Ch. 15: Exit

From outside the compound, the lights went out instantly, signalling to the team. They had been waiting hours, but no one wanted to believe that the plan was off. Jane wanted a time to wait until and if Ethan had not surfaced or cut power, they were to take action, but he refused. So they had waited.

"That's one powerful watch," Brandt commented, watching the entire complex shut down all at once. Luther was getaway driver and command center. Jane lead Brandt and Zhen down to the buildings while the remaining security looked around, startled. They were easily dispatched and the trio pressed forward to a door, breaking in quickly and moving to the designated meet-point.

Inside the building, Ethan pulled Benji along. It was a slow and painful process. Each step sent pain up and down Benji's side. As soldiers ran down the hall, trying to find out what was going on, Ethan stopped abruptly, firing pain so deep in Benji's chest he had to bite his tongue to not scream and give their position away. When the pain subsided, Benji swayed limply, nearly falling out of Ethan's arms.

Ethan turned to Benji, trying to keep the man upright, and Benji outstretched a hand, pointing behind the other agent, "Ethan…" he called quietly, his eyes drooping closed.

Ethan sat Benji down and turned quickly to face a soldier. Ethan shot rapidly, taking out the man, and the sound bounced off the walls. Ethan turned back to Benji.

"Benji! Benji, look at me. Dammit, look at me!"

Benji's eyes blinked a few times, trying to bring Ethan into focus.

"You have to stay awake, you hear me? Don't go to sleep."

"I'm...I'm too tired…"

"Too bad, we have to get out. You have to stay awake."

"I can't…" Benji's eyes fluttered.

"Are you an agent or not?"

Benji's eyes opened slowly, looking more focused at Ethan. "I'm an agent."

"Then prove it. I can't get out of here without your help. You have to help me."

Benji nodded, his eyes clearing up a bit more.

"Let's go," Ethan urged, pulling Benji back up. The wounded man let out a yelp, but gritted his teeth, determined to stay awake. Ethan shuffled along, Benji's weight leaning on him. More soldiers were on their way, so Ethan readied his gun.

Suddenly the sound of spraying gunfire echoed in the halls. Both men stared, wide-eyed listening for the source of the sound. It was farther down the hall. The team was getting close.

"We're almost there, come on," Ethan called, pulling Benji faster. They reached an extension of the hall where the team was engaged in a firefight.

"Brandt!" Ethan called into the mess.

The agent in question turned toward Ethan and directed the women towards him.

Ethan sat Benji down a moment, checking him over. When Jane and Zhen fought their way over to them, Ethan tried to keep Benji focused.

"Just stay awake, okay? We're almost out."

"I need a holiday" Benji breathed out, "You can come too, if you'd like."

"Anything you say, Benji, we just need to make a big sprint. Can you handle it?"

Benji frowned, his eyes darkening. His whole body screamed in protest at each movement.

"Benji?"

"Yeah, I can do it."

"Good, let's go."

Ethan and Zhen pulled Benji to his feet again, but his torso crumpled in pain. His body couldn't handle the shock for much longer. He was going to pass out. Ethan had to think quickly. Carefully, he draped Benji over his shoulder and stood, the wounded man groaning as he hung over Ethan's back.

"We have to go, now!" Ethan called. Zhen and Jane covered him as he ran, coming back to meet Brandt. When the group was reunited, they made a break for the exit. With Luther behind the wheel, he sped the van up to the exit and flung open the side door, allowing for the team to climb into the car. Benji was laid on the floor in the back, Ethan and Zhen frantically trying to help him.

Jane covered Brandt entering the car, and when a shot clipped Brandt's shoulder, Jane returned heavy fire, killing two approaching soldiers before she climbed into the passenger seat and Luther slammed on the gas.

Jane turned her attention to Brandt, but he waved her off, "Take care of Benji and Ethan. I'm not hit bad."

Jane's eyes fell on Ethan and the scene in the back of the van. Zhen was adding new bandages to Benji's leg while Ethan pulled the shirt away, stuffing towels into the stream of blood. Benji's eyes had glazed over and he stared blankly at the roof of the car. Ethan, despite being covered in gashes and bruises and blood paid no attention to his own wounds. His whole focus was on Benji.

"Benji?" Zhen called. The man's eyes slowly turned to her, "Hey, I need you to keep your eyes open, okay?"

Benji said nothing. His eyes went back to the roof.

"Luther, drive faster!" Ethan yelled, pressing his hands hard against Benji's wounds. Benji winced but otherwise was now too far-removed from his pain.

"Think it's poetic to die in a van," Benji mumbled, barely above a whisper.

"You're not dying, Benji," Ethan snapped, "You're not going to die."

Benji's eyes looked down to the blood soaking through the towels on his chest.

"M'not exactly doing great, here…"

"You're not going to die," Ethan repeated, "You don't get to die on me. You listening to me?"

His tone was harsh. Benji's eyes met Ethan's.

"You don't get to die after everything I did to get you back, you hear me? Don't you dare."

A pained smile crossed Benji's face, "It's okay...I'm not as scared anymore."

"What about me?" Ethan retorted, "What about what I'm scared of?"

Benji snorted, "You're not really scared of anything…"

"That's not true," Ethan replied quickly, shaking his head.

Benji could see the fear clearly in Ethan's eyes for the first time and Benji's eyes widened in surprise. Ethan was plainly terrified, near tears even. And over what? Benji couldn't fully allow himself to believe it was all over him. Could it be?

"What...what are you afraid of?" Benji asked softly.

Silence hung in the air a moment as Ethan pulled up the courage. He didn't say it before, and now might be his last chance. He had to tell him.

"I was never so scared...as when I thought I lost you."

Benji's brow furrowed. He waited for a punchline. Some joke or friendly camaraderie speech. There had to be a catch.

"I thought you were dead...and I was broken. I didn't want to go on anymore. There was no more plan. The one thing I was most afraid of had happened despite my best efforts to keep you safe. Then when you came through the door," Ethan smiled sadly, a tear forming in the corner of his eye, "Hope swelled in my heart."

Benji's eyes widened.

"All over me?"

"You," Ethan nodded, swallowing back the threat of tears, "Always you, Benji."

The van suddenly hit a bump, drawing a strained scream from Benji. Ethan quickly clamped his hands on the towel, but Benji was losing consciousness quickly.

"Benji?"

The other man's eyes drifted closed.

"Benji!"

No response. Benji's hands dropped from his chest.

Ethan quickly checked Benji's pulse. It was beating too slowly, but it was there.

"Luther!" Ethan called.

"We're not going to make it to a headquarters. I'm headed to the hospital," Luther called back.

Ethan cradled Benji while Zhen tried to put more towels over the wound. Ethan shook his head, unwilling to believe Benji was slipping from him. They had to get to the hospital. They had to. Tears started falling down Ethan's cheeks, hitting Benji's shirt in little pats.

"No," Ethan whispered, "You have to hold on. Come on, you have to stay with me." Desperation began setting in. "Please...please stay with me."

He pressed his forehead to Benji's, closing his eyes and holding the man to him.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

The van was silent. The other team members looked among one another then back at Ethan. Each person was holding their breath, as if their collective sacrifice could save breaths for Benji.

Ethan lifted his head and looked down at Benji's still face. He pressed a kiss to Benji's lips, his face lingering close to the other man's.

"I love you."