By My Side: A Different Higher Ground

By Mina Krishnan

Disclaimer: All characters and dialogues that you recognize from the canon belong to the very amazing Martha Williamson. A big thank you to Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Crystal Lowe and Geoff Gustafson for their amazing portrayal of Oliver, Shane, Rita and Norman respectively.

A/N: This is my version of Higher Ground. I hope you all like it. I just wanted to thank Felicia, Christine & Vivien for helping me out with this. This one is dedicated to the entire #POstables Family.

Chapter 1

Oliver and Shane walked back to Shane's home after their date at the Ephlat Lounge. Both enjoying the gentle cool breeze after the rain. Her arm was tucked into his and he lovingly held onto her hand as they walked in sync. Shane looked up to see him smiling and lost in his thoughts. She looked back ahead on the road and smiled thinking about that kiss, and about how she almost quit the DLO and almost ran away from this handsome man next to her. She sighed and shook her head, happy that he came after her.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked as she felt his grip tighten on her hand.

Shane looked up at him. "I was just thinking about how I almost quit the DLO."

"You did quit, more than twice." He chuckled, making her laugh.

"But I didn't, because I…" she trailed off not sure what to say. He stopped walking and looked at her. She gazed at him with adoration. She was in love with this man. She knew he felt something for her but wasn't sure of the intensity of his feelings.

"Because?" he probed, gazing back at her.

She smiled and said, "Because someone went out and got me a porch swing at 2am."

"Oh. Did that gesture make you realize anything?" He probed. They walked up the stairs to her porch and stopped facing each other. She bit her lip as his grip on her hands tightened as he took both hands in his.

"Yes, I realized that you mean more to me than I was willing to accept, and even though you were not ready, I wanted to hold on because I knew you wanted me to."

"Shane," whispered Oliver, "I am thankful every day that you stayed."

"So am I." said Shane, her cheeks heating up.

Shane felt Oliver's gaze on her and she lowered her eyes. She felt butterflies in her stomach. He gently touched her left cheek feeling her porcelain skin. She blushed at the intensity of his gaze.

"I'd like to kiss you again." He admitted, his thumb caressing her cheek.

"I think I'd like that too." She replied.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Her lips parted, allowing him to deepen the kiss. Her hands made their way inside his overcoat and rested on his waist, clutching on to his suit jacket. He pulled away eventually and rested his forehead against hers, while they tried to get their breathing back to normal.

He raised his head and took a step back. He smiled at her. She was sure she looked completely flushed and dishevelled after that kiss and she felt her lips were swollen.

"That was… uh… wow." She spoke up, still trying to normalise her breathing. Oliver's lips quirked in amusement.

"It was indeed. I would really like to do this again."

"So would I." She whispered.

Her phone rang disturbing the peaceful moment. Shane scrunched her eyebrow wondering who'd be calling her so late at night and took out her phone from the pocket of her overcoat. She answered the call while Oliver walked over to the swing and sat down.

"Shane McInerney!" She introduced herself as she usually picked up unknown numbers.

"Hello Ms. McInerney, I am calling from Chippenham Hospital. Your mother has met with an accident. She is in the ER.", she heard the person on the other end of the line.

Shane went speechless. She felt faint as her heart sped up. She looked over to Oliver who looked at her with concern.

"Are you there, Ms. McInerney?" She heard.

"Yes, uh… Please do whatever needs to be done immediately. I'll be there soon. I'll take the first flight I can get." She replied and disconnected the call as soon as she got their confirmation in response.

Oliver got up and took her hands in his and asked, "What happened Shane?"

"My mother, she was in an accident. She's admitted at the hospital. I don't understand what she was doing in her car so late at night. I have to go."

"Of course! I will come with you. Book us tickets and get your bags packed. I'll drive home and pack mine as well. I'll pick you up in an hour and we'll go to the airport." He said gently cupping her face.

"Are you sure? We still have Gabe's letter to research, we need to find Hattie and without you here, it would be so difficult for Norman and Rita to handle things on their own."

"There is no way you are going alone Shane. You stood by me when I needed you when I was resolving things with my father and I will do the same. You are very important to me and I am not going to let you go through this alone. Norman and Rita can handle things and you can take your laptop with you."

Shane nodded at his words.

"It is Saturday night, so we will revisit this conversation tomorrow night or Monday morning. Okay?"

Shane nodded, gave him a slight smile and raised on her toes to give him a peck on his lips. Oliver smiled and nudged her towards the door. She removed the keys from her bag and unlocked the door.

"I'll be back in an hour." He said and made his way down the stairs to his car.

Shane changed in record time and booked two tickets on the earliest flight available. She then packed a bag for a week and waited for Oliver to return.

She sat on the sofa and made a call to Rita.

"Shane!" She heard her excited friend on the other end.

"Hey Rita!"

"You don't sound good. Did the date not go well?"

"Oh no. The date was everything I'd dreamed a perfect date should be and Oliver was... well, he was just amazing." She replied with a smile.

"Then? Why do you sound so upset?" asked her concerned friend.

"My mother met with an accident. I am flying to Richmond tonight."

"Oh no. How is she? Do you want me to come with you? I have a lot of vacation days." She offered.

"I don't know details. The hospital called and said she is in the ER. I asked them to start with the necessary procedures and told them that I'd be there as soon as I can. And no, you don't have to come. Oliver is coming with me."

"Oh, was he there with you when you received the call?" she asked.

"Umhmm. You and Norman would need to hold down the fort. I will however, keep you informed on what the situation is tomorrow night."

"Don't worry about the DLO. You have a safe flight and please let me know how your mom is doing. I will keep her in my prayers and also let Norman know. I'm sure Oliver would have called him by now."

"I will let you know Rita. Thank you. I'm just waiting for Oliver to come pick me up. I hope my mother is okay." She sighed.

"She will be." Rita said with hope and faith in her voice which was enough to give some hope to Shane.

She heard Oliver's car pull up.

"I'll get going now. Oliver's here."

"Okay. Have a safe flight and don't worry. Your mom is going to be fine." Rita said again.

"Thank you." Shane replied and disconnected the call.

"Oh, Me of Little Faith!" Shane said smiling as she got up from the sofa and opened the door before Oliver could knock or ring the bell.

"Shane!"

She smiled at Oliver and dragged her suitcase with her outside. Oliver took hold of her suitcase and walked down to the car to put it in the trunk while she locked up the house. She walked down to the car and Oliver opened the door for her.

"Thank you, for everything!" She said and dropped a loving kiss on his cheek and got into the car.

Oliver smiled and shook his head.

####

Oliver sat next to Shane on the flight. He took out his pocket watch. It was 1:26 am local time and the flight had just taken off after being delayed for 20 mins. The whole airport experience was so much better with Ms. McInerney with him in comparison to his flights alone. SHANE! Just Shane! He looked over to her. She had her head rested back with her eyes closed. She looked so beautiful.

"Shane." He whispered.

"Yes, Oliver?" She opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"I told my Dad and Norman to contact me on your cell phone if they needed to get in touch. I hope that's okay?"

"Of course, that's okay." She smiled gently taking hold on his hand on the armrest.

"Have faith. Your mother will be fine. I already prayed for her." Oliver said.

"Thank you, Oliver. It means so much to me that you're here." Her eyes glistened with tears that threatened to fall. He raised his hands and gently caressed her cheek.

"There is nowhere else I'd rather be, than by your side."

x-x-x