I wasn't sure if I needed this final chapter but I felt like I needed to tie up some strings.

John rubbed his eyes for the hundredth time as he sat trying to complete his reports. It had been three days since the confrontation with Stefan's men and three days since he had seen his sister. She had been devastated after watching her best friend die and John had hoped that Lex would let him help her but she hadn't. She had shaken his grip off, watched as the coroner loaded Jeremy's body into the van and had simply walked away with blood all over her. He had tried to take her home but she had been stubborn as always although he did have to laugh. Detective Paul had tried to take her statement but the glare Lex had given the man would have made anyone feel miniscule.

He sighed. He had thought that giving her space was good but he had spent too long leaving his sister behind and now Lex would need him more than ever. As soon as he had finished his reports, he would go see her.

"Kennex"!

John rolled his eyes. He really didn't need this right now.

"What is it Richard"?

Detective Paul shoved his way to John's computer, pressed a few keys before waving his hands at the screen.

"What the hell is that"?

John sighed. He barely had the energy to chastise Paul for touching him let alone figure something out for the man but he pretended to care.

"What is what"?

"That Kennex", Paul continued again pointing at the screen so John focused on it to try and make his fellow detective go away.

A massive download was in progress onto Paul's precinct account. It was coming from an outside source which should have been impossible.

"Do I look like a techy? Ask Roody"?

Paul sighed, annoyed.

"I have. He's working on it but look".

John waited as Paul pulled up a file and he almost fell out of his chair. There were dozens of photos of Stefan and many others. Somehow the career criminal had managed to evade capture and had disappeared. The pictures showed meetings and copies of records. He clicked on another file and pages and pages of numbers popped up.

"Holy crap", Paul breathed over his shoulder. "These are Stefan's business records. Transactions, accounts, personal details. This is everything we need to take that bastard down. Where the hell is this coming from"?

All John could do was shrug. They had been trying to get evidence on Stefan for years and now it was all right there for them. He dialled the phone beside him and waited for the other end pick up.

"Yeah"?

"Hey Roody have you figured out where these files are coming from"?

John could almost see their tech wizard shaking his head.

"I've got no idea John. It shouldn't be possible for someone to be hacking the departments system. I'm trying to find its origins now but…".

When Roody didn't continue, John glanced at Paul who looked just as frustrated.

"But what Roody"?

"But I don't think I can. This coding is so far beyond me that I don't think I can trace it. I do know however that this hacker has been around before".

"Where", Paul urged and John felt like punching him if only to get his stinky breath away from him.

After a moment's pause, Roody's voice came back to them.

"Well…the hacker is an unknown…someone who has no identity to anyone anywhere. None of us know who he is. The only way anyone can tell that it is him is the shadow code".

John rubbed his face in exasperation. Roody could really be frustrating.

"What is shadow code Roody"?

"Oh…right. Sorry. Shadow Code is underlying patterns in the computer code that creates images in the backgrounds of data that some hackers use to create a sort of signature. This one disappears quickly but the image is a…phoenix".

John had to try to keep from smiling. He stood, stretched then threw his jacket on.

"Well, this is all very fascinating but I'm tired. You guys can handle it".

He turned quickly, trying to act as natural as possible. He had someone to see.

It was only a minute before the door in front of him opened and Lex appeared. Her face was pale and her eyes were red with her tied up hair falling loose in places. She looked so exhausted that he almost felt bad at disturbing her. Almost.

"Hey kid".

Lex sighed.

"John. What is it"?

John shrugged.

"Do you mind if I come in"?

It was a only a moment before Lex nodded and moved silently back into her apartment. John closed the door softly before joining his sister in her living room.

"How you doing kid"?

Lex just shrugged as she sat down so John sat next to her.

"Lexie…talk to me".

Instead of getting angry at him like she normally did, she sighed and her shoulders sagged. He saw tears well up in her eyes and her hands start to shake.

"How would you be if you saw your best friend die in front of you? If you felt his last breath while covered in his blood".

John sighed.

"Sorry. Dumb question. Look, I'm not going to try to tell you everything will be ok and all that. All I'm going to tell you is that I am sorry about Jeremy and that I am here for you".

He almost sighed when his sister nodded.

"I know. Thank you".

He smiled.

"Oh…thanks by the way. For the evidence on Stefan".

Lex stared at him for a moment.

"I have no idea what you're talking about".

John smiled and shook his head but before he could continue, a ringing interrupted them and John realised it was the door. He moved to check it and was surprised to see Dorian standing there with several brown paper bags in his hands. Confused he opened the door and the DRN smiled.

"John. May I come in"?

He tried to make his partner leave with just a glare but the DRN didn't take the hint. Instead Dorian pushed past him and into the dining room, placing the bags on the table.

"Dorian, what are you doing" he sighed, trying not to take a deep breath.

"I've done some research John about the best ways to reconcile relationships. Sharing a meal is at the top of the list".

Dorian pulled out several containers of food and placed them on the table. Chinese. John felt his stomach grumble and watched his partner approach his sister.

"I am very sorry for your loss".

Lex nodded before Dorian turned around and went to stand by the door.

"I'll leave you both to it".

John nodded but realised that Dorian didn't move and began glancing between him and his sister. He realised that the DRN wanted something else. Before he could ask, Lex came over to the table and glanced at the food.

"Why don't you join us", she said quietly.

John was shocked but he saw Dorian's face become eager.

"I am a DRN. I don't eat".

Lex rolled her eyes and began setting the table.

"I didn't ask if you wanted to eat, I asked if you wanted to join us. Reconciliation includes conversation and you seem like you want to stay so you can make some conversation if you like".

John smiled when Dorian nodded. His partner had been curious about his sister since he had met her and had wanted to know about her. Maybe having the DRN there would make things less awkward. He sighed. He may have been an android but sometimes, he did exactly what was needed.

So that was it. Let me know what you think.