The following day, Allen took Hannah to the SMU campus and they sat on a bench under some of the biggest trees around. She could tell that he was very nervous. All she knew was that he had something very important to tell her but for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what it was. They had walked to the campus holding hands but mostly in silence. She really hoped it wasn't anything bad. Allen was the master of cool and here he was so out of his element that he was actually fidgeting. She would later tell him that she didn't think DEA agents knew how to fidget, much to his amusement.

    Allen took the letter that was neatly folded in his pocket out and gave it to Hannah to read. She read it carefully but couldn't understand what it meant. It looked official with the DEA logo on top of the page that was 3 dimensional. She looked at Allen for an explanation; he took a deep breath and started to do just that:

"I had a meeting with my boss and he said that because of how quickly and well I was able to create an airtight case against Scorpio, the D.C. headquarters took notice. They specifically want to reassign me to the NYC office. The reassignment comes with a huge promotion of both paycheck and title; I would be the lead senior agent. It's a huge deal; this kind of stuff doesn't happen every day. They would help with relocation as well.

"Before I make up my mind and give them an answer one way or another—I have about a month or two before I report to the new position if I decide to take it—I wanted to talk to you about it. You are very important to me Hannah; I'm in love with you and feel that this is something we need to decide together. I can't make this decision without you. I know that this would mean uprooting you from everything and everyone near and dear to you. Not sure whether you're ready for such a sacrifice, yet if ever.

"My boss told me something that I already knew. I have a confession to make, Hannah."

"What is it?" She asked trying to take it all in.

"I am an addict." He said with a completely straight face as she gasped and stared at him.

"Wha--?" She barely started asking before his face broke into a wide smile as he explained before she fainted on him.

"I'm addicted to helping people. Just like I wanted to help you; though never in a million years did I think that I would fall in love with you in the process. I've always wanted to help people, which is why I wanted to join the FBI and ultimately the DEA in the first place. To take freaks like Scorpio off the streets. My boss knew this and that is another reason why he thinks this job in NYC is perfect for me.

"I don't want to let you go, Hannah. Which is why, I never gave my boss an answer. I had to talk to you about it first. This is as much about me as it is about you."

"I am so glad you explained the addict part to me because I don't think I could take any more surprises of that caliber, to be perfectly honest." She said exhaling as he laughed.

"Sorry sweetheart, I guess I didn't really think that part out but just said it like it sounded in my head."

"So what about the future, like what do you see with us?" She wanted to know where they stood not just the fact that they were in love with each other. Allen looked down and then into the distance for a long moment before answering.

"Hannah, I was kind of afraid you would ask me that question because well....you see....I can't have kids. I've known for a very long time that there was some kind of deficiency in my body. I was born with it and it can't be fixed rendering me sterile in the most effective sense of the word. One of the many reasons I haven't been in many long term relationships because women ultimately want children the natural way and I can't give that to anyone."

    Hannah sat there for a long while as she let everything he said absorb sufficiently. He was being transferred to a better position across the country and he couldn't have kids. But he had come to her and truthfully told her everything from start to finish. It meant just how much she and their relationship had meant to him. She had one final question to ask him before she gave him her answer.

"How do you feel about adoption?" She looked at him as he nodded.

"I am all for it. I want kids more than anything in the future with the right person obviously." He said with a wink at her as she smiled and then taking his hand, she stunned him into silence.

"Do you know of any good divorce attorneys?"

"Wait what?" His eyes bugged out of his head as he did a double take at her.

"You heard me. I need a divorce attorney and fast if we're going to be in NYC in a month or two. Allen, you mean the world to me and I'm very much in love with you. Where you'll go, that's where I want to be. It's time for me to chart the next chapter in my life and you're part of it. I'm an adult. Just because I won't be in Texas anymore doesn't mean it's the end of the world. Instead of a drive, St. Bernadette's and my few friends will be a plane ride away. It'll be an adjustment but I feel that it's something that must be done.

"When I first became ill, I was told by Dr. Weller that it was best that I didn't have children until I was in a healthier place in my life. I always thought adoption was a great idea even if I could have kids and that's because I've always felt that St. Bernadette's and Sister Grace adopted me and I think I turned out pretty well, wouldn't you say?" She said with a wink.

    Allen couldn't believe his ears. Not only did Hannah support his promotion but she was willing to go with him to the east coast and start a new life. She was ready to toss out the trash aka Chris Peters and start fresh with him and adopt kids. The reason she wanted a divorce was that she hopefully wanted to marry him. He was all over that knowing full well that was the way she was raised; she would want a wedding before adopting kids. But that was a while into the future. There were things to get done first.

    Over the course of the next few weeks, Allen gave his decision to his boss while Hannah found the perfect divorce attorney who drew up all of the paperwork and was ready to serve them to Chris. But Hannah wanted to give them to him herself. It was time for her to see him and speak to him; she was ready for it. So one weekend when they knew Chris was home, Allen drove her to the house on Four Seasons Lane and waited for her in the car as she walked up to the front door and knocked.

    She had her keys with her but didn't want to spook him. Still he was surprised obviously to see her when he opened the door. She meanwhile, was taken aback by his appearance. He was very gaunt to the point where his cheek bones stood out. He didn't look well at all and as she glanced from him to the table in the dining room; she saw a chunk of pill bottles on the table. It was obvious that he was ill but with what was the million dollar question.

    Meanwhile, Chris couldn't believe his eyes. She looked like an angel in the house. He could hardly contain himself. It took all of his strength not to throw his arms around her and cry. He was pathetic and pitiful and all he wanted to do was tell her everything that had happened. He sat on the couch as Hannah sat down on a chair across from him.

"Hannah, you were right all along. It took me getting ill myself to see what you were going through. I have HIV; though it's in a middle stage. The drugs like AZT and newer ones are keeping me from getting full blown AIDS.

"Scarlett left me one hell of a gift. I already had the disease when you came that time and confronted her. I was foolish to still be with her for 6 months after that. Finally, I couldn't deal with my own paranoia and went to get myself checked out. That's when they gave me the horrible news. My parents cried. I don't know how they didn't disown me for everything I have done but they feel that the diagnosis is punishment enough.

"This disease creates sores and lesions in different places that hurt. I've also been losing a lot of weight and am monitored by doctors. I have to take most of these pills to work with me, which is why you didn't see them when you came here to pick up your things. I know you were here, though to your credit even that I didn't figure out until I saw the books missing.

"Now I know how you must have felt when you were diagnosed. I know I was a lousy husband but I think I can be what you are looking for now. We can take care of each other. I want you back, Hannah."

    She listened to him patiently—while thinking that the whole entire time, he never once said he was sorry or apologized; it was all about him—and then decided to tell him what she felt in her soul was the right thing to do.

"Chris, I want you to know that I have forgiven you. I honestly didn't think I could but I did. It was an important step for me."

    He was starting to look hopeful that she would return to him even though she did take her stuff and he did admit to her that he could be the husband he was to her before she became ill now that he was sick himself. He was thinking that he was worse off than her because his disease was known and visible  unlike hers which no one could see so it couldn't be as bad. He had no idea what she had gone through and she knew that. With that thought, she reached into her purse wordlessly and produced the divorce papers which she gave to him as his heart plummeted to his stomach.

"The only thing I want from you is my share of the house when you sell it which is stipulated in the divorce papers. I have a feeling you'll need all the money you can spare for your treatment. I have already taken everything I need. I don't need the furniture and such. Feel free to donate it or sell it along with the remainder of my clothes."

    There was a silence in the house that she once considered her home. There were two pictures standing on the bookcase that she wanted and she knew Chris didn't need them. One was of the day he proposed to her at that big fountain at SMU and the other was of their wedding where it was just her and Sister Grace. She took both of the photos out of their frames. She absentmindedly fingered the picture with Sister Grace who was wearing the cross that was now on Hannah's own neck and smiled peacefully.

"My lawyer's information is in the divorce papers if you need to contact me, that's the best way to go."

    She then took out her keys to the house and put them on the table by the front door. After which, she removed her engagement and wedding rings from her left hand and placed them next to the keys. She tucked the two pictures into her purse and after a final look around what used to be her home but now was just another place, she looked at Chris:

"I wish you well. Goodbye, Chris."

    She opened the front door and walked confidently out of the house on Four Seasons Lane for the last time with her head held high. Chris numbly followed her to the front door and saw with utter surprise that the DEA agent that had brought her home that one time years ago from the meth house raid was leaning against his car waiting for her. Hannah nodded to Allen when she got to the car and they both walked to their respective sides and got in, driving away without looking back. Chris closed the door and as tears streamed down his face he sat down on the couch and placed his face in his hands while he sobbed pitifully for himself.

Hannah was gone for good to start a new chapter in her life. It was time.