Thank you so much to each and everyone of you who reviewed, it really means the world to me! Here is chapter four I hope you like it! :)
11pm and time seemed to stand still, dragging at a painful pace. Sitting up in the suffocating silence and the chilling darkness of his apartment, Mal glanced across at Natara as she slept peacefully. He slowly rose to his feet, carefully enough to avoid waking Natara. Pacing in circles, Mal ran his hands through his hair as he sighed deeply. Lost in the haze of his pain and confusion, Mal failed to stop the same endless questions that filled his mind.
It ached and Mal could feel himself losing control. Walking into the living room, he stood by the window gazing out at the night sky. As his mind raced, his every breath rushed and heavy. A deep wave of realization crashed into him, as his heart sank. He felt numb, desperately searching the room for the small piece of card he had discarded two days ago.
He quickly dialed the number, his heart stopping as it rang.
"Hi Peter Green? It's Mal Fallon, look I'm sorry to call so late but I have some questions about the letter I received two days ago. Yeah sure I can stop by your office. Tomorrow morning is fine. Thank you, same to you."
The following morning Mal froze, hearing his theory said out loud made the situation all the more real. Mal took a second to let the words sink in as he turned back to Sandra's lawyer as he sat politely at his desk.
"And you're sure about this?"
"Absolutely I have to documents to prove it."
Mal rested his hands on his hips as he stared at the floor. His quivering breaths matching the rapid beats of his heart.
"How- How exactly did she expect me to deal with something like this?"
"I don't know Mr Fallon. I just do what the clients ask of me and I don't get involved personally. But if you really want my advice, I suggest you do what's best for her."
Mal threw his head back towards the ceiling as he fought back tears. All the pain, all the heart ache, all the confusion he had felt after losing Sandra; it was pushing through again…and this time it was winning.
Walking back into the precinct, Mal was on the brink. Feeling like every eye in the room was staring at him. Bursting through his office door, he leaned on its surface in a feeble attempt to shut out the outside world.
"Mal?"
Mal jumped at the sound of his name. Turning to see Natara standing from her chair as she slowly approached him with the look of worry in her eyes.
"Nat, I errr…."
"I've been calling you all morning. When I woke up you weren't there and now you're late again. Mal what's going on?"
"Nothing."
Natara stood with crossed arms as her face softened with love and concern.
"Mal, you've been acting strange for days. And now you look-you look just like you did when…"
"When Sandra died."
Natara froze as Mal finished her sentence.
"Mal please talk to me. I'm worried about you."
"Look Nat, I want to but I just need…"
"Need what?"
"I just-"
Mal was cut off by a heavy knock on the door, causing the two to grow silent as Jeremy popped his head around the door.
"Hey Anders wants you two in his office."
"Okay we'll be right there."
As the door closed once again, Natara looked at Mal with pleading eyes. Fighting with himself, Mal simply sighed as he gently stroked her cheek before walking out into the bullpen.
Upon entering Anders' office, Mal and Natara could feel the dark cloud that hung in the air along with the grim look on Anders' face as he sat at his desk.
"I know this particular case has been extremely frustrating, giving the circumstances and I'm sorry to have to tell you that our killer almost struck again last night."
Mal and Natara both tensed in their seats as Natara spoke up, breaking the cold silence.
"What do you mean 'almost'?
"Our runaway witness Joe brought in a few days ago, was attacked last night. Thankfully she managed to escape but I'm afraid she's still in bad shape none the less. Now I've spoken with the hospital staff, and we're still waiting for permission order to question her…"
As Anders continued, Mal shattered as the blame weighted him down. Shooting to his feet he stormed out of Anders' office, leaving Anders somewhat stunned and confused by his actions. Natara was quick to follow him out the door, as she blocked Mal's path before he reached the building's exit.
"Mal where are you going?"
"To the hospital."
"Did you not hear Anders? We still need permission from the hospital staff."
"I don't care, I need to see her!"
Mal tried to move towards the exit, only to be pushed back by Natara.
"Mal what is going on?"
"We'll talk about it later."
"No now! Mal you're scaring me, just please tell me what's going on!"
Mal could feel himself slipping, as he tried to silence the screaming voices in his heart and the crippling guilt that pushed on his chest making it hard to breathe.
"Nat not now please."
"Just talk to me!"
"You don't understand…"
"Then talk to me, help me to understand. Why do you need to see her so badly?"
"Because I…"
"What?"
"Because she's my daughter!"
Natara froze. Looking into Mal's eyes, she could see his pain. Mal fell quiet as he stood face to face with Natara. Placing a hand over her mouth, Natara stood paralyzed. All words escaping her. Mal glanced down at the floor letting out a deep breath as he stepped around her and walked out the door leaving Natara alone as she watched him leave.
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