"Do you think anything will actually change there?"

Grace shrugged. "I don't know. But at least they're down a lot of weapons, and now they don't have anyone to go steal more for them."

Grace and Hunter sat together on the same hill that she had been kidnapped on over a week prior. It was a still day, the water on the lake below them a smooth piece of glass. And Grace felt peace.

"Do you think they'll come after you again?"

"I don't think so. I'm more trouble than I'm worth."

"True."

Grace shoved him, but laughed. "Hey, I think between the two of us, you're the one who's dragged me into more trouble."

"Yeah, I guess." Hunter looked out across the horizon and pushed the hair out of his face. "Sorry about that."

"It all worked out in the end."

"Did it though?" Hunter looked troubled. "I mean, I know you're thinking about what we saw. At the border."

"Of course. But what about it?"

"I don't know if I'm going to be able to live without knowing exactly what's going on," Hunter admitted. "But investigating further is only going to cause more problems."

Grace nodded. "I get that," she said. "Part of me wants to turn around right now and try to get to the other side of it, see what's there."

"What's stopping you?"

"Well, first off, they're definitely on high alert right now," Grace reasoned. "They know that their secret is out, at least to a few people. I doubt they're going to open up any section of that fence for anything for a long time."

"And you don't think you'll ever want to try in the future?"

"Want? Absolutely." Grace couldn't deny her own curiosity. "But will I? Doubtful. For better or for worse, I have a life here. And if I cross that border, that life is gone for good. As hard as it would be to get out of here, I'm willing to bet its harder to get back in." She looked over at him. "Why all the questions?"

"I think part of me wants to make sure you're not about to go do something stupid," he said thoughtfully. "And then another part of me is worried that I'm going to do something stupid."

"Think of it this way," Grace said. "Do you really think anything's going to get better if you know? For whatever reason, the rest of the country isn't helping us. Maybe they know what's happening here, maybe they don't. But is you going over there going to change any of that?"

He shook his head. "You're right."

"And honestly, I don't think I ever want to leave Seaside again in my life."

Hunter snorted. "Okay, yeah, sure, maybe for the next three weeks. But then you'll be climbing the walls."

"Oh, shut up."

They laughed together for a moment before falling silent again. "So, no going back to the border," Grace said. "For either of us. The last thing I need is to have to go and rescue you."

Hunter nodded. "Deal."

Grace picked at the grass. "So what are you going to do now?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"I have to go get Anna," he said. "She should still be in Sunrise."

Grace nodded. "That's good. It's a pretty big town, so I've heard. It's a good place for a new start."

"You're probably right," Hunter agreed. "But I imagine Seaside is, too."

Grace froze in the middle of pulling up a shoot of grass. "It's small."

"Come on Grace." Apparently, Hunter wasn't in the mood for skirting the subject. "You know damn well why I would want to go to Seaside."

As much as Grace wanted to avoid it, she looked at him. He stared at her intensely, but the kindness in his eyes was evident. "I just don't want you making a big decision like that just because of me."

"Grace, I like you," Hunter said simply. "I'm not expecting anything, but I also know that I don't exactly have many people in my life who I care about. And it seems stupid to leave one of those people behind for no good reason."

"I'd be happy for you to be at Seaside," Grace blurted out. She bit her lip and felt herself blushing slightly. "I guess I..." She had a hard time finding the words, even though Hunter's made her feel lighter than air.

"You're unable to easily express your emotions?" Hunter teased her.

"I guess I like you, too," she grumbled. "I feel like I'm back in high school."

"You don't kiss like you're in high school," Hunter whispered in her ear.

Grace shoved him again, but laughed. "You just had to ruin the moment, didn't you?"

"Figured you'd be more comfortable without everything being too sappy."

Oddly enough, he was right. "I can't go to Sunrise with you, though," Grace said. "I really do need to get back home. I know people will be worried."

"Yeah, I understand."

"And look, if Anna wants to stay in Sunrise, don't worry about it. If you don't come, I'll understand."

"Grace, Anna is the one who told me to come after you in the first place," Hunter said, exasperated. "And that I was stupid for letting you leave."

"Not that you could have stopped me."

"No, but I could have followed you. And besides, I think Anna will like living by the ocean. Especially after being underground for so long."

"That's true."

"So that means, I will see you soon," Hunter promised. "I might be able to stay away from the border, but I don't think I could stay away from you."

Grace didn't even know what to say. His words touched her; it had been a long time since anyone had cared about her like that. But she couldn't find it in her to say anything of the same caliber back. "Well, then, you'd better get going." She reverted to practicality. "Sooner you go, the sooner I'll see you at Seaside."

She stood up and offered her hand out to Hunter, pulling him up next to her. She might not be great with words, but actions she could do. Grace pulled Hunter into a kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Unlike their last two, this was an actual, proper kiss. It wasn't filled with sadness of goodbyes or feelings of fear. Hunter's arms went around her waist and he moved his mouth against hers, holding her close to him. Grace's world spun and her mind went blank. They were the only things that existed.

"I could get used to that," Hunter murmured. They had pulled away just slightly, but still stood wrapped up with each other.

Grace smirked. "Well, make it to Seaside and maybe you will." She gave him another quick kiss and then pushed him away. "I'll see you soon."

"You know, one day I'll get to kiss you and not have to watch you walk away from me," Hunter called after her.

Grace turned around, walking backwards as she replied. "Maybe. One day."

Grace loved how fresh the air felt as she walked. This type of happiness was strange to her, but she certainly didn't hate it.

She got back to Seaside by the end of that day. She could see the small town from above as she approached it from a hill.

Grace stopped and stared down at it. A smile lit up her face. She was home.