View source for Endgame-Part VI

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<h2>Epilogue - Sweet Reconciliations</h2>
<h3>by LJC</h3> 
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<p>"Ranger Niko, you are on suspension pending an inquiry into the events on<br />Tortuna." Commander Walsh tried to look stern, but couldn't manage it. "However,<br />due to testimony from Gooseman and Cody, as well as your commanding officer and<br />Dr. Leahy, I'm sure you'll be back in uniform in less than a month. Officially,<br />all you did was disobey a direct order to stay off Tortuna."<br /> "And unofficially? Do they know?" Niko sat in the chair, her back ramrod<br />straight, and Goose took her hand.<br /> "I have released a copy of the sealed records from Green's World to Zach,<br />yes." The Commander's brown eyes softened. "He's the only one, and it'll stay<br />that way, the Board of Leaders be dammed. It was self-defence, and everyone<br />knows it."<br /> "It wouldn't have had to have been if I hadn't gone off half-cocked." She<br />looked away. "It was stupid."<br /> "Now you listen to me," Goose stroked the inside of her palm. "I should<br />have told you everything, instead of trying to protect you from something you<br />needed to know."<br /> "Damn right you should have," she reminded him. "If you ever lie to me<br />again..." she waggled a finger at him, cracking a smile.<br /> "I won't." He caught her hand, and held both of hers trapped between his. <br />"I promise."<br /> "The hearing isn't for another week, and you two still have those rooms<br />booked on Rees, so get back there. That's an order." Walsh leaned back in his<br />chair, fingers steepled. "I even covered Cody's tab, so the hotel should have<br />no problems with you returning whatsoever."<br /> "You paid Wildfire's cheque?" Niko's eyes grew large.<br /> "I take it out of both your salaries. Now get."</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>"Uncle Joe?" Karen stuck her head into Commander Walsh's quarters, dark<br />hair damp from showering after working out.<br /> "Hey, kid." He motioned her inside. "What's on your mind?"<br /> "I saw Niko and Goose leaving, heading back to Rees to finish their<br />vacation." She settled down next to him on the dark leather couch, shielding her<br />eyes from the late afternoon sun pouring in through the wall of windows.<br /> "Yes, it took some finagling with the Board of Leaders, but I authorized<br />the leave. I can tell you're dying to ask."<br /> "What happened? The records are sealed, and no one is talking. I know<br />Killbane has been put in cold storage in the cryocrypt with bananas for brain<br />cells."<br /> "Karen, you know I can't tell you." He sighed, ruffling her hair.<br /> "Oh come on, that's what I heard from everyone!"<br /> "It's over, that's all you need to know."<br /> "She's my friend." Karen scowled. "Okay, so maybe I haven't known these<br />people as long as everyone else, but--"<br /> "I know, munchkin. But that's all I can tell you. If Niko wants to tell<br />you someday, that's her business."<br /> "I know." She hugged her knees to her chest. "I just hate being left<br />out."</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>Kort eyed them suspiciously, but didn't say a word as he unlocked the<br />suite, the baggage cart trailing behind him. When he stood there, looking<br />expectant, Goose growled at him, and he took off so fast Niko swore he may never<br />accept a tip again.<br /> "You didn't need to scare him," she shook her head, smiling. He put his<br />arms around her, and she sighed. It took her a moment before she could fully<br />relax against him.<br /> "Are you going to be okay?" he murmured against her hair.<br /> "It may take some time," she looked up into his clear green eyes, being as<br />honest as she could, "but yeah. As long as I've got you, I'll be fine."<br /> He smiled, and she kissed him. It was long a sweet, and full of all kinds<br />of promises. He was still smiling when they parted, and he stroked her hair,<br />looking thoughtful.<br /> "I think I can get used to this."<br /> "What, us?"<br /> "Us," he kissed the tip of her nose, eyes bright, "and the short hair."<br /> She laughed, then squealed as he swept her up in his arms and carried her<br />into the bedroom.<br /> They sure as hell lived happily ever after.</p>

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* [[Endgame|Endgame:Prologue - Karen]]
* [[Endgame-Part I|Endgame-Part I: Pawns ]]
* [[Endgame-Part II|Endgame-Part II: Interlude]]
* [[Endgame-Part III|Endgame-Part III: Shattered]]
* [[Endgame-Part IV|Endgame-Part IV: Rain]]
* [[Endgame-Part V|Endgame-Part V: Dreams]]
* [[Endgame-Part VI|Endgame-Part VI: Epilogue - Sweet Reconciliations]]

[[Category:GRCD1]]
[[Category:Fanfic-Unrated]]
[[Category:Fanfic-LJC]]
[[Category:Fanfic]]