It Takes a Lover – Part 4.

I am thinking that this will be the end of this short multi-chapter, I hope you've enjoyed it.

Reviews are loved and appreciated. 'We don't heal in isolation, but in community.'

Disclaimer – I own nothing.

A month later Mae could leave the hospital. She'd spent so much time in recovery, therapy and had multiple surgeries to fix the damage the bullet had caused. Now she sat on the edge of her hospital bed, brushing her hair, watching as Clara and Monty packed up her things.

"Why don't I take some of these clothes, I can wash them for you? Monty suggested as he folded another t-shirt.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Of course not. Let me get a bag to put them in." Monty smiled, moving to leave the room.

"Can you also see where Ryan is?" Mae asked, her voice sounding slightly desperate, but she wanted to see him, she wanted to know that he was up for playing her carer for the next few months. She knew it would be hard going home, but at least she was going home and not to a morgue. Her legs were getting a little stronger after she'd not been using them for months, her stomach still hurt when she moved a certain way but it was getting better, she was physically on the mend, but mentally, well, that would take some time.

"Hey…" Clara moved next to her, reaching out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I'm fine, you know how I hate relying on other people. I feel like I've lost my independence." Clara couldn't help but chuckle, she knew Mae would feel like this, but she only hoped it wouldn't take too long before Mae and Ryan, along with the team fell into a routine.

"We don't mind, you know. We would rather have you relying on us than you not be here at all." Mae only smiled, now was not the time to get all emotional, she was finally going home, she knew a part of her should be happy about that. As much as she loved the health system and loved all the doctors and nurses for all the good they did she needed to get out of this place before it did her mental health some damage.

"Do you think Jack will let me back on the team?" Mae asked Ryan as he navigated the car down various streets to get home.

Ryan looked at her for a second, wondering what he was supposed to say. He didn't want to promise her anything, but after sitting at her bedside for as long as he did, he wasn't sure he wanted Mae back at work. He and the team had nearly lost her once, he didn't want to risk it happening again. He knew he couldn't force her not to, but right now, so soon into her physical recovery he wasn't sure if it was the best topic to chat about.

"I think that right now, we should focus on getting you back to one hundred percent. After that, I am sure the both of you can talk about next steps." Mae nodded, Ryan was right, she needed to focus on one thing at a time.

"I don't know what I'll do if I can't go back," Mae said after a few moments of silence, the thought wasn't going to leave her head anytime soon.

"I don't know if I'll be able to do all of this on my own, you know? I know I want to be independent, but, recovery is hard, and the nurses said it would be I just didn't believe them." Ryan reached over to take her hand.

"I think now that I am out of hospital…"

"It's hitting home?" Ryan put in. Mae nodded with a weak smile.

Ryan stayed silent until he pulled up to the apartment building that Mae lived in. Sitting in the car Ryan thought it would be the best place to talk, especially if Mae was still worried about going home.

"I will be with you every step of the way. I love you, and I am going to help you through all of this. I and the team are not going to let you do this alone, no matter how difficult you can be." Mae chuckled at his last comment, realising that she'd been a little difficult at the hospital, just wanting to be left alone or telling everyone to stop fussing over her.

"I got shot, Ryan, and it really made me realise the dangers of what we do."

"I know love, but no matter what, I will always be here for you. I love you, Mae." Ryan moved his hand to cup her cheek, hoping the small physical gesture would make her realise that she wasn't going to be alone and that he and her team would be with her every step of the way.

Days later the team all filed into her apartment, each bringing family members with them as well as food and drinks. It had been set up as part of a welcome home party, but more of an excuse to check in on Mae and make her smile.

Each of them knew that recovery was a lengthy process and could be lonely at times.

"Ryan mentioned that you wanted to talk to me," Jack said walking into the kitchen area. Mae had been getting herself a fresh drink after telling everyone that she could walk and get things herself.

"Yes, boss," Mae said with a smile, motioning to some drinks to see if he'd like one. Jack shook his head, holding up his beer bottle.

"So, what's on your mind?" Jack stood opposite her, leaning against the counter.

"What's not on my mind?" Mae joked taking a sip of her drink, feeling slightly nervous about being put on the spot, scared of Jack's answers.

"What will happen now, regarding my place in the IRT?" Mae asked, after a few moments. Jack had always been the father figure she needed, as well as a friend, she saw him as a boss and someone she could trust wholeheartedly. Since beginning her relationship with Ryan, Jack had been supportive and kind as well as understanding, so really, Mae wondered why she was so worried about asking. Maybe it was because she couldn't be sure on the answers?

"Nothing, Mae. We might have to get someone in for a few months whilst you recover, but that's it." Jack seemed a little confused at first, wondering why she'd asked.

"Did you really think I would make you quit?" Jack asked after a moment.

"Not that you would make me quit, but more that I wouldn't be fit enough to come back." Mae admitted, taking another sip of her drink.

"Mae…" Jack moved towards her, standing next to her.

"The IRT is my second family, I care about all of you, and we all care about each other. Mae, I can't promise you that you'll be back on the team next week, and we might need to add someone else in to give you a hand, but that's only because you were severely injured. You will always have a place on the IRT." Mae nodded, smiling as she felt tears build up behind her eyes.

"I thought I was going to lose my life, so when I woke up, I didn't want to lose the IRT, because I didn't lose my life if that even makes sense." Jack chuckled a little, nodding.

"That makes sense. Look, if you ever want to talk then you have my number. Right now, you need to focus on you and your health, get yourself back to normal, and then we will discuss you coming back to work." Again, Mae nodded, grinning when Jack pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you, Boss."

"Anytime…"

"I heard everything went okay with my dad." Ryan started conversation later that night when everyone had left.

"Yeah." Mae nodded.

"Well, now you know your job is safe we can focus on getting you back on your feet." Mae took a breath, that would be her next challenge, for once it wouldn't be profiling or an autopsy, it would be her. She needed to work on herself, make herself better so she could do what she loved.

"I'm ready if you are." Mae turned to look at Ryan with a smile.

"I'm not going anywhere, love. Neither are the team. Together, all of us will get you through this." This time Mae couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"I love you, Ryan."

"I love you too, Mae."

Now, she was about to begin the most physically and mentally challenging recovery of her life. She'd been shot, but she was still here, and she knew that her lover and her friends would never let her forget that she won.

Thank you so much for reading, so that is the end! I hope you enjoyed it like I said reviews are loved and appreciated! Bethany.