Chapter 33 Quinn

The fuss and feathers died out in a few weeks. Things were getting back to normal. They hadn't seen Quinn in a while and Rose was starting to wonder if what he had learned that day had changed his mind about them. Rose had left Alice at the civic center with Louise for an art class and decided to find Quinn and ask him.

She went to the military headquarters and asked to see him. When he came out she didn't recognize him. He was pale, and gaunt, his eyes had a dark, haunted look that frightened her. "Hello Rose," he said gently. I'm sorry, I'm very busy today. Maybe you could come back another time."

Rose was not going to be put off. "Captain Quinn MacAbee you will accompany me this minute." He recognized stubbornness when he saw it and exceeded. He sighed, "What can I do for you?" She took his arm and led him out of camp.

There were many onlookers and she was sure the gossip would be terrible, but she didn't care. When they reached the pond they sat on a park bench under a tree that had been placed there. Rose asked, "Where did this bench come from?" "I had it placed here. I come here often. It's very quiet and peaceful. It's where I first saw you."

He looked like he was about to shed tears. Rose was going to find out what was wrong if it took all day. "Quinn, What's going on with you? We haven't seen you in weeks. Is it something we've done? Something you've heard?" He was silent. "You look like death warmed over."

"It's nothing," he insisted. Rose gave him the look. Like she was not to be made a fool of. All she said in return was "Now." He became angry and stood to leave. "What business is it of yours? You have plenty of secrets you keep from the world. Why do you need to know mine?"

Standing with him, She gave as good as she got. "Because you're my friend. Because you saved my life. Because we care about you! Do I need more reasons? You keep going the way you are and we'll be putting you in the ground!" She spoke to him softly. "Is it me? Would you rather speak to John?" "NO! I don't want to speak to anyone!"

He started to leave. Rose ran in front of him, planting her feet in the dirt. "Oh no you don't. You've got something stuck in you that's gotta come out." He grabbed her by the shoulders to remove her from his path, but she pushed him backwards and pulled his foot out from under him.

He landed on his back with the wind knocked out of him, staring up at her shocked. Rose put her foot lightly on his chest. "Are you going to tell me or do I have to get ruff?" He laughed. It was the first time since that terrible night she was attacked. He stayed on the ground until he stopped laughing. His face grew serious.

"If I tell you, you'll hate me Rose. If John finds out he'll want to kill me, and I'll let him." Rose was a little shocked. Was this more about being in love with her? She squared her shoulders. "I give you my word I will not hate you. I couldn't after what you've done for me." He spat back, "Do you think so Rose?" It was said with bitterness.

"Fine! I don't think I can live with it much longer anyway." He got up and brushed himself off. He looked her straight in the eyes. "Rose, Henderson was a canker on my side. I'd put up with him for months on the ship and everyday those who would complain, told worse stories. I threw him in the brig as often as I could.

I don't know how he managed it but there was never any proof. I was looking for a more permanent way to deal with him, but could never get him alone."

He said, it with no way to doubt his intent. "When we reached the planet I knew he would make a mistake and I could take care of him once and for all. But he knew I was watching and it never happened. When the incident with Alice and Susan happened at the park. Well, it gave me an idea.

I knew if he were drunk enough and riled enough I could provoke him into taking me on. So I sent Holmes to the bar knowing Pete was there. Holmes gave Pete some sob story about the way I was treating him and they became drinking buddies. He fed Pete almost two full bottles, and told him I was saying things about him and Pete should stand up to me.

The drunken fool left the bar and was supposed to come to me. To me! Instead John showed up at that exact moment with the girls and Pete went after him. It was just bad timing! I didn't mean it to happen that way!

I didn't want him to come after you, but by the time I found out, he was on his way and I ran to tell John. When I got to the house, you were just backing up to the window."

He stopped, not wanting to tell her the truth. But it was going to come out now. It was too late to stop. "Quinn.." Rose started. "No! You wanted to hear it all. Just listen.

I could have come in then and shot him in the back, but it would have caused too many questions at the inquest. Please understand Rose, I couldn't let that chance slip away. He had to be stopped.

I was going to yell to make him turn around, but it happened so fast and then when you got away, I saw my chance."

Quinn took a shuddered breath and looked away from Rose. He couldn't bear to see hate in her eyes. Not her eyes. "Don't you see? I waited Rose. I waited at the window until he attacked you before I came in."

He expected her to scream or strike at him, but Rose stood there in silent disbelief. "Don't you understand? I was there and I let it happen."

He turned around to look at her with tears in his eyes. "After it was over, I saw what it did to you! I went sick with it! I can't look at myself in the mirror anymore. I'm going to resign my commission and go back to earth. I hope someday you and John can forgive me, I never will."

He turned to go. "Wait Quinn." She said gently. "You listen to what I'm going to say." He stood looking at the ground, waiting for her reprisal. "Look at me" she said. It was her right. He looked up at her sweet face.

"I won't say I wasn't injured by it, but I'm ok. I have the love and support of a good man, who took away the pain and horror of it, and I'm ok. If Henderson hadn't been provoked he would have chosen his own moment and I would be raped and murdered right now." Quinn squeezed his eyes closed trying to erase that image.

"You may have waited to help me, but I was never in any real danger, was I?" She was getting through to him. "It was worth it. Do you hear me Quinn? Knowing what we know now about him, all those women at the inquest, it was worth it."

At that moment he didn't care about the consequences, He grabbed Rose in a great bear hug, pulling her off her feet, tears in his eyes, " I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." She smiled as she patted his back, "I will if you put me down."

He looked at her disbelieving. Was she really going to forgive him? "Don't you dare leave us. This community needs you Quinn. Don't you run out on us when we need you."

She took a few steps past him toward the settlement and then turned around, looking him in the eye. "Oh, and by the way, in case you're thick, you're forgiven by both of us. Right John?" The Time Lord was leaning on a tree out of sight. Rose had seen him come up and he had heard the whole story.

Quinn turned and his eyes fell on John, he was prepared for the worst. It was, after all, what he deserved. The Time Lord approached him going past Rose without looking at her. The two men looked at each other. Two men who cared for Rose in their own way.

"I'm so sorry John. God's truth, I'm so sorry." The Time Lord held his hand out for Quinn. Quinn looked down at the ground and back up again. The Time Lord smiled and said, "You know she's always right don't you?"

Quinn squeezed his red rimmed eyes shut, and took the Time Lord's hand. He couldn't say anything. "Come on you two," Rose said impatiently, "We've got to go pick up Alice and then we're going home and have supper. You too Quinn, no arguments!" The three of them walked back into camp together causing more tongues to wag. Quinn returned to headquarters briefly and promised to be there in an hour, and they went on to get Alice.

Chapter 34 Aliens