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Gale stood idle in the living room of John Milton’s house. She was cautious of what – or who – was about to come for her.
Roman had been taken care of, but he was only one. So who was two? Billy and Stuart, Nancy and Mickey, Roman and a mystery.
The second killer had to be nearby. She just knew it.
She held up a gun, aiming at doorways, closets, windows, anything. Bullet holes were scattered across the wall from her instinctive firing.
She hadn't been left to handle SpettroVolto on her own before, at least not like this. Linus and Kincaid went down and Sidney – to Gale’s assumption – was still waiting at the precinct. It left her on her own.
Just Gale, a gun, and a second murderer.
A loud crash came from down the hallway, causing Gale to fire in the sound's direction.
“Shit!” She whispered, feeling her heart rate rise. The fire definitely gave away her position.
The only option now is to fight. She crept towards the doorframe as quietly as she could. She took a deep breath before quickly turning the corner and aiming for where the head should be.
But there was nothing in sight of the gun's muzzle. She squinted her eyes to make sure the dark lighting wasn't playing tricks on her yet there still seemed to be nothing.
“Don't shoot.” A panicked voice spoke. Gale lowered her sight, and her aim, down to the floor.
She was met eye to eye with Judy ‘Jennifer Jolie’ Jurgenstern lying on the ground. Her shirt, pants, and hands were covered in her own blood. A large splotch of it spilling from her mouth.
She pulled herself up onto her hands and knees. She had been stabbed twice yet she wasn't crying. Nor did she seem that upset about it. It took Gale by surprise.
Jennifer looked up at her – eyes wide – as Gale realized the gun was still aimed at her. She quickly turned the safety lock on, Billy’s words still ringing in her mind 4 years later: "I know something you don't. It works better without the safety on."
Gale stored the gun in the waistband of her pants and walked closer to Jennifer, kneeling on one knee.
Gale took one of Jennifer’s hands to help steady herself and push her onto her knees.
“Come on, get up.” Gale’s tone was light – at least, the lightest tone she had spoken to Jennifer in. She brought her hands up to Gale’s shoulder and used her as leverage.
“I don't want to die,” Jennifer whispered once she was fully standing. She looked Gale in the eyes yet she couldn't pinpoint an emotion in her. Her tone was dry and her face looked pale.
It reminded Gale of herself in a way. She was always better at dealing with SpettroVolto in the moment. The emotions after were what she struggled with. She’s a news reporter, a writer, not a therapist. Emotions aren't her strong suit. Not her own and especially not anyone else's.
“I know.” Gale shifted to Jennifer’s side, positioning her hand in Jennifer’s to make sure she wouldn't lose balance. Gale shivered at the feeling of Jennifer’s blood on her hands. Blood was a common feeling but one she would never get used to.
She led Jennifer into the living room, a small trail of blood forming behind them. Jennifer sat down on the couch – Gale pushing her to lie down. A small groan came from her as she placed her head down on the arm of the couch.
“What does that hurt so badly for?”She whined. Jennifer raised her head back up, placing her hand between the arm and her head.
Gale momentarily contemplated with herself.
“Oh mio dio! Fine! Come here.” Gale grumbled as she kneeled on the ground beside the couch. She replaced Jennifer’s hand with her own arm, pulling her closer as she applied pressure to the wound on her stomach.
Jennifer laughed slightly knowing that Gale would say she wasn't doing this because she cared about her. Though Jennifer knew she did.
“Thank you,” Jennifer whispered. She considered asking if the wound on her back needed pressure too but decided that lying on it was probably enough. At least it was enough for Gale since she wasn't tending to it.
“How many were there?” Gale asked. Jennifer looked around the room, confused about what she should be counting. There didn't seem to be anything that important.
“What?” She turned back to Gale.
“SpettroVolto. How many were there?” She asked again, harsher than the first time. If Jennifer hadn't spent three films studying her she would have thought Gale was mad at her. She turned her body slightly to make eye contact with her.
“Only one,” Jennifer’s eyes moved around as she tried to recall the memory, “Who was it?”
“Roman, but… there's always two.” Jennifer simply sighed at having been informed she’d been working for a murderer this whole time. She spent so much time studying her role that she never had the time to study the others. Maybe if she had she could have figured it out.
“Who’s your suspect for number two, then?” Jennifer asked, deep down hoping she wasn't going to say her. Well, getting stabbed was probably good proof against it.
“I’m not sure. I was waiting for them to reveal themself.” Gale said. She momentarily thought about how if they still hadn't been caught they could be miles away at this point. And they’d come back eventually if they were.
“If they’re still out there I should probably go look for them. I can't let these fuckers get away with this.” Gale took Jennifer’s hand and placed it on her wound, replacing her own. She used her now-free hand to press down on Jennifer’s, making sure that pressure was actually applied.
“What?” Jennifer whispered, realizing Gale was preparing to leave her alone. Gale leaned up, trying to remove her arm from underneath Jennifer’s head.
“Wait! I want to tell you something… in case I die, you know?” Jennifer said, wiping her face, spreading the blood from her hands to her cheeks. Gale paused and stared at her. Considering if there was time for this.
She nodded her head and bent back down.
“I think… I’ve fallen in love with you.” Jennifer sighed before speaking again, but didn't give Gale time to reply.
“I know it hasn't been long but… I do really feel something for you. Admiration, maybe…? It goes beyond just playing you in the movies. There's something special about how I feel for you.”
Jennifer leaned her head against Gale’s cubital fossa, looking up at her. Gale opened her mouth to speak but all that came out was a small stridor.
The two stared at one another in silence. Jennifer was unable to identify the emotion on Gale’s face. The longer they sat in silence the less confident Jennifer felt about admitting it.
She laid quietly wishing she'd just kept her mouth shut – or even that she’d die of blood loss if embarrassment didn't kill her first.
Gale finally took a deep breath and collected herself. She brought the sleeve of her jacket over her hand and wiped the blood off Jennifer’s face. The buttons on her cuffs lightly tapped against her skin.
“You’re going to be fine. Stop being a baby.” She leaned over, placing a small kiss on her forehead. Jennifer laughed softly at the insult. She would have said something under any other circumstance but now didn't seem like the time.
Besides, Gale wouldn't speak that way if she truly thought she was going to die. She’s been through enough to know the difference between life and death. So, Jennifer trusts her.
“I want one on the lips,” Jennifer whispered. Gale lightheartedly rolled her eyes and leaned back down, placing a kiss on her lips. Jennifer brought her free hand to the back of Gale’s head, forcing her closer. The taste of Jennifer’s blood seeped into Gale’s mouth.
Jennifer’s grip on Gale slowly became looser as she seemed to put less effort into the kiss.
“Jenn?” Gale asked as she pulled her head away to look at her. Jennifer simply hummed back at her, a small smile on her face. Her hand fell from Gale’s head – draping it around her shoulder instead. Tears spilled from Gale’s eyes as she leaned over once more to get a better look at her face.
“Pull it together. You’re fine.” The words came out before Gale could even think about them. They were towards herself but it didn't come out that way. Jennifer slowly nodded her head absent-mindedly in response.
“That wasn't- I’m so sorry, just don't-” Gale spoke quickly, her words blending together. Jennifer’s blood dripped from Gale’s lip and onto her shirt.
She quickly, and gently, pulled her arm away from under Jennifer’s head. She pulled off her jacket, moving Jennifer’s hand and covering the wound with it.
“That hurts.” Jennifer choked out, bringing her arm down from Gale’s shoulder and onto the couch. The blood on her hand got wiped off as it brushed across Gale’s shirt.
“I know… but you’re going to feel better soon,” Gale said, her voice shaking. She moved part of the jacket under Jennifer, attempting to tend to the wound on her back that had been neglected. Pieces of the black leather flaked off as she stretched it around.
“You’re going to be fine. You’re okay.” Gale spoke as she adjusted the jacket into the correct position. Jennifer slightly laughed – knowing Gale was subconsciously trying to convince herself more than trying to comfort her.
Gale shifted back momentarily to take hold of Jennfer’s hand. Her fingers were quickly placed over her radial artery, feeling her pulse. Jennifer watched in silence as the fear in Gale’s eyes grew.
She couldn't feel a pulse. She couldn't feel Roman’s either. She didn't actually know what she was doing.
Her tears spilled more violently than before but no sound seemed to come from the increase.
“It’s okay.” She whispered under her breath. She didn't believe it. She knew Jennifer didn't believe it either.
Gale felt Jennifer’s body relax under her fingertips. She shifted her vision to her face, watching Jennifer’s eyelids desperately try to close.
“Don’t you dare!” Gale shouted, a lot louder than she had expected. She brought her hands to either side of her face, pulling her up slightly to make her look at her. Jennifer slowly brought her hand over Gale’s, a small laugh slipping from her lips.
“Don't-” Gale choked. Her tears ran down – drenching the collar of her shirt. Jennifer leaned her head further into Gale’s hand, slowly closing her eyes.
“Jenn? Ginevra?” She placed her head back down on the arm of the couch. She stood up, positioning herself above Jennifer. She took hold of her shoulder, shaking her.
Nothing.
Small whimpers came from Gale as she tried to form a coherent thought. She placed a finger under Jennifer’s nose and one above her mouth.
There was no breath.
She sat in silence – waiting for any kind of sign – until she knew it had been too long. There was nothing to be done now.
She brought her hand down to Jennifer’s, intertwining their fingers. She cautiously leaned down and placed a light kiss on her lips once more.
“I love you, Jenn.”