Title: Sleepy Hollow
Chapter 13 – Lady Blue
I want complicated…she had heard the words and then watched Ed drift back into sleep before she slumps back into the chair, Wordy starting to stir just as the nurse rushes to her side.
"Was he awake?" The nurse asks as Wordy's gaze focuses on Donna who nods in agreement.
"For a few seconds," she replies in truth.
"Did he…say anything?"
"Just a few words," Donna answers with a rapidly beating heart. "Is that…good?" She asks slowly.
"That he came out of the coma on his own and was lucid and said anything is a very good thing. His vitals are normal and heart rate, while still slightly elevated is normal. He'll be fine."
"Thank God," Donna whispers as Wordy's hand gives her shoulder a brief squeeze. As soon as the nurse takes her leave, both her and Wordy lean in closer and then look at each other, trade nervous laughs and exchange a brief hug. Donna once again takes the next watch; but Ed remains asleep. However, the monitors display encouraging results and when it's her turn to get some rest, her mind is settled and heart? A bit less agitated.
But the next eyes to open – are Ed Lane's.
His mind flashes him images…arriving at Donna's, seeing the blood, entering the warehouse, fighting with Bill…feeling the steel entering his chest…Donna calling his name…darkness.
Hospital smell…cold hands…unfamiliar voices…frantic movements…Donna…Wordy…doctor? Donna…a flurry of activity floods his mind – hospital actions that will save his life. And then…drifting back into the darkness, images of himself fighting Bill only to lose. But just as all hope is lost…he hears her voice and starts to claw his way back to the light.
Complicated…he didn't imagine that. He had told her what he wanted…he had heard her say it and then said it back but now wonders if that'll even come to fruition. Complicated…it is complicated…how can I do complicated. And after all this…would she even want to.
But when he opens his eyes, his heart instantly plummets as he looks around the stillness of his room to see only one other person in the room with him – his faithful partner. A frown furrows his brow as he tries to swallow; the small movements not lost on his partner who leans in closer with a relieved smile.
"Hey…welcome back."
"Feel like…hell."
"You look it," Wordy tosses back casually as he gives Ed's hand a friendly squeeze. "Was really worried there."
"Me too. Donna?"
"She had to sign a paper for uh…Bill's death certificate."
"Dead. I'm glad," Ed manages with a strained breath. "Did you find…"
"Just relax," Wordy cautions as he notices a slight jump in Ed's monitors. "It's all over now. I'm sure Donna will be back very soon."
With that Ed gives Wordy a nod and sinks back into darkness.
XXXXXXXX
Donna returns about an hour, slowly slipping into Ed's room and looking at his sleeping frame; at least thinking he was sleeping. Wordy in the hallway talking to Greg and Spike. But Ed's soft words surprise her.
"Was that Spike?" Ed asks softly as Donna pauses in swallowing her coffee.
"Yeah. He's been helping keep vigil with Wordy. I'll call the…"
"Wait," Ed interjects softly as his hand shoots out and grabs at hers; her fingers at first hesitating and then curling around his with greater tightness. "What you said…"
"Ed?"
Both look up to see Spike enter with a look of hesitation and the next personal discussion between Ed and Donna is put on hold as Spike enters to finally talk to his team leader. Donna steps outside and gives Jules a hug as she nears and pulls back with a friendly smile.
"I hope they stay," Jules whispers as she gives Donna a nod. "You are a given."
Donna has no chance to say anything as Greg approaches with a friendly smile of his own. "Thanks for the help with this Constable Sabine."
And before Donna can utter a protest that she was only a civilian consultant Greg shoves a police shield into her grasp; her jaw slightly slackening.
"I…"
"This team needs you."
"Greg, I …" Donna starts in protest as her fingers curl around the familiar inanimate object and her heart slightly swells. But as she thinks about Bill's betrayal her heart starts to race.
"I don't know what Bill said to you. From the few things Ed told me and from what we found…it wasn't confidence boosting," he pauses with a lighter note, "but his mistakes weren't your doing."
"But he was right…he did make me quit. I left and I shouldn't have…"
"No," Greg interjects in haste. "He played you. I think if you knew he was playing you you would have made a different decision. I don't think you want him to win long run. I'm not asking for you to make a decision today, but…" Greg pauses once more as his fingers curl hers around the shield and give them a comforting pat, "on Monday I want you to come into the detachment and either give this to me as part of my new team or your final resignation."
"New…team?"
"Details Monday," he winks as he looks past her to Ed. "Should be enough time for Ed to heal and give me his answer also."
"But…you mean the team from…Ed, Wordy and…Spike?"
"You let me know."
Donna watches Greg turn away and then head back toward his wife and two other officers and feels her heart rate starting to soar. She turns and looks at Jules who gives her a smile and wink before she heads toward her husband and Winnie. She then watches the rest of the team all file into Ed's room, taking turns giving him hugs and wishing him a speedy recovery.
'New team…'
She hears Greg's words echoing in her head and tells herself maybe it's time to stop being his victim and prove Bill a liar…prove him wrong…that his control of her life is now over and it's time to be part of something special, a new team…a real professional family.
Greg watches Donna head toward Ed's room and enter; joining in the friendly and upbuilding conversation and looks at his wife with a knowing smile.
"The new SRU project?" She asks softly as Greg nods in confirmation. She loops his arm in his and leans in closer for a private whisper. "Money well spent."
XXXXXXXX
About two hours later, Donna watches as each of the new team slowly files out one by one…Sam and Jules heading back to Bill's to help box everything up; Spike joining them. Greg and Marina heading to city hall to give an official press release about the capture of the grisly serial killer that taunted them all for a year and Wordy taking his family out for a dinner, just the four of them and then coming back to see how the rest of Ed's day had turned out.
"Alone at last," Donna states nervously as she nears the bed with a tense smile; her heart rate starting to pick up the pace. "So…"
He looks at the strained expression on her face and beckons her to sit beside him; Donna slowly moving toward the chair and slumping down into it with a weary sigh.
"Bill…this was all him. He…he apparently lived next door the whole time," she starts to tell Ed all that Greg and Spike had told her. "He…he did it all. Right from the first…death," she huffs as she pulls out a small black dice. "And he…enjoyed it all."
"I'm so sorry."
"I'm sorry to…I'm sorry I let him play me," she slightly hisses as her fingers curl tightly around the dice; holding on to it until her knuckles start to turn white. Ed's fingers reach out and tenderly touch her tense limb, Donna looking up in defeat. "He…he wasn't the person I thought I knew…or cared about."
"It wasn't your fault."
"Greg said that too but uh…I left. I chose to do that and…" her voice dies out as she looks down at the single piece of black plastic in her grasp. "He said this dice…he had a list of people he wanted to kill…groups of six and each roll determined which he'd kill. Some were personal…some business."
"Did Spike find his birth parents?"
"Not yet but….but I'm not sure I want to know," she confesses sourly. "He said when I met him he…he was already twisted and dark and this…I never knew him. I thought I did but…maybe no one ever really knows anyone," Donna whispers with a teary sniff as she looks away and then back at Ed with a tight lipped smile.
"I failed home ec in grade 9," Ed blurts out in haste as Donna instantly feels her expression soften.
She leans in closer, taking his hand in hers and giving it a comforting squeeze. "I don't want to …I don't know what I want. Or maybe I do and I'm just scared…"
"Too complicated?"
"Wish we had just met in a small diner somewhere…over coffee," she quips with an amused smile. "All the things he did…the lives he destroyed and then…how he justified it to himself. As if he was the only person, ever, who had been wronged and had a beef with family or creditors or…or whoever. He justified his ugly hate and his…did Spike tell you how he faked his death?"
"He did," Ed replies in acknowledgment. "Bill's hatred wasn't anyone's fault but his own."
"Greg said the same thing," Donna answers with a heavy sigh as her fingers start to idly intertwine with Ed's. "I was so angry and sad and…devastated when Bill died. I left Toronto …a job I loved…my friend's…and he knew. Bill was there watching the whole time…laughing at me…"
"You're not to blame."
"I shouldn't have left!" Donna snaps and then shakes her head. "Ed…"
"Wordy and I have known each other…for too long now. I know you and Bill worked together and were friends before that for…what a decade? You have every right to feel angry and betrayed. I'd feel the same way. But…you are not to blame."
"I hope that sinks in sometime soon," she admits with a sheepish smile. "Each one…he justified them and me…I was his last. Then he said he was going to disappear."
"Donna…"
"He said…it wasn't for me…that it was his temper…his doing but that some was for me. How do I just…move on from that?"
"By telling yourself he's to blame and you're not going to let him control anything more."
She looks at him and tries to smile…but her mind knows that it'll take a bit more than some comforting words until she fully believes that Bill's rampage wasn't even in the smallest way her doing.
"Donna…"
"Tell me more about…home ec. Was it the cooking part or….the sewing?" She inquires in amusement as her fingers tighten in his.
"Donna…" Ed tries once more.
"I said I wanted complicated I did…I know and I…I just…right now I just want to get to know you. Just…slow. But…so…home ec?"
Ed offers her a strained smile and for the most part, he knows inwardly he can't blame her, especially after all she's gone through. But the fact that she's still here with him…trying…wanting to start something, if even slow…was a sign – a good one and he's not going to throw it away.
"The…cooking part. So there was…." Ed starts into a story as both of them finally start to relax.
XXXXXXXX
"You've been quiet for the past hour," Greg tells Spike as he enters the quiet boardroom about two hours later. He had finished the press conference with his wife, the mayor, and then came straight back to the detachment to put the final closings on the case. But he had observed Spike had withdrawn and almost locked himself away in the quiet room – alone.
Spike looks up with a small frown and shrugs. "Just wanted to finish all this up for you before we go. And…I think I found Bill's biological parents."
"Where are they?"
"Parkhurst cemetery," Spike replies softly as he turns the laptop around for Greg to see. "I think they…were his first kills."
"What?"
"He was…fourteen."
"Damn," Greg curses lightly as Spike scrolls down the page. "Local police suspected foul play but with no suspects the case goes cold. Never solved. Spike…"
"Then look at this…" Spike pulls up another page.
"Where…did you find this?" Greg asks as they both watch the somewhat fuzzy clip of Bill confessing to the camera that he killed his parents and…didn't feel remorse. Good work Spike."
"It's kinda moot now but…"
"But it ties up a few other loose ends to really complete the case," Greg states as he pats Spike on the back. "I guess I can understand why you were so quiet the past hour. This is grim reading."
However, when Spike just gives Greg a mere nod, Greg sits down across from him with a glance that silently demands some answers. "Spike…Ed is going to be okay."
"I don't want to leave," Spike confesses and then looks away with a heavy frown.
"Spike…"
"I know we have to but…but I just felt like I made a real difference here," he states as he looks back at Greg with a tight lipped smile. "I'll put all the rest of this away in the file."
"Ed's out in a few days and I told him I want him, Wordy and yourself to be here on Monday for…"
"An official send off?" Spike interjects in curiosity.
"We'll talk more about that on Monday. In the meantime…could use your help on a few other cases."
"Really?" Spike asks eagerly as Greg smiles and claps him on the shoulder. "I mean sure…I wouldn't mind."
Greg offers him a brief chuckle and then gets up to leave, Winnie hovering in the doorway with two coffee's in her hand. He gives her a small nod and then continues on his way; glancing back to see her offer him the coffee and the two of them start to talk about something non-work related.
"Hope this works out," Greg whispers as he disappears from view.
XXXXXXXX
"So what are you doing in the meantime?" Ed asks Wordy who sits beside his hospital bed several hours later. Wordy had filled him in on a few more details of what they found at Bill's place; Donna finally going home to have a quick shower, feed Duke and then get some muchly needed rest – promising to return a few hours later to see how Ed was recovering.
"Just…checking out the area," Wordy admits with a small frown as Ed's dark brows slightly lift. "We had been looking to move to bigger home…quieter area and so forth."
"Wordy…"
"I know we're not staying. Too much fog anyways," he slightly smirks as Ed's brow furrows once more. "Unless…"
"There is no unless Wordy. A few days will be the weekend and then on Monday Greg wants us to come back for a proper send off. I'll be out in a few days and then…we'll put North Bay behind us, for good."
"And…Donna?"
"Wordy…" Ed tries to protest.
"I had to ask right."
"It's…complicated and I…I want that but," he pauses as he looks at his best friend with a clouded expression.
"But what? The case is over right? You said the complicated was because of the case. No more case."
"She has some stuff to work through and we have another life to get back to."
"Ed…if you want to stay don't you dare think that myself or Spike…damn Spike will move with you," Wordy snickers as Ed's expression softens. "If you have a chance at happiness…take it."
Ed looks at Wordy; comfortable silence starting to grow between them. "So…would Shelly move up here?"
Wordy looks at Ed and nods. He leans back in his chair and starts to tell Ed about the areas they had looked at and the two homes they found that they could consider buying.
XXXXXXXX
When Ed awakens the next morning he sees Wordy in the hallway talking to the doctor and slowly uprights himself. Having been in the hospital for a few days, his agitation to exit the medical intuition was more than ready to explode; his mind anxious to just get this behind him and…start fresh?
But alone or starting fresh with someone new…Donna?
"Ready to escape this place already?" Wordy asks with a smile as he slowly enters Ed's hospital room.
"More than ready," he answers with a tense smile. "Is…Donna around?"
"Haven't seen her, but Spike is happy we're staying a few more days," Wordy tells Ed in truth.
"I think even if we went back…he might just stay beind."
"Spike is loyal to you," Wordy reminds him in truth. "But…Donna did leave this for you."
Ed takes the small card and looks at the picture and then up at Wordy who shrugs.
"How'd you two part?"
"We…"
'Ed…I want complicated. That was the truth. I want complicated with you. But I have a lot of thinking to do. We always said if the case was over or we just met in a diner…two people coming together over a cup of coffee. I will see you before you go…I just need some time to collect myself. Please don't be mad.
Donna.'
"I can't blame her for wanting some time after all this," Ed confesses as he slowly dresses; Spike walking into the room to join them. "What Bill did to her…the lies and then the spying…she needs time. It makes sense."
"So…we're staying?" Spike asks with a hopeful smile as Ed looks at Wordy who once again shrugs and laughs. "I mean…just for a few more days' right? You're in no condition to travel."
"We're staying until next Monday," Ed tells Spike in truth.
"And then?"
"And then….we'll meet with Greg, get our proper sendoff and be on our way…back home."
"Okay," Spike agrees with some disappointment in his tone.
"Spike…they don't have jobs for us here and we can't just ask Greg to come up with funding to find them just for us. It doesn't work that way. And for us to pressure him…well that might cause a rift between him and the mayor and we wouldn't want to be responsible for that."
This time Spike agrees and he and Wordy slowly file out of the hospital room behind Ed. Ed checks out and the three of them drive to the hotel; Wordy coming in with them but Ed telling his best friend that he just wants to have a shower and relax.
"I'll be fine…" Ed insists as he looks at Wordy with a kind smile. "I've been inside that damn hospital too long. I want to shower…take a walk and then…maybe I have some thinking to do too."
"Greg and Marina invited us all for dinner tomorrow night," Wordy informs Ed who nods; the three of them slowly heading toward the door of Ed's hotel room. "Ed…"
"Wordy I'll be fine. I just need today to rest…I'll see you both tomorrow. I need some time for myself."
The two of them take their leave, Ed slowly closing the door and leaning against it with his eyes closed. He remains there a few seconds, his heart already feeling the ache from Donna's absence. She needs time…after all she's been through you can't deny her that. You had six months after Sophie died….she needs time…but she's not pushing you away for good. There is hope…
And he knows his mind is right. So to keep himself from going over to her place, he heads for the bathroom, wanting to have a warm shower and then go for walk to get some real fresh air; not the medicated kind in the hospital. Mindful of the healing stiches, Ed carefully showers and then dries; dressing in something fresh and clean and then heads for the front door.
He pulls his coat around his chest as he slowly heads down the street, wandering a few paces and then stopping to look into the windows, his mind just wanting to focus on anything but getting into his truck and going to see Donna. He continues on his way.
But just as he reaches the next window he stops. He looks into the establishment; his eyes locking on one thing…unable to turn away at first. He looks away and then takes a few steps in the direction of his intended destination. He stops.
Just…go in…his brain urges.
And so he does. He pulls the door open and steps into the Lady Blue diner, looking at the lone occupant in the small booth as a slow smile starts to spread across his lips.
"Is this seat taken?"
"It is now."
He slowly slides onto the bench opposite her and looks at her with a tender smile. "Well…this is a diner."
"And…I could use a coffee."
The two of them trade knowing smiles – a new beginning was about to begin and each are ready to take the very first step.
A/N: ah yes so I wanted them to have their moment in the diner. A bit more to come here as I didn't really want to draw out Ed's recovery. How will things go at Greg's and what surprise awaits them all on Monday? Please do review before you go and thanks so much!