Bad Man on Campus
Well, the squad had cracked their second case, and so far they were 2 for 2. They should have been out celebrating but instead they had spent a car ride in silence, and not an easy silence, more like one you could cut with a knife. Finally arriving at their destination, Linc exited the Woody so Julie could get out, only she kept her stare straight ahead not even acknowledging they had arrived at the apartment she so loved. The guys gave her a few moments before Linc cleared his voice and announced their arrival. Julie blinked, being roused out of her deep thoughts finally realizing she was home but making no real effort to exit the car like she usually bounced right out. Instead she gave almost an apprehensive look back to her place.
Almost reluctantly she slid out the passenger door but made no attempt to send her companions off with a farewell or to move toward her dwelling. She just stood there as two pair of eyes watched her. It was the first time she hadn't invited them in for some reason or another.
Pete had a feeling he knew what she was going through. Yes, as a squad they were 2 for 2 on their cases but in both instances, something bad had happened to Julie in what she considered her safe haven. First Bo Graves paid her a couple of visits and roughed her up and then on this case she had been knocked out with chloroform and kidnapped. Who wouldn't be a little apprehensive to return to a place like that. Knowing a bit about her history and assuming that this had been the first place that had been her own and offered her a sense of peace, Pete didn't want to see that destroyed so he put an idea into action.
"Hey," he called to her, "you still looking for someone handy with a ladder?" Pete gave Linc a look that he hoped he would follow.
Julie bent down to look at him still behind the driver's seat, but the question didn't register.
"Yeah, you know, something about psychedelic curtains," Linc added, and Pete let out the bread he'd been holding knowing that Linc had understood.
Julie blinked a couple times as a small smile turned into an all out grin. "I sure do," she replied.
"Well, is this a good time for us to come in and hang those puppies?" Pete querried.
"As good as any," Julie answered sounding more like her old self.
Half and hour later, the curtains were hung and even the guys had to admit they went well with the apartment's motif. Yet, it was only a pretense to get them in the door and they didn't want to leave her alone so quickly so with help from Julie, they found quite a few odds and ends that also needed a manly touch.
Julie was grateful and excited by their company. Grateful because it was easing her fears about the apartment she loved so much and being alone in it, and excited that she was having over her first guests. When she'd got the apartment, she dreamed of entertaining, and even if this wasn't an official entertainment party, they were her guests and having been there so long the least she could do was feed them. But with what? She had never expected guests so she wasn't prepared, and as far as she was concerned she ate very little and most of that was salads which she knew would neither satisfy or fill up two hungry big boys. So while they fixed, she rummaged through her cupboards finding anything she could.
"Are you guys hungry?" she asked once they had completed all their tasks.
"Starved," they replied in unison.
Julie placed a tastefully arranged plate of tuna fish as well as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the coffee table. "Sorry it's not much guys but I don't get guests and it's all I had. There's also hot chicken noodle soup on the stove if anyone wants some," she finished, her eyes looking down in embarrassment. I promise I'll keep more in the house in the future."
Assuring her that it looked wonderful and they had certainly had worse, they were trying to put her mind at ease. The only thing Linc and Pete asked was if she would mind if they ran to the local store to get some beer. Haven been given her approval, they were back in less than 10 minutes.
Julie and Pete sat on the sofa while Linc sat on the floor, and even Julie helped herself to a couple of beers. The conversation flowed freely from current events to current music, and some bits and pieces of their old life were even discussed. They found an easy repoire amongst themselves and very easy to laugh. The one subject that was not discussed, however, was work.
By the time the sandwiches were gone and most of the beer, they were all surprised as to just how well they had gotten along on their own - without being tied together by the job. Julie gathered the dishes and the guys stayed a little later but when the time came to go, Pete watched Julie's face closely. He wanted to ensure that she would be all right there at night by herself and when he saw that she looked fine, they bid her goodnight and told her to lock her door, which they heard her do as they left.
It was the first time the three of them had actually socialized together rather than worked together and they were beginning to become more than partners - they were beginning to become friends. It may have been their first 'friends night out' but it certainly wouldn't be the last one, and Julie vowed that if they ever came over again, this time she would have a proper meal to serve them, even if she did have to start learning how to cook.