He could hear someone crying and knew instantly he was in a drug-induced state. He’d been put under plenty of times before. Basic knee operations, two of them, an appendix removal, and a simple medical procedure. But this time, for the life of him, he couldn’t remember what he’d had done.

Was that his mother? He tried once more to open his eyes, but they were glued shut. That, or taped. He focused all his attention on just getting one eye open and when he succeeded, groaned when everything was too fuzzy to see clearly.

“Damn it,” he tried to say, but it came out as just a loud mumble.

The crying stopped instantly and soft hands grabbed his.

“Easy,” a soft voice said next to his ear. “I’m here.”

That was reassuring. If only he knew who it was that was speaking.

He tried to think back on where he was, what he’d been doing last. Then, quickly, a face flashed behind his eyes and concern flooded him.

“Crystal?” he called out as both of his eyes slammed open.

“Yes, I’m here. Easy.” Her free hand landed on his shoulder, holding him in place. “Don’t, you’ll hurt yourself.”

Her blue eyes looked down at him, flooded with tears and concern, and he stilled.

“Are you hurt?” His mind was still foggy and he wished someone would have asked him if he wanted any damn drugs before shooting him up.

“No.” She smiled and brushed a hand softly down his forehead. “I’m fine.”

“What?” He swallowed. “Where am I?”

“Silver Cove hospital,” she said, her eyes closing.

He closed his own and laid his head back. The last thing he remembered was climbing her front steps. Then… nothing.

“You were shot,” she said softly.

His body jerked in reaction. “Me?” He instantly ran his mind over every part of his body, only to come up without so much as a sore muscle. “I feel fine,” he replied. She chuckled as she wiped a tear away from her face.

“It’s the drugs.”

He nodded. “Yeah, even my nose is numb.”

She chuckled again and moved closer to him until she was just a breath away. “They pulled the bullet out of you. It was only an inch and a half shy of hitting anything important.”

“Who?” he asked, opening his eyes again.

Crystal shook her head. “You were on top of me, shielding me. I… didn’t see.”

He sighed. “Can I stop the drugs?” he asked, looking around after he felt warmth spread in his arm. He knew instantly he was hooked up to an IV.

“I’ll get the doctor.” She moved to go, but he tightened his hand and held onto hers.

“I’m sorry,” he sighed. “I should have…”

“No.” She shook her head and more tears rolled down her cheeks. “This is all my fault.” She dropped his hand quickly and disappeared.

When the door to his room opened again, a stern-looking older gentlemen he assumed was his doctor came into the room, followed by Rowan and a nurse.

“There he is.” Rowan smiled. “Knew you’d come out of this like a champion.” He moved over and checked the monitor and tried to hide a slight frown.

“Still high?” he asked without looking.

“It’s getting there,” Rowan answered truthfully.

Rory glanced around the room and frowned. “Where is Crystal?”

“She needed a break. Kayla was going to take her downstairs and grab some food while we look you over.” Rowan nodded to the other gentlemen. “This is Dr. Collins. He’s the surgeon that helped me pull the bullet out of you.”

“Hi.” He nodded to the man. “Is she okay?”

“She’ll be fine. She just needs some time. She’s been by your side all night.”

He nodded and lay back as Rowan and Dr. Collins checked him over.

“So?” he asked when they were done.

“Everything looks good. Once we see those numbers go down a few more notches, we’ll let you get up and move around. We’ll keep you for a few days.”

He sighed. “Any news on what the police have found?” he asked Rowan after Dr. Collins left the room.

“No.” Rowan ran his hands through his hair. “The video shows a person in all black enter the house less than five minutes before you two arrived. They waited in the entrance, then when they heard you out front, shot through the open door and ran away once you were on the ground.”

“So, was it a burglary?” he asked.

“Nothing was taken,” Rowan shook his head and sat down. “Whoever it was, the camera couldn’t get a clear view of their face due to the angle.”

“Was it Joe?” he asked instantly.

“Could be. Brock and Tom took him in for questioning last night, shortly after you were brought in, but the last I heard, they released him this morning. Ben’s down at the station now, trying to find out something further.”

“When he gets back, tell him to stop by and fill me in.” He moved to sit up, but Rowan rushed forward and quickly raised the bed.

“Use this for now. You’ll want to stay away from using your left side for a while.”

He nodded and mumbled, “Thanks,” just as a knock sounded on the door.

“Come in,” he called quickly. The door opened and Crystal, Serenity, and Ben filed in.

“How are you feeling?” Ben moved closer and looked down at him, but Rory’s eyes stayed locked on Crystal. Sarah held onto her mother’s arm as if to hold her up. Crystal was pale and looked beyond tired. He imagined he didn’t look much better.

Shifting slightly, he motioned for Crystal to sit beside him. Sarah nudged her towards his bed, then followed and sat in the chair.

“So?” he asked when everyone was settled.

“Joe had an alibi.” Ben spoke first. “He was still at Serenity’s. We have him on the security tapes”

“He told the police he’d spent almost an hour after class clearing out his items from the back room,” Sarah added. “After the class, he was alone, yet… they let him go.”

“They didn’t have any evidence to hold him. He’s still a suspect, but… He doesn’t have a gun registered to him,” Ben added.

“That doesn’t mean anything. You can get guns anywhere. Borrow them, steal them… Too many options,” Sarah added.

“Is there anything you remember?” Ben asked.

His eyes moved back to Crystal’s as he shook his head slowly. “I don’t fully remember going up the stairs to the front porch.”

He held his hand out for Crystal to take, but she just looked down at his extended hand instead.

“Is everything alright?” he asked her.

“I… it’s all my fault,” she whispered. Suddenly, everyone else in the room faded away. This time when he reached for her, he gripped her hand and tugged gently until she moved closer to him.

“I don’t see how this is your fault.” He pulled again until she sat next to him. He reached up and touched her face. “You didn’t pull the trigger. You didn’t have anything to do with any of this.”

Her blue eyes filled again and she leaned closer, touching his face with her hands. “I should have done something. Broken it off sooner. I could have handled things differently.”

“Classic behavior.” He nudged her chin up until her eyes met his again. “You’re better than this. Stronger.”

She sighed, and he could tell she was thinking about everything. “You’re right.” She nodded after a moment, then smiled. “Of course.”

* * *

Crystal watched Rory sleep and thought about everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.

She hated that she was still thinking in the back of her mind that she was the cause. Rory had been right, she was too strong to allow herself to take on the blame. Still, getting involved with someone like Joe had been selfish and stupid. Even after her own daughter had warned her away from the man, she hadn’t listened.

She would have never believed that Joe would harm anyone. But she supposed that money had forced men to do stranger things.

She felt so naive. Hiding herself away all these years. Pretending that evil doesn’t exist. Hell, she hadn’t even been outside of her home state. What did she know of the world, really?

Her mind whirled so fast. Why hadn’t she seen all of this coming in the cards. She’d known Joe was a burning fuse, especially after how he’d treated her during his last visit.

When Rory stirred, she moved back to his side and took his hand in her own.

“Morning.” She smiled down at him and brushed a strand of his dark hair away from his forehead. “How are you feeling today?”

“Hungry.” He smiled up at her. “And wanting to stretch my legs.” He nodded to the restroom and shifted as he tried to stand up.

“Easy.” She helped him. “Are you sure?” she asked when he made to stand up.

“I’m sure. Just hold onto me in case.”

She tried to take some of his weight, but he was almost twice her size. Still, she helped him make his way towards the restroom.

“I’ll be right outside.” She left him holding onto the railing with his good arm.

“I’ll try to be quick, but I’d do anything for a shower.” He glanced over at the stall beside him.

“If you need me…” She shut the door slightly, but kept it open a slight crack so she could hear if he needed her help.

He called her when he was finished and she was helping him back to the bed just as a knock sounded at the door.

“Come,” he called out.

A nurse entered the room.

“Wonderful!” She smiled at them. “It looks like you’re already up and about.” She walked over and checked his vitals. “Much better today.” She nodded with encouragement. “I’m sure the doctor will allow you to leave today. After he checks on you himself. They’ll be bringing you some breakfast soon,” she called out as she made her way out of the room.

Less than an hour later, her family showed up again. Ben carried a small bag with him. She’d asked that they bring a change of clothes for Rory.

“Morning.” Serenity smiled.

Rory was eating his breakfast and his eyes brightened when he saw the bag of clothes.

“My saviors.” He smiled and waved them into the room with his good hand. “I was just telling Crystal how much I wanted a shower and my own clothes.”

“I’ll help you after you finish eating.” Ben set the bag down. “We have some news.”

“Oh?” Crystal asked.

“Joe has left town,” Serenity added.

“What?” Crystal stood up quickly.