Madness

Garret struggles to keep his eyes open, but it isn't easy. He's just ready to slip back into a strange sort of sleep when his ears pick up a soft sound. Someone walking... tiptoeing. His eyes felt like dead weights. Then he heard the sweetest sound on earth. Her voice. Relief sweeps through him. He had been so afraid she had been hurt as well. But she was here.

"Vic?" His throat hurt and he wasn't sure why. Feeling her pick up his hand, and her soft kiss, his lips form a small smile. He's finally able to crack open his eyes and he swallows hard. "It wasn't silly," he manages hoarsely. "I'll get..." Coughing, he winces. "...get promoted for... saving Harkins." 

Coughing again, pain shoots through his side and his grip on Victoria's hand automatically tightened. He wouldn't say it, but he hoped he was being well taken care of. There were no hospital visits for people who worked or lived here. There was too much risk in security for that. 

Closing his eyes again, he can feel the sweat trickle down his temple. "Of all the stupid... One day.... one day I'll get paid for... for something more than-" Choking on another cough, his body warned him not to keep talking. "...more than saving lives of... of pompous targets." His fever had loosened his tongue, putting him in a dangerous position. "It's madness... pure... madness." 

Forcing his eyes back open, he could just make out Victoria's face in the dim light. "You're the only thing that makes sense..."

You could always dump him. 

After sending his reply, Hunter wasn't so sure he should have. Taking another swig from his bottle, he types out another quick text. 

Sorry. We be thick headed most of the time. 

Id buy u a drink but u dont drink.

Every morning always has a sunrise. 

Just wait for it. 

Hitting "send," Hunter rolls his eyes. Finding his bottle empty, he waves for another one. Every morning always has a sunrise. That had been something he'd been told once... a long time ago. He'd quit believing it. Yet now he was passing it along. Did that make him a hypocrite? Or did he, deep down, still believe it? 

Kaylee gives Trey a hug around his neck and a sloppy kiss on the cheek, giggling for reasons only she knew. 

Having Trey pull her close too, Cindy returns his hug warmly. For the first time, she was holding the son she had not even known existed. And nothing could replace that feeling. "Yes... I'll call you." 

It wasn't until she was driving back to the hotel that the tears finally spilled over. She wasn't sure whether there was more pain or gladness in her heart right now. No matter. She must go on. She must go home. She must survive. 

Justin doesn't let go of Beth's hand yet and he gives her a soft smile. Seeing that shy little look in her eye made his own eyes twinkle. Maybe he'd known all along that she'd been waiting, and that's what had scared him the most. It felt rather silly now. 

"Yeah, you make sense." He nods. Lifting one hand, he rests his palm against her cheek. "I'm not disappointed," he reassures quietly. "I'm proud of you... no matter what you decide." He meant it too. He was jealous, and he did care for her, and he did want more than friendship, even if he hadn't been able to admit it until now. But... in the end... even if she opted for Zach... he'd be proud of her. 

"Just don't leave me in limbo too long, okay? I've got a weaker heart than most people know."