Last chapter!

Once Ben was untied from the headstone, Mal moved forward on her knees until she was inches from him. She took his face in her hands and tilted it down so she could see into his eyes. He still wasn't responsive.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Mal asked no one in particular. "What went wrong?!" Her voice rose in a screech as she turned Ben's face one way and then the other to examine his vacant expression.

Evie bent to pick up the spellbook and turned it back to the earmarked page Mal has read the spell from. "It doesn't say anything about side effects on the host body or soul."

"Did Blaine push him out with him at the same instant?" Carlos asked. "We knew Ben was weak."

Mal dropped her hands from Ben's face and glared at the headstone over his shoulder. "No," she hissed. She slapped her palm against the top of the headstone and pushed herself up to her feet. "No, we did not go through all of that just to lose him at the last second." She dragged a shaking hand through her purple mane and turned away from the grave. "We can't have," she whispered, closing her eyes tightly against the tears.

Mal.

Mal's eyes shot open before she realized no one had spoken out loud.

Mal, it's ok.

"Doug?" Mal whispered.

"What?" Evie asked.

Mal waved a hand in dismissal. Doug's voice was so soft inside her head, and she needed to concentrate on his words.

Yeah, Doug answered. I sort of tagged along. Ben's fine. Blaine just pushed his soul super deep. I'm going to go in and draw him out. Just don't interfere. Everything will be ok.

Before Mal could respond, she felt some cold leave her body with a shiver, and needles of warmth crept back into her chest. She hadn't even noticed Doug had been with her. And now she felt immensely better now that he wasn't sharing the same space as her.

Mal turned back to Ben's body. "Doug's here," she told her friends.

"What? Where?" Evie asked, looking around.

"We can't see him. I...he said he's going to help us out. We just need to wait a moment."

"What does that-"

But at that moment, Ben gasped loudly, jerking upright. He doubled over, coughing with his head between his knees.

"Ben!" Mal rushed forward and dropped to her knees beside him. "Ben." The latter came out as a soft, relieved breath.

Ben's coughing stopped a few seconds later, and his breathing slowed. He leaned back against the headstone. "Damn."

"Yeah, I know," Mal said.

"No, it was like Doug just pulled me up from drowning. My lungs are burning. I think I was losing control of body functions and fading." Ben closed his eyes, taking deep breaths for a few moments. "Thanks, Doug," he whispered.

"Is he still here?" Evie asked softly.

Mal wondered if any answer would be good for Evie. No matter what, they couldn't bring him back. This wasn't like saving Ben the last time or now. Both times, there had been a small part of his soul hanging on that would allow her to pull him back. Doug had been separated from his body for too long, and they didn't even know where it was.

"Yes," Ben answered. He paused as if listening to something. Then, "He'd like to talk to you."

"I...how?" Evie asked.

Ben pushed himself up to stand. Mal stood as well, wary of Ben's strength and whether he should be moving so soon, but she didn't say anything to stop him.

Ben looked at Mal. "I'm going to let Doug take over for a minute or two."

"But-"

"I'll be fine," Ben said. "This isn't like Blaine. Doug's not pushing me out or trying to drain me. It won't hurt me. He just wants to say goodbye."

Mal hesitated but then nodded. Evie needed this. She needed some hope of closure. Mal would have Ben back now, but this was Evie's last moment with Doug.

Ben nodded too and then closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Mal could tell the control had shifted to Doug. He held himself differently and looked at Evie with such love that Mal felt a pang of jealousy simply because it was still Ben's face.

"Evie," Doug breathed, stepping forward and pulling her into his arms.

Mal turned away, not able to watch. She knew it was Doug doing this, but she couldn't see past the exterior that was Ben's face. She crossed her arms over her abdomen and walked away into the trees. The crunch of leaves and twigs behind her told her that Carlos and Jay had followed her in silence. Evie and Doug needed to be alone for this.

Evie was stiff when Doug pulled her close. It was strange. This was Ben on the outside, and it even sounded like his voice. But it was also Doug. "Doug, I-"

"I know it's weird," he said as if he had read her mind. "But it's me, I promise. This is the last chance we'll get."

Evie instantly found herself crying, and she clung to him. Shutting her eyes tightly, she imaged Doug there in his own body, and she was able to relax a little.

"I'm sorry," Doug said. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to...to say goodbye."

"I know," Evie said into his shoulder, the words slightly muffled.

"Evie," Doug said with a sigh. "Please, don't let this ruin you. It's ok to move on."

"Don't," Evie said sharply, her arms tightening around him. "Don't say that."

Doug didn't speak for a moment. When he did, he kissed the crown of her head before doing so. "It's ok."

"It's not."

Doug stroked her hair. "What's done is done, Evie. I can already feel the pull to go to Skull Island again. I'll have to go in a few moments. And I'm taking Blaine with me. If I don't, he'll become a nameless wandering soul."

"So?" Evie said, growing tense again at the thought of Blaine intruding on their last moment together.

"Evie, he's just a child. He's scared. I've got to take him with me and make sure he crosses. And, he can hear you. He's just behind the headstone, crying."

More tears ran down Evie's face, wetting his shirt. "Don't go. Please." She knew it was pointless, but her logic didn't seem to want to cooperate at the moment.

"I have to." Doug gave her a squeeze. "I won't ask you to look at me, but..." He pulled back a bit and tilted her chin up to kiss her softly, sweetly.

It ended all too soon for Evie, but she had the feeling it could have lasted forever and it still wouldn't have been long enough.

"I love you," Doug said and exhaled heavily. His shoulders slumped, and his hands dropped from her body.

Evie immediately pulled away, turning her back on Ben. Doug was gone. But she still whispered "I love you too" to the silent clearing.

Mal had watched Carlos and Jay pass her silently and go back in the direction of the car. She leaned against a tree now, her arms crossed over her chest as she waited. She knew what had to be happening in the clearing, and she kept having to fight off a mix of jealousy and sadness.

She looked up at the sound of footsteps. Evie was walking toward her, her arms crossed over her abdomen as if she would vomit if she didn't keep hugging herself. Ben followed a few steps behind her.

Evie gave Mal a weak smile that really seemed like a grimace as she passed her and followed the direction the boys had gone to the car.

Ben stopped in front of Mal. He smiled softly.

Mal swallowed. "No more near death experiences, 'kay?"

"Okay." Ben grinned.

Mal launched herself forward, hugging his neck tightly. "I love you," she whispered over and over against his shoulder and then in his ear.

Ben kissed her shoulder and hugged her. Finally, they were able to relax into each other's embrace.

"What now?" Mal asked softly after several moments of silence.

"Well, we do have those plans for tomorrow," he said and laughed.

Mal pulled back and grinned at him. She wasn't even worried about queenly duties or saying vows in front of all of Auradon now. It was great just to have Ben back safely. "Oh, right," she said with a laugh. "I can't wait to marry you, and only you."

Thank you guys so much for sticking with this story through its sporadic updates and long periods of inactivity. Please review as I would love to hear from you guys. This story is now complete and will not receive any updates. You can check out my other descendants stories from my profile. Happy reading!

Foarrin