Tony crawled to the edge and positioned the rifle on the parapet. After few minutes he located the shooter. He didn't really have a good shot, but he had no choice. So he got ready – breathe calmly, in, out, pull. Costa kept looking through the scope to make sure – he got him – bullet entered at an angle into his neck, probably stopped somewhere in his gut. He was dead. The CIA sniper run back down in the same time calling the rescue services that it was safe to enter.

I got him he said panting when he barged back into the conference room he was in the building you estimated Nina gave him a nod and turned back to Tim whose breathing wasn't good. the bleeding basically stopped after using quick-clot bot for last two minutes it seemed like he couldn't draw in enough air and it was getting worse.

Where are the medics? wondered Raylan, who also noticed Gutterson's struggles.

SWAT wants to make sure they're in the clear answered Rachel who has called Lexington PD Sergeant they sometimes worked with.

What? Raylan asked incredulously and looked at Pérez. Tim was also looking at her – she noted that there was real fear in his eyes, he could barely take in any air now.

I got you she whispered and grabbed a stethoscope and listened after few second she knew what was the problem. She found a syringe with a thick needle.

What are you doing? asked Givens

Well, he's got a collapsed lung she responded tensely I need to release the air or he'll stop breathing Nina explained.

You know how to do it? she heard Rachel ask, she just gave her a tense look and continued. She inserted the needle in 2nd intercostal space on Tim's left side, which was right by the wound, her partner whimpered. There was a little hiss of air and Tim took a gulp of air.

Thanks he whispered and gave her a little smile. He was shivering from shock and she really was in awe that he was still conscious. Pérez looked around when they heard paramedics coming in. She related them what she had done and what state he was in.

Nice job said the PIC*

They were preparing Tim for transport, he had an oxygen mask on his face and IV with fluids secured in his left arm. They tried to move but Tim was holding his partner's hand and wouldn't let go, his barely open eyes on her. Nina looked questioningly at the PIC

You can come with us he said with a nod We're taking him to Good Samaritan.

They found Nina in the waiting room, she was dressed in a T-shirt with Kentucky logo from the gift shop and scrub pants. She looked up when she heard them, and made a face when her gaze fell on Raylan. He was covered in blood.

How is he? Tony asked her in a quiet voice.

In surgery, lost a lot of blood her voice was tight when she answered. Raylan, you good?

Uh… Yeah… I don't know… Raylan sounded confused and unsure. Art and Rachel exchanged glances and then looked and Pérez. Nina nodded, got up and pulled the cowboy by his sleeve.

C'mon. We'll find a nurse and get you something to change in.

Few minutes later Raylan was washing himself with hot water and soap. Young woman entered the bathroom with a change of clothing for him an noted how hard he was scrubbing his arms.

I think it's enough she said softly touching his shoulder, he looked at her there is no more blood he just nodded and took the clothes from her. They came back to waiting room – Raylan wearing same outfit Nina did. Raylan was still a little off. It was understandable for everybody in the room – they had no one to look for, nothing to do. The shooter was dead so all they could do was wait. in the meantime Tessa and some other Marshals had come by, but only agent Cortez came over to the group. It seemed like an unspoken sign – that Rachel, Art and Raylan were Tim's impromptu family – now with the addition of his new partner, FBI agent and a CIA officer. The other Marshals cared, but not on the same level. Art had called his wife, Leslie liked Gutterson a lot, but he told her to stay home. Rachel was nervously biting her nails, Raylan was totally unlike himself – quiet, immobile and staring at one spot on the floor, Tessa and Tony were similarly fidgety and Nina was pacing in the middle of the room.

Would you stop that?! Costa barked after a while, she jumped slightly, Cortez smacked Tony in the arm for that and glared. Uh, sorry. I just… he stuttered.

I know Pérez said quietly Sorry. She felt her heart rate going up I, uh, I need some air Nina mumbled and went to the stairs and out of the building. She was trying to control her breathing, racing heart and tears that started to pour, and she was feeling hot and cold all at once. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Nina? that was Raylan. She made a step back and looked up at him, and plopped down on the stairs. Raylan followed suit Are you okay?

Mhm she breathed and ran her hands over her face then grinned at him It's just adrenaline drop she took couple deep breathes and wiped the tears What about you?

What?

I've never seen you this worried and I have a feeling that neither did Art and Rachel.

Your changing the subject he said nervously. Nina gave him a pointed look.

Okay. He deflated with a sigh and she noted he had a little shine in his eyes too. I guess I just always thought of him as bulletproof, you know. Sniper and all. And maybe at some point since we've met I started to like the guy. He's a sarcastic little shit, but has a way of warming his way into your heart. So I guess I started to think of him as a friend. Maybe even a… a little brother I've never had he whispered the last part and never wanted really he chuckled dryly I mean I would never wish to have a sibling with a father like Arlo. I, uh… oh, you don't know the story

I do he looked at her, surprised , she held his gaze I've met your ex-wife, remember? Besides I talked with Tim a little, so I don't know the details but I know enough she was looking somewhere in the distance like she wasn't entirely nodded to himself and thought for a moment.

Kid?

Hm? she turned to him – Raylan noted that she had tears in her eyes again.

Are you two…? he waved his hand like he didn't know how to ask You aren't just partners am I right?

What? Raylan smiled

It's ok kid, I won't tell she gave him a look and sighed

Maybe Nina looked at her hands and heard Givens sigh

Art is not a fan of in-house relationships he commented but there is no official rule about that

I know

So what's the problem?

We didn't figure out what exactly are we yet she said with a deep sigh and a shaky voice. Raylan put his shoulder around her

He'll be fine he whispered into her hair and he felt her twist into him and start crying.

Givens and Pérez came back to the waiting room, they seemed a little bit better.

All good? asked Art

Yeah Raylan breathed out.

Sorry, adrenaline drop does crazy things to me Nina smiled nervously at the Chief.

Mhm Art studied her for a minute but didn't say anything.

Sorry about earlier quipped Tony

It's ok Pérez smiled at him and sat in a chair next to Tessa, who squeezed her knee reassuringly.

Close to two hours later they saw a doctor coming their way. Nina rose from her chair, so they all assumed it was Tim's doctor.

Deputy Gutterson family? doctor inquired. Everybody in the room circled him. He eyed them but didn't protest. I'm doctor Booth. Your friend will be fine, he needs lots of rest and has some physical therapy ahead of him but the shot didn't as much damage as we had originally thought. The biggest concern was and still is the massive blood loss. But it could be much worse. He wouldn't pull through if not for the quick clot application he looked around at them.

You saved our boy Nina Art winked at his young Deputy. She gave him a small smile.

Yes she did doctor Booth commented. Now, Deputy Gutterson is resting in a room. I will allow one of you to come in for now, when he wakes up a nurse will come get whoever of you that will like to see him. He was actually conscious before the surgery and made me promise that you he turned to Nina will be the first he sees after he wakes up. Nina nodded You can come with me the doctor smiled at her.

*PIC - Paramedic in charge