Epilogue

"I can't believe we have to just step aside like that." Mike flipped the file cover closed and looked over the pile of witness statements on his desk. "I guess we can put all this away."

Kay snorted and shoved her pen back into the holder with unnecessary force. "That's what happens when you're the son of a sitting Congresswoman. You get to pretty much choose who investigates you." She glanced up and her scowl was immediately replaced by a grin. "Hey," she said, rising and moving around the side of her desk.

Mike turned and flashed a smile as well. "Cameron! Good to see you."

Cameron ducked his head and smiled in return. "Sorry to drop in unannounced," he said, shrugging one shoulder. "Just thought I'd check if we had a case."

"I thought you had an appointment," Kay said delicately, studying him. After six days in hospital being rehydrated and monitored for after-effects of the overdose, and another three weeks of general rest at the Archive, the illusionist was starting to regain some of the weight he'd lost in captivity. Counis had fed him well enough, and by Cameron's account had even cooked gourmet meals from time to time. But stress, fear, pain and the drugs had been a more potent force. Counis had, apparently, treated the weight loss as a sign of ingratitude or even defiance. Kay shivered at the thought that Cameron had faced retribution for it.

Quirking an eyebrow so that he looked almost as cocky and casual as she remembered him, Cameron met Kay's eye. "Therapy isn't a four-letter word, Kay," he replied. "Actually, it's a seven-letter word." He shrugged again. "Dr. Mitchell's out sick, so I have some free time."

She nodded. "Did Gunter drive you?"

"Yup. And he's gone off to buy some new screws. His are all coming loose."

Mike blinked and chuckled. "I'm gonna tell him you said that, Man."

Cameron's smile widened. "Go for it. Oh, and guess what I found?" Digging into his pants pocket, he pulled out his FBI Consultant ID and dangled it in front of the agents. "You obviously missed your chance to hire another magician." His hand trembled slightly as he stuffed the credentials back in the pocket.

Kay bit her lip. The doctors had wanted to wean Cameron off the drugs slowly to ease withdrawal symptoms, but he'd insisted on a clean break from anything that made him feel like he was still someone's doped up prisoner. They'd backed down, recognizing that autonomy was what he needed most. Even after the critical first week had passed and they'd been assured the risk of tachycardia, seizures and life-threatening fever was over, he had still struggled with tremors, insomnia and anxiety – all of which could also be pinned on what that animal had put him through.

"So," Mike put in. "You came at just the right time, because we don't have a case, let alone a Deception Group case."

"No?" Cameron replied, assuming a worried frown. "You sure you're not just trying to get rid of me? Maybe hiring a new magician after all?"

It felt too soon for jokes, and Kay couldn't think of a witty retort. At the edge of her vision she saw Mike shift.

"We made an offer to Criss Angel, but he turned us down."

Kay saw Cameron startle but quickly recover and turn toward the new voice. Deakins stood, arms folded, just outside her office. She eyed Cameron up and down and then nodded; Kay assumed she was satisfied by what she saw.

"Seriously?" Cameron squeaked. "You made an offer to Mindfreak? That would make your closure rate go down, not up."

"Are you under the impression that you've brought our closure rate up, Mr. Black?" Deakins asked sternly.

Mike coughed into his fist to hide a laugh, and Kay pressed her lips together while Cameron eyed the ceiling as if looking for a smart comeback or a way out of the conversation.

Her lips quirking, Deakins walked over and motioned toward Cameron's pocket. "Those credentials? They're yours. When you're ready, we expect you back here." She leaned a fraction closer to him; Cameron, his brow wrinkling quizzically, leaned in as well. "I believe," Deakins said, "you still owe us paperwork."

That was it. Mike snickered and turned back to his files, and Kay released the breath she'd held as she saw Cameron relax with the gentle teasing.

Cameron straightened and considered it, his face serious but a spark in his eyes that hadn't been there for a while. He turned, looking over the office, the quiet buzz of activity, and finally back to Kay. He nodded. "I owe you a lot more than that."

End

Please check out the continuation of this story in the sequel, Returned. Coming soon to a fanfiction board near you. (Or this board.) But it will be a few days before I get anything done on it, as this is our Canada Day long weekend and I'm headed out for a road trip. No technology allowed.

PS: I made no money off this. Sadly. All characters still belong to Chris Fedak, and he's going to need them for when we succeed in convincing SOMEONE that Deception deserves a full 11-season run. Or 12 seasons, maybe, if 11 isn't enough to wrap things up. Over on the petition site I just read several more comments from angry fans…they're busy writing more emails! If ABC gets tired of being spammed through their programming feedback site, they can always make it stop by renewing the show….