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Billy looked up when John, Jane, and Maddy entered the house. At first, no one moved. Then, Maddy went over to hug Billy tightly.
"Hey, kiddo," Billy said. He felt Maddy crying then. John set down his gun on the counter while Jane stood unsure of what to do. She was still angry at Billy for what he did, but she was also glad he was still alive.
"Don't you ever do that to us again," Maddy ordered, pulling away from Billy after a moment.
"I won't," Billy promised.
"What happens to you now?" Jane asked.
"I'm planning on having a talk with Dimitrius," Billy said.
"You killed people," John pointed out. "You'll be arrested."
"Then so be it," Billy replied.
"Wait, what?" Maddy asked, confused.
"We'll explain later, Mads," John told her.
"You want something to eat?" Jane asked Billy.
"Nah. I just need to wind down," Billy answered. Jane caught sight of his wounds then.
"Let me take care of those," she pointed.
"All right," Billy caved. He followed her to the bathroom. John watched the two of them, knowing that his brother used to have a crush on Jane. He didn't know if he should feel worried.
"Are you through with all this nonsense?" Jane asked once they were alone. She pulled out what she needed to fix him up.
"I am," Billy nodded. He knew to what she was referring to.
"I can't believe you thought running and hiding was better than just talking about it," Jane scolded, uncapping her peroxide bottle.
"I'm sorry," Billy said, wincing as she put peroxide on his wounds. It stung badly.
"John would have understood. You should have given him a chance," Jane said.
"I'm here now aren't I? I could have just as easily disappeared into the world, you know," Billy told her. Jane didn't respond, and they were quiet while she finished. John appeared in the doorway once she was done.
"We good?" he asked.
"Are we?" Billy countered.
"I was a little mad for a bit, Billy," John said. "But I was more disappointed and shocked than anything. I wished you had talked to me. I know that you feel I upstage you at everything, and I try not to. I don't mean to. I do love you, and I want us to be on good terms again."
"I still feel ashamed," Billy said, not looking at him.
"We forgive you," John urged. "It's time for you to forgive yourself." Billy finally looked at him then.
"I'll try," he said.
"That's all I ask for. Come here," John said, pulling Billy into his arms to hug him.
"I love you too," Billy said. It felt foreign to say but also good.
Jack & Sue
"Are you sure you're okay?" Sue asked Jack for the fifth time.
"I'm okay," Jack answered again. Yes, he had inhaled a lot of smoke, but he had been cleared. Sue wouldn't let him leave the hospital until he was told to.
"What's going to happen to the building?" Sue asked. They were back at their apartment. Levi was pressed against them. Sue figured he was afraid to leave them in case something bad happened again.
"They were able to stop it before it got too carried away, but a lot of damage still happened," Jack replied.
"Do you think Billy is going to get into trouble?" Sue questioned. She couldn't stop thinking about Billy.
"I don't know," Jack answered truthfully.
"I wish I had gotten to see him."
"I'm sure you will get to."
"I hope so," Sue sighed. Everything had happened so quickly, and she had been disappointed that Billy had already left. She hoped he wasn't planning on disappearing again.
Myles
He was sitting across from Jeanine, and she was squeezing her mug tightly. He had just finished telling her what had happened, and he couldn't read her expression. He had a feeling, though.
"It all worked out," he said reassuringly.
"Myles," Jeanine started.
Here we go, Myles thought.
"Yea?" he said out loud.
"This isn't going to work."
"Why not?"
"Because you're in the path of danger so much. I just...I can't take the feelings of terror every time you almost get killed. I'm really sorry, but I need someone who's life isn't threatened on a daily basis," Jeanine finished.
"I see," Myles said, feeling nothing. This surprised him.
"I'm sorry," she said again.
"I get it," Myles replied. "I'll just, uh, be on my way then."
"Myles..." Jeanine started when he stood up.
"No, it's okay. Take care, Jeanine," he said, dropping a few dollars onto the table for his coffee. He didn't look back.
Bobby & Tara
Bobby had just been released from the hospital. He had gotten a burn during the whole escapade, and he hadn't noticed when he acquired it. Tara stood from her seat when he came out.
"Everything all right?" she asked.
"Never better," he winked.
"I can't believe no one got majorly hurt through all that," she said as they walked out together.
"Me either."
"I was worried you weren't going to make it out," Tara told him.
"But I did. Come on, let's get you home."
Charlie & Tess
They were holding hands tightly and feeling terrified while waiting to hear the results. Tess wanted to check on their baby after everything had happened. She was very scared she had hurt the baby somehow.
"Okay, I have good news," the doctor said, returning. Charlie released his hold on Tess's hand a little.
"Really?" he asked.
"Your baby is fine," the doctor smiled.
"Oh, thank God," Tess said, relieved. She hugged Charlie tightly then.
"I suggest you go home and get some rest after such an exciting day," the doctor advised.
"We will," Charlie promised. He helped her down from the bed. They walked out together, and Charlie couldn't help but feel eternally grateful that nothing bad had happened to their baby. He would have never forgiven himself if something had.
Dimitrius
He had tucked the kids into bed before going back to the living room where Donna was sitting. She had been terrified after seeing the news. D had been able to make her feel better at least.
"I can't believe how close you were to..." Donna trailed off, starting to cry again.
"It didn't happen. Jack was quick in coming up with a plan. No one was majorly hurt," D reassured her, putting his arm around her.
"I just can't imagine losing you."
"You won't lose me."
"Maybe we should talk about you getting a safer job again," Donna went on.
"I love my job, Donna. It comes with risks, but so far I've always come out on top."
"What about when you don't?" Donna challenged. "Then what?"
"You have to have some faith in me," D said.
"Can we at least just discuss it?"
D sighed, knowing he was going to have to in order to make her feel better.
"All right," he finally agreed. "We can talk about it."
"Thank you," she said, leaning into him more. D stared at the wall, knowing that it was only a matter of time before he had to quit the game for good.
Lucy
She sat on her couch, reading her book. She had never felt more alone. Her mind kept running through the events of that night. She had checked her apartment for fire hazards twice now, and she felt silly for doing it. Lucy just wanted to be careful. She had talked to her grandmother, but she hadn't told her about the fire. She didn't want to worry her. After a while, she considered going to bed, but her doorbell rang and made her curious to see who was there. She opened the door to find Myles.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.
"I, uh, just didn't feel like being alone," he answered. "Is it okay if I come in for a bit?"
"Don't you have Jeanine?" Lucy asked. She felt a little riled up.
"She broke up with me," Myles replied. Lucy was shocked.
"Come in," she gestured. He stood in her living room until she sat down. Then he sat in the opposite chair.
"You doing okay?" he asked.
"I'm as all right as I'm going to be," Lucy answered. "When did Jeanine break up with you?" She had to know.
"Just now," Myles sighed. "She said she couldn't date someone and be afraid of them dying or being in danger all the time."
"I see," Lucy said. She understood.
"So, I came here because I didn't want to sit in my apartment alone and thinking about everything," Myles went on.
"I was going a bit squirrelly myself," Lucy admitted. "I kept thinking about what if we hadn't been able to get out."
"Me too," Myles said truthfully. "I was quite afraid going down that cord. I thought it wouldn't hold my weight."
"You were brave," Lucy nodded. They sat quietly for a while. Lucy felt a bit awkward with him there, but she didn't really want to be alone either.
"You can stay on the couch if you want," she offered. "So you're not alone."
"Okay," he agreed.
"I'm going to get some sleep now," she said. "Good night."
"Good night," Myles replied. She went to her room and shut the door. Knowing he was out there made her feel just a little bit safer.
Today is a day of somber remembrance for me. Six years ago today my friend and colleague was ripped away from this world by a monster. I do what I do because of her and because of what happened to me. She was the best person who always understood and was there for those who needed support. I don't want her to be forgotten because she was so special. So, to Lindsay Wilson, who was a shining ray of light in a world of darkness. I miss you, girl, every day.
Thank you.