Mac didn’t know what to do about Roz. She seemed… brittle, and he worried that if he did anything she would completely shatter. He held her hand as he led her into the suite. There were supplies stocked on one of the counters. Looked like clothing and food and toiletries. A little bit of everything. There were even a couple of books, it looked like. He glanced at her, wondering if he dared let go of her hand. She’d had a death grip on it for the past two hours.

“Don’t give me that look,” she complained.

Mac paused in surprise. “What look?”

“Like you’re going to have to Google the closest looney bin. I’m okay, just shook up.”

Deliberately, she opened her hand and moved away, checking the rooms. Then she went into the bathroom and he heard water running.

Mac felt for her. He really did. She’d been attacked before, he was pretty sure, and this would just bring all that trauma back up. He knew she’d had some kind of settlement with her former work, but not what the details were. He wished he did. Maybe he could help her better.

Crossing to the concierge counter, he powered up the little single serve Keurig. Maybe an herbal tea, right now. No coffee.

When Roz exited the bathroom, her face had been washed and she looked a little more clear-eyed. Mac handed her the insulated cup. “Sugar? Or milk? It’s herbal tea.”

She blinked down at the cup. “Maybe some sugar.”

He handed her a couple of packets, then waved her to the couch. She sank down into it and set the tea aside. Mac could see how tired she was, so he hoped that if she got warm and relaxed she would fall back asleep. It had been a late night, and an even earlier morning for them. They needed more rest.

Making a cup of tea for himself, he doctored it up, then sank into the armchair at the end of the couch. Cradling the cup in his hands he let his head fall back against the cushions.

It had been crazy in Andromeda’s apartment for a while. When he’d heard the snick of the door mechanism and seen the shadow moving into his room, he’d reacted on pure instinct. As soon as he’d recognized the threat he’d done what he’d needed to in order to take it out. Him out. Mac didn’t know if he was supposed to feel bad or not. He definitely did not. The lives of three friends and countless other innocents were still here because he’d done what he’d done.

Then when he’d crept out and seen the gray-haired man holding Roz at gunpoint, he’d been livid. She didn’t even like men in her house. He couldn’t imagine how she was feeling with a man she didn’t know about to kill her, his arms holding her captive.

“I haven’t thanked you for what you did,” she murmured suddenly.

Ah, they were both thinking about the incident. He rolled his head up and looked at her.

“I didn’t do anything. I think between what you did and what Parker was about to do, everything would have turned out okay without my intervention.”

Roz looked at him directly. “Parker would have taken a shot that may or may not have struck me, you and I both know it. He would have done anything to protect Andromeda.”

Mac looked at her, frowning. “I think you underestimate Parker. He would have hit him. I don’t think he wanted to, though, because that would have been the end of the investigation. It’s hard to question a dead man.”

Like the guy on Andromeda’s office floor.

“I think,” he continued, “everything happened the way it needed to. Perfectly. You hitting him the way you did gave everyone else a direction to follow. I’m very proud of you for doing that.”

Suddenly her eyes filled with tears and she nodded. “I can’t tell you how scared I was. But I couldn’t let it just happen again.”

Rocking forward in his chair, Mac held a hand out to her. He wasn’t sure if she would take it or not, but he would offer her every bit of comfort she would take.

Roz blinked and stared at his hand. Mac could see the internal struggle, but she reached out anyway. She’d been holding his hand for hours after the incident, but when she’d gained a little perspective and distance she’d started to close up and retreat back into herself. He didn’t want that. He curled his fingers around her own.

Then she surprised him by tugging on his hand. Following her pull, Mac left the chair and sat on the couch beside her. Then, totally disarming him, she curled in against his chest.

Mac’s heart was pounding because less than four hours ago he had killed a man, but she was turning to him for comfort. As his arms settled around her oh, so gently, he decided they both needed the comfort. For a long time they just sat there, sharing warmth and support. Mac didn’t think she was crying, but she was definitely trembling, and he was very careful not to do any more than what she’d given him.

“I want to go back to my cabin, Mac,” she whispered. “I need to go back to my cabin.”

His heart sank at the thought of her leaving. “I understand. Completely. If I had that option I would as well. There’s a very strong healing energy there.”

She was silent for a long time. “Y-you’re welcome to come back with me.”

Mac thought he had misheard. “I’m sorry?”

“You’re welcome to come back with me,” she said more strongly. “I think I might like the company. Andromeda will be staying with Parker, but I can’t stay here.” She drew back to look him in the eyes. “Will you go back to the cabin with me for a while?”

How could he deny her anything? Her big blue eyes were laden with heartbreak, and a strong dash of fear. Without even stopping to consider what he was agreeing to, he nodded his head. “Of course I will. Besides,” he paused. “You still haven’t given me the recipe for your biscuits.”

That startled a laugh from her and a squeeze around the neck, then she pulled away.

“I’m going to go lay down for a while.”

A flicker of fear crossed her face and Mac knew what it was. He’d seen that look on men he’d served with. “If you leave your door open, I’ll be right here reading my book.”

Relief eased through her expression and she nodded. Walking into the bedroom she pushed the door almost shut. Mac could see the bed coverings moving as she climbed into the bed and covered up. He sighed as he pulled a book from his pocket and debated getting coffee to stay awake for her.

Who needed sleep anyway?