218 218

Henry tried to distance himself as he threw the plastic glass into a close by receptacle.  "You know if you finish that bottle for me, I promise that I won't report you to anyone."

The officer looked at Henry with a shake of his head.  "I got to get this all processed, but you know I don't think it would hurt if I shared this or drank a little more."

Ellie yelled to Henry so he turned his head back to where she had been squatted with the EMT. "Henry, will it be alright if the officers hold this passenger until the next stop as there really isn't a jail to hold him here?  The proper authorities are in our final destination."

Henry's face grew tense. "I don't want to see their mugs while I'm trying to shake off what happened here."

Ellie nodded before conferring with the officers about what would need to happen.  Henry waited for her before they both went back inside of their train car. The station's sheriff had decided that the criminals would be in another cart so the duo could relax with ease.  The other passengers in the train were reassured by conductors that they would have their travels refunded due to the lapse in security. As the vouchers were being handed out Ellie took two.

Henry shrugged.  "We don't need it."

Ellie said nothing before turning back to watch her film.  Henry wanted to say something, but closed his mouth. The final part of the train ride into Lutterworth was uneventful.  The conductors had come along with trays of complimentary tea and biscuits to apologize for the violence and delay. Ellie had watched while Henry tried to pretend to be asleep for two hours.  It was funny to see his eyes just open slightly to meet hers before she rolled her eyes.

All along the train ride Henry was plagued with thoughts as he tried to find a comfortable place while his thoughts circled as he considered the passed events.  Did Ellie feel that he was trying to make a move on? Did he want her to think that she should think that he was trying to make a move on her? Did a kiss made in such a moment of passion mean anything?  Was it supposed to? He didn't want to think so. He knew from his parents that often affection and anger could coexist hand in hand towards the same person. It made him sick to think that his connection with Ellie came from a dark place.  He was no good for her.

The way the incident had unfolded so quickly, that Henry had been all adrenaline.  He couldn't stand to think of the one who had fought so hard for life to be so close to another brush with death.  Henry hated to think of her to struggle. She had come forwards to defend him and due to her thoughtful sacrifice he had lost control of himself for a moment.  It had just been a temporary lapse of judgement that he had taken. He didn't even think much of the physical component.

He was sure that his own fallout was surely due to his shame from treating her less than respectfully.  She was the weaker sex and he knew that intimacy was much more important to her than it was to him. Ellie would not forgive and forget as was common to his gender.  He had dug a hole around himself and his wife while the fire burned around him. Henry knew how easy it would be to move closer to her to forget his cardinal purpose in marrying her.  He was a man who wanted her in ways she shouldn't. It would be easier if she was less beautiful, he considered before sighing. When it came to Ellie nothing was easy.

As the train slowed down, Henry looked up and saw they had finally reached Lutterworth.  Ellie slowly picked up her rolling case and pulled Henry up. He stretched before joining her on the platform where she was speaking with the officers who had accompanied them.  Henry stood next to her and listened with interest at their conversation.

"Now what is the next step in the processing of the criminals?" Ellie asked seriously, her arms were crossed uncomfortably in front of her chest as she looked at the photographers being carried away.  The bigger criminal made a rude gesture at her so Henry made a move to stand in front of her. Ellie stared at him wide eyes before brushing his arm back.

The station officer looked from one to the other of the Wongs before clearing his throat.  He twisted his fantastic thick handlebar moustache. "I can assure you that we have it all quite under control.  The head inspector is down here tonight so he should be proceeded quickly. We have CCTV cameras at all the stations so it should be quite an easy conviction, we have all the evidence.  I'd hope to see a trial in about seven to nine days from now with all the correct paperwork filed and nothing delayed. It should be an airtight case with credit to an excellent sniper."

"Will there need to be witnesses from the scene called forward to testify?"

The officer shook his head.  "We live in the digital age with cameras and smart phones.  We've got so many angles that we could make a Hollywood style motion picture if you please.  I did hear that your husband was involved as the excellent shot, so he will probably be called."

Henry grimaced.  "I have no problem testifying if I can put together a statement with help from a lawyer."

With a wink, the officer bumped Ellie's shoulder.  "I heard that you two happen to be the new Lord and Baroness of Braye, he forgets that he's of rank.  I know you're a bloody American, but that shot has got you Brit enough in our books. Fantastic. You really should consider joining our Olympic team.  We need good men like you no matter where you come from. Lord Braye, worse come to worse, you'll just need to come down to the station for a video interview or write a statement.  There is no need for you to see the lowlife like that ever again."