A/N: I wrote this last week but held off posting because I was debating a third part, but decided to stop it where it originally ended. Thanks for the feedback...I love hearing what people think...if there's something you have an idea or about or think something doesn't work, feel free to let me know. I welcome concrit :)

Part II

Graceland was surprisingly empty when they got home a few hours later. He was convinced everyone would be home to smother Paige. Or at the very least inundate them with questions about the kiss Johnny witnessed earlier. But he was grateful for the peace and quiet, no matter how fleeting.

"Anyone home?" Paige called out.

Mike checked his phone, "Everyone's still at the site. You must be starving. I can fix you something to eat or order takeout. Or - "

"I want to forget the past few days happened. I want to take a hot shower and sleep and deal with everything later. I have to go in tomorrow and give a statement. But can we just - I can't deal with everyone right now. I need some space."

Mike tensed slightly at her words. Since finding her, he hadn't left her side. She had been in his arms, or their hands had been joined for almost the entire time. Hell, he'd even held her hand while the EMTs were checking her out. He knew she was okay, but he needed to reassure himself that she was really there."Yeah, I have some paperwork to do. I can - "

"I don't need space from you. When everyone gets home, I can't deal with everyone trying to take care of me."

"They care about you."

"I know." Paige tugged on his hand, leading them upstairs but instead of heading to her room, she led them to his.

"Tell me what you need."

"Just be here. I desperately need a shower."

Mike kissed her hand, "I'll go get you something to change into." Now that she was home, he could finally close his eyes for more than five minutes without that photograph haunting him. Maybe he could even sneak in a nap while she was in the shower.

Paige nodded, heading into his bathroom while he went to her room. Looking around, he opened her dresser and grabbed what he thought she needed, including one of her towels because she insisted hers were better.

On second thought, sleep could wait. He should probably make something for her to eat. Something quick. He didn't even want to leave her alone for the next twenty minutes while he went to grab takeout. "Paige, I'm going to..." Mike's voice trailed off as he noticed Paige standing next to the shower, her eyes squeezed shut, with tears streaming down her face. Setting her things down, he pulled Paige into his arms, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Frustrated, Paige tugged at her shirt. "I just want to take a shower and I can't get the buttons and - "

"And the adrenaline wore off." Mike reached into the shower, adjusting the water temperature before turning his attention to Paige. Carefully unbuttoning Paige's shirt, technically his shirt - a button up oxford he picked up from the dry cleaner days ago that hadn't made it's way out of his car, he helped her undress, his anger rising as he noticed bruises he hadn't seen earlier. His jaw clenched as he noted every bruise and cut marring her skin.

He lightly traced his fingers over a large bruise that decorated her side, "Paige..."

Paige shook her head, placing her hand over his. "Look at me. I'm going to be okay. I am okay."

Mike nodded, letting her touch calm him. He was supposed to be taking care of her, not the other way around. He gently nudged her towards the shower, "I'll fix you something to eat."

"I'm not hungry."

He watched her for a few moments, making sure she wasn't in any pain as she stepped into the shower. "You're eating."

Paige sighed, "You're relentless. I will, just not now, okay?"

"I'm going to go use the other shower, I'll give you some privacy." Paige hadn't made a move to kick him out of the bathroom, but that didn't mean she wanted him scrutinizing her every moment.

"Plenty of water here."

"I don't want - "

Instead of answering, Paige reached out to him and he undressed before stepping in to join her. He pulled Paige into his arms. She resisted slightly before giving in, resting her head on his chest as the hot water cascaded over them. They stayed like that for a while, letting the water soothe their frazzled nerves.

"I was so scared. I didn't know - I thought, I just - I knew you guys would find me."

"Always." He lightly stroked Paige's cheek and she looked up at him. "I'll always find you. Just don't make a habit of getting kidnapped."

"Like you're one to talk. You were kidnapped your first week back." Paige untangled herself from his embrace and handed Mike the shampoo.

Shaking his head, Mike squeezed some shampoo onto his hand then into Paige's hair. "You got stabbed."

Paige traced her fingers along the barely there scar on his abdomen as he massaged the shampoo into her hair, "So did you."

"You..." Mike's voice trailed off, thinking how he never would've pictured this day ending trying to figure out who got hurt more on the job, him or Paige. Less than twelve hours ago, he wasn't sure when he'd ever see her again. What if they hadn't gotten there in time? What if her cover had gotten blown? What if she had been hurt worse?

"Stay in the present, Mike. Earlier, you asked me what I needed. I said a shower and for you to just be here. You agreed."

Maneuvering Paige under the water, so she could rinse her hair, he nodded. "I did, but considering what happened today, I reserve the right to reevaluate."

"Are you reevaluating whether or not you're going back to DC once you get Solano?"

He looked down at Paige and her eyes filled with uncertainty.

Unspoken truths.

She asked him a few days ago and he didn't have an answer.

Paige would never ask him to stay. That wasn't who she was. But considering everything that had happened between them since he returned, not to mention the past few days, he was pretty sure he couldn't walk away.

That wasn't who he was.

THE END