Penny's POV
It was a very long night. It's hard enough to sleep in the hospital, combine that with worries about the outcome of the next day and you're just screwed. They offered to give me something to help me sleep, but I wanted to be fully awake when Brian came with news of Gwyn’s arraignment.
I dozed a couple of times, waking up only to check the clock and realize it was still the middle of the night.

I was so nervous and felt so alone that at 4:00AM I called Brian.
“Hello?” He said in a groggy voice.
“I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called so early, I wasn't thinking.”
“You don't have to be sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m just a nervous wreck, I'm so scared about the hearing.”
“It's going to be alright. I told you, I won't let her hurt you again. Have you slept any?” He asked.
“A little here and there, maybe 2 hours total. What time do you have to meet the attorney?”
“I'm meeting him at 9:00 and the arraignment is at 10:00, he said it should be pretty quick.”
“Oh, that late. I'll go crazy waiting to see if she gets out on bail or not.”
“I will call you right after it’s over. Remember, if she gets out I will make sure you're protected. Now get some sleep, that's an order.” I knew he would, but I was still scared.
“Not a doctor’s order.”
“It is, I talked to the doctor and he said you needed rest, don't you want to be discharged today?”
“Yes, of course. I should let you go so you can get back to sleep.”
“Promise me you're going to get some sleep?”
“I promise I'll try.” I relented.
“Okay, I love you.” His words stunned me. “You can't stop me from telling you that, because it's true.”
I tried to hide the fact I was about to cry. “Thank you for doing all of this.”
“No problem.” I could hear the hurt in his voice. “Good night Penny.”
“Good night. I'll see you tomorrow.” I couldn't help crying after the call.

Brian's POV
I had trouble going back to sleep after Penny's call. I don't know what came over me when I told her I loved her, it puts pressure on her and ends up making us both uncomfortable. My mind was racing about how I should be patient and take things slow.

After finally falling back to sleep, I must have been so out of it I hit the stop on my phone alarm instead of snooze. I was lucky I woke up 45 minutes before I was supposed to meet the prosecutor. I rushed to get ready, running out the door 5 minutes before I was supposed to be there. Luckily, I found a parking spot quick and walked in just a few minutes late. There wasn't a second to spare after the meeting before the hearing was supposed to start. They were running late, so it didn't matter. I wanted to call Penny and let her know that I would be later getting to the hospital, but in my rush to be on time I had left my phone at the hotel.

Finally, the hearing began. It was not pretty and what I was told would be short and sweet wasn’t at all. Gwyn's attorney was a pit bull and he was determined not to let go until he got what he wanted. It was already noon by the time it was over. I knew Penny was probably in a frenzy by now. I hoped that at least the doctor hadn't released her yet. I headed straight to the hospital instead of going to get my phone.

Penny's POV
I could sleep after I stopped crying. Brian should have told me about Gwyn, but I know he wants her behind bars as much as I do. Even after everything that's happened, he knows how to make me feel safe.

I couldn't eat breakfast, I was too nervous. I watched the clock as time passed much too slowly.
At 10:00 AM, I held my breath wondering what was happening and praying the judge did the right thing. Then 10:30 came and went, nothing from Brian. I kept checking my phone, wondering if I had somehow missed a call or text. By 11:00, I was starting to get worried. I texted and called Brian. At noon, I still hadn't heard from him.

It all reminded me of the last time I tried to get hold of Brian and couldn't. The memory of that morning in Paris came flooding back. Gwyn at the door with her “We didn't want you to find out like this.” Brian passed out naked on the bed, I thought when he said he didn't know what happened that he was lying. Gwyn just kept implying that they had been a thing for awhile. The rage and hurt all came flooding back. Brian standing on the sidewalk with no shoes and no shirt and me slapping him and leaving in a taxi. I had a terrible thought, what if Brian was lying? What if he was with Gwyn all along and he went to the hearing to help her? I realized quickly that was crazy, Bri would never let someone physically hurt me and he risked his life. I was so ashamed of myself for even thinking that. My shame shifted to anger as I yelling as if I was talking to Gwyn.

“How could you do this? I thought you were my friend! Why? I never did anything to you! I didn't know about Jay! Why? I loved you like a sister!” I threw the water glass next to my bed at the wall, doing so made my side hurt like hell.
Brian came running into the room.
“Penny? Who are you yelling at?” I looked at him and started crying. He wrapped his arms around me. “It’s okay, I think I know who you were yelling at.”
“Please tell me they didn't let her out.” I said sobbing.
“It was a battle, but the prosecutor was able to persuade the judge that she was not only a flight risk, but dangerous.”
I felt a rush of relief. “When you weren't here and didn't call, I feared the worst.”
“I'm sorry, the hearing went over, I forgot my phone this morning. I came straight here from the courthouse.”
“Thank you for going, I felt better just knowing you were there. What did the prosecutor ask you?”
“He mostly wanted me to confirm that Adam’s statement and recordings are consistent with the events he described.”
“They were, right?”
“Yep, I listened to some of his recordings. It sent chills down my spine. He said Adam had you listen to a couple when he found you?”
“Yes, I don't think I want to hear any more of them. But, I'm sure I'll have to when it goes to trial.”
“Let's not worry about that right now. Anything from the doctor yet?”
“No, he hasn't been here.”
“Have you eaten?” I didn't want to answer his question, I knew he would scold me.
“You're probably hungry! If you want to run to the cafeteria and get something, I understand.”
“Nice try Mrs. Haner, but I didn't say that I was hungry.”
“No, I haven't eaten.” I said with shame.
“We can fix that right now, I’ll order lunch for both of us. Would you like me to pick out your food or do you want to?”
“I'll pick out my own. You are getting really bossy.”
“Get used to it, for the next several weeks I am in charge.”
I rolled my eyes at him and he laughed. I realized how much I had missed his laugh.
We ate lunch together in my hospital room. I must admit it felt good to talk to him, it was the best I had felt since that morning in Paris.
That morning? Will I ever be able to put it behind me? I not only lost my husband that day, he was my best friend. Right now, I had my best friend back and I shouldn't have tried to push him away. I just don't know if I can get back to being lovers and I'm not sure we can be one without the other. All I knew was I needed him in my life right now, but there was one thing I had to fix.
“So, Junior, what's the plan?” He looked a little perplexed when I said that. I think he was wondering if it was accident or I called him by a nickname on purpose.
“What?”
“I asked if you had a plan, Junior. If you're in charge, you have to have a game plan.” He smiled, he now knew for certain.
“Well, first you have to get discharged. You understand that it might not be today?”
I didn't speak, I just stuck out my bottom lip pouting like a child.
“Penelope! The most important thing is that we do everything we can to make sure your recovery is smooth. If that means another night here, then that's what you're going to do.”
“Okay, I just hate this place. I would be so much more comfortable at home.”
“You'll be home soon enough, one more day isn't that long.”
Not long after we finished lunch the Doctor came and checked me over and looked at my vitals since the day before.
“I know you're not going to like this, but I think you need to stay one more night.”
“Why?” I said, tears starting to form in my eyes. Brian took my hand and squeezed it gently.
“It's okay, it's just one day.” He said, his brown eyes reassuring me that it was all right.
“I know it's a disappointment, but I want to be cautious.” The Doctor explained. “You're very lucky that the bullet didn't do severe damage, you don't want to change that luck, do you?”
“No, of course not.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Brian said. “She'll be good tonight and get rested for tomorrow.”
“I promise I will. When will you be here tomorrow?”
“I should be here in the morning tomorrow. You will be my first stop, I promise.”
“Okay, I guess I'll see you tomorrow.”
The Doctor said goodbye. As soon as he was out of the room Brian asked.
“Are you okay Penz?”
“I’m disappointed, but not as much as I would be if you weren't here.”
“Would you feel better if I stayed here tonight?”
“You wouldn't mind?”
“Penny, I would've been here every night if you had let me.”
“I know, I'm sorry. Let's just take this one day at a time, okay?”
“I'm fine with that as long as you give us a chance. Now, I'm going to run to the hotel and take a shower and pack my stuff. I'll just check out now and then we'll both go to your Mom's, I mean your house tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. I'll try to nap while you're gone.”
He leaned over and timidly kissed me on the forehead. It reminded me of that first night in Michigan outside under the stars. I resisted the urge to grab him and kiss him like I did that night. I wasn't ready yet. I smiled at him, letting him know I liked it.
“Thank you.”
“I'll see you soon, I'll be back by dinner.”
After he left, I closed my eyes and had the first restful sleep since I had been in the hospital.

Notes