Catch Me Now

Epilogue

Still holding my hand as tight as he possibly could - as he had through the ambulance ride, the brief hospital visit, and the entire drive back - Spike led me back up the stairs to the now much more familiar wing of the SRU that Team One occupied.

"I'm just gonna grab my things and then we'll get goin', okay?" he reminded me, smiling softly and squeezing my hand.

"Don't worry. I'm in no rush," I grinned back, rubbing my hand up and down his forearm. We still had a lot to deal with in the coming weeks; the events of today were going to stay with me for the rest of my life. But I was with him now. Nothing else mattered. Not the fear, or the images still playing in my head; none of it mattered, because we were finally together.

"Hey, Scarlatti!" a voice interrupted our silent conversation, "What took you so long?"

We met in the middle with Ed as he was seemingly just returning as well. Mike's smile widened even further. "Hey!" he chuckled, "How'd they let you out so soon?"

He shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a charming guy."

Ed, now dressed in plain clothes, led us into the main hall. Winnie still sat typing at her desk. She offered a welcoming grin when she saw us. Behind her, an evidence placard was still attached to the wall next to the open bullet hole Faber had shot into it. She didn't seem to even notice.

"Good to see you back so soon," she said, giving us each a nod.

I turned to see shadows in the briefing room we had been in only a couple of hours before. They milled around the room, murmured voices discussing matters at hand, feet shuffling, hands touching the table, screens on to one side.

Mike's hold on my hand tightened - though before I hadn't thought that was possible. "I'd like you to meet everyone officially," he said to me, leaning into my ear to do so.

Ed pressed a button, and the rolling door to the briefing room quickly came up. The entire Team One, joined by their guest, Greg, and a few members of Team Three, sat or stood around the large table, evidence and transcripts out on its surface. They all smiled as soon as we appeared, happy 'hey's and 'welcome back!'s greeting us without hesitation. I shyly waved at the large group, knowing that each of them was an extension of Mike's family, and recognizing how much they all cared for him. It made me love them right back.

"How was SIU?" Jules questioned Ed, standing behind Sam with her hand on his shoulder. It was then that I noticed the rings, and a connection was made in my head.

"Same old," Ed shrugged, laying his coat over an empty chair.

"So, Spike - can we have a proper introduction now?" Greg spoke over the group, leaning to one side in his chair. I turned to Mike, biting my lip and feeling all the room's eyes move to the two of us. My thumb moved back and forth over the back of his hand.

He looked around the room. "Uhm, well... Ell, you met most of these guys - that's Ed, Sam, Jules, Ben, and Raf; then there's Jack and Hal from Team Three, and Leah, and uhh... of course, down at the end, that's my old boss, Greg Parker..." After each name, I'd wave; they were all so welcoming.

"And, guys, this - this is, uhm... This is Raella. She's been my best friend since I was a little pyro. She saved my life today." I felt my throat close up at those words.

"Well, hardly," I laughed, grinning out at the small group, "But... It's so nice to meet you guys."

"Great to meet you, too, Raella," Jules affirmed from where she stood with Sam. He nodded his head, looking back up at her.

"Raella, that's a pretty name, is it...Greek?" Ed asked, sitting himself down in that empty chair.

"No, Ed, I think it's... It must be italian, right? Raella? Sounds italian - " Greg continued.

"I mean, that would make sense, 'Raella' would be italian, I mean Spike's from there, right?" Sam leaned forward into the table.

"You've gotta figure it must be, we could just ask her, I mean she's right there, guys -" Jules was trying to get them to shift their attention, but they were all deep in conversation.

"No, but wait, so, did they know each other like, back in Italy, or?" another continued.

"Well, I don't know, I think so, I guess-" I didn't hear much else of what they were saying. I turned to Mike in awe, leaning in close to his ear.

"They're all saying it right. You only had to say it once, and they all can pronounce it." He laughed softly.

"It's really not that hard of a name, Ell," he mumbled back, leaning in, too.

"You have no idea," I said, going to laugh, when suddenly, as he was looking into my eyes, he stole a small kiss from my lips. The room kept talking, but again, there we were, my breath stopped in my throat at the small gesture. I broke into another wide grin. I kissed him back. We stood close together.

"So... Since they're investigating your place tonight..." he began.

"Any chance I could come by?" I smiled, cutting him off. He nodded slowly.

"Absolutely. Of course."

Mike pulled me by the hand, his lips meeting my cheek, and turned, leading me to a chair. The room filled with laughter as jokes were said across the table, me falling naturally into his side as we talked with everyone. It felt like family. Stories being swapped, a case or two of beer mysteriously appearing amongst the group, those on shift politely declining to partake; the men and women of the SRU having a backyard barbecue in their briefing room as I joked and talked and listened along with them.

This was where I was meant to be. Right here; with Mike. Wrapped up in his arms, laughing and smiling and burrowing tiredly into his side. I'd been falling for him for years, since the very first moment we'd met; and finally, finally, after everything...

he caught me.