Ch. 5: Smokescreen
She decided to sleep on the couch. As much as Vic hated to admit it, her run-in with Cain got to her and left her feeling rattled. Vic made quick work of locking up the cabin once she was inside. She took her holstered Glock with her into the bathroom while she showered. Cain made her feel disgusted. Dressing in one of Walt's shirts and pajama pants, she briefly considered the bed. She internally chastised herself for her paranoia, but past experience was fresh on her mind.
Laying her 9mm on the coffee table alongside her cell phone, she pulled down the blanket Walt frequently kept draped over the back of the couch and spread it over her legs. She could already tell that sleep would be spotty at best. Vic positioned herself so that she could see the door and leaned back, willing her mind and her body to relax.
The ringing of her cell phone in the silence of the cabin did little to ease the tension she felt. Vic grabbed it off the table, recognizing the number immediately. She closed her eyes and exhaled as she answered.
"Hey."
Vic tried to force normality into her voice. There was a bit of static before he answered.
"Hey, how are things?"
She hesitated before answering.
"Fine. How's it going there?"
There was more static.
"Okay."
Vic pulled the phone away from her ear a bit.
"Where are you?"
"Outside. It's windy."
"Are you freezing yet?"
"Not too bad."
Vic laughed.
"Ha. I don't believe that. I'm surprised your phone works out there."
"It's not a great signal, but it was enough to call you."
Vic relaxed back into the couch, his voice warming her insides.
"Catch anything?"
"We have. Packed up for the night now, though."
He was quiet for a minute.
"Everything okay there?"
"Yeah, I had dinner with Cady."
"I'm glad. How is she?"
"She's good."
She could hear more static. It made him sound a bit rough around the edges.
"I'll be back tomorrow after lunch sometime."
"Okay, don't freeze to death tonight. If you need to snuggle with Henry, I understand."
"I'll keep that in mind."
She could hear the smile in his words.
"Get some rest. Love you, babe."
"Love you, too."
The call ended and Vic stretched out to lay her phone back on the coffee table. She flopped back with a sigh. She would be glad when he was home. This reminded her too much of when Ed Gorski was stalking her and Sean was out of town. Walt was there for her then. She wished he was here now.
Closing her eyes, she tried to coax herself into sleeping. Unfortunately, every so often, she would hear a sound that would make her jump and her eyes would open involuntarily. Of course, nothing was there. And the sounds weren't out of the ordinary. But, with her mind in its current state, she felt jumpy. And she hated it.
She did manage to doze on and off periodically, but a good sound sleep was something that simply would not find her. When the first light of the morning started to creep across the sky and into the windows of the cabin, she tiredly opened her eyes and let out a frustrated groan. It had been a long night. And with the dawning of a new day, her day promised to be just as long thanks to her lack of sleep.
Vic tossed the blanket aside and sat up, swinging her feet to the floor. Resting her elbows on her thighs, she cradled her head for a few minutes. A fresh headache was starting up and working its way through her skull from the back of her neck. Vic checked the time on her phone and forced herself to stand up. There was a sharp pain in her back as she stretched and stifled a yawn.
Coffee was something she would definitely need. She ambled into the kitchen to start the coffee so that it was ready when she dressed. Vic paused at the window and looked out. She placed her palm against the glass pane. It was cold. Bitterly cold. Her truck sat parked out front with a fresh layer of snow on it. Vic's eyes shifted to the empty spot beside her truck where the Bronco would normally be. Dropping her hand, she looked out the window for another minute before moving on to start her day.
xxx
Cain decided that he would keep a low profile for a few days. There was no reason to risk overplaying his hand. His run in with Victoria Moretti at the bar last night was part coincidence and part strategy. He did go to eat a quick dinner. He hadn't know that she would be there. As he was rolling through the parking lot, he spotted her truck and decided he might as well take advantage.
He realized it was a fine line that he was walking. He was a lot of things, but stupid wasn't one of them. As luck would have it, Walt wasn't with her. If Walt were there, he would've disappeared into the shadows until they were gone. He had little desire to have another confrontation with the man right now. There would be time for that later on. When he was ready. For now, all he was wanted to do was rattle her. He was familiar enough with the law to know she couldn't do anything about that. Not legally anyway. As long as he kept his hands to himself and didn't make any threats, he was in the clear.
As a cop, she would know that. And it would drive her crazy. Cain knew she wasn't stupid. On the contrary, she seemed very smart. Smarter than most cops he dealt with over the years. And it went beyond brains. She had the kind of street smarts that came from life experience. The kind of knowledge that couldn't be bought, only earned. He liked that about her. It made her a worthy adversary.
When he left her in the parking lot to go eat, he wondered if she would tell Walt about their encounter. Even if she did, there wasn't anything the man could do. If Walt got physical with him, the ball would be in his court. Cain doubted Walt would be that stupid. Not over a harmless conversation in a parking lot. He would need to push the man much harder than that to garner that type of reaction. Cain was curious how far Walt could be pushed before he erupted.
That was something he would be interested in investigating.
xxx
"You feeling okay? You look rough."
Cady paused on her way across the office, a frown crossing her face. Vic looked up at her from her seat and gave her a fake smile.
"Thanks. That makes me feel really good about myself."
Cady laughed.
"Sorry, but you look like you pulled an all-nighter. Did I keep you out too late?"
Vic shrugged and propped her chin in the palm of her hand.
"No, I just couldn't sleep last night."
Cady studied her in a way that reminded Vic of Walt. Pushing back from her desk, Vic stood up hoping to interrupt Cady's stare. Grabbing her Flyers mug, she walked over to the water cooler and filled her cup. She could feel Cady's eyes following her.
"Everything okay at the cabin?"
Vic turned and sipped her water.
"Yeah…my brain just wouldn't shut off. You know?"
Cady gave a brief nod, seeming to accept her explanation. Cady ambled over to the cooler with her.
"Yeah, I get it. Are dad and Henry still coming home today?"
Vic returned to her desk and lowered herself slowly into her chair.
"Yeah. He called last night. Said he would be home after lunch."
Now Cady's interest shifted to Vic's relief. She didn't like to be the subject of scrutiny.
"They have any luck?"
"Uh…he said they caught some fish. The connection wasn't great, so we didn't talk for very long."
Cady smiled.
"I really never thought I would see the day that he would have a cell phone. It's crazy."
Vic smiled up at Cady from her chair.
"I guess he's full of surprises."
In truth, it was Vic who asked him to get the phone. She was the one who took him and helped him pick one out. She knew his dislike for technology was strong. But, she also knew that he was willing to make concessions. This was one of those. Walt knew it gave her some level of peace to be able to talk to him. Then, he knew her frame of mind wasn't the greatest and it was a small price for him to pay in order to help her.
The phone in Cady's office started to ring and she glanced that way. Tossing one more look in Vic's direction, she started for her office.
"Duty calls."
Vic watched her disappear into her office and pull the door closed behind her. Once it was quiet again, Vic's eyes drifted to the window. The citizens of Durant were going about their daily lives on the street below her.
Vic picked up her hockey puck and started to turn it around in her hands. She wasn't sure yet if she was going to tell Walt about her encounter with Cain at the Red Pony. On the one hand, he would want to know. And she didn't like keeping things from him. But, on the other hand, she didn't want Walt any more on edge than he already was. And she didn't want him to think he needed to hang around to protect her. Her eyes shifted to the phone on her desk, taking in the time. She still had a few hours to decide.
xxx
"How was fishing?"
Vic sat on the couch with her feet pulled up and tucked under her. Walt sat beside her, his body turned partially in her direction.
"Good."
"And?"
Walt smiled at her gentle, predictable prodding.
"It was nice to have some time with Henry. Since he took over the casino, he doesn't have a lot of free time."
"Yeah, but he's doing a really good job over there.'
Walt nodded in agreement.
"He is. I know he appreciates being able to help his people. That's all Henry's ever wanted. Now, he can do it on a bigger scale."
He fell quiet for a stretch, his hand resting lightly on her knee.
"You know, you can come with us anytime. I don't mind."
"I don't fish."
His fingers flexed lightly over her pants.
"I know. But, the place is something else. I think you would like it."
"Maybe in the summer."
He looked her way.
"So, how was your dinner with Cady?"
"It was good."
"She's doing okay?"
Vic leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Yeah, Walt. I told you she was fine."
"She talk about Zach?"
He heard a soft sigh escape her.
"She did. But, some things are between me and her. You're her father. She doesn't want you knowing all of her personal business any more than I want my father knowing what goes on between us. It's…weird."
"I just worry about her."
Vic's face softened.
"I know. But, she's good. I told you it was mutual and it was. There don't seem to be any hard feelings. No work drama. So, be happy with that."
His chest rose and fell with a deep breath.
"Talk about anything else?"
"You."
"Me?"
He knew she was smiling even though he couldn't see her face.
"Mmm-hmm."
"What about me?"
Vic moved against him.
"She asked me if we talked about marriage."
Walt was still as several seconds ticked by.
"Marriage."
"Yeah, I told her to mind her own business."
Walt started to speak when Vic sat up, brushing her hair out of her face.
"Kidding. I didn't say that."
Walt's expression was serious.
"Why is she asking you about that?"
Vic shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe she thinks I should make an honest man out of you."
He knew she was teasing him. Whether or not to get married was a topic that came up between them on occasion. Vic always told him she was fine with the way things were. It crossed his mind more than once to ask her to marry him, but he was reluctant to make her think he was pushing her. In his day, marriage was expected of two people living together the way they were. But, one thing he learned about Vic was that she had little use for other people's opinions about how they should live their lives. The same was true for societal expectations. He suspected she enjoyed defying them. It was a very Vic thing to do.
She never outright told him she didn't want to get married again. It just didn't seem to be something that she thought about a lot. To be fair, marriage wouldn't affect their day to day lives. It certainly wouldn't make him any more or less committed to her. Walt knew the same was true for Vic. But, it was a legal binding. And, it did offer certain protections.
"Did you ask her why I can't question her personal life, but she can mine?"
Vic smiled.
"No, I didn't. But, it's a good point."
Vic's smile faded a bit.
"She worries about you like you worry about her."
Walt felt a tug at his heart. He knew when Cady first learned about their relationship, she had reservations. He and Cady were in the process of rebuilding their own at the same time. In the interest of that, Walt was as honest with her as possible without telling her too much. She offered him the same, offering him her honest opinion, but also her support. He certainly didn't fault her for her opinions. But, he knew what he wanted and Vic was it. In time, Cady came to see the real depth of feelings that existed between the two of them and warmed up to the idea of them being together.
"She's the one who just ended a relationship."
"Yeah, well, I think she sometimes put others first to a fault. She wants you to be happy."
Walt nodded.
"I know. I want her to be happy, too."
"I know you do. She is happy, Walt. She's good at her job and she seems to like it. The rest will…come. Zach wasn't the right guy, but she'll find someone who makes her happy. Be glad she knows what she wants."
"I am. She's always known her own mind."
Vic looked towards the fire and stood up with a deep sigh.
"Let's go to bed. I missed you last night."
Walt smiled up at her.
"I missed you, too."
Rising, he followed her to the bedroom.
xxx
Vic cracked open one eye to see Walt lying beside her, his head on his arm. She closed her eye and then turned her head to the side so that it was facing him. A trace of a smile crossed her lips and then she slowly opened both eyes.
"What?"
The shoulder he wasn't laying on moved in a half shrug.
"Nothing."
Vic's eyes stayed on his, holding him there.
"You're watching me."
"So?"
Vic rolled her eyes and reached over to shove at his chest.
"Kinda rude, isn't it."
Walt shrugged again.
"I guess that depends on your perspective. What if I told you I was staring because you're beautiful? Would that get me off the hook?"
"Maybe."
Walt smiled at her.
"What are the odds I can convince you to go in to work late?"
Vic narrowed her eyes.
"What's my incentive?"
Walt reached out his hand and traced his index finger along the line of her jaw. The movement made her eyes close halfway.
"Hmmm…breakfast in bed? Walking down to the barn to check on the horse?"
Vic's nose wrinkled slightly.
"It's cold."
His finger continued to run along her skin, making Vic squirm slightly. The expression on his face told her that was his clear intention. She turned her face into his touch.
"How about breakfast in bed and then…sex."
Walt tried to keep his face neutral, but she knew him well enough to see the twitch in his jaw her words brought on. Not to mention, the motion of his throat when he swallowed. Vic lifted her head and kissed him there, her tongue just brushing against his skin. She heard him exhale and then his hands were moving around to the back of her head. He dipped his face towards her ear.
"You're a very good negotiator."
She smiled against his skin.
"Then here's a new offer."
She was up now and moving over him, her hands pushing him flat on his back. Walt's hands moved up her side pushing at the hem of her tank top. Vic moved easily over him so that she was sitting on his pelvis, essentially pinning him in place. She placed her palms on his pillow on either side of his head and leaned down.
"How about just sex? I'm not all that hungry right now. But…that could change."
Walt looked up her with dilated pupils, Vic having completely flipped the narrative.
"I'm okay with that."
Vic smiled and closed the rest of the distance between them.
"I thought you might be."
xxx
"What got into you?"
Walt looked over at her from where he stood at the stove scrambling eggs.
"What do you mean?"
Vic leaned on the counter beside him.
"You're usually up and out is all."
Walt shrugged as he pulled the pan of eggs from the burner and scooped them onto plates. Vic carried the plates to the table in the center of the kitchen. Walt poured himself a fresh cup of coffee and sat down across from her.
"Questioning my motives?"
Vic could hear the light tone in his voice. She shook her head as she forked some eggs into her mouth.
"No. It was, by far, the best morning I've had all week."
He smiled, mostly to himself with a smugness she wouldn't have minded wiping off his face.
"You call Cady and tell her you were gonna be late?"
Vic nodded.
"Yeah. While you were in the shower. She gave me the morning off."
Walt lifted his eyes.
"The whole morning. Wow, what are you gonna do with all that time?"
Vic rolled her eyes at his fake cheery tone. It was decidedly un-Walt.
"Maybe walk down to the barn. You mentioned that earlier."
"Thought it was too cold."
Vic pointed her fork at him.
"Anyone ever tell you that you're a smartass?"
Walt smiled as he sipped his coffee.
"Just you."
Vic laughed and finished off her eggs. She started to stand up when she stopped and her face grew serious. Walt noticed the change and paused in his own eating.
"Something wrong?"
"Yeah, there's something I need to tell you."
He set his fork down, clearly concerned at her sudden about face.
"Okay."
Vic cleared her throat.
"Night before last…while you were gone…when I had dinner with Cady..."
She could see him waiting for the rest as her voice trailed off.
"Okay."
"Cady left before me. When I left…"
Vic paused. This wasn't something she intended to tell him, but guilt pulled at her gut all morning long for not letting him know what happened. She knew it was something he would want to know and he wouldn't be happy with her for keeping it from him. She was guilty in the past of making similar mistakes. To be honest, they both were.
"…Will Cain was waiting by my truck."
Walt's face darkened predictably.
"What do you mean waiting by your truck? Did he…"
Vic held up her hand.
"He didn't do anything. He's just…"
"Stalking you."
Walt provided the answer. With little else to say, Vic replied the best way she knew how.
"I don't know. Maybe."
Walt was quiet for a stretch before speaking again, anger clearly written across his face.
"Why didn't you tell me this last night? Or when I called you?"
Vic sighed.
"Because…I don't want you to worry about me."
Walt gave her a look that told her that statement was ludicrous.
"It's my job to worry about you."
"Walt, I can handle Cain. I'm not afraid of him. And…he hasn't actually done anything other than be a pain in the ass."
Walt didn't look convinced.
"We've had this conversation before. About…"
Vic cut in again.
"I know, Walt. But…this is different. Cain and I have no history."
His light demeanor from earlier had completely vanished. In its place, his face and eyes were stormy.
"But, I have a history with him. And if he's trying to get to me through you…"
Vic leaned back in her chair.
"I shouldn't have said anything."
Walt gave her a sharp look.
"Yes, you should have. You should have told me sooner."
"No, because now you're mad. And…when you get mad…you don't always think."
Vic stood up and carried her empty plate to the sink. Walt rose and trailed behind her.
"Vic, I won't let him harass you."
Vic turned.
"Legally, he hasn't done anything wrong. And…if you go off…all pissed and hot headed…you might. And…that's not gonna help anything. So…just don't. I can handle Will Cain. If he crosses a line, I'll press charges."
Walt still didn't look convinced by her words. Vic reached out and ran her hand up and down his arm in an attempt to rein his anger back in.
"So…let's go see the horse. Okay?"
There was an almost pleading tone to her voice. Walt stepped in closer to her and dipped his face.
"If he bothers you again, I want to know. Don't keep things from me."
Vic sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and nodded.
"Okay. But, only if you promise me you won't do anything stupid. Or illegal."
Walt's eyes held hers and he finally nodded.
"Okay."
Vic's eyes stayed on him and her brows went up. Walt sensed she wanted more than an "okay."
"I promise."
Vic forced a smile to her face and took his hand.
"C'mon, let's go see the horse."
She pulled at his hand he relented, following her.
xxx
Walt pushed through the swinging doors into the Red Pony. His eyes scanned the room as he approached the bar, a habit honed by years of experience. Not sitting, he rested his arms on the bar and tapped one hand. A minute or two later, Tom came in from the kitchen. He paused when he saw Walt standing there.
"We're not open just yet, Walt. Here for lunch?"
Walt shook his head.
"Not today, Tom. There's been a man in here at the same time as Vic. Lunch, I think."
Tom started to wipe down the bar.
"The same guy who busted the kid in the nose. I know who you're talking about. You know him?"
Walt nodded.
"Unfortunately. Can you let me know the next time you see him? The next time he comes in."
Tom gave him a questioning look.
"You got some business with him?"
"Yeah, something like that."
He could see Tom thinking before he nodded.
"Sure, I can do that. It's about Vic, isn't it?"
It was the first time Walt heard the man use her actual name. He eyed Tom curiously.
"What makes you say that?"
Tom looked around the bar before leaning in a little.
"The day you're talking about, the day he came in while she was having lunch, he asked me about her."
Walt felt a chill raise the hair on the back of his neck.
"Asked about her how?"
Tom was quiet for a moment.
"I don't know what he said to her. I know he talked to her. But after she left, he commented on her appearance. How he hadn't seen a cop that looked like her before. Then, he asked me if she was single. I didn't tell him anything. Only that he shouldn't bother."
Walt's fingers curled into the bar.
"That all he said?"
Tom nodded.
"Yeah. But…between you and me…the guy is…no good. You see a lot in this job. And, I've been bartending since I was legal. You learn to…get a sense of people. And I don't like that guy. Sorry if he's a friend."
Walt shook his head, dismissing the apology.
"He's not."
Walt looked around the bar area.
"Got a napkin and pen?"
"Sure."
Tom reached under the counter and produced both. Walt took the pen and scribbled on the napkin. He slid it across the bar to Tom.
"This is my cell number."
Tom took the napkin, folded it, and tucked it into the pocket of his shirt.
"I'll let you know."
Walt nodded to him.
"Thanks, Tom."
"No problem. Want some lunch?"
Walt shook his head.
"Not today, thanks. Another time."
xxx
His next stop was the casino. It was a place he didn't frequent. But, he needed to talk to Henry. Walt crossed the casino floor, keeping his head down and his eyes straight ahead. He still had mixed feelings about the casino. That would never go away. Some of the rancor had ebbed some since Henry took over. He knew Henry appreciated the opportunity to help his people. Walt trusted Henry to run the place right. To run it honestly.
He paused outside Henry's office and knocked on the half open door.
"Come in."
Walt pushed open the door to see Henry sitting at his desk. His suit jacket was removed and draped over a chair, his tie loosened. The sleeves of his white dress shirt were pushed up to just under his elbows. His glasses sat perched on his face. He dipped his face and looked at Walt over the rims.
"Walt, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
Walt closed the door behind him and removed his hat.
"You got a few minutes?"
Henry must have detected something in his tone. Forty years of friendship could do that.
"Sure."
Walt sat into a chair across from Henry's desk.
"Do you remember Will Cain?"
He could tell by the look on Henry's face that he did.
"Yes, I remember him. I have not heard that name in years."
Walt slapped a hand on his leg.
"He's back."
"In Durant?"
Walt nodded.
"Yep."
Henry frowned a little.
"Okay. Why is that an issue?"
Walt pulled at the brim of his hat.
"He keeps running into Vic. And it's not an accident."
Henry's frown deepened.
"You think that he is targeting Vic for something."
Walt ran his hand over his hair.
"I don't know, Henry. But, if he is…"
"Walt, do not go down this path again. Vic is not Martha. She is more than capable of handling herself."
Walt shook his head.
"I know she is. But, what kind of man am I if I sit by and do nothing? What if something happens? How am I supposed to live with that?"
Henry took his glasses off and set them aside.
"What does Vic say?"
Walt halfway smiled.
"Not to do anything stupid or illegal."
He could see a corner of Henry's mouth quirk up.
"That sounds like solid advice. If something needs to be done, go through Cady and the department."
Walt huffed.
"He hasn't done anything Cady can respond to."
"You mean he has not broken any law?"
"Right."
"Still, talk to Cady and let her know what is going on. Has Vic?"
Walt shrugged. Henry stood up and walked around his desk to where Walt sat.
"Don't know. She hasn't said."
Henry clasped him on the shoulder.
"Talk to her. You and Vic both. It will be better if you stay out ahead of him."
Walt stood with a heavy look and put his hat back on.
"Thanks, Henry."
Henry nodded.
"Anytime. If you need me, you call me."
"Sure. Watch your back, too. If he's in town to cause problems, you might be on that list."
Henry smiled.
"He can try. Remember what I said."
xxx
"What's wrong?"
Walt looked up from where he was staring at the pages of a paperback, not reading. Vic stood beside the couch, fresh from the shower and dressed in yoga pants and a sweatshirt. He had been late getting home and a chill still lingered in the cabin. A fire was going now, but he knew the bedroom was one of the last places to warm up. Her hair was damp and combed out, hanging down over her shoulders. The clean smell of her shampoo and soap floated to him on the air as she moved closer. It gave him the urge to bury his face in her hair.
His book landed in his lap face down as she took a seat beside him and pulled her feet up. He noticed she was wearing a clean pair of wool socks. Turning her body in his direction, her sharp eyes took him in. Walt did his best to look normal.
"I didn't say anything."
It was an attempt to play dumb. Not a very good attempt. Vic rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, you've been not saying anything very loudly since I got home. What's up?"
As usual, she had little interest or patience for his games.
"Nothing."
Vic bit her lip momentarily while she studied him.
"Walt, you've barely said a full sentence since I walked in the door. That's a record…even for you. And…you haven't turned that page in a while. You might as well tell me what's on your mind. You know I'll get it out of you eventually."
There was only candor in her tone. It was a true statement. Once she was fixated on something she knew he wasn't telling her, she was relentless until it revealed itself. Walt closed the book and tossed it onto the coffee table, giving up on the pretense of reading.
"I should've been here the other night."
The words were laced with guilt. Vic let out a sigh in response.
"So, this is still about Cain? Walt, you're entitled to a break. Stop doing this. Your guilt isn't gonna solve anything."
Walt turned his eyes away from hers and to the fire.
"Do you remember when you told me about Ed Gorski? When you came to me and told me that he was stalking you?"
She wished she didn't, but she did. That was a dark part of her past she could live without reliving.
"Yeah."
Walt was still looking at the fire.
"That was the first time I remember seeing you…scared. Genuinely scared. You wouldn't have admitted to it. But, I knew that you were afraid. It was in your eyes. Your voice. I asked you if Sean was home and you said no. He was out of town."
Walt paused and shifted in his seat, his face still averted from hers, his eyes in the past.
"Did he know then? That Gorski was in town? That he'd been bothering you?"
Vic's mind started to flip through the memories.
"Yeah. At that point, he knew."
Walt's head bobbed slightly in a nod.
"I thought he did. But, you didn't call him or anything, did you? While he was gone."
Vic shook her head, not really knowing where he was going with his train of thought.
"No."
Finally, he turned his face back in her direction, their eyes meeting in the low light of the living room.
"I asked myself what kind of a man leaves his wife alone when he knows she's being stalked. Especially with the history that you and Gorski had."
"It was his job."
The words came out low and unconvincing. Walt brushed off the comment.
"He was weak. Too weak for someone like you. I…never understood how such a weak man could appeal to you."
He could read the surprise in her eyes.
"Well, you certainly kept that to yourself."
Walt nodded slowly.
"It wasn't my place to question your marriage. Your marriage was your business. I didn't want to cause you any problems by injecting my opinion. I knew things between the two of you were already rocky."
Vic let out a dry laugh.
"That's an understatement. Walt, why are you telling me this now?"
He was thinking again. Before he expressed what was on his mind.
"Being with you is different than with Martha, Vic. You're from a different time. A different place. You are…one of the strongest women that I've ever known. Maybe the strongest. Certainly the most strong willed. It's…one of the things I love about you. One of the things that drew me to you in the first place. That strength. But…it's hard sometimes. It's hard because…you don't need me."
He could see the immediate reaction that crossed her face.
"That's not true, Walt."
He smiled a little before growing pensive.
"I don't mean it in a bad way. I know how much you value your independence. And, I know that you can take care of yourself. But, as a man, I still feel like it's my job to look out for you. To…protect you. I…always have. Even when you were married to someone else. So, knowing what I know, what kind of man am I if I'm not here for you when you need me."
He fell quiet and the question lingered in the air between them. Vic inhaled, her chest rising noticeably even through her sweatshirt. After a moment, she released the breath.
"Okay, first of all, me not needing you is bullshit. I need you more than I'm comfortable with sometimes. Second, comparing yourself to Sean is…I don't even know, Walt. What the hell?"
Before he could answer, she continued.
"You're right, I can take care of myself. But, I think we've both proven that we all need a little help sometimes. Even you. We can't let this asshole hold us prisoner in our own lives. I've made that mistake in the past. I won't do it again."
He looked unconvinced.
"If he approaches you again, I want to know about it, Vic. I mean that. I don't care where it is or how he does it."
"I don't need a babysitter."
He could hear the impatience in her tone.
"Vic…"
Vic gave him a sharp look.
"He bothers me again…I'll shoot him."
Walt sighed at her attempt to make light of the topic.
"I'm serious, Vic."
"So am I. Walt, if you let him into your head like this, he's winning."
"And if you get hurt, he's winning. I'm not prepared to live with that. Not again."
She understood what he wasn't saying. Vic moved closer to him on the couch, her hand finding his forearm.
"Walt, you're not responsible for what happened in Denver. I know you blame yourself. Even now. But, you don't know that it still wouldn't have happened."
He looked down.
"My wife needed me and I wasn't there. I can't…take that risk again. I won't…risk your life. Or your safety."
For several minutes, they were quiet. She knew the weight of the guilt he carried. It was a feeling she was familiar with herself. Guilt was something they both battled on separate fronts.
"For the record, if something did happen to me, it wouldn't be your fault either. When I got shot, you were so quick to absolve me. To offer me forgiveness I didn't think I deserved. Why can't you forgive yourself? Do you think you're so important that you're the only one who can alter events? Newsflash…you're not."
The comment earned her a half smile from him.
"Stop worrying so much. You're gonna make yourself sick. And, you're gonna drive me crazy. Or, you're gonna wind up doing something stupid. Do you really want me or Cady to have to arrest you?"
"Vic…"
She shook her head and he could see that she was done with this particular debate.
"No, Walt. We will not be held hostage by this man. You won't. And I sure as hell won't. We are going to live our lives like we have been. Like we want to. Besides, the reality is that if he's coming for you, me, both…there's not much we can do except be ready. So…we will be. But, he's not calling the shots here. Are you hearing me?"
She leaned her head over and let it come to rest on his shoulder. Walt tilted his face until it touched the top of her head.
"Yeah. I hear you."