Ruby glances at the clock on the wall as Vic heads down the stairs. Walt had left the station just a short time before Vic arrived. She hesitates only briefly before picking up the radio.

Vic's unlocking her front door as I pull up to her house. I hadn't realized how badly I needed to see her until she was there right in front of me. She visibly tenses in the beam of my headlights and quickly turns to see who is there. I shut the lights off quickly so she can see it's me. I hadn't wanted to scare her but of course she would be more alert than usual after what she's been through. She opens the door and walks in, holding it open for me to follow and then closing and locking it behind me, ever diligent, ever cautious.

"Walt, what are you doing here? Ruby said you were going after Ridges."

"I had left just before you got to the station and wasn't far out of town yet. When Ruby advised me of your situation I wanted to come by to see you. I knew a half hour's difference wouldn't hurt when it comes to catching up with Ridges. Nighthorse said he's with the medicine woman. If that's the case, he'll be there a while. How are you feeling?"

"My situation?"

"Ruby said Shaun was out of town again. She was worried about you being alone right now. I am too."

"I'm fine Walt, really. The pain in my head is much better. Doc said the first 24 hours were the critical ones. I've gotten through that. The bruises and scrapes on my wrist are hurting like hell but there's nothing anyone can do about that. I just need to take it a easy for a while."

"Even so, I don't like you being alone right now."

"Well what are we going to do about it Walt? I'm a big girl you know, not like Shaun was going to put off going to his precious job to hang around here and play nursemaid to his injured wife."

I'm not sure how to respond to that. I still don't know what she overheard at the hospital and now doesn't seem like to right time to broach that topic.

I reach out and touch her arm, her warmth spreading into my hand, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Look, will you do me a favor and call me when you wake up in the morning? I don't care what time it is. You should be able to reach me either at my cabin or the station. And if you need anything, anything at all, I'm here."

"Easy for you to say Walt, you're going to spend the next few hours chasing after a crazy man and you don't have a cell phone."

"You know what I mean Vic."

"Yes I do, and thanks. I'm just a little crankier than usual, I'm sure you understand. Look, I plan to come into work tomorrow anyway."

"Are you sure that's a good idea."

"No point in sitting around this empty house all by myself."

I study her carefully. She looks stronger than she did at the hospital. She's standing straighter and her eyes seem more clear. Even so, the circles under them give away how far she still has to go.

"Another solid night's sleep under your belt before you come back to duty will make me feel better about it."

"Well I plan on hittin' the hay as soon as your scrawny ass gets back to work."

I squeeze her arm lightly and reluctantly let go.

"Okay then."

"Be careful Walt"

I pause, that's what Martha used to tell me when I would head out to work.

"I'll try Vic"

I'm having a hard time falling asleep. I finished up Ruby's casserole and took a bath before bed but the warm and cozy feeling they provided wasn't extending beyond the physical to my thoughts. I saw the concern on Walt's face while he was here. He doesn't need to be distracted from his task at hand by worrying about me. That's why he can't know about what is going on with Shaun. He has too much on his plate right now. He doesn't need any of my drama to pull his focus off. He needs to nail Ridges, get Branch back under control and find out who really killed his wife's murderer so Henry stays out of prison. Victoria Moretti should fall at the bottom of his priority list right now.