Jigsaw Chapter 10f

“You thought it necessary to let me know about it though.” Dean said.

“You have to understand. She's had so much shit, Dean, so much shit. I told her many years ago that I'd look out for her, and I have. Of course you needed to know, and it was inevitable that you'd find out eventually. You had to know, but Tilly didn't have to be there to see your reactions when you did. One look of revulsion on your face would have thrown her off the deep end. I said earlier, it would have harmed Tilly to tell you herself. Judgemental and presuming, I know. Tilly's more than a celebrated case to me, Dean. I've been with her through fifteen years, six personalities, and I've watched her grow. I love her every bit as much as I love my own son.”

“So I needed to know after I'd got attached to her so the shrink in me wouldn't take over and bugger it up, and I'd also had the time to know I'd never let her go because of it. I get it.” Dean exhaled loudly.

“I knew you'd never just drop her, Dean. Even if the discovery of all this was a bit much for you, I knew you'd handle in right for Tilly now you've had chance to get to know her. I noticed the feelings between the both of just simmering away there and I used them to Tilly's advantage.” Marie sounded exhausted. “You're a very exceptional man, Dean, and now you know the score one hundred percent.”

“I'm cabbaged.” Dean rested his head on the back of the car seat. “So she sold up and moved there.” He nodded to the plant bedecked flat above the bookies.

“Once she was well, and once she knew there was just Tilly Marsden to look after. That big house on Camp street was far too big and far too full of memories. I helped her clear it out when she sold it and she smiled all the while, Dean. She handled the belongings of all her previous six existences and had fond memories off them all. She put it all away, with love, and let it go.”

“And I'm the icing on the cake eh?” Dean smiled.

“You're a foundation block of a thing called Tilly's future. For her, it's been eight years in coming. Please don't be angry with me, Dean and please believe me when I tell you I'd never have trusted Tilly's feelings and mind to anyone else like I did with you.” Marie smiled.

“You really are close to her, aren't you?”

“I love her, like I said.” Marie shrugged.

“What do I do now?”

“You tell me.”

“I told her I wasn't going anywhere and I'm not. I told that bastard of a father of hers that I love her, and I do, baggage and all. You are right, I can handle this. This really has shown me the gravity of the things she's trusted me with, Marie. Telling me about her dad, telling me she still had scars.”

“And that suggests what, Dr. Hawthorn?”

“That Tilly was giving me huge, enormous hints. She wanted me to know. I wouldn't ask outright for fear of pushing her away, you didn't want me to ask outright incase my reaction hurt Tilly. Mission accomplished, Agent Fallon.” Dean smiled.

“I love it when a plan comes together. Little Fiat in the rear window. Go on, get out.” Marie said lightly.

“What about you?”

“Back to the hospital, as I was doing before you hijacked me. If Tilly was out and driving, then she wasn't sitting in the house feeling woefully regretful for bedding the hospital tart. Go on, get on with it.” Marie started the engine and Dean laughed and got out of the car.