Title: Un-Forgotten
Author: HAPPYBUNNY13
Rating: PG-13 (Swearing and mild violence)
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Early Edition and never ever will. I know. Sad.
Summary: Bostwick (Samuel Bostwick) is back and Gary is in danger.
Note: One more chapter after this.
Un-Forgotten
Chapter Nine: Okay?
"The power to believe in yourself is the power to change fate."
Gary heard the gun go off, but never felt any pain. He opened his eyes and saw Bostwick lying on the floor. There was blood coming from a bullet-hole in his chest; Agent Ian McCain was standing in the doorway holding a recently fired gun.
"Are you okay?" he asked Gary as he put the gun back into it's holster beneath his jacket.
Gary remained silent as his eyes went from the agent that had just saved his life, to the dead man who had tried to take it, and then to Hazel who was still lying on the floor. "He shot her," Gary finally said after a few more seconds of silence.
"I know," said McCain, "but don't worry. She's probably only stunned, at most unconscious." Gary looked up at him confused. "She's wearing a bulletproof vest." The confused look was still there. "She'll explain later. Now, are you okay?" He had noticed the deep red stain that was spreading across his shirt and had thought for a second the shot from earlier had hit him.
Gary looked down at his shirt and replied, "I guess my stitches must have split, but I'm fine." He rushed over to where Hazel lay and flipped her over onto her back. He was relieved to see McCain wasn't lying and there was no blood on her chest.
"Ow," muttered Hazel softly as she slowly started to come to. She opened her eyes and looked up at Gary. "That's one thing about the FBI I'll never miss." Gary sighed in relief and helped Hazel to her feet. "Are you alright?" she asked nervously when she saw the blood on his shirt.
Gary didn't answer. He was too shocked. He pulled Hazel into a hug almost afraid to let her go. "Is Marissa okay?" Gary asked after he had finally let go of Hazel. "He didn't go after her too, did he?"
"I called her before I came here," answered Hazel. "She's fine."
"How did you know to come here?" asked Gary.
"It's kind of a long story," replied Hazel, "and before I tell it, I think you might want to have someone take a look at your stitches."
Gary looked down at his shirt and saw how big the bloodstain had become. "It just need a towel or something," said Gary quietly.
"I'm taking you to the hospital," said Hazel her voice leaning no room for argument.
!&!&!&
Hazel helped Gary up the stairs and into his loft. The doctor had redid the stitches and had given him a strong painkiller. "Just a little bit farther, Gary," said Hazel as she set him down on the couch. The doctor had also him a mild sedative to help him sleep.
"I'm just tired," muttered Gary as he closed his eyes.
"I know you are," said Hazel. Gary rolled over on his side and fell asleep.
Hazel sighed. She knew that once the painkillers and sedative wore off Gary would be back in the slump and would want to know what happened. She picked up a blanket off the back of the couch and put it over Gary. Hazel collapsed into the chair in the room and started to doze. It wasn't long before she fell into a deep sleep.
!&!&!&
Gary opened his eyes and sat up quickly. Immediately, the room started to spin. Gary grabbed his head and sat there for a few seconds. He looked around the room and saw Hazel asleep. "What's going on?" Gary asked himself. The events from last night quickly came back. He remembered Bostwick, Hazel, McCain, and the hospital, but nothing after that.
"Hazel?" said Gary his voice slightly hoarse. "Hazel?"
She opened her eyes and looked over at him. "Morning," she said through a yawn. "I think."
"What happened?" asked Gary not being any more precise.
Hazel knew exactly what he was referring to. "Bostwick called the radio station during request live," answered Hazel. She had known the questions were coming. "He basically told me he was coming here and I think he knew I would show up to. I called McCain and he came here. He gave me a bulletproof vest and sent me in and you know the rest."
"You should have let him shoot me," said Gary quietly.
Hazel was shocked by his words. "What the hell are you talking about?" asked Hazel as her eyes went wide.
"I let those people die," said Gary. "I basically led Bostwick to you guys and almost got you all killed. I failed and you guys almost payed the price for it."
Hazel got up out of the chair and sat down on the ouch next to Gary. "I wasn't sure, at first, how I could help you deal with all this," Hazel said quietly, "and I know you probably won't believe me when I say this, but I know you feel." Gary looked up at her. "I know what it's like to feel like you've failed," continued Hazel. "I've known for a long time. I failed to backup my first partner and he died because I wasn't there. Now it's taken me years and I keep replaying the scene in my head to try and come up with something I could have done to save him and I can't think of anything. Gary, it wasn't your fault those people got hurt. You couldn't do anything. It's was Bostwick's fault and no one else's. I hope you can accept because I don't know how to make it more clear." Gary looked her in the eyes. "You're the only one who knows if you're going to be alright, Gary," said Hazel. "Marissa doesn't know, I don't know, the cat doesn't know, even tomorrow's paper doesn't know. Only you know if you're going to be okay. You don't have to forget those people, but you do have to move on."
Gary swallowed and said, "I think I will be okay. I think I will."
Hazel smiled and kissed him. There was a thump and the meow of a cat and Gary looked at the door and then at the clock. "Six-thirty," he said quietly.
"Six-thirty," Hazel repeated.
"I'm gonna be okay," said Gary.
"I know," said Hazel softly. Gary got up off the couch and got the paper.
!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&&!&!&!&!&!&!&!
I know. Kind of an abrupt ending, but I'm done. I told you Hazel was Gary's girlfriend.