A/N Had this sitting on my computer for a few days before I finished it.. (got kinda stuck half way) and then I had it another week or so trying to decide if I should post it.. Well.. be kind?
Rated T for abuse, it's pretty heavy (not more than my other story though) but might have a happy(er) ending though.
Greg looked inside his fridge, no food. He checked all his cabinets, nothing. He needed to go grocery shopping three days ago but didn't have the time, so he ate everything in his kitchen instead. So now, on his weekend off, he didn't have any food. He sighed before walking back to his bedroom to change out of his sweats, shopping it is.
…
"You look lost." A young woman smiled at him, she was pushing a cart.
"Maybe a little." He smiled back, he was standing in front of a shelf. "I'm looking for my favorite brand of peanut butter, but they don't have it."
"I know what that feels like."
He looked at her for a second, she was a little shorter than he was. Her hair was blond and shoulder length. She was wearing a scarf, which he thought to be a little weird. It was 89 degrees outside.
"Do you mind passing me that one? I'm never able to reach it." She asked him, pointing to a jar.
"Sure," He reached up and grabbed a jar from the top shelf. "Here you go." She accepted the jar.
"Thanks. I'm Kate, by the way." She extended her hand.
"Greg," He shook it.
"KATE?!" A man with a raised voice walked towards her. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I was just asking this nice guy for help, Danny." Daniel turned his back to Greg, lowering his voice.
"Don't." Kate looked down at the floor and bit her bottom lip.
"I'm sorry."
"Come on." He grabbed her roughly by her arm.
Greg stared after them, not sure if that just happened. He had a bad feeling, if that guy was abusing her, he should do something about it. Right?
…
He visited the store regularly from that day on, hoping he would run into her again. He didn't, he did see Daniel a few times. A few weeks had passed, he was there with Ed, it was Greg's turn to host the barbecue and Ed was helping him.
"Hey." Greg smiled at her, she turned around surprised.
"Hey, Greg, right?" He nodded. She was wearing a scarf again, it cooled down a little but it was still a good 78 degrees. This time she was also wearing long sleeves.
"So, that guy the other day?"
"Danny, yeah. We're dating." She didn't sound too happy about it. "I need the peanut butter, mind walking with me and helping me again?"
"Sure." He walked with her to grab the peanut butter.
"Greg, which one of these steaks do you want?" Ed walked towards him. "Oh, hey." He smiled at Kate.
"Ed, this is Kate. Kate, Ed." Kate smiled at him.
"Kate?!" She could hear Daniels raised voice. She quickly grabbed the peanut butter.
"Nice to meet you, got to go. Thanks for the help." She turned to walk away but ran into Daniel.
"Stop with the peanut butter." He grabbed it from her and put it back on the top shelf. "You're getting fat." Greg and Ed shared a look, both sure there wasn't a gram of fat on her body.
"Of course. I'm sorry, Daniel."
"Come let's go." He grabbed her arm tight and wanted to pull her away.
"Hey. " Ed said. "How about you let her decide if she wants to go." Daniel huffed.
"Mind your own." He pulled her away, Ed wanted to follow but Greg stopped him.
…
"He's abusing her." Ed said when they walked back inside Greg's house.
"We think, he's abusing her. He can just be a jerk."
"Well that's for sure." Ed put the bags down. "So, you've seen her before?"
"Once, a few weeks ago."
"Well, if he is abusing her, we can't just do nothing."
"What can we do, Eddie? We only know their first names."
"Ask around in the store, if they come there more often?"
"I will do that tomorrow. Now we need to get these steaks in the marinade." Ed nodded and unpacked the steaks.
…
"Kate? Sure I know her." Greg was in the store, asking about her.
"What do you know about her?"
"Not much. Who are you anyway?" Greg showed the boy his badge. "Police? So you're finally doing something about it?"
"What do you mean?"
"My boss has called you guys a bunch of times, the guy that's always with her seems abusive."
"Can you ask your boss to call me the next time she comes in?" He handed the boy a card.
"Sure, I'll hand it to him."
"Thanks."
…
The manager called him a few days later, Greg went to the store immediately.
"Hey, I keep running into you." Kate smiled at him.
"Yeah, I guess you do. You had to leave in a hurry, with that guy of yours." She nodded, accidentally shedding her scarf. He got a good look at some bruises on her neck. "How did you get those? They look pretty bad."
"I fell." She hastily put the scarf back in place.
"Did Daniel do that?"
"No." She didn't look at him and bit her bottom lip.
"You can always leave him." He tried, and failed, to make eye contact.
"I fell." She quickly grabbed some items and put them in her cart.
"Kate, you didn't fall. I've seen this more than once, I'm a cop."
"Police? I got to go. Really, I forgot I have to go to the.. massage.. parlor.. Bye." She quickly turned around and walked away.
"Kate." He followed her, leaving his cart. "He doesn't seem like a nice guy." He turned to corner and almost ran into Daniel.
"I'm sorry." Daniel said to Greg, Kate looked scared. "Is she bothering you?"
"No." Greg answered surprised.
"Good. Kate, go finish the list. We'll talk about this at home." Greg felt bad, he didn't want her to take a beating because of him.
"It was my fault, I accidentally put something of mine in her cart and I followed her to take it out." He reached into the cart and took the peanut butter out. "I'm Greg." He extended his hand. "I've seen you around here, Daniel, right?"
"Danny." He smiled while he shook Greg's hand. "Kate, the list." She nodded before walking off. "Sorry about her." Greg tried not to frown. "I have to go. Enjoy that peanut butter." He smiled before walking off to find Kate.
Greg did the rest of his morning-shopping before going into work.
…
"Who was that guy?" Daniel asked Kate when they were in the car. "Answer me!" She looked down at her hands.
"He's just a guy I've run into before." She bit her lip.
"Look at me when you talk to me." She looked up, trying not to show fear. "How many times have you seen him?"
"I think this was the third."
"You're not supposed to talk to anyone besides me and your customers."
"I'm sorry. He started talking and I didn't want to be rude." He parked the car in their drive way.
"You know what's going to happen next, don't you?" She nodded. "Answer me!"
"Yes, Daniel."
"Get out of the car and go inside. I'll be there in a second." She nodded before getting out.
…
"Team one, hot call."
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing when they heard Winnie's voice.
"Winnie, talk to me." Greg said when they were in the car.
"Possible domestic. Neighbors say they are very quiet and keep to themselves."
"Then, why is it a possible domestic?"
"They heard yelling and a loud thud."
"Okay, subject names?"
"Kate and Daniel Burroughs." Greg and Ed shared a look, could that possibly be a coincidence?
"Anything else you can tell us?"
"I got Daniels Burroughs' drivers license picture, couldn't find a trace of Kate Burroughs, it's like she doesn't exist. Photo on your phones." Greg checked his phone, it was the Daniel he knew from the store. He showed Ed.
"Scratch the possible, it's domestic." Ed said.
"How do you know?" Jules asked.
"Me and Sarge have run into her a couple of times at the grocery store."
"How domestic of you." Spike joked.
…
"I'm sorry Daniel." She stood before him in her underwear, her nose was bleeding.
"Shut up and turn around. I bought you 10 years ago, I told you a million times you're not allowed to talk to men." He rummaged through a box.
"Please, Daniel. I really am sorry." She turned around so her back was to him, knowing he would tell her to in a minute anyway.
"That's too late now."
…
"This is Greg Parker, I'm with the police strategic response we will be calling the house in a few minutes. I need you to pick up." He put the megaphone down before nodding to Spike to call.
"Hello?" It was Daniel, he sounded a little out of breath.
"Daniel? This is sergeant Greg Parker."
"You're the supermarket guy?"
"I am."
"Okay, what are you doing here?"
"We got a call for a possible domestic."
"You think I'm hitting Kate?"
"I don't think anything, Daniel. Now, the caller said they heard a lot of screaming followed by a loud thud. It worried them, mind telling me what happened?" He kept him on the line while Ed tried to get a camera in.
"The TV was on really loud."
"Picture in." Greg heard Ed over the intercom.
"Mind if I come to the door, talk to you face to face?"
"Why?"
"I need to verify for myself that everything is okay, it's just protocol."
"Sure, but Kate just left."
"Okay, can I still come talk to you?"
"Okay. Come on to the front door." Greg hung up the phone.
"Ed, come with me." Greg climbed out of the truck and walked towards Ed. "Let's keep our guns holstered, keep it close though." Ed nodded as they made their way to the front door.
"So?" Daniel asked as he opened the door.
"So, you said the TV was on loud?"
"Yes." They heard a noise inside the house.
"I thought you said Kate left?"
"I thought she did." He looked at them with a blank face.
"Mind if we come in?" Ed asked.
"Yes. Unless you leave your weapons outside."
"We can't do that." Ed replied.
"Then you can't come inside." Daniel was blocking the door.
"We can't leave until we have checked the house." Daniel sighed, he wanted them gone so he could finish things with Kate.
"Give me a minute." He closed the door, when it opened again Kate was standing next to him. "Tell them you're okay, baby." His left hand was on her back.
"I'm fine, the TV was on loud and I fell." She had a bloody nose, fat lip and a black eye.
"You fell?" Greg asked.
"Yes." Greg and Ed looked at each other, frustrated. "I'm sorry someone called you and wasted your time."
"If there's anything wrong, you can always call me." Greg handed her his card. She looked at it and memorized his number, knowing Daniel would take it away the second he could.
"Nothing's wrong." She smiled at him.
"Okay, we still need to look around. Make sure nothing else is wrong." He told Daniel.
"Fine, come in." Daniel opened the door for them.
…
"Thank you." Greg told Daniel once they were back outside.
"I hope you don't get any other phony calls." Daniel smiled.
Greg and Ed turned around and walked towards the rest.
"He's abusing her." Spike said.
"Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it." Ed replied.
"How can she stick up for that guy?" Jules said incredulously.
"I think we will never know. Spike, were you able to find out more about her?"
"Nothing, Winnie was right, she doesn't exist."
"Maybe someone smuggled her into the country?" Sam offered.
"Maybe. Let's get back to SRU."
…
"Strip." He told her once the police had left. "You didn't tell me he is a cop."
"I didn't know. Daniel, I swear."
"Take of your clothes. NOW!" Kate complied, he grabbed her face. "Next time you see that guy, I want you to turn around. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Daniel."
"Good. I will be easy on you, because it's your birthday."
"Thank you, Daniel."
…
Greg didn't sleep well that night, they left her in that house. They all knew she was going to be beat up, and there was nothing they could do about it. They weren't able to find anything on her, she didn't exist.
His phone rang early that morning.
"Spike, something wrong?"
"Sarge, I found something out about Daniel. "
"Okay, is it something we can arrest him for?"
"Unfortunately, no.. He, rents her out."
"He… what?" Greg asked confused.
"He rents her out, like an escort."
"Sex and everything, I'm sure there's a rule against that."
"Without the sex, just company."
"I need to talk to her.. That's my chance.."
"Greg.." Ed said.
"Eddie? What are you..?" He was talking to Spike, and now Ed's on the phone?
"Is this still about saving this girl?"
"Ed.."
"We'll talk at work. We will, Greg." Ed hung up the phone.
"Spike, you still there?" Nothing, apparently they were on the same phone. "Great." He put his phone down. Ed was right, helping her wasn't the only reason he wanted to talk to her.
…
"Greg, don't make a mistake."
"It's not a mistake, Ed."
"Don't blow two grand on her."
"I just need to talk to her, and I've got to go to the law enforcement professional of the year dinner next week."
"So, you think buying her is the best option?"
"Wouldn't it be more like, leasing?" Spike joked and Greg glared at him.
"Spike, just get me the jerk's phone number.. Will you?"s
…
"Daniel."
"It's Greg, from the store."
"Ah, the cop that visited me. Is this an official call?"
"No. Personal."
"Okay."
"I've got an event next week." He could only imagine the look on Daniel's face. "And I don't have anyone to bring with me."
"How's that my problem?"
"I heard things about you."
"You want to borrow Kate?"
"Yes."
"Okay, what day was it?"
"Friday." Greg could hear Daniel shuffle some papers.
"She's free, she doesn't come cheap though. She's quite the looker."
"I've noticed. How much?"
"Two grand. "
"Fine. It's a black tie event."
"I'm sure she's got a dress lying around. You know where to pick her up." Daniel hung up the phone.
…
Kate was lying in bed, Friday morning. Daniel hadn't told her about the plans.
"Kate, wake up. Baby." She could smell the coffee.
"I'm already awake." She smiled up at him, he had been nice to her for the past week. Hadn't even hit her once, so she was a little suspicious. "Something wrong?" She sat up straight.
"You've got plans for tonight." She sighed, there it was.
He was setting her up with one of his friends. At least she would be getting her cut, a hundred bucks. She had been saving it up so she could buy her way out.
"What kind of plans?" She got out of bed and stretched.
"Black tie. So go do your things in the bathroom, pick out a dress and get ready. He'll be here at half past five." Kate nodded and got up.
"Who is he anyway?"
"A guy."
Kate sighed, did she really expect an answer?
"Is it a nice guy, this time?"
"Decent, even." Daniel replied.
"No decent guy will rent a girl." She muttered as she walked into the bathroom.
…
Kate looked into the mirror, she looked good. She wasn't going to look her best for a jackass. The doorbell rang just as she was walking down the stairs.
"Go earn your keep." Daniel told her when she passed him on her way to the door.
She opened it to find Greg standing there, he looked amazing in a suit.
"Not a jackass." She said surprised.
"What?"
"I said, that you're not a jackass. I was expecting a jackass." Greg smiled at her.
"Come on, let's go."
…
"So, I'm a little confused. Are cops allowed to buy company?"
"Company, yes. Sex, no."
"Ah, well thanks to you I get to spend a night away from Daniel."
"How's that?"
"Sex. He's a pervert, but he's not that much of a pervert." She glanced over at Greg, he looked confused. "When I get to go on these dates, which usually involve creeps and jackasses, I go to dinner or some kind of event. Then he drops me off at an apartment, I ask him in and I sleep with him."
"That's how it goes?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm not like that." She smiled at him.
"I know."
"You look nice, by the way." Kate smiled, he was trying to flirt.
"Thank you, I would have done my best if I'd known you were coming."
"You would have?"
"Ow yeah. So, this event?"
"Yes, law enforcement professional of the year. One of my teammates is getting it, and I couldn't not go."
"So, how did we meet?" He looked at her, not getting it.
"You want them to know you paid a grand for me?"
"Two, actually."
"Two, wow. He ripped you off." She smiled at him. "Must've given you the cop-rate. You're not gathering evidence, are you?"
"No."
"Good, because I don't exist. If you arrest him, I won't have a roof over my head. Still not sure why he let me go with you anyway.. So, how did we meet?"
"Uuhm, at the grocery store."
"Okay. Anything else I should know?"
"No, just don't make me look like an idiot."
"I'll even try to make you look good." She smiled at him.
"You're not bruised." Kate looked down for a second.
"No. He left me alone because I've got a date."
"This date, is it a handsome fella?" He smiled at her.
"He is."
…
Kate looked around when they entered the room. It had about 10 round tables, everyone was dressed up nice. Kate was glad to see she didn't stick out. They walked towards their, still empty, table and he held the chair out for her. They were having a conversation when the rest of his team started arriving. None of them treated her bad, even though she was sure they all knew why and how she was there.
"Want to dance?" Greg extended his hand for her.
"Uuhm, sure. I might step on your feet though. I'm awful." She accepted his hand and they walked to the floor where some dancing was going on.
It wasn't long before the band played a slow song.
"Why don't you leave Daniel? I've got a guest bedroom."
"I can't leave." Her head was on his shoulder.
"How's that?"
"He bought me." He stepped back, making her look at him.
"He.. what?" He sounded slightly angry.
"When I was 14, 8 years ago." She bit her lip.
"How?"
Kate looked around, the floor was getting busy and their table was empty.
"Not here, not now." Her eyes were begging him.
"Okay." He smiled down at her.
…
Kate sat at the table, Greg was going to give some sort of speech to introduce Jules.
"Having fun?"
"Yeah, I am. Thanks, Mike, was it?"
"Spike is good."
"Spike it is. What's your role in the team?" Kate smiled at him.
"Nerd." Ed sat down on Greg's seat. "With combat skills." He added.
"Computers, background checks, that sort of thing?"
"Yes." Spike smiled.
"You background checked me, right?" He looked embarrassed for a second before nodding. "Did you find anything?"
"I didn't even find you."
"What I thought." She sounded disappointed.
"I don't get why, though."
"Because I don't exists, Spike. I'm a ghost, hell I don't even have an ID."
"You don't?" Ed asked.
"Nope." She grabbed her wallet. "In fact, I don't have anything."
She handed Ed her wallet, the only thing inside it was a carton with an address written on it and a key. Ed raised his eyebrows before handing it back to her. He was about to comment when Greg started his speech.
…
"Ready to go?" Greg smiled at her. She downed her soda and nodded. "Come on." He got up and extended his hand. She accepted it and said goodbye to his team, sure she would see at least one of them again at some point.
…
"Sure you don't want me to drop you off where I picked you up?" The car was parked in front of the apartment.
"Away from Danny? Hell yeah.." He got out of the car, walked around the back and opened the door. "You really are quite the gentleman."
They took the elevator up. She stopped in front of the door and grabbed her keys.
"Thank you, for tonight."
"Because you get to stay a night away from Daniel?"
"No, I had a really good time. I haven't had such a good time in.. way to long. You're a nice guy." She smiled up at him, she wanted to kiss him, but was sure he would think it would be because of the money.
"For me too, we should go out sometime again."
"I would love to, but Daniel won't let me."
"I'll pay."
"I don't want you to pay two grand for me, again."
"I want to." Kate's insides fluttered, a feeling she never had before. She leaned up and kissed him. He stepped back after a second, looked at her and stepped back in to kiss her.
"Come in." She said breathlessly.
"I can't. You're just asking because you have to."
"I want to." She took his hand. "Come in, please?" He thought for a second.
"I'm going to burn in hell." He smiled at her while he followed her in.
…
"Can I ask you something?" He was stroking her bare back.
"After that, anything." She looked up at him.
"You've had sex before." He said surprised.
"Yeah, but you actually cared about my.. pleasure. That's new for me." He smiled gently at her, he could only imagine the jerks that had been with her.
"He, bought you?" Kate sighed.
"Yeah. I've never told anyone this. You have to promise me not to tell anyone or act on it."
"Kate.. The man bought you.."
"Promise me, Greg. Not even your team."
"I promise." He said reluctantly.
"He bought me when I was 14. My mom died when I was born, my dad blamed me. I don't even remember the first time he abused me. Then, he got in debt, he had an alcohol addiction and did anything to get his hands on it." Greg looked away when she mentioned the alcohol. "He started renting me to his friends, much like Daniel is now. Only without the dinner part. When I was 14 his debt was getting too much, Daniel just happened to hear of it and offered my dad money for me. He accepted and my stuff was packed within hours. Daniel was a really nice guy, he helped me pack and everything. I moved in with him, he gained my trust and then started doing the same as my dad. Only he got more money for me."
"How long have you been there?"
"About 10 years." He was still stroking her back.
"You don't have any scars."
"Of course not, men won't pay as much if I'm bruised or scarred. Daniel loves his money."
"You sound so casual about it."
"Being hit and sexually abused has been my life for as long as I can remember. So, yeah."
"I don't know if I want you to answer this, but has Daniel ever hit you because of me?" She looked into his eyes.
"You want to know?" He took a deep breath.
"Yes." She should lie, she didn't want to make him feel bad. She bit her bottom lip. "He did. I'm so sorry Kate."
"It's okay. All those rules, I break one at least once a week."
"So, you're 24 now?"
"Yeah."
His phone buzzed, he checked it before putting it in a drawer.
"Think you'll ever get out?"
"Yes. I'm working on buying myself out."
"How much do you need?"
"That depends on his mood."
"How much do you have?"
"Over 20 grand."
"Wow, so he gives you a part of the money you.. earn?"
"Yeah, 100 bucks per.. date.. but he didn't pay me until two and a half years ago."
"100 bucks? Jeez.. That's.. 200 dates.. I don't mean to sound.. rude.. but did you have to sleep with all of them?"
"Until I was 18, yes.. It was all about the sex. From that point on, no. Some men just needed company."
"Did you enjoy any of them?" Kate laughed a little.
"Yes, one." He looked at her, compassion all over his face. "You." She sat up and straddled him. "And I would like to enjoy you, again." He put his hands on her hips.
"Ow, really?"
"Owyeah."
"You don't say that to everyone?"
"I usually jump in the shower the second they.. you know.." He smiled.
"Finish?" How she could be so modest talking about actual sex was beside him.
"Yeah. So?"
"You can enjoy me." He smiled and sat up a little so he could kiss her.
…
"What time is it?" Kate croaked. She was laying half on top of him.
"Time for me to get up, I'm afraid." He started stroking her back again.
"What time?"
"4:30"
"Jezus.. You really have to go?"
"Yes. I need to go home, shower, grab my stuff, get dressed and drive to work. All before 5 am."
"You'll never make it."
"I'm quick when I have to." She rolled off him. "Maybe I'll see you around?" He kissed her before getting up.
"Maybe."
…
She heard a phone ringing, she emerged from the bathroom and looked around. She didn't have a phone, Daniel didn't want her to. So it must be Greg's. Where did he leave it? Then she remembered, the nightstand. She opened the drawer to find it buzzing. She didn't pick up, even though it said 'Ed calling.'
…
She had thought long and hard about it, before deciding to go drop off his phone at SRU. She was now in the elevator, she told herself she would go in and out. She had to be back with Daniel in half an hour.
"Hey, does Greg Parker work here?" She asked a woman sitting behind a desk.
"Yes, do you want me to call him?"
"No, I just came to drop off his phone. Can you make sure it gets to him, it's been buzzing a lot."
"Sure." The woman accepted the phone. "Who can I tell him dropped it off?"
"He'll know." Kate smiled at her. "Thanks." Kate turned around and got back into the elevator, if she saw him she would be stuck there.
…
"Sarge?" Winnie called him over as he and his team passed on their way to the briefing room.
"Yes Winnie?" He started walking towards her.
"A woman dropped of your phone?" She put it on the counter.
"There it is. Thanks, Winnie." He grabbed it and turned back to the briefing room, finding Ed still waiting outside.
"Kate?"
"Pretty sure." Greg sighed.
"How did she get it?"
"I forgot it."
"Greg.."
"What I do, in my own time, is my business Ed."
"She's got an abusive boyfriend and you paid her."
"No, he's more like a…" He trailed off, he promised not to tell anyone.
"A what?"
"Nothing." Greg walked past Ed and into the briefing room.
…
"Danny, I need to talk to you." She said after a few days. She had waited until he was in a good mood.
"What about?" He smiled at her, he was always in a good mood when they were in bed.
"Buying myself out." The smile faded. "You know I've been wanting to do this for a while. I'm 24 now, Danny. I want to be free."
"You've been saving money?" To her surprise, he wasn't mad.
"Yes."
"How much do you have?" She knew if she was going to say 5 grand he would want 10, if she said 10 he would want 20.
"How much do you need?" She kissed his shoulder, trying to keep his temper down.
"15 grand."
"it was 10 a half a year ago."
"Bad economy."
"Daniel.."
"How much do you have?"
"Enough."
"You've got 15 grand, laying around?"
"Yes. Like I said, I wanted to get out for a while."
"I didn't expect you to up and leave me."
"When will you let me go?"
"Two weeks. I need to find someone else." She felt bad, her leaving would mean another girl would be put through this kind of misery.
"Don't you have enough money, Danny?"
"Are you suggesting I don't take in another girl?"
"Yes."
"You know I have to." He was starting to sound a little angry.
"You can talk to people."
"About my need to control people and make them sleep with other guys for money?" He asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"Not going to happen Kate. Let's go to sleep."
"Okay." She knew she shouldn't go against him, not even when he was in a good mood.
…
Kate had been avoiding the grocery store, she didn't want to run into Greg again. Not before she was free anyway. Two weeks had passed. Danny was counting the money, he had brought in a young girl, around 13 by the looks of it, earlier that morning.
"15 grand exactly." He put it back in the envelope. "I'm going to miss you."
"I know." She got up. "Danny, one more thing." He grabbed her bag, he let her keep everything she could fit in a big overnight bag.
"Shoot."
"My last name, what is it?" He smiled at her.
"You really don't remember?"
"No. My dad told me a million different ones." He walked over to a dresser and opened a drawer. He grabbed something and walked back. "Keep it." He extended his hand with an passport inside of it.
"Thanks." She opened it, it looked legit to her.
"Where are you going to stay?"
"Not sure yet. I'll find a place, don't worry."
Danny could be a really nice guy, if he wanted to. He didn't feel the need to control her anymore, so he was back to when she first met him.
"Call me if you're in trouble, I know a lot of guys."
"So do I." She accepted her bag and put the passport it. "Thank you, for letting me go. Go easy on the girl." Knowing she left a girl was just something she was going to have to live with.
"You know what happens if you go to the cops." He warned her.
"I do." She extended her hand and he shook it. She was glad to get rid of him, but with that handshake she was ending a part of her life, rotten and bas as it may be.
…
"Hey, is Greg Parker around?" Kate asked the woman sitting behind the desk, it was the same woman that sat there the last time she was there.
"He's out right now, but you can wait in the briefing room." She pointed to it.
"Sounds good. Thanks." She grabbed her bag from the ground and walked to the briefing room.
…
The team walked in, joking and laughing.
"Sarge, someone in the briefing room for you."
"Who is it?" He walked towards Winnie.
"Same girl that dropped off the phone." Greg turned around to look at the room, there she was. Her back was turned them and she was looking outside.
"Thanks." He turned to walk away.
"Greg, we need the room to debrief."
"Go shower, we'll debrief after." He told his team before walking into the room. "Hey." He said, causing her to turn around.
"Hey." He noticed the bag on the ground.
"You brought a bag?"
"I bought myself out today."
"That's great, right?" Kate sighed.
"Yeah. Anyway, I need a place to stay.. I hate asking you this.."
"No, I offered.. You're welcome to stay with me."
"I'll pay rent, or whatever."
"You don't have to."
"I want to." She reached into her bag. "Oh, and Danny gave me this." She handed him her passport.
"It expired 8 years ago." He smiled.
"Yeah, but it has my social security number and last name."
Greg was about to reply when they head knocking.
"Greg, you ready?" It was Ed.
"Yeah." He looked at Kate. "We need to debrief, can you wait outside? I promise it won't take long."
"Sure." She smiled at him and took her bag with her. "Oh Spike." She walked towards him. "Can you see what you can find for me? I'll pay you." She handed Spike her passport.
"I'll do it free of charge, Kate." Spike accepted the passport.
…
"Welcome home." He opened the door for her. "I'll give you an extra key in a little bit."
"Thanks, for letting me stay here. I'm sure it's a lot to ask."
"It's fine." He took the bag from her. "Let me show you your room." He walked upstairs. "Here it is." He put the bag on the bed. "Sheets are clean and you even have your own bathroom across the hall."
"You have two bathrooms?"
"Yes, the previous owner turned one bedroom into a en suite bathroom for the master bedroom." He smiled at her. "I'll go start on dinner, it'll be ready in half an hour. Unpack, freshen up, do whatever you want." He smiled again before walking away.
She sat down on the bed, letting it all sink in. She was free now, the only thing holding her back now were her memories and the guilt she had put another girl into that world.
…
She walked downstairs. Delicious smells coming to meet her.
"Smells good." She smiled as she walked into the kitchen.
"Thank you, hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will. What is it?"
"Pasta."
"Yum." She walked towards him. "There's something I've been wanting to do since I saw you walk into SRU."
"What's that?" He turned around. She rose up on her toes and gently kissed him, his hands moved to her hips. "Let's take it slow, okay?" She bit her bottom lip and nodded. "You're not in trouble." He had figured out in the short period of time she bit her bottom lip when she was nervous about getting in trouble. He gently tucked some hair behind her ear before kissing her. "Now, you can sit down. I'm finished."