Finch found himself at the docks, knowing he was currently in a dream. The calm water lapped over his ankles, rippling with the few boats going by. Despite it being only a dream, he yearned for Lane. He craved the feeling of her petite frame shoving into his side like a cat so he'd offer her his arm for her to grab onto. But alas, this was not a dream between him and his fiancée.

"Patrick."

Finch dared not look behind him. He reminded himself that it was merely a dream, as much as it pained him. He knew that voice. It was one he would never truly forget. "Sean."

Spot got settled beside him. A wry grin stretched across his lips. It was a smile reserved for the bitterest moments, laced with the sweetest memories. Finch understood the expression. It was grief from how their lives ended up. He, too, mourned the brotherhood they'd never truly had together. "I wish I hadn't been a coward."

"You wasn't," said Finch. "I was."

But Spot shook his head. "No, no you wasn't. I was the one who wasn't brave enough to approach my own brother." He turned to Finch. "I was the one who didn't hesitate to offer 'im the one thing dat would get me killed."

Brooklyn. This had stumped Finch when first presented with the position. Lane had only been delivering a message — albeit a very heavy one, the poor girl — yet it had shot through him with the force of a bullet all the same.

"I didn't hesitate 'cause I was afraid 'a death," said Finch quietly. "I hesitated because I was afraid dat I was unworthy."

"Yer a Colon," jested Spot. "You ain't ever unworthy."

"Would'dja say tha same 'bout Frisks?"

The name burned as he said it. He hadn't forgiven his sister for all she'd done, and he likely never would. She had hurt Brigid, his Brigid, and in doing so, she'd wounded him as well.

Spot was silent for a moment. "She had my attitude, didn't she?"

Finch turned towards him. "Frisks was cruel. You was intimidatin', but you was nev-ah cruel."

"Yeah." Silence weighed heavy between them as Spot worked his jaw back and forth. His expression was hard, but the features of his face seemed softer, slightly more at peace. "I... I apologize fa kissin' Lane."

A spike of annoyance shot through Finch at that. "Dat's tha one thing I will nev-ah forgive you fa."

"I know," admitted Spot. "I know it was wrong, but... I knew I was about ta die, 'n... I had admired her fa a long while. She jus had so much passion, 'n I saw how much ya loved her... I thought, if I can make him mad at me fa kissin' his goil... maybe he won't feel so bad when he learns dat Ise dead."

"And when you made her promise ta take ov-ah if I wouldn't?"

Spot shook his head, messing up his dark hair. "I didn't come he-ah lookin' fa forgiveness, 'cause I know I won't get any of it fa dis. I made Lane promise dat 'cause I could. I was close ta death, 'n I knew you wouldn't let dat happen — Lane's bein' all alone in Brooklyn, I mean. I guess I was desperate 'n dat was the safest way I thought dere was ta do it. A guy wit little time left don't really think before he acts."

Finch's stomach knotted. "How did you know?"

"Mum," he replied simply. "She died around tha same time, before me. But she warned me dat dey was comin' fa tha crown we was hidin' in Brooklyn, 'n dat I would be next. Since I didn't wanna scare anyone, I thought 'bout escapin', or fakin' my death like Jackie did, which would be when you'd swoop right in 'n take ov-ah Brooklyn while I tried ta fix everything."

"But dey got you foist."

"Yeah."

A deep sorrow cut through Finch's chest. "I don't cry," he said, and true to his word, his eyes remained dry. "But it's real hard some days. My whole family is dead. Why was I spared?"

"Dad's still out dere, before ya start thinkin' too highly 'a yer-self," joked Spot, yet his tone was dry. "But really, don't start talkin' like dat. You got tha best parts 'a our family. You got mom, me 'n Brigid got dad. Be happy you ain't like us. Don't feel guilty 'bout bein' alive when we ain't. Dat's life. And plus, Lane... she needs ya."

Finch sighed. "I love her, Spot. I really do."

"I know." Spot stared ahead. "She's tha best parts 'a her family, too. She'll nev-ah leave as long as you don't leave her."

Finch nodded slowly, looking down.

Spot nudged his shoulder. "And yer gettin' married ta her."

A small grin quirked at the corner of his lips. "Yeah. She said yes."

"No surprise dere." Spot sighed. "She'll be a good addition ta tha family. Jus make sure... once you've got kids... you don't let 'em anywhere near tha ol' man, no matt-ah what he says."

"I won't," Finch said firmly. "I'll make sure dey nev-ah meet dat horrible man in their life."

"I'll hold ya to dat," said Spot.

Finch had always wondered about kids. He loved them, truly, but he'd always doubted he had what it took to be a father. He was brash at times, as his siblings were. As his father was. He hated the idea of people relying on him. But since Lane... he understood the appeal. He would be ready to have a child the day they got married, if only she asked. The more Lane opened up about her mother, the more he saw the woman in her. The more he could picture children of their own.

Finch laughed and stared up ahead into the sea water. All this thinking about their future had reminded them about their past. "Once, me 'n Lane- well, I say Lane, but she goes by Brigid more now- was sittin' he-ah, right? All tha sudden, she goes 'n dives into tha water without tellin' me a thing. Now, she's down fa a bit 'a time, so yeah, I get worried. I go closer ta tha wat-ah, 'n what comes out at me? A knife. She's throwin' these blades like I'll suddenly develop a special skill in catchin' weapons, when Ise kinda scared fa me life. Den she pops out 'n says: I told ya ta duck."

Spot chuckled. "She's got character."

Finch smiled, yet it quickly faltered. The memory had made him think of all she'd been through. "I hate her faddah fa all he did ta her."

"I know," said Spot. "So did I. Fa what he did ta mum."

"Mum got hurt so much," Finch whispered. "I hate dat I ran away, even if dat was why. She needed me, didn't she?"

"She was strong," said Spot, "but only mentally." There was a long pause in which he gathered his thoughts. "I think she was happy you got out. I sure was."

"Ise glad she still had you," Finch confessed. "She needed one of us, but at least you could protect her."

Spot sighed. "Finch, she needed both 'a us in her life. Just like she needed us both away from him. No matt-ah which one of us left, it would always be dad who'd win."

Finch shook his head. "Was dere anythin' good 'bout our childhood?"

Spot slung an arm around his shoulder. "'Course dere was. Mum would put on shows while dad was gone, remember? She would always dance fa us. And den we would play dat game where we had ta save her from dat awful pirate." His lips quirked up. "And once Brigid was born, mom would let us hold her. She was so small..."

Finch reached over to his shoulder and squeezed his twin's hand, smiling fondly at the memories. "She was an angel back den, wasn't she?"

The scratch of gravel caused Finch to turn around. Frisks stood there, hands stuffed into her pockets. "Dat really changed, didn't it?"

Finch didn't say anything, only stared at her.

She kicked the dirt with her foot. "Turns out, when you die... you kinda forget yer grudges. So..." she still didn't meet his gaze, "Ise sorry, Finch. I really am."

Spot sighed and stood, heading over to the girl and wrapping her into a hug. It was a strange sight, undoubtedly the strangest thing Finch had ever witnessed, and yet... it seemed almost right. He figured they must've had time to heal. And there'd been plenty to heal. She'd killed him, after all, according to Lane. And so this... it was so very jarring.

They stood like that for some time, before Spot eventually pulled away, took her hand, and led her to Finch. Finch however, was not dead, and still held onto a frighteningly heavy grudge for the girl. Finally, Spot sighed. "Patrick Colon, fa goodness sake, hug yer sister."

And, because he heard his mother's voice in that command, Finch opened his arms and allowed Frisks to fall into them.

She sobbed, softly at first, then heavier as time went on, begging over and over for his and Lane's forgiveness. He looked over helplessly at Spot, who only crossed his arms and watched the exchange. Eventually, Finch sighed and began rubbing her back, offering what comfort he could. "I forgive ya, Brigid."

He thought that would stop her crying, but it didn't. It came to a point where Spot had to pry her away from Finch. Only then did she wipe her eyes, apologizing once again for all she'd done, yet insisting that they better not underestimate her, for she could still do significant damage, though dead. It was somewhat undermined by the tear tracks and flushed cheeks.

Sean went and sat on Brigid's other side, reuniting them all at long last. The three of them, together, happy. Patrick could almost see his mother's smile on them as she watched.

"This is only a dream," Finch said, his throat tightening. "It'll end soon, won't it?"

"We have one more person ta visit tonight," said Spot.

"Who?"

"Lane," said Frisks quietly. "I don't think she'll forgive either 'a us, but... we've gotta make tha effort, right?"

Finch didn't reply. His chest was heavy with the knowledge that this moment was about to end. Despite his claim that he never cried, a single tear slipped from his eye, landing in Brigid's hair. He didn't want to be separated from them again.

"My biggest regret," said Spot suddenly, "was not findin' you when I eventually left home. I jus... stood by as you grew up. Both 'a you."

"I hated you fa dat," whispered Frisks. "But I get it now. You jus wanted us ta be safe... safe from you, from tha memories 'a home."

"It was always in tha cards fa us," said Finch, resigned.

"Well, so was dis," Spot said firmly. "Our reconciliation."

When Finch emerged from the dream, he stayed lying in his bed for a long moment, replaying every moment he'd spent with his siblings. He then remembered what they'd said about visiting Lane, and crept over to her side of the room, kneeling beside her bedside.

Her expression was troubled, like she didn't know what to think about what she was seeing. The expression softened as he ran his fingers lightly across her face. Not long after, a forlorn tear slipped delicately down her cheek, which he wiped away. Finally, a soft smile spread across her face. He kissed the center of her forehead before retreating back to his own bed. He would allow them a moment to themselves.

He knew she was safe with them.

(1966 words)

I'm aware of how extremely random this one is. Feel free to take it as you wish. I know some people don't like it when the antagonists are 'redeemed', so to say, so this isn't technically something that happened in canon (but if you liked this, then yep, it definitely happened ;)). Also I know this isn't really to do with Finch and Lane, specifically, but they were both in it and it focuses mostly on their storyline in the series. So we'll say it counts lol.

If you wish to ask a character in this a question, they'll be open to answering!

~ nutcracker645