"Well, if we have to use guns," he said, "Let's use proper guns!"

He didn't have to turn around to know what they saw. Tommy already knew Kimber's men spotted Freddie toting one of the stolen machine guns, and Danny holding his own pistol. Both parties stood several feet away from each other, creating a no man's land in the middle of them. Tommy looked over Kimber's men. For every man he had, Kimber had three. The odds wouldn't have seemed so good if he didn't remember the spare machine gun. Kimber's own smug smile faded once he saw the large gun in Freddie's hands. There was no old man protecting him here. His men weren't bulletproof. None of them would ever take a bullet for him. He had many reasons to fear them now.

"You said something about being outgunned?" Tommy mocked.

At that moment, Kimber's men aimed their rifles, and Tommy's returned it. He wasn't scared. This wasn't the first time he faced a group of armed men. His eyes only focused on Kimber. He stared at Tommy in disbelief and worry. He knew he couldn't get out now. He couldn't pull away. Kimber couldn't run back to Worcester and hide behind Weston and his men. Silence came over the street. All the people locked themselves in their homes or had ran off elsewhere before the fighting started. It was just the Peaky Blinders and Kimber's gang. Both parties simply stood there with their guns raised. He wondered who would make the first shot.

"Move! I said move!"

Ada came out of the wall of men, wearing all black with a veil over her face and Karl in a black carriage. He could hear the boy wailing inside the carriage, and Ada looked upset. Tommy watched her walk into the middle of the two groups.

"What are you doing here?!" Freddie called out to her. "Get out of the way!"

"No! Shut up and listen!"

"Ada!"

"I said shut it!" Ada demanded. She had a fierce look in her eyes and threats in her tone. She faced Kimber's men, but he knew she spoke to them all. "Now, most of you were in France so you know what happens next. I've got brothers and a husband here, but you all have someone waiting for you. I'm wearing black in preparation," she said, pulling up her veil. She looked at Freddie, "I want you to look at me. I want all of you to look at me!" She looked to Tommy, "Who'll be wearing black for you?! Think about them," she said. "Think about them right now. Think of how much they care and how much pain they'd feel if you died here today; all the good and bad times you've shared would mean nothing if you died today. Now fight if you want to, but that baby ain't going anywhere and neither am I."

Uncertainty sat before them. None of Kimber's men would shoot a woman or her innocent baby. They all glanced at one another as if asking who would make the first shot. Then Kimber broke the tension by saying, "She's right, you know. Why should all you men have to die?" He reached into his coat, "It should just be them who've caused it."

It happened in a split moment. He saw the shine come off the gun. He heard the bang pierce through the air. He felt the bullet hit his shoulder, but it's as if it came unexpectedly. All the breath in him came out in one exhale. For a moment, Tommy wasn't sure where he was. The world seemed blurry and the voices around him were muffled. He could only feel the pain in his shoulder and the warm blood on his fingertips. His blood. Suddenly, it all came back to him again. He saw Karl's carriage in the middle of the two gangs, he saw his own men still holding up their guns, Danny lying in the mud with a bullet in his chest and Freddie pushing Ada out of the way of the two groups.

Rose. Rose would wear black for him. He thought of her crying in a black satin dress, sobbing as she watched them lay him to rest. They'd have no future together. They'd never get married, have a home, or have children. He'd never grow old with her. Tommy touched the bullet wound, feeling its sting starting to sink into him. No. No, it would not end like this. He looked and saw Kimber. Tommy took his chance. Pulling out his gun, he stood up straight and went right for him with it raised. He didn't hesitate. He didn't think twice. Tommy pulled the trigger and the first shot went straight through Kimber's skull. Tommy watched the king pin fall onto his back in the mud. Tommy felt nothing but relief. He was relieved this was finally over. He stared at Kimber's men. Tommy looked at the men with their rifles still aimed at the group, and Tommy's men aiming back at them. They all seemed unsure. He saw some of them glimpsing down at Kimber's corpse, as if hesitant whether they should fight or not.

"Kimber and I fought this battle one on one," he told Kimber's men. "It's over. Go home to your families!"

Tommy watched them all look at each other. He knew what would happen after this. Weston-if he isn't dead already-would hear about Kimber's death. He might come after Tommy, he might not. He'd be out of a bookmaker, and Tommy would not be interested this time. They all put their guns down. Two of them picked up Kimber and took him with them. Tommy looked down on the ground. Danny, large as he was, laid in a muddy puddle with the bullet he'd taken for Tommy in his chest. He was still and silent. Tommy didn't know what to feel other than sadness. If it hadn't been for Danny, he'd be the one being dragged through the mud.

"Scudboat, Curly," he said to them both, "Pick him up and bring him inside."

He walked towards The Garrison, the pain numbing his shoulder. Tommy didn't know how to feel. He never thought he'd make it this far. He only hoped Nigel kept up his end of the deal. Tommy would know once the man himself showed up. Once they all entered the pub, he took off his coat, his jacket and his shirt. He panted seeing the bullet hole cut deep into his skin, blood dripping out of it onto his chest. He looked around as if Rose would be there, but she wasn't. No. She was at home with Polly where she was safe. He would go get her. He'd get her and kiss her. He'd spend the whole night making it up to her. He'd tell her they were set now.

"Let's get this looked at," Jeremiah said.

Tommy got on the table, where Arthur and John held him down. Jeremiah retrieved a glass of whiskey and a scalpel and tweezers. Tommy knew what was coming next.

"Deep breath, Tommy," Jeremiah said.

Tommy took a deep breath and Jeremiah dug the tweezers into the wound. Tommy breathed out in a scream of pain. He could feel the tweezers clamping inside him, trying to grab the bullet lodged in his shoulder. It ached him. He kicked and screamed, sweat dripping down his forehead. The feeling sent little nerves down his body that controlled him, sending him back and forth and fighting against his brothers' hands.

"Take it, Tommy," Arthur encouraged, "Take the pain."

Tommy tried staying together as Jeremiah continued digging. He could feel the tweezers grip around the bullet and then pull it out of him. He gasped as air touched the empty wound. A big part of the torture was over. Arthur offered him a drink of vodka which he took a swig from before Arthur pushed the end into his wound instead. It stung terribly. He winced and clung onto Arthur. The moment he pulled away, he felt alleviated.

By the time they'd finished and Jeremiah stitched and bandaged him, he heard the doors open. Polly walked in and hugged each of her nephews. She said she was happy they were safe glad they'd won. Tommy's eyes found Rose.

"You're hurt," she said softly, touching the bandage on his shoulder.

"It's just a shoulder wound," he said, "It's nothing." It certainly wouldn't hold back his intentions for later in the evening. He brought her into his arms, resting his head on hers. It felt good to hold her this way.

"I heard about Danny," she said, "From Ada. She said he's dead?"

"He is," Tommy nodded, "He's in the next room."

"I'm sorry, Tommy," she told him. "I know you cared about him very much."

"I did," he replied. He tucked hair behind her ear, and said, "He took a bullet for me. If he hadn't, I would be the one on the table instead."

"Please don't say that," she said. "That's all I've been thinking about and it was killing me." Rose hugged him tightly, burying her head in his neck.

"Come on," he said.

He pulled on his coat before walking into the opposite room where they kept Danny flat on the table. Tommy never thought he'd see Danny dead. Things like this never occurred to him before, mostly because he'd kept Danny so far away from Small Heath that this madness couldn't touch him. Daniel Owens suffered enough since the war. No more hallucinations or delusions would haunt him. He'd finally found the serenity he was looking for. It was heartbreaking that it took death to finally stop them. Everyone filled the space in the room, and they all looked down on him in silence.

"Now we can bury him properly," John said, "In the grave we dug for him."

"Yeah," Tommy nodded, "It's high on a hill. He'd like that." He rose his whiskey bottle, "To Danny Whizbang. May we all die twice."

Then men followed him in their toasts to Danny. He looked down at Rose, who only stared sadly at Danny. He had to thank Danny for so many things, and he never will be able to. He kissed Rose's head, and then said quietly, "Come on, the day is ours. Let's celebrate."

Everyone followed him out of the room, where Arthur began pouring drinks. The Garrison was his pub after all. Rose suggested calling on Harry for the serving, but he said Arthur would handle it for them. The whiskey, gin and wine flew off the bar from how many of them began drinking. Their merriment came shortly after with songs, stories and jokes. Wives and girlfriends eventually arrived as well, creating an even happier occasion. He helped Scudboat and Curly put Danny on the back of the wagon. Then Danny could finally be put to rest.

The party was in full swing when she finally approached Ada. Karl wrapped up in her arms, she stood beside Freddie who lovingly kissed her before kissing his son. They were a happy little family now. She figured they wouldn't have to be in hiding anymore considering the fact Campbell would probably move on from Small Heath. He could go back to being a father, husband and communist agitator. Rose saw Ada's big smile and even heard her laugh. It vanished once Rose came close to her.

Ada handed Karl to Freddie, and stood in front of her with arms crossed. Rose frowned, "I'm sorry, Ada. I'm sorry that I hurt you. You're my best friend, and I shouldn't have pushed you out." When Ada didn't respond, she said, "You're still mad at me then?"

Ada's hardness melted as her arms fell to her sides. "No," she said, "Of course not." The two girls hugged each other. Rose felt Ada's tight hug. "You're still an idiot though," she said in their hug.

Rose laughed, "Well, it's a good thing I'll have you around when it starts becoming obvious."

They laughed together before breaking apart. The day started out terribly, and slowly evolved into something she never thought would happen. She talked with them both and held baby Karl. Rose suddenly realized a baby of her own would be possible. She could get married one day and have children. Maybe she could write her own poetry or grow a garden or do something with her life. She wasn't a scared little girl in a basement. She wasn't confined to four walls and a door atop a staircase. Her life truly was hers. A sudden happiness rushed through her at all the possibilities. She didn't live in fear or worry anymore. She had the people around her. They were her family now. Every person in this room meant something to her now. The girl in the basement only dreamed of having such friends.

She found Polly by the bar. The woman quietly drank her wine, watching the people around her celebrate. She had the smallest of grins on her face just like Rose. "You know," Polly said when she reached her, "Now that this family is set and things are looking up for us, I think Tommy will put his mind to something else."

Rose laughed, taking a sip from her water glass, "And what would that be?"

"You," Polly answered.

"Me?"

"He'll want to marry you," she smiled, "Have a nice home together, and then he'll finally have everything."

"Did he-Did he say something to you?"

Polly chuckled, "Oh no, he didn't. He won't ask now, not when there's so much to put into order, but I reckon soon enough, Rosie, you'll be a real Shelby."

'A real Shelby'. The idea gladdened her more than frightened her. She smiled brightly, thinking of the prospect as she watched the party goers with Polly. The idea of marrying Tommy never crossed her mind before. She'd considered it once perhaps, but she never thought it'd be possible. The idea seemed so out of reach. The party truly riled up when Nigel entered with his gang and the Lee family. Charlotte and her children followed suit, instantly taking up drinks and socializing. Rose embraced Nigel the moment she spotted him. He hadn't been injured in battle, but she saw the sadness hidden behind his glee. Yes, he was the owner of a large family dynasty, yet he had lost his father. Charlotte hid hers by laughing and flirting with people in the room.

"I'm sorry, Nigel," she said to him, letting him go.

He took her meaning and said, "It couldn't be helped in the end, could it? I-I gave him a chance and the old bastard wasn't having any of it. He didn't even fight. His men did the fighting for him." He nodded to himself, "I told Charlotte already. She was at the races and saw the whole thing. Alan's men came in to break things up but Dad was already gone. He wasn't happy, but I told him he was free now. Your gran will know soon enough. She'll be heartbroken and bitter, but she'd soften up. I know she will."

"She will," Rose nodded.

Nigel looked down at her, "You're going to be happy, Rosie. I know you will. You don't just have the Shelbys anymore. You got us too, you know."

She beamed at him, "I know, Uncle." She hugged him again and then said, "Polly's at the bar, you know, if you want to talk to her."

"I might just consider that," he said.

"Ask her to dance while you're at it," Rose suggested as he made his leave.

Nigel only smiled back at her. He walked away into the crowd and Rose stood alone. She saw Esme and John kissing, little Finn being lifted up into the air by Arthur, and no sign of Tommy. She greeted Blighters who tipped their hats to her, and smiled at Blinders who called her by name. However, the one person she wanted stood outside by himself. Rose went behind the bar where she found the champagne he'd hidden away, and took it out the door. The sounds of the party were muted the moment the doors closed behind her. Standing in the cold night, she saw him looking up into the sky.

"It actually happened," he said.

"Yes, it did," she replied, standing beside him.

"My family now owns the third largest race track operation in the country," he said, "That's just behind the Sabinis and the Solomons in London."

"And they're all celebrating inside," she told him. She took his hand and tried leading him away, but he stayed put. "Tommy, come inside. It's cold out here and everyone's expecting you."

"I don't care right now," he said. He looked back at her, "There's only one person I want to be with right now." He brought her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her. "Look at the stars, Rosie," he said, "Look at them. After today, the future is as infinite as the sky. We could have anything we want."

"I never really wanted much," she said. "I never thought I could have anything more than what I'd been given."

"You will now," he said, "Whatever you want, it'll be yours."

"What if I only want you?"

"Then you'll have me. Forever."

She looked at him, "You promise?"

"I promise. Whether we get married or not, you'll always have me and I'll always have you," he said. He kissed her softly. She faced him as their kiss deepened. His hands slipped down her body, giving her that familiar warm sensation. She never wanted him to stop kissing her. The safety of his arms was a paradise she'd never leave. Her hands went into his hair, and his kept hold of her hips. When he broke away he said, "You had no intentions of going back inside, did you?"

She giggled, shaking her head, "How did you know?"

"The champagne bottle was a pretty good indication," he smiled. He kissed her again and then said, "Let's go home, Rosie."

Rose smiled as they began walking home together. Home. She had a home now and it was with the man right beside her. There were no more worries or fears. She didn't care about her scars or her past anymore. The man who tortured her dreams would fade into nothingness. The man walking her home wounded and stained with blood will fill her days and her nights. His family would become her family. His life was her life too. Small Heath was home.

And she'd never have to run again.

THE END