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Tina patted Jen’s hand. “Well then, I don’t see any other serious injuries, except I do want to monitor you overnight for a concussion. I know it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, but you’re a lucky woman. You survived, and you have a lot of love and support to help you recover. Your injuries will all heal over the next few days. We’re going to take care of your hand, get you some meds for the pain, get an x-ray of your head just as a precaution, and then I think I can trust your doctor boyfriend here to help you clean up and get settled for the night once we get you into a private room. I’m afraid you’re going to have to deal with some questions from the police at some point. I’ll hold them off for as long as I can, but once you’re released from the ER, I’m afraid there won’t be much I can do.”

“We understand, Tina. Thank you for all you’ve done.” She squeezed my shoulder and then issued some orders to the nurse who had been listening sympathetically in the background. I knew this staff would have done the same for anyone who came through the emergency room doors, but when it was one of their own, it felt like things moved faster. Meds were quickly delivered, her hand was wrapped, and arrangements for the x-ray happened faster than I’d ever witnessed. Just before they wheeled her to radiology, she pulled me close. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what, kitten?”

“Mark said you wouldn’t want me if he cut me. That you only liked pretty faces.”

“That’s bullshit, baby. I hope you know that. You own me, heart and soul.”

“I know. That’s why I wanted to thank you. For giving me my dream, for loving me the way you do.” Her eyes were still bright with moisture. My own filled at her words. I bent down to kiss her and tasted the combination of our tears as our lips met.

“Starlight wishes and salty kisses. Seems to be our theme, kitten. I love you. I’ll be here when you come back.”

“Love you, too, Doc.”

The tech cleared his throat, but he had a smile on his face. “I’m sorry. They’re waiting for us.” I nodded and kissed my girl one more time, holding her hand until it was pulled away as the gurney moved.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Doctor Cranston, but now that you’ve got a break, everyone wants to know how Jen is doing. Obviously, we aren’t allowed to say anything ourselves, but maybe you could relieve some of the concern. There’s also an officer who wants to talk to you.” The nurse who had assisted Jen from the beginning spoke up. “Oh, and you might want to change clothes before you go out to the lobby.”

I looked down. I hadn’t even realized how much blood covered me, from my shirt all the way to my shoes. “Right,” I grimaced. “Could you get me a bag? These are trash.” Not that I’d ever want to wear them again anyway; I’d always associate them with the events of today.

Sure enough, I stepped out of the cubicle where Jen had been treated to find a uniformed officer leaning against the wall next to the door. He straightened up as soon as he saw me. As much as I wanted to wash the filth off me, I knew how this worked. He introduced himself as Officer Carl Seiver. I could only tell him what I saw when I walked in and Mark’s first name and that he was a former boyfriend who had beaten her in the past. He asked a couple basic questions to clarify and then finished by asking if I had attempted to assist Mark with his injuries. I couldn’t stop my scowl as I answered yes. He looked at me sympathetically. “I’d like to think I’d do the same, but not sure I wouldn’t have given it another twist,” he grunted. I didn’t tell him that if Alex hadn’t been my conscience at the moment, I might have done just that.

Anxious to be ready when Jen was done in radiology, I grabbed a fast shower to wash off the blood and dirt of the afternoon and changed into a spare set of scrubs and shoes that I kept in a locker. I walked back to the main area of the ER, and just as Michelle had said, quickly found myself surrounded by fellow employees who weren’t directly working with patients at the moment, all wanting to make sure Jen was going to be okay. If they hadn’t known I was dating Jen, they certainly knew now. I was nearly overwhelmed by the heartfelt words of sympathy and promises to keep Jen in their prayers. They only knew the basic details, that Jen had been attacked. I didn’t fill them in on the specifics. There were a couple gossips hungry for more info, but I ignored them. A couple nurses had tears in their eyes as they gave me a hug and asked me to give their best wishes to Jen.

I made my way to the waiting room where I was certain I would find my friends. Sure enough, Kayla flew out of her chair and into my arms. Certainly she must have freaked when she saw the amount of blood on her husband, who was already wearing clean clothes. “Oh, God, Tyler. Please tell me she’s alright.” I squeezed her tight as her tears darkened the green scrub shirt I had on.

She was even shorter than Jen as I bent to rest my head on top of hers while I hugged her tight. Alex held my gaze as he waited for my answer. “She will be. Mostly superficial bruises, a couple burns, and possibly a concussion. But considering . . .” I didn’t need to finish the thought. We all knew how many different ways the evening could have ended. Alex pulled me into a hug next. We’d been here before, only our positions were reversed. I’m not sure I’d have made it through the afternoon if it hadn’t been for Alex.

Kayla wiped her eyes. She blew out a breath. “Can we see her?”

I explained about the x-ray and need to get Jen settled first. “We’ll wait a bit longer to make sure she’s going to be okay, but we won’t stay long,” Alex said. “I know you want some time alone with her. You need it.” He slapped me on the back as he stepped back. We both understood Kayla wouldn’t be able to rest until she saw for herself that Jen was okay.

“Who would do this to her, Tyler?” Kayla’s voice trembled in anger.

I glanced at Alex. He put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. He had focused on the emergency at hand and never stopped to ask if I knew who the attacker was. “It was Mark,” I said.

“Mark?” she gasped. “Why would he do this? Where did he come from?” She vocalized the same questions we all had but didn’t have the answers for. She paled and sagged against Alex before sinking into a chair. She ran a tired hand over her eyes. “I always suspected he might hit her, but she never said anything,” she whispered. Alex still looked shocked and confused, but he remained silent. I knew he’d ask when the timing was better.

“Dr. Cranston?” a voice called. I looked up to see Michelle. “She’s in her room now. She’s asking for you.”