📎A/N. Happy New Year!!! Thanks for your patience while I was away on my Christmas break. I am now back and ready for 2016 ... well, almost. 

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

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After what seemed an eternity and making sure they were no longer being followed, the fleeing group made their way back to where they had left their vehicles. When Kaitlyn saw only Tim's was sitting in the carpark, the tension that had been building lessened a fraction.

"Please let them have gotten away!" she whispered.

Murphy's missing Escalade could mean one of two things. Molly had reached the extraction point and taken her mother to safety, or she had returned only to be captured. Kaitlyn glanced around the small rest area to ensure there were no other travellers who had stopped on their route. Satisfied they were alone and sheltered from prying eyes from the main road, she made her way towards Tim's car. As she drew closer, she noticed a slip of paper carefully placed under the passenger side wipers.

Kaitlyn retrieved the note and frowned when she realised she was unable to read the neatly written words.

"What is it?" Murphy asked as he came up behind her. He had returned to his human form and was now fully clothed.

Kaitlyn handed him the note. "I'm not sure. It's in a foreign language."

As Murphy scanned the contents, Kaitlyn took her first proper look at him since they had fled the Mafia fortress. She was shocked at the amount of blood, cuts and bruises that covered his exposed arms, neck and face.

Before she could voice her concern at his appearance, Murphy informed her the missive was written in Gaelic. "It's from my mother. She's taking your mom to a hospital nearer the city," he paused and read further before continuing aloud. "She's transferred all the clothes and bags to Tim's car in case we need it..." Murphy trailed off as his brows knitted together.

"What is it?" Kaitlyn said, noticing his confused expression. "Is my mom okay?"

Murphy looked up from the paper with a bewildered expression. "She said to tell you when she told Madeline she was her fairy godmother; your mom asked why she didn't have a wand."

The taut rubber band that had been building for some time snapped and Kaitlyn burst out into a fit of giggles which quickly escalated to laughter, including a couple of nervous snorts. For Molly to have written the note meant that there was a real chance they had gotten away. She pulled out her phone and found Molly's number. Kaitlyn almost forgot to breathe as she waited for the phone to be answered.

Kaitlyn's exhale escaped as a small sob when she heard Molly's voice. "Is it over?"

"How's my mom?" Kaitlyn asked after reassuring Molly that they had everything under control.

"She's fine," Molly replied. "Madeline's in with the doctors now. They have her bandaged and she's been treated for any possible infections or other complications. They've run tests and are waiting for the results," she paused. Molly's sudden change in tone put Kaitlyn on high alert. "We have a problem though. They have phoned the local police and they are on their way in to question her. What do you want me to do?"

Kaitlyn grimaced. She knew that this would be a possibility. "If they get there before me, make sure mom doesn't speak to them till I get there.

"Tim will drive you to the hospital," Murphy said the moment she ended the call.

"Won't you need it?"

Murphy shook his head. "Once he drops you off he'll come back for us."

"What about the other's?" Kaitlyn asked, referring to the mafia Werewolves.

Murphy glanced back to the trees just as a clothed Tim jogged into the clearing and headed towards the public restrooms. "Dad and Joshua have them under control. We need to work out what happened, who attacked us and why."

"Do you think it was mob related?" she asked, already knowing the answer, but hoping she was wrong.

"No, it was a professional strike team," he said as he ran a bloodied hand through his hair and then scratched the back of his neck. "Organised crime doesn't mean they can carry out something as precise as that. I'm hoping our little Don can shed some light on the situation."

Kaitlyn recalled the uniforms of the attackers and her initial assessment. "I'm pretty sure it's connected to the government, just not any of the departments I'm aware of. We were lucky to get out of there when we did."

There was a slight pause before Murphy cocked his head and asked, "How did you know to warn us? There was no way you heard or saw them from where you were standing."

Kaitlyn thought back to the moments before the bedlam began. "I heard a woman's voice scream run. I just assumed that it was one of Ambrose's people."

Murphy looked down at her with a blank expression. "Are you sure? There was no woman in human form on the property."

They were interrupted by Tim, who had returned from the restrooms a lot cleaner than when he went in. "Okay ready to go," he called out as he headed towards his car.

The image of Tim's friends' broken forms hit her. They had left them behind. This wouldn't sit well with any of the Werewolves. She turned back to Murphy. "I'm sorry about Danny and Jose," she mumbled, not sure what words could convey her sorrow.

His resulting grunt was indication enough that he was affected by the loss of two good men.

Kaitlyn looked down at her still red tinged hands and realised that she would need to try to clean herself up before they left. Otherwise, she would be answering more questions than she would like.

"Get cleaned up and go," Murphy said reading her mind. "You need to get to your mother."

Kaitlyn pulled out her gun and taser and handed them to Murphy. "You better take these," she said, "It might start a panic if I walk into the hospital with them."

He grinned as he took them from her. "I see you finally got to use the taser."

Kaitlyn winked. "Just not on the person I had expected to use it on," she said as she spun on her heel and began to make her way towards the restrooms.

She was half way across the carpark when she heard Murphy call her name. She stopped and turned to discover he hadn't moved. His expression was fixed as though he was battling internal demons.

"Ryan would have been proud." His words, although said softly, carried to Kaitlyn as if he were standing next to her.

They stood unmoving and silent, unable to break the piercing scrutiny of the other. Kaitlyn's chest tightened at his words. Somehow she knew it were true. Her father could now rest easy knowing Elijah was gone for good. Her mind drifted to the countless others whose lives were taken too early by the psychopath.

She threw him a faint smile. "And I think June's soul will no longer suffer the torment of knowing the person who separated you lives," Kaitlyn began just as softly, knowing he would hear her. "You have given her the peace that has been eluding her."

Murphy slowly closed his eyes and tilted his face to the heavens as if deep in prayer. When he opened them again, Kaitlyn was gone.

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"Where to?" Tim asked when Kaitlyn clicked her seatbelt. She had managed to remove most of the blood from her skin and the dark clothing hid the remainder of the stains.

"Boston Med," she replied as her eyes scanned the immediate area. Murphy was nowhere to be seen. He was gone by the time she had emerged from the restrooms.

Tim raised an eyebrow as he turned the key and the motor spurred to life.

"Molly thought it would be better to get my mom treated in a hospital that's a distance from here," she explained.

By the time they pulled into the hospital's carpark, Kaitlyn's nervous fidget was so pronounced that the normally affable Tim was throwing exasperated glares in her direction. Her mother was going to be okay. She was thankful and relieved for that small miracle. The news that the police had been called was another matter entirely. Kaitlyn didn't blame the hospital; they were acting on mandated procedures. It was clear from Madeline's injuries she was a victim of an assault and a brutal one at that.

The question was, would she get to her mother before the police arrived?

Kaitlyn was out of the car before it had stopped. "Thanks," she said as she closed the door. She then leaned down to look through the open passenger window. "I know you need to get back. Just make sure you're all careful."

"Not a problem, just go take care of you're mom and we will take care of the trash," he said.

Kaitlyn stood up and watched Tim peel out of the carpark heading south. She checked herself to make sure she wouldn't stand out too much and composed herself before going into the building. The moment she stepped through the doors, she saw Molly headed towards her with a strange expression on her face. Her eyes were darting towards the nurse's station and back at Kaitlyn.

"Kaitlyn Quinn?" Molly tentatively asked as she came closer.

Not sure what Molly was doing, Kaitlyn played along. "Yes."

"Thank goodness. I'm Molly we spoke on the phone. I'm the one that found your mother roaming along the highway."

From the corner of her eye, Kaitlyn could see the nurses taking an interest in their conversation.

"Where is she?" Kaitlyn asked. "Is she okay? What happened?" Years of experience gave her the ability to use the tone and questions that were most common in situations like this. It would look odd if she knew the 'stranger' who brought her mother in.

Molly took Kaitlyn by the elbow and lead her to the right of the nurses desk, towards double doors to the emergency and trauma ward. "She's fine dear, no need to panic. The lovely doctors and nurses allowed me to stay with her. If you come this way, I'll take you to her."

The moment they were out of earshot, Molly picked up speed pulling Kaitlyn with her. "You're just in time," she said. "The police have just arrived to question Madeline. They wouldn't let me stay with her and I have no idea what she might come out with. The sedative she was given is now worn off. We need to hurry."

"Has she said anything to you?" Kaitlyn asked following Molly down the corridor.

"At first, she just kept on asking if you were okay. After that, nothing. She just held on to my hand while they examined and patched her up. Once I let her know you were on your way, her pulse calmed somewhat. She wanted me to stay when the police arrived but they wouldn't allow it. They said they'll take my statement when they were finished."

When Kaitlyn opened the curtains Molly indicated her mother was behind, she was comforted to see Madeline was looking much better than she had a few hours beforehand. Relief flooded through her at seeing the most severe wounds had been covered and someone had attempted to tidy her hair. The nurses wouldn't have had time, so she could only assume it had been Molly.

Kaitlyn rushed to her mother's side. "Mom! Thank God you're okay."

"Kaitlyn honey, I'm all right," Madeline said as Kaitlyn hugged her battered and sliced body.

Kaitlyn pulled away, knowing she needed to keep up the pretence in front of the two police officers who she had interrupted. "What happened? What do the doctors say? Who did this to you?"

"Stop fussing dear," Madeline waved her off, "it's not good for you."

One of the police officers cleared his throat. "Excuse me, ma'am, I'm officer Ari D'Silva and this is officer Gabby Alaine," he said, indicating the female police officer beside him. We need to ask you mother about the assault."

"Can't it wait?" she asked.

"No ma'am. Your mother has been a victim of a serious crime and we need to investigate."

"I've already told you, officer," Madeline broke in, "I can't help you. I don't know what happened. All I remember was arriving at my daughter's apartment building yesterday morning... the next thing there were a lot of trees." Madeline halted and then indicated towards Molly. "And then I remember waking up in that lovely woman over there's car and she brought me here. But apart from that, I can't for the life of me, remember anything else."

Kaitlyn, upon hearing this, was stunned. Her mother seemed aware of her surrounding when they found her... Perhaps the sedatives had caused the memory loss?

The policeman made a few notes and looked towards Kaitlyn. "And you didn't think it odd when your mother didn't come home last night?

"She lives in Florida. I didn't know she was in Boston until I got a call this morning from the woman who found her." Kaitlyn responded icily, taken aback at the question.

"I wanted the visit to be a surprise," Madeline added, supporting Kaitlyn's explanation.

Kaitlyn allowed the questioning to go on for another half hour. At that point, she had had enough and fished into her back for her FBI identification. "You've already asked that question three times. Each time the same answer. She doesn't know."

She held up her credentials for the officer to see. "How about you take down my details and you can contact me if there's anything else you need."

Kaitlyn was thankful when the officers handed her their card, making her promise to let them know if Madeline's memory returned. They then took Molly outside to question her. No sooner had they left, Madeline's doctor appeared.

"How are you doing Mrs Quinn?" he asked.

Kaitlyn quickly introduced herself and they stepped away from the cubical so she could ask him about her mother's condition out of her hearing.

"You're mother has lost a considerable amount of blood from her injuries. She will be tired and weak for a while. We've confirmed there are no internal injuries or bleeding, which is surprising considering her outward condition. She has been given a tetanus booster shot and some stitches on the more severe lacerations.

"What about the memory loss?" Kaitlyn asked.

The doctor held the clipboard against his chest and crossed his arms over it. "It's not unusual for this type of violent attack for the victim to lose their memory. It should come back in time. And when it does, she should seek counselling to help with the dealing with the flashbacks."

"Can I take her home?"

The doctor glanced down at her mother's chart and flicked through the pages. "As long as someone will be with her for the next forty-eight hours, I don't see why not."

Kaitlyn knew she needed to get her mother out before her memory returned. "I'd like to take her home then."

The doctor promised to get the paperwork started and a prescription for painkillers. He headed to his next patient and Kaitlyn returned to Madeline's side. She smiled lovingly when she saw her mom, who appeared to be dozing.

A rustle of curtains a short while later alerted her to Molly's return. "Can I come in?" asked Molly as she peeked through the opening in the fabric. "I'm just heading off and wanted to check-in to see how you were before I left."

Madeline, hearing Molly's voice opened her eyes and smiled at Molly, who was closing the curtains behind her.

"We're just waiting for the discharge papers now," Kaitlyn explained.

Molly made her way to the other side of the bed and squeezed Madeline's hand. "I'm so pleased that it was nothing serious. You had me a bit worried there for a bit."

Madeline looked up at Molly and tears began to form and spill down her bandaged face. "Molly, I haven't the words to thank you for your act of kindness."

Molly tutted and waved her hand dismissively. "It was nothing. The main thing is that you're okay."

"No!" Madeline reached out and grabbed Molly's hand with a sense of urgency. "It wasn't nothing. You were my angel. It can't have been an easy decision. And the length you went through to get me here...that was nothing short of a miracle. You have a generous and pure heart, Molly O'Neill. I will be forever in your debt."

"Off with you," Molly scoffed, "You're making me blush."

Molly, by now, had lost her battle to fight back the tears and reached over to embrace Madeline. She pulled away and cleared her throat. "Well, I'd better go. My m‑ husband's getting impatient for my return."

The small cubical was quiet for a few moments after Molly left. The chaotic sounds from the busy emergency room muted into the background as they both wandered deep into their own thoughts.

Finally, Madeline wiped her eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Is he gone?" she croaked.

Kaitlyn, confused at the question asked, "Who? The doctor?"

Madeline looked directly at her daughter and shook her head. "No – Elijah."

Kaitlyn froze. She heard the words, she just didn't know how to respond.

"H-How," she stuttered and was unable to say anything further.

Madeline continued to stare expectantly at Kaitlyn.

"Yes, he's gone," she finally managed to admit.

Her mother's face contorted between relief and agony. Kaitlyn's heart tightened at the pain that her mother was putting herself through. Then, like a switch, Madeline's face was grief free and a faint smile replaced the grim line. "Good," she breathed. "Now take me home."

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📎A/N. Hmmm, perhaps Madeline remembers a little more than she was letting on??  What do you think? 

... Now that it's all over and June's death has been avenged... do you think Murphy will disappear without a trace?? 

There are only two more chapters left in Buried. The next one should be up in the next couple of days and the final one published this weekend.

Don't forget to vote if you liked this chapter :-)

Take care till next time.

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