Kate is out of the infirmary, but they've decided to stay another night in Milliways. The day is just starting in Wheelsy, and it'll be good for them both to get a night of sleep in before heading out again
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His hand stills and he tries hard not to let himself tense.
"Phone calls?"
Neither of them has brought it up before. He's answered a few, all hang ups as soon as he picks up the line, but since they haven't talked about it he doesn't know if they've been worse for her.
Her eyes open; she doesn't say anything for a long moment.
"I want you just as safe as you want me."
She licks her lips, knowing they're dipping their toes into a familiar argument, and certain she's about to wade in up to her waist.
"But I don't want to be someone you feel like you have to shelter."
One corner of her mouth lifts in a wry half-smile, and it's gone before she realizes it was ever there.
"I know I'm in no position to say this now, when I let myself get so run down, but I'm not some weak little girl, Bill. I don't want to be a distraction for you, when you've got other things -- work, important cases -- to focus on."
A hesitant beat, then two, and her fingers curl into the cotton of his T-shirt.
"I'm worried about the phone calls."
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"Phone calls?"
Neither of them has brought it up before. He's answered a few, all hang ups as soon as he picks up the line, but since they haven't talked about it he doesn't know if they've been worse for her.
"I'm sure they're nothin', Kate."
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She presses her lips together briefly.
"But maybe not -- I don't know, there's never an ID, and the caller never says anything."
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It still makes him mad, though.
"S'just someone thinks they're funny."
He tightens his hold on her, trying to reassure her (and maybe himself).
"But, I'll look into it. I'll get 'em t'stop."
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"You'll put a trace on the house line?"
Please.
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"Yeah. An' if it comes to it, I can change the number."
Anything to help her feel better.
"For now, maybe you just outta let the machine get it. I'll tell folks who call the most that they gotta talk to it before you'll answer."
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She lifts her head; her palm leaves his chest to cradle his cheek, and she kisses the corner of his mouth.
"But thank you."
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"I'd of done somethin' before, but I-- y'didn't tell me it was upsettin' you so much."
He should have asked, he knows that, but sometimes she keeps too much from him.
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Looking away, she swallows back an unfair How could you not know?
Her eyes close.
"I thought maybe they would stop," she says finally.
"And -- "
A breath.
"I didn't want to give you something else to feel responsible for."
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"If somethin's worryin' you, if you don't feel safe, then I'm supposed t'take care of it."
Her eyes are closed, but his stay focused on her.
"That ain't just my job, Kate, it's what I ought to be doin', for you."
As your man.
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"I want you just as safe as you want me."
She licks her lips, knowing they're dipping their toes into a familiar argument, and certain she's about to wade in up to her waist.
"But I don't want to be someone you feel like you have to shelter."
One corner of her mouth lifts in a wry half-smile, and it's gone before she realizes it was ever there.
"I know I'm in no position to say this now, when I let myself get so run down, but I'm not some weak little girl, Bill. I don't want to be a distraction for you, when you've got other things -- work, important cases -- to focus on."
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It is an old argument, one he can't step away from.
"But I still got a responsibility t'you. It's when I'm not livin' up to that, that it becomes a distraction."
He's trying to explain, but doesn't know how to make her understand.
"I'm not tryin' to shelter you, an' I ain't sayin' you can't handle it, I'm sayin' you shouldn't have to. Not alone."
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Relenting, some of the tension leaves her shoulders. She's tired -- they both are -- and they don't need to talk themselves in circles right now.
"I'm sorry -- I should've talked to you about the calls sooner."
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Like her, he decides this isn't something they need to do now, and nods.
"I'm sorry I didn't bring it up before. I knew the calls were comin', an' I know you haven't been restin' so well."
There's guilt and apology in his voice that he can't cover.
"I didn't put the two t'gether."
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"Don't," she says, gentle but firm. "This is what I'm afraid of -- you blaming yourself."
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He stops himself from saying the words, tilting his chin into her touch.
"I just don't like t'see bad things happen t'you."
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