginning to lose his composure. Still, he did not wish to just jump her. That wasn't right, it wasn't in his nature.

No matter how much he wanted her, he'd wait...

Kara let go of one arm, and slid her hand down his other arm and into his hand.

"Its alright".

She gave him a firm nod.

If you want to walk away, I won't stop you, or get angry. I know I just sorta sprung this on you.

Stephen shook his head, before nodding a few times. Kara pulled his hand towards her, and pulled him into the bathroom.

"Are you nervous?"

"Yeah".

Kara sat next to him. "Want to tell me why?"

"Its just, you know, standard worries. I don't know your body yet. I don't want to do this and get it spectacularly wrong".

Kara huffed out a laugh and placed her other hand on his.

"You won't. I'll tell you what I like, show you. And I will tell you what I don't. You'd do the same, right? I'm worried I'll get it wrong too, but, there's only one way to find out, right?"

She noticed the blush steadily creeping up his neck. He was shy, and she found that adorable. She squeezed his hand.

"Well now"...she started...

I'm naked, but you're fully clothed. That's not very fair now, is it?

She threw him a towel for modesty sake, not wanting him to panic if he chose to undress, in case she didn't like what she saw.

Truth be told? She knew she would like it. She was like a giddy child, looking forward to a treat that had been kept from them for a while. They were allowed to look, but not touch, without permission. The woman stood and walked into the bathroom, letting the door close a little, before holding it ajar.

Kara was the second woman Stephen had been with his in life, about to be with, so he had knowledge of the act of sex, and knew the difference between that and lovemaking. He wasn't sure how Kara saw this, but, when he looked at her, she didn't look like a predator gazing upon prey hungrily. She looked at him with passion, keeping it hidden a little, shielded, not letting it out fully. She kept it in a cage, likely since Smoke. That cage had many locks and chains draped over it. For good reason, he knew.

But, for him? She was letting the chains fall, unlocking the cage door, letting her emotions be free, letting herself love and hope again. Stephen felt privileged at this, she was giving him everything, letting him see her for who she was. All her flaws were visible to the naked eye. He didn't believe she had any, but he knew she did. He respected her, but also, respectfully disagree with that.

Kara raised a brow, a mischievous grin on her face. That was replaced with wide eyes and an O forming on her lips when Stephen began yanking his robes off. He almost tripped over when pulling his pants off. Kara was hysterical now, beet red face, tears in her eyes, an aching stomach from laughing. He growled. She stopped laughing immediately.

"It'd help if you got in here alive Stephen. I don't like the cold, remember?"

"The irony isn't lost there Kara. And, trust me when I say this", he stood up, "You won't be cold for much longer".

Kara's heart thudded. There wasn't any way of scurrying into herself now. She didn't want too. Insecurities didn't belong here. Neither would be here, or even having got this far if they were not interested. She knew that. This gave her a huge confidence boost, helping her feel empowered, womanly. She could only hope Stephen felt empowered by her love for him.

And, he certainly did. No doubt in his mind. Nothing lingered there to cause him to panic or walk away.

"Hey, Slinky! Not zoning out on me, are you? Not that boring, am I?"

He smirked.

Follow me?

He rose to his feet and followed. He didn't need asking twice...

Over time, the couple tried to hide what they had, and they managed this for a year or so, before Sub-Zero and Jakal caught wind.

Instead of chiding her however, the two were happy for her. They had faith in Stephen, from the time they had spent with him, and his Father, they gleaned he was an honest, moral man. Kara was interested in the Payne family background, finding out Stephen was a contortionist, like his Mother, and his Father was a juggling extraordinaire.

Balance, flexibility and intense concentration run in the family huh...

And oh, how Kara laughed when her boyfriend blushed dark red with her words...

A giggling mess of a couple barged their way into Kara's home. Kara used her sense to avoid tripping over anything around her. She didn't stop kissing Stephen, keeping him close, feeling his body warmth. She eventually stopped and pulled away, cupping his face, breathing heavily.

"I'm getting a bath. I'd ask you to join me, but I don't think we'd both fit".

"What are you trying to say?"

She snickered, prodding his stomach.

"That I have a small bath, and it's barely big enough for me".

He tutted, crossing his arms.

"Hmm. And what can I do to get you to take a shower instead huh?"

Kara put her arms at her sides, waving them, willing him on.

"Give me a reason too".

He did. He ran upstairs and grabbed a towel, wrapping that around his waist after he stripped.

Kara undressed, throwing her clothing all over the loving room. She kept on what she had underneath, and put on tall black heels. She giggled as she tripped, regaining her balance quickly. Her thoughts were now on looking graceful.

Sexy even? She'd damn well give it a go.

She saw Stephen leaning against the wall outside the bathroom, looking at his nails impatiently. He stopped upon looking at his girlfriend. She wore a black lace number, and his favourite heels. His eyes darkened, pupils growing wide.

"We're done".

He scooped her up, kicked open the bathroom door and marched inside.

Christmas found the pair in Johnny and Sonya's house, alongside their little girl, Cassandra. Kenshi and Suchin had come too with their son Takeda. Sonya's lifelong friend Jax was there too, with his wife and daughter Jacqueline. Little Takeda and Jacqui were sleeping, but Cassie couldn't, so she stayed in the room, in her Mother's arms. Johnny was a little tipsy at this point, and asking quite a few inappropriate questions. Kara was tipsy too, and Snake thoroughly drunk, so they decided to humor him.

"Kara?"

She perked up.

"Describe Stephen". Sonya stared at her husband, unhappy at the topic shift. She walked off, Cassie in her arms shaking her head all the way out of the room. Kara's tipsy state did not stop her worrying, though it did slow the process down.

Hey. You okay Son?

Sonya looked over her shoulder and nodded.

"I'm off to bed, need to put Casandra down too. Thanks for coming guys. Sorry I'm cutting it short".

Everyone waved their hands, they did not mind. The clock chimed. Eleven in the evening. Some of the gang were thinking of leaving soon too, growing weary.

Kara remembered the question and mused.

"Amusing".

Stephen nodded. "Pedantic".

She smirked. "Touche".

"Impulsive"

"Effervescent".

Stephen oohed. "Ooh, good word. Hmm...realist".

"True. A little pessimistic too".

He agreed there, much to her amusement.

"Vexatious".

Kara feigned offence., mouth agape, hands up.

"Ouch! Someone's been knee-deep in a dictionary...". She paused, index finger near her mouth.

"Fast learner".

Their rapport created laughter in the room, before they all had to shush each other. None wanted to wake the babies, no matter how inebriated they were, or how fun the evening had been.

"That's two words. I call foul. However, I reciprocate ".

"You do. Well now. Hate to be a party pooper but I am thoroughly knackered and, not going to lie, fairly drunk". She walked over to Johnny and hugged him. In his drunken stupor bear hugged her. She squealed as his hold tightened.

"Eh, you big oaf. I'm being friendly, no need to squish me".

He let go and laughed. Kara covered his mouth, eyes wide, expression cross.

"Shush! Babies upstairs, yeah?" She pointed up for effect. She had no idea why she did. "Okay, I'm feeling slightly out of it now". The alcohol she'd consumed was getting to her. She felt warm and happy, though confused. "Thanks for having us. Tonight was wonderful. Really needed it, you know Take care Johnny. I mean it. You're a great guy and a fantastic Father, but I think you forget about yourself sometimes".

Stephen cooed. "Aww. Where'd that come from? Little impassioned speech there. See", he boasted, "smart as well as gorgeous. I'm a lucky man".

Jax piped up. "You'll be a dead man if you harm her".

Johnny tried to sound angry, but it came out half-hearted.

"Jax, hey. It's all good. Steve's alright".

Kara snorted. Stephen coughed.

"Hey", his tone grew worried, "I'm not here to hurt Kara. I don't want to make a mockery of her. She isn't a joke to me". He looked his girlfriend's way and saw her misty eyed. "I know she means a lot to you guys. She does to me too. I promise I won't do anything to harm her, or put her in harms way. If I do, rest assured you can kick my ass to the Netherrealm and back again".

Jax nodded, smacking him over the shoulder. The younger, much slimmer man winced, but masked it quickly.

"I know man. I was just teasing ya. We'd better get going too. Thanks again Johnny. Try and get up the stairs without waking the entire neighborhood, eh?"

Snorted, quietened down giggles came from his friends. Kenshi followed Jax as cautiously as he could up the stairs to the room where their children slept. He didn't know the layout of the home too well yet, and didn't wish to cause a racket because of his slowed down abilities.

This was why he rarely drank. He knew the effect it had on telepaths. He saw it in Kara too. Their powers slowed to a crawl if really drunk, and they could no longer 'see' their way out of their alcoholic haze.

Because he didn't drink often, when he did, it could hit him rather fast, causing him to have to stop and calculate the world around him instead of being bold, and a little brazen.

Kara stifled a yawn and walked past him.

"I can just about read the words on that bottle of whisky, let alone someone's mind".

The swordsman laughed. "It's good to see you well Kara. You deserve to be happy".

His friend blushed, rubbing the back of her head.

"Thank you". She looked at Suchin and Takeda. "So do you".

Stephen put his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder as they headed to the door.

"Take care everyone".

The pair waved. Kara felt herself sag against him as weariness set it.

"Bye!"

They left into the cold night, the brusque wind making them hurry to get home.

Present day

Kara woke up, who knew what time, though, this time, the sky was it's usual blue.

Morning.

She stretched, contemplating prior events. The shit had well and truly hit the fan, and although not religious, she could only pray to the Gods that Cassie and her team were able enough to defeat Shinnok. Somehow, she believed they were, and hoped, with all of her heart that she was right.

So, when she heard familiar voices, and sat up, a smile graced her face, elation swept through her. She ran outside, bumping into her Mother.

"Sorry Mom. Is everything okay? It is over?"

Tiama nodded, looking over at Cassie and her team, with Johnny and Sonya hobbling in tow.

"It is Kara. It is".