[[ milliways, upstairs ]]

[justdidntseeit]

[ an officer and a gentleman ]

Mr. Spiny is missing.

Kate's searched everywhere -- beneath her bed, in Boo's room, even the freezer, just in case -- and he's is nowhere to be found.

On a quick recon mission, she zips down the hall to see if he's in Bill's room, and --

Oh my god.

Comments

[justdidntseeit]

"You're sure? That's all I do since -- "

The Old Kingdom. That stupid bull. The night in Everett's station.

She swallows the words and shakes her head; this isn't what either of them need right now.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"I know you worry, but if you didn't want me goin' back you coulda said somethin'."

He should have known, but he thought she was okay, he thought she understood.

This isn't what they should be doing right now, his train of thought keeps getting derailed and he doesn't have a solution for anything.

"I can't do this, Kate. I need to figure out what's goin' on. I don't wanna argue with you I -- I gotta think a second."

[justdidntseeit]

"It's not that I don't want you to, Bill -- I know how much you love what you do. I know it's who you are."

Her expression softens and she lets out a quiet breath.

"I don't want to argue, either. You need to find Doc -- maybe he's been to the stables. And he knows Ramon better than I do, he's patched him up before."

She takes another steadying breath, forcing herself to focus on the solution, not the problem.

"Maybe talk to Security, too -- they might be able to help somehow."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

His own expression loses its hard edges as his anger eases, leaving concern and exhaustion in its place.

The adrenaline from the fight with Katherine and Ramon is long gone and now all Bill has is a huge headache and more problems that he didn't need.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Bill lifts his hand to his face and rubs his temples.

"I need to talk to Doc, see what he knows an tell him t'keep away from Ramon. An' then -- "

The words break off and he turns his head sharply as a realization hits.

"Does Ramon know 'bout me an' you?"

[justdidntseeit]

Gently, "No."

He's shaken and pale, and he looks so worn; she closes the distance between them and puts what she hopes is a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"After the things he told me -- god, sweetheart, I didn't want him to know about you. And I'm sorry -- "

Her voice cracks.

"I'm sorry."

I'm sorry you're in this position. It's a fight that wasn't yours to begin with.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He reaches his hand up to take hers, urging her closer so he can wrap his arm around her.

"S'okay. He doesn't know 'bout us, so you an' Boo are safe."

He hopes, because God, if anything happened to them--

"I'll be fine, I'll figure somethin' out. Security is good here in the bar, so I don't see him tryin' nothin' here. S'gonna be alright."

[justdidntseeit]

"Bill -- "

Welcoming the contact, she wraps an arm around his shoulders, and his skin feels clammy against hers.

"I want you to be safe."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"I'm gonna do what I can. Just steer clear of him from now on, please. I'll talk to Doc, an' hopefully Katherine won't run into him again."

Bowing his head against her his thoughts are part prayer against the worst; this could so easily come around to hurt her.

"We'll have to be careful downstairs, might be a good idea not to go down together for awhile. Just t'be safe."

[justdidntseeit]

The back of her throat tickles as she wraps both arms around him and strokes his nape.

"I was gonna have to pull the trigger"

She dips her head to press her lips against his hair.

"It's not me I'm worried about, sheriff."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He leans into her and her touch is welcome.

"I'm okay. Bit stressed I guess, but I'll be alright."

He takes in a slow breath and tightens his arm around her.

"S'gonna be fine."

[justdidntseeit]

A 'bit stressed.'

If the situation weren't so serious, she'd breathe out a laugh at the understatement.

She threads her fingers into his hair and closes her eyes.

"Yeah."

As much as she wants to believe him --

Nothing about this situation is okay.

She pulls back just enough to look down at him, her fingertips smoothing back his hair at his temple.

Apologetically, "I should get back to Boo."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He looks at her and nods, drawing his arm back slowly.

"Yeah. I'll be back in a little bit, gotta take a shower an'... stuff."

He glances towards the guns on the desk then looks back at her.

"Probably best she not come in here for awhile. Gonna give Doc his rifle back, but Ramon's -- "

Giving it back doesn't seem like the smartest idea, not that Bill believes for a second it's the only weapon the man has.

"Just better t'be safe."

[justdidntseeit]

Eyes straying to the firearms, she returns the nod.

"I'll make sure she -- "

She pauses, spotting the tip of a familiar fuzzy muzzle beneath the desk; retrieving Mr. Spiny, she manages a tiny half-smile.

"I was looking for this."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He watches her and gives a faint smile when he sees what she pulls out.

"Didn't know he was in here. She's got so many critters it's hard t'keep track."

[justdidntseeit]

"This one's a favorite, though."

She tucks Mr. Spiny beneath her arm and cradles Bill's pale cheek, tracing his cheekbone with the pad of her thumb.

God, I love you.

"Be careful."

Please.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He reaches up to take her hand, pressing a light kiss against her fingertips before letting go.

"I will."

When she's gone he sits in silence awhile, still trying to gather his thoughts, before heading in for a shower.

After he'll clean the rifle.