Incendiary
Summary: All Walt Longmire wants following his retirement is to live a peaceful life out of the public eye. For a man considered by many to be a living legend, that might not be possible
Post series. Canon. Spoilers apply for the series.
Incendiary: designed to cause fires
Ch. 1: Up in Smoke
1:12 AM
Walt Longmire woke up to his brain telling him that something was wrong. In his half asleep state, it was difficult at first to determine what exactly that was. It took his senses a few seconds to put it all together. Then the smell came to his nose, acrid and easily recognizable. As he was waking, he felt Vic rousing beside him in the bed. She had been stretched out on her stomach, with her face half buried in the pillow. Now, she was pushing herself up and looking around, with a confused look on her face.
Walt had no way of knowing if he had woken her or the same smell that was now filling his senses was the culprit. Either way, she was looking his direction her eyes wide with questions he had no real answer for. He could tell by her expression that she knew what she was smelling as well as he did. She twisted around, her eyes drifting around the room looking for something she couldn't find. Finally, she found her voice.
"What the hell?"
Walt was on his feet now, the floor cold against the soles of his bare feet. He tugged on his jeans as he walked to the bedroom door. It was slightly ajar to allow warm air from the living room to reach the cooler recesses of the bedroom. On cold nights like this one, he never closed the door all the way. Walt pulled the door open and his reaction was immediate.
"Get up."
Vic was already in the process of doing just that, her sleep fogged mind rapidly telling her that something was wrong, even if she didn't know what that something was.
"Wh…"
He closed the door firmly.
"Fire."
Vic's mouth gaped at the solitary word that held so much more.
"What?"
He was moving back in her direction now, years of experience in dealing with emergencies taking over.
"The cabin's on fire."
Vic's eyes widened as Walt grabbed her Flyer's hoodie that lay draped across the end of the bed and tossed it to her.
"Here."
Vic tugged it on over her tank top and shoved her legs quickly into the first pair of jeans she could locate. She pulled on her boots as she looked at the bedroom door. The smoke was more noticeable now, finding its way under the door. Whatever had started it, the fire was spreading quickly and lending a sense of urgency to the situation.
Vic grabbed her cell phone as Walt moved by her, dressing haphazardly as he went. It was the dead of winter and there were already several inches of snow on the ground with more in the forecast.
"Shit."
Walt motioned to the window.
"We'll have to go this way. The door is blocked."
Vic stared at him incredulously. She could sense a growing urgency. Whatever he saw in the living room must've been bad. Walt wasn't one to panic.
"Jesus."
Walt unlatched and opened the window with a strong push. He stepped back to allow her space to go through it and pulled at her arm.
"Go."
Vic glanced at him.
"Walt…"
There was a warning in her tone, but Walt didn't need it.
"I'm right behind you."
She nodded as she hoisted herself through the window. The snow crunched under her boots and the cold assaulted her immediately. She knew the temperature tonight was hovering around zero, possibly lower. Unfortunately, their coats were out of reach now.
Vic turned and waited as Walt carefully maneuvered his large frame out. His hand landed on her arm and he tugged her. In the darkness of the deepest part of night, there was an orange glow emanating from the cabin. The further they moved away, the bigger the scene that revealed itself in sickening fashion.
Vic brushed her hair out of her face against the wind blowing around them. She pulled her hood up over her head in an attempt to fight it off as she stared. The entire cabin was rapidly becoming engulfed in fire.
Vic pulled out her phone and fumbled with shaky hands as she dialed, bringing the phone up to her ear, her eyes shifted from the cabin to Walt. He stood next to her wearing a shocked look on his face as everything went up in flames in front of him.
6:32 AM
It was a total loss.
Although, no one really needed to be told that. It was obvious, even to the untrained eye.
And it would take some time to absorb it all. If that were even possible. The fire was mostly out now as the sun rose and revealed more damage than they were prepared to see. There was nothing like the light of day to show you how bad something really was. Smoke rose from the ruins of the cabin as small fires still smoldered here and there in the wreckage.
That was an accurate way to describe what they were looking at. Wreckage. The area around them buzzed with activity. The fire department was still out in force, trying to finish up and ensure safety. Cady, Zach, and Ferg were on the scene as well, bearing hot coffee for them all.
Vic stood by her truck watching what felt like a nightmare unfold around them. This all felt surreal. Like a bad dream that she couldn't wake up from. Walt was quiet now. Had been quiet for some time. Quiet even for him. It left her feeling more unsettled than the actual fire. He was standing a few feet away, alone with his eyes on the ruins of his home. Vic tucked her hands into the pockets of the duty jacket that she found in the cab of her truck.
She closed the distance between them slowly, her eyes on the snow covered ground in front of her. Walt had to have heard her approaching him. But, his blue eyes remained fixed in place and never seemed to waver. Vic reached his side. She paused briefly before reaching out and touching his arm.
"You okay?"
For several seconds, he continued to stare. Then, blinking, he turned his head and met her eyes.
"Yeah."
The word came out low and barely audible. A burning sensation swelled up in her throat. Vic forced it back down. Right now was not the time to fall apart. There would be a chance for emotions later. She cleared her throat.
"Fire chief says it'll be a day or so before it's safe."
He nodded and turned his gaze back at the cabin. She couldn't tell if he really registered what she said. This was something they had witnessed too many times in their line of work. People picking through embers, trying to salvage anything they could from their lives. Most things ruined and gone forever. Experiencing it firsthand was proving to be a heavy load to bear.
When he didn't reply, she spoke again.
"Walt."
His throat bobbed with a swallow.
"I heard you."
Vic hesitated, still concerned for his current frame of mind.
"Walt, look at me."
He did as she asked, turning his face to her. She didn't like what she saw there. It frightened her on more than one level in a way she hadn't felt in quite some time.
"There's…nothing we can do here right now. Let's…go."
Walt looked hollowed out. Tired. Exhausted.
"Go where?"
The flat tone in his voice threatened to derail her completely. She took his hand in hers, lacing their fingers. Her hands were warm from her pockets. His were ice cold in contrast and it made her shiver a little.
"C'mon. It's freezing out here and you don't even have a decent coat."
She tugged lightly at his hand. For a second, she thought he was going to come. He seemed to consider it. But, in one motion, he pulled his hand free from hers and shook his head at the idea of leaving.
"You go. I'll stay until it's finished."
That was what worried her. His propensity for spiraling. Obsessing. Vic sighed and tried again.
"Walt."
All he did was redirect his focus away from her. She was well acquainted with his brand of stubbornness. In that moment, he seemed like an immovable object. Determined to hold his ground at all costs. Part of her wanted to push him more. Wear him down. Her own strong will could easily rival his. Even eclipse it sometimes. But these didn't seem to be the right circumstances for that. There was a time when Vic wouldn't have recognized that. But, these days, she saw things with a new clarity. Where Walt was concerned, she had learned to pick her battles. In a different conversation, he would admit the same thing in regard to her. Butting heads was nothing new for them. Learning to give and take was a work in progress they were both committed to.
Vic reached up and rubbed her eyes. She was exhausted. She knew he had to be. They had only been in bed for a few hours when the abrupt awakening came in the form of smoke. They both needed a few hours of sleep, a hot meal, and a shower.
Vic looked around. The landscape around them looked like something out of a Christmas movie. Snow shimmering in the morning light as far as the eye could see. How could the world still be so beautiful when such darkness was surrounding them?
Vic nodded and let out a sigh. Being tired was nothing to new to her. It was common in her line of work. But, this seemed like a whole new level and she didn't see it abating any time soon. If Walt was determined to stay, then she would stay with him. Leaving him the way he was made her feel uneasy. As much as she wanted to curl up somewhere warm, if he refused to leave, then her course of action was set as well.
"Okay, then. We'll stay."
She was met with the same eerie silence that had settled over him. He gave no real response or acknowledgement that he even heard her. Vic dipped her chin into the top of her jacket to combat the cold and continued the same vigil she had been in for hours now. This was rapidly turning into a day that never seemed to end.
1:01 PM
Cady's house was a welcome reprieve. Vic tossed the keys onto the table and looked around, letting the backpack on her shoulder slide off and onto the floor. Walt had finally given in to everyone telling him to get in out of the bone numbing cold and get some rest. He shuffled in behind her and closed the door. He shed the borrowed jacket he wore and stood there in his jeans and t-shirt like he wasn't sure what to do.
Vic unzipped her work jacket and shrugged it off, tossing it over a chair. She knew they both looked as rough as they felt.
"You want the shower first?"
He looked to Vic with the same vacant expression he had worn all morning.
"You can go ahead. I'm just…"
He gestured at the couch.
"…gonna sit."
Vic nodded as he ambled off to sit down, sinking into the cushions and letting his head fall back. She had been lucky enough to have a change of clothes in the bag she kept in her truck for work emergencies. And they were clean. An added bonus. Unfortunately, Walt had no such luck. She had insisted on running by a shop in town on the way to Cady's to grab him something clean. Clearly, they would need more. Much more. But that could wait. Right now, she was having a hard time even thinking straight. And she knew that Walt wasn't any better. That was painfully clear.
In the small guest bath, she shed her clothes that reeked of smoke and turned the water up hotter than normal. She didn't feel like she would ever be able to shake this chill that had taken a hold of her.
Stepping under the water, she let it run over her for a few minutes. It felt nothing short of miraculous in that moment. Knowing Walt also needed hot water, she quickly washed her hair and scrubbed the grimy feeling off of her skin with a crisp smelling soap. Pulling a cleanly scented towel around her, she dried off and dressed in clean jeans and a gray thermal shirt. Pulling on thick socks, she stuffed the dirty clothes into her bag and ventured to tell Walt it was his turn.
She found him dozing on the couch. Her first thought was to leave him and let him sleep, but his eyes opened and settled on her. They looked different. Not vacant or hollow. But sad. Sad at the reality they were currently facing. It felt like a dagger running through her chest to see that look in his eyes.
Vic dropped her backpack onto the floor and motioned for him to get up.
"C'mon. Get a shower. Then you can sleep."
He nodded and pushed up slowly from the couch. Vic passed him the bag containing a new pair of jeans and a shirt. He took it from her and looked at it for a long moment before letting it fall to his side as his arm dropped.
"Thanks."
He mumbled the word. Vic studied him.
"When you're done, I'll be in the guest room."
Once, it had been her room. At least, temporarily. She hadn't imagined then that she would be back now under these circumstances. That seemed like two lifetimes ago.
"Okay."
It was a side of Walt she hadn't seen in a while. And one she didn't welcome back. Shut down and closed off. He made his way to the bathroom, while Vic turned into the small bedroom. She sat on the bed and looked around the room. Not much had changed. She heard the water in the bathroom turn on. Wearily, she crawled under the comforter and the sheets, willing her body to relax and lose some of the tension she felt built up inside of her.
She fought sleep in order to stay awake until Walt was done. It took more energy than she had, but he appeared wearing clean clothes and his hair still wet. He tossed his dirty clothes aside and looked down at the bed. Deliberately, he pulled back the covers and lay down. He lay on his back, his eyes pointed up to the ceiling. Vic rolled onto her side, the sheets rustling quietly, so that she could see him.
"How are you doing?"
He turned his head slightly in her direction, their eyes meeting.
"I don't know what to do."
It was a simple sentence, but a complex statement. And she felt it all the way through her being. Seeing him like this, almost like a lost child, was extremely difficult and jarring to take in. Walt was a man of confidence and conviction. It pained her to see him look so unsure of what to do. And it wasn't going to get any easier. Whatever road they were now on would be long and hard. She knew that.
"Right now…just get some sleep."
He looked at her like he was about to say something or ask something. But, he remained quiet. Vic tilted her head so that her mouth pressed up against his shoulder. All morning, even though he was present, he felt absent. Right now was no exception. She inhaled the clean smell of him.
"We'll figure this out, Walt."
He continued to hold her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Vic."
Vic narrowed her eyes.
"For what?"
He exhaled a long breath.
"For letting this happen."
Vic pushed herself up on one elbow so that she could see him clearly.
"Walt, this isn't your fault. You didn't let this happen."
His expression told her that he was unconvinced of that claim. Vic pushed on.
"We'll find out exactly what happened. But this…this wasn't you, Walt."
His eyes flashed something dark and his face hardened at her comment.
"I think we both know what happened here. I don't need an investigation to tell me."
There it was. The anger she had been waiting for. She had known it was only a matter of time.
"Walt."
He shook his head, cutting off anything else she might be about to say.
"Just…don't. Let's…sleep now. You're right. We both need sleep."
Vic looked at him as several seconds ticked by. Finally, she nodded and lowered herself back onto the mattress. Settling in beside him, she scooted a little closer so that she could feel the solidity of his body beside hers. Closing her eyes, she listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing until sleep overtook her.
6:34 PM
Vic had a dull headache when she woke up. With all the stress, she wasn't surprised. The first thing that registered in her mind was that Walt wasn't beside her. She sat up, looking around the room in an attempt to get her bearings. Reality came to her all too quickly. Planting her feet on the floor, she wiped a hand over her face then pushed her hair back behind her ears.
She padded out into the hallway, looking and listening.
She heard sounds coming from the kitchen. Vic found Walt milling around the stove, a box sitting on the table. She eyed it curiously as her stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten all day.
"What's this?"
Walt turned at the sound of her voice. His eyes fell on the box.
"Henry brought dinner."
Vic smiled a little. It felt foreign to her.
"Good because I'm hungry."
Walt nodded at her statement. She knew he had to be just as hungry as she was. Maybe more.
"Me too. I was getting some dishes. Did I wake you?"
Vic shook her head at his apologetic tone.
"No."
She fished inside the box and came out with a large container of soup and two wrapped sandwiches. They made quick, efficient work of ladling the soup into bowls and settling in to eat. Vic took a bite and closed her eyes for a long moment, savoring the hot flavorful soup.
"God, that's good."
Walt came as close to smiling as she had seen all day.
"It is."
He seemed to have some clarity now. That was a welcome change, but a sense of foreboding still hung heavily in her gut. He was eating. That was something. Vic looked at him across the table and tapped her spoon lightly on the bowl.
"What're you thinking about?"
He looked up from his food and met her eyes.
"We need to find a place to live."
It sounded strange coming from him. He had lived in the same place for so many years. Both good and bad years. So much of Walt's identity seemed to be tied up in the cabin. It seemed impossible to separate the two. And yet, here they were doing just that. As much as she hated to think about it, he was right.
Vic bit her bottom lip.
"That'll take some time."
He nodded but said nothing. Vic set her spoon down.
"Walt…it can be rebuilt."
She didn't know what else to say. She loved the cabin, too. But, it was gone. There was nothing structural to be salvaged. In that moment, they had no way of knowing if anything could be saved from the fire. The reality was, most of their personal items were gone. Things that couldn't be replaced. Clothes, pictures, items that held more sentimental value than anything. She knew how deep this wound went in him. Despite his rough exterior, Walt felt things on a deep level. And recovery could frequently be a struggle for him. She didn't want to downplay that. But, she also didn't want to contribute to it. It was a fine line to walk.
"Yeah."
Vic shook her head.
"I don't mean to make light of it. I know…that it can't be replaced. But…we can build a new home."
Walt's expression was hard to read.
"I know. But…that will take some time. Like you said. So, we need somewhere to live in the meantime."
He continued to eat. Cady had already told them they could stay with her as long as necessary. But, Walt was right. It would take time to build a new place on Walt's property. And Cady's house was a good size for Cady. But, with the three of them, there would be no privacy.
Vic finished her food and then leaned back in her chair, feeling heavy with both food and feelings.
"Too bad I sold the RV."
Walt's lips nearly curved up into a smile. It was the first time since yesterday he didn't look completely solemn.
"Yep. Except that it was too small for me."
Vic smiled at him. She felt lighter in that moment than she had all day. Unfortunately, the moment passed all too quickly. Their conversation was interrupted by the buzzing of her cell phone on the table beside her. Vic glanced at the number and picked it up.
"It's Cady."
She stood up as she answered.
"Hey."
"How are you guys?"
Vic paced the kitchen, glancing at Walt when Cady asked that particular question. Cady knew as well as she did how Walt was. How Walt could be. Her concern and reason for it was very real.
"Okay, I guess. Thanks for the bed. And the shower."
Vic could hear voices in the background followed by silence. In her mind, she could see Cady going into her office and closing the door to block out the noise.
"No problem. I told you before. You can stay as long as you need. It's not a problem."
"Thanks."
Cady cleared her throat a little.
"Is dad with you?"
Walt was up now, clearing the table and setting the dishes in the sink to be washed.
"Yeah."
"Can you guys come to the office? There's something I want to talk to you about."
Vic nodded, more to herself than anything. They all knew what was coming. They really had this whole time. It was Walt who gave it a voice earlier in the day when he as angry. It was that very thing that rooted a fear deep inside of her. Fear of him tapping into an anger he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Yeah, sure. We'll be there soon."
Vic shoved her phone into her pocket and looked up to find Walt watching her closely.
"She wants to see us."
It wasn't a question. He knew it as well as she did.
"Yeah. So…let's get this cleaned up and head over."
He stood motionless for a moment, seemingly lost in thought before his eyes focused on hers.
"Right."
8:04 PM
Long day, indeed.
They trudged up the steps and entered the Sheriff's office. Vic removed her jacket and draped it over the chair at her desk. Her hair was pulled back know, keeping it out of her face. Walt was behind her, his boots scraping over the floor. It was a sound she had heard so many times in the past. She was sure she could pick his footsteps out in the dark without knowing he was there. His gait was so familiar to her at this point.
Looking around, the place looked empty. It had been a long day for everyone. They had, no doubt, been anxious to get home and get some much deserved rest. As the door closed behind them, Cady came out of her office with a smile.
"Hey."
She pulled Walt into a hug, which he returned half-heartedly. Releasing him, she looked to Vic.
"Thanks for coming. I know you're tired, but I didn't want to wait until morning."
Walt nodded, his expression turning business like.
"What is it?"
She motioned for them to follow her into her office. Walt looked around as they went through the door. It was something he always did when he entered the room he had occupied for so long. Cady had made changes, of course. The biggest was the addition of a computer on the desk. Walt's dislike and distrust of technology was well known.
Cady shuffled through some papers on the desk and seemed to find what she was looking for. She scanned the paper herself before leaning on the desk and holding it out for them to see. Vic reached out and took it, her eyes still on Cady.
"The fire was set. There were signs of an ignition near the front door. An accelerant, we think gasoline, was used."
Vic dropped her eyes to the paper and then offered it to Walt. When he shook his head, she gave it back to Cady who set it aside, still watching the two of them. Walt's expression hadn't changed during the brief conversation.
"We already knew that."
Cady gave him a cautious look.
"No, we didn't. You know I have to do my job. You, better than anyone, knows that. It could have been an accident with the fireplace."
Walt placed his hand on his hips as his eyes rested on his daughter.
"Cady, I've been using that fireplace for years and I've never set the cabin on fire. We know it was set and we know who did it."
Cady nodded slowly.
"Yeah, we have a suspect. But, we need proof."
"Then get it."
Cady sighed, her eyes shifting to Vic.
"Did you notice anything strange when you got home? Or before you went to bed?"
Vic shook her head.
"No. Nothing."
Walt shifted impatiently on his feet.
"I brought some wood in just before bed and nothing was wrong. I didn't see anything or smell anything. I would've smelled gas. He had to have come after we were asleep. I…should've been more alert."
Cady looked at her father.
"Dad, we've all been on this and no one caught this. This isn't your fault."
He looked as serious as either of them had ever seen him.
"It was my home. And I am a retired Sheriff. I should've known better than to let my guard down."
Cady looked at a loss. Vic interrupted.
"We've…already had this conversation. Did you find anything else?"
"No. Not yet. We'll be back out there tomorrow for one more comb over. To make sure we didn't miss anything."
Vic nodded.
"Yeah, we'll be there at some point, too. Fire department said we could look through it. See if anything can be saved."
Cady gave her a somber look.
"I'm sorry about all of this."
Vic clearly dismissed the misplaced apology.
"It's not your fault either. It's the asshole who did this."
Cady smiled a little.
"I know. I just…I know it's hard."
Walt looked around.
"That all you have?"
"Yeah, for now."
"Okay, then. I'm…gonna use the restroom."
Cady and Vic watched him leave the room. Cady turned her attention to Vic.
"Has he been like this all day?"
Vic's sigh was enough of answer.
"Yeah. He's…having a hard time with this. Not that I blame him. But…I'm afraid of what he might do."
"You think he's gonna go after him?"
Vic shrugged tiredly.
"I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised. You know how he is. He's…this is very personal for him. And…I really don't blame him."
Cady gave Vic a careful look.
"Then you need to be the one with a level head."
Vic smiled, despite the conversation.
"Right. Me, the level headed one. That's…funny."
Cady smiled in return.
"Someone has to do it."
Vic reached up and rubbed her hands over her face.
"Jesus, this is a mess."
She dropped her hands.
"You mind if I take a few days?"
Cady shook her head.
"No, of course not. Take all the time you need."
Cady looked at the door.
"I'm worried about dad."
"So, am I. He's…quiet. Too quiet."
"You guys going to be at the house tonight?"
Vic nodded.
"Yeah, probably a few nights at least. Walt mentioned finding somewhere to live. But, that'll take a few days, at least. We haven't really had a chance to talk about it much. He's so…distant."
"I'm sure it's a lot to digest."
They heard Walt's boots and Vic turned slightly as he reappeared in the doorway. His eyes shifted between them and she suspected he knew they were talking about him. His gaze settled on Vic.
"Are we done?"
She stared at him for a moment. It wasn't like him to be short with her or Cady. But, he had been doing it on and off all day. She chalked it up to stress and emotions, but everyone had a breaking point.
"Yeah, we're done. You ready?"
"Yes."
Cady met Vic's eyes as they walked out into the main office. Vic retrieved her jacket and pulled it on. Zipping it up, she paused.
"Thank you, Cady. For everything."
Cady smiled in response.
"That's what family is for. I'll see you later. I'm about finished here for the night. If you're asleep when I get home, I'll see you in the morning."
"Night."
Vic followed Walt out of the office. The door clicked closed behind them and Vic paused. Hearing her stop walking, Walt turned around.
"What?"
She looked between him and the door.
"What the hell was that?"
He shrugged.
"What was what?"
"You being rude and dismissive to Cady."
He stood as still as a stone.
"She didn't have anything we didn't already know. She could've told you that over the phone."
Vic narrowed her eyes at him.
"You know…I get it. I do. This sucks. But…you can't…be like that, Walt. Not to the people who are trying to help you."
He looked at the floor.
"What do you want me to do? Apologize?"
"No, but you could act like you care."
He scuffled one foot across the wooden planks.
"My home is gone."
Vic swallowed.
"I know."
He gave his head a shake.
"No, you don't. I know you want to. But…you don't."
Vic closed her eyes before opening them again, trying to keep her own temper from flaring.
"You realize you're not the only one who has lost something here."
"Things can be replaced."
Vic could feel her frustration mounting. Her head was hurting again.
"I'm not talking about things, Walt. I'm…."
She caught herself as her voice started to rise in volume. Looking down, she took a deep breath.
"Forget it. This…isn't the time or the place. Let's just go."
She started to walk again and Walt fell into step beside her. The ride back to Cady's was short and quiet. It was also uncomfortable. That was a feeling she hated where Walt was concerned and one she hadn't felt with him in a while. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. Vic looked out the window. It was dark, but the snow covering the ground was visible under the light of the moon.
Walt pulled in front of Cady's house and parked. Vic's hand landed on the door handle. She glanced at Walt, who made no move to get out. She paused and waited. After a moment, he turned towards her.
"You go on in. I'm gonna go for a ride."
Vic eyed him with an almost suspicious look
"Where?"
He shrugged.
"Just driving. I'm not gonna be able to sleep right now."
She sat, hand still on the handle.
"Walt, right now isn't the time for revenge."
His expression remain unchanged.
"All I said was I was going for a drive. I'll be back."
Vic pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth. Walt shifted in his seat.
"You don't trust me."
It came out sounding like the accusation that it was.
"This isn't about trust. I know how you are. And I know that you blame yourself. And you've been…"
Vic exhaled in frustration.
"…you won't talk to me. And, to be honest, I'm scared."
"It doesn't have anything to do with you. I'm not mad at you."
"I didn't think you were. But…you're shutting me out and I hate that."
He sighed.
"We process things differently, Vic. I don't want to talk about it right now."
"We need to. At some point. I know this is all fresh, but…we've got some decisions to make."
Walt turned his eyes away from her, looking through the windshield. She shook her head.
"Let's just…go in and not talk about it. We can go to bed if you want."
"I told you…I can't sleep right now."
"You don't have to sleep."
She could see that she wasn't making any progress. Vic pulled the handle and the door opened a bit. Cold air started to seep inside.
"Promise me that you won't do anything stupid."
He continued to look out the front of the Bronco.
"Walt."
Turning his head, he met her eyes.
"I promise."
She sat for another minute. Walt continued to grasp the steering wheel. Finally she opened the door all the way and slid out.
"See you in bit."
He nodded in confirmation.
"Yeah."
xxx
Vic lay on the bed, her eyes pointing up at the ceiling. She could only hope that Walt would keep his promise. She knew that he was a man of his word. But, these were not ordinary circumstances and she didn't have any real confidence in his frame of mind. She heard an engine and her eyes drifted to the window.
A car door closed, followed by the front door opening and closing. After a pause, she recognized Walt's slow pace towards the bedroom. He opened the door while he was in the process of removing his coat. He stopped when he saw her watching him in the semi darkness.
"Thought you would be asleep."
Vic shook her head.
"Can't sleep."
He slowly started to undress, his eyes on her.
"I told you I would be back."
"Where did you go?"
"Nowhere in particular."
Vic watched him remove his shirt. He draped it over the dresser in the room before unbuckling his belt and pulling it free. Sliding his jeans off, he folded them and lay them on top of the shirt. Vic was quiet while he slid under the covers and lay back with a sigh. He turned his eyes to her.
"What do you want to talk about?"
She glanced at his clothes laying on the dresser top.
"We need clothes."
"Right."
"So…we need to go shopping tomorrow. For essentials. And we need to go to the cabin and see what's left."
His face darkened.
"Not much."
"I know. But, we still need to look. I'll go if you don't want to."
He shook his head.
"I'll come."
Vic turned onto her side. Extending her hand, she laid it on his stomach, her fingers sliding over the skin lightly.
"Tell me what you're thinking."
He was quiet for a stretch. The only sound was the inhale and exhale of his breathing. He moved his own hand and placed it over hers.
"I don't like it when you're mad at me."
"I'm not mad."
He looked her way.
"You were earlier."
"No. Just…frustrated."
A small smile pulled at his lips.
"Mad, frustrated. It's the same."
"No, it's not the same. You have this habit of shutting down when you're having a hard time with something. We both know it. You shut down and I…overreact, to put it mildly. You're right. We have different ways of processing things. And that's okay. You need space…I'll give you space. But…you can't shut me out. That's not how this works."
"I know."
He grew quiet again and she could see the wheels of his mind turning.
"What?"
Walt inhaled deeply.
"I understand that Cady has a job to do. But…so do I."
Vic frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"We both know who was responsible for this, Vic."
"Walt…"
He shook his head against the pillow.
"He burned down my home. Our…home. He could have killed you. I am sure that was his intention."
She sighed.
"How many times have you told people not to take the law into their own hands?"
"And look where it's gotten us. I should have…done something already. I should've…kept you safe."
"I am safe. I'm not hurt."
"That could have turned out differently."
"But, it didn't."
She slid closer to him.
"We are both okay. We're safe."
"For how long? How long before he comes again? And this time, what if he succeeds? What if he…takes you from me?"
Vic pressed her chin into his arm.
"That's a lot of what ifs."
"Vic, for all the times you worried about me…I worry about you just as much. I know you're scared of losing me. But…I'm just as scared of losing you. I just…try not to worry you."
"You promised me."
He met her eyes.
"That promise was for tonight. I can't promise that going forward."