The Gig [Finished]

[yamikuronue]

"If you pull your stitches out, you're not going home." He's probably missed her anyway, thinks Sanders, moving to wrap an arm around Tony's waist to help him to the car.

Despite Tony's protesting, the drive to his place takes what feels like forever. Every red light lowers the chances of making it in time. Every car seems to be driving as slow as humanly possible. Everything seems to grate. Finally, a hundred lifetimes later, Sanders pulls up in front of Tony's house, parking at last.

[accalia]

Tony doesn't wait for help, he levers himself out of the card painfully, and standing at the car, unable to walk into the house because he needs the support of the car to stay standing. Tony inhales sharply before shouting at the house.

"VIC!"

[yamikuronue]

Silence. Sanders moves around the car to offer support again, showing only a careful poker face.

[accalia]

Tony calls again as he stumbles towards the house, supported by Sanders. There's more pain in his call the second time, but Tony refuses to stop. This is more important than anything right now. There will be time for the pain later, after he finds his family again.

[yamikuronue]

Sanders helps Tony into the house, and into the sunny kitchen. There, smack in the center of the table, is a single sheet of paper.

[accalia]

Tony grabs the paper and reads it quickly. As he reads he turns towards the car, Vic has less than half a day's head start. he can catch up. he needs to catch up.

[yamikuronue]

====================================================

Dear Tony,

I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to explain how sorry I am. I never meant for this to happen, for you to get hurt. I never wanted that for you. I hope you're okay.

I'm going away. Please don't follow me. You've taken more than enough bullets for me. I can only get you hurt.

I've been thinking about the kiss we shared. I should apologise for that again, but I can't find it in me. I wish I was worthy of you. I wish things were different. You made me feel like a real girl, and I can't forget that. Even though it was a mistake, I'm glad I made it.

I know the road ahead of me is hard, but I'm prepared now. Having known you, knowing there are people out there something like me.. I can't thank you enough. You're a good man. That's rare beyond belief. I wasn't even sure they existed, and then there you were.

I hope you manage to change things. I hope you get all the wonderful things you deserve. I wish I was one of them.

Yours,

Victoria

====================================================

[accalia]

"God Damn It!" Tony screams "I took that bullet because i thought they were gong to shoot you! I couldn't bear losing you!" Tony stumbles, falling heavily to the floor, tears flowing from his eyes. It's not a moment before he's trying, and failing, to rise to his feet to race after Vic "I can't lose you!" He sobs.

[yamikuronue]

Sanders is right there to catch him as he stumbles the second time. "Hey, woah, easy. You can't go racing off. You have to take it easy, to get well. Vic would have wanted that."

[accalia]

"I can't lose him. I won't lose him." Tony says as evenly as he can.... which isn't very. He's a blubbering wreck, his self control destroyed by pain and grief "I love him...." that last was quieter than the rest, but still plenty loud enough to carry throughout most of the house. "I need to go. I need to find him."

[yamikuronue]

Sanders makes a soft cooing noise, trying to soothe him. He barely hears it -- his ears are laser-focused on a noise from the front hallway.

"...love?"

The voice is very soft, and higher pitched than he's used to, but it sure as hell ain't Sanders' voice.

[accalia]

"Yes, Love, Damnit! and if i don't catch up with him I'll lose it. I can't bear that thought! I can't lose him!" Tony doesn't seem to have noticed that it wasn't Sanders that asked the question

[yamikuronue]

A figure darkens the doorway to the kitchen. Victoria's wearing a dress, surprisingly; one of Tony's old ones, knee-length and clingy. She's got a bag slung over one shoulder, full almost to bursting; it's clear she was on her way out the door. But she has to see him, has to know what this is about, and so, hesitantly, she reveals herself.

[accalia]

Tony cries as he sees Victoria, and scrambles to his feet. He rushes to hug Victoria, pain evident on his face as he pops several stitches, but Tony doesn't care. He's found Vic... Victoria.... his family. That's all that matters.

[yamikuronue]

Victoria wraps her arms tightly around Tony, and the dam bursts, tears pouring out onto his shoulder as she clings to him. "I thought I'd never see you again," she whispers.