AN: Another little one shot. Thanks to Sparkycsi for betaing.
What Are Friends For?
It was the blood on the carpet that got Stella.
Her face ached from the bruises Frankie left on upon it. Reminders she had thought as she's sliced down the crime scene tape with her key. Mac had driven her here, where she's bade him good night and stepped out of the car. For a moment she thought that he was going to follow her, instead she felt his eyes upon her until she was through the double set of glass doors and in the reception area.
Now she was staring at the cream coloured rug and the three blood spots that decorated it.
Left shoulder, right shoulder…he just kept coming, eventually she'd pulled the trigger again.
Heart, the killing shot.
Tears rolled down her eyes as she struggled to get he image out of her head. The 'oh' of surprise as he fell backwards, crashing to the floor. His face was in her mind, staring up at her eyes open as this terrible weight descended on her body making her tired and sick all at the time.
Stella dropped to her knees covering her face trying to block out the memories that were plaguing her mind.
Frankie's knife brushing her skin as she struggled venomously. The utter feeling of helplessness as he tied her wrists and dragged her across the carpet, face down.
Would she ever feel safe in her own home again?
Warm arms wrapped around her gently, as she heard her name being called. Stella inhaled the delicate scent of jasmine as she felt herself being guided against someone gently. A familiar hand was soothing her hair and murmuring words that had a somewhat calming effect.
Stella's fists gripped the soft shirt tightly as she struggled to get a hold on herself. She pulled away and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Thanks, I really needed that," she told the other woman softly. Lindsey gave Stella a sympathetic smile before squeezing her shoulder.
"I know," she uttered, turning her attention to the bloody rug, knowing it had been the catalyst in Stella's break down.
"You want me to roll it up and put it somewhere while you pack a bag?" Lindsey asked softly as Stella turned her face away from the rug.
"Yes," she murmured. Lindsey complied while Stella grabbed whatever was clean out of the dresser and shoved her clothes into an over night bag.
"The water's hot at my place if you want to get a nice hot bath," Lindsey told Stella. She put her arm around the older woman's shoulders and guided her back towards the front door.
"Lindsey…"Stella paused as they reached the doorway, her eyes on the other woman.
"Thank you."