Title: Payback
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
Dwayne awoke to find Laurel sitting in the visitor's chair next to his hospital bed. His daughter had a text book balanced in her lap and a small computer tablet in her left hand. She looked tired. A muffled groan escaped Dwayne as he tried to sit up. His body was still trying to acclimate to being conscious. He'd waken once briefly in the ambulance but this was the first time since Jackson Square that he'd been fully awake. His body was reminding him painfully of that fact.
"I'll get the doctor."Laurel said anxiously as she stood putting down her book and tablet.
Dwayne snatched his daughter's right wrist halting her.
"I'm alright."Pride said through gritted teeth.
"Dad."Laurel protested.
"Trust me."Dwayne replied with a tired smile. "Good to see you. Fill me in; how's everybody else?"
Reluctantly Laurel sat back down.
"I only know what Sonya told me when she dropped me off."Laurel stated. "Chris and Merri are fine so is Agent Hardy. One FBI agent from Hardy's team was killed but the good news is that it's over. The Militia are scattering and the FBI and NCIS are rounding them up left and right."
"I'm sorry you got caught in the middle."Dwayne said taking his daughter's right hand in his and squeezing it. "I never wanted this to touch you."
Laurel squeezed his hand back just as Chris knocked on the door.
"King."LaSalle greeted with a smile. "Look better than last time I saw you. Laurel, nice to see you."
"I'll let you two talk. I'm starving anyway."Laurel said as she stood gathering her book and tablet. "I'll be back later."
"Okay."Pride acknowledged.
Laurel leaned in and kissed her father's right cheek before she turned and left the room. Chris sat in the chair Laurel had been sitting in and leaned back tiredly.
"I was just comin' to check on you and the nurse said you were awake."Chris explained.
"Just a little bit ago."Dwayne replied. "Laurel was filling me in but Sonya didn't tell her much. Are the militia really as scattered as she said?"
"It's over, King. You're free and clear no more bounty."Chris stated quietly.
"I'd like to believe that."Dwayne said with a shake of his head. "That wasn't just a local thing, Christopher..."
"Hardy and Patton checked the web chatter and the militia's batten up the hatches; every man for himself."Chris insisted. "Patton even checked the dark web and any chatter about revenge."
"Good."Dwayne said with relief. "Laurel has her life back."
"So do you."Chris said. "Somethin' I wanted to talk to you about."
"What?"Pride prompted.
"Be best man at my wedding."Chris replied with a smile.
"What about your brother?"Dwayne asked with concern.
"Cade will be there."Chris said with a sigh. "But he's just not steady enough for best man duties. He's okay with me askin' someone else."
"I'd be honored."Dwayne responded with a smile. "I'm really happy for you and Merri, Chris."
"Thanks King."Chris said with a grin as he stood. "Speaking of have to meet Merri at NCIS we still have a lot of debriefs with NCIS etc."
"Appreciate your help on this one."Dwayne stated solemnly.
"Always be family, King."Chris said as he reached the door. "Family helps each other out; no matter what."