It had been a while since that day.

They were back in the dark bar again, which really served as a hideaway at this point. The TV above the counter was on, displaying the news as usual. Further in the back, sitting together at one of the round tables, the group had gathered. Ilya and Cole were next to one another, and Evelyn sat at the other end in front of Cole, with Aleksei by her side.

They all had a glass each, ranging from strong liquor to soda. Evelyn was the one with the spirit. Leaning against the table, near Aleksei, stood two crutches.

“Thank you for the money, by the way. A great step toward becoming a better person,” Evelyn said.

“I try my best,” Cole said, equally unserious.

“Hopefully that means you'll get fewer charges,” Ilya said. His wound had been pulled together with a few black stitches and strips of adhesive tape. It was still healing.

“I'm doomed,” Evelyn said.

He reached across the table, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We'll be there for you,” he said. “And… you always seem to make it through these things.”

With a sigh, Evelyn picked up her drink and sipped from it as Ilya retracted his arm.

“Does anyone else feel a little guilty? We needed to save Ilya, but I've never…” Aleksei lowered his voice. “Hurt someone that badly before.” Of course, he couldn't use the actual word.

The whole table went quiet. Cole, and hopefully Evelyn, could relate to that.

Ilya was the first to speak up.

“I'm probably not the guy to talk, but… I doubt those four would have even considered what you are right now if it had gone their way.” Ilya glanced at Cole. “Even Reid. Though… I'm not really sure what was going on in his head.”

“Still…” Aleksei muttered.

“I get it. You're not as jaded as me,” Ilya said.

“What he's trying to say is that you can feel kind of justified for it. But that it's okay to be human. No one expects you to be cool with doing something like that,” Cole said.

“Right, right,” Ilya said.

“Ah.” Aleksei watched the people coming in and out of the bar, his lip quivering.

“I've been dealing with similar thoughts… about that job,” Cole said. “Except, well, it can't, and shouldn't, be justified.”

Aleksei turned his attention back to Cole. “They told me about that. That's probably gonna take some work.”

“Work is putting it mildly,” Cole said. “No matter what, I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself.”

“While you figure that out, I do have extra space. Now that you're out of a job,” Ilya said, the ever-so-gentle soul. “Just in case you end up needing somewhere to stay.”

Aleksei and Evelyn glared at him in unison.

“That… also counts for you two,” Ilya said.

“Unbelievable,” Evelyn said.

“Surprise announcement. I'm staying over for the week,” Aleksei said with a smile. “So, don't you two dare try anything. I'm not into watching.”

“Want to join us then?” Ilya mirrored his smile.

“Really? I can?” Aleksei lit up.

“No,” Ilya said.

“Aww…” Aleksei whined.

The table rocked. His grunt suggested Ilya might have kicked him.

“Do you want him to break the other one, too?” Evelyn asked.

“Silnee…” Aleksei sighed, like the sturdy masochist Cole had come to know.

“How did you learn that?” Ilya asked.

“It's like you've completely forgotten what neighborhood we live in. And yes, believe it or not, I do top sometimes,” Aleksei said.

“Sure, sure.” Ilya waved dismissively.

“Also, I could be trilingual,” Aleksei said.

“You definitely didn’t live there long enough for that,” Ilya said.

“Whatever,” Aleksei said.

Cole was laughing politely to himself through that whole mess, feeling more validated than ever to have chosen them over his former life.

His gaze drifted across the bar, landing on the TV hanging above it.

The program host was presenting something. It wasn’t until they started their usual field reporting that Cole shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

They were inside a familiar office. Maybe it was for the best that he couldn't read the headline from there.

Behind the microphone and next to his former boss stood a man he didn't recognize. They were hiring again?

Cole stared silently at the screen. It brought back too many memories and… intrusive thoughts. Yet he couldn't look away. Having been behind the scenes, there was something eerie about watching their excited and proud faces as they presumably discussed all their great contributions to society.

They kept on going. To them, nothing crazy had happened, and with this new employee, it could all keep happening. Over and over and over again.

“Cole?” Ilya brought him out of his daze.

“How do they get away with these shady dealings year after year, and… decade after decade?” Cole asked.

Ilya followed his gaze. “Mmh. It's an endless mystery to people, huh. At least you're becoming aware.” He traced his fingers over Cole's thigh. “We have a long way to go. But… welcome to the team.”

A faint warmth spread through Cole, particularly where Ilya's hand was.

The whole group shared a few glances.

“Do I get extra credit for getting him to that party?” Aleksei asked.

“Does Cole get extra credit for going into the basement that day and finding the room you were in?” Evelyn asked.

“Do I at least get credit for inviting him inside?” Aleksei asked.

Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

“Nice,” Aleksei said.

“Thank you, everyone. I don't know if I could have found a better group of people. I don't want to know where I might have ended up,” Cole said.

They didn't respond. They didn't have to. Their smiles were enough.

And the clink of glasses as they cheered.