A/N: Welp. Here it is, the finale, the finish, the end.

I hope those who DID read this fic enjoyed it as much as I did writing it, and thank you for coming on the journey with me. It definitely scratched that creative itch I had. Idk if I will be writing anything new anytime soon, but never say never, I guess.

For now, enjoy the conclusion of "To Sly, With Love".

Ch 10: Never Give Up

Well it's a cold and gray, long December day

We all get tired of trying to find our way

Don't forget the sun remembers everyone

And never get tired of shining, yeah, come what may

Setting: Interior, Sharkey's, later that night

The teenagers of Pacific Coast bopped to the live beats from the local band, California Dreams. It was obvious the song was a fan favorite, surfers, brains, and jocks all dancing and mouthing the words to "Anytime," a usual of the band's set.

Mark crooned to the audience, playing up the rhythm as he wound through the couples jamming. Sam and Tiffani would join in on the chorus and make funny faces at each other so they'd smile more. Tony, in the back on drums, jived to the sweet beat he was creating, and Jake was feeling that last guitar solo that took them out.

Normally, you would also see Lorena and Sly in the audience, either sharing a table and a bowl of chips OR dancing together. Before becoming a couple, and seemingly breaking it, the two would commonly be found dancing with each other during the band's gigs. Whether it was a fun, upbeat song like this or a slower one, the two hinted that they enjoyed each other's company or at least trusted each other. For all they knew, Sly and Lorena were subconsciously protecting each other from a random sleaze or bimbo. But it was doubtful they ever realized that then or now.

For tonight, at this gig, Sly sat alone on the short wall close to the stage. He held his hands and kept his head lowered. He didn't want to be there, but he had to, to ensure the band got paid. It was indeed a dark day when Sylvester Winkle contemplated for even a second that money wasn't worth it. But he sat in his little corner, feeling sorry for himself, ready to leave the moment he paid out the band members. He wasn't going to give any of them a reason or chance to talk to him about what was going on, especially not there. No, he still had his pride after all.

And Lorena, well, she was there, but she was out of sight. Hiding near the back exit, she kept her distance from the band and peered over at the man she loved. It gutted her that she caused the obvious grief he was in, but she also knew she needed to let go of that guilt. Tiffani reminded Lorena that Sly was the only one in charge of his emotions, not Lorena. That after tonight, if Sly still couldn't get past it, then know she had done all she could. Forgiveness was a two way street after all.

But then Jake reminded them all that forgiveness was a gift, not a right. Apologies should happen because you know you did something wrong, not because you expected absolution.

Well, they were both right, but Lorena needed to forgive herself first before she could seek that from Sly.

So, there she stood, hiding and watching, waiting and hoping her plan would work.

As the song ended, Jake grabbed the microphone to make an announcement.

"We're going to take a short break here soon, but first," he focused in Lorena's direction, then in Sly's, "this next song is a request, dedicated to someone who put their heart on the line for everyone to see and was never ashamed of that."

The song "Someone to Hold Onto" began to play. Sly's head shot up and he froze. He had asked Jake to play that song the night he was going to tell Lorena he was her Mystery Man. But that was just a coincidence, right? Either he was reading too much into it, or the gang was trying to butt in again with their greatest weapon, music.

Well, it's not going to work, Sly asserted. They can't get me 'in the mood'.

They weren't going to out scheme Sly.

But the song continued to play, and Sly remembered the night he started writing the poems. He reminded himself what his English teacher taught in their poetry section – yes, he secretly paid attention that one time. It didn't need to rhyme, it just needed to come from the heart. So he just started writing and writing without worrying about how it sounded. He wrote the emotions he felt when he watched Lorena walk across the room in Sharkey's, or dance at the gigs, or laugh at a joke. He then set up a covert email address and prepared himself to send her his first letter. Holding his breath, he forced himself to hit the "SEND" button… and then seemingly began to freak out.

He remembered arriving at school early that next day and breaking into Lorena's locker. He knew all the combinations in the school, so that was pretty easy. Sly wanted to be gentle with her things, which were perfectly organized in the storage, so he propped the note and a rose up to make sure it wasn't missed.

And boy, oh, boy. Sly remembered watching Lorena run into the gym, just completely giddy over the words he transcribed as she explained everything to Tiffani. Sly tried to hide a smile that crept up, but anyone with eyes could tell he was happy that she was happy. He even found himself reciting the poem before stopping himself.

As the song ended, Sly's reminiscing left him with a strong, deep, and painful sense of longing. All of the emotions of this past month were rushing through him, threatening to reconsider Lorena's apology.

But no! Why should he do that? Sly gave Lorena a pass plenty of times, and what did she do? Used him, used his feelings to her advantage. Her feelings weren't real, he lied to himself. None of it was real! That's it! That's fine! It's her loss!

Any story Sly could tell himself to evade everything that was just killing him inside, he was telling it. His pride very well wasn't going to stop him, either.

Sly sensed a body come closer to his area and lean against the short wall he was sitting on. He knew who it was by her scent: honey and roses. He loved her scent.

"Hi," Lorena timidly greeted. Sly remained silent, hoping she would take the hint. Lorena breathed in slowly, reminding herself to take it slow. "I'm glad you came."

"I'm the manager," Sly finally stated, pushing his tongue to his teeth, "it's my job."

"But still," Lorena smiled gently. She tightened her lips, took another deep breath, and asked. "Could we talk?"

"No." Sly immediately stood up and walked to the stage. "Break's over."

"Hey!" shouted Jake, "that's my job!"

"Fine," Sly growled, "then I'm leaving," and headed for the double doors.

"But you're our manager!" Sam yelled.

Sly stopped, pointed directly at Lorena, and scowled. "She can be your manager!" He turned back and started for the doors again.

Lorena, in a rush of panic, whimpering, ran up to the stage, grabbed the microphone, and shouted into it. "Stop that man!" A bunch of teenagers nearby instantly blocked the door. Sly grunted in frustration, squeezing his fists, and flipping back to Lorena on the stage.

"Don't do this!" he barked. "Not here, not now."

"Please Sly," she begged into the mic, "you have to let me explain."

"Or what?" he threw his hands up and smacked his legs, "you'll keep me hostage here?"

Lorena walked slowly off the stage and towards Sly.

"Just give me this chance to explain," she asked, gesturing to the table nearby, "and then you can decide after that if you never want to speak to me again."

Sly grabbed his temples with his hand and massaged them. Exhaling, he could feel his trembling breath attempting to calm his rage. He walked over and sat down, biting his bottom lip.

"That's not what I want, you know," he conceded, "to never talk to you again."

"Oh," Lorena stated, surprised, and sat down as well. "Well, that's good. Makes me feel a little better." She let out a small chuckle. "Sly," Lorena grabbed his hand cautiously, "I WAS ashamed."

Sly's focus snapped up, shocked.

"But not of you," she quickly added and placed a hand to her chest, "of me."

That's not what Sly was expecting to hear. His expression softened.

"I was ashamed of how I treated you since we met." Lorena swallowed and inhaled sharply. "I treated you like scum, granted there were definitely times you asked for it, but," she stared deeply into his eyes, his loving eyes he was again allowing to be seen, "I guess I was having a hard time forgiving myself for it."

Sly sighed, smacked his lips, and shook his head. But not because he didn't agree with her. He most definitely agreed.

"Yeah," he smirked and scrunched his face, "I didn't exactly treat you the best either, sometimes." He then cringed. "And made a fool of myself while I was at it." His memories instantly went to the leopard print outfit and the dance contest.

"Yeah, speaking of that," Lorena stood up and placed her hands firmly on her hips. "It's about time someone made a fool of herself for you."

"Huh?" Sly's eyebrows furrowed as he watched Lorena jump back up on the stage and once again grab the mic. "Uh, Lorena? What are you doing?"

"Excuse me, hello?" Lorena bellowed into the mic. "Um, hi, everyone." Clearing her throat, she shook her hands, squeezed her eyes, and began again. "I know everyone is ready to get back to the music and everything but…"

Sly shot up and got close to her real fast. "Lorena, WHAT are you doing?" he said, grinding his teeth. She looked straight at him and smiled. Pulling away from the mic and placing a hand on it, she put herself face to face with the man of her dreams.

"Sylvester Winkle," she whispered, beaming, "sit down, shut up, and listen."

The gang, who was hanging out in the booth nearby, pulled Sly by the arm and guided him back.

"Guys, what's going on?" he asked and widened his eyes. Jake smiled and patted his friend's back.

"She's taking a risk, Winkle," the guitarist grinned, and winked.

"I promise I'll try to make this short, and I also promise I won't be singing a song or anything," she looked back at the gang. "We all know you don't deserve that." Lorena sighed. "You all, in one way or another, know me as the groupie for the California Dreams or the rich girl with the great loft parties. But I don't think you know me as someone in love.

"This past month, I have been seeing someone who, ugh, has always loved me for me. Even at my ugliest, even at my lousiest, he's been a rock. I'm sad that I only now realized it, that we both now only realized that we are right for each other. And I'm not going to stand here and tell you all his amazing qualities and how great of a boyfriend he is. He doesn't need to be embarrassed." She laughed as Sly rolled his eyes but smiled uncontrollably.

"I just wanted to say that I, Lorena Marina Costa, am in love with…Sly Winkle. He has my heart, and I just hope I still have his." Lorena smacked her lips together, giggled, and stared sheepishly at the patrons in the restaurant. "That's it, I guess!" she laughed, stepped down from the stage, and was met by a very cheerful Italian.

"You are nuts!" Sly exclaimed, grabbing Lorena by the hips. Lorena, in turn, threw her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, well, you make me nuts," she echoed back, smiling, and quickly pecked him on the lips. "I missed this," she whispered. The two took a moment to hold each other and stare.

Up until the gang interrupted the moment and crowded around them.

"Aw, you guys," Sam beamed. "You're so cute!"

"Yeah, way to go, you two," Tony cheered, slapping hands with his best friend.

"Congrats, cuz," Mark joined in.

"And I'm sorry you felt you had to keep it from us," Tiffani confessed.

"But we knew you two would eventually get there," Jake added. "Now if you don't mind." He gestured to the crowd growing weary of zero music. "We kind of have a gig to finish."

"Oh, geez," Lorena gasped, throwing her hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry, by all means."

Jake and the rest jumped back up on the stage and collected their instruments.

"Thank you for your patience, everyone," he acknowledged into the mic. "This next song is about not giving up on the things you believe in, no matter what."

The song "Never Give Up" began to play its sweet melody. The two love birds swayed to the music, Sly mouthing the words to Lorena. As they danced peacefully to the music, the world around them disappeared. Lorena leaned in for a deep, public, kiss to the love of her life.

"Ba-boom," she crooned.

For now, all was right with the world.

Don't you ever give up, never give up

Keep on believing, no matter what you do

Don't you ever give up, never give up

Cause no matter what, I'll never give up on you

THE END