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Brad cursed under his breath. It was 10:06. Tyrus and Favian should have been here by now.

"Are you sure we were supposed to meet here?" Lynn asked him.

"Yeah, Tyrus said to meet at the apartment..." Brad looked up and down the darkened street, clenching his fists nervously. Favian had mentioned he was leaving town at 10, sharp. Could he have really been that impatient?

"The other day when Tyrus mentioned he was looking for a way to get us out of the city, I never thought he meant this soon," said Lynn.

"The sooner the better," Brad replied. "As long as they've got Audrey safe and sound."

"Do you think they ran into trouble?"

Brad flicked his tail, agitated. "I hope not. If they did, I know Tyrus can handle himself in a fight. Favian, not so much."

He looked over to the vixen. On the surface she seemed to be taking tonight's sudden turn of events well, but he could tell that she was emotionally fragile at the moment. Just an hour before, she was having to do who-knows-what for (and to) patrons of The Boss' casino, and now she was standing on the corner, waiting for the car that would bring her child and take them out of the city for good. The city they'd never left their entire lives. This hellhole they still called home.

"Do you think we've got enough packed?" Lynn asked. "After all, we're never coming back."

"I think so. We don't own much, anyway. We've each got enough clothes for a week in our bags. And I made sure to grab our stash." The labrador patted his pocket to make sure it was still there. As fat as the wad was, it wasn't much: just a few hundred dollars, mostly in $1 bills. He hoped it would be enough to get started somewhere new, and to pay Favian gas money.

"If this ends up succeeding and we get out of here," Lynn told him, "don't think that this changes things between us. I don't forget easily."

He sighed and hung his head. "I know."

The ground suddenly became brighter. Brad looked down the street, and two headlights were drawing nearer. He could hear the engine rattling as the vehicle got near enough to be recognized. The lab breathed a sigh of relief. He was starting to think they missed their ride. The car pulled up in front of them, halted with a squeak, and opened its doors.

"Sorry for the wait," Tyrus said as he stepped out. "We had to make a detour on our way here. Things didn't go quite as planned at the orphanage."

Lynn's eyes darted between him and Favian. Her eyes widened as she saw the bloody bandages on each of their arms. "Where's Audrey? Is she alright?"

Favian stepped over to the rear door and pulled it open. After some coaxing, a tan fox pup stepped out uncertainly on bare, fuzzy feet. Her big ears were level with Favian's hip, and she wore a threadbare white shirt and pink pajama pants. Her nose twitched as she took in her new environment with all her senses. Her sparkling blue eyes scrutinized each of them until they fell on Lynn. "Mommy?"

"Sweetheart!" Lynn ran to the pup and picked her up in a tight embrace. "Oh my sweetie, it's been so long..." She started making a sound that could have either been laughter or crying.

A smile tugged at the corners of Brad's lips as he watched the reunion, but there was an underlying sadness in his eyes. "Tyrus," he said, turning to the leopard. "I... I can't thank you enough. And you too, Favian. We were asking a lot of you, maybe too much, but you really came through."

The fox waved a paw dismissively. "Hey, it was the least I could do after the number of times you've pulled me out of sticky situations. And Lynn, it's great to see you again."

"You too, Fave. You're a real hero." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Tyrus averted his gaze. "Here, lemme grab your bags." The leopard brought the duffels over and started rearranging the trunk's contents to make room for the new bags, not watching the family reunion a few feet away.

He felt a paw on his shoulder. "Tyrus," Favian said softly. "What's wrong?"

The leopard looked up to make sure Brad and Lynn weren't listening in. He gave a heavy sigh. "This... This has been a crazy night. And not just with the whole orphanage ordeal. You know what I mean."

"The kiss?"

"Yeah. That."

Favian sat down on the bumper. "I didn't mean to upset you," he said. "I don't have any regrets about it, and I don't think you should either."

"No, it's not that. It's just that... I think this is the first time I've had some feelings for someone. I didn't even know I could have feelings for... well, someone like you. And now you're leaving. I'll probably never see you again."

The fox smiled ruefully. "Possibly. Something tells me you don't want to leave the city until The Pack's no longer a threat. And frankly, that could be a while. But I think you can do it. And thing is, you don't need me in order to do that." He swished his tail thoughtfully. "I don't think I need anyone to protect me anymore. The city I'm going to will be an entirely fresh start. It shouldn't have anywhere near the level of crime and corruption New Lou has. You don't need to fight for me, Tyrus. I'll be fine. You can look after yourself again."

"But I... I need something to fight for. Not just for the city itself, but for people. And with less people I really care about to fight for, I'm just afraid I won't be able to fight anymore."

"If you need to fight for something, then fight for your someone."

"...Huh?"

"Your someone," Favian said. "The person you're destined to be with someday. It's probably not me, but that person is real, and he or she is out there. You don't know their name, their looks, or even their race. But your someone is out there, just waiting to love you. So fight for that someone."

The leopard drew in a shaky breath and nodded. He set the duffels in their spot, squashed them down some, and brought down the trunk hatch. It closed, just barely.

A short distance away, Brad found himself standing alone, lost in thought. He was half expecting to wake up from this pleasant dream and return to hard reality. Tonight had been such a blur, and he had found it difficult to believe this plan of leaving the city tonight would ever work. But they did it, he thought. They really came through. Tyrus and Favian had kept their word, despite the danger that was evidently all too real. They're so... selfless. They could have just left the city right then and there, but instead they chose to stand and fight against corruption and injustice. And what have I done?,he asked himself. What have I been doing over the last year, while Tyrus was out saving the city? Sitting around emptying bottles of booze and going with the flow, that's what.

The lab watched as Lynn walked over and touched Favian's injured arm, peering down to get a better look of the injury. She asked if it hurt. He nodded, but said it was worth it. Brad frowned. He realized he'd never really fought for Lynn. He'd probably hurt her more than he'd hurt others for her. What have I become?, he wondered.

He saw Tyrus step back onto the curb, and Lynn and Audrey climb into the back seat of the car. Favian was about to walk by on his way to the driver's door.

Brad knew what had to be done, and hated himself for it.

"Favian, you got a sec?" he called. "I need to talk with you."

"Sure thing," the fox said. "You ready to go?"

"Actually, I..." Brad's voice caught in his throat.

"What?"

The lab knew this would be one of those moments that he would think about for the rest of his life, wondering if he'd made the right decision. He was at a crossroads and couldn't see the end of either path. Brad felt nauseous just thinking about it. He'd made several promises he intended to keep, and those all seemed to lead down one path. But that didn't make this any easier.

"I'm staying here with Tyrus."

Favian furrowed his brows. "Wait, what?"

"I'm a free man, Fave. Lynn and Audrey will be safe now. They won't get hurt if I go against the Pack's orders. Without Lynn as my collateral, I can go back to trying to make this place a better city."

"Brad," the fox hissed, "your girlfriend and her daughter are waiting for you in the car. You're going to come away with us and start life anew. Don't throw away this opportunity. It may be the only one you'll get."

The lab sighed. "I know. I really wish I could. But Tyrus is right--I need to fight for those in the city who have it as bad or worse than we do. There's one thing this city needs right now, and it's hope."

"And you'd be taking that hope away from Lynn and Audrey. Don't you care about their well-being?"

"I do. More than anything. And that's why I'm trusting you to take care of them."

"...What do you mean?"

Brad cast a forlorn look at the car. Audrey was nodding off in the back seat, and Lynn was making sure she was buckled in and comfortable. Tyrus was leaning against the side of the car, facing away, but Brad could tell he was listening in on their conversation intently. "Look, Favian. You know better than anyone the relationship between Lynn and me has been going downhill. I think we still love each other, but she... She's not safe around me anymore."

Favian put a paw on the lab's shoulder. "Brad..."

"No. I've made up my mind." He dug in his pocket and handed the fox most of the wad of cash. "Here's some for the road, and to get you all settled. I want you to help her start a new life. Help her get a respectable job so she can support Audrey. And Favian, I..." His cheeks felt wet. "I want you to make her happy. Make her the happiest person in the world. Because she deserves that after all she's been through. She deserves better than me. And I can't think of anyone more qualified than you."

Favian studied his face, looking for any doubt or second thoughts. But he knew the lab was right. He put his arms around Brad and hugged him tightly. "She'll be happy," he said. "You have my word."

"Thank you."

The fox let go reluctantly. "What should I tell her?"

"Tell her I'm catching the next ride out of town, and I'll meet up with you later." It was partially true--he wanted to leave the city eventually. He didn't plan on staying here his entire life. But he and Tyrus had a job to do, and he didn't plan on letting his friend down. Not again.

Favian nodded and went to the driver's door. He gave them a wave and a warm smile. His eyes lingered on Tyrus for a moment before climbing in. The fox started the car and pulled away from the curb before his passengers could object. Brad could see Lynn, surprised, turn around in the back seat and look back at him, shrinking into the distance. He could see the hurt on her face, the betrayal, the longing. But he knew it had to be this way. He held up his paw and gave a slight wave. She hesitated, holding his gaze. After a few seconds he thought he could see her solemnly wave back, but at this distance it was hard to be sure.

As he watched the car disappear behind a corner, Brad felt a paw on his shoulder. He looked back and saw concern in Tyrus' green eyes. "You sure about this?"

"I had to make the decision before I thought about it too much..." He gave a heavy sigh. After a year together, he didn't think it would end like this. But with their numerous arguments, differing views, and diverging goals, he couldn't say it was unexpected, either. Things had been starting to go downhill even before he pushed her down a few days back. He would never forget her eyes at that moment. The heartbreak and the beauty, in equal parts. Brad knew they'd haunt him in his sleep, and that he'd miss waking up next to her in the morning. "It'll work out." It sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as Tyrus.

"I hope so. You're a good man, Brad."

The lab rolled his eyes. "Don't say things that aren't true."

"Say what you will. You'll have a chance to prove it soon." Tyrus knew just how much Lynn meant to the lab, and frankly was shocked Brad had done this. As painful as it must have been, it was probably for the best for everyone involved. At the very least, it comforted Tyrus to know he would no longer be fighting the Pack alone. "I'm glad you chose to stay."

"Yeah," Brad said. "It'll be just like old times, right?"

The leopard smiled. "Yeah. Just like old times."

"You uh... Wanna meet here tomorrow to work up some plans?"

"It may not be completely safe here anymore," Tyrus warned. "It may be safer to meet at my place. Just in case anyone's been watching tonight."

"Fair enough. When do you wanna meet?"

"Let's do tomorrow night."

Brad scrunched up his face. "Why so late? I'm free pretty much all the time, now."

"First thing in the morning, I need to have a discussion with the owner of my apartment," he said. He couldn't get Favian's words from earlier out of his head. He had a hard time believing his sensei was secretly a member of The Pack. But in this city, didn't nearly everyone work for them in some way? He didn't mention anything to Mr. Hattori when they had dropped by to get their wounds cleaned and stitched up, but he could tell the old fox knew something was off. The leopard needed to be absolutely sure he could trust Mr. Hattori in the upcoming days. "He and I need to have a talk."