PART TEN

It was finally quiet. The screams were gone, the crying all shushed and the gunfire had ended. Nigel felt warm, calm and safe, something he had not felt for a while now. He smiled to himself softly and slowly opened his eyes. Lily stood at a window with her back to him. For several minutes he simply watched her, thrilled she was alive and well. As she turned toward him, his heart sank as he noticed the bandage over her eye and the bruise across her face.

"You're awake." She whispered as she moved to him and sat on the edge of the bed.

"How long." He rasped, suddenly realizing his throat was dry. Swallowing hard, he tried again. "How long have I been out?"

"Thirty two hours." She smiled as she poured a glass of water and brought the straw to his lips. "Drink slow." As he sipped, his fingers reached up and touched the bandage. "It's okay, just a couple of stitches. Doc says I won't even have a scar." She sat the glass on the table next to the bed. "How about you? How are you feeling? Any pain?"

"No pain." He grinned. "Must be the drugs."

"Well don't get used to them. All we need at the morgue is you more hyped up."

"More hyped up?" His grin widened. "Are you saying I'm naturally hyped up?"

"All I'm saying is that if you bounced off the walls any more then Garret…"

"I know." Nigel fell silent and looked toward the window. "Is he dead?"

"Yes." Lily paused then continued softly. "Nigel, who was he?"

"We served together in the Gulf. No details mind you, but one mission went terribly wrong. He and I were the only survivors and…" Nigel closed his eyes and rubbed them. "He decided that if we stayed at our location we would be killed. I couldn't stop him from leaving." A tear escaped his eye. "If he would have only waited with me. The Americans would have came and we could have left together."

"You couldn't have known Nigel." Lily wiped his cheek.

"Doesn't make it any easier Lily." He sighed deeply. "I went back so many times to look for him, legally and not so legally. Then I spent hours trying to find him through paperwork. I guess I finally convinced myself he was dead." He shrugged. "I guess, instead he went insane."

"So the car thief is awake." Woody entered the room with Bug causing both Lily and Nigel to jump slightly. "It's about damn time."

"Woody, I'm sorry." Nigel felt his cheeks flush. "I knew that your car had a low jack and…"

"Low jack…" Woody slapped his forehead as he grinned. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"You did." Bug was sullen. "When you woke up, you told me to track your car on Nigel's computer."

"Bug…" Woody looked at the smaller man and rolled his eyes. "We have to get you a sense of humor. I was joking."

"So was I." Bug's expression never changed which caused Nigel to laugh. "Might not want to do that. Laughing might cause you…"

"Pain…" Nigel winced as he continued to laugh. "Too late." He felt Lily squeeze his hand softly and looked up at her. "So what now?" He looked at Woody. "I guess you'll had to put all those files into evidence?"

"What files?" Woody's eyes narrowed.

"All those military files Tyler sent to me by email."

"All I found were some pictures of you in uniform Nigel." Woody continued, glancing at Bug who nodded. "You and some of your buddies. Looked like it was hot and dusty wherever they were taken."

"But there were…"

"Nigel, you're not hearing me. All there was on the computer was pictures of you and some of your friends in the military. Nothing else." He was stern as he spoke. "Tyler was an insane man who wanted to be you. He had plastic surgery to look like you. He murdered two women, kidnapped Lily then tried to kill the two of you. Lily shot him in self-defense after he stabbed you while you were trying to protect her. Case closed."

"Thanks Woody." Nigel Whispered.

"Come on Bug, let's go call Dr. Macy and tell him Nigel's awake." Woody smiled as he and bug left the room, closing the door behind them.

"Two beautiful women are dead because of me Lily. I don't know how I can face…"

"It's over with Nigel. I don't blame you and neither does anyone else." She spoke slowly, never looking away from him. "Geoffrey came to see you yesterday and made me promise to tell you he does not hold you responsible for Liz's death."

"But…"

"No buts." She interrupted. "What happened was in no way your fault." She could see the tears welling up in his eyes. "Tyler was insane, you know that." There was a long pause as Nigel simply looked at Lily and stroked her hair. "He almost took you with him Nigel." It was her turn to become emotional. "I thought you were going to die."

"I wish I had." He felt her slap his arm as the words escaped his lips. "Did I say that out loud?"

"Yes you did and I don't want to hear you say anything like that ever again. Do you understand me?" He voice was stern, causing him to smile slightly. "What?"

"Yes Mistress." He whispered which sent her into peals of laughter and her cheeks blushing.

"Yes well, you better obey me on this one." She sighed with relief. "I don't want to loose you Nigel Townsend."

"We'll get through this together Lily. I promise." As he grinned the door opened and the two men re-entered.

"Dr. Macy will be in a bit later with Jordan." Woody grinned. "Nigel, I've taken care of everything." His eyes told Nigel all he needed. "Everything is fine now."

"Yes, I know. Thank you Woody." He smiled and yawned. "I just want to rest now." And with that, Nigel closed his eyes and fell into a comfortable and warm sleep.

Fin