Maverick's stunt the day before had played out in a way they couldn't have imagined.

Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell was named the mission leader.

So, the day before the detachment was set to leave, they all decided to have one more night of fun.

Penny, having to close the bar for Emmett's outreach program the next day, was all for it. She wanted one more day for everyone to relax and have fun before the craziness that is this mission.

But before Natasha and Emmett left for the bar, they had a surprise visitor.

Genevieve's babysitter, Amy, had already arrived, so it wasn't like they were expecting someone else. So when Emmett opened the door, he was quite shocked.

"Liam?"

Liam Knight stood on the porch, smiling at him. "Hi, big brother. Forgot I was coming, did you?"

Emmett had, in fact, forgotten that Liam was on his way. After Natasha's crash and then the death of the Admiral, things had been all over the place. But then he remembered Liam saying he was finding a flight as soon as he could.

None of this stopped Emmett from stepping outside to give his brother a hug. He had always been the father figure for his brother, and even if he wouldn't admit it, he needed his brother's support.

"Come on in, Li. Your niece is going to be overjoyed."

And Emmett was correct. The second Gena clocked her uncle, she sprinted to him. "Uncle Li!"

Liam quickly lifts her into the air, tossing her up and catching her safely. "Vi-Vi!"

The uncle and niece duo were definitely a sight to behold. Liam tended to let her get away with many of the things Emmett won't, and that had made him Gen's favorite uncle. (Even if he is her only true uncle.)

And then Liam saw Natasha, and he rushed over to her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Liam had somehow managed to make himself smaller, hunching over to hug the woman who was practically his sister. He had tucked his head into her neck, and Natasha's hand had come up to the back of his head.

The two brothers were incredibly similar in their mannerisms and the way they needed comfort. And after their mother had gotten so sick, Liam had a fear of losing those he loved. Even after she got better, he had only been 15 when she had been diagnosed and 17 when Emmett came home.

“I'm so sorry I couldn't get here before now. There was just too much that I couldn't reschedule.”

Natasha was shaking her head. She was so touched that he was here in the first place, much less him trying to get here so quickly. "I'm okay, Liam. I promise."

The family didn't know that Amy had been sneakily taking pictures. So when the entire family got in for a group hug, she managed to capture the moment for them.

"Now," Emmett started once they had all moved. "We are going out to meet with the others. You want in?"

His smile was the only answer needed.

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The Hard Deck was practically pulsing with life by the time they got there.

"Oh, this is going to be fun." Liam was excited, you could say.

The three walked through the door, spotting the group and going straight over. Once again, Rooster was the only one of the group to know the new face, but that was because he and Natasha had been friends for so long. (He was privy to most of her secrets after all.)

Hangman spoke first. "Another new face I see. Anyone else you're keeping from us, Phoenix?"

She rolled her eyes and didn't answer him. So Liam took over and introduced himself.

"I'm Liam, this one's younger brother," he pointed to Emmett. "Came into town after hearing about the crash and to help out with Em's outreach program."

Payback looked towards him after his last statement. "Are you a Ninja as well?"

The laughter that Emmett let out was too funny. The man bent over at the waist, barely breathing. He was laughing so hard.

Liam rolled his eyes, kicking his older brother lightly. "It's not that funny," he muttered before answering the original question. "As you can probably guess, the answer is no. I'm a pro surfer, but I help out when I can."

Emmett had finally come back up, wiping a tear from his eye before settling his arm back around Natash's shoulders. She then proceeded to elbow him in the stomach for his dramatic overreaction.

Payback nodded in approval. "Sick. I can't even get onto the board, so I'm impressed."

The others continued to ask questions, some about Liam himself, others trying to find out more info on Nat and Emmett's relationships. (He had strict orders to keep his mouth shut on that last topic.)

But once Emmett was able to get the attention off of his brother with the promise of a game of pool, Liam went to Nat.

“I still don't know how you put up with him, but boy, am I glad you stuck around.”

She smiled at him, giving him a side hug, which was quickly reciprocated. "I ask myself the same question some days, Li."

The two stood side by side watching as Emmett proceeded to kick Hangman's ass at pool but loose horribly at darts. It was quite the sight to see, as the men resorted to acting like five year olds and placing bets on everything.

Unfortunately for Natasha, Liam was soon roped into the shenanigans as well, leaving her the only person acting like an adult.

But as far as last nights go, she wouldn't have wanted to change a single thing.

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Word count: 959

But of a shorter chapter today, I'm sorry y'all.

But the illusive Liam is finally here!! I love him so much and we will get him more in the last few chapters!! Besides, he's Rudy Pankow, what's not to love!!

Enjoy guys!!