Last chapter. I gotta say this one was tough to finish with everything that's been going on with me. I want to thank everyone that stuck in there and actually enjoyed it. Since the power just came back on I figured I better get this one up. :) So Merry Christmas to everyone that celebrates it, and to those that don't Happy Holidays!" Later ya'll.

Maura finished up with the last of the last patient, and looked around the room. It was starting to clear out as the minor cases left, but they were out of cots. There were still plenty of wounded who weren't going anywhere for a while. Outside the situation was actually starting to improve.

Messages had been relayed to them periodically, but they did nothing for Maura's anxiety. She was exhausted, and as she washed her hands in yet another bucket of water, she glanced to a guarded corner. The scouts had brought in two of the wounded raiders, and it took everything in her to keep another battle from breaking out. She understood what some of her people were saying, these men had been trying to kill them. But she'd also taken an Oath, and as much as she'd hated it, she used the same care and skill as she had with everyone else.

They both had suffered several gunshot wounds. One wouldn't make it to morning. The other had a chance if he wasn't killed before then. Korsak had put two guards he could trust with them, knowing they needed to be questioned before any decisions were made.

Drying her hands, she stared at a hard plastic chair against the wall. It was about the only free seat left in the place. Her mind flashed to the "torture chair" in her office. It was probably still laying on its side from where she'd kicked it into a zombie's path. Shaking out the memory she sighed. If she sat down now, she might never get back up and there was still too much to do.

R&I

Jane watched as the last of the undead started to fall, and felt a small measure of relief. Plenty of their numbers had been wounded during the battle but they lost no one to the zombies. Next time they might not be so lucky.

Frankie trotted up to her pointing to the damaged fence. "It's gonna hold, but it doesn't matter now. Frost and his team is handling it."

"We've still got a lot of work to do Frankie. We can't just let those thing rot out there."

His nose wrinkled at the thought. "We can't let someone come in on us like that again. Jane, it was Casey..."

She held up a hand stopping him. "I know. That's long over Frankie. Probably before it even started. Even if it wasn't he's an enemy now. I don't think he brought his whole force with him."

Her brother digested that news, idly watching Jacob's plow make another pass of the lot. "You sure? It took almost everything we had to fight them off this time."

"I wouldn't have. Think about it. They've obviously been raiding for a while. You don't need to hit two outposts in three days for as many men as he had. He wasn't expecting this response."

"Yeah, and now we've got at least one of his mounted guns. Plus whatever supplies are in those truck. If we can ever get to them."

"We'll get to them. And we'll learn how to use them."

R&I

Maura was finally forced to leave the infirmary by Dr. Anthony, who after a few hours rest claimed himself good as new. She let the door shut slowly behind her and looked across the warehouse floor. Just yesterday, what had been a somwhat orderly chaos was in ruins. Survivors were clearing debris, gathering up what wasn't destroyed by the mounted guns. A bottled water was shoved into her hands, and she found Angela at her side. "You look exhausted."

"I am."

"Then go rest! It won't help anyone if you collapse."

"I could say the same to you."

Angela emphatically waved her off. "I've already had a few hours rest. Don't try to change the subject."

"I will once I..."

The service door opened and Jane walked in, catching her eyes immediately. They found their way to each other quickly. Maura felt like what was years of stress leak from her body when her arms wrapped around Jane's waist. She felt the taller woman's arms squeeze her tightly and relaxed even further. "You're okay?" Her voice was muffled against Jane's shoulder.

"Yeah. Are you?" The detective's hands ran up her back, flexing against her shoulders.

"Better now." That was all that needed to be said. They were together.

They stood that way for a few moments then eased apart. Jane wrapped her hand securely in Maura's tugging lightly. "I have a suggestion."

"I'm all ears."

"We check in, then we go to bed. After all this I just need you. Even if it is just for a few hours."

Maura's smile beamed. "Deal Detective."

R&I

Korsak ran a hand over his face, coming into the radio room with a frown.

"This better be good. There's tons of cleanup left."

Frost turned, glaring at the older man. "You should have been to bed hours ago like everyone else. Beside you want to hear this."

"Well what is it?"

Frost flipped a few switches and handed him a set of headphones. "This is Atlantic Command to any survivors who can receive this message, please respond. Repeat..."