Never Break the Chain

Part 5 NSFW

Getting shot was never part of the plan, but it was always an option she had to consider. She was already marked and scarred, not the first time she'd been shot, but the first time in the shoulder. Needless to say, it fucking hurt.

Staggering, bloody through the streets was awkward enough, being shirtless turned it into a circus attraction. She had to shove with her good arm through concerned passersby and made her way as quickly as she could to her bike. It was a good trek, but far away from the action. She had a jacket in the side bag, and that had one problem fixed. The other, a much larger one was leaking out of her sleeve and throbbing through her entire body every time she moved, which was as little as she could manage. Being the sinful girl scout she was, she was always prepared, which meant knowing where she could go if she was shot. It was always a smart move to have blackmail on a veterinarian. She wobbly directed her bike with only one truly useful arm and braced herself for a very painful experience.

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As soon as his eyes opened in the hospital room, he was being asked questions. The last thing you want to do after losing so much blood and being shot with surgery on top of that was be interrogated. But here he was. After giving his signature attitude that no supervisor had ever enjoyed dealing with, he was left alone. He finally knew some peace after a week or so, laying with eyes closed, healing up well he was told, now waiting out infection just to be safe. He'd never passed out from blood loss before, and he would be lying if he didn't feel every second his age while he had been in the hospital. The bare walls and sterile fixtures didn't help make him feel any warmer or comfortable. The pain medicine in his IV did though.

Murphy comes in, an eyebrow raised and a grunt in response to the appearance of his partner was given in acknowledgment.

"I know. I look like shit." Javi smarts, adjusting himself to sit more upright, a pull in his side still noticeable but no longer grating.

"If you're aware of that I guess that marks off one of my theories."

"You? Have a theory?" Javi snarks, leaning back, propped up and hands across his stomach.

"I thought you might've had brain damage." Murphy grins. "Claiming you didn't know who that woman was we saw."

"You didn't say anything did you?"

"Don't insult me, man."

"Good."

"They're pretty fuckin' annoyed with you right now." the observation draws a chuckle from Murphy.

"Good. They're only going to get more mad."

"I can see why you'd wanna protect her though."

A raised eyebrow was all that was needed to ask a question.

"They not tell you about anything that happened after you passed out?"

There's a pause as a wave of subdued anger rises on Javi's face.

"I got to ya first. I peek over the edge of the roof and there she was..." he holds his arms out, a dramatic retelling for no other reason than to take his sweet time and annoy his partner. "You sure can pick 'em Javi. She was standing there like some Colombian centerfold with no shirt on, hair all wild. I would've thought I'd just interrupted you two having a good time if I didn't know better."

"What the fuck are you talking about? Shirtless?"

"Still had her bra on. Unfortunately." Steve huffs out a laugh at him and the annoying twitch in Javi's crow's feet. "She made her shirt into a tourniquet for you, man. It was ripped and holding your guts in. You've got to thank that pretty little lady for saving your ass."