Chapter 111

Relief sweptthrough Dana the moment she spotted Meredith. Mere stood on the opposite side of the hospital door, grinning at Dana as they both waited for the metallic buzz to come, unlocking the door. The moment it happened, Dana rushed into the room, wrapping Meredith in a fierce embrace.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Dana whispered, holding her friend tight.

"Me?" Meredith leaned back so she could look at Dana. "You're the one I was worried about."

Dana waved her off. "I'm fine."

Meredith shook her head. "No, you're not. And that's okay. Working these cases can't be easy."

Dana sighed. "At least this one is over."

"And thanks to you, I'm still alive," Meredith said, tears welling in her eyes. "I truly can't thank you enough."

"You just keep getting better. That's all the thanks I need."

"I am," Meredith said, "Getting better, I mean. I owe that opportunity to you, too." She took Dana's hands. "Thank you for never giving up on me."

Dana grinned, noting the tiny ladybug charm dangling from Meredith's wrist. It was identical to the one Dana wore on her charm bracelet. One that not too long ago had made her think she'd lost her best friend forever. Time was a funny thing.

"I still can't believe Dvita wasn't the D.C. Reaper."

"I know, me too," Dana said. "So much of this case still doesn't add up."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you more the first time you came asking about Claire."

"Yeah, why didn't you?"

Meredith shrugged. "I've already caused you enough pain for one lifetime. I didn't want to accuse Claire when I had no proof of what was really going on. Besides, look where I am. How much weight do my accusations really hold?"

"Mere, you're my friend. You'll always be my friend. I would've believed you."

Meredith squeezed Dana's hand, grinning through tears. "You don't know how much that means to me."

Dana pulled her into a fierce hug, and it took both of them a moment to collect themselves.

"I still can't believe it was Max," Meredith said, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "I always thought he was just a pawn in whatever Dvita and Claire were playing at. There was definitely a power struggle in their dynamic."

"I never got a chance to meet him, but I agree. I was so sure Dvita was behind it all."

"But it's over now, right?" Meredith asked.

Dana nodded. "Seems to be. There's a few loose ends Hartwell and the FBI have to tie up before they can officially close the case. Jake and I are going to take Claire and get out of town. Go to the cabin. Get some peace while the dust settles."

"That's a good idea," Meredith said. "I'm still so grateful you figured out I was a target. How did you know?"

Dana shrugged. "When I saw your room number written in Dvita's planner, I knew. Something just felt wrong in my gut. Jake always tells me to follow my instincts, so I did."

"Then I guess I owe Jake a thank you, too. You two make a good team."

Dana bit her lip. "Maybe more than that."

"What do you mean?" Meredith asked.

"Jake said he wants more."

Meredith's big blue eyes widened. "More, more? As in a relationship?"

Dana nodded through the heat burning in her cheeks.

"Is that what you want?" Meredith asked.

Dana covered her face with her hands to hide her burning cheeks but couldn't resist nodding. "Yes, I think so."

Admitting it out loud for the first time overwhelmed Dana with emotion.

Meredith squealed and pulled Dana over to the bed. Both girls pulled their knees up, grinning at each other like they used to in college when gossiping over boys. Meredith took Dana's hands and said, "Tell me everything."