𝐱𝐱𝐢𝐢.

Two squad cars and an ambulance with their lights flashing caught Chris's attention as he, Max, Hope, and Detective Fowler pulled into an abandoned, dimly lit parking lot. Only one car accompanied the police vehicles, and his heart fell into the pit of his stomach as he immediately recognized who the driver was.

But as much as Carly's betrayal both hurt and mystified him, Chris couldn't dwell on it. Not when he still had no way of knowing whether Faith was still alive.

Detective Fowler unhooked his walkie-talkie from his belt and hopped out of the SUV, shutting the door firmly behind him. Chris was on the passenger's side and so he rolled the window down to speak to the older man. "Jack, can I come with–"

"All three of you are staying here." Fowler cut him off before he could finish the rest of the sentence. "My guys are trained for situations like this, and the last thing I need is for anyone to get caught in the crossfire."

The use of the word crossfire was about too much for his bundle of nerves, but Chris simply nodded and rolled back up his window. He had no idea how the police were going to handle the situation. What if Derek had a gun? What if Faith was hurt?

After taking a few steps away from the truck, Fowler spoke into his radio. A garbled message that Chris could only catch bits and pieces of drifted toward him: "A weapon...need to tread lightly..."

He'd always seen or acted in scenarios like this on the big screen—but where the terror those characters felt was fictional, seeing it unfold in real time was agony. Chris wasn't religious, but tonight he prayed to any deity that would listen, hoping for nothing more than a simple, safe recovery and no one being harmed in the process.

He dug his fingernails into his palm as one of the uniformed officers moved closer to Derek's car, barking out orders through a megaphone. "Everyone inside the vehicle, step out slowly and keep your hands where I can see them!"

The driver's side door opened first, and out came his sister. A bevy of emotions swirled through Chris at the sight, angrier than he'd felt in a long time. It was really clicking for the first time what she'd done...and what hurt the most was that he may never know the real reason why.

From the backseat then emerged Derek, whose expression was unreadable. Immediately an officer wrenched his hands behind his back and slapped on handcuffs. That was more than satisfying to witness firsthand.

And then, finally, out stepped Faith, her hands lifted to the heavens in surrender. A paramedic immediately walked over and placed a blanket over her, leading her to the back of the ambulance.

Chris knew that Detective Fowler had told him to stay put, but he couldn't wait any longer. The weight of the past 24 hours—from his initial terror to now sweet relief at the fact that his love was safe—overwhelmed him completely. Before he could talk himself out of it, Chris flung the car door open and hopped out, making a beeline for the ambulance.

He wasn't sure if anyone had called out for him to stop; not when the only person he could focus on in that moment was the woman who held the key to his heart. When Faith looked up and saw him, it finally seeming to register in her mind what was happening, she stumbled forward to meet him in the middle, their bodies connecting like they had so many times before. Except this time, they held each other tighter, neither wanting to let go. Chris buried his face into her neck, the overflow of his tears wetting her skin.

They rocked side to side, whispering an I love you here and there, if nothing else than to relish in the fact that the last time they'd done so, was no longer going to be the last time.

• • • •

Faith had to endure a two-night stay at the local hospital to tend to her minor injuries and ensure all drugs Derek and Carly had given her were properly flushed from her immune system. Once she was discharged, then began a series of statements made to the county's police department about the circumstances of her abduction as best she could recall. Four days later, long after the Bucks had beaten the Celtics and moved onto the next round, Faith, Chris, and Hope were finally allowed to fly back to Boston.

The expectation was that once criminal charges were filed against Derek and Carly and the case went to trial, they'd have to return to the Midwest for the proceedings, especially if it went to court. In all honesty, Faith wasn't mentally prepared for a long, drawn-out court battle that would force her to relive the trauma of the past 36 hours...but, for now, she was determined to focus on the fact that she was safe and that she was going home. With the people she cared for the most at her side.

They managed to keep a low profile in the airport, aware that most major media publications had caught wind of the situation and were actively reporting on it. Faith had turned off her phone after letting those closest to her back home or elsewhere that she was safe and relatively unharmed. It would take a few days at least to sort through notifications, let alone respond to everyone. It would take even longer to feel some semblance of normalcy again.

Being in first class helped getting through security and boarding run smoother, for which she was grateful. She'd done her best to not draw attention to herself, opting to wear a black oversized hoodie with matching sweatpants, and a pair of sunglasses. Mere minutes after takeoff, the weight of the ordeal seemed to hit her with full force, fatigue settling in her bones. All she wanted to do was sleep for the two-and-a-half-hour trip, not having much of an appetite or feeling conversational.

Chris held her hand the entire flight home.

When they landed at the Boston airport and collected their belongings from baggage claim, a gaggle of paparazzi awaited them nearby the designated taxi and rideshare area. Faith's stomach clenched at the sight as she hefted her duffle bag over her shoulder. "Sure wish invisibility was a thing right now..."

Chris let out a sigh as he followed her gaze, instinctively reaching for her. "Just stay close to me, alright? Our ride should be just to the left once we get out there. Black SUV."

Max led the three of them toward the exit, and Faith was glad that his bodyguard skills were able to be put to good use—he was only a couple inches taller than Chris, but his stature made his presence seem more intimidating.

As the automatic doors slid open, a clamor of voices hit Faith's ears and flashbulbs started going off. Ducking her head low, she pressed herself further into Chris's side as they walked, staring straight at the ground, and refusing to make eye contact with any of the photographers or reporters. His arm was secured snugly around her waist, a silent reassurance that he wasn't going anywhere.

But even as they dodged and weaved, drawing closer to the vehicle, it felt like the number of people were growing larger. Someone grabbed her elbow just as she reached for the doorhandle, causing Faith to shriek and whirl around. "Get off me!"

"Back the hell up, now!" Chris shouted over his shoulder, letting Max take the reins and guiding Faith into the back of the SUV. He didn't care that whatever video was being captured would end up on TMZ and other channels; all he cared about was ensuring his girlfriend's safety and wellbeing.

Eventually they all piled into the vehicle, the paparazzi only dispersing once Max had barked out orders for them to and airport security finally seemed to take notice and intervene. It was only once they'd driven away that Faith remembered to take deep breaths, trying to will her pulse to stop racing.

"Scumbags," Hope muttered under her breath, taking a long glance out of the back window as though to ensure they weren't being followed.

"You okay?" Chris asked, eyes quickly sweeping over Faith.

She nodded after clicking her seatbelt into place. "I'm fine. I just want to get home."

If there was something else he wanted to say, he didn't; Faith simply allowed herself to soak in the silence, not wanting to take even the smallest of moments for granted.

• • • •

The sun had set by the time Max had dropped Faith and Chris off at their place. He breathed a deep sigh of relief as they crossed over the threshold. The front area was a bit of a mess, a reminder of how anxiously he'd left the house the initial night Faith had called him during the game. After shutting and locking the door, he wordlessly took the bags from her and unceremoniously dumped them nearby.

"Where's Dodge?" Faith asked after kicking off her shoes. It was the first time she'd spoken since earlier at the airport.

"I took him to Scott's. I'll pick him up tomorrow." He responded, depositing his phone and keys in their usual spot. Then he made his way over to the kitchen, intent on getting a meal for the first time in God knew how long. "I'm sure you're hungry. I think I've got some leftover pizza in the fridge. You good with that?"

Chris's back was turned to her, so when she didn't respond verbally, he turned around to repeat the question. But he wouldn't get the chance, as Faith hadn't moved from where she stood by the front door. In fact, she now sagged against it and slowly slid down until she hit the floor, loud sobs wracking her entire frame.

In mere seconds Chris was at her side. He scooped her into his arms bridal style, knowing she didn't need words of comfort, but just his presence. He walked them over to the couch and gently sat down, to which she only tightened her arms around his neck even more.

He rubbed her back in slow, tender circles, the lump in his throat causing tears in his eyes once again at the sounds of her despair. The ache in his heart was unmovable. No one deserved this, least of all her. Never her.

"We're gonna get through this, baby." Chris murmured, stroking her hair with his fingertips. "I can promise you that."

• • • •

i am sooo sorry for the long hiatus!! life gets in the way more often than not. but, i hope y'all enjoyed this chapter, our girl is safe but she's got some healing to do <3

thanks a million for 46k+ reads!!