Tender Bullets

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin had Sofia in his arms and they were watching some movie she wanted to see. One he had no interest in seeing, but he put up with a few of her likes because it was who she was. Plus she was safe in his arms and right now with everything they had been through that was all he could ask for. When his doorbell rang he furrowed a brow. It was a confused expression. Martin sighed and squirmed trying to move without disturbing Sofia too much. He kissed the top of her head. Though he didn’t say a word as he went to the door.

The polite doorbell turned into banging and obsessive doorbell ringing. Martin hadn’t even been able to count to 15 before it got more angry sounding. Grabbing his gun from the sidebar he wasn’t going to take chances at this time of night. Martin was livid with whomever it was. If it was the crazy neighbor kids again, then he would be having a calm but firm discussion with their parents.

Before Martin could open the door a figure came at him through the window screaming like a crazy person. “You turned her against me! Son of a bitch. You will pay for this!” Martin had already had a few run ins with the guy before this. At Sofia’s house, and Martin had made it clear that he was to come no where near Sofia.

Martin fired his weapon and shattered the glass behind the man. It had been intentional. “You missed.” The guy started laughing. Raymond that was his name. Martin registered who it was and started to get in a defensive stance. There was no way this man was getting into the rest of the house.

“I wasn’t aiming for you. That was a courtesy warning to get the hell out of my house!” Martin’s voice raised to a level that suggested he was being firm. It was hard to get Martin to yell, yelling at people wasn’t his thing. When Raymond kept advancing Martin had no choice but to fire. Twice more Martin fired. The first shot was to Raymond’s arm to disarm him, the second at his leg to take him down. “I’d shoot to kill you but I respect your daughter more than I hate you.” Martin hissed. The closest thing to handcuffs he had was the dog leash by the door. He tied Raymond up but it wasn’t without a struggle. Martin grabbed the guy by the head and put his nose in the ground once he’d accomplished tying him up.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

Sofia had never felt safer in her life, she was happy and Martin made her feel that way as she relaxed glad to finally be there with him. It was strange to admit what it felt like to be there with a person, to feel entirely safe in their arms and even the movie as good as it was a general chick flick. He was still there watching it with her even though she figured he might not exactly be ecstatic over the movie content he was still there with her. When she heard the doorbell Sofia sighed as he kissed the top of her head.

The doorbell was going to ruin their perfect night she thought as she rested her head on one of the couch cushions as Martin barely even disturbed her as he got up. She tried to focus on the movie but it had been a long day and she could feel her eyes closing a little. The sound of the door bell faded into the distance until she could hear the screaming. It made no sense to her at first, taking a one eyed glance at the TV she could see that the talking was far from screaming as it took her a moment to realise something was wrong.

No it was hardly one of Martin’s kids coming back she thought before she realised who the voice was. In an instant she could feel that icy cold shiver creep over her, the tense and cautiousness returning as she could hear her father. Then the shot rang in her ears, she could barely breath as she assumed her father had just shot Martin. The man had held her hostage before, gone crazy when he had too much to drink she thought as her head raced. Sofia pushed herself from the sofa, making cautious but hurried steps toward the front door.

Please do not die, she thought over and over until she stood close enough to hear Martin talking. Courtesy warning and get out was the main phrase of what she heard until she heard two more shots. “Martin, Martin!” Sofia shrieked as she practically ran toward him thinking he was hurt. Just like in the park that day he had been hurt and now this was on her. Her head was spinning until she saw her father on the floor being tied up and then his head forced to the ground. “No, no, no. What the hell did you do?” Sofia screamed glaring at Martin.

Martin shot her dad, twice? This was far from happening she thought as she reached out to grasp the wall to stop herself from collapsing right there and then. It felt as if he had just punched her himself as he stared for a moment. Sofia hardly liked her father nor could she honestly say she had much love left for him because after each visit to the ER it was slowly beaten out of her but this. This was, what the hell was this? It took her a moment to gather what rational thought she had as she made her way to the two of them and dropped down next to her father.

“Let him go... just move... get out and leave.” She spluttered as she pulled off her shirt leaving only a camisole underneath as she tried to push her shirt against her father’s shoulder wound with one hand as she tried to undo the belt she had on her trousers to tie around his leg with her other hand though she was failing epically. “I... call an ambulance.” Sofia spluttered glancing down at her father as she was unsure if she wanted Martin to shoot him again or to leave, she even hated herself for thinking that as either options but it was all she could do to just stay there and not hide away from the two of them.

Sheldon Martin,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin was already dialing an ambulance when Sofia came in screaming at him asking what he had done. Martin just sat there at let her scream at him. He wasn’t going to argue with her or anything else. He explained to the dispatcher exactly what had happened. He could tell from the man’s wounds that he would likely live. No killing his girlfriend’s father wasn’t really on his list of things to do. But maybe the man would get the picture now that Martin would protect everyone he cared her about.

Though Martin was very protective over Sofia and was watching her father like a hawk. He wouldn’t keep Sofia from doing what she felt her job was, but at the same time he would snatch her up and out of harms way in an instant. Martin hung up the phone and tried to remain calm. No doubt until this was investigated he would be in troubled with the police. He would be calling Vanessa. If anyone could post bond for him it would be his boss. At least then he could spend the night somewhere other than the prison.

There were no words, Martin wasn’t sure that saying anything at this point was going to fix anything. Martin was controlling his anger. It scared Sofia when he became aggressive to even inanimate objects. Even now he was trying to be considerate of her. He was on the phone with his boss explaining what had happened. If he was lucky, the cops would let him go pending investigation but he knew it didn’t work like that. He hung up the phone and left only to go down the hall and get some supplies.

Martin didn’t leave though, he bent down to try and help but only with supplies she might need until the medics got here. He’d still not let Sofia out of his sight. Couldn’t she see that this wasn’t out of spite. The man had come through the window… Martin kept trying to find words to say but it was better to just not say a word. She needed to process things and work out what she wanted to do. Martin moved like a silent but well oiled machine on autopilot.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

What was more frustrating? The fact Sofia knew exactly what he had done or the fact that Martin was being completely nonchalant about it? Both annoyed her and yet she was clueless as to which feeling to go with first. If he had tried to argue with her at that moment she was sure it would have ended badly. Sofia knew that Martin protected those he cared about, she had seen it for years and recently had been part of that when he had taken a bullet in the park. She was still mad at him about that but it never paid to be mad with him too long because it was simply who he was.

Sofia was too frightened to do anything other than the job she knew how to do. Stop the bleeding, wait for paramedics because she had nothing to hand to do her job to the best of her ability. The wounds were far from life threatening so Sofia was confident her father would live though her attitude to that thought was mixed as she heard Martin hang up the phone. Sofia could barely look his way and yet the silence bar her father’s tirade of abuse for the fact he had been shot seemed to unsettle her more.

The account Sofia heard Martin tell who she could only assume was another cop had her realising what had gone on as she saw the glass as if for the first time. She was mortified to think her family had done that to Martin’s home as she could feel the unwelcome flush of embarrassment cover her face. When her father refused to shut up Sofia did the only thing she knew how to, pain. She pushed hard against the wound on his arm as before she tightened the belt around his leg. She could hear him scream and seethe through his teeth but Sofia kept well away from his hands that reached out to shove her off him.

Sofia panicked when Martin seemed to disappear from her sight. “Martin!” She called out not sure what he was doing until he came back with supplies. Sofia let him help her with the supplies as she glanced at Martin briefly before returning her gaze to the floor. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Sofia asked Martin though she could hardly bring herself to look him in the eye as she looked anywhere but to make sure he was alright. Her free hand reached out for him even if it was just to know he was still there and not running a million miles away from her. “I’ll pay for the window, the glass I will fix it.” Sofia blurted as the warm sting of tears streamed down her face. “I’m so sorry I never thought that... this ... I’ll fix it I promise.” She said knowing she would but she wanted Martin to know she was sorry and would do just as she said.

Sofia heard her father say something about breaking more than glass but before she could reply to tell him to go to hell, he grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly to him. Sofia froze; it was just like before as she waited to feel the strike against her. The tirade of abuse that usually followed her doing anything to anger her father as she closed her eyes waiting to feel the usual follow through of her actions. She dare not even look at Martin, ashamed for what had happened and what he would see once her father did his usual thing.

Sheldon Martin ,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin just put a hand on Sofia’s back comfortingly when she started to freak out. Though before he realized what was going on Sofia was the aim of her father. Martin quickly moved between Sofia and Raymund. He moved Sofia away as quickly and safely as possible. His one hand pinning Raymund down on a pressure point that was sure to cause him to not be able to move. Military training was showing its ugly face. Martin wanted to say words, but they would be a useless waste of breath.

“Sofia. Go wait on the ambulance and police please.” Martin was direct but not yelling. He wanted Sofia away from all of this mess. He was doing his best to remain composed, as becoming frantic wouldn’t help the situation. Martin was more than capable of handling Raymund especially since the other man was injured. Martin was not about to make things worse on this already.

The last thing he wanted to do was to make a phone call to his boss so he could make bail. Chicago had a no gun policy. Except that he was armed security, he had an exceptions permit. Misuse of that could mean a large mess not only for him but for WhitTech. He’d hate to have Vanessa’s security jeopardized because of his mistake. No, he had to focus on what was on hand. The sirens seemed so far away, yet they were just rounding the corner of his street.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

This was the exact reason she never let anyone in on her life, her father. She kept people away as they saw the happy smile and the laugh and that was it, now Martin was seeing exactly what her father did and she expected a certain degree of ‘no thanks’. Martin’s hand on her back relaxed her a little though the minute her father started she was surprised how fast Martin moved. His one hand pinning her father though Sofia had no feeling toward that right now.

Sofia glanced at Martin almost pleading to stay though his direct tone was all but concrete. “I... yes I’ll wait.” She said as she backed out to the door pausing only to look at the two men. “Don’t let him hurt you Martin.” Sofia said knowing what her father could be like though right now all she wanted was to get out. The evening air hit her like a sobering force of nature. It stung as she inhaled a much needed breath trying to work out what to explain or if she was sorry about Martin shooting her father.

She could hear the sirens as she watched them make the approach to the house, it seemed surreal as she stood there watching the paramedics and cops head toward the door she was stood by. It seemed to take her a minute to get her head in gear as Sofia held her hand out to stop one of the officers. “Martin he didn’t mean it, he didn’t have a choice. He’s unarmed.” Sofia spluttered not wanting anyone else hurt for the evening as she followed the line of people back inside.

No she needed to be calm and keep Martin with her, that was her plan and Martin was never going to leave her sight. Sofia had no idea how to achieve that though all she could do was try to move through the sea of people that had now milled around as she ignored the voices. Too many, it was Martin who was important, no one else right now was of any consequence.

Sheldon Martin,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin knew that Vanessa would have him out on bail before they could even book him. He wasn’t really sure how that woman pulled so many strings. He knew that half of the PD were scared of her and the others amicable. When Sofia had done what he’d asked he was relieved that she was safe. Martin held Raymond down until PD and paramedics could get to him. After that mess, he was glad to let the professionals handle things. The man was likely drunk and clearly irate.

He tore his shirt off which was covered in blood. He let the officers have it for evidence. He grabbed his jacket and zipped it up over his torso before wandering outside to find Sofia. The police would likely not want him underfoot anyway. Martin wrapped his arms around Sofia and pulled her close to him placing a gentle kiss on her neck. He was protective and he had every right to be. He saw Vanessa pulling up with the chief of police as he massaged Sofia’s shoulders. Well this could go wrong five hundred dozen ways. He remained calm as the other two women approached.

Martin’s somewhat protective hold on Sofia didn’t change. He did however, move his hands to her waist instead. Kissing the side of her face, more as reassurance he left his lips there for just a moment. He knew this was hard on her and he was trying his damnedest to make sure that she was alright. He was not about to push her to talk or even to act. Though he hoped the chief had as much tact as his boss didn’t at times.

Liv looked from Vanessa to Martin. “Investigation pending you remain in Miss Whitmore’s custody. If you leave or try to flee the CPD will come after you. This is still an open case and as such you are still bound by Illinois state law on terms of bond. From the looks of things, I have a fairly good idea that charges will not be filed. However, you fired your weapon and as such it will be fully investigated.”

There was a mental sigh of relief. “It’s appreciated Chief Tucker.” He addressed her formally. She was someone that Vanessa dealt with numerous times and he was on more familiar terms with her but he was not about to test those waters right about now. Martin if anything had a large bit of sense.

“Don’t thank me Mr. Martin. You should be thanking Miss Whitmore.”

Martin nodded as Olivia disappeared to go peek her nose into the investigation. It was Vanessa who spoke next. “You must be Miss Austin.” Vanessa extended her hand. “You are most welcome to join Martin if you feel more comfortable.” Given the situation, she wasn’t sure if Sofia felt safe going back home or if she wanted to be near Martin. “The door is open to you.” She offered. Vanessa trusted Martin and by extension she trusted most people he surrounded himself with. Martin couldn’t help but notice that Vanessa was getting exhausted.

“Miss Whitmore, you should have come here. You could have sent Dr. Cross.” Her child was due any day now and she was out here like this. “I gave you specific instructions as did Dr. Cross for you not to leave the house.” Since when did Vanessa listen. ”The doctor told you bedrest and this is not that. Martin unhooked one arm from Sofia’s waist to point to his car. ”Go sit until they dismiss me to go. I will make sure you get home. Dr. Cross is going to have a fit.” Martin couldn’t help but notice Vanessa’s refusal to leave. Stubborn woman.

Olivia reapproached the group and spoke. “We will be over to question you in the morning. We have your statement from the nine one one tape.” Olivia explained.

”Nothing has changed. Only thing to add is that we tried to stop the bleeding and I asked Sofia to wait for the ambulance after he tried to attack her for helping.” Martin was not the type of person to cover anything up or leave things out.

Liv nodded. “We are aware he has a history. We will be in touch.” She walked away and headed back to the others.

Martin guided Vanessa and Sofia to his car. He opened both side doors simultaneously. Vanessa climbed in the backseat knowing that Martin would likely chew her out for not being in the backseat of Olivia’s car but maybe he hadn’t noticed. ”I will be having a word with Dr. Cross when we return.” Martin had a strong feeling that Vanessa hadn’t told him about leaving the house.

Once he was inside the car, he turned to Sofia and brushed a hand through her hair. He was trying to figure out what to say without apologizing because he wasn’t really sorry for what had happened but he was sorry he’d not acted more appropriately. Finally, he found words. ”You are safe now.” He wanted to tell her that Raymond couldn’t hurt her anymore, but that was far from true. Though time would be the judge if her father would live or not. Martin wasn’t sure if he was going to regret his decision not to shoot to kill or not.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

Sofia felt like she was on another planet, the police, medics, lights it was all surreal to her. Everything felt like it was out of context, this was a scene outside the hospital on a bad day but there was no working. No patients to be seen and she was stood outside waiting for anything that could bring her back to what was going on. It was when she saw Martin that reality seemed to come back somewhat. Sofia could feel herself shake when he pulled her close and the gentle kiss on her cheek seemed to calm her.

Without thinking Sofia wrapped her arms around Martin, his hold on her protective but she hardly minded. More people kept arriving and Sofia knew none of them, she had seen a few of the cops at the hospital but it was name badge only. A face and a uniform she knew, nothing else as she watched as the two women approached. Sofia could feel his hands on her waist and lips on her cheek as she closed her eyes for a moment wishing it would all be over with. She could hear the Chief talking about an investigation though what was there to investigate?

Had Sofia managed to form words she would have argued to high heaven about how ridiculous this all was and mentioning to him about fleeing the CPD. Martin was far from the criminal here as Sofia managed to find Martin’s hand and hold onto it. Why was he saying anything about appreciative right now, honestly this was not to be appreciated her mind argued though she stayed silent. If she argued it would likely end up a lot worse and Sofia hardly wanted that to happen at all. It was all bad enough as it was and frankly if anything came of a CPD investigation she would raise hell about it.

Tess, she had to get her involved as she wondered how much her friend could find out about how things were going. Sofia was broken from her thoughts by Vanessa as she looked at the woman and shook her hand. “I yes that’s me. Sofia please Miss Austin sounds strange right now.” Sofia said as she nodded to her. “Thank you, I will if that’s okay just to make sure he’s alright.” Sofia added not wanting to overstay any hospitality but she was worried about Martin.

Sofia felt silent again as Martin spoke about sending a Dr. Cross instead, it was plainly obvious that Vanessa was pretty far along though the minute a doctor and bed rest was mentioned Sofia nodded. A doctor herself it was a pet annoyance when people went against suggestions that were for their own good. “Miss Whitmore, I don’t want to over step but Martin is right.” Sofia explained, “If a doctor has put you on bed rest you should really rest. We never just say that for the sake of it or to inconvenience patients though I appreciate you helping Martin.”

Coming across as ungrateful was hardly her intention but Sofia wanted to be sure now both Martin and Vanessa were okay. She could feel her face flush an embarrassed red colour when Martin mentioned about her father attacking her for helping. She could barely look anyone in the face at that moment. Nothing like having your family history laid out for everyone to see though why Martin was protecting her still was beyond her reasoning right then. Her family was a mess, her father a bigger mess and now all of this.

Sofia followed them into the car as she wished that the day was over, had it been a mistake to get involved with anyone knowing her family history. So far after that day and the trouble it was causing she was unsure if just being alone the rest of her life was the safest option for all involved. Sofia leaned into Martin’s hand, sorry Sofia was hardly sorry for what had happened which made her feel worse though she was sorry Martin had been there and it was his home that had been invaded. She was sorry for a whole lot of things that evening as she kept her gaze to the floor not even sure where to start with the sorry.

Smiling hearing his words Sofia knew that she could at least relax a little though really it was the last thing she felt she could do. “It won’t ever stop.” She replied in almost a whisper as she could feel the tears spill down her face silently. She knew her father and all he had done over the years. There were so many reports she had never filed regarding what he had done to her, ashamed to admit it she was that ‘I fell’ and ‘I was clumsy’ woman that went to the ER knowing full well the true story behind it all. “Anyway, this Dr. Cross. If he has much to say on this then you can both let him know that I’m a doctor so if it’s okay with you Miss. Whitmore, you’ve got a medical professional with you. Though I stick by the bed rest rule.” She added deciding that if Martin wanted to kill her for the first part, at least agreeing with bed rest might dig her out of that hole.

Sheldon Martin,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin didn’t expect Sofia to understand how all of this worked. He felt her holding tight onto him and made sure to hold her close to him. He started rubbing circles on her back, if anything to keep her reassured that he wasn’t going anywhere. He just continued to hold her as the discussion continued. Before he realized what was all happening Vanessa and Sofia were in the car. He sat between the two girls. Mostly because he was worried about Sofia. It also meant that Maxwell was here now too. He’d been tasked with staying with Vanessa while Martin went to the airport. Maybe he could keep his mouth shut.

Martin just kept his hand gentle on the side of her face. His thumb gently brushing over her cheekbone. His motions were in attempts to comfort her. He could see the look she was trying ot hide. He knew her better than she thought he did. Martin did everything he could to just be there for Sofia. Right now she needed him and he wasn’t going to be the person in who life who couldn’t be counted upon.

Then the tears fell. Martin would be lying if he thought she wasn’t going to break. It was hard on anyway. He didn’t judge her and he wasn’t about to call her out on her crying. He simply continued running his thumb on her cheek. “I’ve got you.” He reminded her that he was here. Whether she was used to it or not, Martin was going to be the person her father failed to be, the person her brother failed to be.

Martin pulled Sofia into his shoulder and just hugged her tight. He started softly humming. Martin wasn’t much of a singer but he did like to hum familiar tunes. Music was uplifting. The one he began humming was Joe C.ocker’s ‘You’re so beautiful.’

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

Sofia could feel the circles he rubbed on her back though her mind was trying to work out at what point he would step away. It always happened that way, her father would end up hurting her, then apologise and after all of that was done with try to be there. It was that moment when she knew things would change, her brother had left and her father was ... there were too many words to even go there and Martin. When would he see sense and up and leave like the rest of the men in her life seemed to do.

She leaned into his gentle touches though she was still waiting for that inevitable moment in her mind. The longer he was there she knew it would only hurt more but he was still there as her eyes gazed at him. Why was he still there? It was a foreign concept to have any man stay there when she was trying to work out what the good part of the night was. Her father was shot by the man that was comforting her and Sofia hardly gave a hoot what happened to her own father at that point.

She had tried to help and he had grabbed at her, what more was there to feel for anyone like that. Sofia wanted to hide as her tears fell; she was far from the woman that cried at things. She was put together, even The Notebook failed to raise a tear from but this. This was the thing that had broken her and she hated it. Those three words he spoke meant the world to her. Sofia tried to find anything to say to him, even that it did mean the world but she could hardly make a sound.

Sofia hugged Martin when he pulled her into his shoulder. She buried her face in his shoulder as she held onto him. For a moment she thought he was humming though her head was all over the place. Likely just her own head trying to thinking though she recognised the song as she could barely stop herself from chuckling. She was crying and chuckling, it was certifiable she had lost it.

Sofia raised her head to watch Martin a moment. “You’re the beautiful one.” She whispered forgetting for a moment that his boss was in the same car. “Can’t wait to hear you hit that high note.” She added trying to laugh more than cry and she buried her head back onto his shoulder again. His humming was uplifting as she could feel her tears at least slowing, she could listen to him all day and never grow tired of hearing whatever song he chose.

Sheldon Martin,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin didn’t call her out on the tears, while he wanted to reach down and wipe them away he knew it would only remind her that they were there. Instead he just held her. Kissing her forehead as he hummed. That was until she started chuckling in his arms. He cracked a small smile, if she was laughing then it was working. While someone could laugh and cry at the same time usually one would override the other at some point.

He noticed her watching him. Then came the comment about the high note. He hummed the high note as high as he could get but it sounded more like a squealing pig at the point than an actual note. He shook his head not letting it last too long as Vanessa gave him a what the hell look from the front seat.

Martin decided to settle for changing the range of the note as he always did when he hummed. One didn’t always have to hit the high note to make it sound correct. He looked down at the woman on his shoulder. Sofia deserved the world and if Martin could give it to her, he would. There was no running away from what her life had thrown at her.

When they got to Vanessa’s place he didn’t want to disturb Sofia so he picked her up princess style and carried her into the large farmhouse. Vanessa’s house was big enough to get lost in five hundred times over, but he knew the layout like the back of his hand. To him, this was nothing more than one of the many ‘work’ locations. Martin had a room here and that’s where he took her. If she wanted to be alone, he’d let her but this was one of the more comfortable beds. He set her down on the bed and sat beside her stroking her hair.

Martin didn’t actually say that she needed to sleep because it wasn’t worth the fight but maybe if he stayed here with her, then she would drift off. “You want anything sweetie?” He asked as he ran his thumb over her cheekbone. She reached down and picked up a strand of her dark brunette locks twirled them lightly in his finger. Martin loved to play with her hair, it was comforting to him in its own way.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

Laughing or crying, she had no idea which to go with but the laughing seemed to be winning out over her tears. How did he managed to know how to get her to do that? It was uncanny though she appreciated it none the less given that she was sure she had enough tears to fill an ocean right now and none of them for herself. Sofia had cried the tears for herself long ago and now all that was left was for others because simply put, her life was trouble enough to make anyone disappear.

When he hit the high note she found herself laughing more, mainly because as high as it was all she could hear was squealing pig but it was good. The look from Vanessa said about everything it needed to though Sofia found she could only laugh a little more at it. “He does that.” Sofia said though she wondered if Martin hummed at work or not, after all she knew him to be professional but there had to be some amusement at times.

Once they were at Vanessa’s place Sofia found herself staring at it, she had never seen a house so huge in her life. No wonder Martin enjoyed his work, it was practically an indoor outdoor wonderland. Before Sofia could argue she felt herself being picked up princess style as she leaned into Martin for a moment. For a second or two all she could think of was that maybe she should have skipped that extra chocolate bar at work given she felt like a lead weight on her best day.

Sofia kept up her gaze at Martin when he set her on the bed, sat beside her and stroked her hair. If anything could be relaxing it was that, the feeling of his hands in her hair meant that everything was alright even if it felt like the world had ended. Sofia felt tired but she was willing to fight it as long as she was able to. “No I’m fine thank you.” She replied shaking her head, “Do you want anything?” She asked before she realised that sounded crazy given this was his employers house.

“Are you okay?” Sofia asked him figuring she would likely not get a direct answer but she would try anyway. Even as he twirled the strand of hair in his finger Sofia leaned against him lightly. “Please tell me the truth, I never meant for this to happen and at your house.” Sofia still felt guilty about that, she knew she would do all she could to fix it but how to even begin with a thing like that.

Sheldon Martin,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]If Martin was one thing, he was stubborn and stern. Though he hardly felt telling Sofia to sleep at this moment in time would be a smart move. So, he opted for keeping her company and letting her drift to sleep when her body told her it was time to sleep. Though he figured if he stayed in bed with her long enough, she would give in. It wasn’t like she was struggling to get away from his hands that were running through her hair. He kissed the top of her head once more as he listened to her turn the question on him.

No, he wasn’t going to shed light on the fact that did sound crazy, she was just trying for normal and he’d allow her that. “I have you. That’s all I need right now.” Ordinarily passing that off as a joke might have been attempted but right now it was the truth. It meant she was safe out of harm’s way and right here beside him. Martin promised he would keep her safe. He made up his mind right then and there that Raymond was no longer to come around Sofia. No father who cared treated their daughter like that.

When Sofia asked for the truth he took her hand in his and put it up on his chest so he could try to get her to look up at him. “Sofia, darling. I would never lie to you.” He reassured her kissing her cheek. “I may refuse to answer a question; but lies have no place between us.” Perhaps Martin was a bit old fashioned in a lot of ways. “To answer your question, there is a lot on my mind.” Then there was a pause as he knew this next part was going to be a little harder for her to take at face value even if it were the truth.

“You cannot control the actions of another person. Nor do you need to be apologizing for someone else’s actions. I don’t want to hear anymore apologies out of you in regards to this.” He held her close and rubbed her side as he relaxed back on his pillow. Sofia was family in his eyes and messing with his family was a bad idea. Martin was protective and perhaps the hold he had on her showed it a little even as they relaxed.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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[Dr Sofia Austin]

Sofia wanted nothing more than to sleep and wake up only to find it was all a nightmare that had been due to stress, lack of sleep and maybe a bottle of wine. Staying with Martin normally would have felt like the best thing in the world but now, it felt strange. To be there with the man who had shot her father and now her brain was catching up it was all she could think about. Sofia was trying to fight the relief and the safeness she felt with him running his fingers through her hair with the absolute annoyance and anger at what had happened.

Sofia attempted to smile though normally she would have laughed and nudged him, likely after turning a shade of red that was unnatural though that moment. All she could do was attempt a smile for him as she nodded. She could barely speak much as she tried to stare off into the corner of the room as her mind tried not to be angry though the more she thought about things. The angrier she became about the whole incident, her father had done the unthinkable and Martin had shot him.

When she felt him take her hand and place it on his chest Sofia gazed at him, she was relieved to hear he would never lie though despite the kiss the sudden feeling of safeness was turned on it’s head. He would refuse to answer her? That was paramount to a lie in her books so how could he even begin to say that lies had no place between them. Sofia felt numb as she sat there barely able to nod to him, what was he saying that he would lie by saying nothing to her?

Even when he spoke about control of another person and apologizing she tried to relax but that was about over and does with when he held her close and rubbed her side. Sofia pushed his hands away from her angrily as she could feel herself tense when she stood up off the bed. No this was too much as she could feel the panic start to set in. “You would never lie but you would tell me nothing. Is that right?” She almost shrieked as she winced at her own voice. “How is that fair? Lies are lies Sheldon.” She stated knowing how he disliked his first name and it was purely because she was so angry she had used it without thinking about the consequences of it.

“Why are you saying that, how could you do this?” Sofia asked gasping through her words as she started to pace a few steps back and forth. She hardly knew what she was saying anymore though she could feel herself starting to shake as she was caught between screaming and tears. “I need to apologise, it’s me, it’s what I do because he shouldn’t have... why won’t you let me? I control it for years, I had this under control and then... now... he won’t ever stop. Why can you not see that... I should never have done this... with you I ...” Sofia could hardly catch her breath as she realised that if she even stayed with Martin her father was going to be a bigger issue.

Making sense was hardly a priority as she took a few steps toward the door. “I cannot do this... you’re not safe. You should be safe.” She said as she attempted another step toward the door though before she could even make it a foot her legs gave out as she crumbled to the floor. Sobbing as she curled herself up Sofia waited for the usual sting of a foot or hand for any outburst. She had meant none of what she said other than Martin was far from safe which was never okay for her. It was her fault he was even in this mess to start with so apologizing came with all of it. Leaving made sense, take away the problem she thought as she lay there sobbing and shaking on the floor.

Sheldon Martin,

[Sheldon Martin]

With all due respect

Aren't you going to reciprocate?

Do I always have to talk sense into people?

TAGS || Dr Sofia Austin

[attr="class","nthlftsybdytxt1"]Martin realized his mistake as Sofia went off on a tangent about him not telling her everything. “It was a general statement. My work lends to not being able to explain everything.” When she got up and started pacing he let her have her space. “I would not keep anything that I did not have to do so from you Sofia. You asked me a question and I gave you an honest answer.” Martin was not in the habit of explaining himself unless he was ‘expressing his anger’. Even when Martin was angry he hardly flew into a rage, he was calm. The only time he got irate was when he was protective and someone’s life was on the line. Sofia had to see that side of him and he’d not wanted her to see that side of him. She’d seen too much of it and he knew it.

Then came the apologies. Martin hated them. None of this was her fault. He had to admit that it stung when she mentioned somewhat of a regret of their relationship but he hoped it was more of her just spouting off. He wasn’t about to walk away so easily. If he did, what would that prove to her? That he didn’t care. Martin was about to open her mouth when she said she couldn’t do things anymore. He just let her keep going on her tangent for now.

Watching his girlfriend slide to the floor was the last straw for him to keep his mouth shut. “Sofia, sweetheart.” He sat down beside her on the floor and wrapped an arm around her. The only place his hand went was to her back softly and started rubbing circles. He wasn’t going to argue against her or refute anything she’d said. No, he was the type to speak without words and in this case without an argument. Martin wasn’t the type to stop someone from leaving because they wanted to do so. Whatever she needed it was hers.

He just held her as she sat on the floor. Two grown adults sitting on the bedroom floor of his boss’ house. Martin could see that Sofia was far from okay. What her father did to her was not okay. Mentally he made the decision that Raymond was no longer allowed near his girlfriend. Correction, his friend. No wait? He was confused but didn’t say a word. Sofia had to sort things out on her own time. He understood the concept, but having her run out the door when he hoped she hadn’t really been wanting that.

“What do you want Sofia?” He asked a question but followed with a pause. “And by you I mean you, not your father’s daughter, not the doctor, and not the woman I love.” His hand came up under her chin. He aimed to lift her chin so he could look her into the eyes though softly. “You are the one who is living your life. Your decisions are your decisions. You can’t control other people’s decisions anymore than you can control the weather. You are a strong woman, nothing will take that from you. Not even this.” He pushed some hair from her face. Martin had years of patience. He unhooked his finger from her chin.

NOTES: NOTES HERE

BOBBI

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