Author's Note: This has been a wonderful experience! I've loved writing this story and I can't wait to post the second story. However it will not be posted for roughly at least a week as I've only written the first chapter and a half. There is a preview at the end of this chapter for the second story.

Epilogue

He was singing, at the top of his voice as he painted the room. That's when she came into the house she watched him for a few moments, chuckling softly, he wasn't half bad. His voice was a little rough for singing, but surprisingly he was hitting most of the notes. She stood in the door way listening to the song.

Three months had passed, all of his wounds had healed, his shoulder was back to normal, and he looked great. He'd cut his hair a little shorter to help make the change, he'd also agreed to see a counselor after a short discussion with Dr. Saunders. His nightmares had begun to dissipate and he wasn't living with Ben and Abigail anymore. He'd moved into his own house finally and was putting the finishing touches on the place. Meanwhile Kati had moved into her own apartment and was mildly surprised that Riley continued to date her willingly, although it wasn't as if he was trying to pretend it had never happened.

Over the course of almost four months now they were closer than ever. She felt ready to tell him she loved him, but she wanted to wait until he was, after all he'd just overcome a horrible ordeal. He'd told her a little more about his childhood, some of the good memories and bad, he'd discussed with her his foster homes. He'd even taken her to meet Mr. and Mrs. Mason after the kidnapping.

"Hey Desperado, you gonna get off that fence sometime so we can go to dinner?" she called out, not wanting to startle him.

He glanced up and his face broke into a wide grin, "Kati!" jumping down from the ladder he moved over to her, sweeping her into his arms, "I missed you!" he pecked her on the cheek. "How was school?"

College had ended just a week ago, so he was free to enjoy his summer a little more. Kati chuckled as she hugged him close for another moment, sighing at the feeling of having his arms wrapped around her. She found it strange that she felt safe in his arms, and wondered if he felt safe in hers. "Pretty good, the kids are ready to be done. How's the painting going?"

He shrugged, "Almost finished. Kati I've been thinking," he slipped his fingers through hers as they headed into the kitchen for some drinks. "You know that trip you're making in July, back to Germany to visit family?"

She nodded, she'd told him about the trip a little over a month ago, asking if he wanted to go. Initially he'd said no because he didn't want to intrude and he felt the need to survive on his own rather than thriving off others. "Yes."

"I've been thinking, and I guess it's dawning on me that you didn't ask me because you pitied me, but rather you asked because you honestly wanted me to go."

She smiled, he knew her quiet well, and it was true she felt bad for him; but she didn't pity him. He didn't need pity, he needed love. She had lots of that; focusing her attention back at him she smiled, "That would be true."

"Well if the offer still stands I'd like to go. It would be nice to see where you grew up and meet your family."

"The offer will always stand love."

Smiling Riley pressed a kiss to her cheek, "I love you," he whispered without thinking about it. Suddenly he paused, realizing what he said then he looked at her. "I love you; I'm utterly, completely and passionately. It was never something I thought I'd get to say to anyone much less someone like you. I'm not the most adult person on the face of the planet, in all reality I use my childlike nature to escape the truth of what I've survived. But you…you've looked past that and you've found the adult. Thank you for being so patient and understanding with me."

She reached out, stroking his cheek lightly, "I love you too, I—" she shook her head as she threw her arms around his neck. He chuckled as he swung her around. "I never thought I'd get so lucky to meet someone here in DC, much less such a wonderful someone. Whatever happens, we're in this together."

The End

Forever # 2: Triangle (current title)

"Can't we play hookie?" whined Riley as he burrowed further into his bed, trying to bury his face in the pillow.

She chuckled softly as she pressed a kiss to his forehead, "Nope, afraid we've got classes to teach, come on grab a shower and I'll make you breakfast then we'll swap. It'll be fun!"

"Atlantis was a city dedicated to art and science; the people built their city at the foot of a volcano which they used for power. They worshiped the torch of truth, said to possess the light of universal wisdom. For centuries it's said that the city of Atlantis was the center of the world. The world was at peace, but the volcano erupted and a few were able to escape and decided to hide the wealth of their city in what they called the tower of fear. They wrote the story in a book made out of platinum pages. Well thousands of years passed, until 590 BC a Greek scholar…Solon traveled to Egypt, he discovered two relics, one was the platinum book and the other was the torch of truth. Placing them in an arc he locked them and he took a key—this medallion supposedly and vanished without a trace."

"This isn't about you or me! Come on Seth! This is about saving the life of yoru favorite professor! Do you want him to die? Then walk out that door but if you don't help us you're as much a murderer as your evil counterpart over there!" Riley glared at the younger man, "Help us Seth, please, you aren't a killer!"