'Right,' he said quietly.
She knew they needed to mourn Jeremy's loss. She also knew what else they needed. 'I want everyone except the current shift to go home and get some rest. If there's news from the hospital, I'll see that you're notified. I need you all back here by tomorrow, and I need you to be sharp. We still have a job to do.'
As the others in the room stood to leave, she added, 'Stark, a moment please.'
Cam waited until the room had cleared, and then she closed the door. Turning to Stark, she said, 'Take a couple days leave time, Stark. You look like hell.'
'I'm fine, Commander,' Stark replied quickly, stiffening as her eyes flashed with anger. 'I'll be ready to take the evening shift.'
Cam smiled faintly and rested a hip against the corner of the table. She looked away for a second, and when she returned her gaze to Stark, she let the sadness show. 'What happened out there is hard for everyone, Stark. Having friends and colleagues in danger, seeing them injured - it affects us all.' She paused, not needing the memory to feel the terrible sense of helplessness, the horrible hopelessness. She'd never forget it. 'It's much harder when it's someone you care about. I know.'
Stark stared at her in surprise. Maybe it was the sympathy in Cam's voice or the shared sorrow that finally undid her, but she sat quickly and covered her face with her hands, hiding the tears that she couldn't hold back any longer. It took her a few minutes to get hold of herself, and then she sank back in the chair and said, 'I'm sorry. I think I'm just tired. I know she's going to be all right, but I can't stop thinking about the way she looked lying on that stretcher.'
'Savard is tough, and she's going to be fine.'
'She sure kicked some ass, didn't she?' Stark said with a grin, her spirits bolstered by the certainty in Cam's voice.
'That she did,' Cam agreed.
Stark rose wearily and said, 'Thank you, Commander. I think I will request a few days personal time, just so I can - you know - visit the hospital and stuff.'
Cam smiled. 'A very good idea, Agent.'
Cam waited until the room had cleared, and then she made her way slowly downstairs. She flagged down a cab and gave him the Upper East Side address. She was asleep before he pulled away from the curb.
'Well,' Diane Bleeker said as she stood in the open doorway, 'I've waited a long time to see you at my door, Commander.'
Cam grinned tiredly. 'Sorry.'
'Don't be,' Diane said with a laugh. 'Some things are definitely worth waiting for.'
Cam glanced at several suitcases standing by the door. 'Going somewhere?'
'Just a three-day weekend,' Diane said nonchalantly. Then she raised an eyebrow, a speculative look on her face. 'A spur of the moment kind of thing.'
'Thank you.' Cam knew that Diane was leaving to give her and Blair a little time alone. 'I appreciate it.'
Diane ran her fingers lightly down Cam's arm, lingering just a moment on her hand. 'Oh, believe me, Commander, anything I can do to help.'
'You might want to take your hands off her, Diane,' Blair said softly from behind them. 'I'm terribly short of patience at the moment.'
Diane turned to smile at her old friend. 'When did you lose your sense of humor, Blair?'
Blair looked past Diane to Cam, who still stood waiting at the door, rumpled and pale and just about the best looking thing she had ever seen. She ached to get her hands on her, her arms around her, her skin on her skin. Blair's voice was low, throaty with emotion, when she murmured, 'I think it was along about the second time my stalker tried to kill her.'
Diane stepped aside, because she had watched Blair pace and worry and stare out the window for the last few hours, restlessly waiting. She could never remember seeing her so undone, and so clearly suffering. 'Well then, since that's the way it is, I'll make myself scarce.'
Blair touched Diane's shoulder briefly in thanks as her friend grasped her suitcases and left, but her eyes never moved from Cam's face. When they were alone, she came slowly forward and took Cam's hand. 'Come with me.'
Cam was too tired to question or protest. The dizziness had abated, but the headache persisted and probably would for days. Mostly, she was weary. There had been too much violence and injury and loss, and she was worn down by it, body and soul. All she really wanted was to lie down next to Blair and close her eyes.
Blair led her through the apartment and into the bathroom, closing the door. She turned and began unbuttoning Cam's shirt. Cam lifted her hands to help, but Blair brushed her fingers away gently. 'No. Let me.'
Tenderly, Blair undressed her, being careful to ease the clothing off the patches of bruises and abrasions covering her back. She tried not to think of what had put them there, but she couldn't help imagining Cam flung to the ground, rocks and debris raining down on her during the blast.
'It isn't as bad...' Cam began, sensing her hesitate, but Blair stopped her.
'Yes, I know. It isn't as bad as it looks.' She put it from her mind for the moment. When she had Cam naked, she took off her own clothes. She started the water in the shower and drew Cam in with her.
'Oh God,' Cam groaned softly. 'That feels so good.'
'Mmm,' Blair responded, finally beginning to relax herself. She reached for the soap and worked the lather over Cam's body.
