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“Thank you,” Alex said, touching his arm. She turned to Morgan. “I’m alright, I’m okay.”

Keeping her hand from moving to check every part of her was the hardest thing Morgan ever did. “I want to check.”

“I’m fine, I promise.” Alex smiled and let her eyes do the talking.I want you, they said.I need you,they said.I know it’s hard, they said.

A loud banging on the door made them both jump away from one another.

“Who is it?” Mike shouted, holding the door firmly closed with his weight as well as the locks that slid across and would be utterly useless if anyone really wanted to get in.

“Open the god damn door.” The American accent was loud and clear.

“It’s Francine,” he said, looking to Alex for permission to let her in.

Alex nodded, and Mike slid the lock across and yanked the handle down quickly. The door opened and a harried-looking Francine pushed through it, followed by the police.

“You alright?” she asked, looking at Alex and then the others. “Is she hurt?” she asked Morgan, who shook her head.

“No, she’s fine.”

“I’m okay, just feeling a little shaken,” Alex answered, stepping back towards Morgan, moving as close as she could get without being obvious. She needed her, needed to feel the warmth of her.

“Good, that’s good.” Francine exhaled, blowing out her cheeks. “It’s fucking carnage out there.”

“Is everyone alright?” Alex asked.

Siba stepped forward. “There was a bit of a stampede to get out, but nothing too serious, and my officers are dealing with an orderly situation now.

Morgan closed the space between herself and Alex. Her right hand, unable to not touch any longer, pressed against the small of Alex’s back, allowing the heat between them to pass through more easily.

“Do we know what it was?” she asked Siba.

“We’ve got the chapel being searched now,” Siba answered. “We don’t think it was anyone firing a gun. I think it was just meant to scare you, but not harm you.”

Alex finally slumped backwards against Morgan, not caring any longer what anyone might think. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” Morgan whispered.

“Can we leave?” Francine asked Siba. “Or do we need to be here?”

“You can go, but I’d advise waiting until we’ve completely emptied the chapel and finished with the search both inside and out. Whatever this was, someone might still be around, wanting to enjoy the chaos,” Siba warned.

“Why can’t I just have a simple life?” Alex bemoaned, turning into Morgan’s arms. She felt the heat of tears spring and wanted to bury her face and hide away from it all.

“Can we just have a minute?” Morgan asked, taking control of the situation. When nobody moved, she added, “Alone, please.”

The room emptied out, all except for Francine, who stood there watching as each one left. When she turned, she found Morgan staring at her. Pointing to her own chest, she said, “Me?”

“Everyone, yes,” Morgan demanded. “As her doctor, I’m asking for some space to treat my patient.”

Francine glared at her, her gaze held by a determined Morgan Kelly.

“Fine, I’ll be outside.” Francine finally gave in and exited the room, closing the door behind her with a gentle click of the lock.

Turning her attention to Alex, Morgan pulled her close, wrapping her arms around the now-shaking shoulders and allowing Alex to let her emotions get the better of her. Fingertips grasped at her dress, the wetness of tears dripped down her bare chest, but she wouldn’t let go, not now. Not when Alex needed her like this.

“It’s alright, let it out.”

For a few minutes they stood, clinging silently together until the sobbing subsided and the sniffing started. Morgan leaned back and smiled at the face in front of her. Mascara ran and blacked her eyes. Looking down, Morgan noticed the same stain against her chest.

“What do you want to do?” she asked Alex gently. She reached for a make-pad and some cleanser. Dribbling a little cleanser onto the pad, she wiped Alex’s face.