Epilogue 

 

Author: MagsRose

Summary: Emma does some catching up.
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: Not mine, no, no, never, never.


After going out for ice cream and dropping the others off at the hotel, Frohike took Emma shopping to get her some necessities. He had arranged to pick up all of her belongings the following day, so she needed a change of clothes and other personal items.

When they got back to the hotel, Emma was surprised that her father had gotten the two of them a room.

"You didn't have to do this," Emma insisted putting the shopping bags on one of the beds. 

"Yes, I did. There would not be enough space for all of us in the other room," Frohike explained. 

"But I could have stayed with Yves." 

Frohike set his duffle bag on the other bed. With his back to Emma, he smiled to himself, saying, "That wouldn't have worked out either."

Emma frowned. "Why not? Yves wouldn't care. We shared rooms all the time when we were in England."

Turning to look at her, he kept a straight face. "Take my word for it. You're better off here."

Seeing that she was getting no where and knowing that the room was already paid for, Emma gave up and busied herself with finding homes for her meager belongings. 



While shopping, Emma talked nearly nonstop about everything and anything that had gone on since she'd last seen her dad. She was particularly proud of the fact that she'd had no problems in school: no fights and no mouthing off to the teachers.

Once they were alone in the hotel room, Emma told Frohike about some of the more stressful times: how she had run away and been picked up by DCF in the mall, how Morris Fletcher had cornered her in the elevator and visiting her mother's grave on the anniversary of her mother's death.

Frohike had heard bits and pieces of these stories in the courtroom but it was nice to get Emma's point of view. 

They talked well past their usual dinnertime. Neither of them noticed until there was a gentle knocking on their door. Emma rushed to open it, knowing it had to be one of the other Gunmen or Yves. 

It was, in fact, all of them. Byers stood in the front of the group and smiled at them. "We're heading out for dinner," he said. "You two interested in joining us?"


Emma talked on during dinner needing several reminders to 'eat more, talk less'. "You've got all the time in the world to fill us in on your adventures," her dad informed her. "Eat now or we'll be here until midnight."

It wasn't the constant reminders that made Emma finally stop talking but something she realized she'd been seeing since that afternoon: a closeness between Jimmy and Yves that hadn't been there before she left.

They sat next to each other during dinner and occasionally made comments only meant for the other to hear. Thinking back to that afternoon, she realized they sat together in the van as well as the ice cream shop.

She was hesitant to ask directly because she didn't want to embarrass herself or Jimmy and Yves if she was wrong. 

They got back to the hotel fairly late, so Emma went straight to her room and went to bed.

Frohike waited until she was asleep before heading back to Langly and Byers' room. He found Jimmy and Yves there also.

"Has she figured it out?" Jimmy asked. 

"I think she suspects but she didn't say anything about it, " Frohike explained.

"Maybe we should just tell her," Yves suggested.

"Oh, gawd," Langly said. "Remember how she tricked you into kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas?" He chuckled when Jimmy grinned in embarrassment. "Oh, let her figure it out," he continued. "It's hilarious to watch."

"She's a smart girl," Frohike said. "It won't take too long."

The conversation shifted to plans for the drive home and the problem of everyone fitting into the van along with all of Emma's belongings. 


Later, when Yves and Jimmy said their good nights, Frohike made a point of leaving with them. When they reached the corner of the hall where they should split up and go their separate ways, Frohike stopped them. "You probably already figured this out but I have to say it anyway: there can be absolutely no hanky panky in the warehouse when Emma is there."

Jimmy seemed torn between embarrassment and righteous indignation by this comment. "Aw, Frohike, you know we'd never…"

Yves stopped him by touching him lightly on the arm but when she spoke it was to Frohike. "We've already discussed this and we want you to know we're in complete agreement."

Frohike glanced from Yves to Jimmy who nodded his assent.

"Thanks," Frohike said. "I just needed to know we were on the same page."

"Understood," Yves said. "Good night, Melvin."

She wrapped an arm through Jimmy's and Frohike watched as the couple headed for their room, talking softly to each other.



Early the next morning, Yves was awakened by a knock at the door. She turned to look at the clock. It was a little after eight. 

She could hear the shower so she knew it wasn't Jimmy asking to be let in because he had, once again, forgotten to grab his key before leaving. 

Yves got out of bed and put on her robe. Taking a quick look through the peephole, she smiled to herself and opened the door.

"Good morning, Emma," she said to the girl. "And what brings you to my door so early in the morning?"

Emma grinned. "Good morning," she said. "No one else is up yet."

Yves stepped back pulling the door open far enough to let Emma in. "Your dad is still asleep?"

Looking around the room, Emma replied, "Yes. He was snoring when I left." 

Yves followed Emma's gaze. Jimmy's shoes and his duffle bag were in plain sight. 

"Excuse me for a moment," Yves said. Taking Jimmy's bag she stepped into the bathroom. She pulled the shower curtain back far enough to get Jimmy's attention.

"Did you come to join me?" he asked grinning mischievously. 

Yves smiled. "Not this time. Emma is here. I put your clothes on vanity."

"Oh, okay. Thanks," he said turning off the water and grabbing a towel.

Yves left him to dry off and dress. 

"Who were you talking to?" Emma asked when Yves returned. She was sitting on the bed that had obviously held two occupants the previous night.

"Jimmy," Yves replied without hesitating.

"What's Jimmy doing in your bathroom?"

"It's his bathroom, too."

Emma was speechless, her mouth hanging open. Yves laughed at the expression on her face. "Yes, Emma, Jimmy and I are… 'dating' shall we say."

"THAT IS SO GREAT!" Emma shouted jumping up to hug Yves.

Yves returned the hug, patting Emma's back. "Please keep your voice down, dear. Other people may still be asleep."

Jimmy stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. "What's all the shouting about?"

Emma ran to him, hugging him, too. "Yves just told me."

"Ah, come on," Jimmy said. "You didn't figure it out yesterday?"

"Well, I thought maybe…"

The phone rang ending their conversation. Yves picked up the receiver. "Good morning." Jimmy and Emma watched her listen to the caller. "Yes, she's here." After another short pause, she said, "I'll tell her." She hung up. "Your dad's awake and wondering where you'd gotten to."

With a concerned look on her face, Emma said, "I'd better go back." She headed for the door but opening it, turned to say, "You will tell me all about it on the way home, won't you?"

"Of course," Yves assured her. 

Once the door had closed, Jimmy took Yves in his arms. "You can't tell her everything, can you?" he asked, smiling down at her. 

"Not exactly," Yves murmured, running her hands up under his shirt to his chest, savoring the feel of his body against hers. After a moment, she said, "I'd better go take a shower." She slipped out of his arms and headed to the bathroom. "Do you care to join me?"