There should be one more part after this one. Thanks for all the feedback and reviews. I appreciate them all.

Ch. 14

She knew she was in Walt's bed as soon as she woke up. The memory of the previous night was seared firmly into her brain. She quickly realized she was alone the bed. Rolling over onto her side, Vic ran her hand over the spot Walt had vacated. It was cool to the touch. She planted her feet on the floor and rose with a slight groan. Looking around, she located her clothes and pulled them on. She padded barefoot into the living room. She could smell the aroma of coffee sitting on the air in the cabin. Vic checked the bassinet and found it empty. She could see the front door was cracked. Pushing it open, she found Walt with Henry on his shoulder wrapped in a blanket Ruby had made for him. His eyes brightened when he saw her.

"Morning."

"Good morning."

He stood up, his hand rubbing at his son's back.

"He was restless after breakfast so I brought him out here so he wouldn't wake you. You seemed like you were sleeping good."

"I was. Thanks."

He nodded, brushing by her on his way into the cabin.

"Want some fresh coffee? I've been up for a while."

Vic smiled.

"Sure."

Walt bent slightly and passed her the baby. His eyes lit up at the sight of his mother. She bounced him in the kitchen while Walt set about making coffee. It was a process the way he did it but the coffee was worth the wait. She wouldn't admit it but she also liked watching him concentrate while he did it. The coffee was finally ready. Vic placed Henry into the swing Walt bought for him and turned it on. His eyes were immediately drawn the mobile spinning over his head. Walt handed Vic a mug of coffee fixed the way she took it. Something about the fact that he knew exactly how she took her coffee had always warmed her insides.

His blue eyes were focused on her and he seemed lost in his head.

"What?"

He smiled at her slightly.

"Nothing."

She started to speak when her phone buzzed. Vic sighed when she saw the number of the station, knowing their conversation would have to wait.

X

Vic was glad she was wearing her sunglasses as she steered her truck down the road. It hid some of the eye rolls. Jake sat in the passenger seat. She kept her focus on the road ahead of her.

"Have you ever considered not being an asshole?"

"Wow, that's harsh."

"This constant flirting shit is getting old. I know guys think it's funny to keep on after they get shot down but it's really not. It makes you look desperate. This is a small department and if you're gonna work here, you're going to have to tone it down. We spend way too much time together at work for you to be obnoxious all the time."

"All I asked was what exactly your status with the Sheriff was."

"It's none of your damn business. It doesn't affect you. I still wouldn't go out with you anyway."

"Why?"

Vic huffed.

"You're what thirty? Barely?"

That earned her an incredulous look.

"Closer to your age than the Sheriff."

"It's not about age. It's about life experience."

"I have life experience."

"Okay. Whatever. Either way, stop it or we are going to have a problem."

He turned his eyes towards the window.

"I've got to be honest. I've applied for a job with the highway patrol. This job was really more about getting some experience."

"Have you told Walt that?"

"Guess I will now."

X

Walt sat on his porch with his long legs stretched out in front of him.

"I can't say I'm sorry to see him go."

Vic leaned against the porch railing.

"You do know there was no reason for you to be jealous, right?"

Walt turned his eyes beyond her.

"He came on pretty strong."

"He's a kid who thinks he's the shit. Once upon a time, he might have gotten my attention. Those days are over. Not my type."

Walt's focus settled back on her.

"What's your type these days?"

Her lips turned up slightly in a smirk.

"Apparently washed up Sheriffs who should shave more are the ones who hold my attention these days."

Walt rubbed at his chin.

"It's part of the image."

Her smile faded and she moved to sit next to him, growing serious.

"Walt, we need to talk about last night."

"Yep."

She rested her elbows on her thighs and studied a wooden plank under her foot.

"What was it for you?"

Her voice was low, uncertain.

He was quiet longer than she was comfortable for. Frustrated with his lack of a response, she started to stand. Walt's hand came up and closed around her wrist, tugging her back down to the bench.

"I love you."

She was afraid to look at him. She was afraid of what she would see in his face if she did. Now it was Walt's turn to worry.

"Vic?"

"How long?"

He looked at her as though he were confused by her question.

"How long what?"

Vic finally lifted her face to meet his.

"How long have you loved me?"

Walt frowned.

"I don't know really. It snuck up on me and one day I realized I was in love with you. Longer than I had a right to."

She nodded her head slowly, not breaking contact.

"Why didn't you just tell me?"

He sighed heavily.

"For starters you were married. Then you weren't and it felt like we were moving forward but I got caught up in all this mess with Barlow. I should have. I should have told you."

"Yeah, you should have. Walt, why did you push me away? After Barlow died? Why did you shut me out? I tried, you know. I called you every day."

"I know. That was wrong. In my mind, I didn't think I deserved your loyalty or anything else from you."

"Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?"

He smiled just the smallest smile.

"I do now."

"In punishing yourself, you punished me. Really, you punished everyone who was trying to help you. It's selfish to be that way."

"Yeah, it is."

She stood up and returned to the railing, looking out at the setting sun. Walt was entranced by the way the evening colors illuminated her face and hair. She rested her arms on the railing, her eyes on something in the distance.

"It can't be like that."

Walt stood up and moved to her side.

"What do you mean?"

"You can't claim to love someone and then shut them out. I've lived that before with Sean. It's not right and it's doomed to fail. If you can't be real with me, then this isn't going to ever work."

He felt a flutter in his stomach at what she seemed to be saying.

"This as in…you and me."

She turned to face him, half of her face shadowed.

"I love you. I have for a long time. I had hoped that after my divorce you would get you head out of your ass. But now, we have Henry to worry about and he has to come first. I won't have him raised in an environment where people are always fighting and keeping secrets. I won't have him raised with parents who are emotionally closed down to each. I want him to feel love and acceptance in a way I never did as a kid."

He had never seen more sincerity in her eyes than he did in that moment. He brought his hand up to her face and traced his thumb over her lips.

"Are you saying you'll give us a chance?"

"I'm saying these are my conditions, Walt. They're not negotiable."

He smiled.

"You drive a hard bargain."

Some of the seriousness eased from her face and she began to smile. He leaned down and kissed her.

"I think I can manage that. All of it."

Her arms slid around his neck pulling him down. She laughed against his lips.

"Good. I didn't want to have to kick your ass into gear."