Going Forward

"William, let's get you inside and warmed up."

He just looked at her, then turned and walked slowly away. Julia followed.

The train remained there at the site of the escape, the passengers having been transferred to another. When William got inside, Julia found a blanket and directed William to a couch to lie down. He was pretty battered and had been unconscious when they found him. His shoulder was dislocated and still remained very painful after Julia had pulled it back in place. Neither was speaking as he lay down on his right side, holding his left arm still. Julia spread the blanket over him, then sat beside him, continuing to clean the blood from his head, face, and neck wounds. His eyes drooped and he was soon asleep. When she had finished she smoothed his hair back and kissed his cheek. Then she got up and left him to sleep. She didn't go far, the end of the car. Brackenreid boarded.

"We better start moving. We're not going to find anything else here."

"Let them finish their search, if only for William's peace of mind."

"Alright doctor. How is he?"

"Pretty shaken. He's banged up, but it's his psyche I'm worried about. He's not going to let this rest."

They both turned their heads toward William as he cried out in his sleep. He was having a bad dream and couldn't wake up. Julia hurried to his side.

"William! Wake up!"

She didn't want to shake his bad shoulder. Instead she stroked his brow, talking to him soothingly. His eyes opened wide suddenly as he gasped. He jerked to sit up and hurt his shoulder in the act, groaning. Sitting on the edge of the couch he held his aching head in his right hand. Julia sat beside him with her arm around his shoulder. He still didn't seem to want to talk. Finally he sat up straight, looked into her eyes, and as a single tear rolled down his cheek he leaned over and kissed her. Meanwhile the inspector, noting the intimate moment, left the train once more.

As they parted from their kiss Julia spoke, "William, I do know how frustrated you are about being unable to confirm Gillies's demise, but it is time we put this behind us and go on with our lives, not his."

William nodded his head slightly, eyes closed. It was then that Julia truly felt she knew what a delicate, sensitive man William was. Often he seemed so strong and fearless, yet he could be undone so easily by personal feelings. "No matter what happens, ever, I love you, William. I always have and I always will."

He swallowed hard and replied in a whisper, "I love you too, more than you could ever know."

"I think I do know, Love. I do know."

They embraced as they laid their heads on each other's shoulders.

A few minutes later the inspector reboarded. "Murdoch, I've called the men back. We're going to take you home now."

William nodded.