Chapter Six

As the pain finally subsided, Eli felt rested enough to open his eyes. With an effort, he opened them slowly; the white, sterile environment blinded him for a moment. He blinked a few times and the hospital finally came into a blurred view. He looked to his side, expecting to see Clare waiting for him. She wasn't there. "Clare?" Eli croaked. He looked to the other side, his heart sinking. Again, she wasn't there. Where could she have gone? She wouldn't have left me here. He told himself. Her husband shot me. Maybe she's having breakfast or whatever. "Or maybe she's under arrest!" He exclaimed suddenly as the thought struck him. Of course they'd arrest her. No matter how much of self-defense it was, Clare was going to face criminal charges.

"Excuse me." Eli said, leaning forward as a nurse walked by, She stopped and gave him an encouragingly polite smile. "Was there a woman here with me? Did she stay? Or did she say where she was going?"

"You mean the woman that shot her husband?" The nurse inquired. Her features were dangerously still and Eli began to fret. He had no idea how long he was out. Nor did he know how the media might have spun the story to make it sound like Clare was a cold-blooded killer. He might very well be in hostile territory right now.

"She saved my life." Eli replied cautiously. "I don't know what you might have heard, but she saved my life. That man was going to shoot me dead."

The nurse remained quietly still for a moment. She glanced over her shoulder at another passing nurse, offering a half-hearted smile and greeting until the other nurse passed. When she was out of earshot, she leaned in closer. "She was here. There was a small media storm here upon your arrival. Both the police and Mrs. Martin tried to go to a secluded area to discuss immediate details but the media had it's own theories."

One of which was bound to be right, given the evidence. He thought to himself glumly. Husband finds wife in another man's house; husband's shot dead. The pistol in the hands of the wife. The other man is shot but survives. Cheating wife and other man get to live happily ever after. Not even I could write an ending like that. He shook his head. The media had run with the story. Eli was sure that he had more than a few irate publishers and editors to talk to and explain this mess. "Is she with the police now?" Eli asked, returning his attention back towards the patient nurse.

"They've released her into house arrest until the investigation and possible charges are released." The nurse said informatively. "Will that be all, Mr. Goldsworthy?"

"Am I able to leave?" He asked uncertainly. He still had no idea how long he'd been here. What they'd done to keep him alive. The last thing he remembered was seeing Clare's face as the blackness claimed him. He had woken up with more questions than answers.

The nurse had reached down to pick up the clipboard at the end of the bed. "The doctor's gave you the okay to go back home two hours ago. You've been officially discharged." She scribbled something onto the form and gave him another polite smile before departing. Eli smiled faintly in return but the nurse was already long gone. He could go home. Home to the sight of a murder. He sighed mentally. He would probably have to move. Get away from the media. Get away from the rumors. The incessant questions that were bound to follow in the years to come. No matter how much he should be home recovering, that's not where he wanted to be. He wanted to be with Clare. To comfort her. To thank her for saving his life. For being the hero that he always knew she was. There was just one small problem.

He had no idea where she lived.

She had been so desperate to not talk about Jake that she had never mentioned where she lived. She had obviously lived nearby. It hadn't taken her too long to get to his place. That didn't narrow the choices down, as he would've liked. He should have asked the nurse if Clare had left anything for him when he woke up. Don't you think the nurse would've given it to you if she had? He retorted to himself. Maybe she forgot? "Wishful thinking.." He murmured to himself. He stood up slowly, testing his balance to make sure he was okay to walk. He was a little wobbly but he was sure with some time spent walking, he'd be fine. Just a few concerned glances from his fellow pedestrians. Nothing he couldn't handle.

Despite a few near mishaps, he managed to get to his apartment. The police had finished up there and they did, Eli had to admit, a very good job of making it look like no one had been murdered there. He tried to banish the thought of Jake Martin's ended life as he put the key in and turned the knob. As he entered, the police had managed to leave it almost exactly the way he had left it. Impressive. He mused to himself. He closed his eyes and forced himself to concentrate. Where could Clare have possibly left anything about where she lived? He opened his eyes and began to scan the apartment. He made a left into the kitchen, looking where she must have been when Jake had arrived.

"There wouldn't be anything here..." He whispered. She hadn't been in here long enough to leave anything behind. Plain and simple. The bedroom was the only place that she would've possibly left something. Knowing it was his only option; he made his way slowly into his bedroom, looking for something that could be out of place. As far as he could see, nothing was disturbed. Everything was how he had it prior to the incident with Jake. She obviously either hid it very well. Or there was nothing for him. She didn't want to be found after having to murder her own husband to save another man's wife.

But she was unhappy and abused. Perhaps you did her a favor. He tried to reason. Clare was indeed unhappy. She was being forced to be kept in a marriage that she wasn't happy in. This could be a new start for her life. She could start again. She could have a real chance at real happiness. And I don't need to be apart.. Before he could finish that thought, his phone vibrated and dashed any remaining thoughts. He fumbled around for it. His heart stopped. It was from Clare. Unable to contain his rising excitement, he hit open.

Eli... I... I think I'm... pregnant. Can you please come and see me?