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Shaun shook his head "Times like this, I wish Buffy were here"

I put a hand over his, waiting for Mahir’s response It caia… what is this?"

"This is the end This is the last story" I sighed and closeduntil my head hit Shaun’s shoulder I was suddenly tired So tired "This is where we tell the truth and get the fk out of the hile the experts figure out what they’re supposed to do with it"

"I’ll download the files," said Mahir He took a breath "After I tell Maggie about Becks, that is I have to tell her"

"I know"

"Godspeed, Georgia Mason"

"Same to you, Mahir Saoff the connection "When this is over, I want to find a new profession Soet behind that," said Shaun, pushinghim a startled look He indicated his shirt, where a spot of blood marked the needle’s entry point "Still potentially hot Sorry, but I’ain Not over laundry"

The state again "We all checked out clean ent through the airlock"

"Yup I remain immune Thanks for that I ot out of somy survival to sheer awesooing to survive" Shaun looked toward Alaric "You okay? Not hurt?"

"She’s gone," Alaric whispered, voice barely audible above the sound of the engine "Becks is gone She was there, and now she’s just gone"

I exchanged a look with Shaun before saying, carefully, "I know I’m sorry"

"Will she coed another look This time, it was Rick who spoke, before Shaun or I could say anything "I’ia was unethical, and it would have been impossible if Shaun’s shot hadn’t left her brain essentially intact We ht have been able to replicate her body, but ould never have been able to re-create her hed--a shaky, shuddering sound--and said, "I knew you were going to say that I just needed to hear it" He lifted his head, regarding us with tear-filled eyes "This wasn’t worth it"

"It never is," said Shaun