Disclaimer: Still don't own NCIS:New Orleans.

A/N: Here we have the last chapter of this story. Thanks for reading and for all the wonderful reviews! You guys are awesome. I have a longer chapter fic just about done (it just needs a round of editing and a few add-ins) and I also have several oneshots, short chapter fics, and ficlets done that I have yet to post. So more is on the way. Once again, thanks for sticking around! I hope you enjoy this final chapter.

As Brody stepped out of her car a dull stinging sensation shot through her sides. After three weeks on medical leave her ribs were on their way to being healed, but they were still sore and occasionally painful. The swelling around her cheek and jaw had gone down considerably as well, leaving mostly a few fading bruises. Other than overall soreness she felt much better though. She'd still be kept on desk duty for a few weeks, but at least they were finally allowing her to return to work.

It felt good to be returning after so long. It had been over five months since she'd stepped foot into the office, but it also felt a bit odd to think about what had gone on inside during her absence. Life for the team, for her friends and family, hadn't been put on hold just because she'd left. Cases would have come and gone, things would have happened that were probably both good and bad, and she was behind on it all. Her world had revolved around Alice Bradley, but finally she could put that identity behind her.

As she approached the large door to the office she noticed it was already opened a fraction. That on its own wasn't too odd, though she had been half-expecting King and LaSalle to be waiting outside for her arrival. They had both been thrilled when she'd been cleared to return, even if they weren't entirely convinced she was ready, and had wanted to pick her up and drive her to work themselves. It'd taken a couple days to talk them out of it.

She pushed the door open all the way and stepped inside...

And then stopped abruptly when a round of applause and whistles filled the office.

She looked over the scene in front of her with a grin. Hanging from the railing of the upper level was a banner which read 'Welcome Home, Merri'. Confetti, which she was relatively sure was left over from Mardi Gras, was scattered below where the entire team was standing. Sebastian even held a cake.

Merri laughed as they continued to clap and cheer. She moved fully into the building and they met her half-way to greet her with hugs.

"Welcome home, Merri," Loretta whispered as she wrapped her in a hug, careful to avoid her ribs.

"How are you feeling?" King asked after giving her a hug as well.

"The same as yesterday when you asked," she answered dryly.

"We have cake," Sebastian stated, holding the cake out to show her.

She chuckled upon seeing a miniature Chewbacca wearing a cape under her name as decoration. "You didn't bake it yourself, did you?"

"No," Sebastian answered. "But I happen to make an excellent cake. I use the Jimbalian fudge recipe from Star Trek and..."

"I wanted to make it a superhero," Patton interrupted. "But someone..." He shot a pointed look to Sebastian before continuing. "Switched it to a Chewie at the last minute."

"We added a cape though," LaSalle added, pointing to the red cape on the mini-figure.

"So I see," she said, still grinning. "Thanks. Really, guys, this is great."

"We couldn't just let your return go by unnoticed, now could we?" Loretta said with a warm smile.

"Come on. Let's cut this cake before things get even mushier around here," Christopher teased as he slung an arm around her shoulders and lead the way to the kitchen.

She laughed and shook her head amusedly. She shouldn't have been surprised. It was good to be home and, as they all sat around eating cake and enjoying their time together, she couldn't deny that this was definitely home and these people were definitely her family now.

It was later, once the cake was nearly all gone and they drifted off to do the work that was waiting for them, that Pride joined her at the kitchen counter that she was leaning back against while finishing her coffee. They stood in silence for a moment as LaSalle went into the adjoining office towards his desk while Sebastian and Patton argued over something or another as they left out the back entrance.

"So how are you feeling?" King asked once it was just the two of them. "Really feeling," he added with a knowing look.

She rolled her eyes, but decided not to point out how many times she'd been asked that question in the last few days. Her automatic reply was 'fine', but she stopped herself. "I'm feeling..." she began. "I'm feeling very happy to be home."

Pride smiled and looked down at the floor for a moment while nodding. "We're very happy to have you back too," he said. "In case you couldn't notice."

"I did kind of get that hint," she said with a chuckle.

"Come on," he began, putting his arm around her shoulders just as LaSalle had done earlier. He tucked her closer to his side though, she noticed. It almost felt as if he were being...oddly protective. "We'll fill you in on what you missed."

She nodded in acknowledgement. She had been curious what had gone on in her absence and had no doubt there was a story or two for them to tell. "Thanks."

As they reached the main office, just before stepping fully in, he let his arm slip from her shoulders, but not before he placed a light kiss on her temple, carefully avoiding the lingering bruises. "Welcome back," he whispered one last time before heading for his desk and leaving her standing in the doorway.

'Oh yeah', Merri thought to herself. She was definitely glad to be home.