Chapter Text
The past 10 months have been quite interesting for the Phoenix Foundation. Mariah and Russ did end up traveling to give Russ time to heal. They talked a lot about how they were feeling about Mac and Riley going rogue, and how upset Mariah was that Russ and Desi both quickly turned on Mac when he needed them most. The couple had come to mutual understanding and were quite happy to be away from the Phoenix Foundation for the moment. That didn't last long, as six weeks after the couple had arrived and Russ was healed, Matty got word to them that the US was going into lockdown, and that if Russ and Mariah didn't fly home soon, they would be stuck where they were vacationing. So, they quickly flew home and dealt with all the affairs two government operation leaders would deal with, and ended up having to shut the Phoenix down, and moving the data collection to being a more mobile unit. With Riley's technical genius, she helped the Phoenix out by using the secure network so the Phoenix employees could still talk to each other and transmit data to the team for analysis. So, even with being under lockdown, and quarantine, Russ and Mariah spent the rest of the 10 months analyzing the data to get information on what happened to Codex and any other villainous behavior that was happening. Cause bad guys don't care if a pandemic is happening. Mariah was able to use the time away to think about what had happened with Mac and Riley going rogue, realizing she had a right to be angry, but she needed to take a step back to know why Desi lost trust in Mac quickly. Mariah and Desi came to a mutual understanding, with Mariah understanding that Desi had her reasons, and Desi understood that Mariah had a right to be angry. Mariah also took the time to separately talk to Riley, making sure her favorite hacker knew that she was glad Riley stood up for Mac. Mariah also talked to Matty, making sure to let her know that she was grateful Matty took a chance with her and for being on Mac's side. So, Mariah had basically talked and came to an understanding with everyone. But that doesn't mean the other members of her weird family didn't get to talk. Riley and Desi never talked, and Russ and Mac never talked.
So, once the Phoenix was open again and they got word of a hotel that was housing a woman with information on Codex, Matty approached Mariah with a plan. Mariah was in on the plan. So, Mariah and Matty sent Russ and Mac in to Morocco to extract their benefactor. Once they came back with their friend Vincent, Russ put him in interrogation and had both Mac and Mariah in the room with him as Vincent woke up. "Finally. He's up." Russ said, as the trio walked up to Vincent. "Well, would have been up hours ago if someone hadn't double-dosed him." Mac said, not happy with what happened during the extraction. "Yes. No fighting in front of the hostage." Russ said, as the trio looked at Vincent. "Where am I? Who are you?" Vincent asked, disorientated. "It doesn't matter who we are. We just need you to make a phone call." Mac said. Mariah butted in. "We need you to check us in to the Zurich Grand Hotel and Spa." Mariah said. "We hear it's a good place to lay low for a while, get fixed up. The cops won't touch it." Mac said. "Problem is, they only take guests by referral." Russ said. Vincent hummed in acknowledgement. "And I'm thinking, a personal recommendation from a grade A screw up like yourself would be just the ticket, hmm?" Russ said. "You obviously don't know who my father is, or else you would not be talking to me like that." Vincent said, threatening the trio. "Playing the boss' kid card, I see." Mariah pointed out, slightly amused. "We know who your father is. We also know that you've been keeping secrets from him. I think Vincent senior will be very interested to hear that his son had been using the Grand to embezzle money from him." Russ said, looking Vincent in the eyes, getting to his level. "Ten million dollars, to be exact." Mac said. Vincent was contemplating the options he had. "All right, what names are we using?" Vincent asked, agreeing to the plan. "Actually, we aren't the guests." Mariah revealed. "Okay." Vincent said, trying to dial the rotary phone, but wasn't obviously trying. Russ rubbed his face in annoyance and Mariah really tried to keep her cool. "Your phones broken." Vincent said. Soon, however, Vincent was able to talk. "The Zurich Grand isn't easy to penetrate. First, you'll meet my friend Egor at the front desk. He's the gatekeeper. He's chill. If you play by the rules. The hotel's ancient. Goes back about a hundred years or so, so everything has a code. Dinner means first aid. Spa is a hospital. Housekeeping is code for security." Vincent revealed. He also revealed the no guns or fighting rules and the no electronics rule.
12 hours earlier
Mariah and Matty called Riley and Desi in for their part of the plan that Matty had created. Riley and Desi walked in the war room, with Mariah sensing the awkwardness that was between them. "Oh, great, you're here. I made you two a reservation." Matty said. "Uh, a reservation? Didn't turn out so well last time we had dinner together." Desi said. "I got stuffed in a trunk." Riley said, remembering the date. "Your apartment got destroyed." Desi added. "Oh, and then I got dumped. Remember that?" Riley also added. "Yes, I wanted to kill the guy. Anyway, it's not dinner." Mariah said, bringing the ladies in line. "It's a weekend at the Zurich Grand Resort and Spa." Matty said, showing the building on the screen. "You're sending us on a spa retreat?" Riley questioned Matty and Mariah. Desi groaned. "You don't like spas?" Riley asked Desi. "R & R was never my thing." Desi defended herself. "It's not a vacation." Matty said. Riley and Desi tuned back in. "The Zurich Grand is where the criminal underworld of Europe hide out. You two will be going undercover to extract Paula Matos." Matty said, pulling up the picture of the target. "Paula's a money manager for arms dealer Gustavo Salazar." Bozer filled in as Matty pulled up the picture. "The Butcher of Brazil?" Desi questioned, wondering if they were serious. "Unfortunately, a well-earned nickname, given the trail of bodies left in Salazar's wake." Matty said. "What about this Paula Matos?" Riley asked. "Paula is a money manager for one of Salazar's legitimate businesses." Matty said. "Last year, Salazar pulled Paula in to the criminal side of his empire, using her son as leverage if she talked." Mariah filled in as Matty pulled up the little boy on screen. "A few weeks ago, Paula sent her son into hiding, and she went off the grid. Our sources tracked her to the Zurich Grand." Bozer filled in. "Why would Paula run to a gangster hideout is she's fleeing one?" Riley asked, confused slightly. "Because all guests of the Zurich Grand are guaranteed safety and anonymity, while they get a whole new identity, bank accounts, a fresh start." Matty explained. "And those new IDs are impossible to track because of the resort's rock solid cybersecurity." Bozer said. "And thanks to Mac and my husbands new friend, Vincent, you will be checking in to the Zurich Grand as a criminal team that specializes in high risk tech heists." Mariah continued explaining the op. "I'm counting on you two to get in and get Paula out of there before she disappears forever." Matty finished the briefing. "Just us?" Desi questioned. "Just you. I need a technician and an exfil specialist. Small team, low profile, undercover." Matty said. "I'm stuck here helping Russ and Mac with Vincent once they get here." Mariah said, kinda feeling bad she couldn't go. "Just us." Desi said. "Just us." Riley said. Bozer also seemed to sense the awkwardness that was going on with Desi and Riley. "We got this." Riley said, leaving the war room. "We got this." Desi said, almost pumping herself up. "Good luck. Goodbye." Matty said as Desi left, with Mariah giving Desi a smile as Bozer gave some last minute encouragement before stepping in front of Matty once they were out of earshot. "Okay, now. Uh, is there something going on with those two?" Bozer asked his bosses. "When Mac went after Codex, Riley and Desi were on opposite sides of that op. Mac and Taylor were too. I mean, you saw it play out between them. A trust was broken." Matty said. "And don't forget we got shut down by a pandemic." Mariah added, not really wanting to remember it cause it mostly sucked, besides the fact she got to talk with the team individually. "They need to get their mojo back. That's why you paired 'em up." Bozer said, realizing what happened. "No, they are the right skill set for this op, but as an added bonus, it will force Riley and Desi and Mac and Taylor into some one-on-one time. Hash out what's left unsaid." Matty explained her plan. "That's pretty brilliant." Bozer said. "Or pretty stupid. We'll see." Matty said. "If there's one thing I learned about one-on-one time in this pandemic is that it's actually really helpful." Mariah added, smiling at the idea.
12 hours later
Mac and Russ had brought Vincent in for interrogation by this point, and Riley and Desi had gotten the invite, using the information that Vincent provided them. Bozer gave Riley and Desi magazine cases to help not only get comms to work in the building, but to also help Riley hack the servers. Riley informed them that they were in, faking Riley's gunshot wound to get them in a room. Riley also hacked the servers and found that Paula had a facial, but then nothing and that she wasn't on any of the cameras after her facial. Mariah had rejoined Russ in the interrogation room, standing behind Vincent when Mac came in with food for Vincent. "Chez Gustav's? Five stars." Vincent said, impressed. "Salmon trout and pink gamba." Mac said, bringing a chair over as Russ didn't seem to like the approach. "Yeah." Vincent said quietly, excited for his food. "With a side... of Iranian beluga caviar." Mac said, pulling out the small tin and sitting down at the chair. "Yeah. So, what can you tell us about "facials"?" Mac asked, using the quote fingers for facials. "Ooh. Facials are gonna cost you." Vincent said. "I figured." Mac said, pushing the container of food towards Vincent, but Russ quickly grabbed it. "I have ten million reasons why you're gonna tell us." Russ said, coming around to face Vincent as Mariah followed. "What is your dad's problem?" Vincent asked. Mariah snorted slightly and pursed her lips to try not to laugh. Russ was offended as Mac just shrugged it off. "What? Dad? I'm not his dad, all right?" Russ said, offended. Mac just shook his head, signaling to ignore it. "Now talk." Russ said. Vincent gave in. "All right. The Grand employs the best plastic surgeons in Europe. Patients get a new face and a new identity to go right along with it. They only keep paper records. That way, there's no digital trail. You know, ensure complete secrecy." Vincent explained. "So they can't connect the old identity with the new one." Mac realized. "Yeah, exactly." Vincent said. "Makes sense. The reason false identities are easy to track is people don't change their faces, just their information." Mariah said. Riley and Desi made a plan to get into the "spa" to hack into the paper records to find Paula. Once they dealt with some men, with Desi not going along with Riley's plan, Riley sent the photos to Bozer, who informed them that they were Salazar's men. Desi pointed out that these two men weren't the only ones going after Paula. "Mac, Taylors, you gotta get in there and watch their backs." Matty ordered. "Okay. Vincent, how would you like your freedom, your money, and your dad to be none the wiser?" Mac asked Vincent, going to sit back down. "And what about my caviar?" Vincent asked. "Oh, I'll throw in the caviar, for sure." Mac said, agreeing to the deal and showing Vincent the caviar. "Okay, well now you're talking. What do you need?" Vincent asked. "We need you to check us into the Zurich Grand as your new business partners. Once your in, you withdraw your cash, you split it with us, and then we let you go." Mac offered. "Mac." Russ patted Macs arm as he walked away. "All of this goes away." Mac said. "Excuse us. It seems my husband needs to talk to us." Mariah excused herself as she walked over with Mac and Russ, ignoring the kinda disgusted look Vincent gave at that information. "I don't trust this guy." Russ whispered. "Just trust me." Mac said, whispering. Russ chuckled softly. "What?" Mac asked Russ, annoyed. "I have reason, given your track record of becoming overly involved with previous Phoenix targets. The Merchant. Your aunt." Russ said. "And you have a track record of becoming overly involved due to your personal vendettas. Leland killing your Spearhead team. For all I know, Salazar killed your mom." Mac said, just as annoyed as Russ. "Come on, Salazar? This is totally different." Russ whispered, defending himself. "Vincent is totally different." Mac defended himself. "You bought him caviar." Russ pointed out. "Really, Mr. Psyops? Let me educate you for a second. Establishing trust with a hostage is far better than threats of violence." Mac explained his idea. "Oh, yes, because that worked a treat when your auntie Gwen used it on you." Russ said. This caused Mariah to perk up. "And she helped us beat Codex. So I say we use this guy right here to get Salazar, unless you would rather drop a bomb on the Zurich Grand and call it a day." Mac said, now angry. Mariah had to stop this, so she immediately smacked them both in the back of the head. Russ and Mac both groaned. "Enough, both of you!" Mariah loud whispered. "Russ, I love you, but that was a low blow. Mac, I love you too, but that was also a low blow. Now stop sizing each other up before I smack you again." Mariah threatened. "Stop it. The three of you. Now, Taylor, I'm with Mac on this one." Matty said, getting the trio in line. "Oh, surprise, surprise." Russ whispered, causing a groan from Mariah. "Russ." Mariah warned. "Take precautions, but get in there. Now." Matty ordered. Russ walked over to Vincent. "Right. If you try anything and we don't check in regularly, our associate will transmit all the info she has on your misdeeds to Daddy. Got it?" Russ said, staring Vincent down. "Mmm. That could be bad." Vincent said. "What do you say?" Mariah asked Vincent. "Do we have a deal?" Mac asked, showing Vincent the caviar. Vincent grabbed the tin can. "Let's go get this bread. One problem, though. Uh, nobody is gonna believe that you're my guys dressed like that." Vincent said. The trio looked down at their clothes as Mariah smiled. They left to take the jet to Switzerland to the hotel. They got changed on the way. It was pitch black outside. Mac had changed from his leather jacket and blue t-shirt and jeans combo to a black suit with a very dark blue collar. Russ changed from his button up and dress pants to a black suit, and Mariah went from her usual t-shirt and jeans combo to a black suit, but it was fitted to her. And Vincent went from his hoodie and jeans to a silver suit, obviously expensive. Russ and Mac's hair was slicked back and Mariah had her hair side braided, joining the sides together and pinning it to the back of her hair, keeping it out of her face. They walked into the Grand, Mariah and Russ's arms linked to show they were together as Vincent walked slightly ahead and Mac beside Russ. The gatekeeper, Egor, came around from his desk. "Vincent." He said in a European accent, glad to see the boy. "Darling." Egor said, still walking to Vincent. "I love the suit." Egor said, eyeing the pricy suit Vincent was wearing. "Egor, my man, you're looking as fly as always." Vincent said. "Well, delighted to have you back. Tell me, uh, how is your father these days?" Egor asked. "Sadly, he's feeling a bit under the weather." Vincent said. Mariah took note, as she thought Vincent senior was fine. "Under the weather. I'm so sorry to hear that." Egor said, showing his sympathy. "Yes." Vincent said. "I'll make sure to send a card." Egor said. "Please, thank you." Vincent said as Egor played with the scarf thing Vincent was wearing. "Now, let's get you and your friends checked in, shall we?" Egor said, going behind the counter. "Please." Vincent said. They waited for Vincent to be done checking them in. Mac and Mariah noticed some men coming in. It was a familiar face. "Salazar has just checked into the hotel." Mac whispered. "Hold on. The Butcher of Brazil is there now?" Bozer asked. "Yeah." Mac confirmed. A minute had passed. "From the medical records, I've been able to reconstruct an image of what Paula may look like now." Bozer said. "Running facial rec on all guests." Matty said. Soon, Riley got something. "We just got a hit on a guest on the 15th floor." Riley reported. Mariah and Mac discretely watched Salazar go into the spa. "Salazar just entered the spa." Mac reported. "We can't have him search back there, guys." Mariah whispered, trying to make a plan. "We need to get to Paula before Salazar finds her." Riley said. "Stay put. We'll deal with Salazar. You, act injured." Russ ordered, as the trio starting to walk with Vincent. "But I'm not." Vincent said. Russ stopped Vincent and put his foot on Vincent's foot, applying pressure. "There are 26 bones in the foot to break. Pick five you don't need or act." Russ threatened. "Okay." Vincent said. Mariah just stood beside as Mac and Russ used themselves as crutches. They entered the spa, with Mariah walking first through the open door and then helped Russ get Vincent in a chair. "Ah, Vincent. Take a seat, you handsome devil. I'll be right with you." The doctor said. "Take your time, my love, take your time." Vincent said. Salazar was talking with the female doctor about asking about a friend and asked if it was okay if he looked for them himself. The Doctor told him no. Mac was looking at a diffuser shaped like a pitcher plant. He put tea tree oil and window cleaner in the diffuser and turned it on and moved seats. "Wait for my signal." Mac whispered. "Copy that." Riley said over comms. "I'd cover your nose if I were you." Mac whispered. The gang all covered their mouths as Salazar's men and the doctor started coughing. Mac got up to leave, so the others did. "Dez, Riles, go. We're gonna follow Salazar." Mac said. Desi reported that they were headed to Paula's room. Mac, Mariah, Russ, and Vincent started jogging through the hallway, trying to follow Salazar's men when Egor stopped them with security. "Ever at your service, Vincent." Egor said "Now, who are these three?" Egor asked. Mariah was confused. "I honestly have no idea. But grandad over here is very rude." Vincent said. "That's my husband you're talking about, dick." Mariah hissed, not happy they got played as Vincent went beside Egor. "Vincent, what the hell?" Mac questioned Vincent. "My dad's perfectly fine, guys. "Under the weather" is hotel code for being with undesirables." Vincent said as security started putting handcuffs on the trio. "You are making such a big mistake." Russ said, also not happy he got played, though not surprised. "Am I?" Vincent asked. "When our associated don't hear from us, not only will they call daddy, but they will send a lot more men to retrieve us, and it will be very messy." Mariah threatened, but still not revealing the identity of the team. "By the time they realize, I'll be long gone. Egor has everything that I need here at the Grand for me to get my paper and disappear." Vincent said. Mac looked annoyed. "Hey, I'm really sorry to have to do you like this, though, man. Bye." Vincent said as the security escorted the trio to another room. Riley and Desi got into Paula's room. Security opened the door to a room and the trio walked in. "Welcome to our RHT rooms." Egor said. "Radiant heat temperature?" Mac questioned, being sarcastic. "Ransom, hostage and troublemakers. The Grand must accommodate the unique needs of all our guests. Please, make yourselves at home." Egor said. He left, leaving the trio alone in the room once the door shut. Mac immediately tried his comm. "Matty, do you copy?" Mac said as Russ tried the door. Mariah gave him a look, which Russ sensed. "Matty?" Mac repeated. "They only left one guard." Russ realized. Mariah turned her comm off cause she kept hearing static. "Cause the room's really secure. Reinforced walls, I'm guessing, to keep our comms from getting through. Bars on the windows, and I don't see any vents big enough to crawl through." Mac said as he started to try and pick his cuffs as Mariah pulled out a bobby pin from her hair and started picking her lock. "Well, you could just call you friend Vincent. Offer him some ice cream if he lets us out. You know, I told you he couldn't be trusted." Russ said, getting in Mac's face. Mariah groaned. This was exactly why she teamed up with Mac and Russ. "I never claimed that we could trust him." Mac said. He threw his handcuffs on the couch with Mariah as Mac grabbed Russ's cuffs. "The real question is, do you trust me enough to get us out of here?" Mac asked. Russ looked and shake his hands, indicating to Mac to pick the lock. "I guess I could really leave you cuffed" Mac said. Mariah got slightly wide eyed. Russ chuckled. "Angus... I trust you to get us out of here." Russ said. Mac picked Russ's cuff. "Honestly, how hard was that." Mac said. He took Russ's cuffs off and threw them on the couch. "All right, so here's the deal." Mac said, walking towards another door. "Walls in bathrooms are plumbed next to each other, so there's a chance..." Mac said as he opened the door, revealing a woman in the checkered bathroom, crouching behind the sink with her hands up. "Don't hurt me." The woman said, scared as she slowly got up. "We are not here to hurt you." Mariah said, her arms out to show she wasn't armed with anything as the scared woman stood up. "No, we got into a bit of a pickle at the resort, and were locked up, too." Russ said. "They didn't lock me up." The woman revealed. "Well, then, why are you here?" Mac asked. "My boss tracked me here. I figured an RHT room would be the last place he'd look." The woman revealed. It seemed to click to the team who this woman was. Russ started walking forward as the woman put her hands up. Mariah stopped Russ, putting her arm out to stop him, signaling him to stop. "You're Paula Matos." Mariah figured out. The woman stated freaking out. "So much for the Grand's famed anonymity! New face, new life. Don't ask any questions." Paula said. She started pacing, muttering in Portuguese. "Lying sons of bitches!" Paula muttered as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Look, you're the reason we're here. We're trying to get you out." Mac said. Russ and Mariah looked at each other, having the same thought. "If you're Paula..." Russ said. "...then who the hell is with Desi and Riley?" Mariah asked, not liking the answer. Mac didn't like the idea either. "Sorry, probably should introduce us. I'm Mariah, this is my husband Russ, and the blond is Mac. We're from the U.S government. We were sent here to find you and bring you back before you went into hiding." Mariah filled in. Mac left, grabbing the fan and doing his thing as the rest followed behind. "I'm supposed to believe you three are super spies who are gonna save me from the most murder-y gangster in the western hemisphere?" Paula questioned, not buying the information. "Yes. Look, I promise..." Russ said, trying to calm Paula down. "These rooms are built for hostages and kidnap victims. We're not getting out." Paula said. Mariah smiled slightly as she caught Mac taking apart the fan. "My colleague has a talent for making anything -- problem, objects, people-- and seeing what others don't." Russ said, looking at Mac. "His methods are unorthodox. He doesn't always do what I think he should do, but his gift is what makes him the best." Russ said, walking over to Mac and looking at him. Mac looked taken back. Mariah smiled. This was why Matty came up with her plan. "Despite my colleague's dubious past, and tendency to withhold personal vendettas, in the end, he always does the right thing." Mac said. Mac and Russ smiled, acknowledging the support. Mariah walked up to them and smiled. "My husband and my colleague may butt heads at times, and be a pain in my ass, but if it came down to it, I would trust them to help me. And I hope they trust me back." Mariah said, looking at Paula. She looked at Russ and Mac. "You boys are the smartest men I know. That's probably why you argue a lot. You both see the big picture, but see different ways of getting that picture." Mariah said, smiling at her boys. Russ and Mac both smiled as Russ squeezed Mariah's hand in gratitude. It was silent for a moment. "Am I supposed to say something?" Paula asked, wanting to get out of the room. "Right. Ready?" Mac asked. Mac took the induction coil and rubbed it across the locked door, using the electromagnetism to basically unlock the deadbolt lock. Mariah stood aside as Mac opened the door and Russ knocked the goon out. Mariah used the cord of the fan Mac destroyed to tie the guard up and they left, with Mariah locking the door before running with the team. They turned their comms on and ran a bit. "Headed south on the second floor. Salazar is in pursuit." Desi reported. "All right. We're headed your way with the real Paula. Unfortunately, the concierge's guards aren't far behind." Mac said as they group continued running. Soon, they met up with Riley and Desi. "Hey." Riley said. "Any idea to get out of here?" Mac asked. "You're the idea guy." Riley said. "I know a way out. Follow me." Paula said. She was about to run, but Desi stopped her. "How do we know you're not leading us into a trap?" Desi asked. "Cause I want to get out of this damn hotel more than you do." Paula said. "Let's go." Mariah ordered, running to follow Paula as the rest of the team followed behind. They came across a hallway with blue lighting. "The resort converted the old servants' hallways into secret passages so that the resort staff and security can get around." Paula explained as the gang kept walking. "Just like Disneyland." Desi said. "Yeah. Disneyland from Hell." Mariah retorted. They made it out of the hallway and into another ornate room with an elevator. "Woah." Riley said as she took out her tablet. "Once Riley hacks the elevator, we'll be able to escape from the lobby." Desi said. Riley's face showed something was wrong. "I'm locked out." Riley said. Soon, red lights came on. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have discovered unwanted guests in the hotel. We kindly request that you remain in your room, under lockdown until the matter is resolved. And once again, have a pleasant stay at the Zurich Grand Resort and Spa." Egor came over the loudspeaker as Russ tried to open a door that was locked and rejoined the circle. Paula started pacing. "I knew I should have stayed in the bathroom." Paula said, getting anxious. "We will get you out of here." Russ assured Paula. "I can get us out of here if I build us a pulley. I just need an initial burst of lift." Mac said, pointing to the skylight. Desi turned to Riley. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Desi asked. "Yeah. Mac, follow us to the surgical suite." Riley said, leaving with Desi and Mac in tow. "Can you barricade the door?" Mac asked. Mariah shook her head yes as Mac ran with Desi and Riley. Russ, Paula, and Mariah used tables and chairs and piled them up to make a barricade. After a moment, Mac, Riley, and Desi came back with two oxygen tanks and lots of tubing and a wheelchair. "Dez, can you wrap the surgical tubing around the support beams?" Mac asked Desi, pointing to the beams on the ceiling. "And can you help me get these?" Mac asked Russ and Mariah. Russ, Mariah, and Mac grunted as they stood the oxygen tanks up and Desi and Riley got the tubing up. They continued building the pulley as men were shouting and grunting, trying to kick the door un. The team all stood in a circle, grabbing onto the tubing. "Okay, everyone grab one of these, loop 'em around your wrist. Paula?" Mac said, getting Paula over to the tubing as the team did what Mac asked. "On the count of three, you two smash the valves." Mac said, indicating Desi and Russ. "It'll boost 'em across the floor, pulling us up." Mac finished explaining. "Wait. You trust that this thing will hold us?" Paula asked the team. The team all looked at each other. While they've all made mistakes, when it came down to it, this team would trust each other. "Yes." The team all said at once, acknowledging the new trust that was formed. Mac started counting as the gunshots were heard. On three, Russ and Desi smashed the valves, sending the team up, yelling as they held on for dear life. They made it on the roof and were able to make it down to the ground and soon found themselves on the jet going back home, with Mac, Desi, and Mariah sitting, and Riley standing off to the side as Paula sat across and Russ was on the phone. "I-I still can't believe the whole flying tank things actually worked." Paula said, still in shock. "He pulls it off, every time." Desi said. "Well, it's really all in the physics, cause if you change the direction of an applied motion, you can lift anything, including this airplane." Mac explained as Russ came over. "I'm sorry to interrupt this science lesson. That was Matilda. Everything's been arranged for you to testify in exchange for your immunity." Russ explained, putting his phone away and grabbing the bar on the ceiling. "And..." Riley pulled out the small disk from her pocket. "I have a little something to ensure Salazar never sees the light of day again." Riley said. "Am I supposed to know what that is?" Paula asked. "That is all the data from the hard drive you checking in with the concierge." Desi explained. "How'd you get it?" Paula asked. Riley didn't say anything. But, with Mariah knowing Riley, she secretly took the disk out before dealing with fake Paula. "Thank you. I backed everything up just in case Salazar went after my son." Paula explained. "Speaking of your son Luis, we sent a team to pick him up, so he should be waiting for you when you arrive." Russ informed Paula. "Thank you." Paula said, looking at Russ. "All of you. Thank you so much. You're all... unorthodox, aren't you?" Paula said, grateful. Mariah chuckled as the team smiled and Mac looked at Russ. "That is an understatement." Russ said, smiling at his team. Riley walked back to the bar, with Desi following her. Mariah stayed behind with Paula, Mac, and Russ. Mariah looked at Paula. Russ and Mac left to give the women some room, leaving Mariah alone with Paula. "What you did Paula, was honorable. I mean, protecting your son. I know it couldn't have been easy." Mariah said. "Do you have any children?" Paula asked Mariah. Mariah smiled. She eyed Mac and Russ talking, and Desi and Riley laughing. "Not biological children. I had an adopted daughter who died during an earthquake. After she died, I told myself I wouldn't adopt any kids. Until Russ showed up at my house with a stab wound and took me to dinner the next day. He introduced me to the Phoenix and these guys, and they are the closest thing I have to children. I would kill for them and take a bullet any day for them. They taught me about love and helped me to navigate this crazy world I got shoved in. And I wouldn't trade them for the world." Mariah smiled. Paula understood what Mariah was saying. Mariah got up and walked to the bar, where Riley and Desi were. "Everything okay?" Mariah asked, as the girls were all smiles. "Yeah. We're cool." Desi said, and Riley confirmed what Desi said. Mariah exhaled, showing her relief. "What was that about?" Riley asked Mariah. "Well, I knew that you two were not on the best of terms when we got shut down, and I was hoping that you two would find a common ground." Mariah explained. "Yeah. But we're cool now. Mariah, what was bothering you?" Riley asked. "It just hurt me seeing you all arguing and fighting. And, to be honest, I was worried we were done. It also didn't help that I was convinced Russ was gonna serve me the divorce papers once we started fighting bad. I'll be damned if he isn't stubborn as Hell. We took the time off to do a lot of talking, which helped. I'm just glad to see you two laughing." Mariah smiled, trying not to get emotional as she hugged her girls. She let them be and walked over to where the boys are. "Ah, that's what I like to see. My boys getting along." Mariah smiled as she went to side hug Russ. She hugged Mac. "How are you two?" Mariah asked Russ and Mac. "We're good, darling." Russ smiled at his wife. "I've got a confession, Mom." Mac said, mom just slipping out. Mariah looked at Mac, all motherly. "What is it?" Mariah asked. "When you found Riley and I, I was surprised to see you still defending me. I know I hurt you and I felt bad. And the fact that you were just glad I was okay, it affected me." Mac admitted. Mariah hugged him. "Oh, Mac. Let's not try to dwell on that, okay? It was a rough time for us all." Mariah said, trying not to get emotional as she let go of Mac. Russ took Mariah aside as Mac went to join Paula, Riley, and Desi as they were talking. Russ waited for them to be distracted to talk. "Mariah, I know we had a bit of a rough patch, but I'm so glad that you stayed. I know I hurt you." Russ said. "I appreciate you being honest, Russ. And yes, I was hurt. I saw my family turning on each other, and I didn't know what to do to stop it. I know we fought a lot while Mac and Riley were rogue, and I was convinced that we were gonna be..." Mariah couldn't finish her thought. "Wait, you thought I was gonna divorce you because of our fight?" Russ asked, as if it was absurd that she even thought of that. Mariah shook her head and was about to cry, but Russ hugged her, laying her head on his chest. He shushed her, calming her down. "Hey, the thought never even crossed my mind. Gods honest. We're both stubborn people, but that won't stop me from loving you. Marrying you is a choice I'll never regret. No matter how much we fight, I will always be there for you." Russ said, providing some comfort to Mariah. Mariah looked up at Russ and smiled. "I love you, babe." Mariah mouthed to Russ. Russ planted a kiss on Mariah's lips and let go, joining the others sitting down. It was daylight by the time they arrived at the Phoenix. Luis ran to Paula when he saw her. Paula was so glad to see her son again. Russ took Mac aside as Mariah stood by Russ and side hugged him, glad to be home. "Um, for what it's worth, I think we all assumed that everything would go back to normal after Codex." Russ admitted. "Well, it did... mostly." Mac said. "I became so focused on your past mistakes that I... I was blind to my own. And I'm sorry. Fresh start?" Russ said, extending his hand. Mac took his hand and shook it, as Mariah was all smiles. "To making new mistakes." Mac said. He went to walk away. "To think that he, uh..." Russ chuckled as he started following Mac into the war room. "He thought I was your father?" Russ said as Mariah chuckled, both of them amused slightly. "Yeah, ridiculous, isn't it?" Mac said, brushing it off. "Yeah. Dashing older brother, perhaps, but..." Russ said, stopping himself once he got in the war room. "Congrats, guys. After reviewing Paula's hard drive and with the promise of her testimony, Swiss authorities were able to issue a warrant for Salazar's arrest." Bozer said the good news. "And the Zurich Grand was all too happy to turn him over, given he was persona non grata after he broke every house rule." Matty filled in more good news. "Yeah, I'm a bit curious as to what happened to our-our friend Vincent." Russ said, curious. "After you escaped, Egor turned on Vincent. He was furious with Vincent for bringing the Phoenix into the hotel and refused to help him disappear." Matty said. "How do we know all that?" Mac asked. "Because Vincent left and ran straight to the authorities." Bozer said, causing Mac to chuckle along with Mariah. "I guess jail is better than facing dear old dad." Mariah quipped. "Right." Russ said, amused himself. "So where are Riley and Desi?" Mac asked, noticing the absence of the women. "Oh. I've given them the Phoenix jet for a special assignment." Matty said. "Hang on." Russ chuckled softly. "I... I own that jet." Russ said, not obviously been told about this. "Right. Bye-bye." Matty said, leaving. "Yes, Matilda, you don't seem to understand. Listen, I don't know how many times I have to say this. I literally own the -- this op -- Matilda?" Russ said, leaving in a huff to track down Matty. "I literally own this operation!" Russ yelled, going out of earshot as the trio left in the war room laughed. "I think we know who the boss is around here." Mariah joked, causing the boys to laugh again. "Matty." Mac and Bozer said at the same time, chuckling more. Mariah left to go find Russ. Mariah was happy. Riley and Desi were getting along in the Maldives, Russ and Mac were talking again, and Mariah had her family together again. There's nothing better in the world than being with family. Especially one as unorthodox as this one.