Two Years Later
Jensen was under a car when he heard the footsteps and shouting. It startled him, making him jerk and hit his head with a growl, but he pulled himself out and sat up to find Tavs looking wild and scared as she ran towards him.
"J!" she shouted. He tensed, on alert. What was wrong? Had something happened to Kate? Not a day went by where he didn't think of her it seemed. He worried about her safety. He missed her so much. He went over the memories in his head, trying to hold onto her.
"What's happened?" he asked, picturing Kate hurt or dead. It made him feel sick.
"They said they tried to call you!" she said, panicked. "So they called me."
"Who did? What's going on?"
"J, it's Piper," Tavs answered, stopping in front of him. He dropped the wrench in his hand out of reflex.
"Tell me," he said, his voice hoarse. He was imagining the worst.
"She was playing at school near the road. Someone hit her and took off."
Jensen was fumbling for his phone, seeing he had indeed missed a bunch of calls. Somehow his phone was on silent. He cursed.
"They took her to the hospital," Tavs said as she jogged alongside him towards the house. "I told them we'd meet them there." Without a word, he grabbed his keys and ran for his truck with her following. His heart was pounding erratically, terror wreaking havoc in his brain. He couldn't lose his little girl. He just couldn't.
...
It had been a long two years. Kate ached with missing Tavs, Jensen, and Piper. She wanted to go back. She wanted this nightmare to end. She could only read so much and do meaningless things in this small town. She worked at a bar of all places, and she kept to herself. People tried to get to know her, but she wasn't willing to do that if she was just going to leave again.
She stared at the email, now, reading the two words and debating on what to do. She had to keep everyone safe, but her gut was telling her to obey the command:
Call me.
She lifted the phone, hesitating for a moment, and then she dialed.
"It's me," she said when the call was answered. "What's wrong?"
"Kate," Tavs said, her voice serious. "It's Piper."
"What happened?" Kate gripped the phone tightly, fear clutching her stomach hard. If anything had happened to that sweet little girl...
"There's been an accident."
"Is she...is she okay?" Kate asked. Tavs was a bit quiet, which scared her. "Tavs, please tell me she's okay." She listened to her old friend take in a shaky breath, and her heart dropped.
"She's in a bad way, but she's still alive," she finally replied.
"Jensen?" Kate's voice was almost a whisper. If Piper was hurt, then could something have happened to him?
"He's a wreck, but he's okay. She was playing at school and got too close to the road where someone hit her with a car. The driver took off like a damn coward," Tavs explained, muttering swear words under her breath for a moment. "She is in and out of consciousness with a rough while ahead of her."
"Does he know you're calling me?"
"No."
Kate looked down at the ground, the phone still pressed to her ear. She'd thought about him so much since she'd left. Piper too. She felt like they both hated her for abandoning them, but what choice did she have? She did it to keep them safe, but now...now she was wondering it had all been for naught. Had someone targeted them in hopes of flushing her out?
"Kate?"
"Yea?"
"Please come."
Her breath caught in her throat. Was it really a good idea? She pinched the bridge of her nose, thinking. If this was a ruse to flush her out, it was working, but if she went in knowing it was a possibility, then wasn't she already ahead of them? She could hear Alejandro chastising her and telling her to stay put, but how could she?
"Kate, he'll just be glad you're there for support," Tavs promised. "I really think you need to come. Please."
Kate licked her lips and closed her eyes briefly. If she went back there...
"Do you think this was intentional?" she asked, and Tavs sighed.
"I don't know, but if it is, then I'll help you kill them all."
"It's risky for me to come back."
"I know, but if she dies, I know you'll feel even worse."
This was true. Kate figured she could sneak in and out and not have any issues. She tapped her fingers on her leg.
"Okay," she caved. "I'll be there."
"Thank you."
"I'll let you know when I land."
"Great. Please pray, Kate. It's really scary looking."
"I will."
After they hung up, Kate pressed her hands into her face and started to cry. She didn't want to imagine Piper hurt; seeing her in a bad way was going to be so hard. She had to do it, though. For Piper.
For Jensen.
...
All the noise...he couldn't stand it. Jensen sat in the world's most uncomfortable chair beside the hospital bed where his little girl lay barely breathing as they waited for the surgeon to take her into the OR and operate. She was in and out of consciousness, and whenever her eyes met his, his heart broke all over again.
How could this have happened?
He asked this question in his mind over and over again. How had she been playing outside of the playground? How could the driver not have seen her? Why did he take off? Jensen clenched and unclenched his fists slowly. He wanted to pummel the person into the ground. He'd barely heard the doctor tell him about all the injuries Piper had sustained. All he understood was she needed surgery, maybe more than one, to fix damage, and she was in a lot of pain.
"Daddy," she croaked, her hand reaching for him. He took it in his, feeling his throat get really tight.
"I'm here," he promised.
"I'm s-sorry," she whispered.
"It's not your fault," he told her. "Okay? Not your fault, baby. Not at all."
She closed her eyes and grimaced in pain. He wished the pain killers would help her. When the nurse finally came to get her for surgery, he got to his feet and kissed her head.
"I'll be right here," he told her.
"Come with me," she said, whimpering.
"I can't, love. It'll be alright."
"It hurts."
"I know. I'm sorry." He smoothed a hand over her head gently before kissing it again. "It'll get better soon."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
They took her away, and he slumped against the wall, trying to catch his breath. He could only imagine what Suzy would say if she were here. He felt like he'd failed both of them in this moment. He looked up when Tavs came into the room.
"How is she?" she asked.
"Frightened."
"I'm so sorry, J," she said, reaching to put a hand on his shoulder. "I truly am."
"I don't understand how it happened."
"Me either."
He stood there thinking. A small thought was in the back of his mind, and he was nervous to give it space, but he had to say it out loud. "Do you think it had anything to do with whoever wanted to hurt Kate?"
Tavs exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, J. It's been two years. Nothing's happened so far. Why now?"
"Yea, why now," he repeated. "Doesn't make sense."
"I think it was just a careless idiot who was scared to face the consequences."
"Why was she even playing by the road?"
"I'm not sure. Witnesses said she was trying to help something."
That sounded a lot like Piper. At six years old, she was way more empathetic than he could imagine. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"She'll be alright, J," Tavs promised, putting a hand on his arm. He didn't respond. He didn't know what to say. He suddenly just wanted Kate, and he knew that was impossible, but he really could use her quiet strength right now.
He went to sit back in the waiting room, wishing this nightmare would end and soon.
...
Kate was not used to warm weather, so when she finally landed, she took a moment to appreciate it. She had bugged Alejandro to move her out of that arctic place, but he'd insisted she was safer there. She knew he'd been tracking down the people wanting to hurt her, and she hoped he had an update for her soon because she was tired of living in the shadows. Two frickin' years was long enough.
She called Tavs and let her know she'd arrived. Then she shouldered her bag and went in the direction of the hospital. Tavs met her out front and took her bag, offering her a room at her place to stay.
"I will warn you," she said to Kate. "It's bad."
"Okay," Kate replied, trying to breathe.
"Thank you for coming."
"I just hope I didn't bring more trouble with me."
"I think it'll be fine," Tavs answered. "And we can deal with it if anything comes up."
"Alright."
"Good luck," Tavs said, hugging her tightly. "See you later." Kate said goodbye and went inside. She wondered what reaction she was going to get from Jensen when he saw her.
...
It was so late, but Piper was finally back out of surgery for the last time. She was sleeping, and the doctor had said she should start to heal but was going to need physio exercises and such to help the process once the cast came off her left arm, shoulder, and left side of her torso, which they'd just finished putting on her. Most of her injuries were upper body since she had been half crouched when the car clipped her, her left arm taking most of the hit and breaking badly along with some ribs. The chest tube was remaining for a few days to help with the punctured lung. The nurse had given him a pillow to use in the chair, and he was trying to sleep but it was hard. Jensen heard footsteps come into the room, but he didn't turn around. He knew it was Tavs. She was insisting on doing the late nights with him too.
"You don't have to stay," he said. "Go home and get some rest. I'll be alright."
"But I want to stay," a voice that was not Tavs's said back. He stiffened, recognizing it instantly. He turned his head quickly, his breath catching in his throat when he saw Kate standing there.
"Kate," he said, stunned. She looked tired and sad. "You're here."
"Of course I am," she replied, coming closer now. "I heard what happened, and I had to be here."
"I don't know what to say," he confessed, getting to his feet. Seeing her again was eliciting a lot of different thoughts and feelings inside.
"Don't say anything," she stated. "I'm just here for support."
Jensen stood there looking at her, and he felt happy she was there but sad about why she was there. It was a complicated feeling.
"Tavs tell you what happened?" he asked, knowing that was who'd contacted Kate.
"Yes."
"Do you think it was related to...to your stuff?"
"I don't know, Jensen," Kate answered, looking at Piper now. A tear was sliding down her cheek. "I don't know."
He looked at her, not knowing what else to say. She wiped at her face with her arm and looked at him again.
"I don't know if I should even be here," she added. "I snuck away, but I think for a quick trip it'll be fine."
His heart sank. She wasn't staying. Of course not. Why would she stay? He looked down, feeling disappointed and guilty for taking a moment to think about himself and Kate and not focusing solely on Piper.
"I see," he said finally. Kate moved closer to Piper now, leaning over and whispering something in the girl's ear while smoothing her head gently with her fingers. Jensen stood there listening to the monitors beeping and Kate's whispering and wondered if she'd be here if this hadn't happened, if she'd have come back at all or stayed away forever. When she stopped and straightened, he watched her look down at Piper for a moment before turning back to face him.
"I'm here for as long as it takes," she told him. "Unless you want me to go...then I'll go."
"I don't want you to go," he answered, and she processed his words and nodded slowly. He gestured to the chair, and she shook her head.
"No," she said. "You're the father. That's yours." He shook his head back at her and moved to push her down into it. Then he sat on the end of Piper's hospital bed, resting a hand on her leg under the covers.
"I don't know what I'd have done if I'd lost her," he said now. "I failed her today...failed her mother."
"You didn't," Kate replied, leaning forward so that her elbows were resting on her knees, hands clasped together. "Jensen, you can't watch her 24/7. Things happen."
He knew this was true, but he still felt guilty for not somehow knowing she was in danger and stopping it. He watched his daughter sleep, and he thought about the road of recovery ahead. She was resilient, but he worried this would cause her a lot of psychological damage.
"She's so big now," Kate murmured, looking at her too. Jensen nodded in agreement.
"Even smarter than before, if that was possible," he commented. She smiled and rested her chin on her hands.
"I can only imagine."
"She was so broken up when you left," Jensen said after a moment. "Cried herself to sleep for weeks."
"J..."
"She kept insisting it was something she'd done," he went on. "It didn't matter what Tavs or I said. She firmly believed she had been the one to make you go."
"Oh my God," Kate said a bit tearfully, burying her face in her hands. "J, I never meant to hurt her...or you."
"But in reality, it was because of her that you left," he interrupted. "For the most part. Right?"
"Not because she did anything," Kate started.
"But because you wanted to keep her safe," he finished. "I know." He watched her slowly start to break down, and then she got to her feet.
"This was a bad idea," she said, moving quickly to leave. Jensen was after her in a heartbeat. He managed to catch her by the wrist to stop her. She turned into him from the momentum, and he very quickly had her in a tight embrace.
"Don't go," he said, muffled against her hair. I need you. He couldn't seem to say it, though. To be that vulnerable put him at risk for more hurt, and he couldn't take that right now.
"She almost died thinking I hated her," Kate said through her tears, clinging tighter to him.
"No, no, no," he replied. "She didn't think that. She just thought maybe you were upset about something. She never thought you hated her."
"But still! She thought I left because of her. That must have hurt her so badly."
"It's okay," he soothed. "It's okay now because you're here, and when she wakes up, you can tell her what I've been trying to tell her, and she'll believe you because it's coming from you."
"I'm sorry, Jensen," Kate said against his shoulder. "I'm so sorry."
"It's alright," he said again. "I promise." She continued to hold him, so he held onto her. They stood in that hallway for a long time, and he prayed so hard that his little girl would wake up and start to heal and that they'd all just finally have a happy ending.
...
"Auntie Kate?"
Kate opened her eyes, her neck and back screaming at her for the position she'd slept in all night on that chair. Jensen was gone; she assumed he went to get something for them to eat and drink. Kate sat up quickly, taking in the little girl in the hospital bed staring back at her. She looked almost overwhelmed by her cast.
"Hi, sweetheart," Kate said, clearing the morning grog out of her throat. "Are you okay?"
"I hurt a lot all over."
"I'm so sorry, baby."
"Why are you here?"
"Aunt Tavs told me what happened, and I came to make sure you were okay."
"Why did you leave?" Right out of the gate apparently. Kate took in some breaths before answering.
"A bad person is after me," she started, moving closer to Piper. "I left because if I didn't, that bad person would have tried to hurt you in order to hurt me. I didn't want that. I wanted to keep you safe, so I left."
"Is the bad person still after you?" Piper didn't sound scared, just curious.
"I'm not sure, but let's not worry about that right now."
"I was so sad," Piper said now, tears starting. Kate got up to hug her gently around her bandages, feeling awful all over again.
"I was too," she replied. "I missed you so much."
"Daddy was really sad too."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Will you please stay and be our family?" Piper asked. "I wished for it every year on my birthday, and I know wishes don't come true if I tell them, but I'm willing to risk it."
Kate opened and closed her mouth, not knowing how to respond. She turned her head at the sound of someone coming into the room just then, and Jensen held up a bag of bagels and a tray of coffee. Her stomach growled in response.
"Is one for me?" Piper asked hopefully, and Jensen smiled (albeit a little tiredly) and came over to her, setting the tray of coffees on the table.
"I'm sorry, luv. They don't want you eating solid food yet."
"Oh." She was disappointed. It hurt Kate so much to see her so hurt and frail right now. It hurt to not know how to answer her question.
"Once you're cleared, I'll get you whatever you want," Jensen stated, kissing her forehead. "I promise. Feel okay?"
"I'm tired and sore," Piper answered.
"That's to be expected." He held out the bag towards Kate, and she took a bagel. She went for the coffee he'd set down.
"I'm really sorry, Daddy," Piper said now, quietly.
"What were you doing that close to the road?"
"I was trying to save a butterfly," she answered. "It was hurt."
"Piper," Jensen said in almost a groan. Kate knew how he felt. While it was so sweet of her to care, she'd almost lost her life.
"I know, I know," Piper said, lifting and dropping her hands on her lap. "I didn't keep an eye on the traffic. That was my fault."
Kate caught movement in the doorway, and she looked and gave a start upon seeing Alejandro moving out of sight just as quickly as he'd appeared.
"I...I have to make a call," she said, looking at Jensen now. He looked concerned, but she just gave a weak smile and then stepped out. She walked quickly until she found him waiting in a small alcove.
"What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"I should be asking you that question," Alejandro countered.
"She was almost killed, okay? I had to investigate."
"Ever think it was a trap?"
"It crossed my mind," she answered. He held her stare then sighed.
"Well, today is your lucky day," he advised.
"Why's that?"
"There's no one left," Alejandro explained. "It's over, Kate." She stared at him. What was he saying right now? Could it possibly be true?
"W-What do you mean?" she asked.
"I finished the job a few days ago," he replied. "I went to tell you, but you were already gone. I knew you'd come back here, and I was right."
"So it's over?" she asked. "Really over?"
"Yes," he confirmed. "No more hiding, Kate. You're free." He watched as she almost buckled from emotions. It was over. She could stay here. She pressed a shaky hand to her lips and breathed.
"Thank you," she said finally, looking at him again. "It...it means a lot."
"I know." His voice was soft, and she saw that he didn't look as hard as usual in this moment. "I owed you one." She blinked as he reached to squeeze her shoulder and walk by her. Then he looked at her over his shoulder. "Have a good life, Kate. You deserve it."
She didn't know what to say, but he was already gone, and she hugged herself tightly and began to cry tears of relief.
"Kate?" Jensen appeared, and he looked worried. She shook her head around her tears, dropping her hand from her mouth finally.
"It's okay," she told him. "It's over."
"What is?"
"I'm free," she said. "No one is coming after me anymore." She watched him take in this information, relief replacing his worried expression. She closed the gap between them and hugged him hard, and he was holding her back tightly against him. She could feel his heart racing against her.
"Does that mean you're staying?" he asked, and she moved back slightly to look at him. Is that what she still wanted? She realized it was, even without Piper asking her to, but she had no expectations about him or where their relationship was or wasn't going to head.
"I don't have anywhere to stay," she started.
"Stay with me," he cut in. "Or Tavs. She'd take you in too."
"I don't want to impose."
"You wouldn't be. I promise."
Kate nodded slowly, standing in front of him now after ending their embrace. "I have to go and get my things from where I was staying."
"Okay."
"I'll go in a day or two."
He nodded, and she finally smiled, which he returned. She was doing this. She was coming back, and this time...this time she was going to make sure she did things right.
She couldn't wait to give Piper the answer to her question.