[A/N: Happy New Year, Everyone! And here at last is the conclusion of our tale! Enjoy!]

Conclusion [Sunset on the Following Day—Precinct]

Fresh off of a very pleasant evening out with his lady fair, Henry emerged from the subway in a great mood. He'd slept well. True to his promise to Jo, he'd dismantled more of his former death-seeking apparatus. He even surprised Abe with some fresh strawberry crepes for a sumptuous late lunch.

Yet he still wondered why the Precinct would be calling him in on his day off. Could there be some error or misjudgment on my part? This is most curious! He climbed the stairs and opened the door just as the sun set over the city. He walked into the bullpen area and glanced around.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Officers came and went. Computers' key tapping readily reached his ears. The aroma of pepperoni, sausage and cheese wafted to his nostrils from a pizza in the vicinity.

"Henry, you know what's going on?" Jo wondered as she followed his steps to his side.

"No, Jo, I am afraid I do not," he conceded while glancing around. "Did you get a call as well?"

"Reece called me. Said that there was something for us. Kind of weird for our day off," she presumed.

"Indeed," the medical examiner deduced. His eye scrutinized everybody around them. He could tell that something was indeed up. "It seems that our surprise is on people's minds. People keep glancing at us ever so slightly before hurrying away or turning toward their work. I'd say they're aware of it…keenly so in fact."

"That doesn't make me feel secure, Henry," she indicated. Seeing Hanson approaching them, she queried, "You know what's going on, Hanson? Why they called us in?"

"Yeah I actually do." Hanson chuckled to himself. "Presentation to you, Doc, actually. He held up a big box. "Go ahead and open it."

"Wonder what's inside?" Jo wondered while looking at it.

"I have to admit it's a strange feeling for me to be receiving gifts I must admit," Henry informed her and the others. Seeing Lieutenant Reece approach, he queried, "Good evening, Lieutenant. How might we help you?"

"And good evening to you both. Thank you for coming in especially since it's your day off. I actually felt the need to celebrate given that we solved that homicide. Your work led to an innocent man being free tonight. The mayor felt grateful that we found that his friends were using their association for less than legal ends. So he catered some dinner that's in the break room. The present, I fear, was Detective Hanson's idea. Do enjoy it. I believe the chicken parmesan is superb. Do open your gift, Doctor," Reece explained before eyeing him.

"Your entrance yesterday inspired this, Doc. Just so you know," Hanson handed Henry the medium sized box.

Henry quirked an eyebrow curiously. He resisted the temptation to shake the box to see if it rattled at all. Finally he decided to just open the package and rolled his eyes. He took a large white cowboy hat out and set it on the desk.

Jo chuckled. "Definitely a new look for you, Henry. It suits you." She set the hat on his head. "We all have to get used to new things, right?" She stepped back to take in the sight and folded her arms across her chest. "You do like to be the white knight."

The folks around them in the bullpen applauded.

Henry rubbed his forehead and sighed. His cheeks flushed crimson. He felt conspicuous to say the least. He glanced toward Jo who simply shrugged. He of course had worn such a hat….

…still it had been over a hundred years since he had done so…

"You like it?" he queried. "Very well. Shall we get some of that chicken?"

"I can definitely go with that," she agreed. "Come on. I'm hungry." She smiled warmly at him.

He escorted her toward the break room. As he did, the phone rang. "Yes?"

"I agree. The hat suits you, Henry," Adam complimented sarcastically. "And a new necklace for the Detective too? It seems like quite the day."

"We are trying to have dinner. You're not invited," Henry declared sharply before hanging up.

"That had to feel good," she presumed. "We can enjoy the moment." She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Henry nodded and let his eyes shine warmly at her. For some reason, he felt a lot more secure as if Adam would no longer be a threat to their day. While he didn't know why exactly, he didn't question it.

That and a great meal with his partner awaited…and that was a great thing.

[Alley Across the Street]

Adam scowled as he put his phone back in his pocket. He relished keeping Henry and now Jo on their heels. He wanted control over the other immortals' actions. He wanted to dictate every move on the chessboard.

For really the first time, the tables were being turned on him….

He walked down the street and rounded the corner into the deepening shadows. In case the NYPD decided to pursue him, he'd melt away into the crowd as soon as possible.

That is if he actually made it to the main street and the crowd…which he didn't….

"Going somewhere?" a female voice queried expectantly.

Adam stared in surprise as a rather tall and fit woman with long flowing sandy brown hair. Her eyes glowed faint yellow at him. "And you are?"

She frowned menacingly at him before switching to French. "Henri is an old friend. I bear a message from my father and myself. Arrete. If you persist, we will crush you." Before he could make a move, she seized his hand in a vice grip and twisted the shadowy stalker's hand behind his back. "There are ways you can die, Idiot. Mind that. Nicolas will be most displeased if we have to warn you again." She flung him down to the cold concrete.

"Some actions for a nun, Hypocrite," he spat derisively.

"I do His will, Masacrer. You could face my mother or stepfather. I doubt you'd survive that. There are worst fates than death. Remember that," Clarise warned. Then she was gone just as quickly as she'd appeared.

Adam got up slowly and resumed his progress toward the subway. He knew she was watching still in case he decided to make a move in spite of her warning. But there would be another day…

….they could all count on that….

Even as Henry and Jo kept solving cases and wrestling with his past, some elements of the latter worked to their advantage. As they broke down layers of deceit on the part of suspects and criminals alike, their allies both past and present gave them the space to do so….

…more importantly they gave Henry the space to finally develop a life now that he had found it….

Soon the partners would meet those allies. And that would be a telling gathering.

Telling indeed….

THE END (for now)