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"Hey!" she called, waving to catch their attention as she approached Sheila and Finn. "I just wanted to say thank you. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't found me in time."
Her voice trembled with gratitude, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. It was clear how much their actions had meant to her, and the weight of their responsibility settled heavy on Sheila's shoulders.
Finn, ever humble, pointed at Sheila. "She deserves all the credit. She put the pieces together and tracked you down."
Bailey turned her gaze to Sheila, extending a shaky hand. "Thank you, Officer Stone. You saved my life."
Sheila clasped Bailey's hand firmly, her fingers brushing over the other woman's racing pulse. "Please, call me Sheila. And I was just doing my duty."
"Well, Sheila, your duty saved me," Bailey insisted, tears finally spilling over and sliding down her cheeks. "And for that, I'll always be grateful."
Before Sheila could think of a way to get the spotlight off herself, a car screeched into the parking lot, tires squealing as it came to an abrupt halt. A man burst out of the driver's seat, his eyes wide with panic as he scanned the chaotic scene. He looked disheveled, anxiety etched onto his face as he tried to push past the uniformed officers blocking his path.
"Hey, hey! That's my girlfriend!" he shouted, desperation lacing his voice.
Bailey glanced over at the commotion, worry fading into relief as she recognized him. "Johnny!" she shouted.
The officers seemed to realize what was going on, and they let Johnny through. He rushed toward Bailey, pulling her into a tight embrace. Sheila and Finn watched, giving them privacy in the midst of the chaos.
"It's over," Johnny whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You're safe now."
Bailey nodded, burying her face into his shoulder. Sheila couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at the display of affection. She missed having someone to hold her like that, to tell her everything was going to be alright.
Finn noticed her change in demeanor and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, grateful for the gesture.
"These are the officers who saved me," Bailey said, gesturing at Sheila and Finn.
Johnny turned to Sheila and Finn, his expression grateful. "Thank you," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I don't know what I would have done if I lost her."
Sheila nodded, understanding all too well the fear of losing someone you love. "We're just glad we could help," she said.
Johnny nodded back at her, then turned his attention to Bailey. "Let's get you home, okay? Dinner is on me tonight."
"Wait, Bailey," Sheila called, stopping the couple in their tracks. They both turned back to face Sheila. She felt there was something she had to say.
"About that palm reading you got from Sage Walker..." Sheila hesitated for a moment, thinking of her own fear, the possibility that she might eventually go into a downward spiral like Natalie had and never find her way out of it. All through this case, that fear had haunted her. Now, however, as she thought about the palm readings Sage Walker had given, it occurred to her that it didn't matter what dangers the future might or might not hold. All she had – all anyone had – was today, the present, and the choices she made in this very moment.
She couldn't control the future. She could, however, decide she wasn't going to live in fear of it.
"What is it?" Bailey asked, studying her in puzzlement.
"Don't put too much stock into her predictions, okay?" Sheila said.
Bailey blinked, confusion flickering across her features. "What do you mean?"
Sheila sighed, struggling to find the right words. "Sage had a habit of predicting doom and gloom for most of her clients. Don't let her warnings dictate your life. You're free to choose your own path, regardless of what supposed ending may lie in your future."
A slow smile spread across Bailey's face, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, Sheila. I'll remember that."
With that, Bailey and Johnny walked away, arm in arm.
"Must feel good," Finn said quietly, standing beside Sheila. "To have someone who would miss you like that if something happened."
Sheila glanced at him, catching the subtle concern in his eyes as they met hers. She found herself touched by his earlier insistence that she wait for backup rather than confronting Constance alone. She knew he'd only said that out of concern for her safety.
"Yeah," she agreed softly. "It does."
Finn reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing against the back of her hand before he took it in his own. The warmth of his touch seemed to seep into her very bones, grounding her amidst the turmoil. He brought his other hand up, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
