Kimberley Andersen, at just 25, is leaving behind a shadowy career with a secret organization she was involved with since the age of 16. Her decision to join the LAPD marks her attempt to live a more normal life and work alongside her mother, Captai...
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Kim lay back in the hospital bed, still groggy, her mind trying to piece together everything that had happened. Her body ached, and her throat was dry, but the fog that had consumed her for days was finally lifting. She could hear the steady beeping of the machines, the soft murmur of voices outside the door. The faces of the people she loved began to form clearer in her mind—her mom, Tim, Angela, and the rest of her team. They'd all been here, waiting for her.
Zoe sat beside her, her hand still wrapped around Kim's. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"
Kim swallowed, her throat sore. "Like I got hit by a truck," she muttered, her voice scratchy but with a hint of her usual sarcasm. "What happened, exactly?"
Zoe hesitated, not wanting to overwhelm her, but before she could respond, the door opened, and Tim walked in, followed closely by Angela and the others. Tim's face was a mixture of relief and worry, his eyes locking onto Kim's the moment he stepped inside.
"You were shot," Tim said, his voice gentle but steady. "It was touch-and-go for a while, but you pulled through."
Kim frowned, the memory slowly coming back to her. The mission, the gunshot, the darkness that followed. "How long...?"
"A few days," Angela chimed in, standing at the foot of the bed, her arms crossed but her eyes soft. "You gave us all a hell of a scare, Kim. But you made it through."
Kim looked around at them, the weight of what they were saying settling in. They had all been here for her, waiting, hoping she would wake up. A lump formed in her throat, not from pain, but from the overwhelming love she felt in that moment.
Tim moved closer to the bed, his voice low. "You don't have to worry about anything, okay? We've got you."
Kim's gaze softened as she looked at him, memories of his words from before surfacing in her mind, though they were blurry. She could sense the depth of his concern, the way he hovered close but didn't want to crowd her.
"I'm... sorry," Kim whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to scare you guys."
Tim let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You've got nothing to apologize for. You just need to focus on getting better."
Angela nodded, her usual tough exterior softening for a moment. "Yeah, we'll handle everything else. Just take it easy, alright? And don't think you're getting out of work that easily," she added with a small smirk.
Kim smiled weakly, grateful for the levity. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The doctor returned, reminding everyone that Kim needed rest. One by one, they filed out, each of them giving her gentle words of encouragement before they left. But Tim lingered behind, his hand brushing over hers as he looked at her, his expression serious.
