Miracles do happen. That's at least what the doctors keep on telling me. They'll say, 'You've been proclaimed dead for almost an hour. All because of your boy Derek, you're alive now. He wouldn't give up.' 

Even after I shot his father and then died in his arms---he still held on to the belief that I might not be dead--- there might still be a chance to revive me. He was right.

I now stand in front of the glass doors to the hospital waiting for Derek. I found out that he's coming back from a meeting where they decided who would take his father's place. Derek himself would be the first one in line for the presidency, but since he kindly declined the honor, Brandon, the head of the revolution that changed everything, stepped forward. A young man who promised to keep America a free country. A country cured of the cure.

A young man who I know would keep to his words by first bringing those who played a big part in Fragile Heart Syndrome/ the cure to justice.

And a young man who was also kind enough to pardon me for all my actions. For murdering our terrible, tyrant president. And for bringing the cure to an end permanently by killing the leader. Honestly, I am grateful to Brandon for pardoning me, I'm just not sure if he made the right decision. I believe he was being biased and I should be punished for what I have done...

Derek appears, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets and his sandy hair a disheveled mess. Seeing him making his way toward me with those dark eyes downcast breaks my once again beating heart. How could he still love me after all that I've done?

He comes to a stop before me, a small smile making its way onto his face. "Good to see you up on your feet again."

"Good to be out of that boring, sterile blue hospital gown," I say.

He chuckles, but then catches himself, turning all serious, a crease between his eyebrows. "I was so scared that I lost you." His voice is hardly audible, but I still manage to hear him. His words are now traced with hurt. "You promised me you'd stay clear of the danger and well I should have known better."

I look at him, my eyes blurred from tears. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything." For killing your father and dying in your arms, after your first lover died in your arms too. Just like Hunter died in mine.

He brings me away from my thoughts as he draws me into his arms in a bone-crushing hug. My wounds are a bit tender and I grimace in pain, he doesn't notice as he whispers into my ear, "All that matters is that you're alive now."

"Thanks to you." My words are muffled by his shirt.

He holds me close for a few more seconds and then pulling away he says, "Let's get going, we don't want to miss our flight."

I don't say anything as I follow him to the awaiting car ready to escort us to the airport.

It's finally time to go home.

...

I watch New York become smaller and smaller through the window. Derek is silent beside me, his breaths coming out heavily, making me wonder--- what is going through his mind right now? Is he thinking about his father's death--- That I was the one to pull the trigger, one time, two times, three times, four times--- That because of me his father is gone. And that they made a mistake pardoning me.

Why did I do it? To add another death to my list. Isn't it enough that Hunter is dead because of me--- and that I killed Dr. Jeffery. Well, Dr. Jeffery did ask for it, he---he deserved it, right?

Oh gosh, I'm a murderer. A flippin murderer.

Tears are burning my eyes and I blink them away, so angry at myself.

How can my actions ever be forgiven? I'm a monster.

A hand slides into mine, warm--- Derek. I look at him and he gives me a sweet smile, his adorable dimples showing. "You good?"

"Are you?" I counter back.

His eyes dart away from mine. "I believe so."

"Come on Derek, be honest with me." My voice begins to crack with these few last words. "Do you hate me after what I have done?"

"I could never hate you," he whispers. He's still not looking my way and it's killing me.

"But..."

"I don't want to talk about it."

That shuts me up, everything that I have to say building up inside of me--- ready to explode. I'm sorry Derek. I'm sorry for being who I am. For always running toward the fight. For wanting to get my revenge on your father and for wanting to avenge Hunter's death. I'm so, so, sorry for everything. And I hope that whenever you look at me, you don't see your father's blood on my hands. Because I do. I see it staining them and as much as I wash them, it won't go away. My hands are blood red.

The tears I tried so hard to hold back break free rolling down my cheeks. Derek watches me concerned.

"I'm sorry," I choke. "Just a bit overwhelmed over the fact that I'm going home. I'm going to see Danny." Part of the truth.

He doesn't say anything, his hand just squeezing mine lightly as the plane zooms through the sky.

...

"Wonderland," Danny cries, flinging himself into my arms and crushing me against his body. Once again my tender wounds begin to ache, this time I don't grimace. "I can't believe you're home for good."

He pulls away, his deep blue eyes taking in my face as I say, "Neither can I."

He knows everything, I think. All the secrets I've tried so hard to keep from him have been spilled. Who does he see now? A sister who lied to him about everything--- the cure, who Derek really is, what the job in New York was, that she was being controlled by President White, and that she was a big part in a revolution. Does he see a killer?

"Come let's go inside," he says at last.

"Okay." Taking a big breath, I step over the threshold of my home, a smile making its way onto my face. Oh is it good to be back.

"Alice." I look back at my brother, who's grinning. "I almost forgot to mention that Sara and Elena are coming over for dinner. They're both really excited to have you back, so you and Derek better wash up well and be down in an hour."

I smirk. "Do we smell that bad?"

Danny looks at me and then Derek. "Yeah, you guys smell like you've just traveled for some time, which is a combination of sweat and others B.O."

I just shake my head at him. Then taking Derek's hand in mine, I say, "Let's go upstairs and make ourselves at home."

Derek smiles, at last, a smile that seems sincere. "Sounds like a plan to me."

...

Before I get the chance to pull my shirt over my head, Elena is barging into the room shouting my name.

"Alison Margeret Rose."

I quickly tug my shirt on right before she crashes into me, sending us tumbling backward onto the soft bed.

"You're back. Like really, really back."

"Yes, I'm aware."

"And you brought that hot guy of yours back," she smirks.

I roll my eyes. "Seriously."

She responds by hugging me, her hot pink lips tickling my ears. "I've missed you so much."

"Same."

When she pulls away, I notice her eyes glistening with tears. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I glance away, focusing on some dust dotting the dresser top. "I was threatened."

"But now that it all over?"

I nod.

"Thank God," she breathes.

Exhaling, I whisper. "People died."

Her eyes are on me, I can feel it. "I know. They killed Hunter, didn't they?"

Finally, I look at her, my eyes dry. "Yes. And then I went and killed them."

I expect her to get up and flee, but she doesn't. Instead, she takes hold of my shoulders, her eyes gazing into mine. "You did what you had to. Because of you, no one else is going to die. Fragile Heart Syndrome is no more. Poof... Gone."

This gets me to smile, more like just tilt my lips up on the side slightly--- "Poof... Gone," I echo.

She snorts. "OMG. You're such a depressing old fart."

"Why?" I stare at her confused.

"Because I said so. Now, are you ready to go down for dinner cause I'm famished."

"I guess."

"You see like I said, a depressing old fart."

I punch her in the arm and she squeals. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I take it all back."

"You better."

"I swear."

"Good," I say.

As we make our way out of the room I hear her mumble under her breath, "Old Fart." I ignore her. Or at least I try to.

Now, this is what it is to be back home.