It all happened in a split second.

One minute Myka was beside him, holding a Tesla on their latest suspect, the next she was on the ground. Pete hadn't seen a flash. He hadn't seen movement. Nothing. It was what he heard. The man on the other end of their Teslas laughed. A deep throaty laugh that fueled an anger inside him like he had never felt before. He shot without thinking and the man collapsed. He spun around and immediately dropped to his knees. The sight before him terrified him. His partner was shaking so severely he wondered how it was even possible.

"Myka, talk to me, how can I help?" he asked franticly. He reached for her hands, trying to weigh her down and stop her shaking.

"Pete." He heard her whimper "Help me."

Her words were broken, hollow. She was dying. The vibe was so intense he felt lightheaded. Tears rushed into his eyes and he yelled.

"No Myka! You are not leaving me like this!" He pinned her hands against the concrete and the shakes seemed to slow. Her eyes opened. He almost let lose a sob at the sight of her eyes. They seemed frosted over, like she was a million miles away. The convulsions had stopped and it was only now he noticed her labored breathing.

"Myka, don't. Please Myka. Don't go." He managed say, barely keeping the tears from falling. He sounded like a child pleading for his mother but he didn't care. He couldn't lose her. What had started off as an awkward partnership had evolved into something that consumed his every thought. Myka made him smile, made him laugh. When he thought he was utterly alone in this world, Myka had unknowingly stepped into the role of best friend. He had always been a ladies man but that didn't mean he knew what love was. Quite the opposite. Sure, he had known romance, but love was something completely different. He heard Myka pull in a deep labored breath.

"Pete, I'm okay. I don't hurt." She managed between gasps. He didn't believe her for a second.

"Myka, don't you talk like that. You're gonna be fine." He said as the first tears slid down his face. Myka gave him a weak smile.

"Don't lie Pete." Her voice was softer, and he knew she was slipping.

"Myka I can't do it, I can't be here without you." He paused to brush his hand over her cheek. "Myka I love you." The words spilled out of him. Never had those exact words gone through his mind, but in that second, nothing had ever been more true. He needed her. He squeezed her hand lightly. She seemed fragile as if the lightest touch might break her. Already his Myka was leaving.

"Pete." This time his name was barely a whisper across her lips. She opened her eyes for him one last time and they said everything. They had always been like windows into the real Myka. All she was contained in her eyes: her laugh, her tears, her love. In that look they said goodbye. Pete pulled Myka into his arms and held her as her chest stilled and her eyes closed. Sobs escaped his lips. It was his worst nightmare come true. Pete heard a voice calling to him and it took a moment for him to stop his tears long enough to hear who it belonged to. When he identified the voice he cried even harder. It was hers.

"Pete!"

He sobbed harder. All he could hope was that this meant he was dying, headed to heaven to be with her.

"Pete!"

Pete woke up sweating with his beautiful partner leaning over him. His heart was racing but her confused look was so adorable he did the thing he wanted to do without thought. He reached up with both arms and tackled Myka in a hug.

"Hello to you too Pete." Myka said, her arms coming up lightly to wrap around him. She was worried, that much he could tell from her voice and actions. No way Myka hugs him without reason. She tried to pull back but Pete held her close, intoxicated by her smell. "Pete, are you alright?" She asks hesitantly.

"Am now." He said, finally releasing her and giving her a grin. Myka didn't smile.

"Pete, what were you dreaming of? I woke up to screaming and walked in here to find you thrashing on the bed. It really freaked me out…" She added the last part quietly, almost ashamed at showing that much emotion. Pete moved his fingers to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. She shivered but still managed to shoot him a glare.

"You. It was awful…" A pained look flickered across his features. Myka's heart ached for him and beneath that something she wasn't ready to talk about just yet.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" She asked softly, surprising Pete by not reprimanding him for touching her.

"You died." He whispered. Myka didn't wait for him to touch her this time. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tight. She could sense his surprise in the way his body tensed then relaxed.

"Didn't think you could get rid of me that easy? Nah, I think you might be stuck with me." She said. Pete couldn't see her smile but he didn't need to, he could hear it in her voice.

"Thanks Myka." He wanted to tell her what he had in the dream, but somehow, the words just wouldn't come.

"No problem Pete." She wanted to mention that little tickle she had felt in her heart earlier, but somehow, it died on her lips. With a boyish grin Pete leapt to his feet. He presented his hand to Myka with a flourish.

"Shall we go and eat some cookies my lady?" He asked in a ridiculous English accent. She laughed and took his hand.

"I believe we shall." The two rose laughing and headed out the bedroom door. Pete cast a glance back into his bedroom. The dream was painful and he was sure it would not be the last, but with Myka beside him, Pete could face anything. As they walked arm in arm, he silently told her what he had in the dream. And just at that moment, she smiled.