Bulletproof

Epilogue

You felt the rush of wind against your hair as you squinted down at the obsidian colored rock that marked the gravestone of somebody you loved. Reaching you hand out, you let your hands trail across the engravings on the stone.

Corporal Alexis Lane (1958-1997)

EVERY NEW BEGINNING STARTS WITH HOPE.

TAKE THE COURAGE TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND NEVER GIVE UP.

You laid a dozen orchids carefully on Lane's grave, positioning them quaintly. You stood back up, and Bruce grabbed one of your hands. Jersey laid her own dozen of orchids on her mother's memorial and then stepped back to hold your other hand.

Ace wrapped an arm around Jersey as the four of you stood in silence, gazing at the beautiful tombstone before you.

You could feel tears begin to well up in your eyes as you remembered all of the adventures that you two had together on tour. Her salt, her sass, her sense of humor, those were some of the things that you missed about Lane. You couldn't help but wipe a tear trickling down your face.

A few more droplets escaped your eyes and trailed down your cheeks. Bruce cups your face and gently wiped them away.

"You can do it," he whispers to you, "you're shatterproof. You may crack, but you will never break. Not on my dead body or any of your friend's lives."

Bruce kissed your forehead and leaned into his touch. You wrapped your arm around his waist as Ace and Jersey wiped their own tears. As much as you missed Lane, you could only imagine how much Jersey had missed her...

You left Bruce's side to pull Jersey into a tight hug. You could tell she was surprised at first, but then you felt her hug you back and bury her head in your shoulder. She sobbed for minutes before you two broke apart; Ace and Jersey held hands once more as they walked off.

You stood staring down at the gravestone for a while longer, more silent tears streaming down your cheeks. When you were finally ready, you turned around and Bruce was watching you intently. He offered his hand to you, and you looked at for a moment through watery eyes.

He smiled sweetly and reached his hand out to you further, urging you to take it. You looked back at Lane's grave one more time before you gazed at Bruce and took his hand.

"You want to know what Lane told me that day?" You whispered, "she told me to take a chance, to believe in myself."

Bruce squeezed your hand. His touch reassured you as you continued on,

"I made a promise to her that day. I promised that I wouldn't look back, that I would try to keep on moving forward for her. I promised that I would try."

Bruce looked at you with affection and smiled.

"I know you'll keep your promise," Bruce assured as he took his other hand to rub your shoulders

You appreciated his comforting touch.

"Did she say anything else?"

"Yeah..." you grinned like a child, "...to let love in."

He held you as you laid your head on his chest. You could hear his voice reverberate in his chest as he spoke.

"Do you remember our promise?" He asked, arching his eyebrows seductively.

"No...remind me again..." you bit your lip playfully.

He took your hands and wrapped it around his waist again to bring you in close.