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Chapter 17

Epilogue

Mr Krabs yawned as he unlocked the double glass doors and strolled into the restaurant. He stretched, cracking his back and shoulder with a grunt. His eyes fell on the employee of the month wall and the newest photo on it, Patrick's face beaming back at him.

It had been a month since SpongeBob's kidnapping. For Patrick's bravery he was awarded employee of the month after much begging from SpongeBob, he was also now able to eat for free as often as he liked.

He moved the tables and chairs back into place, he glanced up at the building across the street. Phineas and Plankton had not reappeared since falling into the sea, nobody knew what had happened to them and, really, nobody cared. The Chum Bucket was now shut down and emptied out, now just a plain building lay across from them with a for sale sign hung above the double doors.

Eugene smirked when he saw two figures coming down the road. The taller one was slumped tiredly, the shorter skipped by his side. His two loyal employees!

He greeted them as they walked in the door.

"Morning boys!" He grinned. Squidward gave him a wave as he headed straight for the cashier boat, SpongeBob zipped to his boss' side.

"Good morning, Mr Krabs!" He smiled happily. His wounds were all healed up and all that was left was scarring, the doctor didn't know if they would fade away with time. They didn't bother the boy though, just reminded him to be more careful of others and to appreciate what he had.

He had been terribly sick from infection for a while after his rescue but he came bouncing back with the same bright smile as before, and an even kinder heart. He went out of his way to show his four friends how much he appreciated all they had done for him.

"How are ye today?" Eugene asked kindly as the two continued setting up,

"I'm good! A little tired from the party last night!" SpongeBob chuckled sheepishly.

Last night they had celebrated Patrick getting his photo on the wall, there had been music, lights, food and dancing. Again, a late night before an early morning.

"Look!" SpongeBob chuckled as he pulled out his new mobile, complete with a bright yellow case with cats printed on it. "I got a video of the reveal! You can even see Patrick crying!"

Mr Krabs chuckled as the two watched the video, they awed at Patrick's happy tears.

"Turn it down!" Squidward complained as he rubbed his eyes. "I have such a headache!"

"Sorry!" SpongeBob giggled, he saluted his boss before running off to the kitchen to get ready. Mr Krabs strolled over to Squidward and handed him some pain killers, the moody cashier took them gratefully.

"So," Eugene smirked slyly, "How was the sleepover?"

Squidward looked at him as if he'd come back from the war.

"I woke up this morning passed out on the floor with my face in Patrick's armpit." Squidward shuddered. "How do you think it went?"

"The floor?" Eugene chuckled.

"We were all sleeping on the floor! Like heathens!" The cashier shook his head, "And the breakfast was burnt toast made by the cat! Disgusting!"

"Hey!" SpongeBob scolded from the kitchen, "Gary tried real hard to make that toast!"

Mr Krabs laughed heartily at the two, enjoying Squidward's fake misery.

They opened, served and closed as usual. The three closed up and stepped out into the cool autumnal air, Patrick and Sandy met them outside.

"Have a good shift?" Sandy asked pleasantly.

"Best day ever!" SpongeBob answered with a teasing smile in Squidward's direction, the man rolled his eyes fondly. "So what're we gonna do tonight?"

"Well," Patrick grinned, "Food?"

"Of course!" SpongeBob giggled.

"There's a new fast food stand by the beach?" Sandy suggested.

"What do they serve?" Squidward asked suspiciously.

"Umm... I think fried chicken, hot dogs, fries and stuff like that?" She shrugged,

"So fried stuff?" Patrick summed up, already strolling in the direction of the beach. "Count me in!"

SpongeBob whooped as he and Patrick rushed off, Eugene, Sandy and Squidward strolled behind. They arrived at the beach as the sun was beginning to set, the sky was casting a bright pink glow on the white sands. The five ordered their food and carried the paper bags down to their usual spot, bellies growling at the delicious smell.

They settled themselves in the sand and opened their bags to begin their meal. They relaxed, looking out toward the horizon and enjoying the peaceful sound of waves crashing against the shore and the seagulls calling out to one another.

SpongeBob took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of greasy food and the salty sea. There was a chill breeze but the friends were bundled up together, comfortably warm.

"This is nice." Squidward admitted as he chewed on his fries, "Wish I could paint this view."

There was the sound of a shutter, then a ping from Squidward's mobile.

"Sent you a photo of it buddy!" SpongeBob giggled, "Can't wait to see the finished painting!"

Squidward just chuckled in response, planning to paint 5 separate canvases of the gorgeous view; one for him and the rest as Christmas presents. The perfect gift.

"This chicken is the best!" Patrick moaned, "How come you don't sell fried chicken?"

"Because we sell Krabby Patties which are better." Eugene nodded proudly, "The finest burgers in the world!"

"Agreed!" SpongeBob nodded as he inhaled his hot dog, Sandy grimaced and she took a bite of her own. She nudged the boy to get him to slow down.

"Try tasting it!" She suggested, only half joking. "You might like it!"

SpongeBob stuck his tongue out at her.

The five friends lapsed into a peaceful silence, but there was still a question on everyone's mind.

"I wonder what happened to those two..." SpongeBob mumbled, not taking his eyes off the reflections in the sea ahead.

"We'll probably never know." Squidward shrugged, not caring about the answer. "Wherever they are, I hope they learned their lesson."

"I'm sure they did." Patrick nodded with a mouthful of food, "If they haven't we'll just teach 'em again."

SpongeBob shuddered, catching the eyes of his friends. The memory of being kidnapped and nearly drowned still fresh in his memory, he absentmindedly slid his fingers down his scarred cheek. That day had been the worst and most frightening of his life, he never wanted to relive it. However, he believed all that fear was worth the result, he and his friends had become like a real family now. They spent nearly every day together, they confided more in each other and were, in general, more satisfied with their lives.

They were in a good place, one that SpongeBob wouldn't trade for the world.

"You good buddy?" Patrick asked quietly. SpongeBob blinked and removed his hand from his face, he smiled over at his friends.

"Yeah, I'm good." He nodded genuinely.

"You should be seeing as I paid for your food." Squidward joked, they all chuckled lightly.

The five looked out toward the horizon, watching as the sun lowered behind the sea. They felt a welcome sense of calm as the world darkened around them, they shuffled closer together and enjoyed watching the last rays. SpongeBob and Patrick counted down together, they all cheered when it disappeared.

They finished their dinner and headed to their own homes, excited to spend another day together tomorrow. They were more than just co-workers and friends, they were family.

And nobody would ever be able to change that.

~ fin ~

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