I'll Cover You

by A. C. Grey

  “Let’s get some air?” Kate asked, determination setting in.

  Emmy looked at Kate with question in her eyes. “Really? You’re not going to take this threat seriously? Don’t you think you should go . . .”

  Kate shook her head. “No. You and I need some time to catch our breaths, to reflect. To just be me and you. I have no doubt that the agents working round the clock will catch these jerks. And me hovering over my team is not going to make that happen any faster. So let’s just take a moment to ourselves.”

  Emmy nodded and they grabbed their coats and headed outside. They walked quietly hand-in-hand, neither of them ready or willing to break the silence. Both were lost in their thoughts.

  Emmy couldn’t help but think about how Kate had just brushed off Beth. While she missed Kate when she was gone, she couldn’t help but think that maybe there was more she should be doing. Deep down, Emmy knew this was ridiculous. She knew that she should be grateful that Kate wasn’t leaving her scared and stranded alone again. Why hadn’t Kate cancelled her speech, given the new threat? Couldn’t it wait? Surely they’d catch the bastards soon. Then Kate could give her speech. Or was it really all about her career after all? Was Christine right? Emmy knew she was being silly. Kate was just standing up for what she believed in, trusting the federal agents to make sure everyone as safe. All the same the doubts crept in . . .

  Kate continued to fight with herself. Question herself and her motivations. Was it really the time to do this? Maybe if she just waited for things to die down, for the threat to be eliminated. But she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t wait any longer. Crisis or no crisis. So she steeled herself and took a deep breath before stopping and turning towards Emmy.

  Emmy was confused as Kate stopped suddenly. “What? Why are you stopping? Is something wrong?”

  Kate offered a small smile and shook her head. She took Emmy’s hands in hers. “I have one more present for you.”

  Emmy’s heart nearly stopped as Kate pulled a small, very recognizable velvet box from her pocket.

  “I love you Emmaline Harris. More than I ever thought I was capable of loving anyone. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I know that being with me is far from easy, but together, we can conquer anything. And so, if this amendment passes, I want us to be the very first people to be legally married under federal law. Emmaline Harris, will you be my wife?”

  Emmy was stunned. She had not been expecting a proposal. Not at all. Her heart leapt with joy. This was what she’d wanted for so long. She couldn’t imagine her future with anyone other than Kate. But then her heart sank as Kate brought up that damned amendment. What was she to think? Did Kate really want to marry her just for her? Or was it for this damned amendment. For her career. Goddamn Christine. She had no idea what to think. Emmy swallowed hard and blinked back a few tears.

  She stared into Kate’s blue eyes. Kate was smiling at her, waiting expectantly. “I’m sorry. I just can’t do this anymore.” Emmy whispered before running off.

  Kate stood there, stunned. What the hell had just happened?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “I’m sorry. I just can’t do this anymore.”

  The words, those powerful, hurtful, heartbreaking words, echoed through Kate’s head over and over again as she stood planted firmly to the spot where she’d proposed. She couldn’t breathe. Her fingers slowly relaxed, dropping the small velvet box into the snow at her feet. Unable to process what had just happened, Kate sank to her knees, oblivious to the cold and wet snow soaking through her pants. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

  She’d been planning the proposal for weeks. She’d tossed around different ideas ranging from the big and grandiose to a surprise under the Christmas tree with their families watching. However, she’d finally decided to just pull Emmy aside and ask her during a private moment. She’d worried about proposing right, about saying the right words, about picking the right ring. Those were the worries she’d had. It had never crossed her mind that Emmy might be upset, offended even at the prospect of marrying her. How could she have been so naïve? So blind?

  After taking a few moments to gather herself, Kate brushed off the snow, picked up the ring, and headed inside in search of Emmy. She needed to figure out what the hell had just happened. She had no clue why Emmy had reacted the way she had. She wanted, no needed to understand where Emmy was coming from. Even if it hurt and even if it broke her heart. When she found a crumpled, weepy Emmy on the couch in their private quarters, she gathered her courage and entered the room.

  “Hey,” Kate said gingerly.

  “What do you want?” Emmy said, her eyes reddened from crying.

  Kate winced slightly at the harsh tone of Emmy’s voice, but she pushed on. “I get that you’re upset at me. Angry at me apparently, for some unknown reason. I apologize if I’ve offended you. But Emmaline, I have no idea what is going on. One minute I’m starting what I hope will be a memorable and romantic conversation with you and the next, you’re telling me you can’t be with me and running away. I understand if marrying me isn’t what you want. It hurts, but I understand that. It’s your choice. But I do need to understand why. You owe me at least that much.”

  Emmy noted what looked like genuine hurt in Kate’s eyes. If she wasn’t mistaken, Kate had been crying recently. This softened her resolve a bit and made her question whether she’d read things right. But she shook it off. All of the signs told her she was right. And she was not about to commit herself to a relationship, to a woman, who seemed to put her career ahead of that relationship. Put her career ahead of Emmy.

  Kate felt a glimmer of hope flicker through her as she watched a range of emotions play out across Emmy’s expressive face. Hope, love, careful consideration. But then, those expressions were replaced by ones of doubt, of fear, of judgment, of anger. Just as quickly as that flame of hope had erupted, it was extinguished. She saw Emmy’s steely resolve set in and Kate knew she was done for.

  “I’m sorry, but you can’t blame me if I find the timing of this marriage proposal suspect. Right before you’re about to announce one of the biggest proposals of your Presidency – a gay marriage amendment. How convenient that you happened to be engaged and needing a legal gay marriage, right? Come on, Kate. I can see through that so easily. It puts a human face on the issue. Kate Stewart. Gay poster child. And you just assumed I’d happily come along for the ride. I hate to say it, but I’m starting to think Christine was right about you. You’ve been nothing but distant lately. You’re busy. I get it, but you barely stopped for a second to make sure I was alright, that my family was alright. You were so wrapped up in this stupid amendment and your political agenda that you didn’t even care that my family was in danger!” Emmy paused to catch her breath, fresh tears rolling down her face.

  Emmy’s accusations hit her like a ton of bricks. Where had this come from? This was not what she’d expected at all. “I’m sorry . . .” Kate began, hoping to explain herself. However, Emmy cut her off.

  “I’m sorry too. I’m sorry that I trusted my heart, that I let you in. I’m sorry that I let myself get too wrapped up in the fantasy. That someone like you could actually love me for me. No strings, no expectations. In the process, I’ve risked not only my own happiness, but that of my family. It’s a mistake I won’t make again.”

  “Emmaline, I . . .” Kate began again.

  Emmy held up a hand. “No. We’re done here. I’m not going to be won over by one of those charming speeches you’re so good at giving. I meant what I said. I can’t do this any more. I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you, but trust me, I’m hurting too.”

  The words cut through Kate like a hot, searing knife. Did Emmy really think so little of her? That she’d take Christine’s word over her own. Kate sighed in resignation. As much as it killed her, she didn’t have the willpower to fight it anymore. Clearly Emmy had made up her mind. “If that’s what you really think of me, I guess I have no cho
ice to let you go.”

  Emmy nodded, just a brief flicker of self-doubt flashing in her eyes. Kate certainly looked devastated, but Emmy reminded herself to be strong. Politicians were masters of manipulation. It was probably all just an act. “I’ve already asked Director Bell for a transfer. Apparently because of the holiday, we’re short staffed. So I’ll be on your service for a few more days. In the mean time, please, just leave me be.” With that, she left the room.

  Kate collapsed onto the couch in a fit of sobs. How could she have mucked things up so badly? Not only that, but she hadn’t even seen this coming. How could she have been so oblivious? Before the death threats came in, she’d been happily planning the perfect Christmas and the perfect proposal. Then, suddenly, everything had come crashing down around her.

  Allowing herself some time to just be heartbroken, some time to wallow in self-pity, Kate didn’t hear Beth enter the room.

  “Kate. What on earth is the matter? I don’t like getting involved in people’s private lives, but this is the second time in a few days that I’ve found you in a state like this. We’ve got the threat investigation under control, so I’m guessing this isn’t about that. What is going on?” Beth sat gingerly on the couch beside Kate, flailing her hands awkwardly before finally gently patting Kate on the back.

  Before Beth knew what was happening, Kate had pulled her into a tight hug and was weeping opening into her shoulder. Beth awkwardly rubbed Kate’s back, doing her best to comfort the distraught woman in her arms. This was a far cry from the cool, calm, and collected President that Beth was used to dealing with. “What is it, sweetie?” She asked, hoping to figure out and solve Kate’s problem so that she could escape.

  “Emmy . . . she . . . marry . . . left . . .hates me.” Kate said between sobs.

  “Okay, I didn’t get most of that, but I’m guessing you and Harris had a fight?” Beth asked.

  Kate shook her head. Took a deep breath and tried again. “I asked her to marry me.”

  “I take it that it didn’t go well? Those don’t seem like tears of joy,” Beth said.

  “No. She told me that all I thought about was my career. That I’d been cold and distant. That I didn’t care that her family was in danger. That I was just using her to further my political ambitions.”

  “She’s crazy. Don’t worry. She’ll come around. It’s just the stress,” Beth tried, hoping to reassure her.

  “I don’t think so. She’s deadly serious. I just don’t get it. I didn’t see this coming at all,” Kate said as she wiped away some tears. “I thought things were going great. Apparently I was mistaken. And I did take the threats very seriously. You saw how hard I’ve been working with the FBI to track down those bastards. It’s all I think about. It keeps me up at night. How could she not see that?”

  “Did you ever tell her that? Let her see you worry?” Beth asked.

  Kate looked down at her hands and shook her head. “No. I was trying to be strong for her. I didn’t want to worry her any more than I had to.”

  “Well there’s your problem, sweetie. You need to talk to her. And she needs to talk to you too, from the sound of it. Both of you are too caught up in hiding your feelings, in acting like everything is fine. When those feelings finally do come out, well, quite frankly, shit hits the fan. You need to let her see the real you. Even the messy parts. That’s part of being in love. Trusting that person completely. Letting them tear down those walls. So go talk to her.”

  “She won’t listen,” Kate protested.

  “Then you keep trying, keep talking, until she will. If she’s got you this upset, clearly she’s worth the fight.”

  “You’re right,” Kate said. “Thanks, Beth. And uh . . . sorry for ruining your shirt,” Kate gestured to Beth’s tear and snot-stained shoulder.

  Beth smiled and waived her off. “Don’t worry. My son has done much worse to my clothes. This is nothing. Go get your girl.”

  Kate swallowed hard and nodded as Beth took her leave. Beth’s advice really hit home. Kate had been oblivious. A combination of past broken relationships, her military upbringing, and her political career had taught her to protect her emotions. To tuck them away deep down. To act as if everything was under control, even when it wasn’t. Clearly Emmy had taken her stoic attitude as indifference and even coldness. It still hurt that Emmy would trust Christine’s version of herself over what Kate had shown her. However, if she was being completely honest with herself, she hadn’t done her best to always give Emmy a reason to trust. If she couldn’t trust Emmy with her emotions, all of her emotions, not just the good ones, then why should Emmy trust her?

  Resolved to seek out Emmy in the morning, Kate dragged herself to bed. After all, whether or not she had resolved her own personal problems, she still had a big speech to give the next day.

  * * * * *

  Emmy had a rough and fitful night of sleep. She couldn’t help but let the doubt invade. Had she made the right call? Everything in her heart was yearning, screaming at her, telling her she’d made a terrible mistake. But her head, it was telling her a different story. She wanted so badly to believe that Kate had only the best intentions at heart, but the evidence of late suggested differently.

  Kate had made an attempt to talk to her again this morning, but Emmy had once again pushed her away. She wasn’t ready, not yet anyhow, to hear what Kate had to say. Deep down, she knew it was because she didn’t trust herself to stand firm. She didn’t trust her heart not to give in, to tell Kate she’d made a big mistake. To beg Kate to take her back. So she pushed her away. It was her only defense.

  Emmy sighed to herself as she accompanied Kate to the stage where she’d deliver her landmark speech. As Kate began to speak, Emmy struggled to focus on the job at hand. The place was crawling with agents, given the recent threats, but Emmy knew she had to be hyper-vigilant. And whether or not she was romantically involved with Kate, she still had a duty to protect her.

  Kate’s speech was going well. She felt good as she delivered each word, each line, which had been carefully crafted over the past few days. She somehow had managed to push her troubles with Emmy to the back of her mind, to just live in the moment as she called for this historic law. All of a sudden, out of the corner of her eye, Kate noticed a man nearing the front of the crowd, moving with purpose. Her heart dropped as she realized what this meant, who this man probably was. Though she didn’t recognize him, his intentions were written all over his face.

  Emmy clearly had seen him at that exact moment as well, as Kate felt Emmy moving towards her just as the man raised his arm, a gun extended. Kate paused her speech. From the sudden silence, a gunshot erupted.

  Emmy had seen the man and the evil intent in his eyes. She dove to cover Kate just as he raised his gun, but before she knew what was happening, Kate had pushed her aside. Kate had covered Emmy’s body with her own.

  And Kate had taken that bullet.

  Emmy saw a look of shock and apology in Kate’s blue eyes as she crumpled to the ground. Chaos erupted around them, but Emmy couldn’t hear anything. Her heartbeat was thundering in her ears as blood seeped through the shirt of the woman she loved. Yes, the woman she still loved. Emmy quickly put pressure on the wound.

  A few tears rolled down Emmy’s face as she looked down at Kate. “Why? Why did you jump in front of me? Why Kate?” she asked.

  Kate gasped, clearly struggling to breath. “Because . . . Because I love you more than life itself.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Emmy responded. She noticed Kate’s eyes glaze over. “Help is on the way. You stay with me, you hear?” Emmy said, openly sobbing as she struggled to contain the blood. By this time, medics had arrived and were taking over.

  “Emmali . . .” Kate started to say. However, losing consciousness, she didn’t finish.

  “You stay with me!!!” Emmy screamed again, franticly.

  As they wheeled Kate away, Emmy collapsed onto the floor, her hands and shirt covered in Kate’s blood. How could she hav
e been so stupid? So blind? She’d been offered everything she ever wanted and she’d just thrown it away. And now, it might be too late.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity, but Emmy hardly noticed. People spoke to her, offering their condolences and prayers. She heard the words, but they didn’t register. It was as if she was underwater. The messages were muddled. She couldn’t focus on anything other than the cold and hard fact: That Kate had been shot. That Kate had risked her life. For her. That Kate might die. And it would be all her fault.

  Somehow, through the fog, she gathered that Kate’s internal injuries were critical. She’d been rushed into emergency surgery and the best doctors in the city were working on her. Somehow, Emmy had been hoping for the miracle, like what happens in the movies. The hero gets shot, but it turns out it’s in a non-vital area. Or a coin in her pocket miraculously stopped the bullet. Not so. She’d been told, in no uncertain terms, that Kate, that the love of her life, could die on that operating table. That was something that she was not prepared for. Something she would never be prepared for.