by Robin Hicks
As the detectives walked up to her and she saw Laney smile, all she could do was smile back. "Hi," she said to Laney when she stopped in front of her. Randi turned to Koty. "Hello Detective."
"Hello yourself Randi." Koty turned to Laney, "I'll catch up later." She turned and smiled at the younger woman. "Have a nice day Randi."
Randi looked back at Laney. "Um…I'm sorry; maybe I shouldn't have come here. I…"
"Randi, is something wrong?" Laney asked in a concerned voice.
"Oh no I…look, how much longer before your shift ends? Can we grab a coffee somewhere?"
"Well, ah…let me go drop something off at my desk, and tell Koty goodbye. I'll be right back.
Randi placed her hand lightly on the taller woman's arm, "Look, Laney if this is a bad time we can do it some other time."
"No, it's ok. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes I'm sure; I'll just wait here for you."
Randi watched as Laney walked down the hallway then took a right. 'Oh God, what in hell am I doing here?' What indeed, she was tired of waiting for Laney to call her. Somehow Randi knew that even if nothing romantic came of this, she at least needed her friendship. Why it was so important, Randi had no clue…
"Laney," Koty said as she watched her partner put a folder in her desk drawer. "Want to fill me in on what's going on? I know it's really none of my business, but you've been evading my questions for awhile now."
Laney blew out a deep breath. "I know. I need to figure out what's going on in my head first. I promise we will talk. I have a feeling I am going to need a lot of advice."
"Ok, just come to me anytime you need to Laney. I'm a good listener too if you just need to talk."
Smiling at Koty Laney said, "Thanks Partner, I really do appreciate it…"
Laney stood at the end of the hallway watching the antique store owner sitting in the chair as she waited. 'She really is beautiful.' "Ok Randi lets go to Starbucks down the road. Do you want to follow me or ride together and I'll drop you off back here?"
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Randi jumped at the chance to ride with the tall detective. "I'll ride with you, and then you can drop me off."
"Ok, let's go…"
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
"So what's going on Randi? Are you sure everything is alright?" Laney asked as they sat down with their coffee.
"Why do you think something has to be wrong just because a friend shows up and wants to have coffee with you? Does there have to be a motive? I enjoyed our lunch that day and thought I would check up and see if you still needed help moving." 'God Rand, that was even lame to me.'
Laney laughed. 'That's so cute. The tips of her ears just turned bright red.' "No Randi, you don't have to have a motive. I too enjoyed our lunch. As for moving, I'll be moving in this weekend, and yes, I will need your help if you are still offering."
"I am offering. Like I said before, no strings attached except for maybe having dinner with me."
'She's persistent, I'll give her that.' Laney smiled to herself. "How is Jodi doing? She recuperating ok?"
"Yes, and she has volunteered her services. She won't be able to carry anything heavy but she is great at packing if you need help there."
"I don't know I really love the packing part, well almost as much as I love getting a root canal. So, I would absolutely love for her help there."
"Great. So when and where? I have a student from ODU that will run the shop while we're helping. She's always begging for hours, and when I told her we might need her for a weekend she was ready to dance in the street."
Laney pulled one of her cards out and turned it over to write her address on the back of it before handing it to Randi. "Saturday around nine I guess would be a good time."
Randi reached for the card and looked at it. 'Hmm. It's got her cell phone number on it. Now I won't have to be embarrassed by asking her for it.'
"That time is fine, we'll be there. So…can a friend ask another friend out to dinner?"
Chapter Seventeen
Koty had just walked through her front door as her cell phone started to ring. Dropping the mail on the table near the door, she pulled her phone from its case on her hip. "Hello."
"Koty, its Tina. Jamie was just rushed to the emergency room. She was hurt in a fire we were at off of Haygood."
"What the hell! Is she at Bayside or Beach General."
"No, they took her to Norfolk General. I'm on my way there now, and knew you would want to be called."
"Shit. Yeah Tina thanks." Koty pushed the end button and closed her phone. Opening it again as she ran out the door, she called Kasey's phone. She almost hung up when it rang for the fourth time but then heard Kasey answer.
"Hey Honey, I'm on my way home now."
"Go to Norfolk General, Jamie's has been hurt."
Kasey went to ask Koty more but her lover had already hung up the phone. "Shit…"
As Koty drove, the thing that was bothering her the most was where they had transferred her best friend. Haygood Rd where the fire had been was only a few miles from Bayside Hospital. For them to take her to Norfolk General must mean its bad. Norfolk General Hospital was the only Level One Trauma Center and burn Unit.
When Koty arrived in the emergency room it was already packed with firefighters still in their bunker gear, sans helmet, gloves and coat. Trish rushed to her side… and Koty couldn't quite understand what she was saying.
All Koty could do was hold Trish tightly. Looking up, she saw Tina and beckoned her with a nod, to come over and explain what was happening.
"Tina, what happened, and what's the news on Jamie"
"We haven't heard anything yet; the doctors are still with her. As far as how the accident happened is still unclear. Jamie was part of the team that went in first. The fire was pretty intense, and we were told that there were people inside.
"I was outside holding the pipe when Jeremy came running out screaming that we needed to get the R.I.T in there that Jamie had fallen through the floor. As soon as the Battalion Chief arrived, along with Station Three, we quickly got things under control. We've only been here about twenty minutes."
Kasey came through the door and momentarily hesitated at the sight of Koty's ex standing there talking to Koty. 'I'll deal with that later.' The sight of Tina still rattled her a little.
Kasey quickly kissed her lover then gently pulled Trish from out of Koty's arms and into hers. When she was able to calm the hysterical woman in her arms, she would go try to find out what was going on. Being a doctor, she knew that she could find out things quicker than the rest…
An hour later had finally put Trish in the room with Jamie, and Kasey talking to the attending physician. It would appear that Jamie was one lucky woman. Granted that she had broken her leg in two places, and had a concussion.
When she had fallen, her face gear was push off of her face so she had inhaled a lot of smoke, but nothing too serious. She had several contusions on numerous parts of her body and would be very sore for weeks to come, but all in all, she would be just fine.
When Kasey made it back to the waiting room, most of the firefighters were gone, including Tina. Sitting next to Koty was Laney. She had just dropped Randi off at her car and was heading home when she heard of the fire, and that one of the firefighters were bought to the hospital on her car radio. She had called Koty's cell phone as she was driving.
Koty and Laney both stood as Kasey had walked through the door. Giving Koty a kiss, and Laney a hug, she told them what the attending physician had told her.
Sighing with relief, Koty pulled Kasey into a fierce hug. Kasey could feel the release in her lovers' body, and hugged her even tighter when she heard a sob. "She's going to be fine Honey."
"I know."
The only other time that Laney had seen her partner cry, was when she and Koty got the call that a man on drugs was holding his five year old daughter over the ledge of their balcony on the third floor.
When they
had reached the apartment, they found a man so high on crack cocaine, you could barley understand what he was saying. He was holding his daughter by one leg, ready to drop her.
Koty didn't trust the man to not drop her so she went and stood directly under where the little girl was hanging. She prayed to God that he would come to his senses, and pull her up. Or at least she would be able to catch her if he didn't.
After twenty minutes of standing in the one spot, Koty had watched in horror as the man lost his grip and the child fell. Koty was able to break the child's fall with minimum damage.
The little girl broke her left arm, arm Koty received a black eye but that was it. When rescue took the young girl from Koty's arms, Koty had dropped to the ground and cried.
Witnessing Koty's tears for the second time, Laney could not stop the tears from coming to her own eyes. She was happy for Koty and happy for Jamie.
Chapter Eighteen
Koty and Trish were both sitting in Jamie's room when they looked up to see a young man standing in the doorway. Looking like he would bolt at any moment, Jamie called him into the room.
"Jeremy, it's ok. Please come in."
The rookie that Jamie had been on duty with the day of the accident, looked as if he was getting ready to cry. "I'm…man, I am so, so sorry Jamie."
Jamie introduced the young man to Trish and Koty. Trish was confused by the apology. 'Why is he apologizing? What did he do?'
"It's my fought that Jamie fell." Jeremy stated as he looked down to the floor. "I was running to get to the stairway. One of the things we are taught in the academy is never run. You can trip and delay any rescue, or you lose your energy way too fast. So many things can go wrong.
"I went too far too fast, and didn't hear her warning me that the floor was getting ready to let loose. She ran to me and shoved me to the side by the stairs when suddenly the floor collapsed.
"I turned around when I got my feet steady, and Jamie was gone. One minute she was right behind me, then the next, she wasn't. I knew instantly what had happened but I couldn't see her, and she wasn't answering my calls. I panicked. I didn't even call for back up until I was outside."
Jeremy turned to face Jamie. "It was my fault, and you could have died. All because I forgot what I was trained to do. You probably saved my life, and I nearly took yours."
Trish was very angry now. She wanted to lay into to the young firefighter but the look of sadness on his face, and Koty's hand on her shoulder stopped her. She knew it was an accident but really wanted someone to blame. Just then, the young man said he was sorry once more then walked out of the room…
Jamie was released from hospital three days later. Still very bruised, and a cast up to her thigh, she would be unable to use the crutches for awhile yet so she had to depend on the wheelchair she was sitting in.
Koty and Laney stopped by to check on her during their lunch break. Laney was sitting in the overstuffed chair next to the couch drinking the iced tea that Trish had made, and shook her head. "I think this was just a ploy to get out of helping me move this weekend Jamie."
"Hey, I resemble that remark. Besides, I can still help. I am very good at supervising, and telling people what to do."
"She ain't lying either." Koty said as she playfully and gently popped Jamie in the back of her head."
"Hey! Injured woman here Silvers."
Koty stopped suddenly, and got a serious look on her face. Kneeling before Jamie, she pulled her into as tight of a hug as her friends injured body allowed. Jamie reciprocated eagerly.
The room grew quiet as the two best friends shared their moment of bonding. Koty tenderly reached up to wipe the lone tear that escaped down her best friend's cheek, and then lightly brushed a kiss on the corner of her lips.
'Christ.' Laney thought as she watched the emotional moment. 'No wonder all of the women fall in love with Dakota. She has more emotion in her pinky than most women have in their whole bodies.'
"Alright guys, damn it. You two always make me cry when you do this," Trish stated and Koty pulled her into a tight hug as well.
"Sorry Trish got lost in the moment there."
"So' Kay. She did the same when you were hurt last year. I wouldn't have it any other way and you know that. More people should be as lucky as the two of you, to have a friendship like yours."
"Like all of ours Darling." Koty smiled as she kissed Trish on the lips.
"Dakota Silvers, if I would have met you before I met Jamie…I don't know…"
'Shit, see what I mean?' Laney burst out laughing and the three turned curious looks towards her. "Sorry guys, I hate to bust up the party but…"
Koty looked at her watch. "Yeah, we need to head out but we'll see you two on Saturday, and Jamie? Don't for a second think you are gonna boss me around…
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
"So, she can be bossy huh?"
"Oh you just wait and see. Although in this case it can actually be a good thing. She really is pretty good at just looking and telling someone where to put something. Of course, then you'll go through later and do your thing."
"Well we should have plenty of people at least. You have a lot of great friends Koty, thank you for asking them."
Koty burst out laughing. "My asking wasn't the deciding factor. One, you're single. Two, you offered to cook and that is two of their favorite things. By the way, didn't you tell me Randi was going to be there?"
"Yes, she said she would be there."
"Well, they'll have to settle for one of their favorite things then. You're gonna break some hearts."
"Silvers…"
"Buck up Laney. You are going to have to find some way to deal with it. Randi is very interested in you, and I know you're interested in her. If you're not, or you're going to be too afraid to try, please don't lead her on. Be up front with her."
"Shit Koty! What do you think I am?"
Koty starred but didn't utter a sound for a moment. She didn't want to piss Laney off but knew it needed to be mentioned. "Laney, I know you would never do anything intentionally. This is all brand new to you, and you could be the one to get hurt as well if not more. I don't want to see that happen either. I tend to be very very protective of the ones I care about."
Laney smiled. She felt the warmth go through her at Koty's admittance. She never really had anyone feel protective over her. It felt good. It felt real good.
"I'll try my damndest not to fuck things up I promise, and yes, I do like her. Do I like her in that sense? I don't know. I'll figure it out one way or another. And Koty thanks. Thanks for caring and thanks for being a friend."
She leaned over and kissed Koty on the cheek. "Ya tell anyone I did that and I'll call you a liar."
"Shit Laney, nobody would believe me…"
Chapter Nineteen
Moving was in full swing. Laney was amazed at the amount of body's coming and going with loads from her apartment. At this rate, all she would have to do tomorrow would be to clean the apartment and she would be done. She had really thought it would take two full days of moving.
She felt the presence behind her before she actually felt the soft hand on her lower back. She turned and locked onto sea green eyes. "Hi."
"Hi, sorry it took so long to get here. Debbie's car broke down on her way over, so I had to go and pick her up. Where would you like me?"
'Is that a trick question?' Um, where's Jodi?"
"She's coming, she spotted someone she knew in the kitchen and stopped to chat. She normally doesn't need guidance; she just seems to know where to jump in. Me, I normally need guidance."
Laney put her arm around Randi's shoulders. "Well, come on Miss I need guidance, you can help me over here with this table."
Kasey, who was helping Koty reload the armoire, elbowed her partner to watch what was happening between Laney and Randi. "God, they look so cute together don't they Honey?"
"Kase, you think everyone looks cute together."
"I think we look cute together."
> "Well duh, we ARE cute together…"
Randi had watched a tall, well stacked, well muscled blonde just finish helping Laney place the dryer in the laundry room. The blonde, whom couldn't seem to keep her hands off of Laney. Koty had watched Randi watch the blonde. Randi was obviously displeased.
When Laney announced that she needed to go back to the apartment to break down her bed and bring it, and a few other odds and ends here, the blonde jumped at the chance before anyone could say anything.
"I'll take you Laney, I have a big truck."
Koty saw the anger on Randi's face and watched as the young woman's fist opened and closed tightly. Koty walked up to pat the tall blonde on the back.
"Hey JJ, I could really use your muscles here girl. Randi, you have a truck, why don't you run Laney over to the apartment real quick."
'Bless you Detective, because I think I was just getting ready to get my ass kicked!' "Sure, I'd be happy to. Come on Laney." Randi couldn't wipe the smile off her face if someone slapped it off. 'Ha, take that you big dumb muscle head.
Kasey pulled Koty's face close to hers then kissed her lips. "You big softy."
"No Ma'me, softy had nothing to do with it. I think Randi was getting ready to try and kick JJ's ass, and it was getting ready to get ugly."
"Oh Lord."
"Un huh…"
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
"So, who was Captain Canine back there?" Randi asked as she turned the volume down on the CD player in her truck.
"Captain Canine?"
"Yeah. You know, Steroid Barbie."
Laney barked out a laugh. "Oh Randi, now that is rich. I will not be able to look at her again without busting out laughing."
"Good."
"Easy Sparky."
"Sorry. She was pretty though." 'If you like brick buildings.'
"I guess if you like that type."
"Do you? Like that type I mean?" Randi asked quietly.
Laney glanced over and smiled inwardly. "I didn't know I had a type."
"Um, right. I…if you did though." 'Shit.'
