A/N: Finally! And Update! I know, it took it's time...but I was seriously not wanting this story to end.

Thanks to the reviewers; SteffieWitter96, iluvdanbyrd, xSarah, TNPD, mischief-maker (and where have you been?), RavenForever (don't get in trouble on my account...but if you really want to...), DAGL. Know what guys? I just hit 200 reviews for this story? What does that mean? I need to reward you all! How will I reward you...I decided, I will write a request one-shot. What does that mean? You guys make your requests, (what kind of story would you like to read, what kind of pairing would you like to see) and I'll write it and post it under my Wonderful World of One-shots (which really hasn't been updated in awhile...it appears abandoned...). Now, requests will vary, maybe I'll try and write them all, or maybe I'll meld them into one.

Music Recs: Let's see...hm...hum...I decided on something upbeat, a little punkish, like maybe Blink 182, Sum 41, or Greenday. I've been listening to them lately, a lot, especially since I got my American Idiot cd and I've been writing that Rocket Power fic...(for those who don't know, I branched out to another ff catagory...). Handle This by Sum 41 is good, Feeling This by Blink, and then maybe, Macy Day Parade or Time of Your Life (That's not the title...I can't remember it right now) by Greenday. Oh, or Basketcase by Greenday! Or maybe not...hehe...that is my favorite song though...Greenday is my favorite band, they rock much!

The end is near...ENJOY!

Chapter 35: Putting the Pieces Back Together

TJ stood in the hallway of the Spinelli house. He knocked lightly on Spinelli's door. There was shuffling in the room, but nothing more.

"Um…it's me, TJ," he called through the door, "Your mom let me in…um…I just wanted to tell you…I'm going back to New York. I know you said that you weren't going back." He leaned against the door, "I know what I did was wrong. I just didn't know at the time what I was doing…shit, but that's no excuse. I screw up sometimes, it happens, I'm human. I'm not perfect, but neither are you. And it doesn't matter," he sighed, "I guess these past few days we've been through hell…our relationship has been…hell, I don't know what to say. I love you, Spinelli. Our plane leaves today at two, I'm leaving your ticket here. I'll wait for you…at the gate…if you don't come, I'll understand, but I want you to come." He moved away from the door, taking the flight ticket from his pocket and setting it on the floor by the door. He made his way down the stairs and out of the house.

-0-0-0-0-

Randall was startled, to say the least, when Theresa and Gus entered his room. The Griswolds' daughter was held in Gus's arms. Randall was holding his bag, rummaging through it, wearing his nice black dress pants and shirt; freshly cleaned and pressed. He'd had to pay a nurse a good sum to get that done.

"How are you doing?" Theresa questioned softly. He looked between the happy couple, his eyes falling to the small form Gus held.

"Fine," he mumbled, "She looks good, healthy."

"Thanks to you," Theresa said.

"It was a touch and go kind of situation. I got lucky," Randall shrugged, zipping up his bag and slipping the strap over his shoulder, "It's a situation I hope never to encounter again."

"I never thought I'd ever say this to you, Randall, but I'm glad you were there," Gus said, shuffling his daughter slightly to extend his hand, "I have my wife and child because of you. Words can't begin to…"

"Look, I don't need a thank you…" Randall mumbled, "I don't deserve…"

"We were looking for a name," Theresa stepped in, "We thought we'd name her after you…if that's alright."

"What?" Randall held Theresa's gaze, searching for a reason to doubt those words, for insincerity. He knew he wasn't going to find any. How could someone want to name their child after him? A killer? A snitch?

"Now, Randall's not really a girl's name," Theresa chuckled slightly, "We thought Randy would do. She's here because of you, and we want her to know that." Randall looked to the child. She had soft features, a round cherubic face, peach skin, deep blue eyes, and light wisps of brown fuzz along her scalp. She would grow to be beautiful. Gus held her out to him.

"Would you like to hold her?" Randall nodded, placing his bag on the ground and taking the child into his arms. She was surprisingly heavier than when he'd first held her, leading her from her mother's womb.

"She's…small," he commented, and the couple laughed slightly. The child moved somewhat, curling her tiny fingers against his chest, and he smiled. It was one of his few genuine smiles that revealed his youthful age. He'd taken so many lives, and given this one child a chance to live. Maybe…maybe it was his chance, too. "I think…I think…she looks kind of like a Randy."

-0-0-0-0-

The Ashleys stood in the airport, exchanging hugs. Ashley A. brushed the hair from Ashley T.'s forehead, smiling as a man made his way over, a little boy leading him by hand.

"You look beautiful, don't worry," she reassured her lifelong friend. Ashley B. placed a hand on her hip.

"And if he doesn't think so, he has the Ashleys to deal with," she said.

"There's mommy," the little boy cried, leaving the older gentleman and running forward into Ashley T.'s outstretched arms. She lifted him up, hugging him tightly.

"My little Corey," she cooed, as he ran his fingers over the burn scars.

"Does it hurt?" he asked carefully.

"No, not anymore," she answered, eyes downcast. She looked up when she felt a hand behind her neck pulling her forward. Richard was smiling, brushing his lips along her cheek, mouth, forehead.

"You were missed," he told her softly, "Show mommy what you made, Corey." The little boy's eyes lit up, and he squirmed, reaching into his pocket and producing a folded piece of paper, handing it over to his mother who opened it. There was a crude drawing of the family, and a dog.

"Are you hinting at something?" Ashley T. chuckled.

"We could get a puppy and it could be dad's eyes," the boy pouted, "I learned about it in school…"

"We'll talk about it at home," she said, kissing the boy on the forehead before putting him down again and facing here husband with tear filled eyes, "Hi…I…" she started before her husband pulled her into his arms.

"The house hasn't been the same without you," he told her, running his fingers along her lips, "And I've missed that smile."

"I missed you too," Ashley T. whispered, before pulling away, "I should introduce you to my lifelong best friends. These are the Ashleys," she brought one after another forward to her husband introducing them. He traced their faces with tentative fingers.

"So these are the girls?" he joked, and they giggled slightly, "I don't doubt you took good care of my wife," he said taking Ashley T.'s hand, "For that I'm thankful."

Ashley A. perked up slightly when she saw a familiar form standing in the crowd, a man holding an armful of roses.

"Sergio," she called, running forward to his arms. They embraced, exchanging a deeply passionate kiss, "Why are you here? I thought you were on a photo shoot in Malibu!"

"I wanted to surprise you," Sergio replied with a thick Italian accent that caused the other Ashleys to swoon slightly. Ashley A. led him forward and ran through introductions again. "They are all as beautiful as you told me," he said as he placed kisses on each of their cheeks, then shook Richard's hand wholeheartedly. He ruffled Corey's hair as well, commenting; "Now here's a strong little boy. Would this be your picture? Now you are a true artist." Corey beamed.

They gathered around, chatting excitedly, until each Ashley boarded a plane, waving good-byes and heading off to their lives. They had plans now, to keep in better touch, to have more emphasis on one another's lives. Ashley Q. sighed, slumping on a chair in the airport lobby. They were all gone now. She knew they were all a phone call away, but she felt very alone. She found herself looking at brown sneakers, and looked up. Francis stood there looking down, a solemn face, a duffle bag slung over his shoulder.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi," Ashley Q. mumbled. They were silent. "He left me."

"What?"

"My husband. That's my deep dark secret, the skeleton in my closet. He left me. I knew we didn't have anything special, I knew I didn't love him when we married. I was young, and I…I was so excited. He was rich, suave; every woman wanted him. And he wanted me. So I married him, and I lay in bed late in the night waiting for him to come home. And honestly not caring if he did," she folded her hands in her lap, her head lowered, "He ran away with his secretary. How B-movie is that? I signed the divorce papers moments before the other Ashleys arrived. I didn't really care, because my marriage was a sham anyways. I wasn't heartbroken, didn't feel I lost anything.

"I'm an Ashley. Isn't that supposed to mean something? I thought it did, when I was younger. We fancied ourselves the best, because we rich, and pretty, and trendy…and cold-hearted bitches. I've never been in love. I've never followed my heart, because it didn't always tell me to do the 'Ashley' thing. When I got the papers, I thought if I acted like an Ashley about it, than it wouldn't hurt, knowing I didn't care; knowing it didn't matter. My husband left me! Isn't that supposed to hurt in some way?" Ashley Q. slumped, tears spilling, "I have nothing for me here. I have nothing." They were quiet again.

"I'm going to Greece," Francis finally spoke up, "There's a buyer there for an antique item that I acquired a while back. I was also thinking of shopping the market. It's not often, but sometimes you come across something worth a good sum, that the seller isn't aware of," he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, shifting slightly, "You know, I was gonna ride first class, but…uh…I could always exchange the ticket for two coaches."

"Ashleys don't ride anything less than first class," Ashley Q. muttered. Francis nodded.

"I figured," he shrugged, turning to leave.

"Though," Ashley Q. whispered and he paused, "I think I want to do the un-Ashley thing for a while, see where that gets me." Francis smirked, extending a hand to her.

"Well, today it gets you to Greece," he said, she took his hand, "And who knows, maybe you'll find love there."

"Maybe. You mentioned shopping…"

-0-0-0-0-

Sam lowered the final suitcase into the trunk of his car. He slammed it shut only to find himself looking at Dave.

"So, you're really going through with this?" Dave asked.

"Yup," Sam nodded, "I found a few interested buyers in my share of the company…you can talk to them and…"

"No," Dave interrupted, "I'll take the share. You may want to come back…and I want the opening available. You're still my brother, Sam, so what's mine is yours. Where are you going to go?"

"I think I'm just going to drive," Sam shrugged, "I'm heading for the West Coast, but if I find something along the way…well…I'll be in touch."

"When are you coming back?"

"I don't know if I will be."

"I was just asking…because…well, I thought my kids might want to meet their uncle," Dave shrugged, "That is, if he wants to meet them." Sam smiled.

"I'd like that." They fidgeted, before briefly embracing awkwardly. Sam slipped into the car, waving, as he tore down the road.

-0-0-0-0-

Butch felt a smile pull at his lips when he saw the young man clad in black come upon him at the bus stop. He stood, brushing the dirt from the bench off his pants. Randall looked worse for wear, a few bandages here and there. The hospital said he'd recovered fast from the bullet wound, which was a little odd to them. They said he was lucky to be alive at all.

"Looks like we're riding the same bus," Butch commented and Randall nodded, taking a stance beside him.

"So, you're heading to Boston, too?"

"Yup. Maybe we can get a drink at a bar sometime."

"Sounds good to me." They stood in silence, as that was their nature. The bus pulled up and several people loaded on before the two.

"Wait!" a young man was calling, "Wait for me!" Randall and Butch turned to watch the wiry, breathless boy running up the walk towards them. He stopped, gasping for breath.

"Menlo?" the both cried in unison.

"Oh my god," Randall muttered noticing the bus ticket in the prim young man's hand.

"What are you doing here?" Butch asked.

"I had a savings account," Menlo said between gasps for breath, "That my mother didn't know about," he knelt forward, gulping and heaving, "I emptied it, quit my job, packed my things, left mother a note, found out where you two were headed, and bought a bus ticket. I decided it was time to see the world, and I thought, who better to show it to me than two travel-weary friends of mine?" He straightened, slinking his arms over their shoulders and grinning broadly.

"He's staying with you," Randall told Butch, "You know that, right?"

"No way, he's bunking with you," Butch argued, as Menlo skipped onto the bus, the two bickering young men trailing behind.

"Rock, paper, scissors?" Randall suggested. They stuck their fists in, shook them three times, until, "Ha! Rock beats scissors!"

"Best two out of three?"

-0-0-0-0-

TJ slumped in the airport lobby, startled slightly when Vince joined him, handing him a soda. They sat sipping their drinks, quiet. They hadn't talked much since the events at the gym. Of course, TJ had been unconscious and in the hospital most of the time.

"I can't believe you're leaving so soon," Vince finally said, "I'd figured you'd stay awhile longer, rest up."

"I still have an article to work on," TJ mumbled, "A job to get back to. I'll watch your game, on the set."

"No, you won't. You never liked watching sports," Vince chuckled, "You preferred to play them."

"Yeah," TJ smirked, "I might come back here, next month or so." Silence again. "I never thanked you. For coming back, for taking me out of there. For refusing to leave me behind."

"You're my friend. I know we're not on even grounds, yet, Teej, but it's a start, right?" TJ smiled, nodding.

"Yeah." They straightened when they saw Mikey, Gus, and Theresa carrying the little baby in her arms, making their ways through the airport. Mikey had a bag in his hand, the rest of his luggage probably on the plane already, like TJ's.

"I never thought we'd all be standing here like this," Gus commented, "Not in a million years."

"I never thought anyone would name their child after Randall," Vince retorted, taking the little girl from her mother's arms gently, "She's very beautiful. If you're lucky, she'll have her mother's looks, and her father's heart."

"And hopefully her mother's courage," TJ threw in. They laughed slightly.

"I never thought I'd be reluctant to get back to New York," Mikey spoke up, "I have to get back to the theatre, but still…um…you all have my contact information, right?"

"Yeah," they all murmured. TJ looked out at the convoluted crowd with a heavy sigh.

"She's not coming," he mumbled.

"It's still early," Mikey reassured him, "Your hearts beat as one, you are soul mates, you…"

"Yeah, that's not really gonna sway her decision," TJ muttered.

-0-0-0-0-

Gretchen knocked lightly on Spinelli's door. There was no answer. She sniffed, pulling her coat around her tightly, tapping her foot.

"I know you're in there," Gretchen finally shouted, "You're mother said you were. You're being stubborn. You're being a stubborn…a stubborn child. To be honest, I don't even really know what you're angry about. So what? Words were exchanged. He broke up with you, but he's apologized, hasn't he? You two are in love, what more is there?" Gretchen shook her head, placing her hands on her hips, "I'm going to the airport. I'm going to wait for fifteen minutes in my car downstairs before leaving. Think things through. Do you really want to give up on love because things have been difficult? Are you, Spinelli, the famed toughest kid of Third Street Elementary, going to run away and cower because your relationship's gotten complicated? Fifteen minutes, Spin. You can come down, and I won't say anything."

Gretchen sighed, leaving.

-0-0-0-0-

TJ stood at the gate, heart pounding in his chest. They were making final calls for seating. He spotted Gretchen through the crowd and they met eyes. She shook her head. He nodded, feeling his heart sink. Mikey patted his shoulder before turning and boarding the plane.

"You tried," Vince said, "We'll see you, then."

"Bye, Teej, Mikey," Gus called. TJ nodded again, turning stiffly before shuffling aboard the plane as well. It was over. She was gone. His relationship with her was over.

It was all over.

END A/N: IT'S OVER, IT'S OVER! WAAAHHHHHH!!! No more? Not even a little? Nope, this is my last 'END A/N' for this story...it's so sad...I better make this one count. For all of you who have stuck with this story through thick and thin, you all rock! For everyone who's been following it, but hasn't reviewed yet, now's your chance!

I want to thank TNPD (who'sbeen there from the beginning),RavenForever, mischief-maker, RT, xSarah, goofymonkeychild, peachesthefirst (MOMO-CHAN!), xxxBlueFirePrincessxxx, bob, pixievix, iluvdanbyrd, DarkAngelGaudianLight, SteffieWitter96, Trisk, Adee, weaslypotter, Chris, MagistrixMundi, and me (whoever felt clever and placed this as their name), oh, and CarlyisAwesome. I bolded those I'm especially thankful for, because of their commited reviews. I know some of you died off in the end, and you weren't always constant...but still, thanks! I know I always say, just one little word, just one little review makes me happy, and you all made me happy, because you did just that!

This story wasn't my favorite, but it was the lengthiest, as of yet. I have a feeling the Legend of Bandit is going to be so much longer (it's actually going to be broken down into arcs...four, to be exact, and it takes place over years of time...oi...) It's going to be on a grander scale than this. Oh, and I have to put together In A Box, I don't know where that story's going to take me. So many projects that I have to work on...and this one is over...sniffles...it was my first...no wait, my second...well, my first full-length. In anycase, it's over and done with. It's in the past. Bye-bye.

PLEASE excuse any grammatical and typing errors, and REVIEW with your requests for a reward fanfic. Nothing having to do with this one though, because I've buried it, it's done with! I am, however, planning on doing a spin-off fanfic for Randall's character entitled Blood Vow (you can read the summary to that one in my bio page as well as that of other upcoming fanfics on my agenda).

THanks for reading, thanks for sticking by me to the end. We held on...it's so emotional...