Disclaimer: Neither Jordan nor I own The Covenant or any of the copyrighted stuff.

A/N: Lyn: And… the happily ever after!

Jordan: Sort of.

Lyn: Yeah. We may be convinced to do a sequel.

Jordan: Maybe. If you're lucky and ask nicely.

Lyn: XD Nah, we probably will anyway. But for now… enjoy the ending!

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17. A Quiet Night for a Change

Somehow it felt kind of odd to Lyn to be back in Nicky's now. It had been two days since she had killed Kyle and Pogue had followed her when she had sped off. It had taken the better part of a day to safely erase the memories of those warlocks who hadn't been killed but she was getting better at it; she could do it without passing out now, at least.

Maybe it was the fact that the Mill had caught up with her and she hadn't been forced to move on that felt so odd. Or maybe it was just that she had thought she wasn't capable anymore of feeling that tingle of electricity when Pogue's arm on the back of her chair brushed her skin. Things were definitely changing… for now, anyway.

Pogue leaned down to whisper in her ear, "You want something to eat?"

There was that electric charge running down Lyn's spine again; it took effort not to shudder. When she looked at his eyes, it only got worse. She really had been suppressing her emotions for too long. But because of that she was good at it so none of this showed as she got a thoughtful expression and smiled faintly. "I could eat some fries or something."

"How about a burger and fries? They've got the best ones around," Pogue said, watching her expression and smiling at her own soft smile.

Lyn chuckled quietly. "Alright, you twisted my arm."

He kissed her softly. "Be right back," he promised then walked over to the bar to order food.

"Lyn! You two are adorable together!" Jordan hissed excitedly in Lyn's ear.

If Lyn hadn't had eighteen years worth of training in controlling her reactions, she would have blushed at that. Instead, she shoved her sister in the shoulder. "Adorable? Seriously? The last person who applied the adjective 'adorable' to me ate his front teeth, kid."

"Yeah, but I'm your sister… You won't hit me," Jordan said sweetly.

Lyn's eyes narrowed threateningly. "Maybe not, but I just might decide to start telling summer camp stories…"

"Fine, I'll stop," Jordan said, looking at Tyler playing foosball with Caleb about ten feet away. "But you guys make a really awesome couple, I'm just saying."

Lyn dropped the feigned annoyance and put on a serious, worried sort of expression that no one but Jordan really ever got to see. "… You don't think it's selfish of me, do you?" she half whispered. "I mean… I know I've told him how it's been for us, but you know you don't really understand until you've been there… and he's in danger as long as he's around me and…" She sneaked a quick look at Pogue over her shoulder. "He just deserves better than that."

"Lyn, just shut up and do something for yourself for once. You deserve him and he deserves you and I don't think it's selfish of you to be with him. He knows the risks and he's chosen to ignore then because he wants to be with you."

"I know," Lyn said with a sigh, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "I just… I don't think I can take it if I get anybody else hurt or killed. Especially Pogue."

"Whatever comes out way, the six of us will handle it," Jordan said, smiling slightly.

Lyn nodded but her eyes were far away. Six sounded like good odds but they had faced the Mill with more fighters than that and still come up short. It was hard to be optimistic while thinking about the destruction of an entire safe village.

Pogue returned with two burger and fries baskets. "Here ya go." He smiled and kissed her cheek as he sat down, smiling until he glanced at the door quickly and his smile faltered as he sighed.

"Thanks," Lyn said with a smile that turned into a frown when he sighed. "What's wrong?"

"Kate."

Lyn followed his gaze to see the pretty dark-skinned girl glaring at her out of the corner of her eyes. "… Ah… I see…" But she didn't really and she suddenly felt cold inside. Was he having second thoughts?

"She's up to something; I know that look." He practically spat out the words despite keeping his expression calm.

This time Lyn really did look confused. "Wait… you're worried about Kate? Why?"

"Who knows what she's gonna try and do…"

Lyn laughed then. Really, honestly laughed as if that was the funniest thing she had ever heard. "Kate? Really? Pogue, the day Kate is the worst of my worries, I will be so happy I'll throw a party for the event."

Pogue looked from Kate to Lyn with a grin. "Well, if you aren't worried, then I guess I shouldn't be either, huh?"

He leaned forward to kiss her but a cough from Jordan stopped him. "Heh… This is kind of awkward so I'll just… go… over there… right now." And with that, she got up and walked over to the jukebox to look for a song.

Lyn just made a face at her sister's retreating back. "Please, I never quoted bad escape lines from TV shows when you were all over Tyler!"

Jordan turned around, bright red, as people started laughing, but kept walking quickly to the jukebox as if it were her sanctuary. Pogue laughed too and finally leaned forward and kissed Lyn softly, smiling as he pulled back. "I'm glad I followed you."

When he smiled, Lyn couldn't help but smile too. "So am I." Except when I worry I'm going to get you killed… but we're in the middle of a bar with half of Spenser Academy around. Nobody in the Mill is stupid enough to try anything here. Tonight, you're safe. Tomorrow… I guess I'll deal with when it comes.

Jordan picked a Lynyrd Skynyrd song on the jukebox and turned around, walking over to Tyler and Caleb and leaning against the foosball table next to Tyler. "Having fun?"

"Has Sarah been giving you lessons in distraction or something?" Caleb asked with a laugh.

"Sorry man but I don't think Sarah's this good at it," Tyler said, grinning.

Jordan smirked. "It's a gift."

Tyler's grin just broadened. "Then should we go before someone else hijacks the song?"

"Absolutely." Jordan grabbed his hand and led him to the dance floor where a few other couples were gathering and began to dance, her hips shaking to the beat of the music, her hands thrown in the air.

Tyler had a hard time focusing enough to remember how to dance himself. "Did I ever mention you're gorgeous when you dance? And pretty much all the time, actually?"

Jordan grinned, throwing an arm over his shoulder. "You charmer." And, without missing a beat, she kissed him, still dancing.

Tyler returned the kiss, his hands moving to rest on her hips and move with them to the beat. Suddenly he found himself wishing he had the ability to freeze time. He would definitely be more than happy living here, in this moment, forever.