Sweat dripped into Denise's eyes. Her mouth hung open as she gasped for air. She could feel her heart racing. Each footfall kept a steady rhythm as she rounded the last bend in the road headed back towards her house. "What in the ever-loving fuck!" she cursed, seeing a large black Expedition, a shiny silver sedan, and a pick-up that had seen better days parked in front of her house. What truly alarmed her was the sight of the three men camped out on her front porch. Denise slowed to a trot and then a walk, finally approaching the waiting men.
"Hey, D. How are ya?" Colby called.
"We brought food." Joe waved a container.
Denise's voice carried clearly across her front lawn. "That's nice. How the hell did you know where I lived?"
"Um…"
Denise walked up to the porch. "No one wants to explain? Really?" she huffed."
"Not particularly." Joe admitted.
"I just came with them."
Denise turned to the last man on the porch. "Ah, the innocent brother."
He bound up, rubbing his shoulder and shaking his blonde hair feverishly. "I am anything but innocent, Doll Face." Colby and Joe face-palmed as they groaned.
Denise laughed and said "Somehow I agree with that statement, Lunatic." She turned and opened the door as Colby and Joe looked at each other in confusion before grabbing their things and following her inside.
Jon was hot on Denise's heels as she grabbed a glass of water in the kitchen. "Lunatic? Where did that come from?"
"Only a lunatic would call a woman he's never met Doll Face." She turned to face him as she leaned against the counter. Sticking out her hand she said, "Denise."
"Jon." He was surprised by her firm handshake, even though his hand enveloped hers. "The guys speak highly of you."
"If you say 'for a girl' bad things will happen." Denise heard Joe's voice rumble. She was surprised that it came from the direction of the living room and was relieved when he came into the kitchen. "Let's eat over here." he said, directing Jon towards the other side of the kitchen. Colby had set the food on the table and Jon grabbed some plates. Joe held Denise back. "You guys start. I need to apologize for a comment that I made earlier today. We'll be there in a few minutes."
Joe pulled Denise into the living room. "This is some set-up you have." She just looked at him as his eyes roamed over the pictures and maps plastering her living room. Reports littered the coffee table and sofas. He looked back at her. "We've got a lot to talk about. A whole lot." Denise raised an eyebrow. "Baby Girl, I was with Jon. I don't have to read a report or see his face to know that is him in this picture." he said walking over to her wall and pointing to a firefighter trapped under a beam.
"That's Jon?" she whispered, walking over to his side. He nodded. "Fuck."
