Author's Note: This is simply a short, one-shot because I'm going crazy waiting for September already. I think there are a lot of different ideas of where the story will lead with the beginning of season four, but I am trying to keep my mind focused on short-term because there are just so many ways it could go from here! :) As always, I own nothing. Wish I did, but such is life! :)
Her hand.
Sitting in the hospital waiting room, wishing that someone would come and update everyone on Kate's status, Rick found it oddly amusing that all he could think about was her hand. She'd been in surgery for over an hour. From what little information they'd been given, they knew the bullet had missed her heart by inches. Doctors were working against the clock to repair the damage it had done.
His mind raced back to the moment she'd closed her eyes as she faded away on the grass, just seconds after he'd finally declared his love for her. He had held her hand, covered in a blood-stained white uniform glove.
That same hand had brushed the cheek of her captain as he grew cold on the floor of the airplane hangar.
That same hand had gripped her firearm countless times.
That same hand had held his as they waited for the countdown to finish on a bomb that would never explode.
That same hand had touched his chin just before she'd passed out in his arms in the freezer truck.
That same hand had shared a bucket of popcorn with him at the Angelica, while they watched a classic movie together.
That same hand had run through his hair during their kiss outside a warehouse.
That same hand had held his to give him comfort right after his encounter with the Triple Killer.
That same hand had held hundreds of cups of coffee, coffee that he had brought her because it was a subtle way for him to tell her he cared.
All he wanted was to know that she was going to be alright. And that he would have the chance to hold her hand again…
