by M B Panichi
Shaine’s form blurred across the screen, tackling a wide-eyed Kathryn Leer. There was panicked shouting and the popping explosions of the lights behind them before the screen faded to black for the next commercial break.
Morgan found herself shaking uncontrollably. It had been much closer than she’d thought. Bloody freaking hell.
Friday turned and crawled onto the bed, her face pale with shock and fear. Morgan pulled Friday between her and Shaine, hugging her close. Friday sobbed. Shaine wrapped both of them in her long arms, murmuring, “It’ll be okay, Fri. It’ll all work out, and we’re here for you.”
Morgan fumbled with the remote and turned off the vid screen. They’d seen enough.
They lay cuddled together for a long time before Friday finally shifted away.
Morgan asked, “You okay?”
Friday sniffled. “Yeah. Just shocking to actually see it.” She frowned and played with the quilt. “It’s weird, because at the time, I don’t remember being scared. Now, all of a sudden, it’s like, that guy was really trying to kill me.” She shuddered.
Morgan patted her arm. “It’s an unnerving feeling, I know.”
“All because I can tell the world what assholes Abraham and his buddies are.”
Shaine said quietly, “Knowledge is power. If you have it, you can use it as collateral, or use it against someone. Abraham knows that. That’s why he’s afraid of you. Because he can’t control you.”
“I don’t want to run from him for the rest of my life.”
“You won’t have to,” Shaine said. “One way or another, he’ll leave you alone.”
Morgan shot Shaine a look. The last time Shaine said that, she killed the man threatening Morgan’s life. It reassured her that Shaine would be willing to do the same to protect Friday, though she had to admit it was a little frightening to know Shaine was capable of so much violence.
Shaine met Morgan’s quick glance and smiled gently. “The law will put both Michaels and Abraham away for a long time. We’ve got a good case against both of them. If Maruchek’s lawyers and investigators follow up on Michaels’ involvement with Abraham, that’s just more years that he’ll be put away.”
Friday wasn’t convinced. “What if Abraham doesn’t go to jail, though? What if he manages to buy his way out or something?”
Shaine’s expression darkened. “He won’t.”
Friday frowned, then finally nodded, though she didn’t look entirely appeased.
Morgan decided it was time for a change of subject and suggested that they find a grav-ball game on one of the sports streams. Everyone agreed and they watched for a while before Friday decided to turn in for the night. Ten minutes later, Friday curled up in her own bed with her comp pad, and was asleep shortly after that.
* * *
Late into the night, Shaine lay in bed with Morgan curled against her. Morgan’s head rested on her chest, her good arm draped over Shaine’s stomach while the other was nestled comfortably between them. Shaine sighed, completely content. She could hear Friday snoring softly in her cot against the far wall. She tightened her hold on Morgan, who sighed against her skin. Shaine kissed the top of Morgan’s head.
“Mmmmm, what’s that for?” Morgan murmured.
Shaine smiled into the darkness. “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“I’ve been thinking. When we’re done here, and after all the court stuff with Friday is over, let’s build us a place near my folks’ farm. Settle down there, where it’s quiet. We can work the farm, I can maybe do some security work. You can maybe do some mechanic work. We can just chill, you know? Would you like that?”
Morgan shifted so they lay facing each other. Shaine could see Morgan’s sleepy smile in the green glow of the night-light near the bathroom door. Morgan said softly, “Yeah, I’d like that. Can we have a couple extra rooms? For Friday if she stays with us, and maybe my dad, if he comes to visit?”
“Definitely.”
Morgan grinned and leaned in for a long, leisurely kiss.
Shaine lifted Morgan onto her chest, holding her close. Damn, it felt good, even if Morgan’s sling dug into her side. She knew it might be a while before they’d finally be able to settle down and have some time to themselves, but at least she knew they both wanted that. She closed her eyes with a sigh.
Morgan asked, “You okay?”
“It scared the hell out of me to see that shooting again. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
Morgan wriggled closer, nuzzling her skin. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Shaine let go of Morgan for a moment and reached up to remove one of the two chains she wore around her neck. She slid it over Morgan’s head.
Morgan squinted through the gloom at the titanium dog tag hanging from the silver rope chain. She traced the deep engraving of Shaine’s name and service number and touched her lips to the skin-warmed tag.
“Marry me, Morgan. Be with me forever.”
Morgan met her gaze, gray eyes wide. “Forever. Yes.”
Shaine captured her lips in a hard, passionate kiss before pulling regretfully away. She wasn’t going to make love to Morgan with Friday in the room. She smiled. “I love you so much.”
Morgan clutched the dog tag in her hand and murmured, “I feel like we can finally stop running. I feel like I’m already home.”
Shaine wrapped her arms around Morgan. Her heart felt so full. They held each other tightly, nestled together under the heavy quilt, cocooned in the warmth of their love.
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