"Good morning!"
Ava Marie Ryan opened her eyes that sunny Thursday morning, to find a small, stuffed bear sitting in her face. She giggled, and propped herself up on her good arm, and smiled at her uncle.
"Who's your little friend?"
"Jenny wanted me to give it to you."
"Aw, that's so sweet! I'll just have to put it with the other ones that I got."
Ryan sat and stared at his niece for a moment. He realized that she looked just like she did when she was little. She was absolutely beautiful, with short brown hair, blue-grey eyes, and freckled-face. Sitting there in that moment, Ryan realized that the sweet little five year old girl, whom he had cared for, had never really left; she had just gotten older.
"What are you staring at?" she said, bringing him back from his thoughts.
"I was just thinking; you look just like you did 13 years ago when you'd be asleep on my couch after a nightmare."
Ava smiled up at him, and then frowned.
"I still have those nightmares."
Ryan leaned in to Ava and stroked her face, the same way he would when she was little. The same way he would when she had those nightmares, the ones recalling that fatal car accident.
"Do you still wear your mom's locket?" He asked.
"Haven't ever taken it off. I just put new pictures in it last month." Ava opened the necklace, revealing two pictures: on the left, a picture of Ava and her mother at Easter time, wearing matching bunny ears. On the right, a picture of her and Ryan at her seventh birthday party. They were both dressed up as cops, all because Ava had wanted a cop-themed party. She had always seemed fascinated by the idea of being on the force, so she was more than thrilled when Ryan had volunteered to come to the party and talk to the kids.
Ryan smiled. He was in complete admiration of Ava. She had wanted to be a detective from a young age, and had strived to become one ever since. He had never seen anyone else (well, other than him, of course) try so hard to help people.
"Oh, I brought you some breakfast." Ryan said, reaching behind him. He pulled out a small brown bag, and handed it to Ava.
"Chocolate donut with sprinkles?"
"Shoosh yeah!"
Ava giggled. It was nice having her uncle around again. He was always trying to make her smile, to make her see the happiness in life.
Ryan stood, glancing at his watch.
"Shoot, I gotta go sweet-pea. I'll see you after work." Ryan said, leaning in and kissing Ava on the cheek.
"Don't hesitate to call if you need anything. And if you can't get through to me, you can call Beckett or Espo. Oh, and don't forget that Beckett's coming over to keep an eye on you tonight."
"You know I don't need a babysitter, right?" Ava said, shooting her uncle a somewhat annoyed glare.
"I know. But I just want to make sure you're safe. I wouldn't forgive myself if you got hurt again."
Ava wanted to retort, but she didn't when she saw the pain in Ryan's eyes. She knew he just wanted the best for her, and so she didn't argue.
_Later that night_
Ava sat reading her copy of Pet Sematary, waiting for Beckett to show up. Right when she got to one of the scariest parts of the book, she heard a knock at the door, and screamed slightly. Then, realizing it was probably Beckett, she answered it.
"Ava, are you oaky? I heard you scream." Beckett said, poking her head into the room.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I was reading my book and you scared me." Ava said, holding up her book as proof.
Beckett stepped into the hotel room. Ava took her coat and tossed it over the couch.
"Man, this room is huge!" Beckett said, glancing around at the hotel suite.
"Yeah, the manager upgraded me to a bigger suite because he thought I would have 'increased mobility.'"
"He does know it's just a broken collar-bone, right?"
"No, but I wasn't gonna argue!"
Beckett laughed. It was good to see Ava doing well, despite all that had recently happened to her.
"I brought a few movies so we'd have something to do." Kate said, holding up a plastic bag.
"Sounds good!' Ava said, leading her into the kitchen.
"Ms. Beckett, might I interest you in any hors d'oeuvres?" Ava said in a cheesy English accent.
"Why yes. I'll take a fresh garden salad with no dressing, and your finest glass of red wine." Beckett said, striking up the same silly tone.
Ava opened the fridge, and turned back to Beckett.
"How about leftover pizza and some grape soda?"
"Eh, it'll have to do." Beckett said, making them both giggle.
"I'll have it ready in a minute. You can go set up a movie if you want. What did you bring?"
"I've got Titanic, Lion King, or Independence Day." Beckett said, spreading out the DVD's on the table.
"Hmm, tough choice. How about all three?" Ava said, looking hopeful.
"Sounds good!" Beckett said, walking into the living room. She tried to start up the DVD player, but had some difficulties. Ava finished up in the kitchen, and carried the food out to the living room.
"Hey, can you give me a hand?"
"Uh, yeah. Just hit the red button on the remote."
When the TV finally turned on, it was on a channel that was playing the final moments of Jaws, when the shark blows up. Suddenly, the gunshot rang out on screen, and Ava froze.
She was back to that night at the Wood house, and the bullet was coming at her in slow motion. Her feet wouldn't move, and it was coming straight at her. Oh God, help me! Ava thought, dropping the glass cup, shattering it, and cutting her leg. She began falling backwards, falling unconscious, when Beckett's voice snapped her back to reality.
"Ava!" She screamed, catching her off guard.
Ava looked up at her, stunned, and then began to cry. Kate rushed over to her, and wrapped her up in a tight hug. She was sobbing now; she was so scared.
"Kate, I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" She said through the tears.
"Shhh, it's okay, Ava, it's okay." Kate said. She had gotten quite the scare as well, but wouldn't let Ava see it. She just sat there and cradled the frightened girl in her arms.
