Page 31 of The Last of Love

FLEUR

The research lab had become their sanctuary, a place where they could finally feel safe. But how long for? Nobody knew. Either way, it was still so much safer than the journey they’d been on.

Fleur could see it in Lena's eyes whenever they walked through the base, the tension easing from her tightened shoulders as they moved between the reinforced walls, the labs, and the common spaces. The base wasn’t just a collection of scientists and security. It was a community.

The lab itself was a marvel. This was exactly the kind of place Fleur had yearned to be. But now, more than ever, it felt like she had a purpose beyond just the science. The people here relied on her and looked to her for answers, and she was determined to deliver them. It was about more than just finding a cure; it was about giving people a reason to believe in the future.

The head of security, Mara, had taken Lena under her wing. Fleur watched as Lena threw herself into the work. She had always known Lena was strong, fierce even, but seeing her in this new environment, adapting so quickly, Fleur realized just how much Lena had given up to get her here. The sacrifices she hadmade, the people she had left behind. She wondered if they were all okay. If they were all still alive.

Fleur found Lena standing by the watchtower, staring out beyond the perimeter fences. The landscape was scarred, a mix of nature reclaiming what was left and the remnants of destruction that had torn everything apart. It was quiet, almost serene, but Fleur knew better than to trust the calm.

“Hey,” Fleur called softly as she approached, her voice barely louder than a whisper. Lena turned, her eyes meeting Fleur’s, and for a moment, Fleur saw something there, something she couldn’t quite place. She stepped closer, reaching out to touch Lena’s arm gently. “You’ve been out here a while. Everything okay?”

Lena forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

Fleur raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at her lips. “Dangerous pastime.”

A chuckle escaped Lena's lips, but it was strained. She shook her head, her gaze drifting back out beyond the fence. “I guess so.” She paused, and Fleur could see the hesitation in her, the way she was holding back. Fleur waited, knowing that whatever was on Lena’s mind, it was something important.

“I’ve been thinking about the old community,” Lena finally said, her voice quiet, almost lost in the wind. “The people I left behind. I just… I can’t stop wondering if they’re okay. If they even knew why I left. If they are safe.”

Fleur’s heart tightened at the words. She knew how much Lena’s old community meant to her, how deeply she cared for them. Fleur stepped closer, her hand moving down to take Lena's. She could feel the tension in Lena’s grip, the conflict she was struggling with.

“You want to go back, don’t you?” Fleur asked, her voice soft, understanding.

Lena swallowed, her jaw clenched. “I don’t know. Part of me does. Part of me wants to bring them here, to give them a real chance. It’s just… I don’t know if it’s possible. I don’t know if it’s even the right thing to do. I know Gene sold us out to Walt, but I can see why. He would’ve been terrified.”

Fleur squeezed Lena’s hand, her eyes never leaving her face. She wished she could take that burden away from her and somehow make everything right. But she knew it wasn’t that simple. The world they lived in didn’t offer easy answers, and every choice came with its own consequences.

“You’ve always done what you think is right, Lena,” Fleur said, her voice filled with as much conviction as she could muster. “That’s one of the things I love about you. Whatever you decide, I’m with you. We’ll figure it out together.”

Lena looked at her then, her eyes searching Fleur’s face as if trying to find something there. Fleur held her gaze, her heart aching for the woman in front of her. She could see the exhaustion in Lena, the weight of everything she had carried for so long. And in that moment, Fleur knew she had to be strong, not just for herself, but for Lena too. They had been through too much together to let anything tear them apart now.

Lena pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly, and Fleur wrapped her arms around her, feeling the warmth of her body against hers. She rested her head on Lena’s shoulder, closing her eyes, letting herself just be in the moment. She could hear Lena’s heartbeat, steady and strong, and it filled her with a sense of calm.

“Thank you,” Lena whispered, her voice barely audible.

Fleur tightened her hold, her lips brushing against Lena's neck. She wanted to say so much: that she was proud of her, that she loved her, that she would always be there no matter what. But the words caught in her throat, too heavy to speak. Soinstead, she just held her, hoping that somehow Lena could feel everything she couldn’t say.

When they finally pulled apart, Fleur looked at her, her hand coming up to cup Lena’s cheek. She smiled, a small, soft smile that she hoped conveyed everything she felt. “We’ll figure it out,” she repeated, her voice a whisper.

“And for now, it’s me and you against everything else, and we have this community, too. I heard Ronnie had made some improvement with the radio transmitter. Maybe we can try to reach out to them again?”

Lena shrugged. “Yeah, we’ll try. And If I don't hear back, I think we could set up a vehicle and go and see what’s out there.”

“It’s so hard to go back out there, but you know I have your back. We’ve done it once. And we can get a team of us and head there together. Strength in numbers.” Fleur smiled softly as she grabbed Lena’s hands and held them tight.

“I can’t imagine my life without you now. You mean everything to me,” Lena whispered as she held Fleur’s hands tighter.

“I love you, so much,” Fleur whispered.

“I love you too,” Lena replied as she slowly moved towards Fleur, and planted a soft kiss against her lips, relishing the moment as the cool breeze filled the still air around them.

In that moment, everything felt safe, everything felt warm, and they found hope in each other's love, which they knew would last forever.

EPILOGUE

Lena leaned back against the porch railing, breathing in the crisp air of the early morning. A small garden stretched out before her, vibrant and alive, and the smell of brewing coffee drifted from inside the house. She turned at the sound of footsteps. Fleur appeared in the doorway, her smile soft, her eyes holding the warmth of the life they had built together.

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