"I’m fine. I just want to go home,” Rosé told the doctor earnestly. “I promise I’ll rest.” 

 

“And how are you going to get there?” he said, writing something on the tablet. “You shouldn’t drive.” 

 

Rosé frowned, wishing her head would clear. “I don’t have my own wheels here anyway.” 

 

“If you take a cab or get picked up, then fine.” 

 

She brightened. “Thank you.” 

 

The doctor walked out of the room, leaving her to put her jacket and shoes back on. She’d have some paperwork to do before she was finally released, but she was looking forward to getting home. But first, she had to see her father. 

 

She walked into her father’s room as Chanyeol rushed out. She brightened. He hadn’t left without saying good-bye. Her instinctive thought. After all, she had nothing to offer him. Especially him. And especially being her. She wasn’t close to being a bombshell, and she’d heard about the SEAL life. From many sources. Enough to know it was the truth. 

 

She’d had boyfriends, but she hadn’t had a long string of them. She preferred quality over quantity. And understood Chanyeol could have both in as many forms as possible. 

 

She could never compete. 

 

And he was… well, he was just so much. 

 

She was such an idiot. Now if only she could get through this gracefully. 

 

She sighed and gave him a small wave good-bye. “Thanks again for the rescue,” she said in a shamefaced voice as he came to a stop beside her. “Normally I’m the one doing the rescuing.” 

 

“Sometimes even the toughest of us need a little help.” He patted her on the shoulder. “You stay here and heal. I’ve got to run.” He walked away backwards with a final caution, “Please stay out of trouble.” 

 

And he was gone. 

 

Damn it. 

 

“Are you going to come back?” she called out. Then winced. Talk about subtle. Not. Where was that wish for a graceful good-bye, head high, classy finish? Snort. 

 

He turned enough to see her but didn’t stop moving. “Not for awhile.” 

 

Her face fell. Her heart sagged and her body just plain hurt. 

 

She turned away and saw her father awake. Bursting into tears, she raced to give him a big hug. 

 

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said through her sobs. 

 

“I’m so very glad you and Chanyeol were both there to help.” 

 

“You mean Chanyeol. He rescued both of us,” she admitted. 

 

“Good. Glad he did.” Her father reached up and rubbed his temple. “My head is pounding. It’s going to be days before I feel up to opening the store.” 

 

“Are you still going to?” she asked quietly. 

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I?”

 

“Well, your brother was shot in the store, it was ransacked, the guns were stolen and your cache at home was also stolen.” 

 

He shrugged. “It was all insured.” 

 

She nodded but inside it bothered her. “I’m not sure I like the idea of you selling guns anymore.” 

 

“You never did.” He pursed his lips and studied her. “Nervous now? That’s not like you.” 

 

“Watching those men…” She shuddered. “It did make me think.” 

 

He shook his head. “It’s not the guns. It’s the people–” 

 

“People who use them.” She groaned. “Yeah, I know.” 

 

“Lucky you, you’re free to leave,” he said. “What are you going to do now?” 

 

“As you’re fine and safe here, I’m going home. I got a pass from the doctor as long as I rest.” She stood up and reached over to hug him. “Love you, Dad.” 

 

“Love you too, Chaeyoung-ah” He smiled up at her. “This will be a bad memory soon.” 

 

“I hope so.” 

 

With a small wave, she turned and walked out. Her energy was flagging. She needed to grab a cab. Outside she realized it was late. How was it she hadn’t understood that? Just staring out at the dark night she realized she probably should have stayed for the night. But that was fear talking. 

 

Better to go home and face it. Now, should she go to her place or to her father’s house? No, she wasn’t going back there for a while. She needed time so she wouldn’t see her father’s body lying crumpled on the ground every time she was there. 

 

Outside the hospital, she stood at the front doors and stared across the parking lot. There were cabs waiting on the front curb. She walked over to one, but it drove away as she approached. 

 

A truck drove between her and the next taxi. She tried to walk around it but a man hopped out. She shifted out of his way. 

 

The man called out to her. “Excuse me.” 

 

She spun and looked at him, “Yes.” 

 

“I think this is for you.” He held out a package. 

 

She frowned. “From who?” 

 

“A guy in a black Jeep.” 

 

Her face lit up. Chanyeol. “Oh,” she said hopefully and reached out to take it. “Thank you so much for delivering–” 

 

She never saw the blow, never felt the air cut off from her lungs. Nor did the pain hit her awareness quickly. Instead it was like a slow motion movie as she watched her body fall into his waiting arms. She knew something was wrong but couldn’t seem to connect