A/N: I know it's been a while since I wrote for this universe, but as I told you in the last author's note: Although this story is complete, I will add bits and pieces whenever the mood strikes.

Well, it struck alright ;)

This is an epilogue of sorts, but because it will be quite a long one (multiple chapters) I decided to publish it as its own story. You can read the beginning here and I will post the rest in a bit, under the name "Boxed Memories".

I've missed writing for this universe, and I've missed all of my wonderful Ignition-verse readers!
I hope you'll enjoy!

Epilogue I: Boxed Memories

Rick didn't have to search for her; she'd left the door open. He simply followed his ears.

He found her on the floor in the guest room, the room that would be her office, a clutter of opened and unpacked boxes sitting around her as she strummed the chords of an old folk song on her guitar.

He stopped in the doorway, smiled at her as she poked the tip of her tongue out in concentration, her fingers a little cramped on the strings.

She let the last chord fade away and looked up at him; he hadn't been quiet enough for her to not notice him. Her smile was shy, a little nervous even - he'd never been allowed to see her play. He'd stumbled across the pretty guitar with the unusual sideways cutout one day in April, but she'd refused to play for him.

"You still surprise me" he told her softly, something akin to pride in his voice. "Every time I think I've got you figured out, you do something unexpected."

He could see the struggle in her eyes as she tried to keep from blushing, and he grinned, pleased with himself, as he pushed away from the doorframe and stepped closer.

"I'm almost done in here" she said and reached out to touch his leg when he was close enough. He dropped down to her level, crouching at her side, her hand on his knee keeping him balanced.

"Mm" he murmured approvingly, his fingers travelling up her shoulder to her neck. He didn't lean in to kiss her, and he probably would have toppled over if he'd tried, but his thumb brushed her cheek in a gesture as tender as any kiss could be.

"How'd your meeting go?" she asked softly and he grimaced in response.

"As expected" he said and she let her fingers draw circles on his thigh, both comfort and pity.

He loved that she was so touchy lately. Ever since she'd realized how much he feared for her life, how scared he was every time she went out to catch bad guys and how badly he needed her physical contact, the proof that she was alive and well, she'd allowed herself to give in to her urges to touch him more often.

His gaze flickered away from her eyes to a spot behind her back, focusing on the only box she hadn't unpacked yet.

"What's in that box over there?" he asked and huffed like an old man as he stood up and reached for it...