Chapter 21: Both Sides Now

The funeral was beautiful. White lilies lined each row of seats at the service. Angus MacGyver had picked a church with blossom trees outside. He felt more comfortable in a place so openly peaceful. Due to the nature of the event, the casket remained closed for the duration, though people were allowed to pay their respects at the beginning and end of the service. The team did not enter crying, but took their seats in the front two rows and waited for the minister to begin. The funeral was catholic, as in line with the father's insistence, though Holy Communion was negated. He sat on the other side of the church, and spoke to no one but extended family members, who knew their place at the back of the church. No one was comfortable, no one was happy, but they all showed up.

When the priest opened the altar to the floor, there was a moment of silence. The people in the stands froze as though a target on each back, until finally, someone stood. She moved awkwardly across the aisle, people cramping their legs to one side or another to let her through. She stood at the altar, her piercing glistening in the sunlight that shone through the window. "I didn't know Lola for very long, and I had a lot of trouble trusting her. Ultimately," she hesitated, her eyes falling on the blonde who couldn't unlock his jaw. She pursed her lips, before they relaxed into a smile. Ultimately, whether I trusted her or not, she was one of the best people I've ever known. I have never seen someone so strong and fearless, and so ready to lay her life down, always for the right reasons. I know I won't miss her the most. But she'll always be in my heart." With that, Riley sat down again at the end of her aisle, and soon people began to relax.

People who knew and cared had flown from all over the world to see her, and soon came up to say a few words. All spoke along the lines of loyalty and vigilance, with some bitter about secrets. It likely occurred to the team what it looks like when you know more than everyone else in the room, and a dramatic irony flashed in glances between them. It was 15-20 minutes later when blood began to boil. All due to the rise of the father. When Russian friend and colleague Anton had finished, there was a short moment in which no one else seemed to want to speak. This was until he stood. His steps were long but laboured, matching his loud breaths. Even now he did not let his stubble grow, though had given in to the grey on his head. He pulled out a typed script from his pocket, scanning over it before addressing the far wall of the church. "My daughter, was a strong woman. I know I tested her greatly, all for her own gain. I do not regret the way I raised her, only the shortfalls that lead to this moment. I cannot help but believe that if I had held her closer, she would still be with us today." His voice did not crack under the pressure, nor the way he tore into arguably the most important relationship in this room. "There is one fact that my daughter failed to remember from her childhood. Niemand ist es wert, dafür zu sterben. Thank you all for being here today. That is all." He took his seat once more, Angus containing his anger. Bozer leaned over in the group. "What language was that? What did he say?" When there was no reply, Matty leaned forward from the row behind. "It means 'no one is worth dying for'. It was a dig at Mac." She whispered quietly. Angus' eyes remained fixated on the casket, unable to look at anything else. But Bozer would not stand for that. Before the priest could request the eulogy, he stood and made his way to the altar. "Look, I know that not everyone here gets along, but that's not what we're here for. We're here to mourn the life of one of the most incredible people that I have ever known, who deserves all the love and respect that we can give her at this time. What's important now, is to remember that, Lola died for something she believed in. She died to do the right thing, and to right her wrongs." Once Bozer was done with his preaching session, he took a look back at the casket. "And, one more thing." He said, his heart relaxing slightly as the adrenalin flooded from his system. "Lola was my friend, and … and if there's anything we can leave here agreeing on, it's that she's gonna be really, dearly missed." There were a few emotional nods from the people in the church, the father retreating to his phone.

The blonde rose from his seat, nervous, scared and emotionally vulnerable. He already blamed himself enough without the words from the father. But finally, he gave the eulogy. Though unsure of what to say at first, when looking to his team, he found his words. "Lola," he breathed deeply, unable to look up from his paper. He took another moment, considering what to say, before looking up, his oceanic blue eyes only more distinguished from their red teary setting. His jaw clenched. "Lola made the same choice that anyone would make. She chose to do the thing she was good at. She chose to show kindness in bad situations, saving people from pain that someone else would've caused. When Lola came into my life, she saved me too. And even though she left for a while, she's been saving me ever since. Saving me, in the end, is what put her in that box." His voice cracked and a strained pang of guilty tears streamed his face, an emotional wail escaping his lips. "I will never forgive myself, for being the reason she's gone. All I can do is not waste all the good she's done." With that he broke down entirely, and left the altar. Jack wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders, consoling him as the priest came to close the service.

Angus MacGyver and Wilt Bozer were both pall-bearers for the ceremony. The father was not. Once at the grave site, people stood in mourning before saying their final goodbyes. "Mac, do you wanna stay for a while?" Jack asked, stepping up beside the man who was almost last to leave the service. He nodded, taking a knee beside the grave and twirling his rose in his hands. "I never bought you flowers." He whispered, final tears dropping from his bloodshot eyes.

The rest of the team left him to mourn, the one most effected by the loss.

The screens shut off, ripping me back to reality. "Now, I showed you this as a courtesy. To give you closure." I stared up at her, my blood boiling. She waited before moving off what I had just seen as though it were nothing. "Now," she said, stepping towards me. "Are you ready to get to work?"