The woman smiled kindly, but wearily. "She's alive."

Jenna felt her body sag, grateful for Lucas's strong arm. "Thank God."

The woman's expression became more businesslike. "She's alive right now. She came through the surgery, but not well. She lost a lot of blood. She has trauma to her head where her skull hit the steering wheel on impact." She looked from Jenna to Ned. "The air bag in her car didn't deploy?"

Jenna's stomach heaved. "It was a classic car," she heard herself whisper. "It didn't have an air bag." Oh, God, came the irrational yet very real realization. This is my fault.

Dr. Neuss looked philosophical. "Well, it might have prevented some of the damage, but then again, who knows? The car rolled down an embankment, so there is quite a bit the air bag wouldn't have protected her from. We had to intubate her during surgery. That means she's not breathing on her own right now," she added, again kindly. "She's a fighter, your friend. We had to resuscitate her twice, but she fought like a…"

"Like a mama tiger," Jenna whispered. The tears were coming and she didn't even try to stop them. "Oh, Casey."

"Like a mama tiger," Dr. Neuss repeated, then squeezed Jenna's arm. "Will you be okay?"

Jenna nodded. "I'm fine. I'll be fine." The words were rote. She may even have believed them.

Dr. Neuss slipped her hands in the pockets of her scrubs. "Well, she's stable for now. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will be critical."

"Can we see her?" Ned murmured.

Dr. Neuss shook her head. "She'll be in recovery for a few more hours. Once we get her a bed in ICU, one of the nurses will let you see her on a very limited basis."

"I understand," Ned murmured, but looking at his face, Jenna wondered if he really did.

"I'm on call tonight," Dr. Neuss finished. "Call if you have any questions. And try to get some sleep. The next few days will require you all to be strong."

The doctor walked away leaving them in silence.

Then a sob broke free. Ned's. Standing upright, the man just seemed to crumble inside. Without a thought, Jenna wrapped her arms around him and held him like Casey had held her all the times Adam's illness had become too much to bear. It only seemed right she support Ned now. She held on, rocking him, smoothing his hair, letting him cry. It helped, giving comfort to another. Gave her something to do, kept her own fear from choking her to death.

"Jenna," Lucas said urgently.

Jenna looked up and her eyes widened. There, not ten feet away, stood a pale Steven Thatcher next to a man she'd never seen before. A sense of relief coursed through her. Why? Just because he was here? Yes, just because he's here. He came.

Then Steven looked at Ned in her arms and his brown eyes flashed in-what? Anger? It sure as hell better not be, she thought. She hadn't done anything this time. Hurt? Unwarranted. Jealousy? Not acceptable considering she'd done nothing more than try to be Steven's friend.

Or more.

She cleared her throat as he turned to walk away while the mystery man remained planted in place, his dark eyes narrowed and alert.

"Steven, wait," she called and watched him stop. "Just wait." She turned Ned toward the chairs and gently, pushed him into one and looked at his ravaged face. "I'll be right back. Do you want some water or anything?"

"Do you have any scotch?" Ned asked, leaning back and closing his eyes. "Scratch that, I've got to go to the airport for her folks in an hour. Water would be good."

"Have you eaten anything?" she asked and he grimaced.

"I don't think that's a good idea right now. Just water." Ned opened his eyes and met Jenna's even gaze. "Thanks, Jen. I know what you think of me, and I guess most of it's been true, but-"

Jenna put her fingers over his mouth. "No, Ned. You're here for Casey and that's enough for me. I'll go get your water. Lucas, you'll stay here with him?"

And with Lucas's nod she turned to find Steven still waiting, his expression more humble.

"Casey's boyfriend," Jenna said, looking up at him.

"How is she?" Steven murmured. His hands opened and closed like he wanted to touch her. She wished he would. She really, really wished he would.

Jenna shrugged. "Touch and go. Next forty-eight hours will tell." She closed her eyes. "If only she'd been in her own car. The air bag would have deployed and she'd be okay right now."

Steven looked at her, feeling a burst of relief that she was standing here on her own two feet. Alive. She could have been the one in critical condition right now. But she wasn't. She was alive. Wearing her karate gi and a pair of sandals, her face worn from worry, but she was alive. He needed to touch her, to prove to himself she was solid flesh and bone.

He just needed to touch her. But after the last time, would she let him?

It didn't matter. His hand was lifting to her cheek on its own. Then she turned her face into his palm and that was all he needed. He pulled her into his arms and she came willingly, sliding her arms around his waist beneath his jacket. He pressed a kiss to her temple and she shuddered.

He shuddered right along with her, but for a very different reason. Her best friend was clinging to life because somebody tried to kill her. Over a damn football game. How would she feel when she found out her life was worth less than a damn football game to Lutz and his hoodlum friends? And what if Davies was right and Lutz was capable of so much more? Anger clawed at his gut, but he kept his voice, his touch, gentle. He smoothed a hand over her shiny hair and lifted her chin so he could see her face. He brushed his thumb across her lower lip. "I came as soon as I heard."

Her dark brows snapped together, creating worry lines in her forehead he wanted to kiss away. "How did you know?"

This wasn't the time to tell her she'd been the target, Steven thought. He'd tell her when he got her alone. Where she could curse and cry in private. "The police called me," he said softly, still touching her face, still convincing himself she was okay. "You know how the rumor mill is. You visit me at a search site and half the force knows we're…" He shrugged. "Whatever we are."

She searched his face and his heart stumbled. "What are we?" she whispered.

You're mine, his mind answered. Mine, mine, mine. But he drew a breath and murmured instead, "I want to find out if you're still willing."

She blinked her violet eyes, then nodded. "I am."

A new wave of relief practically cut him at the knees. "Then will you wait for me here? I want to take you home, but I need to give someone a ride first. I'll be back to get you in an hour. Hour and a half, tops."

Jenna looked over his shoulder to where Davies still stood. "Who is he?"

Davies stepped forward, his hand outstretched. "I'm Detective Neil Davies. I'm working with Agent Thatcher on a case."

Steven looked at Davies and wanted to frown. There was a light in Davies's eyes, a light Steven recognized and didn't like one iota. It was the light that came on in a man's eyes when he saw a woman that he wanted. Steven was sure the same look had come into his eyes when he'd first seen Jenna.

Jenna pulled her arms from around his waist to shake Davies's hand, leaving Steven feeling bereft. And pissed at Davies. He'd let Davies on his professional turf because he knew the mind of their killer, but… But stay away from my woman.

"It's good to meet you, Detective," she said, giving him one of her beautiful smiles, and Steven felt irrational jealousy simmer. "I'm Jenna. I'm glad Steven has some support on this case. I know it's been consuming his time." She turned back to Steven with a sigh. "Thanks for offering to take me home tonight, but I think I'll stay here."

"No, she won't."