[epilogue]

Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)

This story is gonna be darker, and deal with serious, sometimes disturbing issues. Just so everyone knows. Okay? Okay.

**

~Faye's POV~

I'm not the same girl I was.

I'm a survivor.

I'm stronger.

And not just because of Jimmie. Or for Jimmie.

But for and because of myself.

Even though, admittedly, he played a helluva big part.

Matt is gone. My life is my own.

And I'm happy.

Insanely, annoying, disgustingly happy.

Whether I deserve it or not doesn't cross my mind anymore.

No one deserves what I had.

So maybe I've earned the right to what I have right in front of me.

A beautiful, kindhearted man who knows how to protect me, smile and make me weak in the knees, and how to make me laugh.

Everyone deserves that from somebody.

"Hey, beautiful. You here to see me?" Jimmie grins and he climbs out of his test car.

"Only to admire the view." I tease, as he bends over to unhook his heat shields and I stare at his ass.

"Hussy."

"Tease."

"Mm…we'll see about that." He says, sweeping me into a bear hug and kissing my nose teasingly.

I'm not the same girl I was.

I'm better.

[fin]