Title: CodeName : Icarus
Mission 2 – Search and Destroy
Chapter 13 – A Final Goodbye - A whole new Beginning!

EPILOGUE

PS: This chapter has a surprise in it!

"Can't believe we lost another agent to another traitor," Nickel sighed as he sat around a meeting table with Milton and Cecil and Paul.

"Well at least we didn't lose our Commander and Chief," Paul piped up. "For which he is grateful."

"I'll bet," Milt snided. "Tell him he can foot the bill for the stadium."

"I don't think he's that thankful," Cecil joked.

Paul just rolled his eyes and huffed. "What is left of Eric Ballentine's sordid empire?" Paul asked.

"Just a few bad memories," Milt retorted.

"That and a few ideas in the heads of other traitors to the US. Icarus wasn't that hard to design and put into operation," Nickel started. "Makes me wonder who else has the same idea as Eric Ballentine. A few of those stationed to go off strategically and the whole world could have been brought to its knees."

The four top men sat in silence for a few minutes, each pondering the frightening thought they were just presented with.

"Makes us realize just how vulnerable our defences really are," Paul finally broke the silence.

"And our screening process," Cecil added.

"What do we do about it gentlemen?" Nickel challenged.

"Start new with old information," Milt replied. "We now have better information to make our systems that much safer."

"But how can we guard ourselves against hiring people like Eric Ballentine and Dylan Carter?" Cecil questioned.

"We can't change people's motivations," Milt pondered.

"But we can monitor them and stop them before they become actions," Nickel told them.

"I think we have a lot of work to do," Paul expressed with a slight frown. "Anyone up for the challenge?"

The four men looked at one another and just smiled. This was the challenge they had been waiting for. Now was the time for action.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Nice to have been granted some time off," Caleb sighed as he and Sheldon lay wrapped in each other's arm, later that day.

"Just wish the weather was a bit better," she pouted looking into the grey afternoon out the slightly open window.

"Better stay inside then," Caleb teased as he kissed her on the lips.

"What is it?" Sheldon asked quickly, noting the frown that immediately appeared after the kiss. "That wasn't a good kiss for you?"

"They are always the best," he lightly smiled. "I want to take you somewhere this afternoon," he started in a soft tone.

"Okay…and?" Sheldon urged.

"And I am not sure if you'd want to go," Caleb finished.

"Why not? Where do you want to go?"

"To see a friend for one final goodbye. I have to do this…for her…for myself and for us. I need that closure," Caleb replied.

Sheldon noticed the torment in his handsome face and knew he meant going to see Sheila's grave to say goodbye. After all they had been through she couldn't deny him that now.

"I would be honoured," Sheldon told him. "I hope you believe me."

"I do," he said pulling her closer, his passion for her urging him to take her now. "But a bit later."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"You know it's been so long since I have been here," Caleb uttered in a soft tone as he and Sheldon walked hand and hand through the misty graveyard.

"Myself as well," Sheldon told him.

"You? Why would you come here?" Caleb asked in surprise.

"For this," she responded, directing him to a small grave marker, before Sheila's. "I never got to know her in person," Sheldon lightly sniffed as they stood before the small grave stone that marked her late mother's resting place.

"I think I would have loved to have been around her. I think I am a lot like her," she said bending down and laying down one of the two red roses she was carrying.

"I think I would have loved to have known her also," Caleb whispered as he bent down beside her. "Are you sure you can do this?" He asked, noting Sheldon starting to lightly cry and tremble.

"Saying goodbye is never easy Caleb. But it's a part of the healing process right? I have always come here alone," she told him. "But to share this with you know…it's still just so hard."

Caleb put his arm around her and pulled her close; letting her cry into the folds of his coat for as long as she needed. Finally when they were ready, Sheldon kissed her fingers, pressed them to the cold stone and then stood up to leave. "Goodbye mother. I love you."

Then they walked to Sheila's grave site.

Sheldon watched as Caleb stared at the stone with a frown and let out a heavy sigh. "Here," she said handing him the rose. "She'd be happy for this."

"Thank you for not being jealous," Caleb remarked.

"I can't be jealous anymore Caleb," Sheldon replied. "I was at first, I'll admit it. But she's dead and for me to hold anything against her would be wrong and damaging to both of us. She was a part of your life Caleb, just like Jonathan was a part of mine. We can't hold their love for us against each other or against them. She died a horrible death Caleb, as did Jonathan. They deserve to be remembered with love."

Caleb looked up a still teary eyed Sheldon and smiled.

"What?" She asked quickly.

"You still amaze me," he smiled, walking to her and pulling her close, the mist starting to lightly cover them with tiny drops of rain.

"Well I am pretty amazing," Sheldon bragged in a teasing way.

"Yes you are…" Caleb agreed as his warm lips met hers. Then he pulled away and stood staring at her for a few seconds before dropping to one knee and pulling out a small black box.

"Caleb…" Sheldon whispered in shock.

"I knew from the first moment we met, that we were destined to be together. I love you Sheldon and want to be a part of your life for whatever time we are given on this earth. These past few days of almost losing you have made me realize that I can't live without you and I need you in my life – and I need nothing else. Marry me Sheldon – be my wife. Join with my soul and be bound to me for all eternity. Please…will you marry me?" Caleb finished as he opened the box to reveal the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen.

Sheldon's eyes glazed over and as she mumbled yes, a few tears escaped and ran down her face. "Yes Caleb…I will marry you," she gushed as Caleb stood up and slowly placed the ring on her trembling finger. "I want to be with you forever!"

Caleb pulled her close and kissed her once more.

"When did you have time to buy a ring like this over the past few days?" Sheldon asked quickly.

"Who said I just bought the ring? I have had this since the day we met," he replied firmly.

Sheldon looked at him in shock. "You are amazing," she teased.

"I know," Caleb teased back as he scooped her up in his arms and started back for their car.

Sheldon stared at her ring and then looked in the direction of her mother's grave. It wasn't the place she pictured herself getting engaged, but it was the one place, their past loves would understand and not begrudge them their future happiness.

This was a whole new future before them now. The real adventure was just getting started!

THE END!

Dear readers! Okay so how did you like the surprise ending?? Hope you liked it b/c now it will factor into the continuing stories. Thanks again for reading and for your support! Love you all!