Chapter 43

~Riley's POV~

I paced the small room, back and forth from the tiny window to the opposite wall, until my feet grew tired and I had to sit on the bed to rest them for a while. Not even the books Nate had brought earlier enticed me, not when my best friend lay in the hospital two days after surgery and still hadn't woken up yet. I wanted to be with him, I wanted him to know I was there for him and waiting for him to wake up.

I sighed, looking around the room in disgust. After two and a half days stuck in the place I was already sick of it. I was counting the seconds until Nate come to tell me it was all over and I could leave. I was particularly grateful when he'd told me John had found a way to free Kyle as well, and I couldn't count the number of times I'd fantasized of life as a free man, actually able to go out in public with Kyle and John, and of course Nate. Finally being able to live a normal life with the people who mattered.

I dropped my head unto the pillow and hummed a broken tune. It was the only thing I could do to keep sane. I closed my eyes and allowed my mind to drift as I thought about life on the outside. I could practically taste the free air, wanting it so desperately that my mouth watered.

"Am I interrupting something?" A voice issued from the doorway and I sat up in surprise to see Simon standing there. I hadn't even heard the lock in the door being turned.

"Simon? What are you doing here?' I asked. Of all the people, I never expected him to visit me.

"I'm taking you to lunch, come on." He said simply, and for a second I could only stare as he walked out of the room. The guards standing by the door watched me impatiently as I stood, then before either of them decided to change their minds, I stepped through, following quickly behind Simon who only looked back when he was holding the door for me that led outside.

I took a breath and stepped through and into the fresh air. It was perfect.

He led me to a flashy red car that looked like something straight out of a magazine; shiny and expensive looking, and I could even bet it was fast.

I got in when he unlocked the doors and a moment later I got to see just how fast it was.

Simon didn't say a word as we drove, but then I didn't really expect him to. From the moment I'd met him I'd realized he was one of the strong silent types, brainy and gorgeous and so intelligent, that I sometimes felt uncomfortable talking to him for fear of saying something stupid.

He didn't listen to music, didn't hum a tune and didn't offer anything in the way of small talk, we just drove, the wind blowing through our short hair, while sitting in surprisingly comfortable silence.

He took me to a fancy diner in a part of town I'd never been before, and surprised me by ordering just regular burgers and fries, which he got with extra ketchup. I ordered the same, and while we ate, he watched me with an expression somehwere between curiosity and amusement.

"Why'd you do this?" I asked around a mouthful of salted fries.

He took a swig of his lemonade before answering me. "I felt sorry for you." Was all he said. No other explanation, no rambling, just blunt and to the point...like always.

"Well...thanks I guess." I said uncertainly, and he nodded.

I snagged another fry and plopped it into my mouth, then picked up my milkshake and sucked the milky goodness threw the small straw.

Simon's phone rang and I watched as he plucked it from the table and put it to his ear.

"Yeah?" he answered, picking up two fries and stuffing them into his mouth as he listened to the person on the other line. I sucked down the rest of the shake as I watched him, and when his eyes shot to mine, my brows furrowed.

"I'm on my way." He stood as he said the words, and I stood as well.

So much for a day out on the town.

"Kyle's awake." He said after ending the call, dropping a few bills onto the table, and I was sure my heart stopped for just a second as I processed his words. I couldn't speak as we made our way to his car, and despite how fast he drove, my impatience grew with every mile.

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

The waiting room was crowded with members from the crew, who all greeted me as soon as I stepped in with Simon. Everyone looked excited as they talked with each other. There was laughter, roughhousing and the atmosphere in all was just uplifting. I was told that I was the first person Kyle had asked for when he woke, and my heart soared.

Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to stay awake for more than two minutes, after which time his father had remained in the room with him until he woke again, for longer this time. I grabbed a seat beside Michael in the waiting room, and spotted John in the far corner talking with Eddie.

I could just imagine how anxious he was to finally get the chance to talk to Kyle, after having spent the past two and a half days at the hospital. Relief and anxiety wrested inside me at the thought of getting to see him alive and well, and as I sat there my smile blossomed into a grin.

"Good to see you finally smiling again." Michael said, and I glanced at him. He'd been a member of Nate's crew back at the prison. He was also one of the first out of them all to accept me as part of their team. Nate had told me that two weeks ago, while chasing a suspect through the streets he'd been shot, and was now relegated to sick leave.

I hadn't seen him since he visited my cell the first day they brought me in and it was good to get the chance to talk with him under better conditions.

If it was even possible, my grin widened. "Yeah I'm just glad Kyle's finally awake." I told him. "How's your shoulder?"

"I never had a doubt, Kyle's a fighter." he said with an equally wide grin, then glanced down at his injured shoulder. "It's alright, I'll be back to work in no time." He said positively, then glanced at something behind me, and I looked around to see Nate entering the room. He had a large gift bag in hand, and a smile on his face as the others greeted him.

I stood, and when he finally spotted me he broke away from the guys and headed my way. He draped his free arm around my shoulder and nodded in greeting to Michael who did the same.

"I was just about to drop this off and come get you. What are you doing here?" he asked, and I grinned up at him.

"Simon brought me over. What did you get for Kyle?" I inquired, staring down at the large gift bag, and he pulled away from me briefly to pull the edges apart. I glanced over the contents and pulled out the card inside. When I opened it I looked at Nathan in surprise.

"You put my name on it?" I asked in awe at seeing my name alongside Nate's, scrawled inside the get well soon card.

He plucked it from my hands and replaced it. "Have you seen him yet?' he questioned instead, and I shook my head.

"His father is still in with him, and I hear he doesn't stay awake for very long when he manages to open his eyes."

He nodded and dropped into the chair I'd first claimed as mine. I glanced around the room, looking for one that was empty that I could pull up to Nathan's but he took hold of my wrist and pulled me onto his lap before I could find one.

I glanced around with burning cheeks to see if anyone was watching us, but they either didn't see, or didn't care, so with a sigh I leaned into his chest and waited.

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

It was a good two hours before any of us were finally allowed to see him, and one by one the guys entered his room, said their piece and left. A couple times he'd fallen asleep again, and we'd had to wait, but soon the waiting room was clearing out.

Simon went in with Eddie, then finally it was John's turn, and after a few minutes had passed, I went to stand by the doorway to his room, watching their interaction. He didn't look like the Kyle I knew. He lay there looking pale and weak, with tubes attached to his wrists, and I was sure he'd lost some weight in the short time he'd been here.

My lips trembled at the sight of him, but the light I saw in his eyes was unmistakable. He may look sick, but he was the same Kyle I knew and loved.

"You know...when I was younger I was terrified of stuffed bears." He was telling John, who held up the bear for him to see. His voice was raspy and he didn't so much as lift a finger from the bed as he spoke.

John laughed though, and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. Kyle lifted a shaking hand to take it, and I watched as he slowly brought it up to eye level. He looked at John, then back at the paper and to my surprise his face crumpled, as tears flowed freely from his eyes. When John took the paper from his hand, whispering words I couldn't hope to hear, Kyle covered his eyes with his fingers, his body wracked with sobs.

"I knew it...I knew you loved me Johnny." He managed to get out, and I smiled softly at the sight, then John bent to place a kiss on his forehead and I turned to Nate, who still sat in his chair across the way, and gave him a thumbs up. He grinned.

I turned away when they started talking quietly, deciding it was time to allow them some privacy.

It was half an hour before Nate and I got our turn with him and when he brought me back to my cell I was still smiling.

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

Three weeks.

Three weeks I was held in the small cell before I saw any progress as it related to my case, and in all that time I'd managed to make myself sick with worry at the thought that I wouldn't be allowed to go free after all. Nate came by every day around noon, staying with me for as long as he could, while giving assurances that I'd be out soon, but the longer I waited, the more convinced I'd become that freedom wasn't in the cards for me.

I wasn't allowed to leave the cell any more, except where it was designated by law that I was entitled to at least an hour of sunlight and fresh air every day. Otherwise I was left to pace the four corners of my room, only getting relief when someone visited.

Jerry came as often as he could manage, and once he'd even brought my baby brother along, after my mother reluctantly agreed to it. I'd played with him until he'd had to leave, then cried because it was the first time I'd seen him in months.

Eddie came by almost as much as Nate did, and I never saw Kyle again. I'd been told he'd been released from the hospital only a few days ago, and was now in a holding cell of his own. The only time we spoke was when we were able to relay messages to each other through John, Eddie or Nate, but I missed him terribly, and prayed for the day I'd be able to see him again.

I'd also found out that James had already been released on probation, and I'd felt so much anger and resentment that Kyle and I were still stuck, while he practically roamed free. I'd even stopped reading, unable to find pleasure in books anymore, and as a result Nate had stopped bringing them by.

It was on yet another uninteresting day, where I'd been pacing my cell that I'd been collected by a guard who looked like he could use a vacation. He led me down the hall, through a set of wide double doors, down a narrow passage way, and into a large office, where I was shocked to see Kyle, John and Nate all seated before the chief, whom I'd only met once before.

The man looked stern as he sat there watching me, and when I was led to the seat beside Kyle, I didn't look away from the guy as he continued to observe me with that intimidating stare.

When he finally looked away, his eyes roaming over the others, I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding, and glanced briefly at Kyle, who offered me a warm smile.

"Okay, now that we're all here, let's get down the business." He man spoke, and I focused my attention on him.

"In light of current circumstances; that being Edward Kelly's confession, the confession of his accomplices, and the irrefutable evidence stacked against him. I hereby apologize to you on behalf of the state." He said to me, and I nodded quickly, my heart pounding in my chest.

You've been exonerated of all charges relating to your murder conviction, effective immediately." He said and I grinned, my eyes flashing to Nate whose lips upturned in a small smile.

"Now as for the other charges against you, that is another matter entirely." He said, and I frowned.

Other charges?

"You escaped from a maximum security prison, and you and Kyle are suspected of being active accomplices in the destruction of state property." He said, and when I spoke up in protest, he raised a hand and I fell silent.

"I've been assured by every agent I sent on that OP, that neither of you were involved and I've already dealt with the matter, but the fact that you escaped from prison isn't something that can easily be overlooked." He said.

Then he leaned forward on the desk, his hands clasped before him. "Let's be frank here." He began quietly. "We all know what happened out there, and I know that my agents helped you escape, but they assured me there was no other way around it, and I trust my men with my life." He finished, and I glanced at Nate again.

"I called in a few favors, and officially submitted a report that states you both agreed to a deal where you would aid in the investigation against Kelly at the time of your supposed escape. The deal was to get time shaved off your bids in return for your help. Essentially, what I'm saying here, is that before your alleged escape, you cut a deal with my men, under my authorization, and were released under their supervision after the ensuing chaos." He continued, and I nodded slowly, understanding fully what the chief wanted us to do; lie.

"If not for your help, we wouldn't have gotten this far and so you're free to go."

I bit my lip. "So if anyone asks...that's what I'm supposed to say happened right?" I glanced at Nate, who nodded.

I looked back at the chief. "But why would you do that for us? You don't even know who we are...Not really." I continued, and for the first time since I'd entered the room, the chief smiled.

"I know enough." He said, and I nodded in full appreciation at the risk this man was taking for our sake.

"So that's it? We can leave?" Kyle spoke up, the hope in his voice unmistakable, but my heart fell when the chief shook his head.

"Your situation is a bit more complicated Mr. Macmillan. Whereas Riley was never guilty of any crime in the first place, excepting his escape of course, you still have a hit and run sentence to carry out, and I've already gotten you off one charge." He said.

"Chief-" John spoke up, and once again the guy held up a hand to silence him.

"You'll be on probation for the duration of your sentence. You'll be given a specific time where you'll be expected to be home, and you'll be expected to report to your probation officer once a week." He said, and I sighed in relief. It was better than going back to prison.

"So...I'll have to wear one of those ankle things?" he asked uncertainly, and the chief nodded.

"After you leave this office, you'll meet with the probation officer I've assigned to you, and she'll explain everything." He said.

Kyle nodded and I followed suit.

"Any questions?" he asked, and when we both shook our heads, he shoved a stack of papers over to us, which we were made to sign.

I went through each of them as quickly as I could manage, wanting more than anything for this to be over with and to never see the inside of a federal establishment again.

When we were done we stood to leave, but the chief called out before we could go, and I turned back to him in apprehension.

He held up one of the papers we'd signed, waving it slowly.

"I'm sure I don't need to tell you gentlemen that anything you relay to anyone about the meeting we just had, will be detrimental to all of us." He said simply, and I shook my head quickly.

He waved a hand at us and finally we were allowed to leave. John took Kyle to meet his probation officer, and we all agreed to meet up outside when he was done. I walked slowly beside Nate, feeling as though this was all a dream.

There was no way we were free...not after all we'd been through, yet here I was, walking away a free man, beside a guy who had risked everything to make it happen. A man who had been there for me even back when he couldn't stand the sight of me, and still continued to risk his own freedom with the lie he'd concocted with his partner and chief.

I didn't see the faces around me as I walked, and I didn't care to remember these halls, the only thing that danced through my mind was the fact that I was the luckiest person alive, and I had the people I had met in prison to thank for it.

Months ago I'd entered the system, expecting a cold hard life, filled with danger and uncertainty, and I'd prepared my mind for it, but what I couldn't hope to expect was that I would have gotten the chance to meet a group of incredible men, who had taken me under their wing, cared for me, and befriended me while I was going through my personal hell. Men who would lie for me, and die for me without a moment's thought, and I found I was overwhelmed by emotion at just what this all meant to me.

I'd gained a best friend, a boyfriend, and as Kyle had said; A family.

When we pushed through the front doors of the building and stepped out into the cool air, I grabbed Nate's wrist and he turned to me, a small smile gracing his beautiful face.

"What' is it?" he asked, and tears filled my eyes.

"I love you." I told him, my very heart spilling into the words as I said them, and he grinned, his eyes regarding me with amusement as his smile grew.

"I know."

AUTHOR'S NOTES

( will be posted so don't go anywhere!)

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