Micki stood in front of Saint Elizabeth's hospital, the bright morning sunshine blinding her. Beside her, Captain America, of course, had remembered his sunglasses and stood with his face tipped to the sun.

“Great day,” he said.

Micki glanced at the hospital entrance where a nurse wheeled out a young mother cuddling a baby. A man carrying an armload of flowers and dragging a suitcase walked behind.

“It is a great day,” Micki said. “Maybe when I’m done here, we can grab lunch.”

He slid his arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “I'd like that. And, maybe tonight, after your meeting with Jonah, we'll go into Asheville. Wander around, grab a movie, listen to some live music. We'll get that date we haven't had yet.”

A movie and music. How incredibly normal for a girl whose life had been anything but.

Two days ago she'd shot Phil. Self-defense. Owen, her crack lawyer, had made sure the State’s Attorney went along with that and, given her testimony regarding the illegal dealings of Phil Flynn and Associates, it appeared she’d be granted immunity in the whole mess. Immunity and a chance to rebuild her life.

She needed time to make sense of all that they’d done, the people they’d hurt. The ironic part? Phil had taught her, without question, that bad behavior came with consequences. Well, they had that by the truckload.

Last night, the shock of the past days had worn off and the full brunt of emotions socked her, left her reeling and terrified because everything she’d known her entire adult life was now gone. After her crying jag, she’d fallen asleep curled up with Gage while watching All The President’s Men, apparently a favorite of Captain America’s. Despite the sore neck this morning, the night had been all she’d really ever dreamed of.

Gage slid his sunglasses off and waved them at the hospital entrance. “You ready for this?”

She let out a sarcastic grunt. “No.”

“You don't have to do it.”

“I know, but I need to. I have to end it. Once I do, I'll finally be free.”

“It’s your call.”

She gripped his hand still on her shoulder, pulling him along as she started toward the door. “Let's do this, Captain. I want that lunch you promised me.”

Once inside, they rode the elevator to the fourth-floor surgical unit where doctors had plucked the bullet from Phil's chest and announced he'd survive.

As a result, he faced what looked like the next twenty years—at least—in prison. Tomas would be right there with him. He’d at least been smart and made a deal with the prosecutors for less time.

Outside room 412 stood an armed county sheriff's deputy. Micki checked in with him and turned to Gage.

“I’d like to go in alone.”

Gage glanced at the partially open door. “You sure?”

“I am. I have things to say to him.”

“If it’s what you want. I’ll wait right out here. Holler if you need me.” He leaned in, ran one hand down the side of her cheek. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

At that, she smiled. “I know.”

She turned to the door and looked through the opening. Phil lay in bed, his head facing the window. If he wasn't asleep, he was simply ignoring his visitor. The silent treatment. One of his go-to forms of coercion.

Well, she had something to say and he’d hear it whether he wanted to or not.

She didn't bother knocking and stepped into the room. “Phil?”

When he didn’t acknowledge her, she walked around the bed and peeked at him. Two days’ worth of growth swathed his chin, an unusual occurrence for the manscaped Phil.

She moved closer, stepped around the rolling tray holding a small bouquet of flowers someone had cared enough to send. Probably a family member. Micki planted herself directly in his sightline. Still he stared straight ahead, absolutely refusing to acknowledge her. Well, too bad. A couple of weeks ago, it would have worked. She'd have rushed back to her desk and worked like a demon to please him. Anything to get out of the scary Phil doghouse.

How things changed with family support.

And Captain America.

“Look away,” she said, “but I know you can hear me.”

Still, he stared straight ahead as if she were a glass door. “We’ve been through a lot together, Phil, and we're not done yet. I came to tell you to, for once, do the right thing and plead guilty. Save your family the humiliation of a trial and give the taxpayers a break on the cost of prosecuting. They’ll get you anyway, so why put the people you love through it?”

Finally, he slid his gaze up to her. “Never.”

Ah, yes. The Phil she knew. The one with delusions about his indestructibility. “I know you think you've insulated yourself. And maybe, before all of this, you had. You've been careful all these years. Hiding or destroying evidence, offshore accounts, all of it in preparation for the day the feds would come knocking. You had it all figured out, didn’t you?”

He didn't answer. She’d didn't expect him to.

“Well, there’s one thing you didn’t count on.” She held up a flash drive and waggled it. “You didn't count on me helping myself to some of that precious evidence you tried to hide. I finally hacked into your server. Ironic, no?” She bent at the waist and met his eye. “Plead guilty, Phil, or I tell them everything. After what you did to Jonah and Gage, I will bleed myself dry to make sure you go to prison.”

“I can still get to you from behind bars.”

She shrugged. “Maybe. The difference now is that I’m not afraid of you anymore. I have my family back. You took them from me. I was a kid and you separated me from the only support system I had. I should hate you for that, but I forgive you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Please. As if I care?”

“The forgiveness isn't for you. It’s for me. I want to be done with you. Carrying anger and hatred takes way too much energy. There were kindnesses you showed me over the years. Thank you for that. Even if it was only to keep me in check, you still did it. Now it’s over. Good-bye, Phil.”

She stood tall, pushed her shoulders back, and headed for the door.

“You won't testify,” he said. “I know you.”

At the door, Micki stopped. She glanced back, found him staring right at her. Finally, he’d moved his head. Probably when he realized his old tricks no longer worked.

“You won’t,” he said again.

“Try me. This time, you won’t win.”