Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Barcelona, Spain. 17 months ago. The night was hot. I was in the back of our big black truck, in my protective gear. Alex was passenger, and Todd was driving the truck. We had a raid we were doing, which ended a long op. Others had arrived, and I heard the radios going off. 

“It’s kinda hard to be undercover with “DEA” plastered all over you.” Alex was bitching. 

“Partner, the game’s finally over today. Windbreakers are so we don’t get shot by our own people.” Todd Carpenter told us. 

Little did I know, that windbreaker wouldn’t do shit. Alex and I checked our guns. I smiled at Todd. 

“Fucking finally. Love to actually get to enjoy Spain as myself.” I also looked over at Alex. 

“It’s go-time, bubba.” Alex told us as he left. 

The op started, with everyone filing in. Alex, Todd, and I went to a side door. Alex signaled us and we went in. Alex ordered to freeze, but there was no one in the room. Alex and I lowered our guns. 

“What the–” I muttered, turning around as Todd pointed his gun at us. 

“Sorry, partner. Sorry love.” Todd said. 

Two gunshots rang out.

My eyes shot open, and Alex shot up. I immediately sit up beside him, grabbing his arm. Alex and I were both grunting, and trying to get our breaths. 

“Alex, it was a nightmare. We’re okay.” I tried calming him down as his monitor went off. 

“We’re okay.” I assured him. 

Alex then got out of bed and went into the bathroom. I got up and went beside him, seeing Alex looking in the mirror. 

“I had the same nightmare.” I told Alex. 

He just looked at me. 

“I know.” Alex seemed distant somehow. 

I put my hand on his face. 

“Hey. We’re okay.” I assured him. 

Alex finally looked into my eyes. 

“I’m gonna go get the mail and some coffee, okay?” Alex told me. 

I smiled. 

“All right.” I kissed his lips. 

“I’m just gonna tidy up the place, okay?” I told Alex. 

“All right, sweetheart.” Alex kissed my lips. 

I let go. Alex put on a white robe and left. Alex did come back with coffee not long after. But he seemed startled. Alex handed me a small coffee. 

“Here you go, my firefly.” Alex smiled at me. 

“Thanks, babe.” I took a sip. 

Then Alex’s face dropped. 

“Hey, what happened?” I asked him. 

“When I went to get our coffee, I swore I saw him.” Alex told me. 

“Did you?” I asked Alex. 

“No, I don’t know. Damn nightmare.” Alex rubbed his face. 

I grabbed his hand. 

“Hey, babe, I got us. Okay? I won’t let anything bad happen.” I assured Alex. 

“I know.” Alex said, grabbing my hand.

We touched foreheads. Then we started stocking the shop. I was putting hats away, and Alex was putting up nick-knacks on the table. 

There was a knock at the door. Alex looked at me, and I could tell he was triggered. I walked up beside him and put my hand on his shoulder as we saw the handle jiggle. Alex and I walked up, though Alex grabbed an oar before unlocking the door. He all but threw the door open, and I had to stop him from swinging by grabbing the oar. 

At our doorstep was a young blonde woman, hair in a short ponytail, as tall as Alex almost, a Portland tee-shirt, shorts, and a backpack with different countries flags on the straps. 

“Hey, dad.” I realize the woman was Evelyn, Alex’s daughter. 

Alex hid the oar behind the door. 

“Evelyn?” Alex seemed shocked. 

So was I. I had no idea Evelyn was even coming. This was a little awkward. 

“Surprise.” Evelyn had a huge smile. 

“This is Evelyn?” I questioned Alex. 

“Yeah. Evelyn, this is my girlfriend… Ev.” Alex paused before saying my nickname. 

“Hi.” I wave kinda awkwardly. 

“You’re dad’s girlfriend?” Evelyn asked me, more confused than anything. 

“Yeah.” I answer. 

God, this was awkward. Nothing like meeting your boyfriend’s daughter! 

“And Ev is your name?” Evelyn asked me. 

Yep, she was interrogating me. Alex and I just looked at each other awkwardly. 

“Actually, it’s… Evelyn as well.” I told her, pursing my lips. 

“Yeah, she’s… kinda who you’re named after.” Alex revealed. 

I just let out a little squeak. 

“What?” Evelyn and I both questioned him. 

“Why?” Evelyn asked Alex. 

“Cause there was no one who had my back like Ev has.” Alex kinda smiled a tad at me. 

“So you knew my dad a while?” Evelyn asked me. 

“Yeah. We worked together for a long time.” I told her. 

“Really?” Evelyn gave me a look I swear Alex gives me all the time. 

“Uh-huh. Best partner I’ve ever had. Also the biggest dumbass I know.” I can’t help but tease Alex! 

She lets out a giggle and smiles. 

“I like her.” She pats my shoulder and walks past me. 

I kinda let out a breath and start chuckling as I see that Alex is just horrified. 

“Hey, you know I’m right, babe.” I chuckle at Alex as he shuts the door behind Evelyn. 

Evelyn lets out another laugh. 

“Hey! Behave.” Alex pointed to Evelyn, causing me to laugh again. 

“Ev, I swear to God, behave!” Alex just walks past. 

“What’s the fun in that?” I tease him.

Alex snapped to face me and pointed at me. 

“Ev!” Alex groaned at me. 

I snickered, and so did Evelyn. 

“Don’t encourage her!” Alex was getting so frustrated! 

Evelyn and I stopped. 

“Oh god, there’s two of you.” Alex was horrified.

I smile as Evelyn went over to the snowglobes. Alex went to the back to grab some chairs. She picked a snowglobe up. 

“Snow globes on a tropical island? I like the irony.” Evelyn commented out loud. 

Alex came over. 

“All I got are these beach chairs that we rent out. But no one ever really comes in.” Alex handed me one and we set them up. 

“It’s okay. I’m not staying long.” Evelyn revealed. 

Alex and I looked at her. 

“What, what? Why?” Alex asked her, standing back up. 

“So, uh, you live here now. In a gift shop. With your girlfriend.” Evelyn summed up. 

“Uh, yeah.” I answered. 

“We stay in the back.” Alex told her, a proud smile almost. 

“It’s, uh, very… transactional.” Evelyn looked at us. 

“It’s okay.” Alex told her. 

“Uncle Danny said you moved here because of some medical condition?” Evelyn questioned us. 

“Bum shoulder.” I pointed to my right shoulder. 

“Is that why you came here to the Philippines? Cause Uncle Danny–” Alex was about to finish. 

“No, I joined the Peace Corps. I’m headed to Indonesia. Just thought I’d stop on my way.” Evelyn revealed. 

I was honestly shocked, but I wasn’t sure how to respond. I mean, I was proud sure. But it just didn’t feel right. 

“The Peace Corps?” Alex was surprised, I think, giving his chuckling. 

“What? I care about helping people, okay?” Evelyn snipped. 

“Yeah, that’s–I– That’s what I’m–I’m excited about it.” Alex then looked to me. 

“I’m happy for you, Evelyn.” I tried smiling, but something kept holding me back. 

“Come here. Let me just–all right.” Alex went to step forward to hug Evelyn, but she stepped back. 

I had to grab Alex’s shoulder to stop him, sensing Evelyn wasn’t wanting a hug. 

“You look fantastic, Butterfly.” Alex seemed proud. 

“Don’t call me that.” Evelyn was now getting angry. 

I was obviously missing something here. 

“You used to love it when I called you Butterfly.” Alex’s whole demeanor was awkward. 

“No. I don’t. Shows how little you know me.” Evelyn snarked. 

“Okay, then I’ll–” Alex’s monitor went off, and he shut it off. 

Every instinct in me was heightened. 

“Look, I should go. I just stopped by to give you these.” Evelyn grabbed the envelope and dumped out all the checks that Alex sent her on the table. 

“What is this?” Alex asked her. 

“They’re the checks you’ve been sending me every month. I don’t want your money. Take it back.” Evelyn seemed pissed. 

“Those are for you.” Alex was insistent.

“Keep it. Looks like you could use it.” Evelyn snipped again and grabbed her backpack. 

I really want to say something right now, but should I? I mean, I’m not Evelyn’s mother, so what right do I have dictating what choices she makes? 

“Okay, look, I am trying to help.” Alex told her. 

“Stop trying to buy my affection, okay?” Evelyn warned him. 

“I’m not trying to buy your affection. Look at me. I love you.” Alex was sincere. 

Evelyn was almost mocking him. 

“Oh, my–okay, when you love somebody, you don’t abandon them.” Evelyn snapped, and looked right at me, then turned to leave. 

“Excuse me?” I couldn’t contain myself as Alex turned to her, stumbling over his words as his monitor went off again, and ended up just ripping it off his arm. 

“I’m not–I didn’t abandon anybody!” Alex exclaimed, upset. 

I grabbed Alex’s arm, trying to settle him down. 

“Tell that to my mother.” Evelyn snarked again. 

“Your mom is the one that divorced me!” Alex yelled. 

Evelyn turned back around. 

“Yeah, because you were never there. You were halfway across the world with your girlfriend doing whatever you two did. We didn’t see or hear from you for months, sometimes years at a time.” Evelyn was angry. 

I sensed the meaning between the lines. Evelyn blames me in some capacity for her parent’s divorce. I know logically why she came to that conclusion. I mean, Alex and I did spend the majority of our time together while we were overseas. But nothing ever happened between us. Even if my crush for Alex never went away, even while he was married and had a daughter. No matter how much I had wanted Alex for myself, I just couldn’t do that to him. 

“We didn’t have a choice, Evelyn. And I never, ever went there with your dad while he was still with your mom. Cause he was, and still is, my best friend, and I would never destroy the one thing he had waiting for him. So don’t you dare blame that on me, and don’t blame that on your dad. Do I look like I’m lying?” I tried to not raise my voice, cause it isn’t my place, but I couldn’t let anything else happen without her knowing that. 

“You know that I was deep undercover then, okay? Your mother and you, you would’ve been in danger if I would’ve tried to reach out–” Alex tried calmly explaining. 

“That is such bull.” Evelyn wasn’t buying it.

“It’s not. It comes with the job. And it’s a screwed-up job, but that’s how it is.” Alex explained. 

“Yeah, and you chose that job. You chose that job and her over us. Over me.” Evelyn exclaimed, hurt. 

I had to bite my tongue so I didn’t lash out. 

“I was trying to protect you. You have no idea the people I was dealing with.” Alex tried explaining. 

Evelyn just shook your head. 

“Don’t act like you were saving the world. You were just a narc.” Evelyn dug that knife in more. 

I had to close my eyes and breathe. Evelyn had no idea the shit Alex and I did, what we went through working for the DEA. And I wanted to yell so loud at her, but I stop myself cause it’s not my place, cause I’m not a parent. 

“Well, I wanted to make a difference.” Alex finally told her.

“And how’d that work out for you?” Evelyn asked, and started walking up to Alex. 

“Bad guys all locked up? No more drugs on the streets?” Evelyn was now circling Alex, and something told me that Alex was dangerously close to an attack. 

“Evelyn, please, stop.” I begged her, but she didn’t listen. 

“Drug problem all fixed now?” Evelyn then got right in Alex’s face. 

“Stop.” I repeated, trying to keep it together. 

“What did you actually accomplish, Father?” Evelyn dug that knife in deeper. 

I could tell Alex was ashamed. 

“I guess nothing.” Alex admitted. 

Right now, I am angry. 

“So you missed out on half my life for half my life for nothing.” Evelyn hissed. 

“Evelyn. Evelyn, I–” Alex tried speaking, but Evelyn wasn’t having it. 

“You know, I’ve been waiting five years to say this.” Evelyn was pushing more and more. 

I saw Alex grab his arm, and I knew he was about to have an attack. Instinct took over, and I went into defense mode. 

“Evelyn, stop.” I begged her, grabbing onto Alex to try and calm him down. 

“I don’t want you in my life.” Evelyn told Alex. 

I was hurting for Alex. 

“Evelyn, please stop.” Alex begged. 

“Unlike you, I’m gonna do something good with my life.” Evelyn was yelling, and Alex was getting wobbly. 

“Evelyn, I’m trying–” Alex mumbled. 

“Alex, hey!” I looked at him as Evelyn kept going.

“I’m actually gonna help people. So don’t send me money. Don’t pretend you care.” 

I snapped. 

“Evelyn!” 

I felt Alex’s weight shift in my arms, and I knew he was about to collapse. 

“Just leave me alone.” Evelyn yelled as Alex collapsed, taking me down with him. 

“Alex!” I yelled, trying to shake his shoulders. 

“Dad? Dad! What’s going on? Dad!” Evelyn got down next to me. 

I wanna scream at Evelyn, and cuss her out, but not right now. 

“Alex, please do not do this to me.” I begged the universe. 

“Evelyn, what’s going on with him?” Evelyn asked me. 

“His hypertension flared up. We need to get him to a hospital.” I tried staying calm for Evelyn’s sake, but I wasn’t hiding it well. 

I called an ambulance and Alex was rushed to the hospital. 

Before I knew it, Alex was on a gurney being wheeled to the emergency room. Evelyn and I both kept asking what was going on, but the doctors kept us back. I stood there, my hands to my hand, scared all to Hell. I watched as the man I loved collapsed, getting berated by his daughter over something he had no control over. 

“Is he gonna be all right?” Evelyn asked me. 

Something in me broke. 

“No!” I turned to her. 

“He’s not gonna be all right, Evelyn! He already had one attack! Even if he survives, he’s gonna continue living with the guilt of you thinking he abandoned you and your mother! He’s always gonna know that you think that it’s our fault your mom divorced him!” I screamed. 

“I never–” Evelyn tried stopping me. 

“Bullshit! I knew from the moment you heard me say I knew your dad a while, and that Alex, for whatever fucking reason, decided to name you after me, that you would assume that he cheated on your mom. And Alex knows you think that too.” I couldn’t hold it in anymore. 

“Well did you?” Evelyn asked me, just as pissed at me as I was at her. 

“No!” I had to stop myself to take a breath. 

“I never would ask your father to cheat on your mother. No matter how much I wanted him to myself. Cause the guilt Alex would’ve had for hurting you, and your mom, would’ve killed him. And that would’ve killed me.” I was getting emotional, tearing up some. 

“And suffering in silence was easier, or so I thought.” I tried holding back tears. 

Evelyn was upset too. 

“Then why didn’t you leave? Why stay by his side all that time?” Evelyn asked me. 

“When you love someone, you don’t abandon them.” I looked at Evelyn. 

“And I was in love with your dad. And after a while, I tried cutting it out, but…” I froze a tad. 

“I couldn’t.” I choked up some. 

Evelyn had a look of shock. 

“Then what?” Evelyn asked me. 

“I decided that I would have his back so that he could get back to who he loved. Cause his happiness mattered more to me than my own.” I had to pause to calm down again, cause I was overwhelmed right now, and my voice cracked. 

My hand started shaking, and I ended up just hiding it behind my back. I took a couple breaths, and it helped some. 

“So why did he choose you over me?” Evelyn asked me. 

“He didn’t. I was just a part of the job. Your father always chose you. He chose to protect you cause he cares. Cause he does love you. He always has.” I tried telling Evelyn. 

“He cares about me?” Evelyn snipped. 

“There’s no one your father cared about more.” I went from emotional to frustrated as I cocked my head. 

“Maybe you don’t know your father that well. Cause if you did, then you’d know that he cares, sometimes too much. He cares about people, he cared about our mission, but you always came first for him. Always!” I paced back and put my hands to my head as Evelyn let out a huff of air. 

“Look, I’m not saying your father was perfect, and he didn’t make mistakes, but he’s trying to be a good man. For you, for me, for himself.” I told Evelyn. 

“Really?” Evelyn seemed skeptical. 

“Yeah.” I took another breath. 

“I’m not gonna tell you what you should be feeling, Evelyn. I’m not your mother, and it’s not my place. You have a right to be pissed at your dad. You can even be pissed at me, if it’ll make you feel better. But don’t be acting like he didn’t try.” I argued. 

“You’re right. You’re not my mother. And I am pissed at you.” Evelyn hissed at me. 

I took a couple more breaths and my hand stopped shaking. 

“I never acted like I was.” I stayed quiet. 

Evelyn just looked at me. 

“I don’t blame you, Evelyn. Though I really want to yell, and scream, and cuss you out, I can’t. I can’t bring myself to. And I would’ve done the same thing.” I told Evelyn. 

There was an awkward pause. 

“Let’s just fill out the paperwork.” Evelyn suggested. I just nodded my head and we left to head to the reception desk. Evelyn and I filled out the paperwork. A nurse walked up to us. 

“Have a seat. I’ll let you and your mother know when I hear from the doctor.” The nurse told us. 

We both stumbled a tad, but I didn’t bother correcting her, mostly cause I’m just too fucking exhausted. So I lead Evelyn to a bench in the hallway. 

We sat down, and I am scared. The life of the man I love is in the balance, and I can’t do a damn thing. I look at the desk, and I just see a man in dark pants, maybe jeans, and a gray long sleeve shirt, dark, cropped hair. He turns, and I go pale. Cause I swore I saw Todd Carpenter reading the chart. But I blink a couple times, and he’s gone. 

I have to breath to stop myself from having a panic attack, putting my arm around Evelyn too. She may still be pissed at me, but I think she knew we were both scared. Then the next thing I know, Evelyn is asleep, head in my lap, and I have dozed off. 

I hear the PA and felt Evelyn stir, so I wake up, and I see Todd’s not there. Was I hallucinating? This is the most stressed out I’ve been in a long time. 

“Is everything all right?” Evelyn asked the nurse. 

“Is he okay?” I asked the nurse, finally waking up. 

“He’s okay. You can see him if you would like.” The nurse told us as Evelyn sat up. 

“So he’s not dead?” Evelyn asked. 

“No, he’s not. I can take you to him.” The nurse told us. 

“No, thanks. I just wanted to make sure he’s alive.” Evelyn snipped. 

I didn’t say anything. 

“Please.” I told the nurse. 

“Where is he?” I hear Ocampo’s voice behind me, so I turn to see him, Kai, and Ernesto running down the hallway. 

“Alex Walker, where is he? They said he was taken here.” Ocampo asked. 

“Evelyn, where is he?” Ocampo asked me, walking past Evelyn and the nurse. 

“I got this.” I told the nurse and went up to Ocampo. 

“He’s okay.” I assured my friends. 

“I was just telling his wife and daughter over here.” The nurse pointed back to Evelyn. “Daughter?” Kai questioned. 

I saw Evelyn wave and gave an apologetic look. 

“I’m just his girlfriend, not his wife.” I corrected the nurse. 

“Can we see him?” Ernesto asked. 

“Yes, of course. I’ll take you to him.” The nurse told us. 

“Thank you.” Ernesto told her. 

I looked back at Evelyn, and Kai did too. 

“Wha–aren’t you coming?” Kai asked her. 

I tried silently telling Kai to stop. 

“I should go.” Evelyn said. 

“Stick around. It’ll be good for your dad.” Kai argued. 

I tried tapping her shoulder to get her to come.

“I’m pretty sure I’m the reason he’s here.” Evelyn looked at me, a guilty look on her face. 

“Evelyn, your father and I came to the island because of his hypertension. He had it before you came. You’re not to blame.” I assured her. 

“I’ll catch up.” Kai gestured for me to go. 

I followed Ernesto and Ocampo to Alex’s room. Ocampo was at the head of the bed, and I was beside Ernesto on the other side, holding Alex’s hand, waiting for him to wake up. I was sitting on the edge of the bed. 

“Please wake up, Alex.” I silently begged. 

Ernesto just put his hand on my shoulder. 

“He’s okay, Eve.” Ernesto’s voice was soft. 

“I’m not.” I admitted, close to crying. 

I let of Alex’s hand for a moment and wiped my eyes. 

“I don’t think I will be until he wakes up. This was too close, Ernesto. I should’ve stopped it, I sh–” My voice cracked, and Ernesto stood me up and just hugged me, shushing me.

“It’s not your fault, Evelyn.” Ernesto simply told me. 

I calmed down, and I went back to sitting and holding Alex’s hand. A nurse came in, and was doing something with the desk beside the bed. Then Kai walked in. 

“Oh, he’s going to be having some psychedelic dreams. They’re giving him the good stuff.” Ernesto joked. 

I can’t help but chuckle, and I feel a little better. 

“You gave us quite a scare, Agent Walker.” Ocampo told Alex. 

“He looks all right.” Kai seemed nervous. 

“Oh, he should be fine. The doctors said as long as he gets his rest and takes it easy, he’ll be back on his feet in no time.” The nurse told us, going to the other side of his bed.

“Thanks.” I whispered, not in the mood to speak real loud as Evelyn came in sheepishly. 

The nurse left. 

“It looks like he’ll be out for a while. We should get back to work.” Ocampo told us. 

“I’m staying.” I simply said, not moving. 

“If it’s okay with you, I’m gonna stay.” Kai told both Ocampo and me. 

I nodded that it was okay. 

“Just until he wakes up.” Kai continued. 

“Okay.” Ocampo agreed, leaving with Ernesto. 

Kai sat in one of the chairs, and Evelyn was leaning against the wall. 

“You know, it’s strange seeing him like this–vulnerable, peaceful. He’s almost likable.” Kai tried lightening the mood, and it worked. 

I smiled a tad. Evelyn sat next to Kai. 

“Now you’re talking crazy talk.” Evelyn quipped. 

“He’s not so bad once you know him.” I smiled at Alex sleeping. 

Kai was right, he was peaceful. But I still hated it, cause it was up to him when he decides to wake up. 

“I’m glad you’re here. He’s told me a lot about you.” Kai told Evelyn. 

“Me too.” I piped up. 

“He has?” Evelyn looked at both me and Kai. 

“He worries about you all the time.” Kai told her. 

“He really does. I told you, he cares about you, Evelyn.” I reminded her. 

“He could pick up a phone.” Evelyn snipped. 

“Would you have taken his call?” Kai asked her. 

“Probably not.” Evelyn admitted. 

“That’s why he never called. But that doesn’t mean he stopped caring.” I told Evelyn. 

“Hmm. Is that my Butterfly?” Alex’s voice was still groggy as he started waking up. 

I still held onto Alex’s hand. 

“We’re here, Soldier Boy.” I smiled, relieved Alex was awake. 

“I told you not to call me that.” Evelyn seemed relieved. 

“You’re going to wake up your mother.” Alex was so out of it. 

I can’t help but chuckle a tad along with Kai and Evelyn. I probably should’ve been offended Alex didn’t mention me, but he’s as high as a kite right now, and on I don’t even know what, so. 

“Butterfly? It’s cute.” Kai complimented it. 

“Cute? You want to know why he calls me that? Because when I was 10 years old he was teaching me how to break out of having my hands zip-tied together. He said I was moving my arms like butterfly wings.” Evelyn explained. 

Kai and I just looked at her. 

“He zip-tied your hands together and taught you how to break free?” Kai questioned. “Mm-hmm.” Evelyn hummed. 

“Yeah, that’s Alex for you. Trying to protect everyone he loves. Taught me the same thing once we partnered up.” I was looking at Alex, realizing he passed out again. 

“Yeah, he never wanted me. He never wanted a little girl.” Evelyn was hurt. 

Oh god, how do I fix this? 

“I doubt that’s true.” Kai told her. 

“He had me take karate at seven years old. Bought me a BB gun at 12. When other kids went camping, my dad took me into the mountains to teach me survival skills.” Evelyn told us. 

“It sounds like he wanted to bond with you over the things he knew about.” Kai explained. 

“I think he just wanted a son.” Evelyn told us. 

I looked right at her. 

“Alex lived a dangerous life. We both did. Made a lot of enemies. Don’t you think he would be constantly worried about you and wanted to make sure you were safe?” I asked Evelyn. 

“I don’t know. I guess I don’t really know him that well.” Evelyn admitted. 

I shot her a smile. Then looked back at Alex. Then Rita and Cory walked in. 

“Oh, there he is.” Cory had a gift basket in hand. 

“Hey, Rita. Hey Cory.” I smiled at them. 

“Mr. Alex? It’s me, Rita.” Rita told Alex. 

I smiled, but my heart broke a bit. 

“Her mother asked me to bring her here. She may come by after her shift.” Cory told us as she handed me the gift basket. I put it on the table. 

“I’ll have to thank her when I see her.” I told Cory. 

“You must be Evelyn, huh?” Rita walked up to Evelyn. 

“Alex says I’m annoying just like you.” Rita told Evelyn. 

I try not to let out a chuckle. 

“Evelyn, this is Rita. She helps Alex around the shop sometimes, and keeps us on our toes.” I rub her shoulder. 

“It’s nice to meet a kindred spirit.” Evelyn told her. 

Rita dug into her purse and pulled out the amethyst crystal. She looked at both me and Evelyn. 

“Will you give this to him when he wakes up?” Rita handed the crystal to Evelyn. 

It took everything in me not to cry. 

“It’s for healing.” Rita looked at me. 

“It is.” I smile through my tears. 

“He and Ms. Eve gave that to me when my father died and it helped me. But now he needs it.” Rita told us both. 

I thought I wouldn’t have any more tears left, but here I am! I extended my arms for a hug and knelt down and Rita hugged me. 

“Thank you, Rita.” I whispered to her. 

“You’re welcome, Ms. Eve.” Rita whispered. 

We let go. 

“Well, you’ve seen him. We have to go. I have a resort to run.” Cory told Rita, motioning for her to go. 

“Thanks for stopping, Cory.” I thanked her. 

“Nice meeting you. Bye.” Rita looked at Evelyn. 

“Bye, Ms. Eve.” Rita waved to me. 

“Bye Rita.” I waved back as she left. 

Evelyn was still looking at the crystal. 

“He has this whole life here.” Evelyn realized. 

“He and Eve’s helped a lot of people on the island. They all care about him.” Kai revealed. 

I smiled at Alex again. 

“I guess we have.” I was proud of Alex. 

I mean, our first time back to the island, we ended up breaking up a drug sting, but we did get justice, and helped the five blocks Kai showed us. 

Then we helped solved Lester Cordero’s murder, and shut down a trafficking ring. Then we saved the local restaurants, and a governor. Then we saved Jerry Westwood, saved the police station, and Lockhart, from armed goons. 

Then we solved a murder and saved Kai’s life. After that was us having to save Alex’s Uncle Danny. Then we saved August Crowe from kidnappers. Oh, how could I forget Alex getting poisoned with cyanide at a wedding for the Triad, which the goom was murdered by his own bride. Glad I kicked her ass. 

But there was a lot of people we saved. It’s kinda funny how Alex and I came here to get away after we were forced to retire, looking for peace. Well, maybe for me it was more of an escape. I wanted to forget. Forget about the disillusionment, forget how I was betrayed by someone I got too close to, forget the nine months of therapy, forget how I had nearly started popping pills. Forget that I had thought Alex was the one who got away. Forget that I felt isolated. 

Thing was, I had my parents. They’re back in Maine, retired now. My siblings had all moved elsewhere. But I was the farthest away. I kept in contact, but what do I tell them? “Hey, sorry, I was taking down a drug ring. Oh, and I have a boyfriend and he’s now passed out after having a hypertension attack cause his daughter’s here?” Yeah that wouldn’t be easy to talk about or explain. 

They don’t need to worry about me. I mean, my brothers and sister are all successful and married, my older brother has his own business and 2 kids, my middle brother is married to a successful businesswoman, and has 2 kids and a third on the way, and my baby sister is married to a pilot and runs her own law firm, and they adopted 3 kids and had one together. I’m the only one not married, don’t have kids, and the only child who never wanted them. I got too much shit to be a parent. I mean, maybe I could be. 

Jesus, I am fried. I guess it seems like just as I get comfortable, something bad happens. Is it too much to ask for a little peace? I’m not sure how much more I can take, honestly. But right now, it doesn’t matter. Evelyn fell asleep on the chairs on the opposite wall, and I fell asleep next to Alex. I don’t know, maybe I thought if he felt my heart beating, he’d wake up faster, or something. 

I had that same nightmare again. But what really woke me up was hearing clattering. I shot up, cause it scared the piss outta me, and it took me a minute to calm down. Evelyn and I slowly walk up to the certain splitting the room, and I keep her behind me. I pull open the curtain, and I see a man trying to grab his tray. He apologizes, and I let out the breathe I was holding. I go to sit back beside Alex as Evelyn grabs the tray and tells the guy we didn’t know anyone else was here. 

I see Alex open his eyes up and spot not only what’s going on, but me. I tune out of Evelyn’s conversation and focus my attention on Alex. 

“Firefly.” Alex’s voice was horse yet. I smile and looked at him. 

“Hey soldier boy.” I kept rubbing his cheek as he closed his eyes again. 

“Get your rest, Alex.” I whispered and kissed his temple. 

Evelyn then patted my shoulder. 

“Eve, I’m gonna run an errand.” Evelyn told me. 

I turned to her. 

“Want me to come with?” I asked her. 

“No. My dad needs you here when he wakes up.” Evelyn told me. 

Part of me knew Alex would want me to go with her, cause she’s his little girl, but the other part of me knew Evelyn was an adult and didn’t need supervision. And she’d probably be pissed at me if I went with her. 

“Alright.” I grabbed the envelope and found a pen that a nurse had left and wrote my number. 

“Here. This is my cell. Any problems, you call me, okay?” I handed the envelope back. 

“Will do.” Evelyn then left. 

I went back to holding Alex’s hand. I felt a squeeze, and I saw that Alex had his eyes open. 

“Hey, my firefly.” Alex was now alert. 

I helped him sit up. 

“I’m starting to think you like keeping me on my toes, soldier boy.” I teased Alex, cupping his face. 

“I’m sorry I scared you, firefly.” Alex was ashamed, but still waking up some.

“It’s okay, Alex. I thought I lost you for good this time.” I kept one hand on his cheek. 

“Oh you know I don’t go down that easily, Ev.” Alex chuckled slightly. 

I just chuckled, shook my head, and kissed his cheek. Then Kai walked in with a couple coffees. 

“Hey. Someone’s back with the living.” Kai shut the door and walked around the bed, giving both Alex and me coffee. 

“Thanks.” I thanked Kai and took a sip of coffee. 

“Where’s Evelyn?” Alex still was kinda groggy yet. 

“She said she’d be right back. She had an errand.” Kai handed Alex his coffee and went to open a window. 

“Damn it. I wanted to talk to her.” Alex swung his legs over to the side of the bed, and I helped him move the bedsheet and sat beside him. 

“Sorry. She didn’t say where she was going.” Kai told her. 

“Wait a sec, she was talking to someone earlier.” I remembered. 

“I know where she went. She went running an errand for that guy in the other bed. She’s such a do-gooder.” Alex told Kai. 

“The other bed? You have this room to yourself.” Kai revealed, and instantly every alarm in my mind was going off. 

“But she–” I stumbled, confused. 

“There’s a guy in that bed. Hey, Diego?” Alex called out, still not fully awake yet. 

Kai moved the curtain and revealed there wasn’t even a bed there, it was more of a chiropractor bench. I was confused, and so was Alex. 

“I think you’re seeing things with that funny juice they have you on.” Kai told Alex. 

“I heard him talking.” Alex explained. 

“No, Kai, I swear I heard Evelyn talking to a guy.” I insisted, knowing I was right. 

“She was going to deposit something for him in a bank in Bororanco.” Alex remembered. 

“Yeah.” I confirmed.

“Now I know it’s the pain meds and the sleep deprivation talking. Trust me, there’s no bank in Bororanco. If there were, it would get robbed every day. That place is scary.” Kai revealed. 

“Fuck.” I muttered as I help Alex get off his monitors and blood pressure cuff. 

“How the fuck didn’t I see it earlier?” I was pissed at myself. 

“What are you doing?” Kai asked us. 

“Get my clothes.” Alex told us, gritting. 

“The doctor said you need bed rest.” Kai reminded him. 

“We’re getting out of here.” Alex stood up, and I helped steady him.

“You’re not going anywhere.” Kai told us. 

“Listen to me. It’s a setup, all right? They’re going to hurt Evelyn.” Alex revealed. 

“And I let her go by herself.” I was pissed. 

I grabbed Kai and Alex and we got his clothes. I should’ve gone with Evelyn. Cause now something bad was gonna happen, and it was my fault. 

Once Alex got a change of clothes, we drove down to Bororanco, hoping we weren’t too late. We pulled up to an ally and Alex and I got out first. 

“Where the hell is she?” Alex asked out loud. I spotted her. 

“Alex!” I pointed to where she was and started running. 

“Dad? Eve?” Evelyn called to us, waving. 

“Evelyn!” I yelled as I ran.

Then a black car got out and ran to Evelyn. They grabbed her, and I went in. One goon grabbed Evelyn, the other one engaged me. I blocked punches, but I was so sidetracked with Evelyn getting shoved in the car, and trying to fight, that the goon landed a shot right in my right shoulder. 

I screamed in pain and couldn’t move. Alex kept yelling my name, and I kept yelling his. We got shoved in the car, unable to move. I knew it wouldn’t take Alex long until he would track us down. Alex would track down Diego. My goal: Keeping Evelyn calm. 

We ended up at this concrete building. Evelyn was scared, and I knew it. Evelyn and I were on barstools, hands bound in front of us by zip ties. I counted at least four goons in the room. I looked at her. 

“Evelyn, I promise, we are gonna be okay. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.” I promised her. 

A goon then was behind her, and put the gag over her mouth, which was simply fabric. 

“Don’t you fucking touch her!” I yelled. 

“Easy, guys.” I freeze, recognizing the voice. 

I turn to see Todd Carpenter standing at the doorframe. 

“Todd.” I hissed. 

“Hey love. Miss me?” He smiled! 

“Not really, no.” I still hissed. 

I could see Evelyn was scared. 

“It’s okay. He’s not gonna kill us.” I assured Evelyn. 

Todd then pointed a gun at me. 

“You sure about that, love?” Todd asked me. 

“Yeah. Because I know why you’re here. You want me and Alex dead. Come to finish what you started in Spain, that it?” I knew I was correct. 

And Todd looked at me and confirmed I hit the nail on the head. 

“You were always too smart for your good.” Todd shook his head. 

“I had a good partner.” I taunted. 

“We did.” Todd then kneeled in front of me. 

“But you and I got too close, didn’t we, love?” Todd looked at me. 

“That was always gonna be our downfall, huh?” I cocked my head. 

“I cared too much. But then again, you always never were that invested in us, were you? Cause you had your eye on Walker.” Todd taunted. 

“Caring too much was always our problem, Todd. It’s why you shot us in Spain.” I told him. 

“And it’s why you became a DEA agent, Mahoney.” Todd had a knowing smile on his face, like he knew my deepest secret.

“I never lied about why I joined, Todd. You knew about her. Lots of people did.” I told Todd. 

“You didn’t tell Walker about your high school girlfriend.” Todd knew. 

I pursed my lips. 

“No I didn’t. And you have no right bringing her up.” I hissed, pulling on my restraints. 

“Oh, love. I am sorry about Spain.” Todd told me, not really sorry. 

“No you aren’t. And don’t like act you loved me, cause if you did, you wouldn’t have shot me.” I pointed out. 

“You’re right. I did. But you didn’t.” Todd hissed back at me. 

I looked back over at Evelyn, and she was close to tears. 

“Todd, please let her go. She has nothing to do with this.” I begged Todd. 

“No. Cause what better bait for Alex than his daughter and girlfriend.” Todd then snapped his fingers, and I heard the goon coming behind me with the gag. 

“Todd, don’t do this!” I yelled, but then the gag was in my mouth, and no words came out. 

I started screaming no, but Todd just left. 

After a while, the room was empty. Not too long after, I heard footsteps. Then I saw Alex, shotgun in hand. Evelyn was moaning and Alex froze a second. He made his way over to us as I started crying. 

“Hey.” Alex was in front of Evelyn and kissed her forehead. 

Then he came over to me. 

“I got you, firefly.” Alex kissed my forehead. 

He then got down in front of Evelyn. Evelyn was crying. 

“Hey, it’s okay, I got you. I got you both.” Alex said. 

Then I saw Todd come out from the room across from us and I tried screaming to warn Alex, but Todd had a gun on Alex. 

“Drop it or they die.” Todd ordered Alex. 

Alex threw the shotgun to the side. Alex just mouthed “I love you.” to me. 

“Hands in the air. Turn around slowly.” Todd ordered. 

Alex did just that. 

“Howdy, partner.” Todd told Alex.

I knew he was pissed. I couldn’t do anything, which was the worst part about this whole thing. “It’s a nice place you got here. A little drafty. Must be hell during the monsoon season, huh?” Alex taunted Todd.

“Apparently they ran out of money before they could finish building it. They’re gonna demolish it tomorrow morning. They already rigged the explosives. It’ll be a hell of a sight to see when they blow it up.” Todd warned Alex.

I tried not to freak out, but this gag was making it hard to breathe, and I’m trying my hardest to not have another panic attack. 

“Well, I hope you are standing right there so you can see it happen.” Alex quipped. 

If I wasn’t tied up, I would kill Alex myself. Todd chuckled. 

“Still cracking jokes even when your own daughter and girlfriend’s lives are in jeopardy.” Todd warned. 

“You want to kill me, Todd, then you kill me and let them go.” Alex took a couple steps toward Todd. 

“Mahony said the same thing. You think I went through all of this just to kill you and Ev?” Todd questioned Alex. 

Something didn’t add up. 

“What do you want?” Alex asked him. 

Todd lowered his gun. 

“I want you to do a job for me.” Todd revealed. 

“You want me to work for you?” Alex questioned him. 

“Yeah. It’ll be easy. Trust me.” 

I’m gonna fucking kill him. 

“Trust you? Trust the guy who tried to kill me and the girl he loved?” Alex questioned Todd. 

“Is that what you think happened? You think I just missed?” Todd questioned. 

“Ev and I’ve always been faster than you, Todd.” Alex pointed out. 

“We were partners for nearly ten years. Ev and I slept together for a year. Yes, I was supposed to kill you two. That’s what Francisco ordered me to do, to show loyalty once I switched sides. But I couldn’t do it, man. I couldn’t kill you. You’re my friend. And Ev was my girlfriend. Because I didn’t kill you two, I’ve been on the run ever since. Francisco put a bounty on my head. DEA put me on the Most Wanted list. So while you’ve been here tanning on my beach, screwing the woman I loved, I’ve been a man without a country.” Todd was bitching. 

I seriously roll my eyes. He was the one who shot us! 

“And cause I got the girl, I’m supposed to feel sorry for you?” Alex questioned. 

Goddammit, Alex! Really wish this fabric wasn’t in my mouth, cause both of them would be getting an earful right now. 

“No, of course not. I made my bed. But I found a way out, Lex. I found out that Francisco Aguero desperately needs something here on this island. And if I can get it for him, he’s agreed to call us square, my debt to him is paid. I can finally stop running.” Todd made the offer. 

“Why me?” Alex asked. 

“Because the thing he wants is locked up in that very same police station that lets you and Ev walk around like you own the joint.” Todd revealed. 

Shit, he knows about Kai and Ernesto. Alex, please don’t let anything happen to them. 

“If I do this for you, then me, my daughter, and my girlfriend, we go free?” Alex questioned Todd. 

“Of course.” Todd agreed, though I don’t buy it for a second. 

“And if I refuse?” 

You just had to fucking ask Alex! Cause then Evelyn and I both have knives to our throats. We both moan, both scared. 

“Hey, let’s not speak in hypotheticals.” Todd warned Alex as he turned to us. 

I manage to nod my head to tell Alex to do it. 

“What’s the job?” Alex asked Todd, a fire in his voice I hadn’t heard in a long time. 

The blades were removed from out throats, and I close my eyes a moment to settle down. 

“They’re holding Mr. Aguero’s accountant in a cell. You kill him and bring me back his ledger.” Todd told Alex.

Evelyn started moaning, telling Alex no and I was too. Alex then got tossed a bag. 

“Inside you’ll find a phone and a knife. Slit Usato’s throat on camera so I can watch it live. No tricks.” 

What the actual hell, Todd! I didn’t want Alex to do this, and neither did Evelyn. 

“You bring me back his ledger. And you, your daughter, and your girlfriend can walk away.” Todd told Alex. Alex turned back to us still moaning and grunting. Todd then walked beside Alex. “Alex… if Usato’s still alive in an hour, they won’t be.” Todd threatened Alex. 

Alex then left. I hated this so much. The man I once loved kidnapped me and the daughter of the man I love and now the man I love is going to have to kill an accountant to save us. Brutally too. 

Why the hell did I ever decide to screw Todd? The time was counting down in my head, like a really loud grandfather clock, ticking closer to what could be my final moments. Part of me knew Alex would find some way to figure it out. But there’s still that small part of me that thinks he could actually do it. And I hate that I had that thought. But wouldn’t anyone? I am scared. 

Todd knew about my shoulder injury, probably told these goons beside us that my shoulder was bum, and that’s why the goon hit me there. It was still throbbing. Adrenaline and spite were the only things keeping me from having a panic attack. And the fact that I had to stay calm for Evelyn. Cause I would kill myself if something happened to her. So would Alex. 

After about an hour of Todd pacing with the gun in hand, the phone rang. He answered it, pointing the front camera at himself, Evelyn, and me. 

“You were nearly out of time, Alex.” Todd warned Alex. 

Alex was in the cell, and a larger man was sitting on the bench, hands behind his back. 

“Carpenter, I don’t want Evelyn and Ev to see this.” Alex told Todd. 

“Deprive her of seeing of her old man’s of? And the man Ev loves is capable of?” Todd questioned, standing behind Evelyn, putting his arm around her. 

“Carpenter please, no. I’m begging you.” Alex begged. 

“Do it, Alex.” Todd ordered.

“Evelyn, close your eyes babe, okay? You don’t to see this.” Alex told Evelyn. 

She was whimpering and closing her eyes. Todd cocked the gun and got way too close to her and ordered her to watch. I’m grunting, trying to do something, but I can’t. 

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry Ev.” Alex told us. 

Then Alex used a curved s blade and did it. I couldn’t help but notice how during that specific part, the camera went all choppy. I prayed that was Alex’s doing.

“Now you let them go.” Alex begged. 

“First you bring me back that ledger.” Todd told Alex. 

He started sputtering. 

“Nice work, Daddy.” Todd taunted and hung up. 

I prayed that the whole thing was fake for Evelyn's sake. Cause I can deal with that image, cause I’ve seen worse. But Evelyn… oh god, I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. I was stupid, and I lost focus, and Evelyn and I got taken. The image kept replaying in my head, and the way Alex held his face, I know that he had faked it. But I was still scared. God, what the hell am I doing?  I prayed Alex had a plan. 

The time ticks on slower than I want it to. Finally, it is dark outside. Then I see Alex walk in, a book in hand. 

“Carpenter.” Alex got his attention. 

Alex walked to him.

“The ledger.” Alex tossed the book to Todd. 

“Coded in a day planner. You have to admit, it’s ingenious.” Todd said. 

“And now you can hand it over to me.” I see an older man in a white suit walk in. 

“Francisco. Señor.” Todd handed the ledger over. 

“I told you I could make this happen.” Todd seemed more rigid. 

“I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes. Good work, Agent Walker. Too bad you couldn’t join us when we were back in Spain when you had the chance.” Francisco told Alex. 

I forgot about that from Spain. 

“Yeah, well, I didn’t then and I wouldn’t now.” Alex hissed. 

Francisco just laughed and walked back. 

“You’re a foolish man, Mr. Walker.” Francisco left. 

I had a bad feeling now, and there was nothing I could do to warn Alex. 

“All right, Carpenter, you got what you wanted. Let us go. Todd. Todd!” Alex called to him as Todd walked to us. 

“Sorry buddy. No witnesses.” Todd then put the gun up to Evelyn. 

No secret why. 

“I have to get rid of the three of you.” Todd threatened. 

I fucking knew it! 

“That’s my daughter and girlfriend. Don’t be stupid. You just got square with Aguero. If you kill us, you’re gonna be on the run again.” Alex pointed out. 

Todd walked to Alex. 

“But no one will ever know. When they blow up this building tomorrow, thousands of tons of concrete will collapse on your dead bodies. There will be no trace of you, your daughter, or your girlfriend. The world will think you’ve just gone missing.” Todd turned around and cocked the gun. 

“Just wait. Wait, wait, wait. Stop. Wait, all right?” Alex was grabbed. 

“If you do this, you’re all gonna die.” Alex had a weird tone to his voice, but I knew what he was doing. 

Todd was amused. 

“We’re gonna die?” Todd questioned. 

“My butterfly and firefly will make it happen.” Alex said. 

Evelyn and I looked at each other and got what Alex was getting at. 

“Your butterfly and firefly?” Todd questioned.

“They’ll flap their wings, and then–” Alex continued. 

I looked down at my restraints and waited.

“And then what?” Todd asked. 

Evelyn and I on cue both snapped our zip ties and got up. Evelyn and I kicked the goons legs beside us, and removed the gag. 

“We’ll kick your asses.” I get the quip in, kicking. 

Evelyn was holding her own as Alex took on the goons beside him. Kai then came in, taking on some too. It’s a fury of fists, and I’m running on adrenaline. 

I see Todd run, and Alex on the ground, but okay. Evelyn dodged some knife blows, and I disarm the goon. Alex grabs a gun and gets into a fight. I get punched in the gut, and I go into overdrive. Alex took out the last goon, and Kai’s holding Evelyn and I am too. 

“Get them out of here and get them somewhere safe.” Alex orders Kai. 

“Where are you going?” Kai asked him. 

“Carpenter.” Alex has fire in his eyes. 

I let go of Evelyn and run to Alex. 

“Alex, I’m going with you.” I argued. 

Alex grabbed my shoulders, keeping me back. 

“Ev, no!” Alex yelled. 

“Not up for debate!” I ran past him. 

Alex catches up, and we both run after Todd. 

“Carpenter, let’s go!” Alex yells as we see him round the corner of the stairs. 

“Get your ass back here, you dick!” I yelled, pissed. 

Alex and I jump down the floor, landing on the ground safely. The shit I do for Alex, man. We see Todd at the bottom of the stairs. 

We run after him. Alex shoves Todd to the ground, and before I can kick, he rolls and gets on his back, sending Alex over him on his back. I kick his ribs, but he grabbed my foot and pushed me on my back. I see Todd has a gun in sock and Alex ran for cover as Todd pulled it out. I grab the gun, pull it down, and kick his leg. 

But Todd had an iron grip, and before I know it, I feel a searing pain in my thigh and go down, screaming. I know the bullet struck my thigh. Todd was his gun pointed to Alex, who switches cover. 

“I may have missed you back in Spain, buddy, but I never miss twice.” Todd warns. 

Alex runs, and Todd has his gun up. I see the box of explosives. 

“Goodbye Alex.” 

The explosion happens. I pray Alex is okay. Todd looks at where Alex was hiding. He isn’t there. I manage to get up and see Alex walking to Todd. 

“You looking for me?” Alex asks as Alex gets to work, gut punching Todd. 

Todd stumbles to me, and I clock him one. Alex helps me steady, and grabs a piece of rebar as Todd does. 

They go at it, and I stay back, mostly cause my thigh is killing me, and bloods dripping down my jeans. Alex gets elbowed in the face, and then they go at it and are locked. 

“You can’t win. I know your every move. Hell, I taught you most of them.” Todd taunted.

Alex pushed him back and went at it again. They get locked again. 

“You should have never come to our island, Todd.” Alex taunts. 

They go at it again, and Alex loses the rebar, but elbows Todd back. 

“Your island? This isn’t your home. You don’t have a home anymore. You don’t have a family. You have nothing left.” Todd taunted. 

I started making my way to him, grabbing rebar. 

“You know what I do have?” Alex asks. 

I see Kai beside us, holding her gun. 

“I got your pissed ex-girlfriend and a best friend with a .45 aimed at the back of your head.” Alex taunts as Kai cocks her gun. 

“Freeze, douchebag.” Kai ordered him. 

“Oh, please, give her a reason to shoot you, asshole.” I hiss. 

Todd then throws the rebar at Kai, sending her down. Alex tackles Todd to the ground. Alex and Todd exchange blows. Todd is on the ground and grabs the gun, but Alex and I get control of it, and uppercuts him. 

I hobble over, using Alex as a crutch. I kicked his ribs for good measure. But then we see Evelyn. Alex had the gun on Todd. 

“I’m gonna teach you something, Todd.” Alex is dangerously close to shooting Todd. 

“You know how many times I dreamed of shooting you, Todd?” I asked him, a fire in me. 

“Alex, Ev, don’t.” Kai asked us. 

I see Evelyn standing there, terrified. I would grab the gun from Alex and shoot Todd myself. 

“No, he needs to learn this lesson.” Alex cocked the gun and fired right beside Todd. 

“That’s how you miss, asshole.” I hiss and kick Todd in the nads. 

Evelyn has a proud smile as I lean on Alex, feeling the adrenaline crash as I throw the rebar. We head outside, leaving Todd to the cops. We made it outside. 

“Hey babe?” I ask Alex. 

“Yeah?” Alex looked at me. 

“Did you really have to play the “I got the girl” card?” I asked Alex. 

“Well I did, didn’t I?” Alex had that smirk.

“You’re such an asshole.” I chuckled. 

Evelyn joined up with me and Alex and put my arm around her shoulders. 

“What’s up with the soldier boy and firefly pet names?” Evelyn asked us. 

Alex and I smiled.

“Well, cause Ev lights up every rooms she’s in.” Alex was soft. 

I chuckled.

“Mine’s just cause it fit.” I started laughing. 

“Yeah, yeah.” Alex muttered as we kept walking. 

We made it to the car and I got my leg stitched up, with Alex and Evelyn refusing to leave my side. I got put on crutches. 

Then we made our way to the police station after learning that Ocampo and Ernesto arrested Aguero at the airport. Alex and I made our way inside the police station, where Zivic had exited Ocampo’s office and was talking to him. Great, my two ex-boyfriends all in the same day. I have such shitty luck!

“Zivic!” Alex yelled.

“You taking Aguero back to the states?” Alex asked as we went right up to Zivic. 

“Walker, Mahony, stay out of it. This is none of your business.” Zivic was pissy. 

“Whoa, put it back in your pants, Zivic.” I warned him. 

“We were just wondering if you had room for one more.” Alex told him. 

Then Kai came in with Todd. I swear, this normally would be my worst nightmare. 

“You remember my lousy, almost as bad as you were, ex who shot me and Alex, right?” I had a shitty smirk on my face, cause my god was this satisfying as hell. 

“Todd Carpenter. How the hell did you find him?” Zivic asked us. 

“Take the win, Zivic, hmm? Oh, man, they might even hand you a promotion.” Alex told him. 

“You know, I just might.” Zivic agreed, then looked at us. 

“Thanks, Alex. Thanks, Evelyn.” Zivic thanked us. 

Alex and Zivic fist bumped. I looked right at Zivic. 

“My hands are full, and I ain’t kissin’ you. Move!” I had to move Zivic past him.

Zivic walked over to Todd, and Alex had his arm around me and kissed my cheek. I also saw Evelyn smile at us. 

For the first time, I felt safe. Todd was gone, and while part of me still hopes he meets some accident in prison, he’s gone. I could have the peace I had finally wanted! 

We went back to the gift shop, changed clothes, and Alex was putting his…equipment back in the sailfish. 

“How did I get all this stuff in here in the first place?” Alex asked out loud. 

“Cause I did it, dumbass.” I teased and helped put the stuff away. 

“You really think you’re gonna need all of that again?” Evelyn questioned us. 

“Well, you never know. You might run into a rainy day.” Alex told her. 

“Especially with someone who can’t leave shit alone.” I teased Alex, who just smiled.

“You mean like lessons for breaking out of zip ties? Or ten years of karate classes?” Evelyn questioned. 

Alex stood up. 

“Yeah, something like that.” Alex put the last of the stuff away. 

“Listen, I’m sorry you had to watch me fake kill that guy.” Alex told us both as I stood beside Evelyn. 

“Oh, I knew that wasn’t real.” Evelyn told him. 

I chuckled as Alex seemed confused. 

“You have a tell.” Evelyn told him. 

“I have a tell?” Alex questioned. 

“You’re doing it now, babe.” I teased him, pinching his thigh. 

“I’m doing it right now? What is it?” Alex asked me, keeping my hand away. 

Then I stopped and Alex stood in front of Evelyn. 

“Listen to me, I am so glad that you came here, Evelyn, truly.” Alex looked at her, proud. 

“And I’m grateful that you taught me everything you did. I wouldn’t be brave enough to join the Peace Corps if you hadn’t.” Evelyn smiled. 

“Well, then you are welcome, and I hope–wait, what? Huh?” Alex caught on to what Evelyn was saying. 

“Why do you need combat skills to join the Peace Corps?” Alex asked. 

“Oh. Uh, oh, my God. Look at the time.” Evelyn knew she was in trouble, and I just laughed. 

“What?” Alex asked her. 

“I have a plane to catch.” Evelyn went to grab her bag. 

“Huh? Hold on. Oh. I gotta give you something.” Alex dug into his pocket. 

“Not the checks.” Evelyn told him. 

“He already rolled those up in your sock.” I told Evelyn. 

Evelyn chuckled. Alex pulled out the Amethyst crystal. 

“The healing crystal.” Evelyn grabbed it. 

“Amethyst.” Alex told her. 

Evelyn handed it back. 

“Give it back to that little girl. We’ve done enough healing for one trip.” Evelyn handed it back to Alex. 

Then Erensto and Kai busted in the door, in swimsuits. 

“Alex, Eve, we’re going surfing!” Ernesto then realized Evelyn was there. 

“Uh, we can come back later.” Ernesto was a little awkward. 

“No, it’s okay. I have to go. I’ll leave you with your new family.” Evelyn looked at us. 

Evelyn then went to leave and Alex and I walked forward. Well, I more hobbled. 

“Hey, Evelyn?” Alex stopped her. 

Evelyn stopped at the door. 

“We good now?” Alex asked her. 

“No. But we’ll get there.” Evelyn smiled at Alex. 

Alex was smiling too, and so was I. She then looked at Alex. 

“See you, Pops.” Evelyn told him. 

“Good-bye, Evelyn.” Alex told her. 

“Call me butterfly.” Evelyn told Alex. 

I could see Alex light up as Evelyn dropped her bag and ran to Alex, all but jumping in his arms. He put her down and they let go. Then Evelyn walked up to me and hugged me. 

“I’m glad my dad found you, Eve.” Evelyn whispered to me. 

“Me too. And call me Ev.” I told her. 

We both chuckled. 

“All right, Ev.” Evelyn chuckled. 

“Call me anytime you want, okay butterfly?” I whispered to her as Evelyn let go. 

“I will, Ev. Thank you.” Evelyn told me. 

I just nodded as Evelyn grabbed her bag and left. Kai and Ernesto joined us. 

“Hard to believe she’s related to you.” Kai pointed out. 

“Yeah, you sure she’s yours? You were gone for years at a time. A housewife can get lonely.” Ernesto asked Alex, joking with him. 

“Trust me, Ernesto, she’s just like her father. Same shitty smirk and sarcasm.” I teased Alex. 

Alex just hummed and Evelyn walked back in. 

“Um, I need a ride.” Evelyn told us. 

“Yep, she’s yours.” Kai put her arm around Alex. 

“Yep, your kid babe.” I teased him again. 

We all started chuckling. 

“Well, still on crutches, so can’t drive, but I do have a car.” I revealed, pointing behind me. 

“You do?” Alex questioned me. 

“Yeah, I was gonna tell you yesterday, but the whole “evil ex” thing happened, so…” I pop my lips. 

“Wait, that was your ex?” Kai questioned me. 

“Yeah. Not proud of it. And I am not talking about it. Move your asses.” I started leading them out, with protesting. 

Evelyn got her ride, and Alex, Kai, and Ernesto went surfing while I read on the beach. This was not how I expected these last two days to be. 

Having Evelyn show up when I wasn’t prepared, Todd showing back up, getting taken with Evelyn, forcing me to confront these things of my past, it really did mess me up. But now that it was over, Alex and I could finally start healing. 

I had finally found paradise, and I found a new family in Alex, Kai, and Ernesto. While I still missed my family back in Maine, it was time for me to start anew. And what better way to do that than with the people you love, in a place you built together?