Epilogue
Palm Beach General Hospital
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"How's your head?" Cassy asked as she looked down at her partner lying on the hospital bed where he was being held overnight for observation.

"Well, I learned that being hit with the gun is not as painful as being shot by it. I could have lived without that perspective," Tom winced.

"It is kind of assumed," Cassy agreed.

"Did I thank you for saving my life?" Tom looked at his partner in admiration.

"A few times on our way back, when you weren't turning green on the boat," Cassy smiled at him before her expression turned serious.

"Tell me," Tom asked quietly.

"I spoke with Harry a short while ago. He's finished booking the Archers and they're being held until arraignment tomorrow morning. Virginia is rolling over on her dear husband and it'll be fight between Alexander, the other D.A.'s and the feds as to who gets to prosecute first. I bet there will be some other states stepping up before this is all done. We're going to need a statement from you when you're up to it. I'm sorry Tom, about Virginia, that things didn't work out," Cassy finished uncomfortably.

"I know, thanks. Did he say anything else?" Tom said tiredly, his eyes sad.

"Apparently the Archers are con artists from way back, at least Marcus is. The murdering women is a new twist. Seems you hit the nail on the head when you accused him of being impotent. Watching women together was always a fetish but it took an ugly turn when he found himself only able to be aroused that way. The killings started last year in Louisiana. Apparently the fact that his wife had a virile man as a mark didn't help his obsession too much and the killings escalated. We figure they would have anyway, these types of sickos always get greedy," Cassy told him as she watched him steadily for a reaction. When he didn't respond she brushed the hair off his forehead and planted a kiss there.

"You get some rest, I'll come back tomorrow," Cassy turned to go.

"Cass, wait. There's some things I need to say to you," Tom stopped her from leaving.

"We don't have to do this now," Cassy returned to stand by the side of his bed.

"Yes, yes we do Cass. I said some things, things I didn't mean. You have to believe that. I was lashing out at you because you suggested something that...that if it were true would take away the entire foundation of my life. It's not just that I would be so dreadfully wrong as a man, am wrong, but calls into question my competency as a cop. But that isn't your fault Cass and I'm sorry," Tom had grasped Cassy's hand during his apology.

"And you were already angry at me for what happened New Year's Eve," Cassy whispered.

Tom dropped her hand and lowered his eyes.

"We never talked about it. I never let us talk about it. Not really. We agreed that it was a mistake and we agreed to forget about it. But you didn't. You were angry with me and it made you vulnerable to Virginia. So in a way, this was my fault. I did screw up your life," with a tired sigh Cassy sat down and covered her face with her hands.

"Cass..." Tom began.

"It's my turn," Cassy moved her hands and gave him a tired smile.

"I know, but I didn't ask how you're doing. What did the doctor say?" he asked quietly, giving her a chance to compose herself.

"It was a small amount of chemically altered midazolam, an intravenous anesthesia. It was altered to make it act faster. I'm supposed to go home and rest and call in if I get dizzy or something," she told him.

"Are you sure you should be alone tonight?" Tom asked worriedly.

"I won't be. Brett is coming home with me," she admitted, her eyes downcast.

"Oh, well, that's good. You should probably get home and rest," Tom tried to hide his hurt at the revelation.

"No, Tom, not like this. We need to talk about New Year's. And about the future, when you're ready," Cassy couldn't hide her fear any more than Tom could hide his pain, but she squared her chin and looked him squarely in the eyes.

"What future?" Tom asked bitterly.

"Our future. About where we go from here," Cassy said gently.

"Cassy, I don't know where I'm going from here. I don't know if I'll still be with the department tomorrow," Tom looked away.

"Don't say that. You're a good cop Tom. We need you, I...I need you," Cassy vehemently disgreed.

"So good that I lived with a con artist and sadistic murderer for four months and asked her to be the mother of my children," Tom scoffed.

"She manipulated you and she drugged you. None of us knew she was anything but a...what she appeared to be. I only mentioned her as a suspect because I recognized her voice. I think she wanted to get caught. I wouldn't be surprised if Marcus didn't manipulate and abuse her to get where she is today. Deep down she had to have the good that you saw in her. I really believe that Tom. That doesn't make you a bad cop, it just makes you a good person," Cassy told him. "Besides, if you leave who else is going to put up with me as a partner?"

"That is true," Tom tried to force a smile.

"You know where we go from here? We get to tomorrow and then we keep taking it one day at a time, okay? I'm here for you Tom whenever you need me," Cassy leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek.

"Good night," Tom's eyes closed and he began to fall asleep.

"Always Tom. I'll always be here for you," Cassy promised as she turned off the lights and walked out.

End of Story