Last chapter, guys and girls! Thanks to everyone who has read this far and given their (rather silent!) support. Hopefully, this being the last chapter and all will incite you to review. HINT HINT!! Anyway, enjoy!

John gritted his teeth as they ran out of the complex, the soldiers close behind him, randomly shooting to throw off their pursuers. They had been close, so close to getting to where they were needed the most.

Taking shelter behind the truck, John let his head thump against the warm metal, staring up at the cloudless sky. The soldiers shot him sympathetic glances, but said nothing, too scared they would get chewed out, or worse, demoted. They all started and stared up into the sky as two jets screamed past, the radio in the front of the truck squawking as the pilots conversed with the ground troops.

“General!” A voice called out, and instantly the dark-haired man was climbing in the front seat, pulling on headphones.

“Wallaby Leader, this is Little Wallaby, tell your troops to stop frickin’ shooting at us! Over!” A familiar yelled at him through the headphones.

“Where are you, over?” He asked, eyes scanning through the windshield.

“The jeep with the gun, we’re already being shot at by the bad guys, we don’t need the cavalry shooting at us too!” A loud clunking sound was heard, gunfire following shortly after.

“Shoot them! Shoot the fuckers, they’re gaining!”

“The jeep’s bouncing too much! I can’t get a clear shot!”

“Take pot-shots and pray, damnit!” He heard the screaming over the radio, and was momentarily deafened by the sound of a machinegun firing.

“Sorry about that, they’re catching up to us! Which side of the complex are you on? Over!” He heard Claudia scream over the sound of the wind and guns.

“West side, over.” He replied frantically, signalling the communications officer to tell the rest of the ground troops to stop shooting at the leading jeep.

“Fuck! I’m outta ammo!”

“Here, take this!”

“Fuck! Look out!”

“Get the fucking radio! Don’t let it slip!”

“AAAAHHHH!” John clenched the dashboard tightly, knuckles whitening.

“What’s happening! Over!” He yelled into the microphone as he stared out, willing for the jeep to come into view.

“Fuck! Hodgens!”

“He’ll be fine! Take the fucking gun and shoot, damnit! AJ! West side! West side! West side! Step on it!”

“Sorry Wallaby Leader, we’ll be with you soon! Make sure there’s a medic! Over and out!” Claudia yelled down into the radio. John watched, grim-faced, as the jeep careered around the corner before ordering the air-strike against the base. Two more jeeps flew into sight, and John jumped out with his gun, intent on taking the other two cars down. The machinegun on the first wasn’t going; he guessed they had run out of ammo for it. Signalling to the troops, he set them along the road out of sight, taking shelter behind the truck as the first jeep bore down upon them, weaving erratically along the plain.

Claudia lay on her stomach clutching the rifle, trying to aim at the tyres of the other cars. Cadman beside her was doing the exact same thing, trying to ignore Hodgens’s groaning as he tightly held his wounded arm.

Cadman hissed in satisfaction as the closest jeep turned suddenly, its front tyres obviously being blown out. Claudia cheered as it careered into the second one at high speeds, crumpling them.

“They are so not gonna start again!” Claudia grinned at Cadman, then kicked on the back window.

“Slow down! We ditched ‘em!” She yelled, Cadman slithering over to Hodgens.

“You alright?” She asked, eyes assessing the wound. He gave her an embarrassed smile.

“Yeah. Clean through the arm, though.”

“Must hurt like a bitch.”

“And a half.” He added, craning his head to look around as the jeep slowed. Claudia watched as something bounced in the tray with them, eyes wide. She threw herself back, but before she could cover her eyes, the flash grenade went off, blinding all three of them in the tray.

She screamed as the noise rang loudly in her ears, slumping against the hard metal side of the tray, offering no resistance as she was dragged out onto the ground, face down as she panted for breath. As the effects slowly wore off, she was roughly picked up and pulled into a bone-crushing hug. Frantically, she tried to push away, leaning all her weight towards the ground.

“Claudia! Claudia, it’s me, it’s okay, shh, it’s okay, daddy’s here.” John pulled her back up as he glared at the idiot who had thrown the flash grenade.

“Daddy?” Claudia whispered, voice cracking for want of water.

“I’m here sweetheart, it’s okay, you’re safe now.” It was all too much for the small teen, and she threw herself against her father with a wail.

John stared over his daughter’s head, watching as the two jets screamed overhead one last time, dropping several bombs over the complex. It exploded into the air, bricks, sand and pieces of twisted metal flying towards them. John stood up, pulling his daughter with him, detachedly watching as the medics pulled the three American marines into a helicopter, the last one wheeled in a body-bag.

A medic came up to him and gently tried to pry Claudia out of his arms.

“Sir, she needs medical attention. You need to let go of her.” John nodded and walked towards the helicopter, settling her into a stretcher. It was then and only then that he realised she was covered in dried blood. His alarm must have showed on his face, because Claudia gave him a rueful smile.

“It’s not mine.” She said, tightening her grip on her father’s arm. He nodded and sat down beside the stretcher, glaring at the medic who looked like he was going to tell him to go elsewhere. The medic swallowed and nodded, telling the pilot to take them up.

Claudia looked across at Hodgens and Cadman huddled together, watching as AJ lay staring at the body-bag that contained the remains of his best friend. Her eyes filled with tears, and her grip tightened to an almost painful hold.

John sighed as he stared at his daughter. She was thinner, much thinner than when he had last seen her. Her cheeks were sunken, eyes slightly haunted, and shadows of bruises formed a random pattern across her skin.

“It’s over.” She whispered, looking up at him. He nodded at her.

“It’s over.” He confirmed, a grim smile wavering across his face. Claudia took one more look around her before allowing the darkness to claim her.

Two weeks later, Claudia slid out of the car, closely followed by her parents, and stared up at the large building. She turned to see her parents expectantly looking at her, waiting for her response, or for her to run into the school to pack her bags.

“I’d like to finish off school here.” She said simply, heart sinking as she saw her mother’s reaction. Evelyn had gasped, hands flying to her mouth, eyes widening in horror. John had given a half-frown, half-smirk, sticking his hands in the pockets of his dress uniform.

“Thought you might.” He muttered under his breath.

“We need to implement more security here, if you’re staying. Maybe we could leave an agent here, or one of my men to watch over you when we’re not here.” He continued, ignoring Evelyn’s incredulous look. Claudia’s mouth quirked into a frown.

“If you really have to. I doubt anyone would be so stupid as to try it again, though, not after you blew up the damn base. It was all over the news of every country.” She reasoned, palms up. Evelyn smacked her husband in the arm.

“You blew up a base? Without knowing if they had made it out?” She exclaimed, horrified.

“Relax, mum, we were out and they knew it. AJ commandeered a jeep, and Cadman was on the gun. Hodgens was taking pot-shots at the people trying to kill us.”

“And you?” Claudia sighed. She was hoping she could have gotten out of that question, but the way it was said left no loophole.

“Alternating between screaming into the radio and taking pot-shots when they got too close.” She replied, eyes dropping to the ground.

“Good Lord. She’s turning out to be like you. Does that not scare you?” John frowned at his wife.

“Could we have this conversation at a later date? Perhaps when we’re alone?” He asked, giving a few confused students who had chosen that moment to walk out of the front doors a bright smile. Evelyn pursed her lips, but nodded.

“Alright. Let’s go and see this headmaster of yours.” She smiled at Claudia, who rolled her eyes.

“I want to see your dorm room after we finish.” John said as they moved inside.

“Yes sir.” Claudia gave him a sloppy salute, and was eyeballed disapprovingly by the four marines accompanying them. They were just about armed to the teeth with as many knives and handguns as they could carry without it being obvious. Both Evelyn and Claudia saw no need for all four of them; one, maybe two were enough. She grinned, shrugged, and led the way to the headmaster’s office.

Her footsteps faltered as soon as she saw them; Hagan leading the group, trying to get William to laugh, closely followed by Sebastian and Freddy. William looked up and froze, the books tumbling from his arms. The other boys turned, confused, from the fallen books to where the brunette was staring, finding their missing friend staring back at them, six adults standing behind her.

“Claudia.” William whispered, moving towards her as if in a daze.

“Will.” Claudia grinned, hollered incoherently once, and ran towards the group. Behind her, she could hear all six adults tensing up as she ran towards them, jumping onto William as soon as she got close enough. His arms closed behind her as he buried his face in her neck.

“Oh god, I thought I’d never see you again.” He whispered to her. She pulled his face away and smiled at him.

“Same here.” She replied. He suddenly brought his head up and kissed her soundly on the mouth. His heart did a few back flips once he realised she was kissing him back.

“Ahem.” Hagan cleared his throat loudly after a few awkward moments, noticing that what looked like her mother was finding the walls and ceiling very interesting. Claudia finally pulled back, turning an interesting shade of red.

“Sorry about that, guys.” She muttered, hugging each of her friends in turn.

“Good to have you back, Claudia.” Freddy beamed as he swung her around, John frowning at the headboy’s behaviour. Hagan bowed to her, and kissed her hand.

“A pleasure to see you return, Miss Black.” He said, grinning. Claudia snatched her hand away.

“Will you grow out of that habit already?” She gave him a mock glare, then turned to Sebastian, who smiled down at her.

“We thought you wouldn’t come back here, even after you made it back to civilization.” He told her before giving her a tight hug. She smiled at him.

“Clearly you don’t know me as well as I thought you did.” She replied, then turned her gaze to William again.

“Hey, you two have already said ‘hi, welcome back’, I’m not sure I can stomach a second time!” Hagan cried, exaggerating the situation by putting his hands over his eyes. The group laughed.

John and Evelyn cautiously approached, the four marines close behind.

“I think you have some explaining to do, young lady.” John said, giving her a stern look. Claudia gave a slightly painful smile.

“Dad, this is William. He’s the one who escorted me to the Yule Ball. These are my roomies Sebastian and Hagan, and Freddy’s the head boy.” John stared each one of the boys up and down, making them all feel uncomfortable.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” William offered bravely, holding out his hand. John slowly reached out his hand and shook it, eyeing the brunette warily. William gave a soft gulp and quickly let go, stepping back into the safety of the group.

“Dad, stop scaring them.” Claudia muttered, giving the group a sympathetic smile as they subconsciously stepped closer together. The marines behind them smirked, well aware of what their General was trying to pull.

“John, we’re going to be late.” Evelyn stated, crossing her arms. John nodded at the group, turning to his daughter.

“They’re a fine bunch. Don’t take any crap from them or anyone else, you hear me?” He said seriously. Claudia nodded.

“Is that an order?” She asked cheekily. He gave her another stern look.

“Yes sir!” She barked, standing at attention. John grinned.

“That’s better, young lady.” He turned to the group of boys who were still standing there.

“It’s good to meet you all.” He said casually before strolling off towards the headmaster’s office. Claudia shook her head.

“Mum, dad’s gone crazy.” She whispered, smiling at her friends. She received four massive grins, and wordless promises that they’d keep her safe. Evelyn smiled, and started to usher her daughter down the hall.

“He was crazy when I met him, honey, you just can’t drive it out of a person.” She replied, ignoring the marines as they stifled their laughter. Claudia turned, walking backwards.

“I’ll see you guys in a bit, I promise you.” She called to her friends before turning around to walk normally.

The four boys stared after her, watching as she rounded the corner towards the headmaster’s office.

“I’ll hold you to that.” William murmured, a smile creeping across his face. Things wouldn’t be the same as they were before, but Claudia was back, and that was all that really mattered.

A month had passed since Claudia had returned. In some aspects, it was better than before; Claudia and William were going steady, but it didn’t screw up the group’s dynamics one iota. Sebastian had wheedled Edna’s number from Claudia, and they were constantly calling or writing to each other. Claudia’s parents had returned to Iraq, John claiming that he had to finish his tour, and Evelyn was loath to leave his side.

However, nights told a different story. Claudia had nightmares almost every night of the cell, her vicious beating and the blood on her hands as she took the life of her abuser. They were fading, with time, but they were still there. Evan and Hagan constantly got into fights, and even had to be separated by teachers.

The school had tidied up their security; the plans made by the General himself. Two marines occasionally dropped by, checking the security detail of the school, and checking on Claudia. She had challenged them, once, asking them why they insisted on searching everything about her life at the school. They had told her that her father expected detailed reports every time they went.

The phone call to Iraq that night had been interesting; the yelling had echoed around the entire wing of the fifth floor, and Hagan had later teased her about going deaf, with the way she yelled. Sebastian had only given her a look and told her that she was terrifying when she yelled; William had merely grinned and kissed her.

Claudia smiled as she finished up writing in her journal, signing off the time with a flourish. She tucked it into her backpack just as Hagan flew past her, Evan close on his tail, Liam and William laughing hysterically. Claudia smiled. Yes, life is good, she decided as Evan somehow tripped over his own feet, flying onto Hagan, bringing him to the ground in a crumpled heap on the floor of the head boys’ dorm. Life is definitely good.

The End…

I thought I wrapped it up very nicely, although the mix-up of army and marines is something I cringe about. The marines are usually the front-line soldiers, and the army are the ones who clean up after them. Well, that's how it was described to me. I really hope you enjoyed my story. Ta ta for now!

:Pyro: