“What is going on? Slade here informed me what happened outside.” His gaze ran up and down her body, examining her. “Were you hurt by anything they threw at you?”

She shook her head, deciding not to mention her throbbing shoulder. She forced her gaze away from Fury to glance at Slade. The NSO officer who’d saved her just peered at her curiously.

“Thank you for making them allow me to wait here for my car. It was getting ugly out there.”

He nodded. Ellie’s attention returned to Fury. She bit her lip, indecisive for seconds, and then made a decision. He needed to be warned and she wanted him to know what had gone down inside the director’s office. She also wanted to say goodbye to him.

“Can we speak privately?” She glanced at the security guard standing very close to them who obviously listened to every word.

Fury frowned but nodded. “Is this a private matter between you and I or can Slade be included?”

Ellie smiled at Slade. “He’s more than welcome to be a part of this conversation.”

Fury spun around. “Follow me.”

The security guard next to Ellie suddenly grabbed her arm. “She stays right here. I’m under orders from Director Boris that she is to be kept outside. I’m already in violation of those instructions by allowing her on this side of the perimeter. She goes no further.”

Fury spun back around. “Get your hand off her.” Fury growled the words. His irritation showed. “I give the orders above your director. The woman walks with us and you stay put. Understand? Don’t touch her again.”

The security guard looked stunned but he released Ellie to step back. Fury waved her to walk in front of him and Slade. She took about twenty steps before she faced both men who were right behind her. She darted a glance around the area to make certain no guards were close enough to eavesdrop.

“What is it you wanted to say privately?” Fury’s gaze met hers, softened, and his tense, angry features relaxed.

“I wanted to warn you that Director Boris has it out for your new security teams. He tried to make me file a bogus complaint today against you and your men. I’m sure if he did that with me, he’ll try to do it with other people. He’s really pissed that you are taking control of your own community. I just wanted to let you know.” She paused. “You guys saved me the other day and I think you’re better than the present security. I believe you were dead-on right about how he’s going to try to keep command of Homeland. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Fury studied her but nodded after a few long moments. Slade’s expression turned stony. He didn’t reveal what he thought. She may as well have been talking about the weather. Fury took a deep breath.

“What kind of report did he want you to file against my team?”

The ground suddenly became really interesting to Ellie. She was unable to look at him. “He tried to make a big deal about you helping me clean up inside the dorm bathroom. He implied some pretty messed-up things.” She glanced up at him before focusing on the ground again. “I refused to write the complaint and told him he couldn’t make me commit perjury. I just wanted to warn you what he attempted.”

She could sense Fury watching her as the silence stretched. She finally looked up at him to see a few frown lines around his mouth. “Is that why you were fired? I was just informed that happened.”

Word sure travels fast. “That and it may have had something to do with me calling him some not-so-nice names when he got really angry about my refusal.” She smiled sadly. “He probably would have let me pack up my own belongs before I made some choice insults.”

Fury’s lips twitched but he didn’t smile. “I see.” He paused. “I need your address and your home phone number in case Justice wants to have a word with you. Just tell me and I’ll remember the information.”

Ellie’s shoulders slumped, hating to admit her situation to him. “I’m going to get a motel room in town and go job hunting. I moved from another state when I relocated here to work. I’m homeless right now. I can give you my cell phone number though if they pack it with my things. Otherwise I could always call the office to leave my motel number for Justice if you really think he’ll want to speak to me. I have no idea what motel I’ll be staying at yet.”

Dark eyes blinked and Fury’s mouth tightened into a firm line. He stared down at her, seemed to be studying her for some reason she couldn’t fathom. She forced her gaze from Fury’s when Slade spoke.

“I’m sure that will be fine, Ms. Brower. Please don’t forget to call the office with your contact information.”

Ellie nodded. “Well, again, thank you for making them let me back inside.” Her gaze returned to Fury. She realized it would be the last time she’d ever speak to him and sadness filled her over that fact. He stared down at her mutely. She wanted to say so much to him but could only think of one thing that summed it all up.

“Please be happy and thank you for deciding I shouldn’t die.” She gave him a sad smile before she returned to the waiting security guard by the gate. She sensed his gaze on her the entire way but she kept her back turned. She didn’t want to watch him walk away for the last time. He had his freedom now and they were even.

Half an hour later her car arrived at the gate. She took the keys, noticed they’d put her purse on the front seat, and climbed in. Depression hit her hard. She’d never return to Homeland or Fury. She had no idea where to go or what to do with her life at that moment.