✿ This is the last chapter. ✿

I CAN'T HEAR YOU!

What would Jesus do after he just stole a police car while trying to get away from a psychopathic killer clown?

Well, he most certainly probably might not have burst into tears.

Like I did.

Sobbing, panicking, and trying to keep myself from driving off the road all at the same time was very hard. I was a mess of all sorts, and those sorts were not the good kind of sorts. Sorts is a funny word. Sorts. Sorts. Sort- okay, I'll stop now.

I felt like throwing up. But then I figured I might get into even more trouble than I already was for vomiting in a police car. You know, the one I just stole in front of the police officers. No, wait. I didn't actually steal it. I just borrowed it. I'm sure everyone would understand. I was trying to avoid getting shot by a crazy killer clown. Maybe there was a way out of this. I'd just have to explain myself right.

Oh, God. There was no way out of this, was there? Even talking wouldn't make anything better. Unless I found the greatest explanation in the history of explanations, I was in for it. Every time I opened my mouth, one thing or the other always managed to get screwed up by my useless babbling.

It was better to just accept how fucked I was than to create some insane backstory that could keep me out of prison. Hey, maybe prison wouldn't be so bad. Free food, free living quarters. It'd be like living in a hotel with a bunch of girls. Did someone say sleepover? A sleepover for life? Sounds great to me. No problem on my part.

Just kidding. I had a lot of problems, and they all started with a man named Cage Vickers.

I was running from the police now.

I just sneaked out of a hospital.

I stole- no wait, borrowed a police car.

Rainbow Clown probably killed Dr. Fritz and the two officers and he was probably coming after me by now.

I had no idea where I was going.

I had no idea where Cage was or if he had been arrested.

I had to pee.

So in other words, I had to dye my hair black, grow a mustache, fake a passport, move to California, and start learning how to fish as a simple fisherman who most definitely was not a seventeen year old teenage convict.

Sniffling angrily, I ran past a red light without thinking. A part of me almost expected a police car to start following me when I ran past it before I realized that I was in a police car and running red lights probably was not illegal for them. Hey, I guess good things did come out of this. I could break any law I wanted and no one would question it because people would think I was a police officer when really I was a teenage girl who burnt off one of her eyebrows.

Swerving madly, I had to go off the road to avoid several collisions on the busy city streets. The high-powered police cruiser was almost too much for my chicken arms to control, but I somehow managed to drive for five minutes straight without crashing. In that time, I stopped sniffling and tried to think of ways to get a fake passport.

I had to get out of the car. I knew there was a tracking system in here somewhere. All cop cars had one to make sure they weren't stolen. No doubt that the police were already after me.

I stepped on the pedal, increasing the speed. The tall buildings and businesses of Chicago began to blur past as I drove my sorry little butt out of the city. I had to leave Chicago immediately. I could deal with Fern and Cage when I had settled somewhere safe. Panicking and freaking out wasn't going to help anything right now. I was safe and I got away...it wasn't gonna be long until the police caught up, but for now, I was okay.

The buildings were starting to thin out as more trees appeared. I was about on the border of Chicago now. The sky was beginning to darken even more as lights clicked on and turned Chicago into the busy, incomparable mess that I loved. Trees were now more occasional as I left the magic of the city behind. I calmed myself down and willed myself not to freak out as the streets turned to woods and the buildings into trees.

I slowed down when I pulled onto an empty gravel road with woods on either sides. The path cut through nature. It didn't belong, interrupting the friendly darkness that emanated from the starry sky. There weren't any cars behind me or in front of me that I could see. I was okay. It would be okay.

The farther I drove away from the city, the better I felt.

Pulling up on the side of the road, I parked the car and sat in it for a minute. The radio was a garbling mess because of the bad cell reception around here. The darkness felt nice. I could feel the drying tears making my cheeks stiff and the burning of my eyes. My hair was a windblown mess. I pulled it up into a ponytail. My heart was still beating hard and there was a dreadful clench to my stomach that I could not loosen for the life of me. My bruises ached, my head hurt, and my legs felt like they were on fire.

I took a deep shuddering breath and slipped out of the car.

The wind was quick to claim me as the new victim. Zipping my jacket closed, I shoved my hands into my pockets and started trying to accept my new role as a fisherman. Was there like...an illegal passport dealer I could go to?

It was with inexplicable sadness that I began to plan out my new life. I don't know for how long I walked or where I was going, but I did keep my eye out for the occasional Taco Bell. There wasn't any. There wasn't anything. There were just trees, the darkness, and little sad November Jones. My legs started to ache after a few moments. I think I made it to three miles before I noticed something up on the road.

It was a dark figure hunched over to the side. At first I thought it was a wolf and I almost climbed a tree to get away from it until I realized that it was not a wolf. It had a strange shape. Kinda lumpy and odd with shapes in all the wrong places. It almost looked like a man bent down on the side of the road.

Because that's exactly what it was. It was a man bent down on the side of the road.

I couldn't see anything except the back of a dark green jacket and thick combat boots. As I neared, I could hear the man speaking softly. There wasn't anyone else in front of him as far as I was concerned, so I began to think that the man was crazy. I could deal with crazy if he had a car to go along with it. Maybe this man and I could go to Taco Bell. Maybe this man was an illegal passport dealer.

He didn't turn around as I cautiously walked up. I don't think he heard me, but I did hear him. At least, I heard what he was saying.

"-I can't just wait here with you, kitty." A deep, male voice muttered. The man sounded frustrated. I inched closer, unnecessarily curious as to what he was talking to. I couldn't see anything over his hulking figure. "You and I are both lost. Please, just come on. We need to go before someone finds either of us, okay? We're going to get ourselves into one hell of a mess by just standing here. Here, kitty. Just climb onto my hand. There you go. We got this, kitty. I won't hurt you, I promise."

I carefully reached out one shaky finger to tap him on the shoulder to get the man's attention. However, before I could, the man suddenly stood up. Startled, I audibly gasped without thinking.

The man heard me.

He turned around, fixing me with an equally startled expression.

At first, I couldn't speak. But when I did finally manage to speak, it was nothing more an a gargled choking noise. I think I choked on my spit and then the air. It was a mixture of both. Coughing awkwardly, I tried to clear my throat. This was not how I imagined our reunion would be.

The man was not some crazy man wandering around at night talking to invisible things like I thought he was.

The man was none other than my Cage Vickers.

His jacket was stained with blood. He was wearing the same clothes he had when we jumped off that roof. Patches of blood soaked a thick uneven scarlet circle on his clothes. One of Cage's hands was wrapped around with what appeared to be a ripped white shirt. The corner of his mouth was cut and bleeding. He had several bruises on his face, including one that ran the course of one side of his jaw like a scratch. His lips were a dark red and his eyes were a striking green. They were as pretty as the last time I saw them. To me, Cage Vickers could not have been more beautiful.

In his hands, the object that his words had been directed to, was a newborn kitten. It was a tiny white thing with orange and black patches, a calico with black eyes that squinted lazily back at me. The bundle of cuteness rested in one of Cage's large hands, mewling softly.

Cage looked stunned. I think I had a similar look on my face. He was as speechless as I was. I don't think he expected to ever see me again, either. His dark eyes pierced me carefully, running up and down the length of my body to see how badly bruised I was. From the way his eyes darkened, I don't think he was pleased.

Cage didn't move. Neither did I. I don't think we could move. I was so in shock that this didn't feel real. I would have pinched myself but I couldn't. A mixture of emotions ran through me. First, it was unreasonable joy and happiness. And then it was heavy, dark anger, and then confusion, and then happiness again. When you're standing in front of the dangerous criminal you confessed your love to before jumping off the roof of a fifty story building and thinking you'd never see each other again, there wasn't much of a way to react except an overwhelming blow of emotions that caused civil wars.

And when that very same man was holding a kitten, you couldn't really say much except for a few sounds of babbling nonsense.

I snapped my fingers and pointed past Cage's shoulder. "I have to go."

I don't know what I was doing, and I don't think Cage did either. Emotions were a funny thing, really. They made you do all sorts of nonsense. When I actually decided to try and walk away, Cage was quick to clamp onto my arm and drag me back.

"November-"

"I'm going to California to become a fisherman." I pried Cage's fingers off me and went to walk past him again, but again, it didn't work. He just pulled me back by my sleeve.

As complicated as we had left things and as much as I wanted to grab Cage by the neck and kiss him with everything I had, I couldn't. I was just starting to accept the fact that I'd never see his handsome, annoying face again. But no, fate had to fuck me over once more.

Cage and I, we were all sorts of messed up. We didn't work together. We were polar opposites. Jumping off a hospital roof was evidence of just how incompatible we were when we were together. He didn't even look that happy to see me. As pathetic as I felt, I needed to leave. Not just because the police were going to eventually find me, but because I didn't trust myself around Cage anymore. Not that I did in the first place, anyways.

Cage didn't loosen his grip. With one hand, he cuddled the kitten closer to his cheek as he spoke. "Let me explain, November."

I waited patiently, staring at his bloodstained chest.

Cage didn't speak for the longest while.

He pulled his hand away. The fingers on my arm replaced themselves as fingers on my chin. Cage stepped closer, resting his thumb on my bottom lip, the rest clutching my chin. He only had the whole universe in his eyes. Cage bent down, making my heart jump as much as it did the very first night we met. "I don't have a good explanation."

I pulled his fingers off my chin. His touch was just as electrifying. I talked to his chest, not his face. It was easier that way. "Neither do I, but I'll try. But you weren't arrested, obviously. I think I'm about to be, though. I sneaked out of the hospital. Fern thought I was in a coma, but hey, look at me. I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

I ignored him. Picking up Cage's hand gently, I pried his clenched fist loose and kissed the palm of his hand. "I stole a police car. It's a few miles back, I think. Rainbow Clown found me and he tried to kill me, so really, stealing that car was justified. So here I am. Me. November Jones. Except I'm not going to be November Jones for long. Since I'm a criminal like you now, I decided to dye my hair black, grow a mustache, and move to California to become a fisherman. What about you, Cage?"

"I don't know, I was thinking of heading to Dubai to reclaim my throne as a Saudi Arabian prince." Cage said. He was kidding...I think. Cage picked up my hand and kissed my palm like I had to him, making flutters go through my stomach. "After we jumped, I had to leave. I am so sorry for leaving you, princess, but I had to go before they caught me. The Feds chased me around half the damn city. I have one of my men acting as bait. They fell for it and went after him. They're tracking him halfway to Russia by now. I've been trying to find my way to Polly Heights but it was a lot tougher than I thought. I found this-" Cage motioned to the kitten now sleeping against his shoulder. "-a mile back. He was lost, too."

"Nick and Heath went after you." I said. "I don't know where they are now. Fern and Diana are okay. They're still in the hospital."

"Good. I think Nick and Heath are back at Polly Heights. I haven't been able to contact them. The city's on lockdown." Cage said quietly.

"But you're okay?"

"Yes. And you?"

"I'm great." I could manage a smile this time. The knot in my stomach was starting to loosen. "I can't believe this happened."

''Same, princess." Cage grinned. "Did you say you stole a police car?"

"Rainbow Clown was going to kill me!"

"Congratulations, November." Cage bent down and kissed the side of my hair. I felt the same twist of happiness go through me. "You are officially a criminal."

"Thanks." I stood on tiptoes and pressed my lips to his cheek. "Did you say you rescued a kitten?"

"He was lost!"

"Congratulations, Cage." I smirked. "You officially have a heart."

"Thank you, princess." He slipped his fingers through mine. "Let's get out of here. I've always wanted to go to Belgium. If you agree to come with me, I can get us there before the sun rises over Chicago. I'm-" Cage's voice cracked and he had to clear his throat. "-I'm really glad I found you, November. I was going to search every inch of this city until I had you back in my arms."

"That is so cute-" I didn't get to finish my sentence. Cage bent down and pressed his lips against mine. This time, I knew that he meant what he said. No more games. Cage seemed almost desperate as he kissed me, an edge of darkness that I came to accept and love. His lips were so possessive they left me breathless. We moved away, lips burning and eyes bright.

We began to walk. "So what are you gonna name your kitten?" I asked.

"Name it?" He questioned in innocent confusion. "I was just gonna leave it on the doorstep of an animal shelter or something. I can't take care of a cat, November. I'm the last person who can deal with animals."

"Nope. The law states that any abandoned kitten found by a person is now the sole owner of said kitten." I argued. "You're keeping that kitten, Cage."

He gave me a wild stare. "Whose law, November?"

"Mine."

''I'm not keeping the cat, November."

"It's a kitten, and yes you are. I think you should name it Charlie."

"You're ridiculous."

I reached over and pet the head of the calico kitten gently. It was so cute, I wanted to melt. The sight of one of the most dangerous men in the world cuddling a kitten to his chest was so unbelievably cute. Cage couldn't let that thing go. I wouldn't let him. "So you'll keep it."

"For fuck's sake, princess!" Cage growled. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "Yes, I'll keep Charlie."

"Good. I guess I'll keep you, then." I sighed too.

"You're mine forever, princess. You're stuck with me and Charlie for the rest of your life." Cage smiled.

I smiled too, as we walked hand in hand down the empty road. Above, the stars seemed to sparkle just a little bit brighter. The darkness didn't seem as scary, and neither did the future, which was good because I didn't know the first thing about fishing. As we walked, we left the troubles of the city behind. Of course, everything back in the city could be taken care of later. Right now, I was content with walking as far as forever with Cage without ever looking back.

Cage lifted my arm up and twirled me around. I laughed, following through with his movements. Both of us were bruised beyond belief and had a hell of a lot to deal with in the future, but for now, we were happy.

"Watch out Belguim." He laughed softly, grabbing and pulling me into another kiss. "Here comes November Jones-"

"-And Cage Vickers and Charlie!" I tried twirling him around too but it didn't work because he was taller than I was, so I settled for patting his cheek nicely.

"I love you, princess."

"Aw, that's so sweet! Thank you."

"You nerd." Cage let go of my hand and squeezed my side, sending me into a squealing mess.

After I calmed down, I managed to get serious. "I love you too, you stupid piece of stale wheat bread."

"I'm your stupid piece of stale wheat bread." was his amused reply.

I slipped my hand into his hand and we began walking again. After a moment, I thought of something. And it might have been the most important something I ever thought of in my life. A question that I desperately needed an answer to. Poking the side of Cage's arm, I sidled up to him.

"Hey, do they have a Taco Bell in Belgium?"