I don't own any of the Plum world characters and I'm not making any profit from them.
Week 20 - Court's "Confession" Challenge
Use one or both of the following prompts -- (1) Quote: "I have a confession to make." and/or (2) Words: backup, promise, bet, problem, plan. Your responses can be any where from one line and up. The reward is Confessions. For EVERY 12 responses I'll post a section of Confessions.
Another One Bites the Dust
by jnharrow
"Cupcake, why do you insist on going into these things without backup?" Joe was mad. "I don't understand why you're doing this at all, but alone is just suicidal!" Make that furious.
The breeze shifted and acrid smoke from the charred hulk of metal that was formerly my car choked us both, preventing either a reply from me or a continuation of his familiar rant. I was grateful for the respite. He grabbed my elbow and not very gently hauled me to my feet, guiding me around to the other side of the fire truck.
Carl waved cheerfully at me. I knew the large police turnout at my mishaps was due to their rampant gambling on every aspect of my life. They had to confirm the details of the latest incident to figure out the winner or winners. It looked like Carl had won this bet, from the gleeful look on his face. I shot him a death glare.
"Stephanie!" Joe's face was a dull red now and his jaw was clenched so tightly I was amazed he could speak at all. Hmmm…my real name…that doesn't bode well. The worst thing was that I suspected this time he might have a point.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" He shook me slightly to get my attention.
I looked up at him, then beyond him. Over his shoulder, I could see the Cayenne pulling up and a familiar dark clad figure exiting the vehicle. A glance took in the scene and he headed in our direction.
"We have a real problem, Cupcake." Joe's voice was softer, but still unhappy. "I can't handle much more of this."
"Babe, you ok?" Ranger had arrived.
Joe stiffened and let my arms go, turning to face Ranger. "Manoso. You're not needed here."
Ranger inclined his head slightly at Joe. "Morelli." He ignored Joe's not so subtle brush off. "Babe?"
"I'm ok." My voice was harsh and raspy from the smoke inhalation.
Ranger studied me and as usual, I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
His silence made me uncomfortable in a way that Joe's yelling hadn't. "I'm sorry," I said, softly. "I know I promised--"
"What did you promise?" Joe interrupted. "You're making promises to him, now?" He threw his hands in the air and said, "I'm out of here. I'll call you later." Tossing a bitter look at Ranger, he said, "I'm sure you can find a ride."
"I had a plan…" I said, after he left.
Ranger touched my arm lightly and nudged me in the direction of the Porsche. "Where to?"
I didn't want to face my apartment with its most likely frantically blinking answering machine and the extremely likely possibility of an angry continuation of the argument with Joe. "Haywood?" I asked him as he opened my door.
He leaned over and brushed a kiss on my temple and some of my mental and physical aches receded. "I have a confession to make," he said into my hair as he hugged me lightly to him. "I was hoping you'd say that."