Chapter Thirty-Four
The sky was hidden by the mist
But just like magic when we kissed
The moon and stars were shining all around
And London bridge came tumbling down
"London Bridge" – Jo Stafford
Much to Nan's dismay-and the amusement of Kid and Lou-Jimmy insisted on carrying her into her grandfather's house. He left her bag and crutches to Kid, ignored her protests, and swept her into his arms in a gesture that would have made Errol Flynn proud.
Nan flailed about like a child in the throes of a temper tantrum. "James Hickok," she hissed, "you put me down this instant! You'll kill us both!"
"Nonsense," puffed Jimmy as he struggled his way up the stairs. "You're light as a-oof!-feather." His foot missed the next step by several inches, landing shakily back on the step below. He teetered precariously on the edge for a moment before steadying and continuing on.
Behind him Kid and Lou were barely able to suppress their snickers.
"I'm perfectly capable of walking-"
"Hobbling," interrupted Jimmy.
"-into my grandfather's house!"
"You need to be off your feet as much as possible."
Nan stilled, shaking her head in a mixture of resignation and enjoyment. "I give up. Have it your way, then." She curled her arm around his neck and tried not to laugh as he navigated the stairs. While by no means a stick figure, she knew her lanky frame gave the impression that she was light as a feather; to have Jimmy find out otherwise was highly amusing. And to feel warm, welcome safety was yet another reason to cease protesting.
When he reached the door, Jimmy stopped and turned to Kid and Lou expectantly. "Well?" he prompted, jerking his head in the door's direction.
With another snort of laughter, Kid darted forward to pull the door open, and Jimmy and Nan passed through. The house seemed empty.
Nan pressed her lips to Jimmy's ear. "What's going on?" she whispered.
"Just be patient."
"Why?" They were moving down the hall. Kid and Lou had overtaken them, disappearing around the corner. Nan seemed oblivious to the whispers and stifled laughter filtering into the hall.
"Quit asking questions! And quit whispering in my ear-it tickles!"
Nan laughed softly. "All right, I'll be good."
"You'll like it," he murmured in response. "I promise."
"Is it my favourite dinner?"
"Better."
"Did I win the Met's most outstanding officer award?" she asked with a sly grin.
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Better."
They were nearing the back parlour. "Is it something pretty?" she continued, like a child guessing at birthday presents. "Is it something I can wear? Is it the-" Her prattling ceased, breaking off as they entered the room. Her jaw dropped and she seemed momentarily speechless.
Jimmy carefully set Nan back on the ground, sliding her slowly down till her feet were planted firmly. Someone handed her her crutches. All was suddenly silent.
The room was decorated within an inch of its life and packed with people. From one wall to another, familiar faces sprang out at her: Cody, Buck, Noah, Emma and Sam, Pete, Superintendent Alcott, Iain Langley...on and on down the line; virtually everyone she'd worked with during her tenure at AMIT. Rachel Dunne was there with Teaspoon by her side. Irene Burrows from the Uxbridge station. Geoff was there, looking splendid as usual, with the elusive Dru, a stunning blond, by his side. Both of them were beaming at her. Her grandfather and uncle and cousin were clustered together.
There was a tall, blond man she didn't recognise, but who gazed at her with amazement in his eyes. He was the first to step forward, extending his hand to her. No one said anything as he did, but everyone watched him with the same expression of awe that Nan couldn't hope to understand.
"How do you do, Inspector?" he said shakily, his words heavily accented. He was staring at her as if she were a miracle.
Nan could hardly find her voice, still stunned. "How do you do."
"You don't know who I am." It was a statement, not a question. He smiled kindly.
"No. I'm sorry, I don't." Nan glanced over her shoulder to see that Jimmy looked as confused as she did.
Teaspoon came forward then and slipped an arm around the man's shoulders, his smile wide with appreciation. "Anna Kenworthy, may I introduce to you your saviour? If it hadn't been for this man here...well, I don't think any of us want to think about it."
The confusion on Nan's face cleared as Teaspoon's words registered within. Suddenly she realised just who this man was and a feeling of deep thankfulness overwhelmed her. Her dark blue eyes filled with tears and her lower lip began to tremble. "Mr-Mr Skarsgård?"
Johan Skarsgård smiled at her, the humble smile of one who had done a good deed and recognised it only as something that had brought happiness to others. "Please, call me Johan."
Nan clasped his hand harder, taking it in both of hers, her eyes intense on his face. "I don't know what to say-how to thank you." Jimmy was behind her, his hand on her waist, and the tightness of his grip told her he was feeling the same.
Johan only smiled still deeper, and said, "Do not thank me for anything. I did nothing."
"You did everything," Jimmy said huskily, not quite trusting his own voice as it caught in his throat. "If it hadn't been for you..." He couldn't finish the words. 'If it hadn't been for you, she would have died there.'
"Mere circumstances. Nothing more," Johan insisted pleasantly.
Jimmy shook his head. "It was more, Mr Skarsgård."
Johan seemed ready to protest again, to plead circumstance, but then something stopped him. He saw Jimmy holding onto Nan as if he would never let her go; he saw the faces of all the people who loved this young woman; he felt that love as a tangible thing. "Yes," he said finally, nodding. "I did a good thing."
Unable to stop herself, Nan catapulted forward and flung her arms around him, embracing him tightly to her. As if it were the cue everyone had been waiting for, cheers broke out in the crowd and the silence was broken. Everyone took their turn hugging and kissing Nan, exclaiming over her, asking after her health, and generally making her homecoming exhausting but happy.
Nan moved to the edge of the room, leaning up against the wall with her crutches at her side, watching the goings-on in front of her with a faint smile. She watched Teaspoon and Rachel in one corner, heads together, murmuring softly to one another as they sipped their glasses of champagne. Teaspoon reached up to brush away a curly lock of Rachel's hair in a tender, heart-melting gesture.
"I think maybe there's something going on there," said a voice at Nan's ear.
She turned, grinning at Louise. "You think so?"
Lou raised her glass in the couple's direction. "I've never seen Teaspoon like this before. He's been married six times, you know. Maybe this time he'll get it right."
"They deserve it, both of them."
"It was tough for a minute there," mused Lou, still watching her chief, the man she looked up to as a father. "After Rachel admitted Julian had abused her, Teaspoon felt betrayed. He felt like she should've told him while it was going on."
"They seem to have worked it out."
Lou smiled. "They sure do." She lifted her champagne. "Shall we drink to them?"
Lou and Nan clinked glasses together, laughing like the gossiping hens they occasionally could be. Their eyes fell on other couples scattered around the room: Sam and Emma sitting together in a large, overstuffed armchair, abandoning all propriety with little kisses and caresses that gave away the true nature of their relationship. Superintendent Alcott engaged in deep conversation with Irene Burrows-innocent enough at first, until the look of adoration in Irene's eyes gave her feelings away as anything but professional. Ike was feeding cheese and crackers to the oft-mentioned Emily Metcalfe, a slight, pretty girl with brown hair and shining dark eyes. Geoff was pressing tender kisses to Dru's hand. And Cody had at last found success with PC Philippa Brierly.
"Didn't take long for her to succumb to his charms, now did it?" asked Nan devilishly.
"...Nan?"
"Hmm?" Nan was distracted, still watching everyone, still revelling in being on her feet again, feeling the strength flood back into her bones.
"Have you finally succumbed to Jimmy's charms?"
It was several moments before Nan turned to look again into Lou's face. She studied the smaller woman and knew that she wasn't going to be evaded. Lou was in earnest; she was inviting the truth. The question was, did Nan want to reveal her heart to this woman Jimmy had once loved? Did her self-confidence extend to laying herself open to the woman she couldn't help but perceive as her rival? Her feelings were still too new and tender to her. They were her talisman against the fear that was invading her body. Jimmy was the only thing that could stop that fear. What would Lou do with that information?
"Well, have you?" Lou's warm brown eyes searched Nan's face intently.
The sincerity was there, it was unmistakable. Nan was suddenly, deeply ashamed for doubting Louise McCloud. But she was unable to voice her feelings for Jimmy; they were too precious, too close to her heart, to reveal to anyone but Jimmy himself. Still, Lou deserved an answer.
The old Nan flared to life again, with all the energy and sparkle of old. "I don't know," she replied playfully. "Have you succumbed to Kid's?"
Lou chuckled, momentarily side-tracked. "That's the Nan I know. Answer a question with a question! And the answer is yes. I have."
Nan sobered, watching Jimmy in animated conversation with Will. She loved to watch him, with his broad hands gesturing in the air, the smile on his face lighting him up like a Christmas tree, the tilt of his head so familiar to her. The ache in her heart nearly took her breath away. "Just looking at him makes me happy." The words escaped her before she had time to check herself. She didn't even realise she had said them.
But Lou had heard them and as she looked at Nan, all her doubts-and there had been many of them-washed away. Nan loved Jimmy and the realisation warmed Lou's heart. She couldn't even imagine what it had done for Jimmy himself.
Nan was still watching Jimmy with eyes so full of the deepest love and affection that Lou felt intrusive just bearing witness to it. Without excusing herself she slipped away and joined Kid, who was arguing good-naturedly with Paulie over which was the better football team, Manchester United or Arsenal.
"Back me up here, Louise," Kid demanded when he saw her. "Tell Paulie that Arsenal are a load of nancy-boys who couldn't kick a goal if their lives depended on it."
"Your taste in football teams is as crap as your taste in clothes," Paulie countered, eyeing Kid's tailored black suit and charcoal grey shirt with a trendy adolescent's disdainful eye.
"I'm afraid I can't agree with you there," Lou murmured, extremely admiring of Kid's lanky frame in the flattering outfit. "And if it doesn't involve a pigskin and guys in shoulder pads and helmets, I don't know anything about your football."
"You're no help," Kid teased. "Where's Nan? She'll back me up."
From across the room Iain Langley beckoned to him as he searched the faces around him for Nan. The grin on Langley's ruddy face was as devilish as the look in his dancing eyes. Lou saw that the other men from the team were gathering around him, giggling like a pack of schoolgirls. She crossed her arms over her chest.
"What are you up to?"
"Up to?" Kid's face was the picture of innocence.
"Andrew Kidwell, what are you planning on-?"
"I've got to get over there, Lou, it was all my idea!" Tossing a wink over his shoulder, Kid effectively evaded further questions by joining the crowd of his co-workers.
"What's going on, Emma?" she demanded of her superintendent.
Emma had disengaged herself from Sam's arms and waited as he joined the other men. Her grin was expectant and amused. "Not to worry, Lou. It's...tradition." She nearly choked with laughter on the word, biting her lip to stop herself. "They're really not half bad."
The men were assembling themselves into a semblance of organisation. "Are they going to sing?" Lou asked in confusion.
Emma nodded, still fighting back giggles.
"What, like 'For She's a Jolly Good Fellow'?"
Emma snickered. "Something like that."
"You're being very cryptic, Emma."
"It's tradition," Emma said again. Her eyes twinkled as she watched the men. "Took Sam years to get the words right."
Across the room Nan looked up from conversation with her uncle and Johan Skarsgård to see all the men from her station-right down to Alcott and Teaspoon-standing in a formation, looking like choirboys about to wreak havoc. Her colour faded. "Oh, no."
"What is it, sweetheart?" Jamie asked.
Nan caught sight of Buck and Cody in their midst. Then she saw Jimmy. "Oh, they've taught him the bloody song…"
"Attention! Attention please!" announced Kid, raking fingers through his curling hair. "We have a little song we'd like to sing in honour of our brave Inspector Kenworthy. So-ahem-if we could have a bit of hush."
"I'll kill him," Nan muttered under her breath.
As if he had heard, Kid flashed her a beguiling smile and winked. Waving his hands in the air dramatically, he led his fellow officers in song.
Why was she born so beautiful?
Why was she born at all?
She's no bloody use to anyone,
she's no bloody good at all!
Those who had not been let in on the joke stared in horror, but every officer present was snickering with laughter; Nan more than any of them. She held her sides, delighted with the mischievous glimmers in the men's eyes and the sensation they had created. She wasn't thinking of Westward or the lingering pain, or the fears that promised to haunt her. She was only concentrating on the laughter and affection flowing around her. And when the song began again, Nan was the first to join in, her face alight with joy, her relaxed posture and happy smile clearly declaring: I'm home. It was enough for now.
It was ten o'clock before the house began to empty, and even then it was only because the next day was a work day. Nan watched from her vantage point on the sofa, her legs stretched out before her, arms stretched out behind her head. Her body was humming agreeably from a combination of light painkillers and surreptitious sips of champagne. She smiled with an expression of slightly drunken pleasure as one by one the guests filed out of the house, stooping to press kisses to her flushed cheeks.
She noted that Superintendent Alcott, after a few stern words of advice, left with Irene Burrows, climbing into a taxi with her. She noted that Johan Skarsgård had become involved in a good-natured argument with Uncle Jamie regarding English football teams, which carried on well after Johan had bid her goodbye. Her eyes, though dimmed by the champagne and the exhaustion she felt, nevertheless took in everything with her sharp policewoman's instinct.
Geoff approached the sofa, arm-in-arm with Drucilla, who swooped down upon Nan, hugging her with all her might. They gazed at each other, Dru's eyes bright with unshed tears. She smoothed back a lock of Nan's untidy hair. They were both silent, thinking of the many promises to see one another, only to be broken by last-minute changes of plans, of how they had nearly been robbed of all future opportunities entirely.
Dru blinked rapidly. "Coffee next weekend?" she asked, hesitant.
Nan nodded. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Dru's smile softened her icy blondness. "I'm so glad you're well, Nanny-bear."
"I always bounce back, Dru, you know that."
"Doesn't stop the regrets, though, does it?"
Nan looked at her, silent, waiting for her friend to explain.
Dru sighed, and when she spoke her voice was mockingly stern. "No more missed lunch dates. No more, 'Sorry I haven't called sooner, but…' All right? No more of that. From either of us."
"Carpe diem?" prompted Nan with a raised eyebrow.
But Dru would not be swayed by Nan's sarcasm. "You're my friend, Nan. You've been my friend for ages. And even though Geoff's been our go-between, we've lost touch. I feel it. You feel it. I didn't really know what was going on in your life and you didn't really know what was going on in mine."
Geoff cleared his throat. "Ahem, I do believe I was rather informative."
Dru tossed her fiancé a reproving look. "That's different, darling. You're a man; you can't be expected to relay the good stuff."
"The juicy stuff," added Nan.
Geoff rolled his eyes.
"For instance," continued Dru with a teasing drawl, "this utterly divine Mr Hickok I've finally set eyes on. I expect a full report this weekend, Nan. I expect details."
"I don't kiss and tell," Nan retorted with a gleam in her dark eyes.
"Oh, but you will," replied Dru, rising to her feet once more. "You'll tell everything. And you'll start by telling me if those sexy lips are as skilled as they look to be."
Nan burst into laughter. "You stay away from my bloke, Drucilla Soon-to-be-Devanney, if you know what's good for you. You've got a perfectly lovely one right here," she said teasingly, noting the overdone mask of hurt on Geoff's handsome face.
He brightened at her words. "Thank you, Nanny-bear. I shall remember your kind words always." He kissed her with a loud smack and looped his arm through Dru's. He extended his forefinger toward Nan. "Give me a ring sometime, you."
In a gesture they hadn't practised since their primary school days, Nan touched her own forefinger to Geoff's and they hooked them together. She could almost hear his childish voice that first day they'd decided on this version of a secret handshake: 'It's for us only, Nanny. Just you and me. No one else. It means best mates.' And then her own voice, echoing girlishly, 'Best mates.'
She grinned at Geoff, a grin of forgiveness; she knew he was feeling guilty for the same reasons Dru was. Neither of them had any reason to be, but it would be difficult to convince either of them of that. There was no guilt in having to live your own life. The only one who should feel any guilt was Julian Westward, and it was certain he felt none. "You'll be hearing from me," she promised.
The AMIT officers were the last to leave, and each of them insisted on a kiss, right down to Teaspoon and Sam. Emma and Rachel hugged Nan and she felt motherly warmth flowing from both of them, warmth that strengthened her. It was amazing to feel such love from Rachel, whom she'd hardly known during the tenure of the case, but looking into her eyes and seeing the affection between her and Teaspoon, Nan had a feeling she would be getting to know Rachel Dunne much better over the next few months.
Kid lingered longer than the others. Lou waited at a respectful distance, allowing the two old partners to have their moment together.
He delivered a light tap to Nan's chin and smiled at her, blue eyes soft with affection. "How are you holding up, Kenworthy?"
"Not bad, Kidwell, thanks for asking."
"You look like a queen, all laid out on the sofa like that. Did you get a chance to see everyone off?"
"I would like to have had more time with everybody. It feels as if I hardly got to talk to anyone."
Kid shrugged. "I'm sure everyone understands. Parties aren't really the best place to play catch-up with people. There'll be time for that later."
"For a while no one thought I had a later," Nan reminded him softly.
The smile faded from Kid's face. He drew her hand into his. "You're right. No one's guaranteed a tomorrow, anyway. But it doesn't mean you have to rush yourself. Just take it easy for a bit, all right? You'll be back on your feet and in the office ordering us all about in no time."
Nan grinned. "Are you trying to make me feel better, Kidwell?"
"Why would I ever want to do a thing like that?" he shot back.
Though she laughed, she was suddenly aware of Jimmy's presence behind her. It was subtle; the warmth of his body near hers, the scent of him drifting toward her nostrils, maybe even something as simple as a slight shift in the air currents. But she knew he was there even before he spoke.
"Hey, Kid," he said easily, "I think you're tiring the lady out."
"Nonsense, Hickok. You know what they say-laughter is the best medicine."
"Then I am well on my way to a complete recovery," broke in Nan, every nerve tingling suddenly as Jimmy drew closer to slip his fingers in the mass of her hair.
"We should go," Kid said with a nod of finality. "We'll be seeing you soon, won't we?"
"Try and keep me away from that station."
"Don't worry," Kid teased as Jimmy groaned in response, "I'm sure Jimmy'll do his best." Kid and Lou left together, walking out into the crisp air toward the tube station. And then Jimmy and Nan were left alone.
Granddad and Jamie were busily tidying up the house. Even Paulie was helping. They had refused all other offers of assistance, instead proudly declaring the Kenworthy men could handle it all themselves. Nan and Jimmy could hear their muted laughter down the hall.
"They're having entirely too much fun cleaning," Nan commented wryly.
Jimmy didn't respond. Instead he leaned over, taking her hands in his and pulling her unsteadily to her feet. "Let's go home," he said simply, handing her the crutches.
"Let me say goodbye to everyone first."
"I already said goodbye for both of us."
"What?"
"Come on, I just want to go back to your place."
"What's the rush?"
"It's late. We've got to catch the tube."
"We can take a taxi."
"I like the tube."
She stared at him blankly. "Jimmy, what's going on?"
"Nothing. Why would anything be going on?"
Nan raised an eyebrow. "You're acting very strangely."
"What's so strange about wanting to be alone with you?"
"...What?" She hadn't expected that.
He ducked his head shyly. "I just want it to be you and me for a change. There's always someone else around to interrupt us. We haven't been alone-really alone-since...well, since…you know."
Since the day Westward had sent the video to the station and the true nature of their relationship had been revealed to the entire Area Major Incident Team. Since she'd fled to the break room and he'd lectured her on closing herself off from those who loved her. Since the day she'd disappeared.
Their gazes were locked together, broken only by the sudden interruption of a scuffle in the hallway. Reluctantly they turned toward the noise, to find Will, Jamie, and Paul leaning out into the hall, arranged like the Three Stooges, each with a comical expression of curiosity.
"You're not gone then, love?" prompted Will anxiously.
"Not just yet, no. I wanted to say goodbye first."
"Goodbye," the three men chorused, not budging from their position.
"On your way then," urged Will.
Nan gaped at him. Her Granddad, England's champion worrywart, the master of the worst-case scenario, was actually in a hurry to be rid of her? "Jimmy, did you slip a mickey into my Granddad's champagne?"
Jimmy just laughed in response.
"Did you bribe him maybe? Promise him to chain me inside my flat?"
He pulled a face of shock and amazement. "I can't believe you would think I'd be capable of such a thing."
Out of the corner of her eye Nan caught a vigorous nod from her grandfather, followed by a sly wink and an enthusiastic 'okay' sign. She grabbed Jimmy by the collar. "James Hickok, what did you promise my grandfather?"
His immediate reply was a devilish grin. He wrapped his arms around her waist and murmured, "I may have promised him that I'd make an honest woman out of you."
Nan blinked, open-mouthed. "Surely you're not...serious."
"I am serious. And don't call me 'Shirley.'" Jimmy laughed, amused at his own joke.
"But-but, w-w-ait just...I mean...w-wait," she spluttered eloquently.
"We can discuss this on the way home. Come on."
Jimmy helped her into her jacket and scarf, jamming her crutches under her arms and leading her out the door.
"Jimmy, wait," Nan tried desperately. Panic had seized hold of her. Did Jimmy really mean to propose to her? She turned to throw her family a pleading look.
"Bye!" Jimmy called out cheerfully.
"Bye!" replied the traitorous Kenworthy men.
And before she knew it, she and Jimmy had stepped out into the dark night. The air was still and cold. Their breath came out in soft, wispy bursts of cottony air. They stood on the steps for a moment, silent. Nan's mind was racing. Jimmy had said he'd make an honest woman of her. He'd practically promised her grandfather. Where did that leave her? She loved Jimmy, but marriage meant a life together, and a life together meant leaving England. And leaving England would be enough to break her heart.
She turned to Jimmy, expecting some sort of explanation.
"Let me help you down," was all he said.
After they had walked her down the steps they began the trek to the Hampstead tube station. They said nothing for several minutes. Nan led the way, listening to the thump of her crutches as they hit the pavement, contemplating a life with Jimmy thousands of miles away, across an ocean, in the infamous city of New York.
"I didn't tell him we were getting married," Jimmy said suddenly.
Nan looked at him. She wasn't sure if the sensation flooding through her was relief or disappointment. "You didn't?"
"I know that's what you were thinking." There was laughter in his voice.
"Oh." The word came out in a whisper. And with that one word she knew she was disappointed. And more than that, she was hurt. She stared down at her feet as they swept over the pavement between her crutches.
"I mean, do you really think I'd tell your grandfather before I'd tell you? I'm not that old-fashioned, Nan."
She dared a small glance at him. "So, if you ever decide you want to marry me, I'll be the first to know?"
"Absolutely." Jimmy nodded with mock solemnity.
'Well, that was something at least,' she thought.
"When you can let go."
He said it so quietly she almost didn't hear him. But she stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at him. "When I what?"
"When you can let go," he repeated calmly, stopping in front of her.
"Of what?" she asked in a voice she didn't recognise.
Jimmy shrugged. "Of Westward. Of that basement where he hurt you. Of the letters and the phone calls and the packages. Of the fear."
Nan sucked her breath in sharply. "I'm not afraid," she said, her voice squeaking on the words.
"Nan," Jimmy spoke softly and reached his hand out to stroke the side of her face, "you don't have to pretend when you're with me."
Suddenly she could hardly see him through the tears that clouded her vision. He was outlined by the brilliant street lamps, but his face was a blur. She felt his thumb brush against her lips. "How did you know?" she murmured.
"I can read you like a book. I know your face so well."
Her smile faltered. "I don't mean to be afraid. I just can't help thinking about him."
Jimmy drew her closer, resting his chin on her head as she buried her face against him. "You don't have to be afraid. But when you are afraid, it's okay. You just have to know when to let go."
"I just can't stop thinking about him. What's going to happen to him, Jimmy? Is he going to buy his way out of this?" Nan's hands flew up into the air, the crutches clattering to the ground as she gestured vehemently. "Do you know what he did to me, Jimmy? Do you realise what he did to other people? People like Rachel and Renée Greer and Eric Jeffries? He-he just used us and then threw us away when he was done! Like we were trash, like our lives were worth nothing…" Her voice had grown strong and harsh, heavy with fury. If she didn't get angry the pain was going to come back, and she had to fight the pain at all costs.
But Jimmy was there, and he wasn't going to let her ignore the pain. He shushed her by hugging her tighter against him, his arms like steel around her body. "Listen to me," he said, his chest rumbling comfortingly beneath her cheek, "you went through hell, and no one's expecting you to bounce back like nothing happened. You need some time to work through all this. We're willing to give you all the time in the world."
"But?" Nan prompted, sensing the word, though it hadn't been said.
"But you need to live your own life and you need to not hide your pain by focusing on that man. I want you to rest and get strong and I want you to stop thinking about what's going to happen to Julian Westward. What happens to that bastard is out of our hands. I want you to start thinking about what's going to happen to us. Us,Nan."
Nan slipped her arms under Jimmy's jacket and around his waist. She closed her eyes and burrowed her nose into the soft cotton shirt peeking from underneath. As always Jimmy's arms had magic in them. Even the air was clearer, sweeter, when he was nearby. And the dull ache that threatened to suffocate her lifted for a moment, reminding her just what she had to live for and that anger towards evil could not be the focus of her life. But joy and happiness could. And James Hickok...he certainly could.
They stood there for a long time, warm in each other's arms, silent and thoughtful as they held each other on the deserted street.