Nylan slowly opened her eyes and quickly shut them because the lighting was hurting them. “*****” she said as she felt her body aching with an unknown pain. She touched her shoulder and it felt like it was on fire, her shirt was soaked. She opened her eyes to see what had gotten on shirt as she held her fingers in front of her face, they were bloody. She sat up immediately, maybe to soon because she began to feel dizzy.

“Easy there” Lara said kneeling at Nylan’s side and Nylan blinked trying to regain her sight. “I’m really getting good at this saving your life thing”. Lara nodded towards the man lying across the room and Nylan’s eyes became wide.

“Is he…”Nylan inquired.

“No…he’s just wounded and my aim isn’t that great that how you got hit” Lara replied pointing to her shoulder and Nylan felt herself becoming queasy from the sight of the blood.

“The ambulance and the police are on their way” Tina said her voice a little shaky from the night’s events,”How is she” she asked.

“This is the third time she’s passed out in the last twenty minutes” Lara answered as she smiled up at Tina. “Are you okay” she questioned and Tina nodded.

“Thank you Lara…I don’t know if I would be alive if it weren’t for you” Lara accepted the compliment. A funny feeling had encouraged her to come back and check on Nylan. She was sure that Nylan would have taken a drink but when she got to the door she noticed it had been left open so she quietly walked up the steps after hearing the loud grunts and Tina’s screams. Lara tripped over the gun at the frame of the door, it had been knocked out of his hand by a startled Tina. Lara picked it up and aimed for the man, it hit him directly in his shoulder but grazed Nylan’s arm. Tina clicked the lights on to find Lara still holding the .45, a frightened look on her face. Nylan and the attacker were both passed out on the floor.

“Police” the cop yelled from downstairs.

“Up here” Tina yelled from the balcony. The cops quickly filled the stairway, being cautious as they climbed the steps. When they reached the bedroom and had a look around, they put their guns away.

“Is the ambulance here yet” Lara asked.

“Yeah…are you Ms. Kennard” the cop questioned.

“I’m Ms. Kennard” Tina said raising her hand.

“Ma’am we’re going to need you to come down to the station and answer some questions” Tina looked down at Nylan.

“It’s okay Tina I’ll go with her” Lara said patting her softly on the shoulder and Tina nodded as she moved around the room looking for her purse. The paramedics entered the room giving the man and Nylan equal attention. Tina gave Nylan one last look before she left.

“I’ll have one of my officers meet you at the emergency room to your statement ma’am” the detective said pointing to Lara.

“Let’s get them to the emergency room” the paramedic said to the next paramedic.

*****

A Few Hours Later – The Precinct

“Is that all you can tell us” Detective Loughlin asked as he peered down at Tina and she nodded. “One last question Ms Kennard and you’re free to go…how familiar are you with Ambrosia Neil” Tina shrugged before answering. Loughlin had a hunch and he was usually good with hunches but Tina was wondering what this had to do with Nylan’s house being robbed.

“I’ve been in her company lots of times…she and Shane McKutcheon were involved and well Nylan but the details of their relationship with her were never revealed but I’m sure they didn’t do what she said they did” Tina answered and Detective Loughlin nodded.

“You can go now…I called your wife to pick you up” Tina turned around to face Bette who had a worried look on her face.

“What were you doing at Ms Pierson’s house tonight Ms Kennard” he asked and Tina snapped her head around to look at him.

“Well me and my wife had a fight so I went to Nylan’s to take my mind off of some things” she answered. The phone on Loughlin’s desk rang interrupting his interrogation, he held up a finger to halt Tina’s movement toward the door. He hung up the phone and stared at Tina.

“What time did you leave your house” he asked and Tina shrugged.

“Why” Bette asked becoming suspicious of man’s question.

“Well Ms Neil was just found dead in her home” he said.

*****

The Emergency Room

“We’re releasing Ms Pierson into your care Ms Perkins” the doctor handed Lara Nylan’s release papers. “She’s awake now but after the pain killers kick in she’ll be out for the night”. The nurse wheeled Nylan out to Lara’s car that was parked across the door, her arm was in a sling as she smiled up at Lara. The nurse helped Nylan into the car before walking back into the hospital.

“I feel like *****” Nylan said groggily.

“You look like *****” Lara replied as she glanced at Nylan who was a little pale.

“I’m gonna call everyone and tell them what happened” Nylan cautioned Lara with her one good arm.

“No…I don’t want them to be worried just let them get some sleep…its been a long day” Lara silently agreed. “Hey where are we going my house is that way”.

“My place” Nylan shot Lara a look,”don’t look at me like that…do you really wanna go back to your place”.

“No I guess not” Nylan shrugged.

*****

Bette guided Tina into the house and into their bedroom. They hadn’t spoken a word since leaving the station and it felt like deja vu to Bette so she decided to break the cycle.

“Are you okay Tina” she didn’t answer so Bette moved closer to Tina, whose back was to her. She gently touched her shoulders and Tina jumped. “Baby its okay” she eased Tina over to the edge of the bed and sat down beside her. Tina let go of all the emotion she had been holding ever since she had left Nylan’s place, she began crying uncontrolably. Bette pulled her close to her heart, letting her in for the first time in months.

*****

Lara’s Apartment

“I can’t take your bed…I’ll just take the couch” Nylan said getting up from the bed and Lara gently pushed her back.

“No its okay just lay back and I’ll go get you some more pillows” Lara said walking to her closet in hall. When she returned to the room she found Nylan peacefully asleep. She eased up to the side of the bed and began disrobing her, she threw her shoes to the side and moved up to unbuckle her jeans. Lara stopped for a moment as she peeled off Nylan’s jeans, ‘even on her worst day the woman still managed to look *****’. She tossed the jeans aside and began propping her up with the extra pillows. Lara shut off the lights and went to the living room to get some rest.

*****

Porter-Kennard Residence- The Next Morning

Tina lay in Bette’s arms awake, having been up for hours. She hadn’t gotten any sleep during the night because everytime she closed her eyes she saw HIS face. Bette moved her body slightly and Tina eased closer to her, she wanted to be even closer if possible. The coldness of Tina’s body woke Bette like a bucket of cold water was being poured on her.

“Tina baby are you okay…maybe we should take you to the hospital” Bette offered.

“No I’m okay just hold me please”Tina pleaded. Bette planted a kiss on her forhead and pulled her close. She only let go when the phone rang.

“It’s Alice” Bette said looking at the caller id,”Hello…yeah we know…Alice I think you better sit down for this one”.

*****

Lara’s Apartment

“Ow ow ow *****” Nylan screamed as she tried to reach for her phone with her injured arm. Lara burst through the door carrying a tray.

“Hold it” she said putting the tray to the side and reaching for Nylan’s phone. “Hello…yeah she’s right…what no she hasn’t we’ve been togther the whole night but I’ll let you know if we do”. Lara closed Nylan’s phone and sat down beside her unable to find the right words to say at this moment.

“What’s wrong, who was that” Nylan asked touching Lara’s shoulder gently.

“It was Bette she…” Lara stopped because she didn’t know how to tell Nylan what she’d heard. She turned on the television and tuned into the news.

‘Actress Ambrosia Neil was found dead in her home this morning’ was the headline.