Chapter 64

The hospital room still felt overwhelmingly tense even after Mary's departure. Several seconds passed like an eternity. Mary's exit was not entirely a relief. John still wondered what she would do next, if she would take further action to retrieve her daughter or prosecute him. There was still the lingering thought of federal agents and if they really were hiding somewhere close by. In the seconds that passed he found himself unconsciously waiting for the ambush. When nothing happened he grew more and more comfortable thinking they were somewhat off the hook, that he could once again move easily.

He stood and went to Billie, hovering over her. His hand grasp hers and he eyed her, opening his mouth to speak. What he would say he didn't even know, but Billie flinched with the tiny movement and looked away from him.

"Don't say anything."

She gazed toward the window but she and John both knew she was not seeing much. The tears that streaked her cheeks and the exhaustion heard in her voice made John feel extra helpless.

They had both been present for the confrontation. They knew everything that happened and everything that had been said. Was there really anything else to add? The awareness and the understanding of the situation was there without either of them speaking. With her words John knew it was safe and ideal to leave the encounter alone. For a moment he watched her eyes and their dazzling color. It was hard for him to comply with the fact that remaining ineffective was the most help to her. He bent and kissed her cheek and her forehead.

"I love you. I'll be right back," he whispered.

Billie's eyes were still averted when John left the room. The hallway was still rather bare and he easily made out Jane's figure in the sitting area. Apparently they had both been looking for the other and when she noticed John she jumped up and went to him.

"John! Is everything alright? I didn't know..." she began, very clearly upset. It looked as though she might have been crying too and her hair as well as her clothing was a bit askew. When she reached John she lowered her voice. "I didn't know her mother would come..."

John didn't even have to ask when Jane produced answers. Even though he now knew the truth he asked anyway. "You called her?"

There were dark shadows under his dark eyes and everything about the mans appearance was disheveled. Jane knew John fairly well; when he was upset or angry he lashed out with a fiery and intimidating temper. Now he simply looked defeated. He did not appear to be mad or cross with her, and this reaction (or lack of one) was something Jane had never witnessed. What had happened to him today changed everything.

"Yes. When we got here they took her in and I was left to fill out the papers. I-I didn't know what to do, what to say... I found an address book in her purse and I called." Jane gulped, feeling foolish and overwhelmed with guilt. "I didn't know if you...if you..."

She didn't need to finish though it seemed she was enable to do so anyway. Jane had called Billie's mother because she knew of no other place to turn. If John had been captured or killed Billie was on her own. The only people to care for her were those left standing or her family. After what had happened in the room just moments before, John wondered if Billie's family were even willing to acknowledge her anymore. He didn't blame Jane for considering his demise or for anything else that she had done.

"I know," he said quietly. John was sluggish and forlorn. Every bit of his energy was gone, his words coming out emotionless though their intent was rich. "I asked you to take care of her and you did. I can't thank you enough."

He leaned forward and kissed Jane's cheek. Though it was a kind gesture Jane did not feel entirely relaxed by it. When he pulled away she was searching his eyes, he not having answered her questions. "I didn't tell her what was going on..." she said, speaking of not mentioning any details to Billie's mother. John shook his head in affirmation.

"She doesn't know anything. We're in the clear, but we need to leave here as soon as possible. I'm gonna see how long it'll take to get her out of here."

John took a step back toward Billie's room when he felt a hand on his arm. Turning back he saw Jane anxiously looking into his eyes.

"Red...?"

She only said the one word, the name, but he knew just what she was asking. He was pleased to be able to give her a smile. "He's fine, sweetheart. Drove all night to bring me here."

Jane relaxed visibility. Just as Billie could have lost John, Jane could have lost Red. The woman had heard nothing from the men to know that they were safe. Regardless of how well the robbery went or if the Feds were on their tail, at least they were alive and that was something to rejoice about.

John left Jane (who was now almost relieved to the point of rapture) in the waiting room and excused himself back to Billie. Her head was still poised toward the window but she turned to look at John eagerly when he entered the room. When he reached the bed she extended her hand and clung to John's.

"Let's go ho-" Abruptly she stopped. Billie would have asked to go home had she not realized seconds later that she and John had no home. No domestic foundation. They had the apartment in Iowa but it was not a permanent residence, and they lived as if they were ready to abandon the place at any given time. She imagined that they would leave again, that when she left the hospital their destination would again be unknown. It didn't matter too much really, and this acceptance was something that surprised even herself. As long as she was with John she was home.

"Take me out of here," she whispered instead, her eyes pleading. John's grip tightened on her fingers and leaned forward to kiss her lightly.

"I can crack a safe in seconds, doll. Gettin' you out of here ain't gonna be a problem."