**Author's note (PLEASE READ):
Requirements in order to read this story: You've already read Part I: Safe on the Edge and Part II Safely on the Edge. Just to avoid any confusion :)
I am hoping that this final part gives good closure and a satisfying ending. It is slower paced than the first two parts, but there will be some action here and there. If that's not your jam, then this story probably isn't for you.
Some housekeeping before we get started to avoid me repeating it in each chapter:
1. This story will touch on topics such as abuse and violence. If you've read my work, you know I keep it to a "T" rating and don't get explicit, but be advised: there are triggering things mentioned and explored in this story.
2. The chapters are going to switch between past and present events, so please watch the headings so you're not confused. As a reminder: the events of the story are a mix of canon and AU, so I'm not exactly following canon 100%; some changes will be made here and there.
3. I will be constantly editing and reworking this story as I post chapters. I have gone back and tweaked some things in Part I and II to ensure everything flows smoothly. I might have to, still, as I go, but if it's anything major I'm changing, I'll let you know.
4. Medical facts, army/military stuff etc. I always use Google for as I'm not an expert. If it's not right, please PM me and direct me to where I can find the correct information, and I'll fix it.
5. I sometimes use my favorite actors/actresses to help myself visualize some of my OC characters as I like their personalities in films I've seen them in. You don't have to visualize them if you don't want to, and I don't do it for all of them.
Please enjoy! As always, I look forward to hearing your feedback :)
Songs I listened to for prologue (moving forward, I will just be putting down the song titles and artists' names at the beginning of the chapter):
Asking the Question by Brian Tyler
Concussion Grenade by Brian Tyler
FULL STORY SUMMARY:
The War is over, but to Rita Vrataski, nothing will ever be the same. Her trust is shattered once more upon learning a secret, and on top of her grief and pain from too many losses, she is struggling. Luke Wright is struggling, too, with possibly losing Rita again, but he refuses to give up. Upon returning to the only home they'd ever truly known, they both try to figure out how to navigate the effects of the war on them, the time lost between them, the almosts that could have changed the course of everything, and a figure from the past who is hell bent on destroying them both.
Prologue
2020
She sat waiting, a drink half finished on the table next to her. She could feel the emotional storm coming, and she was ready. At least, she thought she was. She looked around at the dusty photographs on the walls and lamented at how much she'd lost and all because she hadn't been brave enough to fight for what she wanted until it was too late, and after that, she'd just been too afraid to tell the truth.
Until now.
She sipped her drink again. Only time would tell if she'd be forgiven. If that day never came, then she'd disappear and never look back. She didn't want to cause anymore hurt or angst. She'd just move on with an ache in her heart. She looked over at the photo of him, one she had dusted off and kept close to her. She raised her glass.
"To you, my love," she said quietly. "I'll do whatever it takes to make it right. I promise."
Then she downed the rest of her drink, set the glass down on the table, and got up to finish off the final hours of the day.
...
The war was over. As he stood and listened to everyone around him talk about it, he took a swig of his drink. He hadn't seen much action in the war, fortunately, but it hadn't really bothered him like it did most people. If anything, he'd wanted to go out and fight...unleash that anger inside that burned him alive almost. Some people would call him mental; he wouldn't disagree with them.
He rolled his eyes at the cheers around him, especially when hearing about the Angel of Verdun. She wasn't that special; he would know. But...since the terror of the Mimics was no longer a pressing issue, he could finally get back to what he had wanted to do for a very long time:
Destroy Luke and Rita.
He smiled against the rim of his glass. He had to rebuild his team first...do some recon, make an airtight plan, which would take some time. That was okay. He could do it. He didn't care if it took a while—years even. He wanted it to be executed perfectly, and he wanted to ensure neither of them lived to see another day by the end of it. He'd seen firsthand that they'd survived the war, so it was up to him to finish what the Mimics failed to do.
And finish it he would.