Hello all, sorry about the delay it's been a mad time of life recently. But it is the last chapter, but because of the word length it's now a three part finale.

Scars of his Past final chapter

Part 2

For a brief moment, there was silence in the office as everyone took in Bagheera's words, and couldn't help but glance towards Kit, who just had a frozen expression on his face. Bagheera continued and somehow managed not to look into the guardian's directions, his face betraying what he really was feeling about this, as he informed them all that The Iron Vulture had been encroaching towards Cape Suzette and this would be the only time they had, to successfully capture the flying ship. As Bagheera finished, with the declaration that Khan had a plane prepped and prepared just for Baloo and Kit, who finally managed to state something to the contrary.

"No, I'm not." Kit declared in a small voice, which held the air of determination behind it. "I'm going in the Seaduck." Before anyone could say anything, Kit continued "Let's face it, Baloo's the best Pilot out there since you guys managed to get captured so often. If you want me to do this, then I'm going in the Seaduck and if not then you'll have to find someone else…but there isn't anyone else, is there?"

From the briefest twitch of Bagheera's lips, Baloo knew the panther had run out of ammunition and he slowly nodded in the affirmative, "Fine, if you don't mind I need to speak to Shere…I mean Mr Khan in private."

Knowing the severity of this situation, Rebecca guiltily nudged Wildcat up, who in his exhaustion mumbled something, stepped put on the deck, and just curled up in the sunshine like one of his feline ancestors.

Rebecca couldn't help but smile at this action as all three bears filed out of the office and into the fresh air. Kit, trying to envision the night before him immediately excused himself and went back to the shack, there were so many things Baloo wanted to say, but as the boy disappeared through the door, he knew that Kit needed his privacy.

He was about to throw his son back onto the Hell, he had almost died trying to escape from. The thought didn't exactly fill Baloo with glee, no matter how much he wanted Karnage gone from the skies. As the pair stood outside Rebecca cleared her throat and said wistfully, "You know there are times like this, I still wished I smoked." Baloo just glanced over at her, and went to the Seaduck, fumbling around the dashboard until his fingers curled over the packet, it had been years, and he kept them as a promise never to smoke them again, but for once he was prepared to break that promise.

As he walked back and stood next to Rebecca, he placed two cigarettes between his lips, lit them both with a match and passed one to her. Rebecca took the offered cigarette and after taking a long deep breath, almost choked. "They've been in there, for a while." Baloo said, by offer of apology as he inhaled deeper, immediately his lungs began to protest this treatment, but they both inhaled deeper, as they breathed the smoke out in unison. "I didn't know you smoked." Rebecca finally said, her lungs becoming accustomed to the tobacco.

"Back in the War, we did it before every mission. Just in case we never came back." It was a simple reply, but from the look in Baloo's eyes, Rebecca knew he was tapping into a memory. "But when I quit, I promised Wildcat, I wouldn't do it again…he hates the smell." Baloo half smiled at the memory "What about you? When did you stop smoking?" Rebecca exhaled the smoke slowly and never looked at Baloo. "When my husband…when he died; I took it up then and I soon stopped because I became convinced they would take Molly away from me."

Baloo could only raise an eyebrow; Rebecca had never spoken about her husband, all Baloo knew was that she was a widow, but said nothing more. Maybe one day they would open up a bit more on their histories, but today wasn't it. As they smoked their cigarettes, with the seriousness of the situation combined with the nicotine they both couldn't suppress the giggles as the sound of the conversation, which was filtering through a small window that had been left open.

"No, the boys doesn't want to fly in your plane…Right now even if you were piloting it, it wouldn't make much difference…He thinks Baloo is the greatest pilot in the whole world and nothing I could ever say would make a dent…Oh, shut up Shere."

Rebecca did her beast to stop the laughter, but failed as Baloo joined in. "Tell me something, do you think Shere Khan and that guy are dating or something? As they argue like an old married couple?"

"Naa there probably just good friend, or something." Baloo lied smoothly, as Bagheera with his business concluded joined them on the porch to advise them of the change of plans.

In the shack, as the grown-ups were doing what they needed to do, Kit sat on the edge of his new bed, one which he had hoped to enjoy that night and just stared at the wall. He had known for ages he would eventually have to go back to the Iron Vulture, as if his life had been inching towards this moment, but now it was this moment. There was a part of him that felt exhilaration at the thought, but he knew it was hiding the fact that he knew he was terrified.

Feeling the sweat clinging to his back, Kit threw off his red sweater, a gift from Baloo and stepped over the wardrobe they shared. In the last few months, both Baloo and Rebecca had brought him an abundance of new clothes, but even though it had been washed a dozen times, and eventually hung up right at the back he saw it. Even though, he hadn't thought about it for so long, it appeared in front of him and appeared to be taunting him. Feeling numb, Kit took it off the hanger, and pulled it over his body, noticing that he must have had a growth spurt in that last few months as it was still too loose, but fitted him better. It was so familiar to him, that he felt his mind casting back to a time when he was more aggressive, when he was a sky pirate.

He didn't need to look in the mirror to notice how much his demeanour had changed as he stepped out of the shack and walked back to the adults. Immediately Rebecca raised an eyebrow, whilst Baloo understood instantly and said nothing at this small boy wearing the green sweater. Thankfully Bagheera knew nothing of the significance, and didn't notice as he filled Kit in on the plan.

Like so many plans it was all so simple, all the pilots being the Police force and Khan's private pilots would be in a holding pattern over the skies, as Kit would go in on his airfoil, plant the bomb, drop the bay door in the chaos, and it would all be over.

Even Baloo a veteran of the skies didn't put that much faith in it, especially with the thought that Kit would be carrying a bomb.

One more time Rebecca reiterated to Kit, that he didn't have to do this. Concern was etched all over her face, something she couldn't hide no matter what. Kit stated for what felt like the thousandth time over the last 24 hours, the simple truth that he had too. As Rebecca saw Baloo engaged in conversation with Bagheera and almost on cue a car appeared in the driveway, and headed down to them.

"What's this, who is this for?" Rebecca queried as a driver got out of the car, opened the passenger door, and waited patiently. "The cars for you, Molly and Wildcat. I've arranged for you to spend the night at Khan's place." Baloo informed her, putting a note of forcefulness in his tone. "What don't be ridiculous Baloo, I'm your manager, and I'm staying here so I can keep an eye on you, on all of you. You can't tell me to leave. Is it because I'm a woman…and you can't take it?"

"Rebecca, if Karnage is getting near Cape Suzette, with that amount of firepower as they say. He could breach the harbor, and then everyone will be in danger. He's done it before, and I can't worry about you and Kit tonight. Please for once, will you do as I ask?" Rebecca imaged the scenario playing out in her head and nodded slowly, "Ok fine I'll do what you say…but just this once. Don't you be thinking about getting idea's buster? That is still my plane."

"As if I could ever forget." Baloo noted with a wry smile, as she stepped aside to give Kit one last note of encouragement, and a lingering hug. Kit felt himself rise up in his tiptoes as he responded to the hug, and breathed in the scent of his employer, which he knew, was a possibility for the last time.

"Uhhh Baloo, I want to go with you."

From the moment Baloo said his name Wildcat's eyes had burst open, and even though he didn't understand what was going on. He knew Baloo wanted him to leave, and felt worried. Would he ever see Baloo again? The idea suddenly made Wildcat, very scared, as he began to move his hands nervously. "Listen Wildcat, I would love to take you with me. But you have a more important job to do. You have to protect Mrs Cunningham and Molly from danger, can you do that for me old friend?"

For a brief moment Baloo caught a look in his eyes, which reminded him of the past, when he was still William and accepting an order for a dangerous mission. "Yeah, Baloo I can do that for you." As he walked to the car, and patiently waited for Rebecca to join him. As Rebecca left Kit's side, and walked back to Baloo she unexpectedly grabbed his hand, and held onto it tight. "Baloo, I know you're the best there is. But just come home safe, both of you."

"Rebecca if you're worried about damage to the Seaduck."

"Do you think I gave a damn about that, just come home safe Baloo. Just do that." Rebecca walked away from Baloo without looking back, but both bears could see her wiping the tears from her eyes as without a word, the Driver reversed and the car disappeared from view. After a few seconds, Kit sniffed the air and wondered aloud. "Has someone been smoking?"

"It was Bagheera." Baloo lied effortlessly; as he swore the panther raised an eyebrow beneath his shades, but said nothing to the contrary.

A few minutes later, with the sun setting indicating that it would soon be time to put the plan into action, a second car drove up. This time it one of Khan's Associates, a no nonsense fox, whose name Baloo never caught, and even though he was twice the size was too intimated to ask. The Associate laid out the bomb in straight terms, it was to be carried by Kit on a backpack, it contained several pounds of dynamite and could only be set by Kit automatically typing in his date of birth, something easy that Kit could remember and the only one with such knowledge. He also had a walkie-talkie tuned into the surrounding pilot's frequencies and a flare gun…if needed.

It also came equipped with a bulletproof vest, which was attached to him, before Kit could even protest. He had no idea they even made vests so small, and it was a material lighter than he had every felt before. "Can this really stop bullets?" he asked almost incredulously. "Everything, apart from armour piercing bullets, and none of the Intel provided suggest Karnage has those.

Baloo's face suddenly looked ashen, Kit looked at the small backpack and felt dehydrated, there was enough dynamite to blow his body to shreds and leave no evidence of his existence. Something at least the Associate realised and took it wordlessly to the Seaduck, deliberately leaving placing at a distance, by the bay door. As Bagheera and the Associate went to leave, he panther pressed a map into Baloo's hands, along with the details and times. "If you're a good as a navigator as I've heard Kit, you should find this with no problems."

For words of encouragement, it had the desired effect as with his farewell of "I'll see you in the skies." Bagheera left, and it was now the two bears all alone, as Baloo checked the times, and realised it was only an hour to go, and knew it was a deliberate attempt to ensure Kit wouldn't back out, until it got to the point that he physically couldn't. Baloo should have felt outrage, but he knew from experience it was a deliberate tactic as he had used himself in the War. With time ticking, Kit made his way to the Seaduck, double checking his airfoil was still in the dashboard where he had left it. Folding and unfolding it in his hands, it had been so long since he had flown through the skies, and was secretly thrilled at the thought of using it.

Baloo joined him in the cockpit, trying not to look at the backpack containing the bomb as he fired up the engine and brought the plane to take off position. As the plane climbed through the air, Kit and Baloo just kept their heads straight in front of them, Baloo because he had to keep a look out for the other planes, and Kit because he didn't want to see the look in Baloo's eyes. Kit's stomach was twisting in knots as he looked over the horizon. It had been so long since he had been in a plane, and it was always a moment of excitement, for him but right now he just wished he'd kept his mouth shut.

"Bagheera to Baloo, do you copy," the familiar voice crackled over the radio.

"This is Baloo, copy. What is your flight position?"

"Bearing, North by Northwest, coordinated 37. Mark 4. Maintain holding" came the smooth reply.

"Copy that, ETA is about…"

Kit, knowing that coordinates of the skies immediately broke in "Seven minutes."

"Roger that, seven minutes, ETA. Baloo out."

The cockpit was silent for a minute, as Kit just started out of the window, as Baloo suddenly interjected. "I always hated this moment." Which caused Kit to finally then his head. "What?"

When I was in the War, we had our orders. We had to wait, but the anticipation was just the worst." Baloo explained, patiently. "We were terrified, but just wanted to get it over and done with."

"You were terrified," part of Kit didn't believe this, even though he'd heard enough stories of pilots to know it to be true.

"Every time Kit, every damn time, you looked at your brothers, your comrades became like family and wondered who would be the one that didn't come back. Towards the end of the war, I lost several in my unit."

"Apart from Wildcat," Kit remembered the photo he had seen in the shack.

"Wildcat was…An unfortunate left over from it." Baloo explained, and didn't answer further, so Kit decided not to pursue the matter.

At the time ticked nearer to the moment, as if out of nowhere against the night's sky, the shape of the Iron Vulture suddenly appeared into view. Kit couldn't help but gulp as the cold shape of the flying ship, as Baloo's radio crackled into life. Kit looked out of the window and saw behind him a dozens of black identical planes, all from Khan's air force in perfect synchronisation. Steadying himself and knowing that it was time as Bagheera's voice rang out admits the silence. "Baloo, we are in position, is Kit ready?" In the moments of the conversation, Kit had made his way to the back of the Sea Duck and slid the rucksack containing the bomb over his shoulders, and opened the fans of his airfoil, so it was ready.

"Kit, are you sure you want to do this?" It was a question, which Kit was now sick of being asked. Of course, he didn't want to do this, how could anyone want to do this? As he turned towards Baloo, and realised he was addressing him in a tone of voice, he used when he was a pirate. "Baloo, I want a normal life, I want to go to school, I want to play soccer, I want to be normal…and if I do this, then I can be normal. So…open the bay doors…please.

"Bagheera...Kit, is good to go, opening door now" Kit gripped one hand on the pulley, he hadn't used in so long as he felt the fresh air wash over his fur. He hadn't used his airfoil in so long; he had been worried he had forgotten how to use it, yet in that instant everything he had taught himself in that year of hell came back to him. Baloo and Kit shared a nod, no words could be said, even though Baloo could think of a million, as with a smile Kit launched himself from the Plane, leaping away from the Seaduck so he wouldn't get caught up in his engine.

As he released his hand on the rope, Kit was open to the elements as he placed his airfoil on his feet, and with his eyes focused ahead of him, directed himself towards that hole on the Iron Vulture. With nothing more to do but wait, Baloo sat back on his chair and wished that he still has those cigarettes with him, and signed. "You'll never be normal Kit," he whispered to himself, and glancing over at his navigators chair and saw that Kit had left his precious baseball cap behind, and felt the guilt he was feeling at putting Kit through this all over again.

As Khan and Bagheera, watched the boy as he tore through the skies, Bagheera turned to see Khan placing the bullets in his gun, and couldn't hide the look of contempt on his face. "You're really going aren't you?" you have marksmen's at your disposal in every single one of your planes, but you have to be in on the action?"

"That boy's in more danger, then I think even he realises, if bullets have to be shot I'll rather it was me than him." Khan said coolly, "You do realise the boy had to go."

"You just helped send a boy into a war zone." Countered Bagheera.

"That boy was born in that war zone, and he had to sacrifice his childhood, or what's left of it. I'm just going to make sure, his future is secure."

"Whatever you say to make yourself feel better, Shere. It's your conscience after all."

"Yes, well is anything happens to me, you can brag about how I finally proved I had one." Khan almost chuckled, as he caught the look on Bagheera's face and grew soberer "I'll come back, and I'll make sure the boy comes back too. Besides if I don't I've left the company to you anyway." Khan took the opportunity to stoke Bagheera face, gently as he left the cockpit and assembled with the rest of his men, all armed and primed for position. "Like I'm with you because of the money, you stupid fool." Bagheera remarked as he leaned back in his seat and played the waiting game as he glanced down at his radio. "Ummm Baloo?"

A moment of silence "Yes Bagheera?"

"I left my channel on; yes I know a rookie mistake. Did you hear all that?"

Another moment of silence as Baloo replied "Every single word Bagheera."

Baloo was too stressed to make a fuss, Kit was heading towards to Iron Vulture and that was all there was, but Baloo still had to have the last word. "As long as my son doesn't get hurt, I really don't care anymore"

"Copy that" confirmed Bagheera, as the men just sat back and waited.

Ok, so next chapter if the final one. And I am sorry it took so long, I promise right now to get it all out by the end of the month, but like before I wrote something different, and it wrote itself like this. But now Kit is heading towards the Vulture, now it all comes together.

Please read and review xxx