Deep Cover

Epilogue

Kris hugged her mother goodbye and joined Shelby in the car for the long ride back to Northern Virginia. Masha was visiting a friend who had emigrated from Russia for political reasons in New York for two weeks. This was her second visit and she'd expressed a desire to find a place to rent in the Russian community, intending to use this visit to do that.

In Russian she had already told Kris that she expected to see them at least once a month if she did find a place, or they could expect her on their doorstep. Shelby had chuckled when Kris relayed the message and hugged Masha, promising, "We will." Shelby had grown very fond of Masha, and was glad they were all starting a new chapter in their lives.

It had been two months since Kris had been released, and their time alone had been very limited. They had stolen moments whenever they could, relishing each second they spent together.

Later that night, Shelby glanced at Kris, and smiled. "Wouldn't it be fun to go on a vacation?" Laying her head back against the couch dreamily, she thought out loud. "Maybe California, Florida or even Myrtle Beach. I've still got over 30 days of leave time left. You could take a break from setting up that electronics business. With that big severance check you got, it wouldn't hurt us."

Without answering, Kris stood up and walked out into the kitchen. Shelby's eyes followed her. "I guess that means you don't want to?"

Her partner returned and handed her an envelope. Shelby opened it, perused the contents, then jumped up off the couch and hugged Kris. "Key West! Here we come!" After giving the operative a big kiss, she asked, "And just when were you going to tell me about this?"

"I was going to ask you to go to dinner tomorrow night and give you the tickets then. I picked Key West because I was there on a case once, and I just loved it. They have the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen. I wanted you to get the chance to see it, too. I hope that's okay?"

"Okay? Are you kidding? I'm thrilled!" As Shelby began energetically expressing her delight, Kris moaned softly. Suffused with pleasure, the tall woman felt a brief flash of gratitude for everything that had brought her to this place and this woman. All the deceit, betrayal and violence - none of it was important if she could spend the rest of her life with the blonde whose eager lips were erasing everything from her mind. Smiling with delight as her lover pushed her back onto the couch, Kris finally let the past go. Shelby was her future and that was all that mattered.

THE END