"Sorry we brought y'all down here for nothin'," Brenda joked weakly as people buzzed around the little marina building, a blur of movement and voices that Brenda couldn't quite make out over the pain in her shoulder, the whirl of the past few minutes, Maura's wide eyes locked on hers as she held Brenda's hand so tightly both their knuckles were white. Katie pressed on her collarbone, Brenda wincing as she felt it push back into place. "It just happened a little faster than anyone thought it might. Sorry," she murmured again, gripping at Maura's hand as the bone was manipulated.

"It's okay," Maura said, but she sounded far away, eyes still dark, distant. "It's okay."

"Maura, are you okay," she breathed, trying to turn to her, wincing.

"I'm all right," Maura said, though her voice was blank, mechanical. "It's fine."

"Maura," Brenda whispered fervently, her hands flexing and contracting. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not injured," she said, blinking as though she could finally hear her, briefly pressing her lips to Brenda's temple. "But I am sure I told you to keep that arm immobilized."

"I'm sure I'm sorry," she mumbled dizzily as some anonymous set of hands pressed at her clavicle, pulled off the sling. Didn't register the pain, only the press of Maura's lips against her skin.

"I love you," she whispered to Maura, not caring if the others heard. "I love you."

"I love you too, Brenda." Maura's voice suddenly faint, swamped under the abrupt waves of pain in her shoulder, such a small broken thing, Brenda thought, so tiny, so inconsequential, but so overwhelming—

Then someone pressed down harder on the hurt part, and there was only black.

When her eyes cracked open she saw Maura first; face drawn, lips pursed. Then Fernando, stark expression redoubling Maura's worry. Then Katie, fingers gripping around her shoulders, saying just breathe out, please. Then Maura's face again, ashen, bloodstained, her eyes so wide and bright and endless Brenda thought she might drown in them. Then a hard, brilliant burst of pain as Katie wrenched her bones firmly back into alignment, pressed at her side as she began to wind the tight elastic around her chest, her shoulder, her neck—

"Oh good lord," she gasped, trying desperately not to black out again.

"It's okay," Maura whispered, lips drifting over the delicate shell of Brenda's ear. "I'll be here."

When she woke up for the second time, she saw first Maura's warm, open face beaming down at her, Fernando at her side, a few of their little army clustered at the door.

"Did we do it?" she said, struggling to sit upright.

"Rest," Maura cooed, her arm supporting Brenda's back, her other hand stroking at her cheek, lowering her back down to the bench.

"But we did it?" Brenda gasped against the renewed pain in her chest. "Dr. Alexeyev, he's safe? Our people—"

"Bien, Chef," a low voice came through the doorway. "The threat is no more."

She gave a grin that even she could tell came out as a grimace. "Thank you, Pierre," she huffed through the pain. "Thank you."

"De rien, Chef."

"Where's Peter?" she said, pushing herself into a sitting position against the slippery vinyl benches lining the lobby of the little marina building at the end of the dock. "Dr. Avery, is he—"

"I'm here, Chief."

She tried her best wry grin as Peter's worried face coalesced into view. "Sorry to ruin your lazy morning," she said.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else," he says, clasping her hand, cupping her face. "But would you mind if I go to the clinic with—" he glanced back.

"You go on now," Brenda said firmly. "Go on, scoot." She gave Dr. Avery's hand a little squeeze as she nodded toward the door. "You tell him we're all so glad to see him."

Peter smiled, his eyes bright. Gave her chin a light squeeze, pulling his hand away just briefly before settling it lightly on the crown of her head, ruffling her hair a little in just the way her daddy used to when he wanted her to know he saw her, loved her, but couldn't quite bring himself all the way to the words; it cut through her so sharply for a moment, that flood of recognition; gentle, kind, instantly grounding her. "Chief Johnson," Peter said, his voice soft, warm. "Brenda. I can't begin to—"

"All I know is your Misha's solyanka better be better than mine," she cut in, sitting up taller against the slick vinyl, wincing, but embracing him tightly. "I can't boil an egg, so it's a low bar, but I guess we'll find out soon enough."

Maura was right behind him, brow furrowed as always, staring into Brenda's eyes. "I have to go see Dr. Alexeyev," she murmured roughly, trying not to touch the bruises blossoming on her throat.

"No," Brenda rasped. "You need someone to see to you."

"There's no one, Brenda," Maura had sighed, giving her a slight smile. "Who doctors the doctor?" Brenda frowned. "I'm fine," Maura sighed again, reaching for her hand, holding it tightly. "Brenda, I'm fine. White willow, licorice tea, compresses, ice, rest. I'm fine. I just need to make sure everyone else is too."

"Sounds like you need to delegate better," Brenda said. "More staff, I'd say. Your Katie's got enough to handle as it is, so she'll be needing some extra hands, because you're gonna be takin' a little well-earned vacation."

"Are you joking?" Maura laughed, incredulous. "A vacation. First, where would I go? And then, there's obviously too much going on to—" she wavered on her feet. "Brenda, is it all right if I lay down for—for a moment—"

"Of course it is, darlin'," Brenda murmured, and then, "Maggie, can you help me get Dr. Isles home? I don't think she's hurt, but I reckon she could use a good rest." She glanced at Maggie, who looked at Liz.

"We're secure, Chief," Liz said. "You coming to the clinic? Dr. Morales is offering to take point, and Katie's there, so obviously it'll be fine." Brenda smiled. It would be fine. Obviously.

"I'll go with Maura," she said, not loosening her hold on Maura's hand. "The marina's secure too, yes?"

"Yes ma'am," Liz said. "We've got ten of our people standing guard right now. But also, ma'am—"

"Brenda," she sighed. "What is it?"

"Ma'am—Brenda—the man who shot the Russian captain, who helped the doctor, the sailor—"

"Yes?"

"What should we do with him?"

Brenda frowned, wanting nothing more than to get Maura back into her little house, to sit on Maura's couch and read a book or, more likely, stare blankly into space while Maura slept as long as she wanted, but she knew she couldn't, not yet.

"Bring him over. I want to talk to him. Has there been any contact from the ship?"

Liz shook her head. "Not that I've heard, but it hasn't been very long."

"Keep Pierre on the radio," she said. "Have him call over to the farms, let them know we're all right but could use any help with supplies or able bodies or what have you. Maura, darlin,'" she said gently, turning to her, brushing her thumb along her temple, "can you stay here with me just a little bit longer?"

"Of course I can," Maura said, cocking her eyebrow; sitting down seemed to have agreed with her. "I may be operating in some sort of psychological shock at the moment, but physically I'm perfectly fine, and please understand, Brenda, that I, too, am invested in what anyone and everyone has to say about what's going on with that ship."

"Of course," Brenda muttered, flushing pink. "I didn't mean-"

"I know you didn't," Maura said, offering her a little smile. "But Brenda, I'm all right, and I'm still just as involved in this as you are. If not more," she said, glancing around at the faces in the room. People she knew well, loved, cared about. People who Brenda would be lucky to get the first letter of their names right, at this point.

"Chief?" Liz said, crossing back to her, the stone-faced sailor close behind.

"Privet," Brenda said. "I'm Brenda Johnson. What is your name?"

"Junior Lieutenant Leonid Leonovich Karpov, sir," he said, his voice betraying nothing.

"Well, Lieutenant, would you please explain to me what happened? I want to make sure I fully understand."

The Lieutenant was silent for a moment. He stiffened as Liz lifted the barrel of her rifle, just slightly.

"None of that, please, Liz," Brenda said softly, motioning for her to lower her weapon. Karpov relaxed minutely.

"We're not here to punish you," she continued in the same gentle voice. "You may have saved all our lives, and we're very grateful."

Karpov's face tightened. "It was my duty, sir. Captain Volkov lied to us."

"I see. I assume you're a part of Lieutenant Kuznetsov's group?"

He nodded once, stiffly.

"And where is Lieutenant Kuznetsov now?"

"On the ship, sir. He was held back after he spoke with you."

Brenda winced. She'd been worried about that. "Is he all right?"

"He was put in the brig, sir, but he was being guarded by one of ours."

"And Vasiliev?"

"Dead. Captain Volkov executed him when he returned without the scientist."

Brenda was silent for a long moment. "It seems as though Captain Volkov lost control of his ship a while ago."

"Yes sir."

"How many of you are there?"

"Fifteen—I mean twelve. There were fifteen of us, but there are now twelve."

She sighed. She knew not everyone would make it out alive, was relieved and grateful that none of her people had been hurt badly, but the faint shadow that passed over Karpov's face made her heart ache for him, for the rest of them.

"And the others?"

"Only eight, sir. Our men have them, and the ship."

"The explosion," she said.

"Lieutenant Gusev disabled the engine. Water in the fuel pump. Another destroyed the radio and navigation systems. The three shots you heard were to confirm that the Ivan Grozny is dead in the water, sir."

"And your men?"

"Some are in the town now, on patrol. We ensured only our people would be posted here today. The others have an emergency raft. They will arrive soon."

"I certainly hope so, Lieutenant," she said, resting her hand on his. He looked down, an expression of surprise on his stern face. She thought she could see the faint glitter of tears in his eyes.

"You and your men showed great courage," she whispered. "You are heroes, and we owe much to you all."

He nodded stiffly again, working to control himself.

"Liz? This is Lieutenant Karpov. Can you please take him down to the clinic and get him looked at, and something to eat? Have Tom and Andrea get the rest of them, take them all to the town hall, make sure everyone's good." She nodded, still eyeing Karpov with suspicion. "Be nice," Brenda whispered. "But be careful, too."

"Lieutenant, this is Liz, one of our residents. She's taking you to our clinic, and will find you some food." He glanced at her skeptically. Brenda smiled. "She won't shoot you, I promise."

Once they'd left, Brenda turned to Maura, eyed her, nodded once. "Home," she said, slipping her good arm through Maura's. "No protest."

"But the other men, on the ship—"

"Didn't I just say no protestin'?" She sighed. "They'll make sure it's all taken care of," she said, nodding toward the remaining townsfolk. "Won't you?"

Maggie nodded emphatically.

"All is fine, Chef," Matthieu said. "Where would you like them to go when they are here?"

"Clinic first, especially Lieutenant Kuznetsov. Then to the town hall, get everyone checked in." She glanced at Maura, not sure of what the process was for new residents.

"There's some intake forms in my office," she said. "Though if they don't speak English, they probably won't be very useful."

"We'll take care of it tomorrow," Brenda said, squeezing at Maura's elbow. "Don't worry. For now, just make sure everyone's got a bed and some food, do you think you can manage that without talkin'?"

Maggie nodded again. Brenda realized she'd never heard the young woman speak, made a note to ask Maura later.

They were on their way down the beach road to Maura's when she saw a figure running toward them from town.

It was Katie, out of breath, beaming. Brenda was also pretty sure she'd never seen Katie smile like that.

"What is it?"

"Captain Harroway," she panted. "On the radio."

Maura gasped. "What did he say?"

"He said they'd been hailing us for two days and that they'd changed course when we didn't answer. They'll be here by the end of the week."

"Did Pierre tell him about—"

"Yeah," Katie said, brushing a tightly-coiled strand of hair away from her face. "The captain said they'd be happy to take care of everything for us, and said if we need more help, he'd be happy to contact another ship."

"If Captain Harroway thinks they can help, I don't see why we'd need to disrupt any other ships," Maura said, trying to keep her calm, but Brenda watched the smile tugging at her lips, the way her eyes sparkled with relief, with joy. "Thank you, Katie. Thank you." Maura dropped Brenda's arm, pulled Katie into a tight hug. "Thank you," she murmured again.

"No problem," Katie grinned. "Any time, doctor. And you too, Chief," she added.

Brenda smiled widely. "Thank you, Katie," she said. "Thank you very much. Now, do you need us right now, or can I get the doctor into bed?"

Katie didn't even try to hide her smirk. Brenda blushed. "I mean—"

"I think we'll be fine," Katie said, still smirking. "We know where to find you. Both." She turned back to town with a little wave.

As they walked slowly toward the little cottage, the afternoon sun peering out from behind gray clouds, Brenda couldn't help but gaze at Maura, as though seeing her for the first time. After everything they'd been through, in the past, and in the past week, she could hardly believe it. To be with her, now, here.

"You're staring at me," Maura said with a little giggle.

"It's a nice view," Brenda replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"It is," Maura said, gazing back into Brenda's eyes, "isn't it."