Brian's POV
After checking into the hotel, I knew I couldn't put off going to the house any longer. I had to get Stephanie’s car back and get some clothes. As if on queue, Tess called me and offered to meet me at Jay's. I asked her if Penny was okay over the phone, she said “We’ll talk about it when I get there.”

I called Jay and told him I was on my way and that Tess was meeting me. He said Tess had already called him, which seemed odd to me.
I got there first and Jay handed a beer to me when I walked in. I asked him how it went with Penny. He filled me in on how Penny reacted and her trying to leave. He said he was told on no uncertain terms that she never wanted to see him again. He told me not to give up on her and remember that she's hurting in more ways than one.
“I know she's hurting, but I just make it worse right now. She just keeps pushing me away and yes, pissing me off.”

Tess picked me up and we left for the house. Tess was very quiet, I could tell she had something she wanted to say but was nervous.
“Jay told me about Penny trying to get out of bed on her own. Is she okay?” I asked, trying to get her to tell me what was going on.
“Luckily she didn’t do any damage. You know she's not herself right now, don't you?”
“I try to tell myself that. What if she never lets it go? How can we fix things if she won't even be near me?”
“I think she needs to be forced to spend time with you. She’s hiding right now, you remind her of what happened. She's scared and and understandably having trouble trusting.”
“I get that. But I can't force her to spend time with me.”
“You can't, but we can.” I gave her a questioning look. “She can possibly get out of the hospital tomorrow and you know how much she hates being in the hospital.”
“Oh, I know. How is her getting out of the hospital going to help? She can push me away even more or just hide again.”
“She needs someone to be with her for at least four weeks, you are going to be the only person who can.”
“She won't go for that.”
“She has to, or the Doctor said he's not releasing her for another week. The family has made sure that you are the only person available.”
“I still don't know if being with me will win out over staying in the hospital. She can't stand me right now.”
“She will, Allen is with her right now. She will be asking you, trust me. So, are you in?”
“I'm in, but it's not going to be easy.”
“It's not at first, but hopefully it will be worth it.”
We arrived at the house, it felt so strange being there. Tess was shocked when she saw the bedroom. The memories flooded back, Penny almost drinking poison to save my life. Gwyn shooting her when she tried to hit Gwyn over the head. The horror as Gwyn grabbed Penny and pulled her over and pushing her down slamming her forehead into the leg of the chair I was sitting in. The gruesome story was written in blood on the floor. I understood why Penny didn’t want to be there. Tess packed clothes for Penny from what weren't shredded, covered in broken glass or blood stained. I did the same and we prepared to leave, deciding that she would go to the hospital first and make sure Allen had been successful and then would call me to come when Penny was ready. Tess’ phone rang, looking at the caller ID she said, “It’s Allen, hopefully good news.”

“Hello?”
“What! Is she okay?”
“Okay, I'm still with Brian. We’ll both be there right away.” Tess hung up.

“What happened?” I asked.
“Someone from the Prosecutor’s office came to talk to Penny and mentioned that it is possible that Gwyn could get out on bail. I guess she freaked out. We need to get there right away.”

We both jumped in our cars and left. I wished I would have been there with her. I would have, if she had let me.

Penny's POV
Yesterday was horrible, but today hasn't been too great either. It seems like every person I have trusted and loved has lied to me for months or years. The fucking doctor won't release me and none of my family have time to help me get out of this hell hole. I tried to relax and just take a nap. If I keep running my blood pressure up, they might keep me here longer. I was almost asleep when my brother walked in, so much for relaxing and taking a nap.

“Hi Allen. I don't suppose you came here to get me out of this place.”
“I thought the doctor said not until tomorrow.”
“Yes, but I need to stay with someone. Are you here to tell me I can stay with you?”
“You know Kim and I are always at work or helping Mom most of the time. I am here to talk about who is going to take care of you.”
“We have to figure out someone, I don't want to be stuck in here.”
“You have someone and you are going to ask him to help you.” He said with a grin.
“Oh, hell no I’m not. You mean Brian.” I knew what they were up to and I wasn't giving in.
“He is your only option, he already had cleared his calendar for a couple of months to spend time with you when he got back from tour.”
“No way, not happening.” I looked at my brother defiantly.
“Yes, it's either Brian or you stay here.”
“I can't believe this bullshit! He nearly gets me killed and you want me to live in the house that it happened in with him?” I usually try to stay out of arguments with my brother, but this time he had gone too far.
“First off, he didn't nearly get you killed. Your crazy fucking psycho friend did that. Second, you can stay at the other house you own. The house you secretly bought without us knowing.” His face was now red with anger.
“News travels fast. I suppose you're mad at me for that.”
“Well, I'm not really happy. But that doesn't matter right now. Do you want me to call Brian and ask him to come here, or are you?”
Before I could answer, there was a knock on the door. Allen opened it and talked to a man. They both came back in. Allen introduced me to an attorney from the prosecutor’s office who wanted to ask me some questions before Gwyn's arraignment the next morning. I really didn't understand why since I had already talked to the police but I answered his questions and told him what happened. I hoped it was the last time I had to relive it for awhile. When he was done, he said.
“Thank you Mrs. Haner, this will certainly help us in our argument regarding Ms. Peterson’s bail.”
“Bail? She's going to be released on bail!”
“That hasn't been determined yet, that will be decided by the judge tomorrow.” The lawyer said.
“She can't be! Don't you know she's dangerous!” My blood pressure was starting to rise.
“We know that, but it's up to the judge. We are going to do everything we can to make sure she's held without bond.”
“You have to make sure of it! Have you talked to my husband? He can tell you! She will either hide or try to kill me again or both of us!” The alarms on the monitors were starting to alarm.
“Penny, calm down.” Allen said.
“I am going to talk to your husband, I was hoping he would be here.” He handed Allen his card. “If you see him before I can get hold of him, please have him call me. I promise you Mrs. Haner, we are going to do everything we can.”
Allen walked him to the door. I got out of the bed, the tubes and wires held me back right as I felt the stabbing pain through my side again. The nurse ran in and told me to get back into the bed.
“I've got to leave! Don't you understand? She's going to come for me!”
“Penny, she is still in jail. She can't hurt you right now, if she does somehow get bond we will make sure you're safe.” Allen said, as he and the nurse forced me back into the bed.
I had to get out of that hospital, they were even muttering about restraining me. I was trapped.
“Please call Brian, I need to ask him something.”
Allen smiled. “Wise choice.”

Tess' POV
I had no idea how this was going to go. Allen said Penny agreed to ask Brian to help her, now we just must hope they can both keep their cool.
Brian met me in the parking lot.
“Are you sure I should go in there?” He asked.
“Actually, Allen said she asked to see you.”
“So, he convinced her?”
“I think so, but you have to try to keep your cool. Don't let her get to you.”
“So, you're saying take a verbal beating.”
“I'm just saying be firm but caring with her. Let her know she's not running the show, you are.”
“I’ll try, but it won't be easy.” He said.
“If you truly want to save your marriage, you will. It's not going to be easy, you know how stubborn she can be.”
“I know, but she's different now. This is beyond stubborn.”
By this time, we had made it to the room. Allen met us at the door.
“Hi Brian, Penny would like to speak to you alone for a moment.”
Allen and I both wished him luck and he went in, shutting the door.

Brian's POV
A million thoughts were going through my mind as I walked into the room.
Penny looked at me with a forced smile.
“Hi Brian. Do you mind closing the door, please?”
I closed it and kept a distance from her bed.
“You wanted to see me? I thought I was banished.”
“I'm sorry, I was just upset and in pain. Pain can make people act crazy.” She said, trying to sound convincing.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Oh yes, I've had a couple minor instances nothing to worry about though.”
“You mean when you went against doctor’s orders and tried to leave?” I said, trying to not sound upset or mad at her.
“Well yeah, but I was just upset. I'm not going to do that anymore.”
“That's good. Did you ask me here for a specific reason?”
“I need to ask you a big favor.” She said very softly. It was killing her.
“A favor?” I walked up right next to her.
You could tell she was uncomfortable and thinking carefully about what she wanted to say.
“I need someone to stay with me and help me for a few weeks after I get out of the hospital. I was hoping you'd be willing to be that person.” She looked away from me as she asked.
“Wow, I'm surprised you'd pick me for that.” I couldn't help myself, I had to poke the bear.
“I'll be honest, you are my last choice.”
“You mean I'm your only choice?”
“Damn it Brian, you already know you are! I want out of here, you owe me that much!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, if I'm going to do this you will have to be a little nicer.” I said calmly.
“I will, I promise.”
“You will do as I say and follow the instructions given by your doctor?”
“Yes, I will.” You could tell it was taking every bit of her strength not to tell me to fuck off.
“Promise?”
“Yes, I promise damn it!”
“Okay, I’ll do it. I assume we're staying at your parent’s house?”
“I guess, if that's okay with you.”
“That's fine, I need the keys.”
“Why?”
“Do you want me to make sure everything is ready for when you go home?”
“I guess you should. I don't even know where my purse is.”
“Tess has it, I'll get it from her.”
“Will you get my car too?” I could tell she was starting to relax a little.
“Sure, I'll get it there, but you're not going to to be driving for awhile.”
“I know, I just want it with me. I almost forgot, you need to call the prosecutor.”
“He called me on my way here, I'm meeting with him in the morning, before the arraignment.”
“So, you're going to be there?” She asked anxiously.
“Yes, of course I am.”
“You can't let them release her.” Her eyes pleaded with me, but I couldn't promise they wouldn't.
“I doubt they will, but if somehow they do, I will protect you.”
“I know you'll try, but I don't know if I can handle it if she gets out. She's going to be after both of us.”
“She's not going to be able to do anything to us. Why don't you get some rest, you need to if you want to discharged tomorrow? I'm going to go see if I can talk to your doctor.”
“Okay, I will try.” She wasn't very convincing.
“I'll see you right after the arraignment.” I started to leave the room.
“Brian?” She called to me. I turned and looked at her. “Thank you.” She smiled, an actual genuine smile.
“You're welcome.” I smiled back. I had hope.

Notes