Fic: A Little Evil Comes A Long Way (Kahlan/Cara) 33/33
Title: A Little Evil Comes A Long Way
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: NC-17
A/N: modern AU
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 24, Chapter 25, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, Chapter 28, Chapter 29, Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 32
A/N2: well, this is it dear readers. the end of a admittedly rather long journey. I actually sat on this chapter for a while, contemplating if I should re-write it, make it longer and more epic. but then I concluded that it would not be the way the rest of the story is written, so I stuck with my original draft. this chapter slows everything down and ties up some of the loose ends. thank you once again for your support everyone, this story would've never gotten finished without you.
Chapter 33
Someone is gently stroking her hair and Kahlan can’t help but smile. Her cheek hurts when she does but it’s worth it. She mewls quietly and enjoys the touch.
“That’s nice…”
“Look who’s awake. Welcome back.”
She pries her eyes open when she hears the voice, needing a moment to adjust to the rather bright light from a ceiling lamp. Everything above her is white, but when she turns her head slightly she finds herself staring into teary sea-green eyes.
“Cara?”
Her voice sounds a little raw from disuse and she clears her throat quietly.
“I’m here.”
The detective resumes combing her fingers through Kahlan’s matted hair.
“So I leave you out of my sight for like twelve hours and you go and get hurt…”
Blue eyes slip close once again.
“Uhm…sorry?”
Kahlan is already on the verge of falling back asleep. She hasn’t gotten the feel for her body back quite yet and her mind is too muddled to really make sense of anything.
“It’s okay. I forgive you…”
Cara’s voice eventually fades away but she still feels utterly content knowing of the detective’s presence, sleeping peacefully and dreamlessly.
When she struggles back to consciousness once again she can hear voices quietly talking.
“And your dog found her?”
“Yes. I don’t know how she got there… like this, but I’m glad he did. Who knows what would’ve happened hadn’t I come across her…”
Kahlan opens her eyes and turns her head to find Cara and Dahlia sitting in two chairs on a small table next to her bed. She feels much more like herself and smiles at the sight.
“Remind me to give Spike a bone for that…”
Two pairs of eyes immediately turn to her. Dahlia jumps up and takes a few steps to stand next to the bed, carefully cradling Kahlan’s hand in her own.
“Cousin! I’m so glad you’re awake. How are you? You had me seriously worried.”
“I’ll get some water,” Cara announces and smiles at Kahlan before slipping out of the room.
Dahlia then smirks and leans down to look into still slightly bleary blue eyes.
“And you did not tell me that you had this super hot detective hidden away in your back pocket.”
Dahlia clicks her tongue as Kahlan chuckles.
“No… don’t make me laugh…hurts…”
In fact Kahlan’s entire upper body feels like something is tightly wrapped around it. There is a dull ache in her chest and each breath causes her pain.
She furrows her brow when she attempts to look down at herself. Her head is still a little fuzzy, but she tries to remember what exactly happened and how she ended up in a hospital. After focusing for a couple of moments, memories suddenly rush back to her. She remembers Denna, and how she took the diamonds after shooting Kahlan.
Something akin to fear settles in Kahlan’s stomach and she swallows past the lump rising in her throat.
“H-how bad is it?”
Dahlia seems to understand immediately and her thumb strokes gently across the back of Kahlan’s hand.
“The doctors said that you’ll be fine. You lost quite some blood but everything else was just superficial…”
Kahlan’s lower lip quivers, but not because of the constant pain. The only thing on her mind is the question if there are going to be scars. Her entire back had been torn, and only recently, with Cara’s help, did she realize that she could actually feel good about her body; that the scars did not make her any less desirable. And now this.
Kahlan knows that she is starting to panic, but she can’t stop her heart beat from picking up. The only thing that keeps her anchored to the present is Cara who returns, holding a cup and water bottle. She unscrews the bottle, pours some water into the cup and walks over to gently place it against Kahlan’s lips. There is no hesitation in Cara’s movements, no uncertainty.
Kahlan looks up into compassionate green eyes as she carefully sips the liquid, slowly calming down again. As she gazes at the smile on Cara’s lips, she begins to think that maybe one or two scars won’t matter as much. The idea of even more flaws on her skin still makes her wince, but it is bearable.
Her throat feels much better having had something to drink, and now after all the excitement she feels exhaustion making her eyelids heavy.
“Cara? I just… I need you to know that I’m sorry… I never meant…”
The detective just shakes her head, resting her hand atop Kahlan’s.
“It’s okay. I’m not angry. Don’t worry about it, all I need you to do is get better now, alright?”
Cara smiles encouragingly and Dahlia gives her a thumbs up from behind the blonde.
“Thanks, that’s good…”
She sighs and closes her eyes, sleep already creeping up on her senses and thoughts.
“Love you both…,” she mumbles and, taking a deep breath, is fast asleep.
…
Kahlan winces when Rahl pulls her into a hug.
“Still hurting?”
He takes a small step back and looks at her questioningly. Kahlan smiles and half-shrugs.
“It’s not that bad really. I’ll be okay. What about you though? Think you’ll manage?”
He smoothes his hair back with one hand and smirks.
“Of course. You know I’m not going down. I’ll miss Jennsen though, and I might have developed a soft spot for you too.”
Kahlan chuckles quietly and shakes her head.
“Of course, I mean what is there not to like? But seriously, I wish you all the best, maybe we’ll see each other again someday.”
She rests a hand on his shoulder and he bends down to kiss her cheek before grabbing his suitcase and disappearing through a door that slides open with a quiet hiss. He turns one last time and grins before the door blocks Kahlan’s view.
She sighs quietly and looks around the crowded airport.
A few weeks have passed since she’d been released from the hospital and everything had turned out to be alright from then on. Somehow Rahl had managed to strike a deal with the cops, and by helping to bring Dewitt and his entire organization down he walked out of it as a free man. Jennsen was returned to her husband without as much as a scratch and Detective Cypher was given credit for playing his part in arresting Desmond Dewitt in the first place.
Of course no one knew where that anonymous tip had come from, and Kahlan hopes they will never find out. She had still owed Richard for helping her at that dinner party all those months ago and giving him the chance to arrest one of the greatest criminals of the century was her way of thanking him.
Everything went almost a little too smoothly, aside from the whole getting shot business, but Kahlan is set on enjoying the way life has turned out for her without worrying too much.
Kahlan takes a cab from the airport and leans back into the seat with a smile on her face. She flips open her cell phone and calls her cousin.
“Hey! Is he gone?”
“Yep. I suppose we won’t see him again for a while.”
“Can’t say that I’d miss the bastard…”
“He wasn’t that bad. Without him we might not have managed to get out of this mess alive.”
“True. But hey are you going to make it back home this evening?”
Kahlan smiles and looks out the window as the cab stops at a red light. She likes the sound of the word home.
“I hope not.”
“Well I good luck to you then.”
Dahlia chuckles quietly.
“Later cousin.”
“Bye.”
The cab stops in front of a friendly little building that has become quite familiar to Kahlan. An elderly woman struggles with a few bags of groceries and Kahlan hurries up the stairs to help her carry them into the apartment.
“Hello Mrs Johnson, how are you?”
The woman pants quietly but smiles when Kahlan approaches.
“I’m good, thank you dear.”
They make their way through the door and Kahlan places the bags down somewhere near the kitchen.
“Are you here to visit the detective?” the elderly woman asks.
Blue eyes sparkle as Kahlan nods.
“Well, good good. She seems far more happy and less lonely ever since you have started visiting. That’s a good thing, very good.”
Mrs Johnson pats Kahlan’s shoulder affectionately and ushers her out the door by thrusting a chew bone into her hands.
“Hurry on up dear and say hello to Spike from me.”
“I will, thank you.”
Kahlan takes two steps at a time as she hurries up to the door and takes a deep breath before raising her hand and knocking. Spike’s excited bark can be heard from the behind the door. There is some shuffling before Cara opens it and a broad smile spreads across her features.
“Hey.”
She is holding the dog back by blocking his path with her legs. His tail wags happily and he greets his favorite visitor with another bark.
“Hey. I brought something.”
Kahlan holds out the chew bone and Cara laughs.
“How did you know? Exactly what I wanted.”
The detective steps aside to let her enter and the scent of Cara’s delicious cooking immediately engulfs her. Kahlan kneels down and waits until Spike sits down in front of her submissively.
“Who is a good boy?”
One bark. She grins broadly and wraps both arms around his neck to press her cheek against his furry side.
“My savior.”
The dog wriggles in her embrace to turn is head and drag his tongue squarely across her face.
“I love you too. Here.”
She holds the chew bone out to him and he snatches it out of her hand before scurrying back to his basket and munching on his newest possession.
“So Agent Amnell, hungry?”
Kahlan cringes as she stands and turns to Cara.
“Really? That’s what you’re going to call me now?”
“Well had you told me all that earlier I might have gotten it out of my system by now.”
“Fine, if that’s how you wanna play it Detective Mason.”
Kahlan saunters over to where Cara is standing in the kitchen and encircles her waist with her arms from behind.
“So everything went fine I gather?” Cara asks as she leans back into the embrace.
“Yes. He’s gone now and I hope he has a good time wherever he is going to end up.”
Cara suddenly spins around and pulls Kahlan into her, their noses almost touching.
“I don’t know about your ex-gangster friend, but I am certainly going to have a good time. Want to join me?”
Kahlan grins and leans in. She captures Cara’s lips in a soft kiss, her tongue gently moving in for a taste.
“Oh yes, I will follow you wherever you want to.”
“Then I would suggest our first stop to be the bedroom…”
Cara grins against Kahlan’s lips and the brunette closes her eyes for a moment.
This is it, Kahlan thinks to herself, this is what happiness feels like and it is fucking great.
The End
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: NC-17
A/N: modern AU
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 24, Chapter 25, Chapter 26, Chapter 27, Chapter 28, Chapter 29, Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 32
A/N2: well, this is it dear readers. the end of a admittedly rather long journey. I actually sat on this chapter for a while, contemplating if I should re-write it, make it longer and more epic. but then I concluded that it would not be the way the rest of the story is written, so I stuck with my original draft. this chapter slows everything down and ties up some of the loose ends. thank you once again for your support everyone, this story would've never gotten finished without you.
Chapter 33
Someone is gently stroking her hair and Kahlan can’t help but smile. Her cheek hurts when she does but it’s worth it. She mewls quietly and enjoys the touch.
“That’s nice…”
“Look who’s awake. Welcome back.”
She pries her eyes open when she hears the voice, needing a moment to adjust to the rather bright light from a ceiling lamp. Everything above her is white, but when she turns her head slightly she finds herself staring into teary sea-green eyes.
“Cara?”
Her voice sounds a little raw from disuse and she clears her throat quietly.
“I’m here.”
The detective resumes combing her fingers through Kahlan’s matted hair.
“So I leave you out of my sight for like twelve hours and you go and get hurt…”
Blue eyes slip close once again.
“Uhm…sorry?”
Kahlan is already on the verge of falling back asleep. She hasn’t gotten the feel for her body back quite yet and her mind is too muddled to really make sense of anything.
“It’s okay. I forgive you…”
Cara’s voice eventually fades away but she still feels utterly content knowing of the detective’s presence, sleeping peacefully and dreamlessly.
When she struggles back to consciousness once again she can hear voices quietly talking.
“And your dog found her?”
“Yes. I don’t know how she got there… like this, but I’m glad he did. Who knows what would’ve happened hadn’t I come across her…”
Kahlan opens her eyes and turns her head to find Cara and Dahlia sitting in two chairs on a small table next to her bed. She feels much more like herself and smiles at the sight.
“Remind me to give Spike a bone for that…”
Two pairs of eyes immediately turn to her. Dahlia jumps up and takes a few steps to stand next to the bed, carefully cradling Kahlan’s hand in her own.
“Cousin! I’m so glad you’re awake. How are you? You had me seriously worried.”
“I’ll get some water,” Cara announces and smiles at Kahlan before slipping out of the room.
Dahlia then smirks and leans down to look into still slightly bleary blue eyes.
“And you did not tell me that you had this super hot detective hidden away in your back pocket.”
Dahlia clicks her tongue as Kahlan chuckles.
“No… don’t make me laugh…hurts…”
In fact Kahlan’s entire upper body feels like something is tightly wrapped around it. There is a dull ache in her chest and each breath causes her pain.
She furrows her brow when she attempts to look down at herself. Her head is still a little fuzzy, but she tries to remember what exactly happened and how she ended up in a hospital. After focusing for a couple of moments, memories suddenly rush back to her. She remembers Denna, and how she took the diamonds after shooting Kahlan.
Something akin to fear settles in Kahlan’s stomach and she swallows past the lump rising in her throat.
“H-how bad is it?”
Dahlia seems to understand immediately and her thumb strokes gently across the back of Kahlan’s hand.
“The doctors said that you’ll be fine. You lost quite some blood but everything else was just superficial…”
Kahlan’s lower lip quivers, but not because of the constant pain. The only thing on her mind is the question if there are going to be scars. Her entire back had been torn, and only recently, with Cara’s help, did she realize that she could actually feel good about her body; that the scars did not make her any less desirable. And now this.
Kahlan knows that she is starting to panic, but she can’t stop her heart beat from picking up. The only thing that keeps her anchored to the present is Cara who returns, holding a cup and water bottle. She unscrews the bottle, pours some water into the cup and walks over to gently place it against Kahlan’s lips. There is no hesitation in Cara’s movements, no uncertainty.
Kahlan looks up into compassionate green eyes as she carefully sips the liquid, slowly calming down again. As she gazes at the smile on Cara’s lips, she begins to think that maybe one or two scars won’t matter as much. The idea of even more flaws on her skin still makes her wince, but it is bearable.
Her throat feels much better having had something to drink, and now after all the excitement she feels exhaustion making her eyelids heavy.
“Cara? I just… I need you to know that I’m sorry… I never meant…”
The detective just shakes her head, resting her hand atop Kahlan’s.
“It’s okay. I’m not angry. Don’t worry about it, all I need you to do is get better now, alright?”
Cara smiles encouragingly and Dahlia gives her a thumbs up from behind the blonde.
“Thanks, that’s good…”
She sighs and closes her eyes, sleep already creeping up on her senses and thoughts.
“Love you both…,” she mumbles and, taking a deep breath, is fast asleep.
…
Kahlan winces when Rahl pulls her into a hug.
“Still hurting?”
He takes a small step back and looks at her questioningly. Kahlan smiles and half-shrugs.
“It’s not that bad really. I’ll be okay. What about you though? Think you’ll manage?”
He smoothes his hair back with one hand and smirks.
“Of course. You know I’m not going down. I’ll miss Jennsen though, and I might have developed a soft spot for you too.”
Kahlan chuckles quietly and shakes her head.
“Of course, I mean what is there not to like? But seriously, I wish you all the best, maybe we’ll see each other again someday.”
She rests a hand on his shoulder and he bends down to kiss her cheek before grabbing his suitcase and disappearing through a door that slides open with a quiet hiss. He turns one last time and grins before the door blocks Kahlan’s view.
She sighs quietly and looks around the crowded airport.
A few weeks have passed since she’d been released from the hospital and everything had turned out to be alright from then on. Somehow Rahl had managed to strike a deal with the cops, and by helping to bring Dewitt and his entire organization down he walked out of it as a free man. Jennsen was returned to her husband without as much as a scratch and Detective Cypher was given credit for playing his part in arresting Desmond Dewitt in the first place.
Of course no one knew where that anonymous tip had come from, and Kahlan hopes they will never find out. She had still owed Richard for helping her at that dinner party all those months ago and giving him the chance to arrest one of the greatest criminals of the century was her way of thanking him.
Everything went almost a little too smoothly, aside from the whole getting shot business, but Kahlan is set on enjoying the way life has turned out for her without worrying too much.
Kahlan takes a cab from the airport and leans back into the seat with a smile on her face. She flips open her cell phone and calls her cousin.
“Hey! Is he gone?”
“Yep. I suppose we won’t see him again for a while.”
“Can’t say that I’d miss the bastard…”
“He wasn’t that bad. Without him we might not have managed to get out of this mess alive.”
“True. But hey are you going to make it back home this evening?”
Kahlan smiles and looks out the window as the cab stops at a red light. She likes the sound of the word home.
“I hope not.”
“Well I good luck to you then.”
Dahlia chuckles quietly.
“Later cousin.”
“Bye.”
The cab stops in front of a friendly little building that has become quite familiar to Kahlan. An elderly woman struggles with a few bags of groceries and Kahlan hurries up the stairs to help her carry them into the apartment.
“Hello Mrs Johnson, how are you?”
The woman pants quietly but smiles when Kahlan approaches.
“I’m good, thank you dear.”
They make their way through the door and Kahlan places the bags down somewhere near the kitchen.
“Are you here to visit the detective?” the elderly woman asks.
Blue eyes sparkle as Kahlan nods.
“Well, good good. She seems far more happy and less lonely ever since you have started visiting. That’s a good thing, very good.”
Mrs Johnson pats Kahlan’s shoulder affectionately and ushers her out the door by thrusting a chew bone into her hands.
“Hurry on up dear and say hello to Spike from me.”
“I will, thank you.”
Kahlan takes two steps at a time as she hurries up to the door and takes a deep breath before raising her hand and knocking. Spike’s excited bark can be heard from the behind the door. There is some shuffling before Cara opens it and a broad smile spreads across her features.
“Hey.”
She is holding the dog back by blocking his path with her legs. His tail wags happily and he greets his favorite visitor with another bark.
“Hey. I brought something.”
Kahlan holds out the chew bone and Cara laughs.
“How did you know? Exactly what I wanted.”
The detective steps aside to let her enter and the scent of Cara’s delicious cooking immediately engulfs her. Kahlan kneels down and waits until Spike sits down in front of her submissively.
“Who is a good boy?”
One bark. She grins broadly and wraps both arms around his neck to press her cheek against his furry side.
“My savior.”
The dog wriggles in her embrace to turn is head and drag his tongue squarely across her face.
“I love you too. Here.”
She holds the chew bone out to him and he snatches it out of her hand before scurrying back to his basket and munching on his newest possession.
“So Agent Amnell, hungry?”
Kahlan cringes as she stands and turns to Cara.
“Really? That’s what you’re going to call me now?”
“Well had you told me all that earlier I might have gotten it out of my system by now.”
“Fine, if that’s how you wanna play it Detective Mason.”
Kahlan saunters over to where Cara is standing in the kitchen and encircles her waist with her arms from behind.
“So everything went fine I gather?” Cara asks as she leans back into the embrace.
“Yes. He’s gone now and I hope he has a good time wherever he is going to end up.”
Cara suddenly spins around and pulls Kahlan into her, their noses almost touching.
“I don’t know about your ex-gangster friend, but I am certainly going to have a good time. Want to join me?”
Kahlan grins and leans in. She captures Cara’s lips in a soft kiss, her tongue gently moving in for a taste.
“Oh yes, I will follow you wherever you want to.”
“Then I would suggest our first stop to be the bedroom…”
Cara grins against Kahlan’s lips and the brunette closes her eyes for a moment.
This is it, Kahlan thinks to herself, this is what happiness feels like and it is fucking great.
The End