Author's Note: I cannot BELIEVE I was sitting on the ending of this story for so long without realizing how close I was to finishing it! In my defense, the version I have on my computer was shy three chapters. So when glancing at it, I thought I had another 4-5 chapters to write, which I never quite had time for. Then I re-read it (because frankly I'd forgotten where I'd left off) realized that I was missing chapters from the master doc (who knew how THAT happened) and re-checked my online version. At least it was posted there. Then I was like: Oh. Right. I had only a chapter left and the epilogue was already done...

I'm so seriously fired, guys. Anyway, here's the Epilogue! And the conclusion (Freaking FINALLY) of this very long fic.

Epilogue

What a strange feeling.

For most of my life, I've been searching for a place to belong. I'd tried to earn it, steal it, search for it and even one case fight for it, all for naught. Not until a scrawny young man wearing a straw hat had stubbornly saved me, that is. I'd found a home amongst this motley crew and didn't regret a single bit of my past because it led me directly here.

I'd thought, for over two years, that I'd finally found perfect peace.

Looks like I was wrong.

I lay in bed next to my lover, head propped up in my hand so that I could watch him sleep. The only light came from the bright moon outside of our open bedroom doorway, which barely lit the room at all. It was a perfectly still night, the boat rocking only slightly with the waves, lulling even the most energetic to sleep. I should be sleeping, too, but I was enjoying this moment far too much to close my eyes just yet.

With the dim lighting, I couldn't properly see his face, but I could hear his deep, even breathing. His body sent waves of heat outwards, heating my skin in a deliciously sensual way even though we weren't directly touching. This moment was so perfect, so comfortably familiar, that I didn't want it to end.

Until Zoro had patiently pushed his way into my heart I hadn't realized that anything was missing in my life. Quite honestly, having a lover had never even crossed my mind. I'd spent twenty years just trying to make lasting friendships. Gaining those satisfied me and I'd not been greedy enough to yearn for more. So it was very strange to me to lie here, watching Zoro sleep, and realize that what I had thought was a full life had only been a partially filled glass.

Without my realizing it, he had become this rock that I could lean on. He was a man that could fight my demons, as strong as they were, kindly forgive my many faults, and I knew with every fiber of my being that he would never betray me. But the best part…

His eye never opened as he quietly rumbled, "Woman, stop staring and sleep."

…the best part…

I leaned over him and pressed a sweet, slow kiss to his lips. "I love you."

I could feel him smile against my mouth as he whispered back, "I love you, too."

…that was the best part.