It turns out that, even though I honestly doubted it was possible, the remainder of the time Rex needed for whatever he was doing in our home town actually goes by pretty quickly, mostly because I managed to convince Tara to allow me to take a few extra shifts at work. The prospect of having to rattle around my house, alone, with nothing to think about except Rex's absence, and my potentially faulty decision-making when it came to giving Tig my number is far more daunting than I would really like it to be. And so I find that I am almost ecstatic to be able to simply go about the minutiae of my job, such as it is, the time seeming to fly by until I realize that it is already two hours past my time to clock out for the day and I hadn't even noticed.

Scurrying off to my locker, I strip out of my scrubs and change back into street clothes in record time, the sound of the door to the locker room swinging open barely registering as I set to the task of gathering my things, and stowing them in my bag before slinging its strap across my shoulder. But before I am capable of turning around and making my way towards the door to the hallway beyond, I find myself stopped in my tracks, eyes going wide as I take in the figure that now stands before me.

"Rex?"

"The one and only," My unexpected companion confirms, extending his arms so that I can run into his embrace almost without a second thought, "A rather nice older nurse told me I might find you in here."

"Let me guess—Kara?"

"I think so, yeah."

"Remind me to buy her a drink one night," I proclaim, tilting my head back just enough so that I can look Rex in the eye, and lifting a brow as it occurs to me that he has deviated from our tentative plan for his return, "Thought you said you were going to wait for me at home?"

"I was. Or at least, I was until I realized the carnival was in town."

"The what?"

"The carnival. You know—rides, cotton candy—popcorn—the works," Rex explains, keeping an arm looped around my shoulders as he turns back to lead us both towards the locker room door, "Thought you might want to take a break from all your hard work to enjoy it for a few."

"You're serious?"

"As the grave. Come on, kid. Live a little. For me?"

"What exactly makes you think I'm not already living?" I inquire, squeezing into Rex's side as we maneuver through the door, and it squeaks shut behind us not long thereafter, "I could've been having the time of my life while you were gone, and you'd never know."

"Something tells me you weren't."

"How do you figure?"

"I seem to recall a phone conversation where you admitted to missing me."

"That doesn't mean I wasn't having fun, Rex."

"See, by my definition, it does," Rex counters, a grin toying with one corner of his mouth as he glances down at me, and sends me a wink that provokes a laugh before I can fully stop it, "And I think I'm required to rectify that situation, don't you?"

"If you say so."

"Oh, I say so."

"I don't suppose that really gives me much of a choice then, does it?" I surmise, unable to completely suppress my grin despite the fact that I know I am playing right into Rex's hands. In truth, I had half-hoped I would be capable of giving him a run for his money, at least for a while, if for no other reason than to even the playing field between us. But regardless of my own desires, it seems readily apparent that I will be unable to do exactly that, my relief over Rex's return far outweighing any thought I might have of trying to appear at least somewhat independent.

"It really doesn't, no."

"Can I at least go home and grab a shower beforehand, then? I'd hate to have you seen in public with me smelling like a hospital, you know."

"Honestly, it wouldn't bother me," Rex begins, almost automatically lifting the hand that is not secured at my hip in a gesture of almost immediate surrender as he takes in my incredulous expression, and seeks to remedy it as quickly as he can, "But if that's what you want, it's what you'll get."

"Thank you. Trust me, as soon as we get in the car, you'll probably agree I need it."

"That remains to be seen."

Unable to resist the smile that toys at the corner of my lips in response to Rex's apparent doubt regarding my claims, I settle for simply following along at his side as he leads us towards the main doors of the hospital, the solidity of his presence at my side doing far more to quiet my lingering apprehensions over what transpired while he was away than any phone call ever could. Of course, I still have not fully decided whether or not I should tell him of my interaction with Tig and the rest of the crowd that he seems so steadfastly determined to keep me away from, particularly as it would bring to light the very real fact that I have lied about my intentions to stay away from them in the first place. But before I can become too distracted by such thoughts, and their potential implications, I find that Rex is relinquishing his hold upon my shoulder in favor of heading towards the car, the hand that is not otherwise occupied with the key fab reaching up to slip his sunglasses over his eyes to protect them from the sun.

For now, I suppose, I can simply allow myself to savor the fact that he is home, and all the rest will just have to come with time.

…

Freshly showered, and with a slightly more reasonable outfit now that I know I will apparently be spending the bulk of my afternoon at the carnival, I find myself back in Rex's car once again, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the passenger side window while a Rolling Stones song echoes softly from the speakers. I would be lying if I were to pretend this was not exactly what I had never known I needed, even in spite of the fact that I still harbor some doubts about attending a carnival, of all things, when I had always thought those were more for kids than adults. Still, I cannot even begin to find it within myself to complain, seeing as the simple fact of being with Rex is far more comforting than I probably deserve. And so I focus instead on the idle task of humming along to the tune that is currently playing, my head leaning back to rest against the back of the passenger seat while a contented sigh escapes my lungs.

"Feeling better already, I take it?"

"You could say that," I admit, turning my gaze from my cursory investigation of the goings on outside my window, towards Rex, himself, and offering him a satisfied smile before going on, "Are you ever going to tell me what on earth prompted this little outing in the first place?"

"I wasn't aware one needed an explanation to have a good time."

"You aren't. It just seems a little—"

"Out of character?"

"Sudden."

"Well I've never been accused of lacking the ability to be spontaneous," Rex quips, reaching across the center console to give my knee a light squeeze before returning his hand to the steering wheel as we approach the upcoming turn in the road, "Obviously if you're really not feeling this, we can do something else."

"No! No, it's more than fine, I promise! I'm just trying to decide if there's a deeper reason behind it than you're letting on."

"Maybe I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

"Did something happen? While you were away?" I ask, my brow furrowing just a bit as I detect the slightest hint of something aside from the near to constant enthusiasm that Rex has been trying to portray since he found me at the hospital. Almost as soon as the question escapes me, I find myself watching as he tenses, a muscle in his jaw jumping while his fingers flex around the steering wheel, and cause the leather to emit a tiny squeak of protest. And although some small part of me is half tempted to retract my question, if for no other reason than to avoid turning what had been a pleasant outing into a not so pleasant one, Rex beats me to the punch, his reply guarded, and just a little strained, despite how he is clearly making an effort to avoid that very fact.

"Is there any way I can persuade you to table this discussion until after we have some fun?"

"That bad?"

"It isn't good," Rex confesses, tilting his head to the side until I can hear the muted pop his neck gives in response, and simultaneously rotating the steering wheel so that the car can navigate the turn down the side road that will lead towards where the carnival is apparently being held, "But I don't want to ruin this."

"Don't you know me well enough by now to realize I'll just be worrying about it the entire time we're out, until you tell me?"

"You're really not going to let up on this?"

"No. I'm not."

"Alright then. What do you want to know first?"

"Whatever you feel comfortable telling me," I propose, hoping that by allowing Rex to dictate the direction of our conversation, it will put him at ease enough to be forthcoming. Of course, some very small part of me is almost tempted to allow him to postpone the inevitable, inasmuch as it would grant me a temporary reprieve from an event that clearly troubles him far more than he wants to admit. But the stubborn part of me—the part that pushed me into that alleyway and sparked the entire situation that brought us here in the first place—all but refuses to back down, my body shifting just a bit so that I can face Rex more directly even in spite of my seatbelt while I wait for him to reply.

"The people you—interfered with—rumor on the street is, they're still pretty riled up about what happened," Rex begins, a sudden huff of air escaping his lungs, and coming out in what amounts to a near-whistle between clenched teeth before he elaborates further, "My contacts, such as they are, say they've been digging around, trying to get information on who ratted on their boys."

"Meaning me—"

"Meaning you."

"Did it—did it seem like they had anything? Like they were close?" I question, silently cursing the way my voice shakes, and averting my eyes in the hopes that when Rex risks a glance my way, he will not see my fear written plainly upon my face. I know that if he does, it will only make his own worry even worse. And so I do what I can to resettle my expression into something carefully neutral before looking up once again, my tongue slipping out to wet my lips as I realize Rex has somehow pulled the car over to the side of the road without me even noticing.

"Not yet, no. And I'm going to make damn sure it stays that way. That's why I had to stay away a little longer than planned."

"Are we going to have to move again?"

"Not if I can help it."

"Something tells me if they want to find someone, they'll find them," I counter, folding my arms across my chest, and flinching just a bit in spite of myself as Rex reaches across the console and takes one of my hands in his own before he speaks.

"They are not going to find you, Rea. I promise you they aren't."

"How exactly do you plan to stop it? You said yourself they were still looking."

"And we've got an air-tight cover, here," Rex persists, threading our fingers together as easily as if he could do it blindfolded, and fixing me with a look that is nothing short of determined to get me to believe what he says is true, "Besides, you can't really think that I don't still have a few tricks up my sleeve, if worst comes to worst."

"Would you ever—would you ever consider going to someone here for help?"

"What, like the police?"

"No, I—I don't mean the police," I stammer, watching as Rex's brow furrows for a moment, until a dawning look of comprehension practically transforms his expression before my eyes as I go on, "I mean someone outside of the police department."

"Chibs, and those bikers you met at the hospital."

"From what I've heard, they've done this sort of thing, before—"

"Yeah. For a price," Rex snaps, his expression softening just a bit as he realizes I have withdrawn my hand from his in response to his harsh reply, "I don't want you anywhere near them, Rea, I told you that."

"I know. I do. But what if they could help? I'm not saying we go to them now, but if this—if it gets worse—if those people show up here—"

"Then I'll handle it. I'll get you out of it myself, okay?"

"Rex—"

"I will," He insists, once again reaching for my hand, and giving it a gentle squeeze as soon as he has it within his grasp, "I'm going to keep you safe, no matter what. And I'm going to do it without a gang of bikers."

Unable to do anything but nod in response to Rex's assertion, I glance down at our entwined hands for a moment, while my teeth chew idly at my lower lip. In spite of myself, I can feel the beginnings of tears stinging at the backs of my eyes, my free hand coming up to pinch at the bridge of my nose in an effort to stop them. But before I can make any attempt at either acknowledging Rex's statement, or rebuking it, I find that he is speaking once again, his tone significantly gentler as he reaches with his free hand to tuck his finger beneath my chin in order to persuade me to meet his gaze head on.

"We are going to get through this, Rea. You believe me when I say that, don't you?"

"I—I do."

"You couldn't have made that sound just a touch more convincing?" Rex teases, ignoring my rather obvious roll of the eyes in favor of relinquishing my hand and returning his attention to the road as he puts the car in drive and navigates us toward the side street that will lead to the carnival he is so determined we should attend. For a moment I simply watch his features while his attention remains upon the road ahead, the lingering jump of a muscle along his jawline giving me every reason to believe that there is something he is holding back. And although there is some part of me that would almost rather pretend I have not noticed anything at all, I find myself completely incapable of doing so, my sudden decision to make a mental note to ask more prudent questions at a later time settling my nerves just a bit, even in the face of the fact that doing so may just do more harm than good.

They say curiosity killed the cat, and I find that now, more than ever, I am hoping that saying is absolutely not true…

…

Regardless of my initial reservations, I find that the time Rex and I spend at the carnival is far more enjoyable than I might have initially believed, the steady presence of the sun beating down on our heads as we maneuver through the crowds almost soothing in spite of the heat it gave to the day itself. We have already indulged in some of the rides, of course, the strange sort of pleasure Rex seems to take in my shrieks and laughter having an eerily calming effect on my own mood, no matter how I still persist in putting up the front of reluctance each and every time he selects a new ride for us to try.

I suppose, if nothing else, keeping to old habits might be just what we need in light of the recent news he delivered what feels like mere moments ago.

"Cotton candy?" Rex asks me then, effectively startling me from my inner musings, and prompting me to lift a brow in silent inquiry before lifting my sunglasses just a bit so that I can look him in the eye without obstruction.

"You really are planning to go all out with this, aren't you?"

"Hell yes. It's not every day I get free reign to act like a big kid."

"I seem to recall a few occasions that indicate otherwise," I quip, gently nudging Rex with my elbow, and only just managing to dodge out of the way as he attempts a retaliatory jab of his own, "What? I'm not saying it's a bad thing—"

"Could've fooled me, kid."

"Fine. Cotton candy it is, then. Happy?"

"Hmm—moderately," Rex admits, slinging his arm around my shoulder with a grin that is nothing less than self-assured, and leading us over towards one of the booths selling elephant ears, cotton candy, and popcorn, "But don't even think about stealing any of mine, got it?"

"Sure, Rex. I'll keep that in mind."

"You'd better. I'd hate to have to toss you in the pool over there with that clown."

Glancing over to where Rex has just pointed, I find myself suddenly freezing in place as I recognize the now-familiar reaper stitched into leather on the backs of a small group of men standing in front of the dunk tank. Of course, I ought to have known that stopping so suddenly would have attracted Rex's attention, though that awareness was clearly not enough to stop me from doing so in the first place. And before I can come up with any sure method of deterring him from noticing the very thing I have, he is glancing over towards the dunk tank himself, his eyes narrowing as the easy smile he has been wearing since our arrival departs just as quickly as it came.

"Rex, come on. Let's just—let's just get some cotton candy, okay?" I plead, reaching for his hand on instinct, and trying to tug him back towards the cotton candy booth before he can do anything reckless, or call attention to our presence in some way, "I promise I won't make you take me to the dunk tank, after."

"What the hell are they doing here?"

"Acting like big kids, too?"

"Or causing hell wherever they go."

"Okay. Cotton candy time for you," I persist, giving Rex's arm a more convincing tug and this time succeeding in getting him to turn away from the bikers nearby in favor of moving to take our place in line, "Can't have you getting all hangry on me."

"Hangry? That's the descriptor you're going with?"

"Yep. Works for me."

"Glad someone's happy," Rex scoffs, remaining in his place in line beside me, though I am not blind to the fact that his eyes keep straying towards the dunk tank every so often as though he feels drawn to the sight by some inexplicable magnetic force, "You meant what you said when you told me you were done with them, right?"

"I—I did," I fib, hoping with all I have that the flush that rises to my cheeks beneath the weight of Rex's gaze will be attributed to sunburn, and not the fact that I am working closer and closer towards being caught in a lie, "And I take back everything I said about them in the car, as well."

"You don't have to take that back. You were just trying to help."

"Yeah, well, I probably should."

"No. No, you shouldn't," Rex states, finally turning his full attention towards me, and reaching for both of my hands in spite of the fact that the line we are standing in has moved forward just a bit, while we remain in place, "Don't ever feel bad about trying to find a way to get out of this yourself. It's one of the things I like the most about you."

"Oh really? Because I seem to recall you mentioning something to the effect of wishing I would learn to keep my nose out of it every now and again."

"But you never do. You're stubborn, kid. And as much as that may give me grey hairs before my time, I gotta respect it."

"Even when it gives you more trouble to deal with than I'm probably worth?" I inquire, quirking a brow his way, and finally allowing my features to relax into a smile as soon as I realize that whatever frustration that Rex felt just moments ago seems to be slowly ebbing away, "Seems to me you may want to talk to whatever god you believe in to make sure they know you aren't getting a fair shake."

"Never. You're stuck with me, kid, whether you like it or not. May as well get used to it."

In response to such a steadfast declaration of support, I want to do something—anything—to assure Rex of exactly how much it is appreciated, no matter how small and ineffectual such a gesture might seem in light of what he has already done to keep me safe. But before I even have the chance to determine exactly what I should do, I find myself once again frozen in place, this time by the sight of the group of bikers that had been at the dunk tank heading our way, the man walking out ahead of them sending me a startling smile before he addresses me, and thus blows all hope of my maintaining the tale that I have had nothing to do with him, or his friends, to hell in a mere second.

"Hey there, doll—been meanin' to call ya—"

Well, shit…

…

Hello there, my angels! And welcome (finally!) to another chapter in Reagan's tale! I am so, so very sorry that it has taken so long to get this out to you, particularly as I have no excuse at all for that delay, save for some very demanding muses for other fandoms. It is my sincerest hope that I haven't lost any of you permanently as a result, particularly as I have absolutely no intention of abandoning this story, or any others! And I hope that the small cliffhanger I left at least starts to make up for my absence in this fandom? Believe me, I have much more in store for our girl!

As always, my heartfelt thanks go to each and every one of you that has taken the time to read, follow, favorite and review this story so far! I truly do appreciate all of the wonderful support, and I can only hope that you enjoy this chapter every bit as much as you have the last! I cannot wait to hear what you think!

Until next time, angels…

MOMM

PS—If you are interested, I have set up an Instagram page for all of my OC's/stories (the link is available on my profile), where you will find updates for new chapters, random ideas that cross my mind, and any questions I may have for you in between updates! Enjoy?