An hour after the explosion Alex was still standing in the same position. She was staring at the road leading out of Quantico, the same road Simon had taken a few hours before. She couldn't believe he was gone. How wrong she had been about Liam. How could she ever recover from this?
Ryan quietly walked up behind her.
"Alex let me get you home. There's nothing more you can do"
Alex just stood there, staring. Ryan gently scooped her into his arms. She nuzzled into the crook of his neck and finally closed her eyes.
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Ryan set her down on the bed. Quickly and carefully removed her shoes and jacket. She had fallen asleep as soon as he had set her down in the car and he hopes the transfer to the bed won't wake her. He watches her closely. She looks so innocent and unburdened when she sleeps. He knows once she wakes the events of the last few months will fall on her shoulders yet again. How could he not believe her when she was pleading with him during their struggle? He gently lifts up her shirt which reveals the healing bruises from their fight. His eyes tear up and his heart aches. He made those bruises.
It's just about dark when he rises from the chair next to Alex's bed. He wonders if it would be right for him to stay. It has been a long time since they've been together. Ultimately, he chooses to sleep on the couch.
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Ryan awakes to a loud smash. He immediately sits up and grabs his weapon. He can hear Alex whimpering in the next room.
"Alex?"
The whimpering continues. Ryan slowly opens the bedroom door. He sweeps the room before holstering his weapon. Alex is sitting on the bed in a puddle of tears. The lamp from the nightstand is in pieces on the floor.
"Alex? Are you okay?"
He looks down at her hand. There's a large gash on her palm.
"I was having a nightmare. I think I knocked over the lamp." She looks up. "Ryan, what are you doing here."
"I didn't think either of us were comfortable being alone tonight," he said as he walked into the bathroom. Ryan grabs the first aid kit and walks over to the bed.
"Let me see your hand."
"Ryan it's fine. I can take care of it."
Ryan gently pulls her hand from her lap. He cleans the wound, applies antibiotic cream, and wraps it in gauze. After his done he just stares at her. Alex stares at the bed, tears streaming down her cheek. Slowly he put the kit on the floor and hugs her. Kissing her hair as she sobs. He whispers comforting words into her ear.
"Ryan. Don't leave."
"Alex, I'm not going anywhere."
They both lean back onto the pillows. Alex's head is sitting on Ryan's chest. Eventually her cries soften and her breathing evens out. He pulls her closer and drifts off to sleep finally knowing she's safe.