Gillies was clearly dead and his eyes were wide and staring, like the creepy dolls he had sent to Murdoch during their last play time. But Sally was still clinging on to life. Regardless of everything that had happened, Emily attempted to stem the flow of blood and save her. But it was not to be. Without the proper tools it was impossible to really do anything and within minutes she had bled out completely and closed her eyes, never to open them again. However, before that macabre conclusion, she had asked for Murdoch and he had gone over to her, kneeling down like he would over a corpse.

She had told him that she was sorry for everything that had happened and wondered if he could apologize to her ex-husband for her. There had been a part of her that had actually loved him, a very small part but it had been there. Murdoch didn't know what to say to that and then she had expired.

He crossed himself, stood up and went back over to Julia, who was still quite shaken up by the sudden gun fire (which had been louder than usual in the lofty space of the warehouse) and ghastly ends, ends that they had very nearly underwent.

While constables were removing the bodies, George and Emily were busy helping the inspector to his feet. He hobbled in between them, pretending like he wasn't in any real pain. Soon they had exited as well, in order to take him to a hospital to get proper medical attention.

"I need a bloody drink!" was the last thing they heard from him.

Now it was just Giles, Murdoch and Julia. He eyed them almost serenely for several moments before he finally went over to them. They stood face to face, neither saying a word.

The chief constable glanced at Julia. "I don't know how you survived that but I suppose I should be grateful that you did considering..."

"Yes," said Murdoch sternly, "imagine what the papers would have said about your reputation if an innocent woman had been hung. If you had just believed me earlier-"

"Murdoch. What's done is done. I'm not going to quibble over the particulars with you again. But I will say this," - he looked at Julia once more - "I am sorry for what happened to you. It is highly regrettable."

Julia simply nodded at that.

"Now what?" asked Murdoch somewhat hotly, "Will you arrest us?"

Giles viewed him calmly. "You, Murdoch? No, I don't believe that will be necessary. But the doctor-"

"Can't you just leave her be!" he shouted. "Hasn't she been through enough?"

"Think for a minute, Murdoch. How would it look if a convicted murderer, who was supposed to be dead, was walking the streets of down town Toronto? What do you think would happen to her?"

He had a point but Murdoch didn't want to give him the satisfaction of being right.

"I'm afraid I'll need to hold her-"

"But sir! You-"

Talking over him, "until this whole mess has been cleared up, through proper channels. Rest assured, Murdoch, this is simply a technicality. Besides, it's for her own safety."

Murdoch grumbled internally but understood the necessity of this. There was no need to make stupid mistakes so late in the game. Even so, he wanted to vent his frustration a little more.

"One more question before we leave, sir."

"And what would that be, Murdoch?"

He smiled and said, "Do you enjoy being an ignoramus?"

Julia was surprised by his comment and hid her own smile.

Giles face clouded over and he said, "I understand you are upset right now so I will let that slide. But it would be wise for us to go before you really say something you'll regret."

Murdoch just continued to smile all the way out.

The next morning, the sensational story was front page news. So it wasn't surprising when hordes of reporters (and regular citizens alike) were swarming the precinct, trying to get a one on one scoop with the greatly aggrieved Julia. Luckily the lads were doing their best to keep everyone at bay. Occasionally one of them would sneak in through the side door and try to get into the holding cell area. Murdoch swiftly dealt with the trespassers. He had been there all night and had gotten little sleep, so terrified was he that something would happen to Julia if he looked away for even one second. Until her name was officially cleared, he doubted he would sleep at all. Julia had no such problem and was currently blissfully unaware. Mind you, Emily had dosed her with something, so it wasn't exactly comparable.

When George came in for the day, (reporting to duty as if nothing unusual had happened the previous night) the constable embraced Murdoch warmly.

"I'm so very happy you didn't have to go away, sir."

"I'm quite happy about that as well."

Once he had extricated himself from George's patented bear hug he asked, "Is the inspector in?", and craning his head in the direction of the office frowned when he saw Giles still sitting there.

George's face fell. "Ah, no, I'm afraid not, sir. His knee was damaged worse than the doctors would have liked."

"Oh, I see."

"But, I'm sure he'll bounce back in no time!"

"Yes," Murdoch nodded, "if anyone can, it will be him."

Emily came in then, beamed at both of them and greeted them as she approached.

"Would it be possible for me to see her again?"

"Of course, Dr. Grace."

She started in and then he remembered.

"But not at the moment I'm afraid. She's still resting."

"That's good to know." Frowning, "I feared this ordeal would cause her to relapse, like the last time that psychopath kidnapped her."

No doubt she would have nightmares again for a long time. And who could blame her?

"Detective, how much longer until she is a free woman again?"

"As to that, doctor, I have no idea. But I hope sooner, rather than later."

"As do I. She's been through enough as it is. To continue to be treated like a criminal is almost more than I can bear."

There was a commotion at the front of the constabulary. It was Brackenreid! He was holding on to crutches and wobbling his way over to them.

"Well what the bloody hell are you lot staring at?" he barked. Then he grinned and they grinned back, even Murdoch.

It was at this point that Giles poked his head out of the inspectors office. He glanced at both Brackenreid and Murdoch.

"A word, gentlemen."

Murdoch tried to walk as slowly as the inspector but found it very difficult. So they had to wait some time for him to get in there. Once within, Murdoch closed the door behind him.

"Please, take a seat."

They did.

"Would you care for some tea?"

Murdoch would have liked some as he was barely awake but Brackenreid said, "Get to the point, Giles."

"With pleasure. It's no secret that we've had our differences over the past few years, but after recent events, it is my desire to try and start anew. What are your thoughts on this?"

Murdoch and Brackenreid shared a look.

"Yes, you may well be surprised but that is not an answer. What do you say to my query?"

Murdoch couldn't speak for the inspector but he still had a great desire to smack him.

"Is such a thing even possible, sir?"

"I don't see why not, Murdoch. We are civilized men, are we not?"

There was silence. Giles remained impassive but Murdoch could tell he was starting to get annoyed. They still said nothing.

"Very well, gentlemen, I understand your thoughts exactly. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this but you've left me no choice."

Murdoch braced himself.

"If you don't agree to my terms, your suspensions will continue indefinitely, until you do."

"That's goddamn unfair!" burst out Brackenreid. "You can't do that! You can't force us to be your goddamn friends by abusing your power!"

"Friends, inspector? Who said anything about friends? I'm simply trying to wash away some of the bad blood between us, for the good of the constabulary."

Murdoch could understand his reasoning but he didn't like it one bit. But in the end, he knew someone would have to cave, and it wasn't likely to be Giles.

Better get this over with.

"All right, sir, have it your way." Murdoch repeated the exact wording that the chief constable had used before having him removed from the viewing area of Julia's 'execution.'

"And you, inspector? What is your response?"

Brackenreid sighed and said, "Fine but as soon as I have my badge back, I want you out of my office!"

"Ah, ah, ah, inspector," said Giles. "That is not the kind of attitude I will tolerate any longer."

"Oh bloody hell!" he said throwing up his hands. "Just give us our badges back!"

He viewed him in barely concealed annoyance.

"Once I do, I expect you both to conduct yourselves like proper police men. This means, no more breaking the law, no matter how trivial, no more questioning my orders, and no more talking back to me. I've had my fill of that toxic drink and I can't stomach any more. Do I have your words?"

They both nodded, with difficulty, especially in relation to his last demand.

"I'm glad that we have finally come to an understanding."

He reached into Brackenreid's desk and retrieved their badges, holding them out to them. Murdoch pinned it to his vest and felt complete once more.

It was a full week later before this terrible chapter in their lives had been put behind them. At least, in so far as Julia's name was cleared. It would be much longer before she was a hundred percent back to normal and people stopped looking at her strangely in the streets.

Darcy's funeral had taken place while she had been imprisoned (the first time) so she had never had an opportunity to visit his graveside. When she was feeling up to it, she did, placing a beautiful bouquet of flowers next to all the other more wilted ones. Murdoch waited some distance away, giving her some privacy and a chance for further closure.

When she was done, he could still make out the tear tracks she had tried to wipe away and he held her close for some time. Then with one last look over their shoulders, they left, both silently praying that they would have no new reason to come back here any time soon.

Though the normal grieving period for a widow was up to two years later, Julia did not do so. She remained in black for only two months time and then, in the middle of the third month, she was wed again. Needless to say, it was the happiest day of her life. And Murdoch's, him too. They hoped with all their hearts that they would remain this blissful for the rest of their lives.

And as far as this story goes, they did. ;) I'm super excited for Monday! Who's with me? I'm pretty sure we'll be getting a happy ending, not as happy as in this story mind you but probably a proposal at least! It's about time! Carpe diem!