I was staring blankly at the black computer screen in front of me. I wasn't sure for how long. But I did know it was kind of soothing. It made me feel better. In fact, just being at the hospital made me feel better. I was surrounded by people I could trust, and people who I liked. And the best part about all of it, was the people around me, were doing everything in their powers to save the love of my life's…life. I had complete confidence in their abilities. I just wished the time was going by faster. "Daddy!" I snapped out of my thoughts and turned away from my computer. I smiled as I stood up from behind my desk and walked out from around it, slipping my phone into my sweat pant pocket. I squatted down fast, letting Gabe rush into me, hugging tight around my neck. "Uncle Carlos let me have whip crème on my waffles at breakfast!" I laughed standing up, letting him wrap his legs around me, as I stared at Carlos walking in my office, James right behind him. "Uncle James said I get to see Mr. Kendall right now!" Gabe pushed back on my shoulders and I quickly shifted him, to put him on my hip. I sighed out and sat on the edge of my desk as James got right in front of me, raising a goody bag from whatever restaurant they just ate at. I thought I was asking too much when I called Carlos, asking him to pick Gabe up from my neighbor's house. He asked why, and I told him the truth. I was riding in an ambulance with Kendall bleeding to death in my hands. He panicked but said they would be right over. It wasn't until Kendall was wheeled into the Emergency room, one of my doctor friends, promising they would take good care of him, that I got the call, I knew I'd get, from James. He wanted to know what the fuck happened and why his boss was shot dead in my apartment. I asked him about the information him and Kendall had found out about Milo Che and he went quiet. When he laughed, he said he'd get my place cleaned up and they'd take care of Gabe. Three hours later, I was finally with my little boy, who was changed, clean and full of what I heard to be yummy waffles. "Daddy can I go see Mr. Kendall?" I snapped out of my thoughts and smiled at Gabe who was staring blankly at me.
"Mr. Kendall is a little sore right now. But I promise you can see him very soon." He nodded looking over my shoulder, probably at all the cool things on my desk. Well…I think they were cool to him because he's 7, and they sucked to me because I had to see them everyday at work. "In the meantime," I gently slid Gabe down my body and set him on the ground gently patting his back, pushing him to my desk. "Why don't you play your games on my computer, while I go get something to eat, with Uncle James." I stood up straight staring at James who smirked and nodded.
"Whatever you do…" Carlos got right to my ear and put a hand on the back of my head. "Don't hurt his dick. We still haven't had makeup sex." I shoved Carlos hard to my kid and turned watching him pick Gabe up, just to put him on his lap. "I'll be on kid watching duty. Although I would like a chance to see Kendall, too." I nodded turning on the light on my desk illuminating Gabe and Carlo's faces.
"As soon as I hear from his doctor, I'll have someone come get you two." Carlos smiled big and nodded and I walked to James. He put a hand on the small of my back, but I turned quick and pointed a finger at Gabe who froze, his little mouth forming the perfect little 'o'. "Behave mister man. I mean it."
"I promise daddy! I will!" Carlos smirked readjusting him on his lap, turning my computer monitor on. James gently pushed me out the office door and wrapped an arm around the back of my neck pulling me into him.
"So, should I start asking questions now or are you just going to tell me freely." I laughed wrapping tight around James as he led us down the loud, noisy Emergency room. "What are you craving?"
"A coffee. I've got about 3 hours of sleep in me." I saw James nod as I smiled small at nurses and doctors walking past us. "I…"
"When we got to Gabe he told us a very scary story." I looked right up to his face as he glanced down to me and pushed open double doors leading out to the waiting room. "He said he woke up feeling hot. And his daddy came into his room, blocking the door. And then a big scary hairy looking man came in and made you put Gabe down." I swallowed hard nodding and he chuckled walking us to the long hallway that would lead us to another seating area, that would then take us to a small food court, complete with Starbucks. And a Subway. "The he said his daddy told him to run out of the house and get the neighbors once you were handcuffed and dragged out of the room." He pushed another door open for us and let me walk in first. When he got next to me, he put a hand on the back of my neck and pushed me to the rather long line, at Starbucks. "But as soon as he ran out of the apartment, he said he ran into Mr. Kendall who rescued him. And promised to rescue his daddy." I chuckled staring at the back of a short nurse's head, who was ahead of us in line. "He said Kendall took him to the neighbor's house and then Kendall sent me a rather long, odd text." James pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened up his texts. When he put it in front of me I took it and sighed out reading in my head.
'Do you think it's odd that Dave wanted to be the one to talk to Steven, behind closed doors tonight? Because I do. And I think our suspicion about him, and his alias is more than a suspicion. I don't feel right with John being out of custody, and I don't' like that it was because of Dave, John is out. I'm going to check on Logan. I'll talk to you later.' I slowly pushed James's pheon back over to him and crossed my arms over my chest. "Dave was under the impression I was working with my dad, and that money that went missing at the warehouse was in my possession. He was going to beat me…probably kill me or drag me around town, just to get that money, I didn't have. And then Kendall came in, and Dave shot him."
"And Kendall shot Dave…5 times?" I remained looking ahead, knowing if I saw James, I'd crumble and tell him the truth. I didn't want to because I…I didn't want to. My dad saved my life. And Kendall's. That was a very redeeming quality. "You and I both know there is no way for either, Kendall to shoot Dave five times, and then get shot by a dead man. Or for Dave to shoot Kendall, just to be shot dead by the severely injured man, lying on the ground. So, either Kendall didn't shoot Dave, or he did." I glanced up to my best friend fast and he smirked down at me, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I guess we'll wait until Kendall tells us what happened." He looked to the front and stepped forward pulling me along with him. "Also…I don't know if this occurred to you, but the guy was worried about you. He immediately thought of you, when he heard John had escaped custody. Definitely a bad guy."
"He dumped me remember?"
"And you gladly let him." I scoffed lowering my arms from my chest and shoved my hands into the pockets of my sweats. "It's clearly a relationship you want. Why'd you just let him go?"
"Because I was almost killed. Twice. In a very short span of 24 hours." I turned so I was facing James completely and felt my anger rising. "My child was kidnapped…my ex husband was killed. He lied to me, about multiple things. And he arrested my dad." James laughed turning to me as well and I shook my head poking his chest. "And might I remind you, you are the one who set me up with him. You knew he had a dangerous job and did nothing to make sure nothing happened to me or my son when we were around him. This is your fault. Get me a coffee, please." I spun fast and pushed past the line walking to a quiet corner of a high bar, that was empty. It looked out over the small park beside the hospital, and even though it was raining and nasty out, I still thought it was a better view then seeing James.
I waited patiently by myself, just looking out the window, watching the rain. I heard several names get called, none of them James. I was tempted to just leave, hoping he'd get the point and come back to my office with my coffee. But just as I was about to get up, to leave I heard James's name and stayed put. I refused to look at him as he sat next to me, sliding a very large plastic cup, and a package of some kind of food. "I'm sorry." I harshly pulled open the package to get the food and sat back a little shaking my head. "I've never gotten a call like that before. That my partner was shot. It is fucking with my head." I snapped to him fast watching him drink from a cup like mine, fast. When he lowered it, he turned to me and shrugged. "Kendall is like a brother to me. And I've watched him sift through shit, to make himself happy. And it's killed me. And then you divorced Chris, and I thought…what a perfect guy for my perfect friend, Kendall." I blushed looking down at the egg sandwich with a sausage on it, that I just pulled from the package. It was hot, but I didn't care. I was starving. "I think whatever happens between you and Kendall…should stay between you and Kendall. Whatever Carlos and I have to say about it, shouldn't matter."
"SO those snide comment Carlos made this morning when you guys helped me get home? About how I was doing what's best for my son, and shit?" James laughed taking the lid off his coffee and stirred it with his green stopper.
"Carlos has a very…odd relationship with Kendall. I personally think it's because he wants to bang him and knows he can't." I rolled my eyes taking a big bite of my sandwich. "Did Kendall tell you, Carlos punched him yesterday, when you were taken?" I choked on my bite, and coughed loud, covering my mouth, as James slapped my back a couple times. "Yeah…it's hysterical. He made Kendall's mouth bleed, but it barely fazed Kendall. And the reason he punched him was because he was scared. He felt like, with you gone, in a house with two C.I.A. agents, maybe something else was going to happen. To me. To him. He took it out on Kendall, who said he wasn't leaving without me. Carlos knows Kendall is my partner. He knows that Kendall has saved my life, dozens of times. He loves him for it. But he also knows, if it wasn't' for Kendall, half the time, I wouldn't need saving. He hates him for it."
"So why put him through that James?" I wiped my mouth sitting up straight and swallowed the piece of bread I almost choked on. "I mean…you know what kind of torture it is for him…why do that to him?"
"Because its my job Logan. Just like it's his job to go model the little minds of tiny humans who ask him uncomfortable questions, he can't answer. We were all put on this planet to do something good. I firmly believe that. He teaches, and I protect the country." He turned to me and raised his eyebrows. "Just like you save lives, while Kendall protects them." I rolled my eyes raising my sandwich again and he nudged me. "It almost seems like you two were meant to be or something." Before I bit down, I felt my lips turn into a smile, hiding it behind my food.
"Or something." He laughed loudly beside me, gently nudging me again as I took a huge bite laughing with him.
James let me eat, and drink most of my coffee before we decided to head back. As we walked back to my office, I pulled my phone out to see if I had missed any calls, and sighed out, seeing I had not. When I looked back up, putting my phone in my pocket I sped up seeing the doctor, my friend Peter, walking towards me, taking off a pair of gloves. "Logan…you want to come see him?" I nodded fast and grabbed James's forearm tugging fast. "I must warn you…he's not happy. He refuses to take any pain medication and will not let anyone change him into a gown." I heard James snicker beside me and I smirked shaking my head.
"Yeah…he's kind of…
"A jackass."
"Bullheaded?" I stared at both men as they said it and Peter laughed looking to James. "We have an IV in his arm, but it's mostly to keep fluids in him, and incase we need to give him another transfusion we have an open line." I nodded as Peter pushed open some double doors, taking a hard left, fast. "I was able to take the bullet out, and stich him up, so he's no longer losing blood, and has no chance of infection, as long as he keeps the bandage on. Also, he is going to need a lot of rest, so I suggest…Mr. Knight!" Peter shoved open the curtains hard as we all stood in the doorway. I heard James laugh as he clapped Peter's shoulder and walked past him, going right to Kendall, who was sitting up in bed, trying to take the bandage off his stomach. "You will not get better if something gets into your wound!" Peter walked in fast as James and Kendall shook hands, James pulling him up hard and fast.
"What the fuck happened to us not going into a dangerous situation alone?" Kendall chuckled, deep and huskily as they separated, and he leaned back shrugging. I was stuck staring at his naked torso, and his gorgeous tattoo's. I ignored the wrap around his stomach because it reminded me of what he did for me. Literally took a bullet for me. "Good to see you up and stuff man…but if the doctors think you need to rest…"
"I think I know how I'm feeling better than them." I rolled my eyes wrapping my arms around my stomach as he looked out to me, raising one leg, resting his IV arm on his knee. "Besides…maybe this doctor will say different."
"This doctor is off the clock." Kendall smiled as he laid his head down and I stepped in closer to him. "But this doctor still wouldn't say different." He laughed out loud as he closed his eyes and turned his head to the side. "How do you feel?" I got right next to James, and sat on the edge of the bed, keeping a safe distance from Kendall, so I wouldn't jump on him, and beg him to be with me.
"Well considering everything, not too shabby." I nodded as we locked eyes. I saw his hand closest to me, reach out and gently set it on my knee. I swallowed hard and looked down at the contact.
"Logan…I'm going to go get him some food. Call for a nurse if you need anything." My shoulder was squeezed, and I glanced over it, seeing Peter walking out fast. He pulled the curtains closed hard putting us in dim lighting. He had the TV on, but no other light was in the room.
"How does it feel to get shot dude?" I snapped my head to James fast and reached out slapping his stomach. He went back putting up his hands shaking his head. "I'm just curious. I've never been shot before."
"Well I wouldn't suggest it." I turned slowly to Kendall and sighed out lowering my hands. I very sneakily put my hand on top of his and reached out my other one putting it below his bandages. He gasped quietly and put his head back as I gently rubbed his skin above his boxer line. "Your hand is cold…but feels amazing." I nodded letting him turn our hands, so they were holding each other.
"I think you have a couple visitors who are dying to see you. Do you mind?" Kendall raised his head slowly and frowned. James gently, but tightly gripped Kendall's shoulder and mine at the same time. "Gabe is literally bouncing off the walls to see you. He made you an award for saving his daddy." I looked down fast and squeezed his fingers tight. "And you know Carlos…"
"Not Carlos. He's going to come in here, curse at me in Spanish, call me every name in the book and then cry and fall on my body like I'm dead." James laughed, and his hand left me shoulder.
"I'll give you guys a few minutes, and we'll be back." I turned quick and again watched until the curtain closed fast. I remained looking at the curtain feeling my hand on his lower stomach, get touched by his other hand. I took in a quiet, deep breath and finally looked back at him. As soon as we locked eyes, he sat up completely and moved over a little, getting closer to me. The hand on mine, on his stomach, moved up quick, and he cupped my neck softly pulling me to him. I looked back and forth between his eyes as he gently set his forehead on mine.
"I don't know what will work on you yet…since we've known each other for 5 days." I frowned moving my hand from his stomach, to his leg, under the blanket. "What kind of apologies do you prefer? Chocolate's and roses? Or hardcore makeup sex?" I laughed blushing, and closed my eyes, moving in closer to him, on his bed.
"What in the world would you need to apologize for? You saved my life Kendall."
"Yeah…I also dumped you last night on the grounds of protecting you. Do you see how far that got me?"
"To be fair…" I opened my eyes and pulled away from him, making him frown. "You were able to protect me while being broken up."
"Logan…your eye is swollen and bruised. You have a nasty bump on your forehead, from God knows what. Can you imagine what kind of injuries you would have had, if I had been with you when he came in?" I looked down and he rubbed my jaw with his thumb. "I can understand you won't want to be in a relationship with me, after everything I put you through, but I have a very tempting offer to give you." I looked up fast, raising an eyebrow and he smirked. "I think…I'm going to be retiring. From the C.I.A." My mouth parted open and he nodded. "I had the smallest taste of a normal life with you and Gabe. And I fell in love with it. I want that Logan. To have a normal life, with a normal guy…" I cut him off fast, raising a hand.
"Normal guy? Did you forget who my dad is?" He sighed raising his own eyebrow at me and I laughed. "Continue."
"I wouldn't mind living out the rest of my life, in my house, on the beach with you and that adorable little boy. I can't guarantee shit won't happen to us. But I will promise no matter what happens, I will do everything in my power to protect you and Gabriel. It's going to be my new life work. To bend over backwards to make you and him happy, safe and healthy. At whatever cost." I remained still as he rubbed my jaw again with his thumb. "Is it moving too fast? A lot of people will probably say so. But I don't care. And if you will please say yes to moving in with me I…" I cut him off fast. I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck, and smashing my lips hard into his. He put his arm around my back, that didn't have the IV in it. I shoved at him hard pushing him back on his bed, crawling up on it with him, putting my legs outside his. I put my hands on his chest and rubbed softly shoving my tongue in his mouth. His hand around my back moved forward quick and he put it on my shoulder pushing. I pushed off him, gently sitting on his thighs gasping. I felt a few tears leave my eyes and he frowned shaking his head. "What…"
"So, all I have to do is have some crazy greedy asshole threaten me, or hold me hostage, and you'll ask me to be with you?" He chuckled lying back and set his hands on my thighs. "I would love to move in with you. But I feel bad Kendall. You just redid my whole apartment."
"Yes…but you'll get over it eventually. I have a few dollars to spare." I quickly crossed my arms over my chest and huffed.
"You ever going to tell me how you got all that money you always talk about?" He laughed sitting up and slipped his hands down to my butt. "What…are you not only a secret agent, but also like…a super…genius inventor who…"
"No." I pouted sticking out my bottom lip and he smirked opening his mouth, just as I heard the sound of my child talking from a short distance away. "My grandfather used to be the owner of the Minnesota Wild. He also owned a slew of restaurants and bars in Duluth. He was very, very wealthy, and when he passed, I was 21. He left him all of his money, business, and a small share in the team. I am still not even halfway closed to going through a fourth of what he left me." My mouth dropped open fast and he smirked lying back. "You and Gabe will, never, ever need anything ever again, in your entire life." He gently squeezed my thighs, just as the curtain pulled back just a sliver. I turned to it quick feeling my stomach twist and turn, knowing what I now know. No wonder people were after him.
"Can the tiny one come in?" I heard a smirk in James's voice and gave him a dirty look as I slipped off the bed and turned the light on by his bed.
"Yes." I blocked Kendall's face with my body though as James pushed the curtain back, showing Carlos holding Gabe's hand. I saw Gabe glance around the room, searching for Kendall but I waved him over, slowly. "Okay…Mr. Kendall is very hurt still. So, you need to be very careful around him. Okay?" Gabe let Carlos's hand go and walked to me, holding a small little trophy in his hand, while he pushed up the glasses on his nose. "I'm going to put you on the bed with him, and I want you to be very gentle okay?" Gabe nodded as he got right in front of me, and I bent down fast scooping him up. When I turned I smirked seeing Kendall staring up at us, wide eyed.
"Hi Mr. Kendall." All four of us laughed hearing Gabe talk so quietly. I gently set his butt on the bed and cupped the back of his head, watching him raise the little trophy in his hand. "I made you this. My Uncles helped me buy it at the store and then I fixed it." I bit my bottom lip watching Kendall take the trophy, but still look at Gabe.
"You don't need to whisper buddy. My injury is in my stomach. That's all the feels bad right now." Gabe quickly looked at the wrapping on Kendall's stomach as Kendall looked at the trophy breathing in hard, fast. He turned it to me quick and I covered my mouth, ignoring Gabe reaching out for Kendall's stomach. Written in the messy handwriting of Gabe, was 'Best daddy saver ever'. We both locked eyes and I quickly moved down kissing Gabe's head. He smirked reaching out and touched Gabe's arm. "Thanks buddy. I love it." Gabe turned to Kendall fast and jumped up on the bed. I reached out for him, fearing Gabe would step on Kendall's stomach with his little Converse covered feet, but he simply threw his arms around his neck and hugged him. Tears fell freely from my eyes as Kendall wrapped around him, gently, closing his eyes, his own tears falling out.