"What happens when he gets to the bottom?"I ask.
"The medical team is standing by," Murray says."They'll assess the damage, but my guess is a dislocated shoulder, maybe some ligament damage."
I nod numbly, watching Kirk navigate the last thirty feet of his descent.His movements are slower now, more deliberate.The pain must be excruciating, but he keeps going, refusing to give up.I'm learning that Kirk Balfour doesn't just do the impossible---he makes it look like it was his plan all along.
The final fifteen feet of his descent feels like it takes hours.Every movement is a negotiation between gravity and his remaining strength.I can see his good arm trembling with the strain of supporting his entire body weight.His face is a mask of concentration, jaw clenched so tight I can almost hear his teeth grinding from here.
"Nearly there, Kirk!"someone shouts."Just a few more meters!"
He doesn't acknowledge the encouragement.His focus remains absolute, as if the entire world has narrowed to just his body and the rock face.When his feet finally touch the ground, I feel like I might faint.Thankfully, I don't do that.My legs feel like jelly as I sprint toward him, pushing past crew members and ignoring the director shouting instructions.The medical team is already surrounding Kirk, but I need to see him, need to touch him, need confirmation he's really okay.
"Kirk!"I barrel through the last of the crew members, gasping for air by the time I reach him.
The immortal bastard is sitting on a boulder, his face pale and streaked with dust and sweat.The medical team is already cutting away the sleeve of his shirt to get to his injured shoulder.Despite what must be agonizing pain, he manages a crooked smile when he sees me.
"Told ye I wouldnae die," he says, his voice rough but steady as he winks at me and quirks his lips.
I could slap him.Or kiss him.Maybe both.I want to scream at him for scaring me half to death.Instead, I just stand here, trembling with relief and lingering fear.
"You're a goddamn idiot, Kirk Balfour," I say with my lips trembling."A hot-headed, reckless, completely insane idiot who nearly got himself crushed to smithereens."
I'm shaking now, not just my hands but my entire body.The adrenaline crash hit me hard, making everything seem too bright, too loud.
Kirk winces as the medic prods at his shoulder."Just dislocated, lass.Nothing I haven't dealt with before."
"Nothing you---" I cut myself off.When I look at him again, my vision is blurry with unshed tears, and my lips quiver faintly."I watched you nearly get blown off a mountain, Kirk.That's not normal or okay."
The medic glances between us."We need to reset the shoulder.It's going to hurt."
Kirk just nods, his gaze never leaving mine."Gretchen,mo leannan, I'm alive, and I'll be fine.Trust me."
I can't simply "trust him" after what I've witnessed.My hands are shaking so badly I have to clasp them together to hide it.The medical team surrounds Kirk like a protective barrier, their practiced movements efficient and clinical as they prepare to reset his shoulder.
"I need to be here," I say when one of the medics tries to usher me away."I'm not leaving."
Kirk gives me a look that's half pain, half admiration, then glances at the medic."Let her stay.She's tougher than she looks."
The medic sighs but nods."Fine, but stand back.This isn't going to be pretty."
I watch as they position themselves around Kirk, one medic bracing his body while another takes hold of his arm.Kirk's gaze finds mine, and he gives me the smallest nod---a silent request for strength.I shuffle closer, ignoring the medic's instruction to stand back.If Kirk can handle doing this, I can handle watching it.
"On three," the lead medic says, positioning himself."One---"
Without finishing the count, he wrenches Kirk's arm with a sudden, violent motion.The crack of bone sliding back into its socket makes me wince and look away.But it's Kirk's reaction that will haunt me.His entire body goes rigid, his jaw clenched so tight I can see the muscles bulge.He doesn't scream or make the slightest sound, but the color drains from his face completely.For a terrible moment, his eyes roll back, and I think he might pass out.
But of course, he doesn't.Kirk Balfour is too stubborn to faint from mere excruciating pain.
"There we go," the medic says, sounding almost cheerful."Clean relocation.You'll need to immobilize it for at least a couple weeks, but you've avoided surgery this time."
"Only a few weeks?"Kirk's voice is strained but determined as he looks up at the medic."I've got another stunt scheduled for next week."
I nearly choke."Are you kidding me?You almost died and you're already planning your next death-defying act?"
The medics work efficiently around him, fashioning a sling from their supplies.Kirk's skin is ashen beneath his tan, but his eyes are clear and focused.Too focused.Like he's using sheer willpower to push through the pain that would have most people screaming or unconscious.
"It's a wee shoulder dislocation, Gretchen.Nothing serious."He attempts to shift position and immediately grimaces, belying his casual words.
He won't die, and I'm grateful for that.But I need to consider how deeply involved I want to get with a man who loves danger.
