Goddard collects statements from the three tournament fighters and brings Quenlin into custody. Personal belongings and evidence are still being collected from the scene, so it’ll be a few days until Bronwen has anything that makes her feel at home. In the meantime, Nate allows her to stay in the visitor dormitories for as long as she needs to weigh her options of where to go with her life next. Luckily, she’s warmly welcomed by both her brothers in arms and the agents who helped her find her way out.

The tournament fighters and the agents gather in the common area, finally getting a moment of peace amongst the mayhem. “So you were an ice skater,” Adya says, “your eye enhancements disqualified you from competing, so your next best option was… tournament fighting?”

“Sounds like someone I know,” Nate says, punching his brother in the arm. Leon rolls his eyes.

“It was time for me to find something new,” Bronwen says.

“Do they even let you use your skating in the arena?”

“It’s called X Division tournament fighting,” Leon explains. “Amiran and I are M Division-- mixed combat, just weapons and our wits. X Division is for those batshit crazy bionics. Auxiliary limbs, arm cannons-- specialized weaponry. People who are built to fight.”

“It’s where all the fun happens. Who doesn’t want to watch a girl on skates and a guy with six arms duke it out in the ring?” She sighs, but it’s more of an accepting sigh rather than a depressed one. “Competing in the X Division means people will go to great lengths to get their spotlight and their bionics. My contract with Quenlin was short. I was one of the lucky ones.” She takes a sip of her drink and drums her fingers on the can. “I don’t wanna give up fighting. But I think maybe it’s time I give the cutthroat competition a rest.”

“Trust me, we’ll do everything we can to make sure people like him don’t spring up anywhere else,” Nate says. “I think I can speak for almost all of us when I say that we know what it’s like to not be in control.”

Amiran and Leon look at each other with grins. They’re definitely on the same page, and Bronwen is about to join them. “I think all three of us could use a change of pace,” Amiran suggests.

Nate brings Leon back to the team’s apartment to spend his last night. They relax, share stories, and do their best not to embarass Nate in front of his brother. Despite how obnoxious he was at the beginning of the week, they welcome him with open arms. They see in him what he has yet to see in himself.

As Colby and Zion clean up inside, Leon stands out on the balcony. His older brother joins him, standing in comfortable silence for a couple minutes. For once, the sky is somewhat clear. The full moon hangs in the air, replacing the need for any artificial light. The two listen to the ambience of the area. People laughing, the tapping of heels on the sidewalk, music dancing out of the open doors of neighbors… the world doesn’t seem so bad, after all.

“Be honest,” Nate asks him. “When you decided to come and see me, did you know that this was going to happen?”

“‘This’ can mean a lot of things--” Leon begins.

“I mean, the whole… ‘rekindled bond’ thing. Did you know I’d help give you the push you needed to stand up for yourself?”

“It was a shot in the dark. You leaving home fucked me over pretty bad, but I guess a part of me always knew it was for a good reason. What I want now is exactly what you wanted six years ago; so if there’s anyone who knows how to get out of town and start over, it’s you.” Leon huffs out a laugh. “Dad always said he was glad I never turned out like you, but after seeing who you are--” he gazes around at Nate’s fellow agents, the family he found when his own began to fail him-- “I’m starting to think it wouldn’t be so bad.” Nate smiles and pats his brother on the back. It feels good to finally look at his brother and see someone he’s proud of; the same goes for Leon. He grins. “I still think you’re a narc, though.”