Hi there! Now that The Following is back, the ideas are flowing. As the season goes on, I will be updating more frequently. SPOILER ALERT if you haven't watched the episode yet.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from The Following.
Ryan laid motionless in a hospital bed. There was only one person on his mind: Claire Matthews. He almost didn't notice Mike enter the room.
Mike walked very slowly, his hands by his side. He didn't look up right away since tears were forming in his eyes.
"How's Claire?" Ryan faintly asked.
Mike just stood there and shook his head. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
"No."
Ryan lost all his senses. The tears came in long streaks down his cheeks. His breathing came is gasps as he covered his face with his hands.
"Ryan!"
Mike couldn't watch his hero suffer. He ran to Ryan's bedside and put his hands on his shoulders.
"Take it easy. I'm right here."
Ryan continued to sob. He wouldn't take his hands off of his face. Mike gently took hold of Ryan's wrists and tried to pull them away from his face. Ryan resisted.
"Don't look at me," Ryan said, barely audible.
"It's ok."
Mike took both of Ryan's hands in his and moved them to his side. He held them down to the bed.
"Take deep breaths."
Mike continued to hold Ryan's hands as his breathing slowed down. As soon as Ryan's breathing became regular, Mike squeezed his hands and slowly released them.
"Will you stay?" Ryan asked.
"Of course. I'll be here as long as you need me."
Mike pulled a chair as close as he could to Ryan's bedside. He longed to touch Ryan, but kept his hands in his lap.
"I'm done, Mike. I need to get away from here."
"You can't give up now. More people are going to die if we don't solve this case."
"Joe took everything from me. There's nothing left."
Tears welled up in Ryan's eyes again.
"You're a strong leader, Mike. Take the investigation into your own hands."
"I can't do it without you."
"Yes, you can. You have the skills and the rest of the FBI."
Mike tried hard to choke back tears. He was losing his hero. Deep down he had feelings for Ryan. Feelings that he had to keep bottled up inside him.
"Will you keep in touch at least?"
"Of course. Just don't mention Joe Carroll or any follower ever again. Understood?"
Mike nodded his head. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He couldn't hide his feelings anymore.
"Hey," Ryan whispered and extended his open hand to Mike. "It's ok."
Mike cupped his hand around Ryan's. Ryan gently squeezed and curled his lips into a smile.
"Joe didn't take everything. I still have you."
Sorry it's short, but I didn't want to ramble. Gosh, it feels so good to be writing again!