This update was written by Sharon.

Chapter Nine

"Time of Death…12:09," Doctor Larry Woleck stated when Clint Buchanan failed to regain consciousness. You would think he would be used to the agony of losing a patient and then having to tell their heartbroken family members. This was different though. This was a case of right versus wrong.

"Larry," a familiar voice calls out. He is splashing cold water over his face before he heads out to tell a family he long considered friends of his that there was nothing they could do for Clint.

"I'm sorry Vicki, "He begins. "Clint did not make it."

Vicki pauses as she searches Larry's eyes. "Good," she admits. "I can see from the lines of worry on your face that you know what he became. This must have been such a burden for you."

"I was Nora's doctor…all those times she was brought into the ICU…as they progressively got worse…I knew she was being abused but I never thought it would be her own husband…eventually I got it out of her but I was sworn to secrecy. I promised myself that if it happened again, I would find a way to take care of him. Is that what I did Vicki? Could I have tried harder to save him? We are sworn to do whatever we can to save lives…but what do you do when the abuser comes into your ER and the only thing you can think of is how much better off his victim would be if he died…"

"I know how much you care about her. "

"She's like a daughter to me…just like Marty. I walked them both down the aisle at their weddings. I have seen them go through things meant to break them. They always land on their feet. This time though…"

"Nora almost didn't get back up. "

They shared a knowing look as they walked out into the waiting room. It was time to tell Clint's family that he did not survive the knife wound.

Starr Manning lay on her cot at Statesville prison. She had a single picture of Cole and Hope that she looked at daily to remind her why she was here. Her eyes were red and vacant. Gone was the laughter and warmth. To the outside world she was just trying to keep her sanity…inside she knew better. She was as dead as her family.

"You have a visitor," the guard said, and led her out of her cell into the cold visitor area. She showed no emotion as she sat down across from Langston.

"I wish you wouldn't come here," she says brokenly. "I don't want you to see me like this."

"I'mnot leaving you Starr. I've already seen you at your worse."

She knows she's referring to the reason she is here...when she shot her Family's killer in an open court. That was just the tip of the iceberg.

She leans closer to the plexus glass and lifts up a sleeve. "You haven't seen me at my worse Langston. You do not know what it is like to lose your child and your soulmate in one swoop. You still have yours remember. You and Markko are happy…you have a little girl. What do I have huh? Prison walls and a family I will never hold again. Why do you think I do this? Why do you think I cut? It's the only thing that makes me feel anything at all…Pain reminds me that I'm alive."

Winter Cabin At Least 4 Hours from Town

He slides the fabric from her shattered blouse off her shoulders as she stands in front of the mirror. He has run a hot bath for her but she only got as far as a few steps before her bruised hands started to shake.

"It's okay Red. I'm here."

"I…I thought all my nightmares would stop now…now that he's out of my life."

He cups her face into his hands as he bushes her fallen tears with his thumb. "You have been through something that would break most people. Give yourself time. Let yourself heal."

"But I…I thought we were finally going to be together tonight cowboy. "

"Don't…Don't cry baby. You know I hate to see you cry."

"I feel like I'm letting you down again."

He brushes his lips across her forehead as he takes both her hands into his. "I'm not going to go anywhere baby. I want the time to be right for both of us. I want you to feel safe. Tonight is not the right time for romance. You need some TLC. For once in your life, let someone take care of you. You always take care of everyone else."

She is silent so he helps her remove the rest of her clothing. She is ashamed of her scars so she tries to cover them with her hands…he pulls them away.

"Your scars are part of who you are…what you've survived…don't ever be ashamed of them. None of this is your fault. None. "

She seems unsure so he gently skims his lips across every cut, bruise, and scar. The feel of his soft lips kissing her wounds makes her tremble slightly and she leans against his strong chest as he lifts her into the tub.

"Relax sweetheart. Nobody is ever going to hurt you again. Not as long as I am around."

"I like when you're around."

"I'm going to take care of you tonight. Just try to relax."

He starts with a massage. With gentle hands, he kneads her sore muscles. He does not hear a word from her as the tension begins to leave her body. When her eyes are closed, he washes her hair and her body.

"How do you feel," he asks her, a little while later.

"Tired," she says.

"I'm not surprised. You've had a long day."

He drains the water and helps her out of the tub. He dries her with a terry cloth towel and carries her to the bed, where he slips the nightgown they bought in the gift-shop a few miles before the cabin over her head. He can hear her softly moaning when he brushes her hair.

"I don't know if I should be offended by those little sounds you're making. I was hoping you would save those for when we are making love. "

She smiles brightly as she turns to face him. "When we make love cowboy, it will be much louder. Satisfied."

"Very."

He finishes brushing her hair and instructs her to climb under the covers. "Who's going to take care of you cowboy?"

"I'm fine Red. Give me five minutes."

"I'll keep the bed warm."

"Counting on it."

Five minutes later, he returns freshly showered and in his pajama's. She settles against his chest.

"Thank you for saving me Bo. For taking care of me tonight. I'm sorry I ran away from you."

"You were scared. The important thing is that you are safe now. Let's get some sleep okay."

"What if I have another nightmare Bo?"

"I'm right here baby. I will hold you all night if you want. Go to sleep Angel. Nobody can hurt you."

"I love you cowboy. You know that don't you? I always have and I always will."

"I love you too Red. It's always been you. Always. We can deal with that later. For now we need to sleep."

She slowly closed her eyes as he hummed the words of the song he used to sing to her when she had a migraine. She was asleep within minutes. He, of course, took longer…content to watch the steady rise and fall of her heartbeat. Finally convinced she was safe, he dosed off himself, her head still resting on his chest.