Chapter 42

~Eddie's POV~

I placed the cup onto the table beside him and he glanced up briefly from his papers to look at me.

"You spent two years trying to take these guys down. I thought you'd want to be there with Nate when Kelly spilled his guts." Simon commented as I lowered myself into the seat across from him.

Around us, agents were packing up for the night, while others were just settling in to get some work done. I sighed, then took a generous sip of my coffee.

"They'll fill me in later. I just wanna go home and curl up in bed with an ice cold beer."

When he didn't reply, I looked down at the papers he had before him, and shook my head.

"You're doing the paperwork now? Jesus Simon, I know you're one with your inner nerd, but it's been a long day, you should relax. Go home and get some sleep."

He paused his writing, and reached over to pick up the cup I'd brought him, took a sip, and glanced back at his work.

"I'd rather get it out of the way now, I might not come in tomorrow." He explained.

"Taking the day off?"

The corner of his mouth turned up in a half smile. "Something like that."

Translation: he'd be spending the day fucking the latest chick he'd managed to pick up at some undisclosed location.

I sunk lower into the chair, stretching my legs out to get more comfortable.

"Have fun with it." I said with a smirk, and his grin widened.

"Don't I always?"

I sighed. "Two years Sy...two years of my life I spent in that hell hole, and for nothing."

"I wouldn't say it was for nothing. If you guys hadn't been there none of this would have happened...we're finally getting somewhere."

"Yeah, and because we were there, Kyle's in the hospital fighting for his life, and the woman I planned on marrying left me."

"Everything happens for a reason Ed." He said simply, his ball point pen skating over the page as he filled out all the necessary blank spaces.

I shook my head. "Oh yeah? And what's the reason behind the shitty hand we've been dealt? Why is Kyle dying, and my fiancé gone?" I questioned in response to his flawed reasoning.

"I don't know with Kyle, maybe it's just his time, and maybe now that she's gone you can stop lying to yourself."

I scoffed. "Now I'm lying to myself?"

For a second Simon glanced up, and his eyes met mine. "About what you really want...about who you are...you can finally be yourself." He said seriously, and when his eyes travelled back to his work, I glanced down at my hands.

I didn't know what to say to that.

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~John's POV~

I'd been an asshole to him.

I'd treated him like shit, like he meant nothing to me, and for a while I'd convinced myself he didn't. This is what it took...him getting shot for me to realize just how much I actually cared for him, and he might very well die without knowing any of it.

I felt the familiar clench in my chest at the thought of this night getting any worse, and I ran a shaking hand over my face. I felt more tired than I should be, and the tension in my shoulders pressed down on me like a massive weight that I couldn't hope to dislodge.

I picked up the stale coffee I'd gotten from the cafeteria earlier, then replaced onto the table without taking a sip. I didn't know if I could deal with it if he didn't make it. He'd grown on me these many weeks I'd known him...just like he grew on everyone, and now I couldn't remember what it had been like to not have him in my life.

I couldn't remember how it felt not to have to put up with his constant chatter, the nagging, the lack of privacy, and his ever present, warm smile. I couldn't remember how it had been before, and I didn't want to go back to that.

I needed him to come out of this alive and well, so I kept telling myself that it was Kyle and he was a fighter, he could pull through, but that's what you told yourself when you were hoping for the impossible.

He'd lost too much blood, and there'd been no exit would. Hours I'd been here, and even after flashing my badge too many times, I still couldn't get an answer. He was in surgery, they said.

They'd uttered words like 'critical condition,' severe blood loss,' and 'hope.' They'd told me the doctors were doing everything they could, and all I could do now was hope for the best.

The words were meant to be comforting, but I imagined just how useless they'd been to Kyle's father, who sat across the way with two strangers I assumed were Kyle's grandparents. The three of them looked like they'd been to hell and back, sitting there in their crumpled, expensive clothes, with eyes that looked hopeful and anxious.

I'd thought about going over there a number of times, but what could I say to him? That I'd fucked his son then told him I could never love him? That I was with him when he'd been shot and I'd been completely useless?

I shook my head. In the end I just sat on my side, and left them on theirs, where we equally mourned, and hoped, and prayed for a miracle...prayed that we got our boy back and everything would finally be okay.

..................................................

Three cups of coffee, and half a bag of M&M's later, and I was just about ready to go out of my mind. Kyle's grandparents had left awhile back, and his father now slept in the chair a few feet away from me. His snoring echoed throughout the silent waiting room, and was slowly lolling me to sleep.

I blinked rapidly, then shook my head, trying to stay awake. I'd tried it all. Pacing, a few bathroom runs to splash water on my face and stretching, but it had been a tough day; dodging bullets in the forest, and watching someone dear to you get shot would surely take its toll.

I shifted in my seat and the wrapper on the item beside me crinkled loudly. I glanced at it, then pushed it further away from me so I didn't accidentally ruin the packaging.

I'd gone out an hour and a half ago to grab a new shirt so I could change out of the bloodstained Tee I'd been wearing all day, and while in the convenience store, I'd picked up a few bags of candy and a couple of those magazines Kyle was obsessed with.

Then when I'd made it to the cashier, I'd spotted one of those oversized ugly stuffed bears people tended to give to sick people, and paid for that as well. When the cashier offered to gift wrap it, I allowed her to, watching as she stuffed the items into a medium sized basket, covered it all up with some fancy clear wrapping paper and stuck a bow on the bear's head.

I probably should have stopped there, and feel a sense of satisfaction that he would have something nice to wake up to when he got out of surgery, but I felt the intense need to get him something meaningful, something to show him that I was ready to give whatever we had a chance.

So I'd called in a favor, and now I sat with a certificate in hand, that congratulated Kyle on being the proud new owner of two baby African Pygmy Hedgehogs, which I was expected to pick up from the pet store a week from now.

I'd spent a few minutes staring at the small photographs that had accompanied the certificate, and for a while I'd wondered why Kyle wanted the ugly little things, with their ratty schnozzles and soft underbellies, but in the end it didn't matter...they would help me get the point across, and I was sure he'd understand what the gift meant the second I gave it to him.

I placed the certificate beside the gift basket and stood, walking to the window and back; and there began my pacing. The wait had given me a lot of time to think, and I'd made a few important decisions while I'd watched the clock. Like the fact that after we finally wrapped up the case, I was leaving the FBI for good, and this time I had no doubt it was what I wanted.

It was time to move on, find something else I enjoyed in life. Preferably something safer, that wouldn't have me looking over my shoulder all the time, and wondering just when one of my cases would put someone else I cared about in danger. Nathan's plan seemed feasible, and if he really needed a partner to see it through, then I'd be there.

In all the chaos I'd even figured out a way to get Kyle off the hook, one that was foolproof if the chief was on board, and I had high hopes he'd be a free man as soon as I got the ball rolling.

I'd also thought about travelling for a bit first, and visiting my family's graves; something I hadn't done in years. Then finally I'd thought about moving; A fresh start in every sense of the term. This entire 'adventure' had opened my eyes, and it was time to stop finding excuses and live my life in a way that would guarantee my happiness.

When I'd almost tripped on my shoelaces and bent to tie them, a new visitor entered the room, and I glanced up to see that it was Eddie, carrying a six pack of beer in one hand, and two cups of coffee in the other. I straightened, and watched his approach with furrowed brows.

"What's with the beer?" I questioned, and he deposited it onto the chair beside my gifts.

"It's for Kyle...a get well soon present." He explained.

"I doubt he'll be able to drink alcohol with all the meds he'll be taking."

He shrugged. "It was Simon's idea." And I nodded finally in understanding.

Simon...of course, who else.

"Here." He said, handing me a steaming cup of coffee, and I accepted it gratefully.

"Any news?"

I shook my head, following him to take a seat.

"Nothing..."

I took an experimental sip of the steaming liquid and Eddie did the same.

"I feel like it's my kid brother in there." He began softly. "Never thought I'd come to love two men I met I prison, but Kyle and Riley wow...it's hard to imagine life without them now...after all we've been through." He finished, and I nodded.

"How's Riley holding up?" I questioned.

"He's worried about Kyle, but he's dealing... I stayed with him for a while, and when I left Jerry came to visit...he should be okay."

Eddie gestured with his cup to the man sleeping not far away. "That his dad?" he questioned, and I nodded.

"Yeah...he's been here for hours." I told him, after which we fell into an easy silence.

Every time a door opened, or I heard footfalls against the tiles I looked up, expecting to see a doctor coming with news, and every time it wasn't, I felt both disappointment and relief.

"The chief wants you to come in for your debriefing." Eddie announced after a while.

"I'm not leaving here until Kyle comes out of surgery." I told him, and he nodded in understanding.

"He's gonna be fine." Eddie said then, but I wasn't sure exactly who he was trying to convince.

"This is Kyle...the guy who stood up to Beans and made it out alive, risked his life running after Riley when he escaped just to make sure he was okay, and ran through a bullet storm in the woods just to find us. He's a fighter. No bullet is gonna break that guy, we just have to remember that." He continued and I frowned.

"Thing is...I don't want to spend my days remembering Kyle...I'd rather have him right here in front of me."

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~Nate's POV~

"My dad said they killed him because of what he knew, and it wouldn't take them very long to realize how he came by that information."

I allowed the recording to play out and watched Kelly's expression as he sat listening to his son's tale. He was pale, and looking thinner than he was the last time I saw him back at the prison.

He'd refused to talk since the moment we brought him here, showing no emotion as he sat calmly and listened to our questions and threats. This was the first time he'd shown any sign that he gave a shit about what was happening here today, and I realized I should have started off with this tactic. His son was his weakness after all.

"I want to see him." he said finally, and I glanced at the chief who stood just behind him. He shook his head and so I relayed the action to Kelly.

"You're son is being charged with obstruction of justice, accessory after the fact, and a whole lot of things I'm not here to discuss with you today, and all because of you." I began, and his eyes flashed to mine.

"Please, he has nothing to do with this. He's just a kid. He has his whole life ahead of him, he shouldn't be punished for my crimes." He pleaded. His wrinkled lids squeezing together as his tears broke free.

In that moment he just look like a scared old man, who'd been dealt a shitty hand in life. It was unfortunate that his one bad decision had left so much destruction in its wake.

"Riley had his whole life ahead of him. He's the same age as your kid, and you allowed him to go to prison for your selfish actions. Why should James -who's actually guilty of a crime- be spared?" I asked him, and his lower lip wobbled.

"I would have taken care of him." he said. "I'd have taken care of Riley in there."

I gritted my teeth. "He was just about to start college and you killed his father, ripped him away from the only life he knew, and got him thrown into prison with the rapists and the thugs, and your excuse was you were going to take care of him?" I questioned in disbelief, and he hung his head.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets and stared at him. "You know, there's a difference between you and me Mr. Kelly." I began, and he looked up at me. "I'm actually not a heartless bastard. I'm willing to cut your son a deal, but only if you give me the information I need." I told him, and for the first time since he'd listened to the recording, I saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"You'll let him walk? A free man?" he asked, and I shook my head.

"There are serious charges against him Mr. Kelly. He lied to multiple federal agents, not once but twice. Then while we questioned him, he attempted to warn you-the criminal- that we were coming" I rattled off, " and if that's not bad enough, he had intimate knowledge of what you'd done, and didn't think it fit to report it to anyone, then went onto use the proceeds of your criminal acts. He doesn't get off scot-free...he's an adult, and he'll need to take some responsibility."

His shoulders slumped. "Then what kind of deal are you offering?"

"He'll plead guilty in court, and we'll make sure he gets off with probation and community service. That's the best I can do for you. Take it or leave it."

He spilled his guts. Told us everything, from the moment he began, right up to the very end, and all the while we listened in silence to his every word. The small video camera on the table before him recorded his confession, and his every expression as he spoke.

"But why would the warden allow an escape from his own prison? That's a huge risk, even for him." I said when he was finished, and he shrugged.

"We all had our parts to play. That was just his." He said, and my eyes narrowed.

"Is there something you're not telling me?"

"You gotta protect my son when I'm gone...you gotta keep him safe because they'll go after him. They'll hunt him down, and kill him for what I'm about to tell you." He pleaded, and after a breath I nodded.

"We'll keep his safe. I'm giving you my word."

He only stared into my eyes for a few moments, then he took a deep breath, blinked away his tears, and spoke.

"The warden was only a conduit." He said, and my brows furrowed.

"You telling me there's someone else calling the shots?"

He nodded. "I've never met him myself, but I've heard some talk." He continued.

"Go on."

"They call him Emmanuel. That's all I've got, but one thing you should know, is you'll never find this guy, and if you even manage to take him out, they'll be more guys ready to take his place."

"Anything else?" I asked, "And before you answer that, remember our deal. If I find out later that you hid something from us, your son will be sharing the cell right next to yours."

He shook his head. "That's it, I swear. That's all I know."

A knock sounded on the door and I looked up when it was pushed open.

"Chief, Nathan...a word please?" An agent said, and with one last look at Kelly, I followed the chief out.

The agent, whose name I didn't know, stopped just outside the door and turned to us. "Carlton Bates and his wife were found dead in their apartment ten minutes ago." He announced.

"Jesus Christ, when does it fucking end?" I cursed, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

The warden was dead...what next?

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I walked down the well-lit hall of the lockup, holding a cup of ice-cold orange juice, and a chicken sandwich. The guard's keys jingled with every step, and the sound of his boots hitting the floors echoed loudly as we went.

When we came upon the holding cell, I waited somewhat impatiently as he searched for the right keys on his large key chain, and watched him in annoyance as he took even longer to open the damn lock. When he finally did, with a grin and a nod, I stepped into the dimly lit room, and the door was locked behind me.

Riley stood by the small bed, large eyes staring up at me in relief, and I placed his food onto the small table in the center of the room, and he ran into my arms. I hadn't seen him since he was brought in hours before, and I couldn't hide my own relief. I squeezed back, holding him for a bit, enjoying the warm press of his body and the sound of his even breathing.

"I wondered when you'd show up." He said when we pulled apart, and I retrieved the food and drink, and handed them to him.

I sat on the bed beside him, and reached up to run a hand through his short hair.

"I've been interrogating Edward Kelly." I told him, and he glanced my way after taking a large bite out of his sandwich.

"What did he say?" he managed to ask around the food in his mouth, and I reached over to wipe the line of mayo stuck to the corner of his mouth with my thumb.

"James was telling the truth. Kelly told us everything."

"That's good news right? I'll get out of here soon then?"

I nodded. "That's great news... I'm working on that now. The bad news is; the warden is dead. He and his wife were killed in their apartment two hours ago." I explained.

"There's always some issue." He commented, and I nodded in agreement. This case had been just a collection of twists and road bumps since the moment I got the assignment.

He took another bite, chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. "Eddie told me Kyle's still in surgery." He said solemnly.

I nodded.

"...But he'll be fine. We just have to stay positive." I told him, and for a moment he looked down at his half eaten food with furrowed brows.

When he looked back at me, his eyes were tinged with worry.

"Do you think I can go see him when he's in recovery?"

"Of course. I'll arrange to have you transported there as soon as I get word from John.

He nodded. "How are you feeling though...with your flu...is it getting better?"