The Redemption of Ace Merrill

Keep it newbie.

So... the majority of you voted for the slightly longer version.. don't worry it won't last forever, just a couple of chips and changes to the shorter version...

Then again... maybe you should have chosen the shorter one... you've been warned...

PS No take backsies!!!!

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Stella and Ace flew apart as the door to her room opened and Eyeball walked in.

He looked between the two as he sighed, quickly shutting the door behind him.

"Salvatore is literally right outside!" He snapped quietly.

Ace sat by Stella's side on the bed as the two somehow felt like they were getting told off by a teacher.

Eyeball sighed slightly. "I got something to tell you." He said as he quietly looked down at Stella.

Stella stared up at him slowly. This was it. Austin was dead.

"He's okay."

Stella's head fell back in relief as she even Ace felt calm slightly.

"Where is he?!" She snapped as she jumped up.

"In the room with the other guys-"

Eyeball didn't get a chance to finish his sentence. Stella was gone. Ace and Eyeball quickly chased after her as she burst into the room a few doors down.

Austin was sat upright in the bed. His arm strapped up in a sling as his shoulder was completely bandaged up.

"Ma'am I don't think-" he started but stopped as she practically flew herself off on top of him.

Her head buried into his chest and undamaged shoulder as the tears instantly fell.

Austin sighed as he looked around at the rest of his crew, the cobras too and her father.

Her father gave him a small nod, signalling it was okay. Austin's free arm wrapped around her as he gave her a small squeeze, letting her continue crying soft tears onto his chest.

"I thought you were dead..." she mumbled out through the tears.

She felt Austin force a laugh under her. "It's gonna take a lot more than a bullet to kill me ma'am."

Stella looked up at him as he brought his hand round to wipe the tears from her face. She gave him a weak smile before she flopped back onto him, trying not to hurt him but wanting nothing more than to hold him close forever and never lose him.

"What do we do now?" Skylar asked as he looked from Austin to the rest of them.

"We carry on." Austin said as he looked up.

Stella instantly sat up straight and stared at him blankly.

"You will do no such thing." She snapped sternly.

Austin stared at her. "With all due respect ma'am, I can still perform my dut-"

"No." She snapped again.

Her head spun to her father. "Tell him."

"Well Oceane, if he-" he started as Stella realised he wasn't going to take her side.

Stella snapped her head back to Austin. "You're off my protection detail and on strict bed rest orders until I say so."

Everyone cautiously looked at each other as Austin himself felt uncomfortable.