Linked

Epilogue

My hand pushed on the metal door with a sign that read:  "Patient 182."  Liam Walker.  I entered the plain, white room and stopped in my tracks.

"Liam,"  I smiled and he lifted his head.  I crossed over to his bedside eagerly and hugged Liam as hard as I could, "I was so worried for you.  What did the doctors say?"

"Well, there are a few complications..."  I took a step back for him to speak, "I've taken some physical blows and stuff.  A few broken ribs, some deep cuts, you know.  But there's something else..."

"Whatever it is I'm fine with it, Liam.  We can work past your injuries."

"I know, Casey.  I know,"  He fixed his eyes on the floor, unable to look me in the eyes, "It's just... what you and I have..."

"It's okay Liam, I'm sure it'll be fine-"

"No, Casey.  You don't understand.  I- I lost the link.  I lost my powers,"  That cut me off, "The machine... it took them completely away."

"Liam-"

"I'm sorry, Casey.  I'm so sorry.  I tried to save all of you, but I just screwed it up,"  He put his head in his hands.

"Hey.  Look at me,"  I lifted his face to mine, "I'm serious when I say... it's okay.  I didn't fall in love with the guy with powers or muscles...  I fell in love with the guy that had a way with words.  The guy that could tell me everything would be alright and I'd believe him.  I fell in love with Liam Walker.  The man that saved me,"  He smiled with tears in his eyes and we embraced.

"I guess I never got to complete my quest,"  He spoke after a minute of gathering himself.

"What quest?"

"The quest to earn your honor and respect enough to get to read your thoughts, My Lady,"  He bowed his head and talked in a noble, playful voice.

I put my hand on my shoulder and laughed, "Oh, dearest Prince.  You had my respect long before you thought you did."

~~~

"Casey!"  My best friend caught me in the school halls on my first day back.

"Ellie!"  I missed you so much!"

"Me too!  I was so worried!  But- Okay, so I heard a lot of rumors about where you and Liam have been but I need the truth...  Did you two run away together?"  She grinned the grin only best friends can produce.  Liam laughed at my side and I responded for the both of us.

"No.  Definitely not.  It's a long story,"  I glanced at Liam.

"Yep.  Hey, how are things going with James?"  Liam, knowing my best friend well, redirected the conversation.

"Ooh... Someone's blushing,"  I toyed with her.

"Well... They're kinda... Awesome!  James is the best!  We've been on a few dates since you guys have been gone, and they were great!  I think he's finally my official boyfriend!"  She beamed.

"That's amazing!"  The bell rang and we began to walk to class.

Upon reaching mine and Ellie's first period classroom, Liam "ahemed" to get my attention, "Casey..."

"Oh!  One sec,"  I uttered to Ellie and started towards Liam.

I hustled over to him and jumped into Liam's arms.  He spun me around, and then we kissed as he lowered me back to the ground.  It was a short and sweet kiss, but a hard one.  Both of us understood the value of each other even being alive today.  So we kissed and I enjoyed it.  And I don't care who else was watching or who else will be during the kisses to come.  In fact, I secretly hoped people were envious of me and Liam; I sure would have been.

Then, we broke apart and he brought me to the ground.

"I'll see you after class, C,"  He repeated the name for me that had grown into so much more than it once was.

"Bye, Liam.  I love you."

"I love you too,"  We parted ways and I walked over to my best friend with a dropped jaw.

"Oh... my... goodness!  What a kiss!"

"Yep,"  I smiled in awe of the fact that that was my experience and mine alone.  It was something only I'd know the true emotions of.

"So..."  Ellie continued, "I guess you guys are officially a couple now, aren't you?"

"Believe me, Ellie.  After all we've been through, there's no way we wouldn't be boyfriend and girlfriend by now,"  My mind flashed through the events of the last month, "Speaking of all I've been through... What are your plans tonight?  Because I've got one heck of a story to tell you."