This is the second-last chapter - boo-hoo :-( It will be sad to say goodbye to Sonya and Mikhail, but we'll give them a good send off!

Includes interrupted lemon (sorry!)

52. Freedom

(Mikhail POV)

When I woke in the early afternoon Sonya was asleep in my arms, her naked body curved snugly against mine. My heart skipped a beat – it wasn't a dream. She was so peaceful, like all the shadows from her past had lifted, and while I didn't want to disturb her I couldn't resist the urge to trace a finger over her cheek. My Sonechka had always been beautiful but now she was absolutely radiant.

Sonya shifted slightly under my touch, then her eyelashes fluttered open and she turned her head to nuzzle in closer, letting her thick, auburn hair splay out on the pillow behind her. Catching sight of a dark shadow behind her ear, I pushed the strands back further to uncover a pair of small roses tattooed just below her hairline. I brushed the image curiously with my thumb and a soft smile played at the corners of Sonya's mouth.

'I told you I would always love you, and I never forgot my promise,' she murmured, stroking my chest.

I ran my hands up through her hair, dipping my face to kiss her, but she pulled back with a frown as her fingers found one of the nastier scars that latticed my torso.

'What happened to you, Misha?' she asked, her voice tinged with shock and sadness as she took in the extent of the damage. 'There are so many…'

She really didn't need to worry – I'd grown so used to the marks that I'd almost forgotten they were there. I propped myself up on the pillows and took her hand in mine, guiding it to the long scar near my shoulder.

'I got this one in Pittsburgh after I cracked my collarbone – it was an Alchemist who patched me up, of all people,' I answered with a wry smile, looking her in the eye to assure her I was okay before moving her hand to the puncture wound under my ribcage. 'This was courtesy of a Moroi drug dealer in Denver who didn't like me questioning his clients, and this,' I shifted her fingers up to a deep scratch on the back of my neck, 'was from a female Strigoi who tried to turn me when I was searching for you in Vegas. She was very put out when I told her I had someone worth living for.' I stopped then because Sonya pulled her hand free, clutching the sheet to her chest as she wriggled into a seated position.

'This is all my fault,' she whispered with a pained look on her face. 'If you didn't come searching for me, none of this would have happened.'

'It's okay, Sweetheart. I'm okay. Please don't worry – they're only scars,' I assured her, reaching up to cup her cheek.

Sonya frowned deeply and I thought she was going to cry, but then her eyes widened as she had an idea.

'I can't change what happened but I can heal you now, Misha,' she declared. 'Please let me make this right,' and the sheet fell from her hands as she leaned over to place her palms on my chest, closing her eyes and breathing deeply in concentration.

'No, Sonechka.' I wrapped my fingers around her wrists and held them still.

Her eyes flicked open in confusion, but I met her gaze steadily as I explained.

'This morning you told me the Spirit darkness has faded since the change. I can already see the difference that's made in you, and while I know you might feel strong and free right now, you need to conserve your powers. You've been given a fresh start and I won't let you waste your magic on something so trivial.'

She didn't look convinced.

'And besides…,' I continued. 'Every time I looked in the mirror when we were apart, these scars reminded me that I had someone worth fighting for, worth living for. Please don't take that away from me.'

She hesitated for a long time before finally responding. 'Okay. If that's what you want,' she conceded at last, 'but at least let me make it up to you some other way.'

She ran her hand slowly and purposefully over my chest, touching each imperfection tenderly before lowering her head to kiss the deep purple marks. I shivered as her soft lips brushed over my skin and hissed with pleasure when she shifted herself across to straddle me, her lips finding their way to mine. She seemed to enjoy dominating me and I happily bent to her will, my whole body responding automatically to her touch. The intensity between us was building rapidly when a niggling thought broke through the haze of passion and this time it was my turn to pull away. Releasing myself gently from her mouth, I moved my lips along her jawline to rest on the rose tattoo.

'We need to go. There's somewhere I need to take you,' I whispered raggedly against her neck.

'What, now?' she asked in disbelief, rocking seductively against me in an attempt to change my mind.

'Yes. Right now,' I nipped lightly at the larger rose, making her squirm. 'It can't wait another moment.' I rolled over quickly before she could tempt me to stay and whipped the sheet off her. Picking her up in one swift move, I threw her over my shoulder and marched her off to the bathroom. 'But first, you need to take a shower. I don't mean to be insensitive, but you smell like you've been having far too much fun, and that might make things awkward when we get to our destination.'

'And where might that be exactly, Guardian Tanner?' she enquired, in a very haughty tone for somebody with her bare bum exposed to the sky.

'That's for me to know and you to find out, Miss Karp,' I gave her rump a playful smack and lowered her to the floor, smiling mischievously at her indignant expression before lifting her over the threshold of the shower and leaving the room. There was some urgent business I had to take care of, and I knew from experience that showering with Sonya was guaranteed to be a highly pleasurable but time-consuming activity.

As soon as I heard the water running I sat down on the end of the bed and grabbed my phone. Seven missed calls. One each from Abe and Adrian, both telling me that Rose was in a stable condition, two from Princess Vasilisa assuring me that she would speak to Hans to speed up the interview process, and three from Don. I followed the prompts to call-back the last number and my friend picked up his phone almost immediately.

'You okay, Misha? I was worried sick,' Don chastised me like he was my mother.

'I'm fine, honestly,' I answered, not wanting to get side-tracked from the real reason for the call. 'Can you do me one last favour. It's a big one.'

'You don't ask much,' he joked thinly, and I knew I was pressing him.

'I'm just going to pretend you said yes,' I countered, quickly launching on with my request before hanging up the phone and moving out to the lounge room.

Feeling ravenous as a result of multiple love-making sessions, I scoffed down some left-overs from Sonya's picnic before heading back into the bedroom to get dressed. Once I was presentable I straightened out the sheets then packed an overnight-bag, leaving it on the bed before walking across to answer a knock at the door and welcoming Don inside.

'It's done,' he informed me, handing over a pair of plane tickets. 'We'll need to leave in the next fifteen minutes if you want to make that flight. Getting you past the gates is going to be tricky and Hans is going to be seriously pissed when he discovers you've broken free, but I'll cover for you for as long as I can.'

'Thanks Don,' I said sincerely, tucking the tickets into the back pocket of my jeans. 'You don't know what this means to me.'

'Well, I have to admit I am kind of wondering what's going on. Who's the other ticket for anyway?...'

He trailed off as the bathroom door opened and Sonya walked out, completely naked, drying her hair with a towel that draped down to obscure her face. She had no idea we were here – thank God – and I rushed to slide the bedroom door closed, but not before Don turned to me, his eyes wide as saucers.

'Holy shit, man! House-arrest sure beats prison!' he exclaimed.

'So… there's some news I need to catch you up on,' I began, feeling mortified. Sonya could never, never find out about this.

'I should think so, you lucky bastard!' Don's looked at me with a mixture of admiration and annoyance. 'I had no idea you were back in the game. Who's the fox?' he asked with a waggle of his eyebrows, fishing for details.

I ignored his hopeful expression – a Guardian's life could be a lonely one, but I didn't plan on satisfying my best friend's sexual fantasies with stories about my own exploits. A simple explanation would be the best. 'Last night when you covered for me I had to take Adrian Ivashkov to see an Alchemist in Greenston, and that's where I met up with…'

Sonya chose that moment to walk into the living room – fully clothed, fortunately – her attention on the scarf that she was arranging around her shoulders.

'I found this in your wardrobe, Misha. Where on earth did you get it?' she asked curiously then instantly fell silent, realising we weren't alone.

'Sweet Jesus!' Don cried out when he recognised her face, his hand flying to the stake at his hip.

He thought Sonya was still Strigoi. And why wouldn't he? She'd been on the Guardian kill list since the day she turned. I practically flew across the room, placing myself between Don and his target, pleading with him to listen to me.

'Stop, Don! She's Moroi!' I explained urgently, preparing to fight him off with my bare hands if I had to. 'Look at her eyes. It's just like what happened with Dimitri Belikov. She was saved – restored. She's Moroi!'

The Guardian hesitated, his stake poised defensively in front of his chest as he eyed us both warily, then he finally relaxed his position.

'My apologies,' Don said shakily, sucking in a breath to steady himself before fixing his attention on the frightened woman behind me. 'So you're the famous Sonya Karp? It's… a pleasure to meet you.' He stepped forward, offering her his hand and she shook it tentatively.

'Sonya, this is Don Kardos. My Guardian colleague and best friend,' I explained, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulder. 'And I'm sure he won't try to kill you next time you meet.' I shot him a warning glare.

Don smiled apologetically, holding his hands up in mock surrender, and the tension in the room reduced significantly as Sonya smiled back in return.

'I've arranged for Don to get us out of here, but we have to leave now,' I continued. 'Can you manage one last bit of Illusion magic to get us past the gates?'

'Of course,' she replied, 'but what's the big rush?'

There was little time to explain. 'Well, for starters, I'm technically under house-arrest until the queen's murder-case is resolved. They could send me to prison for aiding Rose and Dimitri, and if they don't then I'll be put back on duty which means…'

I was interrupted by the insistent shriek of my phone. It was Princess Vasilisa.

'Aren't you going to answer that?' Sonya asked, as I stared indecisively at the caller ID, my thumb hovering over the call-button. 'Mikhail!' she tried again. 'It's the princess. You have to answer. Whatever the urgency for this trip, you know your duty... they come first.'

They come first. That's what I'd told myself when I left Sonya to take Avery Lazar to Court. That's what I'd told myself when Hans asked me to return to my post and I stopped searching for the woman I loved. I looked up at her then, gazing into her eyes as the phone rang one final time then silence fell over the room.

'Not this time, Sonechka,' I said. 'Not this time.'

(Sonya POV)

When we were safely through the main gates of Court and it was clear nobody was following us, Don glanced around from the driver's seat and struck up a conversation.

'You know, Sonya, I thought Mikhail was crazy when he told me he'd fallen for a Moroi – even crazier when he left Court with critical injuries to go looking for you – but now I've… seen you, I finally understand what he was on about this whole time.' Don flashed me a suggestive smile in the rear-view mirror and Mikhail violently kneed the back of his chair. How old were they? Eight?

'You can't blame a man for having good taste!' I joked, and the rest of the trip passed comfortably as the boys talked about work stuff and Don caught me up on some of the things I'd missed when I was… away.

Mikhail had been very cagey about where he was taking me but he couldn't hide our destination forever, and I began to get excited when we finally arrived at the airport in Pittsburgh. Don pulled up to the curb outside the departures terminal but didn't turn off the engine. Instead, he swivelled around to look at us in the back-seat.

'I can't stay, I'm afraid – got to get back or I'll be late for my next shift – so I guess this is goodbye.'

Mikhail leaned forward to rest a hand on Don's shoulder. 'Thanks for everything buddy,' he said. 'You've really stuck your neck out for me over the past few weeks. I hope you don't get into any trouble.'

'Speaking of which, what do you want me to tell Hans when he finds out you've flown the coop?' our friend asked seriously.

Misha thought for a moment. 'Tell him I've found what I was looking for. Sonya has been through hell and back, and she needs me more than the Guardians do at the moment. He can put it down on the books as carer's leave if he wants. I'll give him a call when we've both had time rest and recover, and hopefully he will still be willing to offer me my job back. If not, I'm sure something else will turn up eventually.'

'Fair enough. Well, you kids go and have a good time,' Don smiled at us like a benevolent uncle. 'And don't do anything I wouldn't do,' he added to me with a wink.

Mikhail punched him in the arm.

The moment we stepped foot in the departures lounge an announcement came out over the loudspeakers. 'All passengers for the Seattle flight are requested to board now,' the disembodied voice instructed.

Misha smiled softly and took my hand, leading me to boarding desk.

Seattle. He was taking me home.

It was a long flight and I managed to sleep on and off, but spent most of the time worrying about what I'd find when I returned to my parents' place. After the reactions I got from Emily and Don the first time they saw me, I wasn't sure if I was ready for Mom and Dad to meet me yet. But at the same time, I missed them so much. For a brief second I thought about scratching my temples but I held Misha's hand instead, snuggling into his shoulder until we finally arrived at our destination. Once we'd landed, I stopped off at one of the shops in the airport lounge to buy a pair of jeans and a light sweater to change into, and then we headed outside to organise a rental car. Mikhail took care of the details and jumped into the driver's seat, setting off in the direction of Mt Baker without even needing to use the GPS.

'So how do you know where you're going, exactly?' I asked Mikhail an hour or so later as he drove confidently along the winding forest roads. I think we'd only ever talked about my family once – surely he didn't remember where I'd grown up.

'I actually went to see your parents a while back,' he answered casually, glancing across to see my reaction.

'What? You've met them?' I cried out in horror and surprise. 'My overbearing mother and uptight father? I mean, I love them dearly but…' I didn't know what would have been worse – Dad telling him to get out or Mom checking him out.

'They were really very nice,' Misha assured me with a smile as we passed a sign for Lake Wenatchee. 'So are you ready for this?'

'No,' I replied honestly, quietly freaking out by now. I was so scared my parents wouldn't accept me but, at the same time, so desperate to see my family again. 'And yes,' I added.

Misha reached over to squeeze my hand. At least if this went as badly as I anticipated I would still have him.

Half an hour later we crossed over the property-line of the Torma Estate and soon pulled up at the chalet where I had grown up. It was nearly 2:00am and the whole place was dark – I forgot Mum and Dad would be on human schedule so of course they'd be asleep at this hour.

'Maybe we should come back later,' I suggested nervously. 'They probably won't want to see me anyway.'

Mikhail shook his head. 'I made a promise to your father once,' he said, turning off the engine and placing his hand on my knee. 'You know what he told me? When you… went away… he said he couldn't stand the thought of his little girl being lost and alone. He loves you Sonya. He needs to know you're alive.'

My eyes welled with tears. 'He really said that?' I knew Dad was a gentle spirit on the inside but he didn't let his feelings out easily.

Misha nodded. 'And your mom...,' he continued. 'Mariya showed me your journal – the entry about how your Spirit was awakened. She regretted every day that she wasn't there for you when you needed her. She would want the chance to be here for you now.'

I bit my lip, my breaths coming in quick, shallow gulps as I gazed out the windshield towards the darkened house. 'But what if they don't want me back?' I whispered, almost to myself. 'What if they're scared of me? What if they can't forgive me for what I did?'

Warm arms wrapped around me as Misha leaned over and held me to his chest. 'They're your parents, Sonechka. They love you. It will be okay.'

I sniffled against his shirt, praying he was right and Mikhail leaned back slightly to look at me.

'How about I go in first?' he suggested. 'I can let them know what's happened and then, when everyone's ready, you can come in and say hello?'

That might work. At least I wouldn't have to see the horror on their faces when they heard the news. 'Okay,' I nodded eventually, taking a shaky breath before straightening up and reaching for the door handle. 'Let's do this.'

I went to wait around the side of the house, sitting on the love seat that hung under a cherry blossom tree – I'd be out of view here, but still within earshot of the front door. I was so nervous I felt sick, and as soon as the front light turned on I gripped the arm of the swing tightly just to stop myself from running away.

'Mikhail – my sweet boy,' I heard my mother's voice, tired and surprised. 'You're a sight for sore eyes. Did you arrange with Thomas to come and stay? Silly old man doesn't remember to tell me anything anymore. If I'd known, I would have had a meal waiting for you. But you're welcome anytime, of course. Come in, come in,' she babbled, before calling back over her shoulder, 'Thomas! It's Mikhail! Come and say hello!'

'Actually, Mariya, I've brought someone who'd like to meet you,' Mikhail chose his words carefully. 'This might come as a bit of a shock so I thought it would be best for me to tell you in person first. Aah – Thomas,' he paused to greet my father.

Dad didn't reply straight away – not a good sign.

'Is it done?' a thin voice drifted across to me. Dad? He sounded so… old.

'There was a… complication,' Mikhail answered evenly. 'I know I said I would release Sonya from her fate, and I did find her, but...'

My mother gasped.

'… but I didn't have to save her,' Misha hurried on. 'There was a… a miracle I guess. It's too hard to explain right now, but Sonya's alive. She okay. She's Moroi again.'

'Impossible,' the old man's voice cracked and I clamped my hand over my mouth, trying not to cry. I knew they wouldn't accept me. I knew there was no hope.

'Shut up, Thomas,' Mom suddenly snapped. 'What are you saying, Mikhail,' she asked urgently. 'What are you telling me?'

'Your daughter is alive and safe, Mariya. And she's here.'

'Where?' the whisper was barely audible.

The next thing I heard was footsteps hurrying down the pathway, and half a minute later my mother burst around the corner of the house. She stopped for the briefest moment when she saw me and I stood up cautiously, not wanting to scare her, then she ran forward as fast as her legs could carry her, throwing her arms around me and pulling me down to kiss my face.

'My baby,' she wept as she clung to me tightly. 'My dear, dear girl. I missed you so much. Don't you ever do that again, you hear me. Don't you ever do that again.'

'Mom!' I dropped my head to hide my face in her shoulder. 'I'm so sorry. I love you so much.'

There was a soft crunch on the ground behind me and Mom pulled back slightly as we both turned to see Dad staring at us from a few feet away.

'It's true, Tom,' she told him through her tears. 'Come and see. It's really her.'

Dad didn't move. He looked so frail and his expression was hard, unreadable. Then he stepped closer, peering at me from beneath paper-thin eyelids.

'Sonya?'

'It's me Dad,' I stuttered. 'I'm so, so sorry.'

The old man walked forward slowly and his chin trembled as he reached a hand out to touch my face. 'Ya-ya?' It was his pet name for me when I was little. I told him to stop calling me that when I was twelve because I was worried it made me sound like a grandmother.

'Yes, Daddy,' I choked on the last word, and he pulled me close, wrapping Mom under his other arm. And that's when I knew Mikhail was right. Everything was going to be okay.

Author's Notes:

This chapter was really a chance to begin providing a little closure for Sonya & Mikhail as they reacclimatise to life after the hell they've been through...

I wanted to give Don one more look-in as I loved his slightly cheeky character, and of course Sonya's parents needed to see their little girl again.

A few more days until the final chapter is complete & that will be it from me... (apart from minor editing). If you're really bored you're welcome to re-read from the start! :-)