On May 11, 2017, hours before the second season finale of "The Catch" aired, the decision was made to cancel the television series. As a result, many questions were left unanswered.

After much thought, I felt I needed to end the series on a positive high note. Thanks to the folks at , I'm able to do so.

"The Catch" is the creation and property of Jennifer Schuur, Kate Atkinson, and Helen Gregory. Any characters created within this medium are the property of this author and not to be used without permission. For entertainment purposes only.

The End

The Series Finale for "The Catch."

By Goodfella73

Standing beside Danny, Alice watched the jet slowly taxi towards the runway. She thought she caught a brief glimpse of a hand waving from one of the small windows just before it made its final preparations for takeoff.

She never took her eyes from it as the jet hesitated for several seconds before accelerating, quickly rising from the landing strip into the air. Within a minute, it disappeared from view in the horizon.

A hand fell on her shoulder, startling her. She turned to face Ethan Ward, her ex-fiancé and the owner of the airport on which they stood. He held a cellphone to his ear while gently directing her to the vehicles.

"Hold them for another few minutes, Sam. I'm on my way." He dropped the phone into his jacket pocket. "The guards at the gate say two police cars are on their way to another part of the airport. I'm going to meet them at the gate, but you and Danny need to leave by the service entrance. Danny, you remember the one?"

Danny nodded, walking around to the driver side of the car. "We'll be back at AVI before they know it."

Alice turned back to Ethan. "What about you?"

"I'll be alright. I keep my vintage two-seater out here, my Gulfstream is here, I own the airport -"

"Ethan?"

He smiled. "I'll be fine, Allie. But you two need to go. Now."

Danny already had the luxury SUV powered up as Alice slid into the passenger seat. Ethan began to walk away but Alice grabbed his hand through the window. He looked down at it.

"Ethan … I don't know what to say."

He gave her a small smile and her hand a quick squeeze before turning for his car. Danny turned the wheel and took the vehicle towards the hangars.

#

Two Months Later …

Sophie Novak awoke to a small ray of sunshine hitting her perfectly through a slit in her bedroom blinds. She yawned and stretched before swinging her legs out of her bed, slipping her feet into bedroom shoes staged on the floor.

She paused at the full-length mirror hanging on the wall by the bedroom door. Every day, for the past month since she was released from the hospital, she tried to exit without even looking at her image.

And every day, she failed.

She held up her shirt to expose the scar running almost perfectly vertical. A two-inch long scar, a reminder of the surgery that saved her life following the gunshot wound she suffered. She ran her finger over it momentarily before sighing. Pulling her shirt down, she opened her bedroom door.

A fresh pot of coffee awaited her when she walked into the kitchen. She reached into her cabinet and pulled out two mugs, setting them on the counter. The sugar container, creamer, and two spoons completed the display.

She began to reach for the remote to the small television by the refrigerator when she heard a knock at her door. Bypassing the remote, she walked out of the kitchen into her small but cozy living room. She gave it a once over before unlocking the door and pulling it open.

The Hammer stood outside, gloved hands crossed in front of him. He gave a small bow at the waist. "Good morning."

"Morning. Come on in." Sophie stepped aside to allow the Hammer entry. "Coffee's ready."

They sat at the breakfast nook and sipped their coffee in silence. The television was on and set to a local news channel. Sophie winced as a report of a shooting that occurred the night before scrolled across at the bottom of the screen.

The Hammer watched her carefully from behind his mug. "Are you sure you're ready to go back to work? Alice and Val said that you could take all the time you need."

Sophie reached for the remote and muted the television. "I know. I'm scared that I sit here every day thinking to myself that the more I'm here, the less I would want to go. I love my job. I love what I do, the people I work with … everything."

She fell silent, looking at the TV. The Hammer took another sip of his drink and set the mug down. "You went through a very traumatic experience. No one would fault you if you don't come back."

Sophie shook her head. "No one except me."

#

White Collar Division Special Agent Aaron Tucker looked across his desk at his colleague several times while reading the document before him. Each time he looked up, his expression grew more incredulous.

"Let me see if I got this right, because it's early, the coffee maker is broken, and I need something to blame if I'm off on this. The C.I. who was working for you for a time, Benjamin Jones, is willing to turn himself in to the FBI to negotiate a deal that will require him to work under your charge, in exchange for record expungement. Am I on the right track?"

Special Agent Justine Diaz held up a finger. "Specifically, immunity for his daughter as well as having his record expunged, but yes."

Tucker shoved the paper over to the side of his desk. "Justine, didn't we go down this route with Jones before? He ran when you went after his child and Margot Bishop, violating the terms of his deal you made with him several months ago."

"Sir, I understand what you're saying, but you have to see the good he did while working with me. He uncovered a diamond smuggling ring headed by the son of the Chinese Consul, helped take down a gun smuggling ring headed by my soon-to-be ex-husband, sealed up the FBI database breach, prevented money laundering and thefts here in Los Angeles -"

"All while working with Margot Bishop, the head of the Kensington Firm. Excuse me … former head, who is suspected of helping her mother, Sybil Griffiths, the former former head of the Kensington Firm, escape from federal custody."

Diaz shook her head. "Ben's only association with Bishop is the daughter they share, a child both of them only became aware of well after he had turned on Sybil Griffiths and was accepted into our program. I have signed depositions from Alice Vaughn and several others stating that Jones had no knowledge of Bishop's activities as she had no knowledge of his, and contact was only made as a result of the child's arrival."

Tucker sat back in his chair, still not convinced. Diaz sat forward, pressing the issue. "In the events leading up to Jones and Bishop's disappearance, we learned that Rhys Griffiths, her younger brother, conspired on his own to not only use information we had gathered on cases closed by my operation to further his own gains, but to also seize control of the Kensington Firm. Jones had nothing to do with it. But he wants to help to bring Rhys down. Bring him down, and the Kensington Firm goes with him."

Tucker looked at her for several seconds before sliding the document back in front of him with his right forefinger. He tapped on it twice before sighing.

"Against my better judgment, I will authorize this. Benjamin Jones is reinstated back into your operation as a criminal informant under the parameters of your original agreement, with only the timeframe of it needing to be adjusted, and the immunity agreement for his daughter put in place."

Diaz exhaled in relief. "Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me yet. I'm putting my neck on the line for this to happen because I see that you believe this guy is one of the good ones. But a lot took place under your watch and either you were ignorant, or this Rhys Griffiths is truly that good. Because of the cases you were able to close, I chose to believe the latter, but there are those who see it otherwise."

He rose from his seat and walked around the desk to sit on its edge to face Diaz. "Keep Jones on a tight leash, Diaz. As tight as you can make it. Because if he goes rogue again, then you can kiss your FBI career goodbye."

#

Alice Vaughn sat on a bench outside of the FBI's offices. She watched the passersby enter and exit the building as she sipped on her second cup of coffee in a hour, tapping her foot nervously on the concrete.

She looked at her watch and briefly considered purchasing a third cup from the barista cart nearby when the doors parted open and Special Agent Diaz exited the FBI building. She glanced around the front until she saw Alice and walked over to where she was sitting.

Alice noted the grim look in Diaz's face as she grew closer, and her heart fell. "Your boss didn't go for it."

Diaz sat down beside her. "Oh, he went for it. Benjamin Jones has been reinstated as my C.I., and Tessa has immunity."

The ache in Alice's chest turned to sudden joy. "He is? That's great news!"

Diaz held up a hand to forestall further comment. "For a second, I had wished it wasn't accepted. When it comes to you and his family, Ben isn't objective at all."

Alice nodded. "I know. Look what he did for me. It's why I love him."

Diaz turned to Alice. "I'm not going to ask if you have a way to contact him because I'd have to arrest you for obstruction. That's paperwork I really don't need right now. So when he contacts you, have him call me, okay?"

"I will."

Diaz rose and started to walk off, but stopped to turn back to Alice. "I truly believe Ben had nothing to do with Rhys' betrayal. I really do. And I think it hurt him."

"It did."

Diaz nodded. "In any case, stress on him that my career is on the line this time. I hope when you tell him that, that objectivity you fell in love with will kick in once again."

Alice watched Diaz's departure, considering her words.

#

A bus pulled up to the station and came to a complete halt. The door opened, allowing one male passenger to disembark. The baseball cap and sunglasses concealed most of his face as he slung the backpack he carried over one shoulder while adjusting the straps of the carryall in his hand. He looked from left to right, and left again as if preparing to cross a busy street.

He went to the right, opposite of a police car parked along the street running alongside the bus station. A newsstand several feet away served as a staging ground to discreetly observe the policeman leaning against his vehicle while he purchased a drink, before proceeding to the other side of the bus station.

The car he was looking for was where he was told it would be. He forced himself not to break into a full on jog once he rounded the corner. He closed on the dark colored SUV and opened the back passenger door.

A beautiful young woman peered at him from the back seat, her hands crossed and in her lap. She smiled and waved him in.

"Welcome back, Michael Thorne. Or is it Benjamin Jones today? I keep forgetting."

Benjamin Jones smiled.

"It's good to be back, Princess Zara."

#

Sophie and the Hammer stepped off the elevator onto the main floor of Anderson and Vaughn Investigations. Several people milled about outside the reception area as they approached. The receptionist began to answer a phone call, but found a quick second to give Sophie a smile and wave.

Sophie returned the greeting as they walked past into the office area. She glanced at the Hammer who trailed behind her. "You know, I'm still trying to figure out exactly why you took a job as part of the security team. I thought international assassinating was appealing."

The Hammer shrugged. "It had a certain appeal. The travel, the planning, the execution of the plan -"

"The execution," murmured Sophie, as she stopped in the break area for a cup of coffee.

"But the work we did to find out who was trying to kill Margot Bishop, it was … different." He stopped beside Sophie and leaned against the counter. "And plus the work that was done to find and capture me ... extraordinary. I decided that I needed to broaden my horizons, and learn from the best."

Sophie finished making her coffee and turned to him. "Well, thank you for the ride. I appreciate it."

"You're quite welcome." The Hammer gave a perfunctory bow before turning to head for the security wing as Sophie made her way to her desk, covered with a gathering of flowers and small presents. Valerie Anderson and Danny Yoon stood beside it, smiling as she approached.

"Welcome back," said Valerie, walking over and giving Sophie a hug. "How are you feeling?"

Sophie returned the embrace. "I feel great. Ready to get back to work."

"That's what I like to hear, but I want you to settle in first and come talk to me in a few minutes. When Alice gets back, we'll know where we stand."

Valerie turned and walked to her office. Sophie set her mug down and turned to Danny. "And what does she mean?"

Danny shrugged. "Alice has been talking to the FBI for a few weeks now to try and get Ben's C.I. deal reinstated. If that works, then we can go after Rhys."

Sophie sat down at her desk and pulled a card from one vase of flowers. "So I see nothing has changed."

"Plenty has changed." Danny pulled a chair from a nearby desk and sat down beside hers. "Business has been great for the past couple of weeks. We got Seth Hamilton back on board, Ethan Ward has sent business our way -"

"I'm talking about all this business concerning Ben, and you know it." Sophie turned in her chair to face Danny. "Ever since he has come into our lives, it has been one headache or another. Valerie and Alice nearly lost the firm because of him. We lost a lot of clients. Alice was nearly arrested."

She turned back from him, clearly agitated. Danny sighed and reached over to lay a hand on top of hers. "Is it because you were shot, or because of me and Margot?"

Sophie looked into his eyes. "I would be lying if I said those things also didn't play a factor in how I'm feeling now. I have a two-inch scar on my stomach to serve as a constant reminder."

She sighed and gently pulled her hand away. "I love working here, but maybe my parents were right. Maybe I was meant for something more."

Danny watched her rise to her feet and grabbed her mug to walk to Valerie's office. "What do you mean, Soph?"

She looked over at him.

"It means I'm done."

#

"Thank you for taking care of my medical expenses, and also helping out my parents. We appreciated everything you and Alice did."

The two women sat on the white leather couch in Valerie's office. Valerie reached over to squeeze Sophie's hand. "You were placed in a very unnecessary and harmful position that could have been avoided, Sophie. Alice and I were so torn up about everything."

"Well, I do appreciate everything you two have done." Sophie took a sip of her coffee and set it on the small table beside her. "Which makes what I'm about to say that much more difficult."

Valerie slowly pulled back in surprise. She began to speak when the door opened and Alice entered the office. "Sophie! Welcome back!"

Sophie rose to accept Alice's embrace. "Thank you, Alice. I'm glad that you're here. I have something I need to tell both of you."

Alice looked from Sophie to Valerie and saw the concern on her partner's face. "Oh no, Sophie," she whispered.

"I … I feel that I can be of much more use at a law firm, or some other profession. I don't belong here with you guys."

Alice dropped her purse on the floor and gestured for Sophie to reclaim her seat beside Val. Once she had done so, she sat down in a separate chair in front of them. "Sophie, I know I have asked so much of you and Danny and Val to help me when it came to Ben. I'm sorry that you all had to be involved in any way, shape or form."

She sighed. "But I draw the line when any of you are put in harm's way. If it wasn't for everything that had happened, you would have never been in that hotel room. If it wasn't for the fact that I have to ask everyone to help me one last time, I would fight to keep you with us. But … I can't guarantee that there isn't another crazy Felicity out there. I just can't."

Valerie leaned forward. "Did Agent Diaz get Ben reinstated?"

"She did. I'm waiting on Ben to call me so I can tell him to call her before he does something stupid." Alice looked back over at Sophie.

"The last thing I want to do is place you in harm's way again, Sophie, so if you feel you want to leave, Valerie and I won't stop you. I can place a call with Ethan or Seth to see if they have any openings."

Valerie nodded. "And I can reach out to Gordon. You definitely have options, but you will be missed. And hard to replace. You are one of a kind."

Sophie looked at her employers' faces and sighed. "I said to Danny a few minutes ago that since Ben came into our lives, it has been one thing after another. He has indirectly taken this firm down to its knees one way or another.

"But you said you need our help one last time. It would be wrong for me to leave you guys in a jam after all that you've done for me."

Valerie shook her head. "Don't even think you owe us. If anything, we owe you for talking your parents into not suing us."

Alice nodded. "With Ben being reinstated under his FBI deal, we can go after Rhys in a way that he will never see coming. But do that, to truly finish this, it will take all of us. Me, Ben, Danny, Valerie … and you. If you're on board."

Sophie's hand automatically reached for the spot of her scar where Felicity's bullet pierced her abdomen. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, noting for the first time that she felt no pain from the wound and subsequent surgery. She opened her eyes and gave the ladies a single nod and small smile.

"One more for the road."

#