Chapter 25

6pm and the ship they have been waiting for embarks on its journey back towards Wood Oak City. The team can finally breathe and relax knowing that Mr X's empire has crumbled and he no longer poses a threat. It has been a tough journey with many sacrifices along the way but they are happy to know that in 24 hours time they will finally make it home.

Sammy remains on the top deck, gazing out at the sea, purple clouds and the sunset glistening over the ocean.

"Thought you could use this!" He turns around and spots his big brother Adam walking towards him with a bucket knowing that he suffers from sea sickness.

Sammy: "Nah I'm alright".

Adam: "You sure?" He looks at him surprised.

Sammy: "This is nothing. Surviving the last couple of days was everything". The pair pause as they thank God they are still alive.

Adam: "Well in that case, maybe you could use this?" He pulls out of the bucket a bottle of Bourbon.

Sammy's face cheekily grins as Adam passes the bottle for him to have a drink.

"Toast to being alive" Sammy says before he takes a gulp.

"Toast to being alive" Adam repeats as he scoops his brother in his arms and hugs him. Adam feels his eyes watering up as he holds his brother, just in time for Sammy to lighten the mood.

Sammy: "So where did you get this bottle then?"

Adam: "You don't know!?" he responds amused. "This ship we're on is Wood Oak Navy! The guys downstairs have hundreds of these! In fact I'm taking you downstairs right now because we're celebrating".

Sammy smiles as he follows Adam below deck.

The first person they see is Shiva who is sat down next to Angelina and their new born baby.

"Congratulations man" Adam extends his arm as the two of them lock hands and bro shake.

Shiva: "Thank you" he smiles feeling humbled.

Adam: "It's the best feeling in the world, believe me there is no other happiness like it out there seeing your daughter grow up every day". Without Adam realising, his comment really resonates with Shiva as he dismisses any doubts he had earlier when Electra made him an offer to go back to the syndicate.

The atmosphere around them is celebratory and lively. The crew have provided them with food and drink, clothes and a cabin for each member of the team.

"So have you chosen a name yet?" Sammy asks.

Angelina: "Well we were thinking about the name Amaya but we're not sure yet".

Sammy: "I think it's beautiful" he responds.

Shiva gives him a smile. "I'm gonna see if Zan needs anything, it's my turn to watch over him. I'll be back soon" he politely says before setting off.

Angelina: "Hey Sammy would you mind holding her for five minutes? I have to use the bathroom".

Before he has the chance to respond she has already placed the baby in his arms and has set off for the other side of the ship.

Adam: "You'll be fine kid, I have to go upstairs to give Keri a call".

Sammy: "err wait…!" he hesitates as he is left holding the baby.

The whole place pauses and everybody gasps worriedly as they notice Zan standing in the door way.

Axel who is standing behind him with Shiva speaks out seriously "I told him he needs to rest but he insisted he insisted".

Zan glances back at hip and addresses the crowd of ten marshals on board plus the rest of his friends. "Thank you for taking us home, we really appreciate everything you have done for us today. And most of all, thank you to my friends, they are my family here tonight and without them I would not be standing here."

Max hands over to him a glass.

"To freedom" Zan toasts.

"To freedom!" The rest of the crowd cheers before they down their drinks.

The hours pass by so quickly but the group make the most of their evening on the ship. Today has felt like a second chance for them, a chance to live and to feel normal again. They have dedicated so much time to fighting this war that tonight marks the end of it all and a new beginning on the horizon.

1am and Zan is full of life as he enjoys reuniting with his friends.

Adam: "I've never seen him this happy before" he observes whilst he has a drink with his best friend.

Axel: "Don't you remember when we graduated from high school, my parents threw a party with yours and Zan was there".

Adam laughs: "Yeah I do now! Thee adults got pretty drunk but I remember how happy he looked that day. I think he was proud of you and you know what, if your parents were here I know they would be proud of you today".

Axel: "I can't bring them back but knowing that Mr X and the syndicate wont destroy someone else's family from this day on is what matters. We can't change the past can we".

The two of them observe around the room as they notice Max, Sammy, Zan and the crew chatting and drinking – they are the loudest group there. Shiva, Angelina and the baby retreated back to their cabin to get a rest whilst Blaze is nowhere to be seen.

Adam: "So what are you gonna do when we get back?"

Axel: "I don't know" he shakes his head.

Adam: "Have you spoken to Blaze since we left?"

Axel: "No. The way it went down earlier when we killed Mr X… I don't think she took it well. Plus I've been watching over Zan today. Have you seen her?"

Adam: "No. As soon as we got on the ship she disappeared to her room, said she needed a rest. I haven't seen her since".

Axel: "It's been almost a year since we were together. So much changed after the syndicate took her. That day when Ron gave them the keys to the beach house they were there to take me. I was their target, not Blaze. They had no idea she was still alive".

Adam: "And you and the team were doing everything they could to rescue me. It's not your fault".

Axel: "If I hadn't of lost it with Ron maybe…"

Adam: "You can't keep blaming yourself!"

Axel: "Everything bad that happened to her is because of me. She could have stayed away from the city but she came back. If Blaze would have given me up to the syndicate in exchange for her freedom, I might be dead right now but she would have been ok".

Adam: "Well I know Blaze never saw things that way. Every day that you were stranded in Lima with your soldiers dying, she was the one who convinced us to not give up in finding you. And now we are here. So yeah, things are pretty fucked up but at least you have a second chance to make it right". His eyes turn towards Max in the distance.

Adam: "So if you really still feel the same way about her then go and do something about it".

Axel: "Don't you think it's too late for that?"

Adam: "What do you think?"

#Door knocks#

"Sammy I told you I'm not hungry! And I'm not in the mood to celebrate, I'll see you in the morning ok?" Blaze shouts from her bed.

Axel: "It's me".

After a lengthy silence, the cabin door slowly opens as Blaze looks at him surprised and not sure what to say. She is dressed in an oversized long grey T-shirt, bare feet and ready to go to sleep.

"How's Zan?" she asks whilst trying to hide her anxiety.

Axel nods: "He's much better." He holds in his hand one of the free bottles of Bourbon handed out.

Blaze: "What's that?" she questions curiously as he holds it up.

Axel: "Well its not our usual hot chocolate. But I know that I don't wanna stay up tonight drinking this on my own, missing you. Or any other night, ever again". Her heart skips a beat, surprised as her stomach knots. She gazes up into his eyes and sees how serious he is right now. Before he can say anymore, she puts her arms around him and draws in closer as he softly kisses her on the lips. They pause for a moment before one kiss turns into another and another each time becoming more and more passionate.

Blaze takes a deep breath as they keep their arms around each other. "That day, when you came to tell me how you felt, I pushed you away. And I've been pushing you away ever since" she nervously says.

Axel: "I understand why you did it but I don't care about the past" he replies as he places the bottle down on the table.

Blaze: "I want you to know that I've never regretted something so much in my life. I just couldn't bring myself to explain what was really going on and everything that had happened. I was so scared of reliving it over in my head I just blocked it out and changed towards everyone, including you." she says as tears roll down her face.

He kisses her again once more this time gently touching her face and replies "I love you and nothing is ever going to change that. I'd die before I'd let anyone hurt you again".

Blaze: "I love you too" she whispers then she rests her head on his shoulder.

After a couple of seconds he sighs in pain and moves.

"What's wrong?" Blaze questions him.

Axel grins and holds on to his shoulder: "I got shot there last night remember?"

Blaze: "Oh shit I'm so sorry!" she apologies not having realised.

He changes the subject back to the serious talk. "Listen I know things have been difficult between us over the past year but I want you to know that whatever you want for the future, if you want to stay as friends or take things slow, I'm cool with that."

Blaze: "Thank you" she nods.

Axel: "I'll let you get back to rest as it's been a long day" he kisses her once more then turns to leave.

Blaze: "Wait!" she speaks out "stay with me, here tonight".

He turns back around and replies "are you sure you want this?"

Blaze: "I've never been so sure. Besides, I wouldn't want you drinking this alone drowning your sorrows missing me tonight, or any other night for that matter" she replies and picks up the bottle.

He smiles then rushes back to kiss her and pick her up before the two of them get on the bed and make love.