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"Former spook," he said, smiling back at him.

"True. I'm glad I can stay in the city. I want to get to know Ella."

"Is that your daughter's name?"

"Yes. I'm seeing her next week. I paid her tuition with everyone's help, and I sent her a letter, and she wants to meet me. So, it's going to happen. I hope she'll give me a chance."

"I'm sure she will. You've done heroic things in your life, Jack. Don't forget that."

"The bad things are easier to remember. Or they used to be. My brain is still mushy. But I feel in control again. I also spoke to Brett Young. He's in the hospital recovering. He had some organ damage and other issues that I don't have, thankfully. I told him I'd help him get back to his life, the way everyone has helped me."

"It's always good to pay it forward."

Jack took a breath. "I saw you come in with Rachel. I haven't seen her since…well, you know."

"She's already forgiven you, Jack. Rachel doesn't hold a grudge, and she still considers you to be her patient. She only wants the best for you."

"I appreciate that. I guess she forgave you, too, Iowa."

He smiled and tipped his head. "She's a very forgiving woman. And I intend to make sure she never regrets that decision. Come on, let's get back to your party."

As they left the bedroom, Jack called for everyone's attention. "I want to thank all of you for your support. I wouldn't be here without you. Now, someone hand me a bottle of water, because I'm not drinking."

Evan tossed him a bottle of water, and Jack lifted it up. "To Iowa for saving me, and to his team for having his back and mine. I also want to thank my team for never letting me feel like I was alone." He paused. "And to Rachel Thorne, the doctor I didn't deserve and the woman I hope I can call a friend."

"You can," Rachel said. "Of course, you can."

"To Tyler and Rachel," he said as the group echoed his words.

"That was sweet," Rachel said to Jack as he came over to them. "And you actually deserved a better doctor than me. But I've learned from this whole experience, and I hope I don't let anyone else down."

"You didn't let me down. I was too impatient. I was looking for a shortcut." Jack cleared his throat. "Anyway, I want to go back to East River, but I think I should see another doctor, no offense. I trust you, but⁠—"

"I think that's for the best," she said, cutting him off. "You need a fresh start, and if you haven't picked anyone yet, I'd like to recommend a new doctor, who just joined our staff. His name is Steven Danielson, and his educational background and work experience are excellent."

"I'll give him a shot. Go get something to drink, you two. Have fun. You both deserve it."

As Jack left, Evan made his way over to them, his expression serious. "Rachel, do you have a minute?"

"Of course," she said, a wary note in her voice.

"I owe you a long overdue apology. Years ago, when you said I wasn't ready to go back to duty, I didn't want to hear it. I told myself you were wrong, but in retrospect, I think you were picking up on symptoms I wasn't willing to admit to. I wasn't lying to you, but I was lying to myself. I'm sorry about that."

"Thank you, Evan. That means more than you know."

"I should have said it a long time ago."

As Evan walked away, Rachel turned to him. "Time brings perspective, doesn't it?"

"It does," he agreed. "I'm glad you got an apology."

"Even though I didn't need it anymore." She gave him a happy smile. "I like seeing you here with all your friends. Tonight, you're supported by two teams of people who care about you and will always have your back. That must feel great."

"I'm lucky. But the only person I really need on my team is you, Rachel."

"And the only person I need is you." She gave him a quick kiss and took his hand in hers. "You know when I knew I was falling for you? It was when you grabbed my hand and made me your fake girlfriend, and I found myself not wanting to let go."

"I didn't want to let go, either."

She met his gaze. "Even when we have to let go to do our jobs, to be ourselves, I know we'll come back together. I have confidence in us, and I don't ever want you to feel like you're giving up your life for me, Tyler."

Her words meant more to him than he could say, because she knew him. She knew his worst fear. And he knew hers.

"And I promise that you will never get conditional love from me. You'll never have to earn it from me, Rachel. You don't have to be right, or easy, or perfect. I love you. All of you. Thorns included."

"I love you, too. Even when you go through doors too fast and try to tell me what to do."

"I'll work on that."

"No, don't. Sometimes I need a push."

"And sometimes, I need someone to hold me back."

Her eyes filled with emotion. "I kind of wish we were alone now." She uttered a small laugh at the end of her statement as the noise in the small apartment swelled. "But there's always later."

"Always," he promised. And for the first time in his life, the word didn't scare him at all.