This is the last chapter, thanks so much to everyone who read and reviewed. Sorry it took so long to finish!
Jack met Gwen back in her office. They had apprehended Will, and FIA agents had taken him into the city.
"I guess you are officially done here in Flowerbud," Gwen sighed. Jack looked up at her. He hadn't thought of that's the case was solved, and officially there was no reason for him to be here.
"Yeah I guess I am," Jack sighed.
"So where do you go from here?" Gwen asked. He looked up at her. He could see concern in her eyes and knew she was thinking of Lyla.
"I dunno, I was thinking it might be time for a change," Jack replied. Gwen looked at him curious.
"Meaning?" She asked.
"Meaning the city is getting kinda boring," Jack answered wryly. Gwen smiled.
"In other words the city doesn't have Lyla?" Gwen teased lightly.
"That could be part of it," Jack answered.
"I never thought I would see the day where a woman would get the better of you, Jack," Gwen laughed.
"She's quite a woman," Jack replied.
"That she is," Gwen sighed.
Lyla wiped down her counter for the fifth time that day. She couldn't help but feel nervous. Gwen had called and told her about the events of the previous night. The case had been solved. She knew what that meant. Jack would be leaving. She had thought that she had prepared herself for this, but it hurt more than she wanted to admit. She had fallen for him. She struggled against tears.
"That look doesn't suit you pretty lady," Jack said. She looked up. He was standing casually in her doorway. She was swept away with how handsome he looked.
"Jack," Lyla sighed. She steeled herself for the news of him going back into the city. She was strong, she could handle this. Jack sauntered over to her. He pulled her into an embrace.
"I like it much better when you smile," Jack said. Lyla didn't look up at him. This was only making it harder for her.
"Jack, I know you are probably going to leave now," Lyla whispered. "Please don't make this harder on me." With that said a tear fell from her eyes.
"Don't cry, pretty lady," Jack replied. "I'm not going anywhere."
"What?" Lyla asked. She was not sure she heard him right.
"I don't deserve you," Jack growled. "But if you'll have me, I'd like to stay." Lyla looked up at him smiling.
"Oh Jack!" She cried out. She wrapped her arms round his neck. Tears flowed freely now.
"Don't cry," Jack pleaded.
"I'm crying because I'm happy!" Lyla laughed. She lifted her face up and kissed him. Joy filled her heart.
Rachel walked arm in arm with Sanjay through the gardens of the palace. She was happier than she had ever been. She stared up at Sanjay's handsome face. While she loved being in the gardens, she found herself missing Echo Town.
"What is it?" Sanjay asked.
"I want to go back to Echo Town," Rachel said. "I miss it there." It had been the first place she truly felt at home.
"Then I shall make arrangements for us to go back," Sanjay replied happily. Rachel leaned over and kissed him. Her heart was full. She loved this man. She knew it now. Her heart was free to love him.
Several months later...
Rachel sat in the courtroom awaiting the verdict in Will Regison's trial. She had been the star witness. It had been rough on her, reliving all of the terrible things that had happened to her. The doctor and Jamie had both taken a plea deal and testified against Will and Vaughn. Vaughn had been found guilty of both the murders of Gina and Kurt. She had only this one more trial to sit through. Sanjay was by her side. He was always by her side. They had moved back to Echo Town, and happily settled into life as a couple. Tina was on her other side. Tina had become famous practically overnight. Every major news publication was vying for her. She had decided to work free lance.
"Nervous?" Tina whispered in her ear.
"A little," Rachel admitted. The jury filed back into the courtroom. She tightened her grip on Sanjay's hand. He squeezed hers gently back. He was always there reassuring her. The verdict was handed to the judge, then handed back to the jury foreman.
"We the jury," the man said clearly. "Find the defendant guilty on all charges." Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. She could hear others around her, the whole courtroom was buzzing.
"We did it!" Sanjay whispered in her ear.
Jack took Lyla to his sister's grave, the day after Will's verdict was announced. He had explained to Lyla about his sister's death. Lyla had been touched that he had asked her to come with him. He looked down at the headstone, tears formed in his eyes. Lyla placed a hand gently on his back.
"You can Rest In Peace now," Jack whispered. He turned to Lyla. "Thank you for coming."
"There is no where else I would rather be," Lyla said. She hugged him tightly.
Rachel sighed happily in Sanjay's arms. It had been a long time waiting to hear that Will was guilty. She had worried he would get out of it, but he had not. Now she could finally be comfortable. Sanjay hugged her a little tighter.
"Are you happy?" He asked. Rachel looked up at him.
"Of course I'm happy!" Rachel exclaimed. "I have never been happier." She smiled at him. It was a life she never thought she could have. When she found out that she was a human replication, she had thought she was some kind of monster. But Sanjay had never thought that about her. She snuggled into his arms again feeling content. She was finally safe. She had finally found a place to belong, a place to call home.