The Negotiator

William got up, "Do you still want me here? These guys finally forgave me so I guess I'm off the hook."

"Well... I'll be fine if you need to leave..." She replied. I want you here forever and for always!!

"I'll stay as long as you want me to...and then I need to go and investigate some stuff for those guys." William pointed his thumb back at the brothers.

Kristen smiled. "I'd just like you here for at least ten more minutes..."

Jake laughed. "Oh, so now we're 'Those Guys'! I thought we were still Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumb!"

William laughed at them, "Nah, you guys aren't dumb. I'm glad I got hit today." He held her hand and rubbed the back with his thumb.

Jake smiled. "Well, we can always arrange to have you hit again! xD"

Kristen glared at him, and he shut up.

"No thanks..." William sat at the edge of the bed holding her hand trying to forget about the argument the two had the other day, it was something he didn't want to focus on right now.

Jake just laughed, and reached into his pocket when his pager went off. He quickly dialed the number (he wasn't very good at texts) and his face lost all expression. Kristen knew the face. All Richardsons got it when theyturned from relaxation, to work. After a very short conversation, Jake clicked his phone shut and stood up. He strode quickly over to Kristen, and kissed her on the forehead. Stephen and I have been paged, love. We gotta go.

Stephen had just shut his phone from reading a text, and nodded his confirmation. Kristen sighed, and smiled. "Go do your jobs, and save the world. I love both of you, be safe."

Jake smiled. "I love you too." Then after Stephen had kissed her, and said his "I love you." to her, they left.

William coughed slightly, "They are nice guys." He said as he turned to look at her, a smile spread across his face as he thought about falling in love with her all over again...but at the same time it felt impossible.

Kristen took his hand, and squeezed it. "Is there something you want too talk about?" She was concerned for him.

William shook his head, "No... I'm just thinking about a lot of things." He said in a weary voice while squeezing her hand back after she'd done it to his.

"Okay..." She let the topic drop, and was content to stay silent for awhile.

"I...I was praying for you when you were in the accident." William began shyly, he knew that they didn't seem to respond well when he mentioned prayer.

"Thank you..." Kristen replied. She meant it, but that didn't mean she believed it. She was silent for a while before finally speaking. "Will... why do you believe? I mean, everyone has their only reason why... what's yours?"

"I became a believer when I was sixteen after getting caught in a shooting. I was so badly injured that they told me I wouldn't make it through the night so that's when I asked God if he'd save me if I was going to die... I prayed all night." William said feeling a bit shaky, he wasn't sure if she'd understand. "Coming close to death really hits you."