The next morning…

"Good morning sunshine," Carrie says, kissing Nick gently on the forehead.

"Hey!" he returns, enjoying the sight of his love so early in the morning. "Ever heard of sleeping in?"

"Don't you remember? You have rehearsal today!"

Nick groans. "Ugh, I forgot. I had the wildest dream last night. I dreamt that I lost you and found you and lost you and found you and so on. How crazy is that?"

Carrie just stares at him. "What do you mean?"

"I can't remember it very well. I just remember feeling very distressed at the thought of you being gone from my life. I do remember that party we went to last night with the guys. That was fun. Well, I better get going. Are you going to come?"

'What in the world is he talking about? What party?' she wonders, realizing that he had said something to her. "Huh?"

Nick chuckles. "I asked if you wanted to come to rehearsal with me."

"If that means spending more time with you, of course!"

"Good. We better get dressed then. We can pick up breakfast on the way."

"Sounds good."

Nick smiles and kisses his girlfriend tenderly on the lips and goes into the bathroom to start getting ready. Carrie gets up and looks around the room for something to wear. She has no intentions of wearing what she had the past day or so. She spots a duffle bag on the floor with her name on it and opens it. Inside is a white skirt with black flowers and a black tank top, along with fresh underwear. She quickly changes and goes into the bathroom as soon as Nick gets out.

When the two arrive at the studio, Carrie is still wondering what is going on with Nick. 'How is it that he thinks we were at a party last night? We definitely drove back to his place and cuddled all night, not wanting to let go of each other. Unless of course, I was the one dreaming.' When they walk in, Carrie feels her mouth drop. "L-?" she is about to ask but stops when she sees him shake his head with a secret warning look.

"Carrie! Did you have a good time last night?" Jeff asks. "You dance really well. Ever thought about being a dancer for us?"

Carrie laughs nervously. "No, that thought never entered my mind."

"Well, we'll have to see if we can change that mind set," Drew chimes in. "You do have a wonderful sense of rhythm and movement."

"Leave her alone guys! It's the morning and she doesn't need any teasing from you guys!" Nick says, hoping to save his girlfriend from any further questions.

Drew and Jeff laugh. "What? Long night?" Jeff teases.

"Stop!"

"He's right. We should get to work," Drew says, sobering up after seeing his big brother's look. "Take a seat Carrie. We promise we won't ruin your eardrums," he says with a wink.

She takes a seat and watches as Jeff, Drew, and Nick gather around a table with music sheets spread around. Li takes a seat next to Carrie and smiles at her. "I'm glad to see that smile back on your face," she says.

"As I am glad to see you healthy and alive. Caroline, I need to tell you a few things. Just listen okay?" She nods her head. "First, none of these guys know about Li. To them, my name is Justin and I am a member of this music group called 98 Degrees. They have absolutely no idea that I am something much bigger than this. It helps that I take on a different physical being in both identities but you recognize the same person because of what you were and what you are."

"So that's how you knew Nicholas went by Nick."

Justin nods his head. "It caught me by surprise because I had no idea that he had been reborn and reborn. I definitely didn't know that he had such a strong soul mate such as you."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why is it that they remember this party we went to last night and I have no idea what they are talking about?"

Justin takes in a deep breath. "I erased Nick's memories and implanted new ones. Nick just thinks everything that happened is a dream but he doesn't remember a lot of it. The other two I tampered with to make a consistent story."

"Then how do I fit in?"

"Nick did get into that big accident but he recovered fine. While at the hospital he met you, which is true enough I believe. You two started dating and you both instantly realized that you were meant to be together. Of course, I had to fix it so that more time has elapsed than you know but it all works, trust me. You are still willing to hold up your side of the bargain, right?"

"To help in the fight? Of course. It's what Leonard would have wanted. I just can't believe that this has happened. That I found Nick, that I am human again, that Leonard died to save me, and that Matthew is finally gone. Nick told me about how he killed him."

"I'm surprised he got that ring off of Matthew to be honest."

"He didn't. Leonard did."

"Leonard?" Justin asked puzzled.

Carrie puts her hand in her purse and pulls out Matthew's ring. "He got it from him in the struggle and gave it to me before he died. I think you should have it."

"I think so too." Justin notices the tears in her eyes. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, I just miss Leo so much. I wonder if this really was worth his life."

Justin hugs her. "Don't worry. He's still watching over you. I am glad that you are Nick's soul mate. Not only does that ease my mind about his love life but it ensures that you will always be near me."

Carrie smiles. "And you near me. I think Leo would be happy knowing his friends have become so close in such a short amount of time."

"Of course. Well, I better go before those guys get suspicious. Be happy. I think you'll enjoy your life with us. I know that the Council is proud of you and looks forward to watching you explore your powers during training."

"Training? But I don't have any powers anymore!"

Justin smiles. "You do. It's in your blood but it just needs to be identified and fine tuned a little bit."

"Justin! Will you quit flirting with my girlfriend and get over here?" Nick asks, getting slightly jealous at how intimate the two looked together while they were talking.

"I better go. I'll always be here for you Carrie," he says, getting up.

"And I for you Justin," smiling at hearing him use her modern name.

Justin goes over and joins Jeff and Drew at the table while Nick comes over and sits down next to Carrie, putting a protective arm around her shoulder. "What was that about?"

Carrie turns and looks into Nick's eyes, seeing all the past lives he had lived with her and all the love that still exists. "Nothing. I love you," she says, giving him a gentle kiss on the mouth.

Nick smiles. "Well I love you too. I better get back to the guys. So you are going to stay?"

"For all my lifetime."

"Great!" Nick exclaims, kissing her again and walking back to the guys who have started sorting out the parts.

Carrie watches the four work together and smiles. 'Thank you, whoever you are, for giving me these gifts. For having a second chance at being human, having my soul mate, and having a life long friend. I miss you Leo but I know you are much happier wherever you are.'

The four finish warming up and start singing a song that brings tears to her eyes.

'Yes Nick, I do think this time around we'll be together hand in hand forever,' Carrie thinks, smiling at her soul mate, feeling like nothing else in the world could ever make her happier than she is at that very moment. Nick sees her smile and smiles back, blowing her a kiss. 'Our love survived all the tests of time and dreams. Now I'm sure it will last forever.'