Epilogue
Angela rolled over in the sand. Her suit made a smooth sound when she did and the sun felt great even through the clear visor.
She closed her eyes and relaxed.
Even the sound of their target resisting arrest couldn't break her peace.
The man shouted and slurred his words, but he was lucky he was still alive.
As disfigured and aged as he was, it was no wonder he'd needed Gloria's help getting anything.
But Zarik was being surprisingly easy on him, all things considered.
Of course, there could still be an accident.
Angela smiled to herself, remembering how worked up Zarik had gotten when he'd finally found out who was responsible for hurting his baby sister.
He'd sworn in about three different languages and she hadn't been able to tell if she was more surprised he spoke four languages or that he knew how to cuss in all of them very proficiently.
Probably the former. He didn't cuss much, but that was something she knew about him before then.
Her peace was broken when she heard a gunshot.
It took her a second to gauge the sound in order to determine it was a non-lethal shot.
She opened her eyes when a shadow blocked her vision.
Zarik stood over her, looking about as tired as she did.
"He is alive yes?" She asked.
"For now." He shrugged.
He put his hand up to his face to block the sun and she saw the glint on his hand.
It made her smile to see the silver band on his finger, same as the gold one on hers.
He refused to take gold, but also completely surprised her by telling her why.
In their age, gold was rare, and the ring he'd given her had been passed down through his family for generations. His mother had worn it up until the moment they got married, and his grandmother had worn it until his parents got married.
It was tradition, but she couldn't complain because the simple ring was beautiful.
Whichever ancestor decided to make it a simple gold band with tiny diamonds embedded into it was thoughtful about functional designs.
Zarik held his other hand down to her and she reached up, not even trying to get off the sand.
He had to lean down a little more and pull her to her feet.
"Come on Ang, lets get this bastard back to the officers before I kill him here."
She shook her head as he stared walking towards the man he'd left on the ground.
There had been a good chase and fleeing attempt, but Zarik was too persistent in this case.
They loaded the guy into the truck Zarik had bought now that they were stationed out of Oasis and headed back for town.
Angela looked over at Zarik. He was annoyed. Not at her, but their target.
She reached over and took hold of his right hand.
He sighed as he looked at her and smiled.
xXx
Zarik held her hand the entire drive back.
After a year, he could finally close this case and make sure no one ever got hurt by him again.
They hadn't even had to wheedle a confession out of him. He had admitted to it quite easily, knowing he was being recorded even.
Angela shifted over on the bench seat of his truck and leaned into him.
This was what he needed now.
The woman he loved by his side, his newborn son back home with his family being spoiled and doted on by everyone. His sister was engaged to the same boy she'd been seeing for two years now. His brother was fully divorced from his ex and finally working on learning the family trade of craftsmanship.
Two years ago, if anyone had asked him what he'd been doing now, it definitely wouldn't have been this.
Angela would have come, but at the time, he hadn't seen this happening.
"Zarik?"
"Hmm?"
"You looked distant."
"Sorry, thinking about the past."
Angela smiled behind her visor as she reached up to take the helmet off.
"Well, long as you don't stay there." She said as she kissed his cheek.
"You'd never let me." He grinned before turning to kiss her properly.
"Damn straight." She settled in again, helmet beside her on the seat and the town just ahead of them.
He kept hold of her hand the entire way and would his whole life too.