Chapter 25
Heidi smiled when she pulled away from Lachie. She knew that it had taken everything he had to say what he just said. "Let's get out of here."
Chase looked at Heidi and grinned. "You know you have to get checked out first right?"
"Look who's talking Chase." Lachie said, ruffling his younger brother's hair.
Lara raced over to Heidi. "Oh Heidi..."
"I'm okay Lara."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Heidi smiled. "I just need to get cleaned up." Heidi looked over at Vince and grinned. She hobbled over to him and gave him a fierce hug.
Vince wrapped his arms around Heidi and held her close. "You are going to make my hair turn grey from worrying, Heidi-ho."
"Sorry Vince. I don't mean to."
Vince released her and smiled. "The Ambos are waiting for you."
"I'm getting tired of this," Heidi grumbled. She shuffled over to the waiting Ambos and allowed them to tend to her minor injuries. She could feel Lachie watching her. Without even realizing it, Lachie and her had taken a step further with their relationship. All that she knew was that she didn't want to let him go. She looked over at Chase and sighed. It was her turn to feel guilty. She had never wanted to drag Chase into this problem. It was the second time that he had faced Hayden down for her. He was her best friend, that much she knew.
Chase smiled at her and she grinned back. She could tell that he didn't hold a grudge, but she knew that that feeling would go away eventually.
Later that day
Heidi sat on the couch in her condo, the entire gang around her. This was the life. She loved having them near her. She felt stronger. Dean and Vince had gone to get pizza for everyone, while Chase, Heidi, Lachie, Michelle and Lara went to the condo. Lara and Michelle straightened up the condo while Chase, Heidi, and Lachie relaxed a little.
Dean and Vince arrived an hour later with pizza, beer and sodas in hand.
Everyone shuffled into the kitchen to grab a slice of pizza and a drink. "I hope that there are no ill-effects from your little adventure?" Vince asked laughing.
"Don't think so ," Heidi said. She shrugged and fought not to wince.
"I never thought I would say this, but I am glad that Hayden is dead. Now I focus on getting healthy and flying choppers and working at Rescue again. But then again, I think a vacation is warranted."
Lachie nodded. "You read my mind!"
He chewed on his last piece of pizza while contemplating where they should go. "What do you think about going on cruise?"
Heidi smiled and then frowned. "No money. Maybe one day, but we've got massive bills to pay." Heidi stood and put her plate in the sink. She sighed and looked out the window at the night sky. The day had been a long one and she was more than ready to go to bed. "Anyone for tea or coffee?" Heidi asked softly.
"You sit down Heidi. I'll take care of things." Michelle propelled her to sit down. Heidi didn't exactly fight her on it either.
Dean looked at his brothers and then over at Heidi. The day had taken its toll on them the most. He realized that Heidi's return would definitely be pushed back. Her return to full time anyhow. She would be riding a desk for a while. Which worked well in his mind because he had a surprise that he was working on for her, and he needed time yo make it happen.
"I think it is time to go and to leave them in peace." Dean said.
The team agreed and left after hugging Chase and Heidi.
Heidi, Lachie and Chase stood there together in the kitchen, alone. Chase seemed to hesitate about going home.
"Hey Chase, want to crash here tonight?"
"I'm right next door. I shouldn't be afraid to go home."
Heidi stepped forward and hugged him. "You have every right to be afraid. It is a normal reaction to what you have been through." Heidi pulled away from him and watched Chase closely.
"I guess." Chase shrugged his shoulders.
Heidi looked over her shoulder at Lachie. "You talk to him, I'm going to get ready for bed."
Lachie smiled as he watched Heidi leave the kitchen. "You can stay on the couch if you want Chase. I want you to feel comfortable."
Chase nodded. "Thanks Lach. I think I just might spend the night. I didn't want to make Dean worry or think that he needed to watch over me."
"I'll go get the sheets and pillows for you."
Chase smiled as he watched his brother go. Part of him had wanted to be alone, but the rest of him wanted to stay where he was with the people he loved.
Lachie and Heidi
Lachie held Heidi tightly against him and kissed her shoulder lightly. He pressed his face into her hair and inhaled. "For a while there, I never thought that I would be holding you again."
"Me neither. I thought of you and wanted so desperately to see you again. I thought I was going to have Chase's blood on my hands." Heidi clamped her mouth shut after saying that. She didn't want to burden Lachie with what she was thinking and feeling.
Lachie turned her over so that he could look at her in the eye. "Sweatheart, there is nothing that would have caused you to have Chase's blood on your hands. Chase followed them when he saw you being taken. He didn't even hesitate to help you."
Heidi felt hot tears star to fall down her face. She moved to wipe them away, but Lachie beat her to it. He wiped her tears and smiled at her. "That is what I love about you Heidi, you always think of other people before yourself."
Heidi shrugged and then began to sob. Lachie's arms went around her instinctively and he held her tight while she cried. After a few minutes Heidi's tears subsided and she sighed. "Thank you, Lachie. I love you."
He kissed the top of her head and smiled. "I love you too, Heidi."