The operative opened her mouth and closed it again. She'd actually feel a lot better if Shelby was with her rather than with another agent. Kris knew she couldn't expect anyone else to protect Shelby with their life. And she intended to do just that. "Okay. But tonight you let me take care of you. Deal?"
"Okay, but I think it's going to be an early night for me. That painkiller is really making me sleepy."
"Let's get you upstairs."
Kris exited the vehicle and moved around to the passenger side of the car. She extended her hand for Shelby to grab onto. Her partner grasped her hand, but exited the car without really taking advantage of the leverage she'd offered, and it suddenly occurred to Kris that even though Shelby had to feel like hell, she was worried about hurting her. Her heart ached with the depth of emotion washing over her. She shook her head, amazed that love could be so physically palpable.
Lisa pulled into her driveway, surprised to see Jonathan's car parked there. She walked through the house, headed for the living room, knowing that was where she would likely find Jonathan and their sons. All three were engrossed in a baseball game. "Jonathan? Could I see you for a minute?"
"Oh, hi, babe. Just a minute, okay?"
"No. It's not okay. I'd like to talk to you now."
Jonathan looked up, surprised at Lisa's sharp tone. "Sure, babe." He looked at Jimmy. "I'll be right back. Let me know what happens."
Jason glanced at his mother uneasily. She never talked to his Dad that way. The teenager was becoming less and less certain that his father had changed the more time he spent with them. There had been little things, like when his father had arrived an hour earlier, he'd gotten very upset because Jason was watching a scifi movie. Jonathan had told him to grow up before changing the channel to the baseball game. His father had apologized right afterward, but it had sounded hollow to the boy.
The young man knew his father had put his mother in the hospital, and had really wanted to believe he was cured, but he was beginning to get very worried – worried enough to say something to his mother even if she did get mad at him, or at least to call Shelby. She would know what he should do. Feeling better now that he'd made a decision, Jason picked up the remote and changed the channel, over the protests of Jimmy who insisted, "Dad wants the game on."
Jonathan followed Lisa out to the kitchen warily, but angrily. She had no business belittling him in front of Jason and Jimmy by demanding he accompany her anywhere. Jason was turning out to be a challenge anyway. He couldn't read the kid, and that bothered him.
When Lisa closed the kitchen door, he walked over and hugged her, only to find his overture rebuffed. "What's wrong, babe?"
"When did you get here?"
Jonathan hid his irritation at her tone of voice. "About an hour ago. I was really surprised you were gone. The boys said you practically ran out the door, telling them you were going to the hospital and would call from there. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Lisa looked at Jonathan pointedly. "I thought you were going to wait until I called you to come over."
"I had some errands to run, so I came by when I was done. Since I didn't see Shelby's car in the driveway, I didn't think you'd mind." He shrugged. "So what's the problem? Why are you giving me the third degree? And why were you at the hospital?"
"Where'd you go shopping?"
"What does that have to do with anything? Now, quit playing games and tell me what this is all about."
Lisa looked at her ex-husband pointedly. "Shelby was shot shortly after she left here this evening. You knew she was coming over."
Jonathan's face reflected surprise. "What? That's terrible!" His brow furrowed at the implication of her words. "Surely you don't think...? Lisa, I would never hurt our daughter. It's that damn job of hers."
Lisa gazed at him, torn, but she wanted to clear one thing up. "Shelby is not your daughter. I turned a blind eye to your brutality once. It'll never happen again."
"Lisa, please," Jonathan begged. "I hate myself for what I did to her and Anne. I don't blame you for suspecting me." He dropped his head, gazing at the floor. "I know I was wrong. How can I convince you that I've changed? I'll do whatever you want."
Looking at the forlorn man, Lisa's heart softened. She wanted to believe him, but did she dare? Shelby insisted he'd threatened her at the trial, yet he'd never admitted to that. Could she trust Jonathan now? She needed some time to think.
"I think I'd like a little space right now. I just don't know what to think. I think we should wait a little longer before you move in here."
Jonathan's voice choked. "I love you, Lisa. I would never hurt Shelby. Please believe me."
It took every bit of Lisa's rapidly diminishing resolve to stick to her course of action. "I love you, too. I don't think you were responsible for Shelby getting shot. There's just so much going on right now. I need a few days to make sure we're making the right decision for the right reasons."
Lisa's words rocked Jonathan. He'd never expected this and felt his anger begin to build. That damn little bitch had been lucky again and it was costing him dearly. His countenance, however, reflected a profound sadness. "Whatever you want, babe. All I care about is making you happy. I'll be sitting by my phone, waiting to hear from you." He moved to the door with slumped shoulders. "Bye, babe."
Lisa walked over and fleetingly kissed him. "I'll call you in a couple of days, okay?"
Nodding, Jonathan departed. Lisa tracked his progress to his car and watched him drive away until she could no longer see the car. She sank into one of the kitchen chairs and sighed audibly. I don't know what to do.
Lisa's eyes widened. Jonathan had never even asked how Shelby was.
Shelby chuckled and patted the couch next to her. "Would you please sit down? You're making me crazy."
"You sure you don't need anything else? Want some more iced tea?"
The younger woman started to rise, and Kris moved to her side. "What do you need? I'll get it."
Shelby grasped the operative's forearm with her right hand and said, "You - next to me."
Kris smiled. "Sounds good to me."
"Well, what are you waiting for, then?"
Shelby was touched by Kris' attentiveness since they'd arrived back at the apartment. The tall woman had made them turkey breast sandwiches, served with potato chips and iced tea, cleaned up their mess, arranged the couch so that Shelby could rest her arm on the pillows, and for the last several minutes had been hovering over her, not knowing what else to do.
Searching for an answer, Kris muttered, "Um...I just..."
Shelby smiled warmly. "I know, sweetheart. You've been wonderful, but you need to take a break."
Once the analyst had sat back down, Kris carefully lowered herself next to Shelby, not wanting to jar her.
"Will you relax? I won't break." Placing her hand gently on Kris' stomach, she asked, "How are you doing?"
"Fine." Kris quirked a half-smile at the disbelieving look on her partner's face. "Well, it is a little sore."
"Somehow, I have a feeling it's more than a little sore. Did you take some Aleve?"
"Yeah, last time I went into the bathroom."
"Good. Now, let's talk."
Kris gazed into the somber green eyes, puzzled. "Okay."
"You're still blaming yourself."
The operative looked away. She felt so damned guilty. Why couldn't she have been the one shot, not Shelby? Her partner didn't deserve that. She didn't belong in the dark world of subterfuge and double crosses, where every shadow held a new threat.