Deadly Alliance

22- Friends and Family

Eli was blown back into the wall and fell to the ground- dead. The 4 men remaining were confused and got ready just in case this was a trick. They saw the barrel of a shotgun peeking out from around the corner, then a pair of hands, then a person. Peyton glanced at Eli's dead body before looking at them with an emotionless face and dropping the gun. She gripped the wall for support for her injured leg and sighed.

"Sorry," was all she said.

"Are you okay," Jones asked.

"Never better," Peyton smirked a little. Jones came forward and helped Peyton walk. They came out of the halls and were met with victory. What was left of the Blackout soldiers were being taken away to jail and soon prison. The FBI and SWAT had lost a couple of good people, but it was all worth it in the end. Jones led the 4 outside where police cars, trucks, and ambulances were. He set Peyton on the end of an ambulance and a doctor started to wrap her leg. While they were doing that, the detective went to talk with the police chief.

"Look. Leo got what he deserves," Ryan said pointing to a cop car. Leo was shoved into it and they drove off. They all smirked and were relieved this was all over. A few seconds of silence followed.

"Do you really think they'll put us in prison," Jackson asked.

"I don't know. I say we ditch now while we have a chance," Cole replied. The doctor was done putting wrapping on Peytons leg by now and moved on to a different persons injuries. Ryan thought for a moment.

"One right doesn't fix a lifetime of wrongs." Everyone knew what he meant by that. Peyton thought long and hard and looked around at the many hero's all around. Jones was still talking, so Peyton reached and grabbed a paper and pen from a clipboard and started writing.

Jones turned around in defeat from the Chief. He tried his best to get them not to place Ryan, Cole, Jackson, and Peyton in prison, but the officer wanted them for their crimes, even if they did help take out Blackout. Jones saw that none of them were where he left them or anywhere else. He saw a folded paper with his name where Peyton was sitting and grabbed it. Opening it up and reading, he started to laugh. Oliver looked around and shook his head. Hopefully this would not be last he saw of Peyton.

Peyton, Ryan, Jackson, and Cole went back to the warehouse and got cleaned up. Peyton was careful with the bandages and took it easy on her bruised body. They sat on the couch and chairs and talked on what the next step would be. 

"Well, Peyton," Ryan spoke. "We did it and I guess if you want, you can leave now." Cole and Jackson looked at her with unreadable faces. Peyton looked at all of them before saying her thoughts.

"Actually, if it's cool with you guys... I'd like to stay. This group is crazy and I know you all are trying to do the right thing. I'd like to start over."

Everyone smiled and nodded. "Then what are we waiting for," Ryan asked. "Let's get back to work."

Oliver J.

I know that the police still want me and everyone else in prison, so we've come to a decision. I think I will stay with Ryan, Cole, and Jackson. Together, we are going to try and help others the right way.

"You've got to know all the keys and codes to get through firewalls and locks. But first, you've got to know how to cover your tracks," Cole told Peyton. She nodded and took notes in a piece of paper. Hacking was going to be fun. Jackson came over and gave Cole  a cup of coffee and Peyton hot chocolate. They thanked him.

"You guys are nerds," he said laughing.

We'll be off the grid and ready for anything. I know that we've all had our differences and doubts, but I have a feeling that everything is going to work out. With Blackout gone, we're going to start locating other dangerous groups, or even some small threats to work on defeating.

Jackson handed Peyton an AR and she tested a few rounds on the target. "It feels good."

"That's what I was going for. Try this one," Jackson said handing her another bigger one that had a scope and camo printing. Peyton tried it out and liked that one better.

"Powerful and accurate," she said. "Nice job Jackson."

"Thanks."

So I'm writing this to tell you that I will be fine and to thank you. You've done so much for me and were the first person I trusted after that fateful night that changed all of us. I hope you know that if you need anything, you can call me. I left a burner phone with our contacts in it in your car. But Jones, only for emergencies. I trust you not to tell anyone and to use it wisely. 

"Your getting rusty old man."

"Yeah right." Ryan kicked Peyton off and went to punch her. She dodged and kicked him in the back. He went forward a few steps before grabbing her fist and twisting her arm. "Who's laughing now?"

"Still me," Peyton said and did a front flip then kicked Ryan's legs out from under him and pinned him down on his back.

"I taught you that move."

"Then you should have known how to deflect it."

"I was testing you," Ryan said smirking.

"Sure."

I don't know if we will ever see each other again, but I hope we do. It's been a heck of a couple months, but they no doubt have changed my life forever. I give you my thanks and hope that you'll continue to solve cases with that big brain of yours. Goodbye Oliver. I am so glad to have met you.

-Peyton W.

P.S.- Thanks for being there every step of the way.

Peyton held the picture of her family in her hands. She had put it in a frame so it was protected. This is now the only thing she has of them and cherishes it. She got up from her bed and made sure her gear was all ready. They were going out on another mission and were leaving soon. Peyton placed the picture on her nightstand and went to the door. She looked around once more, turned the light off, and closed the door.

"Ready," Ryan asked walking out of the warehouse. 

"Always." Peyton took a small moment to be grateful of where she was now, even though there were many challenges that brought her here. She smiled and walked to the car- ready for anything.