Once again, I am so so sorry about the delay in posting. You know how it is, life gets in the way. And I have been super stressed out with personal stuff these past few weeks. But I still try and find the time to type! I love each and every one of you out there reading and supporting me. This story never would have made it without you guys.
So, without further ado, here is the next chapter!
Shawn rolled out of the way, trying to avoid the knife and ignore the uncomfortable tugging sensation in his arm. As the knife plunged harmlessly into the bedding, Shawn gritted his teeth and yanked the IV line out of his arm.
Now free, he attempted to roll off the bed and to his feet. However, it had been days since he last stood up and the effects of strong painkillers were still running through his body. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he collapsed in a heap.
Martin was already standing over him, knife poised to kill. Shawn, completely helpless, held up his hands over his chest and let out a tiny scream. There was nowhere to run.
Martin was taking his time. He slowly walked closer, closer to Shawn, grinning evilly. He lifted the knife again. Shawn closed his eyes, bracing himself for the impact.
The impact that came was not what he had been expecting. A large body landed right on Shawn's chest and his eyes flew open in shock.
"Oh dear," a familiar voice murmured and the limp body of Marting was shoved off Shawn.
"Despereaux?" Shawn wheezed.
"Hello, Shawn." Despereaux had his arm in a sling and looked exhausted.
"What-what are you," Shawn paused and coughed. "Doing here?"
"I came to see you. Are you alright? It doesn't seem like you're breathing right."
"Mm hm." Despereaux crouched down next to Shawn, his fingers probing at Shawn's chest.
"Ah!" Shawn yelled-or tried to as Despereaux poked at him. All that came out was a little bit of a whimper.
"Shawn, I need you to listen to me. I think when he fell he punctured your lung with one of your broken ribs. We don't have much time. Can you yell?"
"Don't-know," Shawn panted.
"You'll have to try. You tell the nurses he came after you so you tried to get up but you fell. You managed to knock his feet out from under him, he fell, hit his head on the bed railing and landed on you. You do not mention me. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Okay, when I tell you to, I want you to tell for help." Despereaux crossed the room and swung his body most of the way out the open window. "Now!"
"Help! Help!" Shawn's yell wasn't very loud, but it was apparently loud enough as a nurse bustled into his room.
"Shawn, what happened?" She was shocked to see him on the floor with an unconscious man next to him.
"Tried-kill-me." Shawn pointed at Martin. "Can't-breathe."
The nurse began probing at Shawn's chest just like Despereaux. She tutted when she hit the most painful rib (and Shawn tried to yell) and pulled out her stethoscope. She listened intently to his chest.
"Okay, Shawn, it sounds like one of your broken ribs punctured your lung. I don't want to know what happened right now, we need to perform surgery so you can breathe. I'm calling the doctor now."
Juliet sat in Shawn's hospital room, watching him sleep. There had been another set back last night, but at least they had a suspect in custody right now. Lassiter was still questioning him while Juliet had been tasked with questioning Shawn once he woke up.
It was the first time she had been in hospital room with him. They weren't alone, Henry was silently sitting next to Juliet, but she was still nervous. After all, the last time they spoke, she had thrown her wine in his face and stormed off. Now, after the kidnapping, she didn't even know where she stood with him. And she knew Shawn would ask. She really wished she had an answer, but her soul-searching had left her even more confused than before. All she knew was that Shawn had almost died and these beeping machines he was hooked up to were keeping him alive.
She usually loved sleeping Shawn. He was warm and cuddly and didn't stop moving for long. This Shawn, attached to multiple machines delivering drugs to him, was unsettling. He was too still, reminding Juliet of when they had first pulled him out of the water. She hated seeing him like this, however angry she was at his actions.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a long, loud groan from Shawn. His eyelids were fluttering open. In a flash, Henry was at his son's bedside.
"Hi Shawn. That's it, open your eyes. I'm right here, son."
Juliet was struck by how gentle Henry sounded. She knew that the Spencer's cared for each other deeply, even if they didn't show it. But now, the emotions were all out on the table. Henry had to be beating himself up for not fighting harder to stay overnight with his son. Juliet was even kicking herself for not posting a guard.
Shawn moaned again.
"I'm right here, Shawn. Just open your eyes. You're safe."
"Dad?" Shawn's voice was quiet.
"That's right. How are you feeling? Are you breathing okay?"
"Kinda hurts."
"Do you want me to call the nurse for you?"
"No!" Shawn's voice was a bit louder. "No more drugs. I want to be awake."
"Okay, Shawn. There's someone here to see you."
"Despereaux?"
"He died," concern was evident in Henry's voice. "You remember that, right? He was killed."
Shawn only sighed in reply.
"Juliet is here to talk to you."
"Jules? Where?"
Juliet stood and walked over to the bed. "Right here, Shawn."
"You came." Shawn's voice was quiet and sad. "I didn't know if you would."
Henry stood up. "I'll leave you two alone for a while. Maybe they're serving something in the cafeteria that's actually edible."
Juliet gave him a grateful smile as he exited the room.
"Jules, I am so so so sorry. If only you hadn't found that ticket, this never would have happened. You would have been at my bedside all this time. I-"
"Shawn, I'm here on official police business." Juliet cut off his little speech.
Shawn's face fell. "Oh."
Juliet realized a moment too late that her words had been a little too harsh. Shawn had just almost died, after all. "Look, I just need to know what happened last night. We get called down here to you being rushed into surgery and an unconscious guy on the floor? What happened?"
Shawn's brow furrowed as he thought. "I don't really remember."
"That's a lie and we both know it."
"I don't remember what he told me to say," Shawn murmured, so quietly that Juliet almost didn't catch it. Almost.
"What who told you to say?"
"Oh, um, Martin."
"Shawn, stop lying to me."
"You wouldn't believe the truth."
"Try me," Juliet challenged.
"Despereaux."
"Despereaux?" Juliet repeated. Her first inclination was to write that off as Shawn seeing things. He was being pretty heavily medicated. Then again, Shawn had mentioned Despereaux to more than one person since being admitted to the hospital. She decided to play along. "How is that possible? I thought he died last year."
"He faked it. Please, don't tell anyone. He just wants to live his life in peace. He can't do that with the cops coming after him."
"And he was here?"
"He saved me. Martin was about to kill me and he knocked him out."
"And Martin was the one who started this whole ordeal?"
"Yes. He said that I put his friends in prison." Shawn coughed loudly. "He knew it was a matter of time before I came for him. I don't even know who he is."
"But you're sure he's the one who set all of this up?"
"That's what he told me."
"Okay," Juliet stood up. "I think that's all I need for now." She began to head for the door.
"Wait, Jules."
Juliet turned around. "Yes?"
"For what it's worth, I am sorry. And I really do love you. This doesn't change that. Nothing ever will."
Juliet smiled, then exited the room. Instead of calling Carlton like she was supposed to, she went to the ladies room. She stared at her reflection through tear-filled eyes, and did her best to not let them fall. Of course, there were some that slipped through. She glanced up at the ceiling, clenching her fists in frustration.
When did things become so complicated?
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