She was drawn from her resentful thoughts by the sound of the door opening. She whirled around and followed a nurse who was indicating she could go in, now.
Kris watched Lisa walk in, trying to get a peek at Shelby, but her view was blocked by the medical personnel. She knew she'd been hard on Lisa, but the woman was living in a fantasy world. Jonathan was dangerous whether or not he was involved in tonight's attack, yet Lisa seemed blind to that fact.
The operative paced restlessly back and forth, longing to see Shelby. Just for a minute. Just to make sure she really was okay. Just because she needed to see her really badly right now.
She cursed the hospital regulations that forbade her to go to Shelby, remembering a program she'd seen on HBO called, 'If These Walls Could Talk, 2." The first account had detailed the heart-wrenching story of a couple that had been together for years. When one suddenly became gravely ill, her partner was not allowed to see her, and she'd died alone without the loving support of her soulmate. Kris could still clearly remember the frustration and anguish to which the surviving woman had been subjected - both by her partner's death, and by unfeeling family members, all because their commitment was not legally recognized.
Kris shook the images from her mind. That was different. But is it really? Isn't a life long relationship with Shelby what you really want? Kris nodded. Yes, I do want that. And we will have it, if Shelby wants it. But we'll never be in the position of that unfortunate couple, no matter where we have to live.
She tried to assuage her concern with logic. Shelby was going to be fine. Her wound wasn't serious. Kris finally gave up her rational assessment when it failed to dispel her frustration at not being allowed at her partner's side. She continued to pace, stopping suddenly when the door opened again. She looked at the nurse. "Can I go back there, yet?"
"Yes, we're making an exception for you because of the circumstances. Dr Kowalski is writing Shelby's discharge orders now." The nurse glanced up at the operative. "You have a very persuasive friend."
Kris grinned. "That she is."
Sitting on the gurney with a large bandage around her bicep, Shelby was arguing with her mother. "I am not quitting my job. I already told you, I don't think this had anything to do with where I work."
"I suppose you think Jonathan did it, just like that bodyguard of yours?"
Shelby couldn't stop a snort of amusement from escaping her mouth, even though she was tired and her arm hurt. It tickled her that her mother insisted on referring to Kris as her bodyguard. While technically she was, bodyguard was such an inadequate description of the operative's extensive capabilities and of her own relationship with her.
"I think it's possible. You said you told him I was coming over." Shelby looked directly into her mother's eyes, her expression serious. "If he did it, Mom, would you still protect him?"
Lisa's mouth dropped open. She could understand the bodyguard trying to shift the blame to her, but how could her own daughter think such a thing? "Of course not!" Tears began falling from her eyes. "I can't believe you even asked me that."
Shelby shook her head. "Sorry, Mom. But you believed Jonathan when he told you he didn't threaten me at the trial, so I had to ask."
The older woman looked at her daughter, biting off a defense of her actions. Shelby was right. She had chosen to believe her ex-husband instead of her daughter. Doubts previously kept tightly under control began escaping, and Lisa knew she had a lot of thinking to do. "I didn't know what to believe. I thought you may have just read more into what he was saying than he actually said."
"I know." Shelby suddenly looked past her mother and smiled warmly.
Lisa's gaze followed her daughter's, and she snorted derisively. "Don't know why you're so happy to see her. You wouldn't be here if she'd done her job, no matter who did the shooting."
Shelby turned to her mother pointedly, her eyes flashing as her temper flared. "Don't you ever criticize Kris again. I would be dead, if not for her. Did you already forget that she saved my life in the parking lot? You yourself thanked her for that, and now all of a sudden, she's at fault because she can't see through trees and houses? I can't believe you said that. I trust her, and that's all that matters!"
Kris listened in silence. She'd briefly seen Shelby's temper before, but never witnessed the extent of the anger her partner was now displaying. And it was on her behalf. It was a strange but welcome feeling.
She stood behind Lisa and winked at Shelby, hoping to calm her down. She quirked a half-smile when the corners of Shelby's mouth turned up.
Kris stepped next to Lisa looking at the large bandage. "How's your arm?"
"It hurts a little, but they gave me something to help with the pain and the doctor's writing a prescription for Tylenol III."
Lisa stood there puzzled. She couldn't understand how Shelby could defend a woman who had failed at her job and then sit there talking to her like they were best friends. Her daughter could have died. "I'm not criticizing, but maybe you should get a male bodyguard."
When twin glares met her gaze, she added uncomfortably, "It was just an idea."
A few minutes later, Shelby was given a prescription and set of instructions for caring for the wound. Kris helped her down from the gurney. The three left the trauma room and began walking through the lobby.
"I want you to stay with me. Kris can stay there, too."
Shelby shook her head. "Thanks, Mom. But I'll be more comfortable in my own apartment."
"Just until you're able to go back to work. I'd just feel a lot better if I knew you were safe."
Shelby understood her mother's concern, but had no intentions of staying any place that Jonathan frequented. "I won't be taking time off. The doctor said not to use my arm for heavy lifting or anything strenuous, but that's it, other than keeping the wound clean. I'll be fine, really."
Kris opened the door and carefully eyed the parking lot locating the team of agents before nodding to Shelby to follow her.
Lisa didn't want to upset Shelby by insisting. "Okay, honey. Whatever you think is best. You be sure and call me if you need anything." Lisa hugged Shelby, carefully avoiding her injured arm. "Bye."
"Bye. I'll call you tomorrow."
Lisa smiled briefly, before turning away, her thoughts troubled. She was going to call Jonathan the moment she arrived home.
The drive home had been quiet. Shelby glanced over at Kris ruefully. "So much for surveillance tonight."
"Hey, don't worry about it." Kris flicked on the left turn signal and pulled into the apartment complex parking lot. She'd been in cell phone contact with the agents that Earl had assigned and the parking lot and apartment were secure. "I do need to go tomorrow, though. I'll ask Earl to send someone over to stay with you while I'm gone."
"Oh no you won't!"
Kris had just switched off the ignition, and quickly gazed at Shelby, startled at the vehemence in her voice. She felt the full fury of her partner's anger leaping out at her from the swirling emerald eyes. "It would only be for about four hours or so. I'm not going to leave you alone."
"That's right. You're not. And I'm not leaving you alone, either. I'm going!"
"Come on, be reasonable, Shelby. You were just shot. You don't need to be sitting in a car on a side street when you could be taking it easy at home."
Shelby met the concerned blue eyes pointedly. "And you were just beat up."
"That was different." One look at Shelby's face and Kris hurriedly said, "Wait, let me finish."
"No, Kris, let me finish. I'm not going to go through what I did Monday night again, wondering if you're okay and worrying something might have happened if you're late getting back. You asked me to help. I agreed. We're in this together, sweetheart." Shelby smiled as the tips of her partner's ears reddened.