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Gillian shakily pushed herself to her feet, still keeping the gun pointed at Finn.
Of course he wasn't going to be doing much of anything now. He looked up at her before slumping down on his side. A steadily growing pool of blood surrounded him and he was breathing hard, face ashen.
She carefully stepped around him nonetheless, not trusting that he wouldn't suddenly make a grab for her. She'd probably been dragged to too many horror films but the feeling persisted.
Cal was still sitting on the edge of the bed, hands bunched in the thin fabric of the spread. His head was down, one eye unfocused.
"Can you stand?" She was tentative, still glancing toward Finn.
He started as if he'd dozed off. "Thinnk soo."
"I want to get out of this room."
The real meaning was clear. I want to get away from him.
"'Kay." Cal heaved himself up, stumbled slightly before she caught his arm with her free hand.
"Put you arm around my shoulders."
He did as he was told for a change and they were able to make their way to the door, once again giving Finn wide birth. He looked toward them, eyes glassy.
"You're…leaving…me?" The man seemed incredulous.
Cal frowned and would have loved to give him a kick but physically couldn't. "Authorritieess willl hellp youu outt."
They were in the hall, steering away from the other body before facing the stairs.
"Thisss is gonna bee funn." He looked a little dubious.
"Just hang onto the railing." Her teeth were clenched again. All she wanted was to get the hell out of there.
They made their way down slowly and without mishap. She was happy to note that he didn't seem to be leaning on her as heavily, which was a relief in a variety of ways. At the bottom, he abruptly sat on the bottom step with a sharp inhale.
"Cal?"
"S'okay. Besst they comme in to usss. Gunn should go on floorrr.'
She'd almost forgotten about it. Sitting down next to him, she gingerly placed the weapon at her feet.
At that moment she started shaking so hard she felt as if she were coming to pieces. It was sudden and explosive. The harsh gasping sobs quickly followed and she seemed to be having a hard time catching her breath.
Cal's arm went around her and pulled her close. She heard him whisper into her hair. "Shhhh…alrighttt luvv, it's ovverr. Youu did good." His other arm went around her as she pressed her face into his chest.
The whole front of the house was alight in a wash of red and blue. They could hear the sound of tires on gravel, shouts of instructions and the slamming of doors.
"Calvary's herree luvv."
Several moments later, Ben entered, wearing a flak vest, gun drawn, state police right behind him. He noted them at the bottom of the staircase after just a moment and shock rippled through his face.
"Holy shit."
A battered and pale Lightman sat with his arms around a hysterical Foster. Cal looked up and attempted a smirk. "Niccee of youu to commme byy." His one eye closed for a moment before popping back open. He looked ready to drop over but the next quiet word managed to reach Ben's ears. "Uppsttairrs."
Ben jerked his head and the floodgate opened as cops and paramedics surged inside.
"Alll thisss for uss? Shoulddd we bee flatterrredd?" Despite his flippancy, the relief was profound. Gill was okay. They were both, more or less, okay.
"You two are a sight for sore eyes, I have to say that."
"Howww didd youu…?"
"Old man called. Confessed everything and sent us this way."
"Realllyy? Attackk of conscience yeahhh?"
"Yeah, so it would seem. A couple of boys in blue are heading over his way as we speak." Ben threw a glance over his shoulder before moving past them and heading up the stairs.
Two EMTs were shouldering their way forward, immediately asking questions, taking vitals and pulling out penlights. The first man frowned at Cal's one dilated pupil since the other eye was still swollen shut. "Are you on something sir?"
Are you fucking kidding me? Cal almost bared his teeth at the man.
He began to open his mouth in hazy retort but Gillian answered, her voice shaking but regaining control. "He's been heavily drugged. Some kind of barbiturate I'd presume. We don't know what kind."
"I see." Strong hands had him on his feet when he immediate swayed. "Let's get you on the gurney."
"Noo, noo, I cann walk. I'mm finnee."
"I can see that."
"Juss gimme a seconndd."
The second paramedic was checking over Gillian, apparently satisfied that she was unharmed. She was also helped to her feet and immediately felt compelled to loop an arm around Cal's waist.
"I'll help him." His own arm had settled back around her shoulders.
The man opened his mouth to protest but they were already heading outside as more uniforms rushed past and up the stairs.
(BREAK)
Upon arrival at the hospital, Cal had been whisked away, much to his annoyance and Gillian had been left on her own. The EMTs had already determined that she was unhurt but the hospital staff had insisted on another once over before giving her the green light to go. She knew that the police were going to have an avalanche of questions but Ben had pulled some strings to give her some peace, at least for tonight. Tomorrow she would be expected down at the station.
She was absolutely exhausted but she knew that she couldn't go without seeing him first. She couldn't help but wonder how much of their ordeal he was going to remember and the thought had butterflies frolicking in her stomach.
He'd been admitted for observation and now as she approached, her stomach grew worse. It was silly. Jesus, they'd almost been killed but all she could think about was his admission. And what had happened between them. And the feel of the knife in her hand as it easily slid into Finn's back…Christ. And Berkley's starting eyes. Stop it. Maybe she really did need to go home and get some rest first. Everything was merging into a congealed mess in her head.
But she didn't leave. She couldn't.
Peeking inside the room, she caught a glimpse of a still form curled on its side, hooked to an IV. He appeared to be asleep. Maybe she shouldn't disturb him. Heart hammering, she started to turn away.
"Hey luv."
He sounded reasonably lucid.
"Hey."
"Not goin' on my account are ya?"
"Of course not. I just didn't want to disturb you if were sleeping." She reluctantly stepped into the room, oddly nervous.
"Funny that. I shouldn't be but I'm tired. Just can't sleep."
"That's hospitals for you."
"True." He pushed himself upright, staring at her with his one good eye. The other one seemed to part open a little bit too as the swelling began to go down. "You okay?" His voice was soft.
Gillian stepped closer and his head tilted up to her. "I don't think so."
Cal nodded slowly, seeing the aftermath all over her face. "Sit darlin?"
"I don't know if I can. I'm not even really sure what to do with myself." Her hands were gripped together, knuckles white.
"You're fine now. We both are." His tone was so gentle that she felt like she wanted to cry again. "Please sit with me." He held one hand out to her, still shaking ever so slightly.
She took it, allowing him to pull her down onto the edge of the bed. They sat without speaking for several long moments, hands still clasped together. She could feel his thumb stroking her skin lightly.
"He's still alive." Gillian blurted it out suddenly and with much less finesse than how she'd normally speak. She was too tired and filled with nerves to reveal the information in any other way.
"That's probably good."
Confused, she looked at him but his eyes weren't on her. They were drifting somewhere past her to something she couldn't see. The comment was surprising. She would have presumed that he would feel differently.
"How bad?" He still wasn't looking at her.
"Um…I'm not sure. Last I heard he was in surgery."
His eyes pulled away from the distance and dropped to their entwined hands. Without pretense, he moved them upward and pressed a kiss to her fingers. "Killing someone is a life changing experience luv. That's not something you should be saddled with."
There it was. He didn't give a hang about Finn. It was all about her. The next thought that flitted through her mind added to her mountain of unease. He sounded like he was speaking from experience.