"Carter, I think it would be a good idea if you stepped outside to cool off." As he spoke, Sandy walked slowly forward intending to place himself between Kirsten and the increasingly angry Carter.

"You think that's a good idea, huh?" Before Sandy could get any closer, Carter swung his fist. Meaning to hit Sandy, but falling off-balance, his punch connected with Kirsten's jaw instead.

Kirsten cried out in both pain and surprise; Sandy grabbed Carter's arms and pushed him away. Carter stepped back willingly, shocked by his own actions and appalled about hitting Kirsten. He stared at where Kirsten now knelt on the floor massaging her jaw as Sandy knelt down beside her to check her injury for himself.

"Sit still, sweetheart, you're going to be alright." Sandy could see she was still reeling from the blow and tried to soothe her.

"Kir--Kirsten," Carter stuttered. "I, I didn't mean to--"

"Just get out Carter," Kirsten managed to say, not making eye-contact with him.

Carter backed out of the room, turned, and headed for the exit. He promised himself that the first thing he'd do when he got home would be to throw out all the alcohol he had.

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Sandy kept glancing at his wife and frowning as he drove them home.

"Sandy, don't look so worried. I'm fine. It doesn't hurt so much anymore." Kirsten tried to hide the fact that talking made her want to flinch in pain, but Sandy could tell it still hurt.

"I appreciate the brave face you're putting on, honey, but I can't help but to be worried about you." Sandy had had a hard time keeping his fists off of Carter's face back at the office, but he also knew that more violence wouldn't have helped anything. His goal right now was to get Kirsten home and get her in a warm, bubbly bath.

When they arrived home, Kirsten rested her head on Sandy's shoulder as they walked upstairs. Sandy went to their bathroom, started running a bath, then returned to their bedroom to see Kirsten kicking off her shoes.

Sandy walked over to her and encircled her waist in his arms. "I'm going to go find Seth and Ryan and let them know what's going on. I'll be right back."

"Okay, take your time," she smiled. He kissed her on the nose. "And tell them I'm doing fine," Kirsten called after him.