The camera moves around, bringing his elder brother Hans into view; now draped with a thick woollen military issue blanket, along with Vanessa; wrapped up in Hans' protective arms.
At the other side of the cabin is Jason, Logan and Ally. The latter two talking in hushed whispers as they mirror Hans and Vanessa. Sitting in silence for a few moments, they take in the enormitude of what happened at Havoc. Hans looks up at Butch, gently clearing his throat so as not to disturb Vanessa.
(Hans): Well... that tense...
A deep sigh gushes from Butch's lungs as he leans back in his harness, head resting against the cold metal interior of the chopper, an ironic smile creeping across his face.
(Butch): Yes....tense....
He peers down at Vanessa, sound asleep, cradled in Hans' arms.
(Butch): How's she holding up?
Hans lovingly glances down at Vanessa, now beginning to drift off; the rhythmic whop-whop sound coming from the rotor blades and the warmth of Hans' body too much for her to resist the urge to close her eyes.
(Hans): As well as can be expected.
He gently brushes a lock of her hair to the side.
(Hans): Although who's to say... not many people have been through what we've been through tonight.
Butch nods affirmatively, wiping some excess blood away from the open cut from his forehead sustained during his match with Eddie Phoenix.
(Butch): Very true....
Butch sighs again through his nose.
(Butch): Very, very true....puts 'Green Street' to shame....
Hans' eyebrows arch up in a quizzical expression; not getting the reference. Heinrich meanwhile, snorts with amusement, turning his attention from the scenes unfolding below them, and back towards those in the cabin.
(Heinrich): That's one way of putting it.
He glances briefly back out at the window, biting his lip in frustration.
(Heinrich): I'd hoped it wouldn't end like this though...
(Hans): We all did.
(Butch): Trust AC to pull something like this though. I know he wanted to make a statement of intent but that....
Butch gestures with his thumb behind him referring to the carnage that ensued in the closing moments of Havoc.
(Butch): ...that was just ridiculous...Christ knows how many people got injured or killed...
Their faces are illuminated briefly from a particularly violent explosion down below, causing the helicopter to buck somewhat.
(Hans): And here was me thinking how grand it was that AC was pulling out all the stops in his match against me... leaves a foul taste in my mouth now...
Heinrich leans forward as far as his harness will allow him, eyes locked onto Butch's.
(Heinrich): Y'know... you didn't have to do what you did back there... for Vanessa or my brother...
He grits his teeth, forcing the words to come.
(Heinrich): Thanks for that.
He extends his hand towards Butch who allows the tiniest of understanding smiles to tug at the one of the corners of his mouth and he leans forward, gripping Heinrich's outstretched hand.
(Butch): I wasn't exactly going to leave them to the wolves, Heinrich. I know I have a lot to answer for, but I'm trying. A man's got to start somewhere.
Heinrich nods his head in understanding at his words, before allowing himself to settle back into his bucket seat.
(Butch): How's the neck by the way?
Heinrich, hesitant to converse, takes a moment before responding.
(Heinrich): Not that bad, the bruising's already started, but I'll manage.
He tilts his head up towards the other side of the cabin where Logan is seated.
(Heinrich): Could have been worse if it wasn't for Logan. Seriously, Talon needs to get a grip on himself...
The cabin falls silent for several long moments.
(Hans): Talking of starting somewhere... good work on that win over Eddie...
He thumbs a gesture out the window, an apologetic smile forming.
(Hans): Sorry, but I need to take my mind of things...
A faint snort of a laugh shoots from Butch's nostrils.
(Butch): Wasn't exactly the grandstand finish that I was hoping for. Winning via count-out wasn't exactly the way I'd panned it out in my head; pinfall or submission would have been much more satisfying, but as they say; a win's a win. Obviously I would have also preferred to have Senester not make his obligatory appearance and cast his cryptic anecdotes on me like he's got some hidden plan for me....
Butch remains in his forward-leaning slouched position, his elbows balancing on his legs and his head hanging low. He raises it up, a much brighter, happier, almost sly smile stretching across his face.
(Butch): Eddie will be raging though...
Hans smirks broadly, careful to not laugh for fear of disturbing Vanessa.
(Hans): Oh, how I hope he is.
(Butch): That was some shit that went down with you and Ronnie tonight mind you. How you feeling about that?
(Hans): I'm feeling good about it truth be told. That petulant little schweinhund had better savour that feeling he got when he 'won', because there'll be little chance of a repeat come the real thing...
He continues to stroke Vanessa's hair, more of a reflex action now than anything intentional.
(Hans): Dragging Vanessa into it though...
He shakes his head, his expression one of utter disgust and contempt, before continuing; more to himself, than to Butch.
(Hans): Keep on digging Ronnie, keep on digging...
At this moment, Jason chooses to break his silence.
(Jason): She was beating herself up over what happened Hans, blaming herself for it all...
Hans looks almost sombre as his eyes drop to Vanessa's face.
(Hans): *Softly* No, she needn't.
He nods his head down towards his World title, dumped unceremoniously between his feet.
(Hans): If I had to make a choice, I know what one I'd choose in a heartbeat... every time.
He looks up at Jason.
(Hans): But it'd be my choice. Willingly, and without fail.
He sighs.
(Hans): I'll speak to her when we're out of here, put her mind at ease.
Butch places a comforting hand on Hans' shoulder.
(Butch): Ronnie will get his comeuppance, Hans, that's a certainty. He knows what kind of reaction it would provoke from you and that it would goad you into jumping into the proverbial snakepit without so much as a look to see where your feet would land. Don't worry though.
Butch motions with an incline of his head towards Heinrich who almost grudgingly acknowledges and then he nods towards Logan at the other end of the cabin.
(Butch): You know we've all got your back man. Ronnie has all but two acquaintances in this company...but no friends. He's riding the same bullsh*t "I'm not getting a title, boo-hoo" train as Talon and Eddie and that train is going to de-rail before it ever arrives at its destination. Besides...
Butch takes his hand off Hans' shoulder and gives it a friendly punch, careful as to not disturb Vanessa.
(Butch): …I'll be damned if anyone else other than me is wrestling that title from your grasp.
Hans bites his tongue for a second, a smile forming as he does so.
(Hans): Well do you want to get it on right now, or would you rather we landed first?
Butch grins.
(Butch): I'd say its better to land first; wouldn't be fair on you for me to just take the title from you right now, would it.
Their conversation is disrupted as the pilot's voice comes over the intercom.
(Pilot): That's us coming into land people, two minutes until touch down. I'm sorry to say that you'll not be leaving Iran straight away, everyone's to be debriefed first.
(Heinrich): What happens then?
(Pilot): We've got transport arranged to take you all onwards to Venice; Italy after the debriefing. Your personal jet is already en route there Mr von Richtoven.
Heinrich glances at his brother, shrugging his shoulders as much as the harness allows.
(Heinrich): Well, I guess that's something at least.
Hans nods in agreement, before focusing back on Butch; unable to resist.
(Hans): Think we've got time to fit this in before the debriefing then?
The two men share a laugh, as the helicopter begins it's descent down, the scene fading slowly to black.
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