Guys, I'm so sorry that it has taken me this long to get this story up. TheGodmother2 sent me this 3 days ago, and I'm just now getting it posted. I'm super sorry! Leave her lots of love in the reviews for having to deal with my crazy ass. That is all.


I look to Ruby and she holds both hands up in the air palms up with the uncertainty of the unknown. I sit for just a moment longer and stand as Vic reaches her desk to take the phone. I can see her with the black butt of the phone pressed against her golden hair but I can't hear and I feel like an interloper just trying to listen to what she is saying so I turn around, sit back down, and begin poring over the papers on my desk.

Ruby stands in the tunnel of death, the space in the doorway where you are not committed to either room, that's what the tac guys call it anyway when they clear houses. I wish I could tell Ruby how she saved me this morning. Saved me from saying things I shouldn't and feeling things I find nearly incomprehensible. Somehow, I think she knows, she is an old but gentle soul and she has been by my side longer than I can remember.


As I study my paperwork, Ruby clears her throat and whispers my name, "Walter. Walter, you better come here."

I look up and Ruby is motioning for me to come to her with a maternal look of concern on her face. I stride over and she points in Vic's direction. Vic is standing at her desk with her hands covering her face. She isn't making a sound and looks like she is in half shock and half panic.

"Vic."

"Vic?" My head is going a million places. I expect to hear her say that Sean is gone. He's in Australia. He filed for divorce. He quit his job. He left for another woman but I didn't hear any of those words.

I walk over and stand beside her placing my arm around her waist and whisper, "Vic, what's wrong?"

She doesn't move but I can feel her body trembling and the silent scream starts. The one that I have seen more times than imaginable, when the horror of reality permeates your conscious thought and you realize you aren't dreaming. The dread, the pain you feel, is real. I turn to face her and cover her hands with mine. I try to move her hands from her face but she is stiff and the pooling water encased in her eyes starts to fall. My hands soak in her tears as they descend down.

This anguish has tried to be my best friend for the past 4 years and I have fought hard to abandon him. Divorce myself from the shadows of fear, pain and revenge but he's back. He's back to torment another love. Another chance for my heart to find peace and purpose. Oh no, Vic, I know without you telling me. Without you saying a word.

I pull her into my chest and put my arms around her like a warm protective cocoon. I look over Vic's shoulder and softly whisper Ruby's name.

Ruby, hasn't moved, hasn't dared to entice the evil that is penetrating our lives. "Ruby, call Doc Bloomfield, have him get over here post haste."

Without warning I scoop Vic up and lay her down on my couch. Her body is like rigor and she begins to moan with rage. The same rage I felt in Denver. "What have I done?" "What have I done?" Her screams of sorrow rage against my chest and become louder, her shrieks like a wounded animal.

"Victoria."

"Victoria." I'm holding onto her arms so tightly I am afraid I'm going to hurt her.

"What have I done?"

"Whatever it is we will make it through."

She froze and looked through me. The same look a mother has when you tell her that her daughter was killed by a drunk driver or a wife has when you tell her that her husband was killed in a robbery or the same look a Sheriff has when he learns his wife was murdered by a meth head.

It is helplessness, guilt, anger, fear and the loss of what you hold dear all rolled into one. It is infinite incomprehension.

Vic catches her breath and looks into my eyes, the small drops of chocolate are nearly black as she murmurs, "This is all my fault. I killed him. I did. What have I done?"

Ruby was standing behind me, for how long I don't know, she touched my back and startled me. I can't let go of Vic not now.

"Doc Bloomfield is on his way."

I nod my head and roll up onto one knee so that Vic can hear me strong and clear. "Vic, we will make it through. This is not your fault. We will make it through."

She pulls back and begins to strike my chest, "No, Walt. No! This is my fault but I'm going to fix it." I grab her like I would a man because she is so strong.

I unholster her Glock and Ruby takes it from my hand.

"Ruby, secure that weapon. Get Doc on the phone and tell him to step it the hell up and get here with that sedative."

"Yes, Walter."

I turn back to Vic holding on with both hands.

"Is Sean dead?"

"Yes" she screams.

"Is it Gorski?"

She nods her head as I breathe to contain the ensuing eruption of emotion that is buried inside of my soul. The feelings that I have for her transcend mortal love. Our spirits are kindred, that is what I wanted to say to her before Ruby walked in, but now, at this moment, she must understand that her revenge is my revenge.