You know, I don't think there's any canon dialogue whatsoever in this chapter . . . I'm proud of myself for that.

Hungover Frank is snarky, two prosecutors and two police officers walk into a school, two fire captains walk out with two teenagers, and Sylvie is a good storyteller when she wants to be. Oh, and we're back to milking the "found family" trope for all it's worth. I have no regrets.

Enjoy!

***

Kevin peered over his laptop with a frown. "You look like you had a rough night."

"Do I?" Frank grumbled as he rubbed his temples. "Excellent detective work, Kev."

Kevin's frown deepened in concern as he watched his partner continue to work diligently, his sharp tongue apparently dulled. "You alright, man?" he asked.

Frank snorted. "Did you know that Price's past year could be the plot of some crazy movie or something? I'm surprised the man isn't insane."

Kevin blinked, not having expected that at all. "No, I did not," he leaned back in his chair. "I know about the Los Angeles sniper shooting his sister, but that's basically all I know." He tilted his head curiously. "Did you get the rest of his life story?"

Frank smirked at Kevin. "Turns out if you bribe him with a clean slate and Forlini's, you can get him to talk."

"A clean slate?" Kevin parroted. "Really?"

"Look, the Nicole Bell case was one big clusterfuck we both wanted in our rearviews," Frank held up his hands. "So that's what we did. He told me I could ask whatever I wanted, so I did. His only request was that we do it with drinks, since he said he needed them to answer the questions." He grimaced and pulled out an aspirin bottle from one of his desk drawers. "And he wasn't wrong," he added as he took a few pills and popped them in his mouth. "I'm not kidding. Someone could make a movie out of his life."

Kevin barked in laughter. "Well, if being a detective doesn't work out for you, maybe you can write the script since you're the only one who knows all the details."

The disgruntled face Kevin received in return caused the senior detective's rowdy laughter to make Kate look out of her office with a curious frown. "Go to hell, Kevin," Frank groused.

As Kevin's laughter died to snickers, Frank attempted to return his attention to his computer. A familiar silvery voice behind him made him turn in his chair, however, and he blinked when he saw the blonde being pointed in the direction of the bullpen. "Sylvie?" he asked in surprise.

"Frank!" her eyes brightened when she saw him in return. She gave the officer leading her a quick thank you before walking towards him, worry visible on her face. "Do you know anything about where Nolan is?" she asked anxiously. "You were the last one who saw him yesterday."

"That was Jack, actually," Frank shook his head. "He came to talk to Nolan about something at Forlini's. They left together." He wasn't even lying, either; Nolan had indeed left in Jack's company, the two attorneys bouncing ideas back and forth about how to approach the situation in Portland.

Sylvie's shoulders slumped. "Whatever they're doing, it's not at the courthouse," she sighed. "Sam has no idea where they are, and if Peter knows anything, he's not saying."

Frank had to work to smother a grin. "The lowly peasants don't get to know the overlords' confidential secrets, then?"

Sylvie scowled at him, making him laugh. "Shut up."

"OK, that's a little scary," Kevin pointed at her with narrowed eyes. "I swear I've seen that exact look on Price's face."

"Congratulations, Kevin," Frank grinned. "You're able to identify family resemblances."

"Ah," Kevin's eyes lit in realization, and he stood from his desk. "Captain Sylvie Brett of Austin Fire and Rescue?"

"That's me," she confirmed with a smile as she shook his offered hand. "You must be Detective Bernard."

"Kevin, please," he requested.

Frank gestured to the woman walking out of her office. "And our lieutenant – "

"Kate Dixon," Sylvie finished with a grin. "I know. Nolan's told me all about the team he works with."

"Welcome to the 2-7, Captain," Kate smiled and shook her hand.

"Oh, I'm not on duty," Sylvie shook her head. "Call me Sylvie, please." She looked around appraisingly. "This has a much homier feel than the remodel SVU got."

"If it ain't broke," Frank shrugged.

"He's not wrong," Kevin snorted. "Hasn't changed in all the years I've worked here."

"And he's been here longer than we have combined," Kate smirked.

Kevin sighed as Frank laughed loudly. "Thanks, Lieu."

"I like them," Sylvie decided as she looked at Frank.

"Oh, good," Frank grinned. "Because God knows Nolan would switch whose cases he prosecutes if you didn't."

"Would he really?" Kevin asked hesitantly.

"No," Sylvie shook her head, but her voice betrayed her hesitance.

"He'd probably try," Frank countered. "He's completely wrapped around her finger."

"Considering everything I've heard the Austin 126 has been through since she's been hired, I'm not surprised," Kate shook her head as she looked Sylvie up and down. "You recovered well after Los Angeles."

"Thanks," Sylvie sighed as she experimentally twisted in place. "But I don't recommend being shoved back into an ambulance or getting punched where you were shot shortly after being cleared for duty."

"Excuse me?!" Kevin balked.

"One of my boyfriends had a very jealous and spiteful bitch of an ex-girlfriend," Sylvie said dryly. "She blackmailed me out of Chicago to begin with, and she got caught trying to do it again when Eddie and I were temporarily loaned to my former firehouse. She didn't take it too well when she was fired and blacklisted."

"Jesus," Kate whistled, looking furious on her behalf.

That fury was mirrored in the scowls on Frank and Kevin's faces. "Joke's on her," Sylvie grinned smugly. "I got both my guys, and she has no one."

"And that smugness is an exact mirror of Price's," Kevin shuddered. "Are you sure you're only half-siblings?"

"Very sure," Sylvie laughed. "DNA test confirmed it, but we've been asked that a lot."

"Well, good riddance to that woman," Kate folded her arms and looked at Sylvie. "What brings you by our place?"

"Price and McCoy on a secret mission and keeping it from their underlings, apparently," Frank answered with a straight face.

Sylvie narrowed her eyes at him as Kevin guffawed. "You are so lucky that it sounds like you made up with my brother."

At Kate's bewildered look, Frank shrugged. "We cleared the air and had drinks at Forlini's last night." Truth. "He left with McCoy at the end of it." Also truth. "No one knows where they are." Complete lie.

"Well, that makes my day easier, I guess," Sylvie scratched the back of her head. "Sam has it easy for the day since they just wrapped up the Nicole Bell case, and if I didn't figure out where my wayward brother ended up, we were planning on hitting a restaurant near the courthouse for lunch. She said I could extend an invitation to the three of you, if you were interested."

Kate did a double take, looking surprised by the invite. "You're sure?" she asked. "I mean, Sam is partnered with your brother – "

"And he prosecutes the cases you solve for him," Sylvie smirked. "You're his team. So yeah, I'm sure. We kind of have a thing about adopting teams. He was adopted by mine before we even figured out we were related, so . . . "

"If neither of you are going, I am," Frank shrugged. "Because I really want a first-hand account of what the hell happened with that treasure hunt."

"Oh, my God," Sylvie facepalmed. "That . . . yeah. That's a week of our lives we're never getting back. The stupid author died because of it, too."

"Say what now?" Kevin blinked.

"See?" Frank gestured victoriously to Sylvie. "I'm telling you, this past year could be made into a movie!"

"Alright, that has my attention," Kate admitted with a smile. "Thank you for the offer, Sylvie. Where are we heading?"

***

"Griffin."

" . . . "

"Griffin."

"What?" the older teen scowled.

Ben gave him an unimpressed look, his arms folded. "You're bouncing your knee," he said. "Again."

Griffin looked down to see his knee was indeed bouncing, and he blushed as he tucked the foot behind his other leg. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Ben's expression softened just a bit, and he nudged Griffin with his shoulder. "They've got this," he told his brother quietly, making a face at the secretary when she gave them a sharp look. "You told me to believe it. Do I have to convince you?"

"They've got to," Griffin bit his lip. "I don't want us separated."

Ben shuddered. "Me, neither."

A commotion at the door suddenly made the secretary look up, and she scowled and stood from her desk and walked to the door. "Excuse me," she said as she opened it. "Can I help – ?"

"We're with Captains Casey and Severide," a female voice that could cut through steel interrupted her, and Griffin and Ben looked up in surprise. "Where are they meeting?"

The secretary sputtered. "They're already in a meeting – "

"Perfect." The secretary stumbled back as a brunette woman strutted past her, and Griffin paled when he saw the glint of a police badge on her belt. "Just point us in that direction, and we'll be out of your hair."

The secretary's mouth opened and closed like a fish, and Ben was tempted to take a video. "I can't let you just – !"

"Let us?" That voice made the boys press closer together, and a white-haired man in a tan trench coat narrowed his eyes as he stared down the secretary. "As the captain said, we are here with Captains Casey and Severide and on behalf of someone very close to them. We have information vital to their case."

"Unless you want to say no to two of the most well-known names when it comes to special victims," a man in a three-piece suit with eyes that appeared stormy grey in the light said with a smile that was all teeth.

"Or to the two best of the best prosecutors in Manhattan," a man in a waistcoat and suit vest added.

Griffin wasn't sure what to feel: terror at the thought of law enforcement being involved in their case, or glee at the pale shade of the secretary's face. "Way to be an ego booster," the man in the three-piece suit glanced at the man in the waistcoat.

"Well, someone has to be since Sylvie isn't here," the other man smiled innocently in return.

Ben looked at Griffin sharply. "Did he say Sylvie?" he hissed.

The other two members of the group looked pointedly at the secretary, and the woman stumbled down the hall towards the room where Matt and Kelly were meeting with Gillian and Candace. When she was out of sight, the lone woman of the quartet snorted. "Good riddance."

Griffin summoned what courage he had and cleared his throat. "Excuse me," he said, almost faltering when four pairs of eyes turned to him. "Sylvie . . . as in Sylvie Brett?"

Stormy grey eyes swirled to icy blue, and the man in the three-piece suit set down his briefcase before stepping forward. "Yes," he nodded. "Griffin and Ben Darden?" The boys nodded carefully, and the man smiled softly at them as he crouched to be eye-level with them. "My name is Nolan Price," he told them. "Sylvie is my sister. I'm the Executive Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. This is Jack McCoy, he's my boss and the District Attorney." The white-haired man nodded and gave them a kind smile. "With us are Captain Olivia Benson of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit." The brunette woman's smile eased Griffin's nerves. "And Detective Elliot Stabler, her former partner and current member of one of the Organized Crime Control Bureau task forces."

"It's good to finally put faces to the names," Elliot nodded.

"How have you boys been?" Olivia asked, stepping forward so she stood just behind Nolan.

"Um," Griffin swallowed, heart pounding in his chest.

"Hey," Nolan gave him a reassuring smile. "You boys aren't in any trouble, OK? We meant what we said. We're here in support of Matt and Kelly."

"We want to leave with them," Ben blurted, gulping hard. "We don't want to stay here."

Elliot's eyes darkened with a protective glint, and Jack nodded firmly. "That's why we're here," he told the boys. "We want to make sure you leave knowing you'll be accompanying the captains back to Austin."

Griffin looked from police officer to prosecutor, and each met his gaze with confidence. He liked to think that, after all he and Ben had gone through, he had gotten rather proficient at reading others' expressions. The way they met his eyes with sincerity made hope rise in him. "She meant it," he marveled. "Sylvie really meant it."

"Meant what, Griffin?" Nolan tilted his head.

"None of you know a thing about us," Griffin looked around. "But you want to help us."

Nolan's eyes softened. "We know how much you've gone through together, and we know you mean a hell of a lot to Matt and Kelly," he told them. "And that means Sylvie cares a hell of a lot for you, too."

"Casey, Severide, and Brett are family," Olivia nodded.

"And we do anything we can for family," Elliot smirked. "That now includes the two of you."

Ben looked like he was wrestling with the decision on whether he wanted to hug Nolan or not. Griffin never learned his decision as the secretary returned, her face still the color of spoiled milk. "You may follow me," she said shakily.

"Thank you," Jack nodded, then he raised an eyebrow at the boys. "Are you coming as well?"

"The Dardens," the secretary began.

"It is their future that is being discussed," Jack interrupted, eyes flashing. "They should allow their opinion to be heard."

Griffin and Ben nodded in agreement, and the secretary could only nod and look like she swallowed something sour.

***

When the secretary had interrupted their meeting and meekly announced new arrivals that were there on behalf of Matt and Kelly, the fire captains had exchanged bewildered looks. Gillian had set her jaw and nodded curtly to the secretary, who backed out as quickly as she entered. "Captains," Candace rubbed her forehead before giving them a look of disappointment that spoke to years of perfecting the art. Having been subjected to similar looks from Wallace Boden, it fell rather flat on the pair. "Next time, it would be appreciated to have a heads-up."

"We didn't have anything planned," Kelly shook his head.

"And they really didn't." Kelly's eyes widened, and Matt twisted in his chair as Nolan strode through the door like he owned the school. Any words they had died on their lips when they took in the three-piece suit he wore that was as black as oil, his usually warm multicolored eyes the color of oncoming storm clouds. This was the same Nolan Price that had stared down Stella Kidd at Firehouse 51, the same Nolan Price that had been hired to be Manhattan's Executive Assistant District Attorney. Everything in Nolan's bearing screamed "don't fuck with me," and judging by how the two women stared at him, they knew it, too. "But considering everything we've heard about this case, we decided the cavalry was necessary."

"Well, Counselor," Olivia sauntered in next, her exaggerated motion of removing her overcoat showing off the badge on her belt, and the array of colors on the women's faces made Kelly bite hard into his lip to avoid laughing. "We're just all boosting each other's egos, aren't we?"

"Like I said," Elliot took up a sentry position just inside the door, his arms folded and his stance reading casual yet ready to leap into action at a second's notice. "The usual ego boosters aren't here to do it for us."

"And I assume by that," the last man through the door was elderly in appearance, but he by far had the largest presence in the room. Matt felt his spine instinctively stiffen as keen, hawk-like eyes settled on him, then Kelly. Now he knew what a bug felt like under a microscope . . . and Matt felt a small amount of pity for whomever had found themselves on the wrong end of Jack McCoy's cross-examinations. "You mean Chief Strand?"

"Him or Tyler," Elliot smiled blandly. "Or his sister, in Nolan's case."

"And since they're not here, I guess that makes us a tighter team," Nolan gave a thin-lipped smile as he made a beckoning gesture with the hand that didn't hold a briefcase, and Griffin and Ben appeared from behind him. Candace's face twisted, and as Gillian rose to likely ask the boys to leave, Ben flinched and Griffin's face settled like stone. Nolan's expression morphed into one of anger, and he placed himself between the Dardens and the women. "Well, well, well. Look at that."

"I'm not liking this first impression," Olivia remarked as she tilted her head, voice sickly sweet as she sat in one of the chairs. "Captains, have they been like this the entire time you've interacted with them?"

"Unfortunately so, Captain," Matt nodded slowly.

"Captain?" Candace repeated.

"Sorry, we should do introductions," Olivia smirked. "Captain Olivia Benson, Manhattan Special Victims Unit."

Both women's faces paled drastically. "Detective Elliot Stabler," Elliot held up his hand. "Her former partner, now second in command of a task force in the Manhattan Organized Crime Control Bureau."

"Nolan Price, Executive Assistant District Attorney," Nolan nodded shortly, not giving more.

"Jack McCoy," the elderly man gave a smile that appeared pleasant. The coldness in his tone made the smile anything but. "District Attorney in Manhattan. We're rather concerned about how the guardianship of Griffin and Ben Darden is being handled here in Portland."

Gillian took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Sir, I assure you, we have the boys' best interests in mind – "

"By keeping them in the city that's done an excellent job of neglecting them?" Elliot interrupted.

Candace sputtered. "I beg your pardon!"

"Beg away," Elliot deadpanned.

Kelly covered his laughter by coughing into his arm. Olivia's lips twitched, her urge to smile evident, but she kept her stoic mask in place as she folded her hands in her lap. "How long did it take you to realize the boys' aunt was no longer in the picture?" she asked.

Gillian swallowed. "Ma'am – "

"Captain," Olivia corrected coldly. "Did anyone know Griffin flew to Chicago and back? Did anyone know Ben was alone for days?"

The pair of women finally fell silent, realizing the four newcomers were on the attack. "You claim the boys should stay here in Portland because there are people here who care about them," Elliot said, acid dripping from his voice. "Where were those people when their aunt left? Where were they when Griffin flew to Chicago? Where were those people when Ben was alone? You certainly weren't there."

Candace bristled, and Gillian's jaw dropped. "Detective!"

"In fact," Elliot raised his voice, "it sounds like the only people who have cared are Captains Casey and Severide, who dropped everything to respond to Griffin's plea for help. They did it to come to Chicago, and they did it to come here. Seems to me they're the only ones who have given a damn."

"Their mother," Gillian began.

" – is in prison for her fourth DUI," Nolan cut across her. "Ever since they left Chicago, she's pulled her children with her all over the country. She's never given them a stable environment. Every time they moved has been about her. All due respect to the captains, but a woman who drinks and decides it's a good idea to get behind the wheel and drive should have no say in this case, especially with her record of arrests."

Matt cringed, but he shook his head in agreement. "None taken, Counselor."

"You keep saying you know what's best for us," Griffin looked from Gillian to Candace, fists clenched tightly. "Yet you haven't even asked us what we want. How's that looking out for us when we aren't even considered?"

"People who've never even met us care more about what we want than you do!" Ben had no reservations about holding in his anger, his usually pale face now red as he exploded. "You don't care about us! You just care when we everything starts to go to hell!"

Gillian clenched jaw. "Ben," she began in a chastising voice.

"All my life, ever since Chicago, I remember moving from city to city," Ben talked over her, voice speeding up and words blurring together. "I never had any friends, I never had a place to call home. I never even had my parents because my dad is dead and my mom cared more about drinking herself into a stupor than taking care of us! Why do you think it's a good idea for us to stay here?"

He was out of breath by the end of his words, and Kelly rose from his chair to cross to Ben's side. "Ben, hey," he crouched down, putting his hands on Ben's shoulders. "Ben, it's OK. Breathe for me, OK? Just breathe."

Ben nodded weakly and took a few deep breaths, looking down at his feet. "I told Matt while I was in Chicago," Griffin glared nastily at Gillian and Candace as he stepped protectively in front of his brother, his position now meaning he was behind Matt. "The only stability I remember is when we were in his care the first time. That's where we want to be. We want to go with Matt and Kelly, and we want to be out of Portland."

Gillian and Candace looked like they had swallowed sour lemons. "Perhaps you need more convincing," Jack stepped forward and opened his briefcase. "For your reading pleasure." He pulled out two folders and dropped them onto the desk. "In one file, I have letters from Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden and members of Firehouse 51 in Chicago who served alongside Captains Casey and Severide as well as Firefighter Andy Darden. All vouch for the captains to be the boys' guardians and testify how the boys fared under Captain Casey's care. In another, I have correspondence from Captain, soon to be Deputy Chief, Owen Strand and members of Firehouse 126 in Austin, as well as a loyal member of Austin PD and two of their best dispatchers, that offer a clear picture of the stability the captains have created that is what the Dardens need."

The women stared at the files as if they could bite. "If you're concerned about the integrity of Paramedic Captain Brett – " Nolan visibly bristled behind him, but without looking, Jack held up a calming hand to settle his second in command. " – the members of 51, her current partner Paramedic Diaz, and her former teammates Firefighters Strand and Buckley, and especially Captain Strand, paint a clear picture of her. If you worry about a lack of community that cares for the boys, those in Austin are very detailed when they describe what they would be willing to do for them." Griffin and Ben looked at Jack in awe, but Jack continued to talk as he removed a USB drive from his briefcase and set it atop the folders. "And if that still isn't enough for you, it isn't just the adults in Austin who pitched in," he said. "Christopher Diaz, Evie Vega, and Isabella Vega, the son and daughters of two members of the 126, put together a video with a . . . strong message asking you to place the Dardens in the captains' care."

Kelly looked like he had seen a ghost, and Matt swallowed hard. "How – "

"Sylvie told me everything," Nolan told him, somehow looking both sorrowful and wrathful at once. "She held nothing back when she told us exactly how the boys have been treated. And just last night, they called her so Ben could meet her. That call ended with them asking if she believed they would be allowed to move. She spent the rest of the night crying for two boys she's known for about a week because my sister has the most loving, most compassionate heart in the world, and it broke at the thought of Griffin and Ben not getting the life they deserve to have."

Gillian swallowed hard, and Candace looked down at the folders and USB drive. "It's a simple concept, Matt," Olivia smiled at him. "It's tangled and messy and hard to understand, but we're family. These boys," she pointed to Griffin and Ben, "are family to you, which makes them family to Sylvie. That makes them family to us."

"And they deserve to be with their family," Jack leveled a judgmental look on Gillian and Candace. "Don't imprison them here in a community that, when it has mattered most, has acted as if they don't exist."

"If you have cared about us at all, even a little bit, then let us have a fresh start just for us," Griffin whispered. "Let us move."

"Please," Ben gulped.

Silence hung heavily in the room as Gillian and Candace looked from the folders to the eight in the room then to each other. It was Candace who first lowered her head and slowly nodded, and Gillian sighed and turned to them. "We don't need to read these or watch the video," she told Jack softly. "We know the right decision."

"Keep them," Jack smirked. "I have the originals. Those are copies. Keep them so, if you ever have the smallest doubt, you can see the captains, and Austin, will be far kinder to the Dardens than Portland has been."

Candace flinched at the barbs, but Jack looked unrepentant. Gillian licked her lips as she turned to Matt and Kelly. "Captains, we will have the paperwork ready for you by the end of the school day," she told them, watching their green eyes brighten. "You will be given full guardianship of Griffin and Ben, and you will be able to take them to Austin with you."

"Yes!" Griffin cheered in delight and lunged forward to hug Matt around the neck, causing the ladder captain to laugh.

Nolan's eyes warmed with relief, and Kelly stumbled backwards as Ben lurched forward into his chest. His arms immediately curled around the boy, and he smiled widely as he cradled Ben against him. "Thank you," he told them before looking around the room at the pleased quartet of New Yorkers and focusing on Jack. "Thank you so much."

Jack bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I've heard Nolan say it before, and I will say it to you," he told him. "Family shows up for each other."

"Wait," Griffin blinked and looked at Nolan. "If we're staying with Matt and Kelly, and Sylvie's their girlfriend . . . does that technically make you our uncle?"

Nolan did a double take and blinked rapidly, and Elliot threw back his head and laughed. "Oh, before we leave, I'm buying you whatever treat you want!" he cackled as they started to leave the office. "Oh, that's great! I think that finally broke him!"

"Oh, shut up, Stabler!" Nolan snapped at him.

Olivia rolled her eyes fondly. "Be lucky you're seeing them like this," she winked at the boys, who grinned in reply. "Usually, they're only like this in text messages."

Nolan deftly turned his back to a still snickering Elliot to look from Griffin to Ben. "If that's what you want to call me, I have no objections," he told them with a smile. "But whatever you're comfortable with is fine with me."

Matt joined them with his arm over Griffin's shoulders, the teenager with a wide grin on his face. "How the hell did you manage this?" the captain asked in disbelief.

"As I told Benson and Stabler," Jack smirked conspiratorially, "I try not to make the lives of my subordinates my business . . . but Nolan has been on edge for weeks now, and Sylvie appearing without letting him know beforehand made me concerned. Once Sylvie told him what had been happening here and he shared it with us, I asked Benson and Stabler to contact Captain Strand while I called Chief Boden."

"The original plan had been to send everything in an e-mail to those ladies," Olivia pointed over her shoulder. "Then Sylvie got the call from Griffin and Ben, and considering whatever got sent meant she spent the rest of the evening nearly inconsolable in Peter's arms . . . "

Griffin blushed. "That was not our intention when we called her."

"I just wanted to meet her," Ben began.

"Ben, it's OK," Kelly squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "You don't need to explain. Nolan hit it right on the head when he described Sylvie. She's the most empathic person we know, and whenever she feels an emotion, she strongly feels it."

"It hurt to watch," Elliot admitted. "Liv and Stone had already planned something with Rollins and Carisi for the kids later in the week, but when Sylvie came to New York, they bumped it up and asked me to be there, too. Seeing her like that . . . "

"We nearly called Owen and asked him to haul his firehouse and 51 up here," Olivia chuckled. "But Jack said it would be a bad idea to burn Portland to the ground."

"Sylvie said you two would if it meant you got to bring us to Austin," Ben looked up at Matt and Kelly.

Nolan laughed at the embarrassed looks on the captains' faces. "She wasn't wrong!"

"No, she wasn't," Matt agreed with a sheepish smile. "If we thought that would be the solution, we would've done it."

"But Jack had a better idea," Olivia nodded at the District Attorney. "We were all in between cases, it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to take a few days and come here ourselves."

"And I had Nolan convinced to come within a few minutes," Jack smiled. "Right out from under Sylvie's nose."

"She doesn't know?" Kelly asked in surprise.

"I didn't even know they did this until Jack talked to me last night," Nolan shook his head. "And as far as I know, there's only two people in New York who know this is going on."

"Peter knows," Olivia frowned. "Who's the other?"

Jack chuckled in amusement at the look on Nolan's face. "Let's just say bridges started getting built last night."

"Cosgrove," Nolan admitted.

"Really?" Elliot grinned. "After you two tried tearing each other's throats out in the courthouse?"

"You what?" Matt stared at Nolan in shock.

"In my defense, we had been building up to that," Nolan held up his hands. "And I learned Sylvie was waiting in my office before any blood was spilled. Look, we both had missteps during this trial, we acknowledged that, and we put it behind us. We were out for drinks when Jack found me, so Frank heard what we were planning."

"And how long did it take for Sylvie to wrap him around her finger?" Olivia deadpanned.

Ben jumped when Matt and Kelly dissolved into laughter. "Quickly," Nolan admitted with a cough. "The only question is how tightly she wrapped him around her finger."

"Well, considering how we know Sylvie," Elliot grinned at the still laughing captains, "probably pretty damn tight."

" . . . he isn't kidding, is he?" Ben looked up at Kelly in shock.

"No, he isn't," Kelly chuckled. "It's a gift of Sylvie's. Stick her anywhere, and she'll find a way to fit in with everyone."

Matt cleared his throat. "Well . . . almost everyone."

Kelly darkened. "We don't speak of her anymore."

Nolan muttered a word under his breath that was far from kind, one that had Elliot making a bloodthirsty grin and Olivia looking seconds from chastising the EADA like she would if Noah used that kind of language. Jack merely raised an eyebrow and quipped, "Channel that to the next person you prosecute, Nolan."

Nolan grinned impishly. "Yes, sir."

Griffin looked worriedly at Matt and Kelly. "Is Sylvie like this, too?"

"Oh, Griffin," Matt squeezed his shoulder. "Sylvie can be worse."

"We have so many stories to tell you," Kelly nodded. "Ours, mostly."

"We'll let Sylvie and the others regale you all about the chaos of Austin," Matt chuckled. "And boy, if you think we have stories about your dad . . . "

"What has she done?" Ben's eyes were wide.

"Chased arsonists," Olivia offered.

"Dove into Navy Pier," Nolan added.

"Leapfrogged across a minefield," Elliot grinned.

"Been shot at by a crossbow while on a cell tower," Kelly nodded.

Matt laughed at the dumbstruck looks on Griffin and Ben's faces. "Maybe we should leave before we're kicked out."

"What's the best brunch option in this city?" Olivia asked as she checked her watch.

"Oh, we can tell you that," Ben nodded eagerly.

"One of the few good things about Portland," Griffin agreed.

"Although," Jack gave Nolan a knowing look, "there may be something you'd like to do before that celebration."

Matt and Kelly grinned widely. "Oh, we know."

***

"Alright, so the treasure hunt from hell that could be its own movie!" Frank bit his lip to avoid laughing when Kevin gave Sylvie a wary look when the blonde plopped onto the bar chair between Frank and Sam, handing Sam her drink of choice. "Whatcha wanna hear about it? The emergency calls or all of us actually trying to find the stupid thing?"

"Yes," Sam answered at once with a grin as she took her tequila on the rocks. "Because Nolan and Peter were keeping me and Jack updated about it all through the hunt, and . . . how did some of these things happen?"

"Because the human race has never been accused of being smart," Sylvie answered promptly.

Kate snorted loudly. "Can I use that?"

"Feel free," Sylvie held up her wine glass in reply. "So, we're starting with the emergency calls. This was while Owen was still in recovery after his surgery, so while he was out, Matt was running the ladder company, Kelly was running squad and put Marjan on his team. The squad company got called to assist Firehouse 118 after a pair of hikers found a message in a bottle saying to call for help. The guy had been out in the park, yet never called for help on his cell phone even after he'd been injured. We all thought he was delirious when he went on a rant about how 'the treasure was his.' Then one of Buck's friends reported on the treasure hunt put in motion by Hollis Harcourt."

"Oh, geez," Frank grimaced. "His books are popular reads at my daughters' school corporation. Lily's even challenged me to see if I could solve the crimes before the end of the books."

"And could you?" Kevin asked, genuine curiosity on his face.

"I said she challenged me," Frank snorted. "I'm not actually going to read that drivel."

"They're popular reads in the DA's office," Sam supplied.

Kevin pointed at Sam with a smirk, and Frank sighed as he looked at Sylvie. "Nolan also said this guy ended up faking his death before ending up dead for real?"

"He was a jackass," Sylvie nodded. "So, call tally time!" She sat back on her stool and cleared her throat dramatically as she started ticking off her fingers. "Chicago Ambulance 61: Topanga Canyon, woman got a tree through her chest." Kevin choked on his drink at that. "LAPD: Balboa Park, two men fencing with metal detectors with one getting knocked out. Los Angeles 118 and Chicago Truck 81 and Ambo 61: Griffith Park, guy got trapped under the statue of a bear."

"A bear," Kate repeated.

"Chicago Engine 51 and Austin Ladder 126," Sylvie continued. "Guy brings an excavator to try and dig up treasure . . . ends up bursting the gas line and causing an explosion. Austin 126 Ladder Company and Chicago Truck 81: guy stepped into an entire colony of fire ants."

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," Frank stared at Sylvie. "Did everyone lose their damn minds or something?"

"Los Angeles was practically brought to a standstill," Sylvie confirmed. "Austin 126 Squad Company and Austin Ladder 126: woman was about to dig into the ground and the top of a septic tank gave way, sending her down into it." She cleared her throat. "It was at this point in time that Benson and Fin, as well as Sergeants Grant and Amaro, were called to a reported break-in at Harcourt's mansion . . . at which point they found Hollis Harcourt still alive."

"Only took half of Los Angeles getting hospitalized, it sounds like," Kate quipped.

"Sure sounded like it when we kept hearing from Nolan and Peter," Sam nodded.

"Anyway, at this point, all of our teams had figured out where the treasure was buried, though we all got there through different means," Sylvie nodded. "Matt and Kelly joined two other CFD lieutenants, and they got to the answer the same way Nolan and Peter did: always read the biography sections in books."

Kevin chuckled. "Noted."

"Benson and Amaro got the hint they needed when they interrogated Harcourt, which they relayed to their teams," Sylvie went on. "Nick was with Buck and Eddie, squad firefighter and paramedic respectively, and Benson, of course, worked with Owen and Stabler. The last group was Owen's son, TK, and Rollins and Carisi. They learned the location when Amanda snooped through NYPD reports . . . which, clever girl. Owen, Benson, and Stabler beat us all, but the chest was empty when they dug it up. When we went to Harcourt's mansion to ask him about it, the cops found him dead on the ground. And yes, this time, he was actually dead. Heart condition did him in."

"Is it bad that I consider that karma for what he did to the city?" Sam tilted her head.

"Not at all," Sylvie shook her head as she took a long pull of her wine. "Considering all those medical emergencies meant the blood supply at hospitals was severely diminished and the only way Connor says I survived the sniper attack was because Nolan volunteered to directly transfuse his blood to me. We try not to speak ill of the dead, but apparently lots of ill was spoken of Harcourt for creating that situation."

"I was in the office when Jack got the phone call about the attack and what Nolan's blood test revealed," Sam whispered, looking down into her drink. "I've never seen him look so thrown in one second, then completely put back together the next."

"I had known NYPD had gotten involved in the hunt for the sniper," Frank looked around the table. "Maybe it was where I was stationed at the time, but I never heard just how involved they were."

"Honestly, the only reason we knew was in case we had to get involved," Kevin nodded at Kate. "Yeah, Price just found out he had a sister, but if the sister of our Executive ADA died because of a sniper shot? That would be our territory."

"Bet that would have made Los Angeles real happy," Sylvie muttered.

Kate snorted. "There's nothing Los Angeles coulda done. Add in that the sniper ended up being a former LAPD rifleman? The DA would've been racing to deliver the man damned to hell to Jack just so he wouldn't raze the city to the ground."

Sylvie wrinkled her nose. "It's a little terrifying what you New Yorkers would do for some of us. And I heard all about the rampage Benson and Stabler were on when LAPD tried to stop anyone else from going into the warehouse with Copeland."

Kevin barked in laughter. "Lord help anyone who tries to keep those three apart. Stabler left the force a few years after I joined the 2-7, but their bond was . . . is legendary."

"Benson and Stabler were the ones to shoot the sniper," Frank told him. "Did it right when he was about to shoot Captain Strand."

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Was there anything left of the bastard when they were through with him?"

"I don't think I ever saw that in a report," Kate remarked. "But since everyone was focused on getting Captain Strand out of the fire, I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't anything left of him."

Kevin's hum was barely audible over the sound of a phone ringing. "And let me guess . . . Stabler's response to that was 'good riddance.'"

Frank snickered. "Sounds like him."

Sylvie choked on her drink as she checked her Caller ID. "Sorry, I need to take this," she scrambled out of her seat.

Sam craned her neck and watched her hurry through the restaurant. "Wonder if that's Nolan."

Frank checked his watch, and he chuckled. "I can think of a few people that might be."

Three pairs of eyes turned to him, and Sam narrowed hers. "You know," she accused and pointed at him. "You know where Nolan is!"

"Yeah, I do," he freely admitted with a laugh as he took a drink. "Now we just wait and hope it's good news."

"Good news?" Kate parroted. "As opposed to what?"

Frank eyed the array of drinks at their table. "As opposed to Sylvie needing us to help her buy out the bar."

Kevin stared at him over the rim of his glass. "You know, I had hoped that by now, I would understand whether you're joking or not."

"Wait," Sam turned to look at Frank with wide eyes. "Today was – ?" Frank nodded, and Sam looked at her empty tequila glass. "Yeah . . . he's not joking."

***

As soon as she was out of the restaurant, Sylvie took a deep breath and tapped her screen to answer the FaceTime call. She did a double take when she was immediately greeted by four widely smiling faces, and a wave of warmth filled her. "Oh, my God," she gasped, her heart thudding with anticipation. "Does this mean – ?"

"Guess who's coming to Austin!" Griffin whooped.

"Oh, thank God!" Sylvie laughed and leaned against the nearest lamppost, feeling tears brim in her eyes as she took in the unrestrained glee on the Dardens' faces and the utter relief on Matt and Kelly's. "I didn't think it would take one meeting for them to decide!"

"Well, the decision was pretty much made for them," Matt grinned at her. "Honestly, we got about halfway through our pitch before the rest of it was made for us."

Sylvie blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, did you get her?"

Sylvie balked at the familiar voice. "Is that Stabler?"

"Hey, Brett!" Elliot appeared behind Kelly and waved at her before turning. "Hey, they have her on!"

Sylvie squawked in surprise when the next people crowded into the frame. "Nolan?!"

"Surprise!" Nolan grinned as Kelly readjusted the angle of the camera so Olivia and Jack were visible as well. "You should be really glad you never came here."

"Really," Ben nodded fervently. "It's hell."

"And we're getting you out of here as fast as humanly possible," Matt patted his shoulder. "Which Nolan and Elliot have already agreed to help us out with while Jack and Olivia make sure there's no takebacks when these ladies are concerned."

"We learned Jack is better at dealing with them," Elliot nodded.

Nolan snorted. "He's the District Attorney for a reason, Stabler."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "They've been like this since the end of the meeting."

"Wait," Sylvie looked from face to face, and she was certain her blue eyes were wider than saucers. "The four of you . . . you're in Portland?!"

"Yes, we are," Nolan made a face as he looked at his surroundings, making Ben snicker. "I don't know how the boys survived."

"Neither do we," Griffin snorted.

Sylvie stared. "You four flew out to Portland?"

"Yes, we did," Olivia nodded. "We thought it would be best to deliver some helpful ammo in person."

"It was all Jack's idea," Elliot added.

"I didn't know a thing about it until last night when Jack got me from Forlini's," Nolan nodded.

"Somehow, between the time you got to Manhattan and last night, they were able to reach out to Captain Strand and Chief Boden to get letters of support from everyone at the firehouses," Matt explained. "Christopher, Izzy, and Evie were even able to put together a video."

"And they ended up not being needed," Olivia grinned. "Took less than fifteen minutes for your boys to leave with the Dardens."

Sylvie's mouth hung open as her eyes darted from face to face. "You – " she sputtered, trying to make sense of her scrambled thoughts. "You all did that for them?"

"It was made very clear that Griffin and Ben should not stay here," Jack told her. "I knew that as soon as Nolan finished telling us everything you told him. We would have thought it anyway, but these boys clearly mean a hell of a lot to the three of you. Not only did they not deserve to stay in Portland, or split up, but none of you should have had to make the grueling choice to pick up your lives again."

"It's like you always say," Olivia grinned. "Family shows up for each other."

Sylvie covered her mouth with her spare hand, stopping a joyful sob from bubbling out and drawing attention to her. "The four of you are coming back to Austin," she finally said.

"Yeah, Sylvie," Matt grinned. "The four of us are coming back to Austin."

She beamed in delight. "Oh, God, I wish I could be there."

"We'll arrange a layover in a city to meet up before we hit Austin," Kelly told her. "We all want out of here as soon as we can, and the boys have made it pretty clear they only want to bring essentials with them."

"This was just another one of our mom's attempts at a fresh start," Griffin nodded. "We want our own fresh start."

Sylvie smiled at him. "You won't get a better one than in Austin, Griffin. There's a whole firehouse of us who can tell you that."

"The 126 is good at that," Kelly nodded in agreement.

"Can you tell Sam I'll call and grovel later?" Nolan smiled sheepishly. "It was for a good cause."

"I think she'll forgive you," Sylvie giggled. "But yeah, I'll tell her. Benson, Stabler? Take care of my boys, OK? All five of them."

The pleased looks on the Dardens' faces made her smile widen further. "You got it, Captain," Elliot nodded.

"And Jack?" Sylvie swallowed hard. "Thank you, for . . . everything."

"It's my pleasure, Sylvie," Jack nodded.

"We'll call later," Matt promised.

"Love you all," Sylvie blew them a kiss.

Multiple calls of farewell were her response, and Sylvie slumped back against the lamppost, helplessly giggling as the meaning of the call sank in. They have the boys, she thought dumbly. They've got Ben and Griffin.

She hurried back into the restaurant, her smile still fixed on her face, and Sam's eyes brightened when she saw her. "Good news?" she asked.

"Yeah," Sylvie nodded eagerly, laughter bubbling out. "Matt and Kelly got custody of the boys. And they're coming to Austin."

Sam cheered in delight and hopped down from her stool to run and hug Sylvie. "Oh, that's wonderful!"

"And the week just gets better and better," Kate grinned.

"Congratulations, Sylvie," Kevin raised his glass to her.

Sylvie pulled back from Sam to look at Frank, the detective with a gleeful look on his face. "And you lied right to my face, didn't you?" she pointed at him.

"Guilty as charged," he nodded.

Sylvie shook her head in disbelief, running a hand through her hair. "Manhattan's two best prosecutors and two of their most notorious police officers flew out to Portland and made sure Matt and Kelly left with Griffin and Ben," she said in disbelief. "I just . . . "

"Need another drink?" Frank guessed.

"Oh, yeah," she nodded, giggling as she rode the high of delight. "I could use one."

***

"I can't even begin to think of how we can repay you for all of this," Matt told the New Yorkers gratefully as they left their gate from Portland in Indianapolis.

"Like we keep saying, Casey," Elliot shook his head with a scoff. "You don't owe us a thing."

"You wanna pay us back?" Olivia pointed at Griffin and Ben. "You shove it into those ladies' faces that you're the best chance for these boys."

Kelly chuckled, rubbing Ben's back as the boy leaned into his side. "Yeah, we can do that."

Jack smiled fondly at the sight ahead of him. "I think all three of you can do that."

Kelly's head snapped up, and Matt grinned when he saw the restlessly pacing blonde pacing in front of the gate for their next flight. She stopped in her tracks when she saw them, then she bolted towards them, sending other travelers scrambling to get out of her way. Matt held open his arms and braced himself, yet he still staggered backwards several steps when Sylvie crashed into him. "You got them!" she cheered.

Matt laughed and swung her around, her joy infectious. "We got them!"

"We're right here!" Griffin protested.

Sylvie grinned at him over Matt's shoulder. "You can hug me whenever Matt puts me down."

"More like if he ever puts her down," Elliot snickered.

Nolan sighed. "I'd argue that point if it wasn't completely accurate."

Sylvie held out an arm. "Kelly, get in here."

The squad captain laughed and gladly wormed his way into the hug, Matt's arm going tight across his back as Sylvie's slung around his neck. "Yes, ma'am."

Ben tilted his head, blinking in surprise at the way the three effortlessly slotted together. "Are they always like that?" he asked Griffin quietly.

"From everything I've heard, yeah," his older brother nodded.

"You'll learn very quickly, boys," Olivia patted their shoulders. "You've got the best three looking out for you."

Sylvie kissed Kelly's cheek before jumping down from where she'd hooked her legs around Matt's waist, and she turned to Ben with the kindest smile he had ever seen. "It's wonderful to finally meet you in person, Ben," she greeted.

Ben smiled shyly back before moving forward and hugging her. If Sylvie was surprised, she didn't show it. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, giving him one of the best hugs he'd had in a long time. "Thank you for fighting for us," he told her.

"Oh, Ben," Sylvie rubbed his back as she blinked back tears. "If my boys are going to fight like hell for you, I'm going to be right there with them."

Griffin looked long and hard at Matt and Kelly. "You better keep her."

Nolan burst out laughing at the looks on the captains' faces. "That's exactly what I told them!"

Sylvie held out an arm, and Griffin curled in on her other side. She squeezed him tight, then looked at her family from New York. "You all are the best," she told them.

"You'd do the same for us," Olivia smiled kindly.

Sylvie nodded, unable to argue, and she looked at her brother. "You really didn't know anything?"

"No," Nolan shook his head with a smile. "It was all these three."

"He probably would've taken on more than any of us if he was involved," Elliot chuckled.

Nolan shrugged unapologetically. "True."

"I know you'll probably get formal invitations once a date is settled," Matt said as he ruffled Griffin's hair. "But we want you to come down to Austin when the 126 has its reopening ceremony."

"Extend that to the rest of the 2-7, too," Sylvie added to Nolan and Jack. "We want as much family there as we can get."

Jack smiled warmly at her as Nolan nodded. "We'll make sure the word is spread."

Elliot checked his watch, then grimaced. "We better make sure we know where our gate is."

Nolan stepped forward, and Sylvie lunged to hug him tightly. Nolan gripped her close, closing his eyes to hold back tears as he buried his face in her hair. "Thank you for what you did," she whispered. "Even if you weren't involved before . . . thank you for being there."

"I wouldn't have missed it," Nolan shook his head as he kissed her cheek. "I'd do anything to make sure you're happy." He pulled back and gave her a teary smile. "It's you and me, after all."

Sylvie giggled. "You and me against the world?"

"We'll include your boys for now."

She laughed and kissed his cheek. "Safe travels home, Nolan."

He gave her one last hug. "See you soon."

"Give our best to everyone in Austin," Olivia requested.

"We absolutely will," Matt nodded.

"Safe travels," Elliot gave them a two-finger salute.

Kelly returned the gesture, and Nolan reluctantly stepped back to fall into his place at Jack's side. The two prosecutors walked down the aisle, and Olivia and Elliot seamlessly fell into step behind them. The four were quickly swallowed by the crowd, and Sylvie sighed. "Boy, did a lot happen."

"We all have stories to tell," Kelly remarked.

"But for now," Matt rolled his shoulders and turned to the Dardens. "You two ready for a new adventure?"

Their smiles were so much like their father's, it made Matt's heart hurt. "Yeah," Griffin nodded. "We're ready."

***

"You know, I just thought of something," Elliot suddenly spoke as the quartet headed for the baggage claim at JFK.

"Do tell?" Jack raised an eyebrow.

"What are the chances that McGrath lets numerous NYPD personnel attend the reopening of a firehouse all the way down in Texas?"

Olivia snorted. "We all have the furlough for it. Maybe not all of us have the same amount available, but he can't stop us from using it."

"Besides, you have us to argue in your defense," Nolan smiled prettily.

Elliot snickered. "Those looks will get you anywhere in the world, Price."

Jack chuckled. "I think you and Captain Benson proved last year in Los Angeles, Detective, what you're willing to do when it comes to the Strands. Just use that to your advantage."

Elliot bared his teeth in a grin. "Copy that, sir."

"Oh, look," Olivia smirked. "We have a welcoming committee."

Sure enough, a group of five was waiting for them when they reached their carousel, all of them with varying facial expressions. "So," Fin drawled, making Peter smirk next to him. "Did you enjoy your temporary vacation?"

"Is it a vacation when we help make sure a pair of neglected boys get placed with their correct guardians?" Olivia countered with a tilt of her head.

Ayanna Bell shook her head with a sigh. "Savior complexes," she said mournfully, but the cheeky wink Elliot gave her made her smile slightly. "What will we do with you?"

"I think we have to keep them," Sam answered. "You know, just in case the truce that just happened between the DA's office and the 2-7 is a temporary thing."

Frank snorted in amusement. "What faith."

"Sorry for leaving without warning?" Nolan offered sheepishly.

Sam rolled her eyes fondly. "Do whatever you can for family, right?"

"How big is this family I keep hearing about?" Frank looked around warily.

"Oh, Cosgrove," Elliot clapped him on the shoulder. "You'll just have to see for yourself when the 126 reopens."

***

"Oh, wow," Ben shuddered as they left their gate in Austin, and he immediately removed the leather jacket he had been wearing. "We aren't even outside yet, and it's so hot!"

"I had the same reaction as you did when Buck and I first came here," Sylvie smiled sympathetically as she watched Griffin mirror Ben's actions, slight discomfort on each boy's face. "It takes some getting used to."

"It's the humidity that makes it unbearable at first," Kelly nodded. "As was clearly noted in the wildfires of San Angelo."

"Wildfires?" Griffin blinked. "Really?"

"It's how we found out Sylvie was here in Texas," Matt told him as they walked through the airport. "Firehouses across the country came to reinforce the Texas houses in San Angelo."

"We, uh," Kelly grinned sheepishly, "may have taken a few rigs without permission when Sylvie and Captain Strand crashed a chopper out in the fires."

"You were in a helicopter in the fires?" Ben looked at Sylvie in awe.

"Owen wasn't going out there without a medic," Sylvie shrugged defensively. "And with how Squad 9 ran back then, I was technically his partner. He was stuck with me."

"I really want to see all of your crews in action at some point," Griffin's eyes flashed greedily.

"That will definitely be arranged," Matt promised, squeezing Griffin's shoulder. "Just . . . maybe not some of the more dangerous calls."

Sylvie hummed. "Well, unless they try and disguise them as not so dangerous calls . . . "

Kelly grimaced. "Let's not go there."

Griffin frowned. "Is that the one where a lady called saying she was pregnant, and it was just a ruse to get medics to her boyfriend who got blown up?"

Sylvie giggled at the confused look on Ben's face. "It's a much longer story than that."

"Why is everything a long story?" Ben complained.

"Sometimes, the best stories are," Kelly chuckled.

Griffin gave them an impish grin as they stepped on the escalator down to the baggage claim. "Like Herrmann said it was a long story about how you all finally got together?" At their startled looks, Griffin laughed. "His words, not mine!"

"Right," Matt scoffed. "Next on my list of what to do . . . call Grainger and Pelham to see if they can kill Herrmann and have Seager help them get away with it."

"I can call Jay and Will, too?" Sylvie offered.

Matt rolled his eyes. "And then sic Nolan and Stone down there to defend and prosecute respectively, and they each throw the case so the guys get away with it. The ultimate failsafe plan."

"We just joined a really weird family, didn't we?" Ben asked Griffin when they reached the bottom.

"Oh, it's definitely weird." The boys turned in surprise, and Sylvie's eyes widened when they found TK waiting for them, the firefighter's green eyes sparkling happily. "But it's ours," he continued. "And we have our family's back."

"And that now includes our new probies," Owen added from where he stood on TK's other side, the soon-to-be Deputy Chief giving the Dardens a smile that settled any nerves they had. "Welcome to Austin, Griffin and Ben. We're happy to have you."

"So!" TK grinned at the captains. "Did our letters help?"

Sylvie burst into a peal of laughter and ran forward, and TK matched her laughter as he hugged her. "They didn't even need to read them!"

"Yeah, Liv called us before their plane left for New York," Owen grinned cheekily at Matt and Kelly. "Turns out our reputations are good for some things after all."

Matt shook his head, unable to speak. Instead, he walked forward, and Owen reciprocated the tight hug he received. "Thank you," Matt whispered. "What you and everyone else did for us . . . you don't know what this means."

"I can only imagine," Owen held onto Matt's shoulders, green eyes meeting green. "Welcome home, Matt."

Matt swallowed down the tears clogging his throat, watching Sylvie drag TK over to Griffin and Ben so she could introduce them. "It's good to be home."

***

And the Dardens are where they belong! It was so much fun writing the four most powerful people in New York arguing in Matt and Kelly's defense, and God, can Jack be a scary son of a bitch when I want him to be . . . it's a little terrifying.

Griffin and Ben will get settled next chapter, and hopefully we'll also see the reopening of the 126! With the reopening means a whole lot of people from New York will be coming down for the celebrations . . . and we introduce my new favorite teenager, too! But if you've already read my "Semper Ad Meliora" series, you already know who that is. ;)

graphic by marvelity