Fighting For My Soul

Don't Want No Trouble

The door to the office opened to reveal Raylan, Tim, Rachel, and Ellen Mae. They went straight through and into the conference room. Liz watched as Shelby stood up and hugged the woman. She watched the scene before her finding herself questioning what made people tick. At least she knew now that the case would close and that would be the last time they had to deal with Drew Thompson. Raylan came back to his desk after they finished up with their questioning.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Retrieving Ellen May or the interrogation?" he looked over at her.

"Both," she answered.

"Getting Ellen may was interesting," he said, "Limehouse played hard to get."

"That doesn't surprise me," Liz replied.

"Art and the AUSA are finishing up the interrogation so we're set from here on out," Raylan informed her.

"Awesome," Liz leaned back in her chair, "the time we have to go to Harlan the better."

"Couldn't agree more," Raylan laughed.

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Raylan turned to Liz as curiosity had started to get the better of him. His mind kept going back to how she had been acting nervous earlier. He wasn't sure if it was residual from her PTSD episode, or something else. Plus the fact that she was in the same outfit from yesterday really made him think. He finally broke the silence between them. He was usually good at minding his own, but he needed answers.

"Hey what's up with you earlier?" he asked.

"Nothing why?" she didn't even look away from her computer.

"You're also in the same clothes as yesterday," he pointed out.

"I must have grabbed them and not realized it," she still didn't even look at him, "surprised you noticed."

Raylan had finally decided she was lying to him in one form or another. He got up from his desk and looked down at her.

"Locker room," he stated, "now."

She got up and followed him feeling like a schoolgirl who had just been called out. They walked into the room and Raylan shut the door. He gave her a stern glare.

"Alright Liz," he stated, "we have been friends for a long time and I've never seen you act like this. Yes you've had a lot happen since you left Miami. But I want to know what is going on with you and I want to know now."

"You can't get mad at me," Liz pointed a finger at him knowing he was going to give up until she told the truth. They were best friends and knew each other too well.

"Explain," He crossed his arms and leaned against the lockers.

"I may have been having residual effect from the PTSD, gotten wasted and..." she grit her teeth.

"And..." Raylan lowered his head still looking up at her.

"And may have had a one night stand with Tim...." she barely got the last part out.

"You did what!" Raylan practically shouted at her.

"You can't get mad at me for this!" she pointed a finger at him, "you can't have a say in my state of mind at the given moment!"

"You got drunk and slept with Tim," Raylan threw up his hands.

"I was in pain! I was suffering and I found a way to escape!" she yelled at him, "Tim has been there for me and he listens and he understands what I go through every time I have an episode!"

"Doesn't mean he should let you crawl into his bed when you're clearly not in your right mind!" Raylan shouted, "I can't believe he let you!"

"Don't get mad at him!" Liz grabbed his arm, "I think of you as my brother and I know all you want to do it protect me, but please leave him out of this."

A knock at the door got their attention.

"Not now!" Raylan yelled.

The door opened to reveal it was Tim. Liz grit her teeth. It was not the best time for him to show his face. Raylan turned to the man with rage evident in his eyes. 

"Raylan," Tim said keeping his cool as he studied his fellow marshal.

"Not now Tim!" Raylan snapped.

"Raylan..." Tim's eyes showed he didn't want to deliver the news, "It's Raven..."

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Bang! Bang! Bang!

Raven wondered down her stairs wondering who was pounding on the door so early in the morning. She put her hand on the shotgun by the door. She slowly opened the door to greet the guest. A figure stood at the edge of the deck facing away from her. She knew it was a man but she didn't know who he was. She looked at him confused wondering who it was and what they were doing here. Her hand rested on the barrel of the shotgun ready to use it.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"I forgot how beautiful it was out here," he said.

"Can you please inform me as to who you are," She stated sternly.

He turned around to face her. Recognition hit her and her eyes got wide.

"No...." she gasped.

"Hello Raven," he said.

Before she could think, he raised a pistol and fired a round. Raven felt the bullet enter her stomach. She fell to the ground feeling as if the air had been punched out of her. She put her hand on her stomach then pulled it away to show it covered in blood. She looked up at the man with confusion and fear in her eyes. Her head rocked back to the floor as she felt herself fading. Was this how she died? Was this the way she was going out? In that moment of pure survival, she could only think of one person she wanted to be with more than anything in the world.

"Raylan," she whispered to the air, "help me."