Targeted

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:

Chapter 35 (Moving Forward)

A year later Beck held the love of his life in his arms while in his parents' backyard. His baby girl babbled happily, her arms swinging in the air. The smell of barbecue and chicken filled his nostrils and he closed his eyes, taking it all in.

Jade sat nearby, focused intensely on the book in her hands. She'd taken a greater joy in reading as of late, becoming engrossed in drama and romance. Nearby, Beck's father prepared food on his newest outdoor grill, laughing with Jade's father. The pair were becoming fast friends, and looking forward to a lifetime of such.

Their daughter had been named Katrina, because Jade wanted to name her child after the woman who protected her through her greatest trial. At the same time, Beck thought Jade was looking at it in the perspective of giving her a second chance, as if Trina could be resurrected in the form of their daughter. Regardless, the meaning was not lost to him.

They would be getting married soon, and were looking forward to college. Jade still struggled with nightmares and whatnot, but she'd become so much stronger, choosing not to let what she'd gone through impair her from actually living her life. "Have you talked to Andre lately?" Jade looked up and over at Beck with a faint smile.

He smiled back and nodded. "He's having the time of his life. Apparently, he's joined a jazz band like his father did." Jade raised her eyebrows and smiled more, laughing lightly.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

Andre moved away with his mother, and now lived in New Orleans. "He's studying music, but then, can't say I'm shocked. The piano's always relaxed him, and he needs that in his life now." Things had changed a great deal for Andre, because he stepped away from the gang life and actually seemed to get something out of focusing on his family. "He's met someone too."

"He has?" Jade shut her book and leaned forward. "He's got a girlfriend? A serious one?" Beck laughed and nodded his head. It was shocking to him too, he never expected Andre to be the one to settle down.

"A girl named Taylor. She lived in the old building his family had." It seemed to be a chance meeting, but Andre said he felt like there was something more at work. He went to see what the building looked like now, and almost instantly felt drawn to Taylor's place. "He said the minute he saw her, that was it, the connection was instantaneous."

"Hope it works out for him." Beck nodded, agreeing.

He missed Andre, perhaps more than Jade did, but was glad his friend was able to move on and live his life. His worry had always been for Jade, though; but she proved able to rise up. Cat's death hit her hard, and Beck remembered holding her at the girl's grave. Jade still went to the cemetery from time to time, opting to place flowers at everyone's grave.

Sometimes, it was hard to believe it was over. The election had come and gone, without the Sidero puppet even being considered. Both David and Raul were serving life sentences in prison, likely both broken up by the loss of their children.

Jade rarely spoke about her ordeal anymore. She'd dealt with her therapist, and that was about it. Of course, she'd been fortunate that Trina was so concerned for her wellbeing that she kept her from harm, otherwise things might have been that much worse.

Eventually she did come to forgive her sister, or at the very least, not wanting to let the things Tiffany had done rule over her emotions any longer. She'd even forgiven Tori. Granted, none of this meant she was without her own issues that she had to work through, but she was getting better every day. Hell, she wasn't even paranoid about Beck anymore, opting to talk through things rather than jump to conclusions.

"Chief Malone is still working on cleaning up both the streets of LA and the police," Jade said. Beck smiled with pride and nodded, having kept up with the news. "I'm impressed, and glad for it." It took some convincing to get Gary to actually step up and vie for the position; but after his handling of David and the Sidero family, the people loved him. It seemed there was no true choice but to have him appointed to Chief of Police.

That left Beck as his protégé of sorts. "Well, you know how it goes, the people wanted a hero up there. It got to the point the Mayor had to appoint him to the position." He laughed softly and bounced his daughter on his knee. "I think a mob would have broken out if the Mayor didn't put him in that spot." Jade laughed a bit and covered her mouth with her hand.

"He deserves it. I can't think of anyone more deserving, you know. We have him to thank for everything."

"If it wasn't for him, it would have been a lot harder to fight those people. Corruption was everywhere, and still is to an extent."

"That won't ever go away. Not completely, anyway." As long as people in power could be bribed or coerced by criminals, corruption would remain. It was easier to try and weed out those who were corrupt, and continue to be vigilant; but one would have to always be vigilant. "I'm looking forward to when you get on the force. You won't be corrupt, I'm sure."

Beck smile and reached his hand over, taking Jade's and giving it a quick squeeze. Their daughter curled on his chest and started to doze off. "By the way, are you going out with the girls on Saturday?" Jade's face lit up and she nodded. Jade had managed to make some new friends at school, friends who seemed interested in the same stuff she was. They were good people, and Beck encouraged her to give them a chance-something that proved great as they've been nothing but great for the last several months.

"We're checking out this new karaoke place. You should come!"

"I might, if I can get through the project Gary's given me." Jade frowned, but responded with an understanding nod. Things were getting busy for him now that Gary set his sights on him. He had schoolwork to deal with on one hand, a part time job working in at the police station doing some simple chores here and there, and then 'homework' given to him by Gary. This usually consisted of questions formulated through a textbook Gary had him read through. He wasn't sure whether Gary was trying to prepare him for college or the workforce, or both.

"As long as you get some time to relax. He doesn't make you have any deadlines, right?"

"Once in a while. It depends, really…" Deadlines came if Gary thought he was slacking off. "I respect what he has me do though, he's taught me a lot." Jade leaned her head over, resting it on his shoulder.

"Good." Jade was more concerned with wanting him to make some friends around town. With Andre gone and Robbie dead, he didn't have people to hang out with. However, his part-time job at the office gave him connections to people who were becoming friends. He'd also found like-minded people at school that were becoming fast friends, people interested in going the same route he was. "I believe in you Beck. I know you'll do great regardless."

"I hope so." He chuckled once and gazed lovingly at her. "It wasn't a fluke that Gary saw some potential in me. I hope, anyway."

"You'll always be a hero in my eyes, so no, no fluke." She pecked him on the lips and turned her head towards their fathers. The barbecue was starting to smell fantastic, and their stomachs were both growling. "Smells great, Dad!" Henry gazed at his daughter with a bright expression and popped up a thumb.

"Just a couple more minutes," Henry replied. None were as happy as this man, to have his daughter back alive and to be a grandfather. He'd once been so stern and hard-seeming, but now he seemed just the opposite.

It was no 'happily-ever-after', and everyone was still picking up the pieces even now; but perhaps this was the closest to a happy end that they could get. For all that seemed to matter to anyone was being at peace and being able to live their lives. No one had to worry any longer, or at least, none would allow worry to impair the rest of their lives. No, this was taking back their lives after tragedy, staring it in the face and remaining victorious.

For that was what they were, victorious, alive and moving forward.

So we come to the conclusion of this tale. I certainly hope you enjoyed it, and I'm grateful to all who read along, and stuck with it of course. Hope to see your input on other tales and epics.