The Road Back -- (Completed)

[Shanna]

The Road Back... Chapter 13

When Harley ran to her car she heard the approaching thunder of the storm and hoped she could get to the cabin and back before it hit. She needed to see him just as in her heart she knew that he needed to see her just as much. “Baby I know you’re hurting, let me help.” She kept repeating as she drove up the winding road that led to the man that held her heart.

Seeing lightening flash in the distance she kept her thoughts on Gus. He needed her with him as he dealt with Eden’s death. They had been through so much to get where they were now and had always dealt with things together. She had known that and somehow had to help Gus remember that. Determined to let him see how much she was willing to help him she turned on to the road that would take her to the cabin.

At the cabin, Gus sat in one spot on the couch as he gave into the overwhelming feelings while he grieved for Eden. Sometimes he could handle the feelings but then there times like now that they just overwhelmed him. He knew part of the reason his feelings were this huge was because he’d seen his beautiful Harley at Company.

He got up and walked to the kitchen to fix himself some coffee. As he stood there stirring the spoon in his coffee cup he heard a knock on the door. Walking to it he opened the door and just stared when he saw who was standing there.

“What are you doing here?” Gus asked as he walked back to sit on the couch. He was right in front of the couch when his eyes flew to hers, “Are the boys alright?” he asked quickly. Closing the door she answered, “the boys are fine they are with there dads.” Letting out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding he repeated as he sat down

“What are you doing here?”<br>
Sitting next to him, “I came here for you.” she replied slowly running her hand along his stubble covered jaw. Gus pulled back then standing he went to the fireplace.

“You can’t help me, Harley that’s why I left in the first place so I could deal with alone.”<br>
“But you aren’t alone Gus, you have a family that loves you and we’ll do anything to help you.”

He started to turn but her next words stopped him in mid turn, “You have me.”

Standing she went to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind. When he felt her arms around him and her head resting against his back he closed his eyes hoping for a minute that her warmth would invade his body, all he felt was numb.

They stayed that way in silence as she enjoyed holding him and he was hoping he could get warm for once since his sister’s death. After a few minutes when she felt him stiffen a little Harley let him go and went back to the couch. Not saying anything Gus watched her as she sat there. Walking up behind her he very lightly ran his hand over her hair and then walked away. Harley felt his hand on her hair and almost stopped breathing she knew that when he touched her hair it was for two reasons. 1. He loved the feel of her hair on his fingers and 2. It was his silent way of telling her he loved her.

When she turned to face him he was standing in the kitchen watching her. Harley could feel the tension radiating off him and she could feel it between them as they watched each other. As she pulled her purse to her she replied, “I thought you might want these.” She said pulling to big papers out and holding them.

“What?”

She carefully opened them and let him see them. When he saw them he took a deep breath as he looked at the two pictures that Zach and Jude had drawn for him. He carefully walked to her and gently took them and traced with his finger the three words that were written under the pictures.

“I have to do this on my own Harley, I told you that when I left.” Gus said quietly. “I can’t involve you in this.” Harley just stared blankly at him, “I was with you when she died Gus. He nodded as tears flooded his eyes, “I NEED you to go baby. Seeing the pain and heartbreak in his eyes she stood but didn’t move, “Do you know how hard it is for me to leave you now especially when you are hurting, even though I promised I’d give you space.”<br>
“I know, because it’s killing me to ask you to leave.” He said softly. Walking past her Gus goes to the door and opens it without a word. Picking up her purse Harley walks to him and very softly kisses him before she leaves. When the door is closed Harley just stares at it, “I love you.” she whispers laying her hand against the door, wiping away tears. On the other side Gus leaned his head against the door as he laid his hand on the same spot almost sensing Harley’s still there and let his tears fall. Harley looked one more time at the door and walked away.

Gus leaned back against the door for several minutes until a loud crash of thunder vibrated the windows and a wicked flash of lightening illuminated the room. Not realizing the storm had gotten worse he watched as the rain hit the window, he hoped Harley had beaten the worst of it. After about five minutes he got a nagging feeling in his gut that he tried to ignore but as it got stronger he grabbed his boots and shoved his feet in them. Then grabbing his jacket and keys and headed out the door.

Jumping in his car Gus headed down the mountain repeating her name as he drove. After about ten minutes he caught sight of Harley’s car and began to follow her. As he watched Harley round a curve his heart leaped into his throat…<br>

[Shanna]

The Road Back... Chapter 14

As he watched Harley round a curve his heart leaped into his throat…

Gus felt like his entire life had flashed before his eyes as he watched Harley’s car fish tail across the road as she tried to control it, but skidded out of control along a guard rail throwing sparks as the car connected before hitting a tree.

“NOOOOOOOO!!!!” Gus screamed as he came to a stop facing Harley’s car. Grabbing his cell he dialed 911. Not caring that he was getting soaked he jumped from his car and ran to her. Carefully opening the door he knelt between the open door and Harley as he saw her with her head against the steering wheel facing him. He saw blood running from a cut on her forehead.

“Harley?” he asked laying a handkerchief over the cut and putting pressure against it he continued, “If you can hear me baby squeeze my hand?” Gus asked as he wrapped his hand around hers. Slowly reaching to touch her cheek he lovingly caressed it.

“Baby I’m right here, I’m with you.” Gus repeated over and over watching her hand for any sign. After five minutes of talking to her so she could hear his voice he repeated, “Sweetheart, its Gus I need you to squeeze my hand if you hear me?” he asked feeling her squeeze his had as he watched her face. Seeing that she was trying to open her eyes he stroked her cheek.

When she opened her eyes she said the only name that was in her mind and on her heart, “Gus!”

“I’m here babe, don’t try to move, you’ve been in an accident.”

When Harley actually heard his voice she tried to focus on his face but she couldn’t. “Gus, I can’t seem to focus.” She replied. Hearing her words he scooted closer and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand even as he watched the road

“WHERE IS IT!?! He screamed in frustration.

Glancing at Harley he saw her eyes beginning to close, “Stay awake baby, stay with me. I need you to talk to me tell me about the boys.” He asked trying to keep her awake.

“I just want to sleep Gus.” Harley remarked.

“I know you do love but I need for you to stay with me, help’s coming. Tell me about the boys.” He said. After a few minutes Harley stopped talking when the Ambulance and several police cars pulled up.

“Sir, I need you to move so I can get to her.” The paramedic said as he tried to pull Gus away.

“Ma’am what’s your name?” the paramedic asked kneeling after Gus moved. Gus heard her say her name and then call for him. “I’m here.” He replied as he stood where she could see him on the other side of the door.

“Sir, who are you? Did you see what happened?” another paramedic asked. Gus nodded watching as they put a collar around Harley’s neck. “I’m her fiancée and was following her; her car fishtailed across the road and she tried to control it but because of the rain she skidded hit a guardrail –.” He stopped when he heard Frank yell “Sis!” and come running toward her.

Stepping in front of the paramedic working on Harley to keep Frank from getting in the way Gus looked at Frank. Seeing Frank’s eyes blazing her brother spit out in anger, “Stay away from her Aitoro.”

“No.”<br>
“It’s your fault she’s hurt.” Frank said. “I’m not leaving her.” Gus stated firmly.

“Sir?” the paramedic working with Harley said to Gus as he stood. “Yeah.” “We’re getting ready to move her, you can ride with her.” Gus nodded then yelled at a cop he knew. “Patterson, could you drive my car to the hospital for me… I’m with Harley.” He asked. “Sure thing Gus.” Patterson jogged off with Gus’s keys to tell his partner.

Gus backed up as they carefully pulled Harley out and put her on a stretcher and took her to the ambulance. Climbing in, he sat down and took her hand in his. “Harley it’s okay. I’m here.” She slowly opened her eyes again even though she still couldn’t focus, “I love you.” She whispered as a tear escaped her eye and ran toward her hair. Slipping off the bench and kneeling between it and the stretcher Gus wiped away the tear with his thumb, “I love you too.”

Seeing the look on her face he squeezed her hand, “You still can’t focus can you?” he wondered. “No.” “It’s okay you’re on the way to the hospital and you’ll get checked out, it’s most likely a concussion that’s causing you not to focus. As they rode he took the time to look at her and he saw the cuts on her face and bruises. The paramedics had immobilized her right wrist and leg so they could be checked out at the hospital.

After twenty minutes the back doors opened and Harley was taken out and wheeled into the hospital while he followed behind. When Harley was being wheeled to a room Rick saw him.

“You look like a drowned rat Gus.”

“I was trying to protect Harley from as much of the rain as I could.” He said just before he sneezed.

Rick looked over at a nurse and asked her to get scrubs for Gus, a minute later Rick passed them to him saying, “Go to Drs. Lounge let them know you have Dr. Bauer’s permission to use the shower, after you take a hot shower change and come back… by then I’ll know what’s going on with Harley.” Rick replied. As Gus started to walk away carrying the scrubs he turned,

“Rick, tell Harley I love her.” “Will do.” Rick said before he disappeared through the door to Harley’s room.

[Shanna]

The Road Back... Chapter 15

Gus walked toward the nurses’ station wearing green scrubs, as thoughts of Harley ran through his head. When he reached her room Rick was just coming through the door.

“Rick! How is she?”

He looked up from her chart, “Calm down, Harley’s trouble focusing is due to a concussion, so I want to keep her overnight at least. We’ll check again tomorrow to see if she needs to stay longer.”<br>
“What about her leg and wrist?” Gus asked not giving Rick a chance to continue. “Her right leg was pinned and because of the way it was pinned it caused a break when the wreck happened. We’ve x-rayed it and set it then put her in a cast. As far as her wrist goes she sprained it so she’s wearing a soft air cast that she can take off in several days.” Rick finished.

“So she’s okay?” Gus asked glancing at the door over Rick’s shoulder. “She will be. You can go in and see her whenever you’re ready.” He nodded and started toward Harley but stopped when someone called his name.

Gus turned, “Yeah.” Franklin stopped, “I think you might want to know that we have Harley’s car at the impound lot…” Franklin let his sentence die as he looked at the floor. “Chief what aren’t you saying?” Gus wondered.

“Did you see her car?” he asked. Gus looked at Franklin, “I saw it but I was too busy trying to keep Harley with me.” “I got a good look at her car Gus; and by the looks of it when she hit the guardrail and then the tree… let’s just say she’s very lucky.”<br>
“She could have been killed” Gus whispered.

Chief Franklin continued slowly, “Between the rain- slicked road, the damage to the rail, and the impact... Harley's lucky to have just minor injuries.” The chief started to say something else but stopped as he watched Gus run from him down the hall.

He didn’t know how long he ran or care where he went in the hospital he just knew he was running from the thought that he felt was chasing him as he ran to nowhere in particular, “I could’ve lost her too!” When Gus stopped to catch his breath he shut his eyes tight as he saw Harley’s car hitting the tree over and over. He opened his eyes and realized he was standing in front of Harley’s window. Letting out a breath he laid his hand against the glass. As much as he tried to deny that he needed to be with her; his heart had led his feet where he wanted to be.

Slowly opening her door he quietly went to stand beside her, he watched her sleep for a minute then gently kissed her lips as his fingers caressed her face. As he looked over her face Gus noticed that the cut on her forehead had been cleaned and a fresh bandage put on.

Gus watched as Harley’s eyes fluttered open, “Gus?” she wondered. “I’m here babe.” He replied. While he watched he saw that she was still trying to focus, “Everything is still fuzzy.” She remarked. Sitting beside her Gus laid his hand against her cheek, “I know it is Harley the…the accident caused a concussion so Rick wants to keep you over night for observation when he took a shuddering breath Harley lay her hand over his on her cheek as he looked down and wiped at the tears in his eyes before he continued, “Plus you have a cast on your right leg and an air cast on your wrist. But other than that you’ll be okay.”<br>
“How did you know what happened?” she asked.

He looked at her, “I was coming after you, after you left I realized how bad the storm had gotten and wanted to make sure you got back alright. I had just spotted your car and was a little ways behind you when I saw the accident. You will never know how scared I was when I saw you lose control of the car babe.” Gus stated. Harley reached up and pulled him to her as he buried his face in her hair.

“Gus why are you in scrubs?”<br>
He laughed a little as he looked at her, “After I opened your door I stayed by you and stood between you and the door trying to block the rain from you as much as possible. When I got here I was soaked so Rick let me shower and gave me these to wear.

He could see Harley was fighting to stay awake, “Sweetheart, don’t fight sleep, I’ll be here.” As he kissed her she looked at him once more, “You look really sexy in scrubs honey.” she mumbled as he turned, “Thanks sweetie.” He whispered as he watched her drift off.

Gus sat beside her for a few minutes then he made sure she was warm enough before he turned and headed towards the door to go see Rick. He didn’t get very far; once he closed her door emotion swamped him
and he sank to the floor by the door and buried his head in his hands…<br>

[Shanna]

The Road Back... Chapter 16 (Conclusion)

When someone lightly kicked Gus’s foot he looked up. Rick stood there looking at him for a minute and saw his red rimmed eyes. Crouching down Rick quietly asked, “Why are you out here?” “I don’t deserve her. I told her to leave me.” Gus answered.

“What?” Rick wondered a little confused.

“She came up to the cabin to try and get me to come home so we could deal with my sister’s death together. I told her to go home. After she left I realized how bad the storm was and followed her, I saw the accident happen Rick. If I’d have just let her stay with me she wouldn’t be here now.”

“Gus, she knew how you felt.” Rick stated. “But I pulled away from her—Why? She’ll never forgive me.” Rick laid a hand on his shoulder, “She’ll forgive you. She loves you and she’ll help you through the feelings your feeling.” Rick stood and motioned and orderly over and talked to him for a minute before he left to do what was asked of him. A few minutes later the orderly was back pushing a roll away bed in front of him. When hew stopped Rick quietly opened Harley’s door and let the orderly in who placed the bed next to her. After he walked out Rick closed the door.

“You need to get some sleep Gus, plus you need to be with her.” Rick opened the door and gently pushed him through it then closed it. Gus walked to Harley and pulled the cover up higher to make sure she was warm then lightly kissed the band aid covered scratch on her cheek before he whispered

“I’m sooo sorry, I love you sweetheart.” Then after kicking off his shoes climbed under the covers, turning on his side facing Harley and fell asleep.

Sometime during the night, Gus began to dream of Eden and the time they’d spent together before the wedding. As he dreamed a young woman watched from the corner of Harley’s room. Walking over to him she pulled his cover up over him

“I’m here Nicky and always will be, but you need to let Harley help you now.” She replied before she kissed his cheek then walked around to where Harley was sleeping.

She watched Harley for a minute then smiled, “He needs you Harley, you’re the only one who can comfort him in mind and body, and you know what needs to be done.” With a final look at Gus, “I love you big brother. With those final words she disappeared.

The next morning…<br>
Harley slowly let her eyes adjust to the bright sunlight before she opened them. When she did she look around and saw Gus sleeping by her on a bed that Rick must have had brought in. She just memorized his features and as she studied his face she saw the tension and grief still etched there. Reaching over she gently lay the backs of her fingers against his cheek, she saw that when she touched him the tension ebbed away. Harley watched him for a minute longer as she whispered to herself

“I know what he needs now, the time is right.”<br>
She gently caressed his face with her fingers and watched him slowly open his eyes as he came awake.

“Babe.” Gus replied groggily as he sat up and wiped his eyes. He quickly stood and leaned toward her placing a tender but meaningful kiss on her lips. Breaking the kiss Gus looked at her, “How’s your vision honey?” he asked lightly running a hand over her hair.

“It’s better. I want to go home Gus.” she answered. “I don’t know Coop, I’ll get Rick and we’ll see what he thinks.” Gus said as he kissed her hand lightly then went to find Rick.

A few minutes later, the two men walked back in. “Hey Harley, Gus tells me you want to go home.” Rick said. She nodded as Gus sat beside her on the bed. Rick asked her some questions then leaned over to check her vision as well as her other cuts and bruises. When he’d checked her chart he looked at her

“Your vision is still a little fuzzy from what you’ve said, I’ll let you go home but you will need to have someone stay with you until you’re wrist and leg is completely healed.” Rick stated.

“I’ll stay with her Rick.” Gus said quietly watching Harley. She laid her hand in his and nodded. “Okay you can go but you have to take it easy and if your vision gets worse again come back in.” Rick ordered. They nodded as he left and Gus got up to get her clothes. After he helped her dress they left the hospital.

Driving home they were both quiet, Harley knowing Gus was scared to come back and Gus not sure how he was going to handle this. Once they were in the driveway he parked then ran to the door and opened it before going back to Harley. Opening her door Gus leaned in and after wrapping one hand around her back and slipping the other under her knees he lifted her out of the car. Kicking the door shut Gus just stood holding her and looking in her eyes. “Kiss me.” She asked.

He gently kissed her then leaned his forehead against hers and just stood there. Standing there Harley caressed his face as tears silently ran down his face as he carried her inside and after closing the door sat her on the couch making sure to prop her leg up.

“Where are the boys?” Harley wondered. “They are with your dad for a few days.” Gus remarked as he sat down by her wiping at the tears.

“Sweetie its okay to grieve and I wa--.” She starts to say but he stops her, “Coop, I don’t want to go through what I’m feeling without you by my side.” She nodded, “Can you look on the top shelf of the hall closet over there and bring me the box with your name on it please?” Harley asked.

Gus went and got the box and brought it back to her and sat down. Harley turned at an angle where she could face Gus as best she could.

“What is this Harley?” he wondered.

“Do you remember the day Eden and I went to our last fitting?” she asked. He nodded. “She told me that day she wanted to go shopping.” Harley said as she pulled Eden’s gift that she’d wrapped the week before out of the box she’d put it in to hold for him and handed it to him.

“It’s for you from your sister honey.” She whispered as Gus stared at it as she continued, “She was planning on giving it to you right after the ceremony but right before she died she asked me to finish what had to be done and then give it to you when I felt the time was right for you to see it.”<br>
“The time is right, now.”<br>
Gus squeezed her hand tightly as he began to open the gift when he pushed the paper away from the gift his eyes filled with tears as he saw his sister. He gently lifted the silver triple picture frame from the box and reached for Harley’s hand as he looked at the pictures it held – on the left was a picture of his sister from the night she had had dinner with them, in the center was a picture of him, and on the right was a picture of Harley.

When Gus looked at Harley she gently turned the picture so he could read the inscription on the back of his picture.

Nicky,

To my brother, my protector, my friend I love you more than words can say. As your sister, I thought I had claim on your heart and no one else was to have it. But then you saw Harley and she became a part of your life and you both fell in love. So, within this frame are the two most important women in your life. I understand now that I never lost you to her and that we both could claim your heart as our own and you would still love your little sister. Nicky be happy and love with all your heart now and know that I’m in your heart and know with Harley you aren’t alone anymore.

I love you forever,

Eden

When Gus read the last line of Eden’s inscription he looked at Harley, “She knew.”<br>
Harley nodded, “She’s always going to be with you. She’s letting you know you don’t have to grieve and deal with her death alone.”<br>As Gus continued to look at Harley he felt more tears as he leaned toward her and she placed her arms around him as best she could and held him as he grieved for his sister that he loved. Harley held him and in the age old rhythm of comfort rocked him as she too grieved for the sister-in-law that she had just barely begun to know.

After an hour, Gus looked at her, “I love you.” He replied as he kissed her then gingerly untangling himself from Harley stood and carried the frame to the fireplace and set it there. Coming back he reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out her rings.

Placing the rings on her fingers he said, “I found The Road Back.” Harley smiled, “I knew with time you would and I wasn’t giving up until you did.”<br>
Picking her up gently, Gus carried her up to their room and as he carried her down the hall you heard him say, “Thank you for loving me.”<br>