.  We ride to the base.  After a four hour debriefing, the Colonel passes me an envelope.

            "What's this?"

            "Your pay."  I open the overstuffed brown envelope, and count it.

            "Twelve thousand.  I think you made a mistake."  He laughs.

            "No mistake, you earned it."  I look over at Sonya, who's still bruised.  Her hand's still marked, her leg's still bandaged.  The bruise on her eye is starting to go away.

            "It doesn't seem right."

            "You earned it."  The Colonel walks out, as I slide Sonya the envelope.

            "Go pay whatever it was you owe on in that Harley dealership."

            "No way, it's not my money."

            "Take it, please.  I don't want it."  Jax and Sanchez walk in, and hug both of us.

            "Good to see you up, Sanchez."

            "Me?  I'm fine.  You clean up real nice, too."

            "You can't lie for shit, either."  He laughs, hugging me again.

            "Sonya, did you tell her yet?"

            "Tell me what?"  Jax pulls a box from under the table, and sits it in front of me.

            "Open it."

            "What is it?"

            "SHUT UP AND OPEN IT!"

            "Yes, ma'am."  I open the box, and see a leather jacket, "Oh, guys,"  I pull it out.  On the right sleeve is an American flag.  On the left is a POW/MIA patch.  On the left front is embroiled Reynolds.  I turn it over, to see the words Live free, ride hard, arranged around the special forces emblem.  I hold it close, crying, "Oh, man."

            "The three of us talked it over.  We want you on the team, if you're interested."

            "You mean ride with you guys for real?"

            "Yeah, that's exactly what I mean."  I sit back, catching my breath.

            "I can't tell you how many nights I dreamed about it.  Standing side by side with my hero.  But I can't do it.  I couldn't put you guys at risk."

            "At risk?  I held you while you nearly bled to death because you didn't want me at risk.  We can teach you.  We can train you.  If you want in, you're in."

            "I can't live knowing any mistakes I make could get any of you killed.  I can't do that."

            "And who the hell said you were gonna be making mistakes?  I'll train you.  By the way, check the pocket."  I unzip the pocket, and pull out my glove.

            "COOL!  How did you guys find it?"

            "I took it off before the ambulance got there.  I know how much it means to you."

            "Not nearly as much as the young lady that shook my hand wearing it."

            "I'm waiting for my answer.  Do you want it?"

            "More than anything I've ever wanted in my life."

            "Then, it's settled."

            "I got some things I gotta settle up first, though."

            "You're not done with this, yet," I follow them to the parking lot, "Around here, this team has a tradition.  Whenever we loose anyone, we ride in the missing man formation.  Since you're the reason it's not four, you take the lead."  Sanchez tosses me a helmet and a set of keys.  We ride in formation to Charlie's, where Raiden is waiting for us.

            "You decided?"

            "Yeah.  I have to go back first, though.  I have to see Brian one more time."

            "He's been anxious to see you, too."  Raiden side-steps, as Brian runs from behind him, sweeping me up in a bear hug.

            "Happy to see me?"  Instead of answering, he kisses me passionately.

            "When Sonya told me, I had to come.  I knew you wouldn't pass it up."

            "How could I?  But what about your job?"

            "It's a hot dog shoppe.  Let them find a trained chimp for that shit.  I love you, Jessie."

            "You WHAT?"

            "I love you.  When I saw you laying there, I knew how stupid I was not to tell you."

            "Why didn't you tell me?"

            "Because Blade would've cut me to ribbons."

            "No, I wouldn't.  I've had a huge crush on you for years."

            "Why didn't you say something?  You've never been shy."

            "Actually, I'm very shy, especially with you.  You can have any girl you want.  Why would you want me?"

            "Because I've never seen a girl with the glow you have in your eyes.  You blind me everytime I look at you.  That's why I hired you at the shop, and that's why I used to hang out with you every chance I got.  I love you, Jess."  I kiss him, walking inside.  I find Sonya sitting next to a girl at the bar.  I walk over, and sit down, as Sonya slides me a beer.

            "Thanks."  I sip it.

            "So, you still want to hang with me, even though I'm not Wonder Woman?"  I hug her tightly.

            "You're still my hero, Sonya."

            "And you're becoming mine," I laugh, letting her go, "SANCHEZ, JAX, GET OVER HERE," They come over, and she hands them both a beer, "A toast.  To Carter and Lowinstine, you will be missed," They bow their heads, "And to 'The Blade'.  Welcome to the team."  Sonya shoots me a salute.