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A/N: Been having fun doing some drawing and watercolors...but right now, this story has my attention. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4
And Then There Were Four
Ross glanced up at where the sky should have been. The snow was whipping around the vehicle, making visibility just a few feet beyond the hood of the SUV. Slowing the vehicle down, they crept through the city, as he tried to keep his bearings. His gloved hands clenched the steering wheel, although he couldn't see his knuckles, he was quite sure that they were white. "Maybe this isn't the best of ideas."
Mike rolled his tongue around his mouth. Hearing the Captain's statement, he clenched his jaw. "Maybe not, but if there's a chance that they're out in this..." He waved an arm towards the windshield.
Danny nodded, as he headed the vehicle out of the city. Without the street lights shedding their ghostly lights down on them through the storm, Ross suddenly felt like he had just rolled into a gray abyss. He tightened his grip on the wheel, slowly exhaling the breath he had been holding.
Alex brought a bowl of soup to Bobby. "I didn't get it too hot."
She carefully set it on his lap, handing him a spoon. Walking back to the kitchen, she gathered up her bowl, and a plate of crackers. Sitting down next to him, she handed him a few crackers. "Do you think they realize we haven't made it?"
"Yeah. Knowing Ross, he'll have called Waterbury's police." He took a sip of his soup. "Chances are, they've cut down the size of their force tonight." He sighed. "They won't have extra people to look for two stranded Manhattan detectives."
Alex thoughtfully took a bite of a cracker. "That means Ross might try to come?"
He took another sip of his soup, thinking how to answer her question. He didn't want to get her hopes up, and he didn't want her to lose hope either. "Maybe, depending on the storm. Definitely, once it lets up."
She looked towards the window. Even from the dim light, she could see the wind blowing the snow against the panes of glass. Her heart sank. I won't make it back for Christmas. My family will worry...they may even try to find us.
Bobby could feel the change in her mood through the posture of her body. He mentally kicked himself for not wanting to get her hopes up. Now she'll worry about her folks, her family. "Ah, Alex?"
She hadn't heard him, lost in her own thoughts. He nudged her. "Eames, it looks like we need another log on the fire."
Alex stared at the fire, trying to connect what he was saying about the fire, and what she needed to do. The flames were making their final licks on the last log she had put on. Setting her bowl aside, she got up. Carefully placing a log on the fire, she picked up another and placed it along side of the other. Satisfied that both were sitting securely, she returned to her spot and began eating, again getting lost in her thoughts.
"Okay, where's the road?" Danny Ross spoke through gritted teeth as he tried to cypher out what was road, and what was ditch. He scanned the white landscape for clues.
Logan peered out into the dimness. He could barely see the hood of the vehicle. "Ah Captain?" Mike looked nervously around the vehicle.
Without taking his eyes off the road, Ross growled at him. "What?"
Mike swallowed. "Did you happen to bring a rope?"
Ross was just about to respond when the front end suddenly hit air and dropped down, bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop.
Bobby shivered. The temperature was falling outside and slowly creeping into the house. Feeling the movement, Alex's mind was brought back to the room. Rising, she checked the fire and then went to check the thermostat. It was set on 62 degrees, but the old farm house was feeling cooler than that. She increased the temperature, hoping the individuals who lived here weren't on a fixed income. There was a low rumbling from below as the furnace began working.
Walking back to the living she smiled as she looked at her partner clad in the pink bathrobe. Reaching down, she picked up a blanket and put it over him. Taking their bowls, she took them back to the kitchen and placed them in the sink. Half opening the kitchen door, she called out to Bobby. "How about some tea?"
"Yeah, that sounds great." He shifted himself against the recliner, finding another comfortable spot. He sighed with relief.
Alex walked out with two cups. "You look like you're feeling better."
He smiled at his flannel clad partner. "I am."
Not having the pain in his lower back he was better able to take in his surroundings. Better yet, he was able to pay more attention to Alex. He accepted the hot mug gingerly, and took a sip.
"It's probably not done steeping yet." Alex warned.
He began playing with the tea bag, raising it and lowering it into the water. Alex watched as she took her seat next to him. Lifting the blanket with one hand, she moved in next to him. Even with turning the furnace up, there was a chill in the house. Bobby reached over to his left side, bringing more of the blanket towards Alex. "I'm seem to be hogging it."
She laughed as she pulled more of the blanket over her, their hands briefly touching. All of sudden, she felt like she was in high-school again, lost for words, and not trusting her own voice.
The touch sent a warm tingle through his spine, he shifted uncomfortably next to her, not due to his back, but the close proximity of his partner. He hesitated a moment before gently asking, "What were your plans with your family tonight?"
Alex took a sip of her tea, with a thoughtful look on her face. "It would be a houseful." She admitted. "No tea, but plenty of eggnog."
Her face changed, as she thought about her nieces and nephews. Her voice was above a whisper. "There would be games, talking, lots of talking, and all kinds of food."
He loved the sound of her laugh. It's almost musical. He wished she would laugh more often. "Any singing?"
Alex grinned thinking about how the latter part of the evening would have turned out. "After enough eggnog, everyone would be singing."
Bobby shifted again, this time to where he was purposely touching her shoulder with his arm. He slightly turned catching her faint scent, sending his brain into a frenzy trying to determine what she perfume she was wearing. Light, but not too light. Another part of his brain was amazed at how this tough, petite woman, could still maintain her femininity in such a difficult job. Many of the women he had met in the police force, either weren't near as tough, or had taken on the persona of their male counterparts. But Eames, she's both...tough and feminine. Goren, you're one lucky guy to have someone like this for a partner.
Ross slammed his gloved hands against the steering wheel. "Shit."
Logan released his seat belt. "About that rope."
"Shut up Logan! This isn't funny." He reached down and flipped open his cell phone. Checking the status he closed it. "No service in this area." His voice was flat.
A strong gust caught the SUV and slightly rocked it. Logan sat quietly, wondering if he dared to make another comment, or suggestion. Ross turned glaring at him. "Well, what is it?"
Mike cleared his throat. "I think we need to find shelter."
What light the day gave them through the storm was fading quickly under the heavily clouded sky. Ross sighed heavily. "Okay, grab the thermos, make sure you have your gloves, headgear, on. There's no telling how far we'll have to walk, or where we'll end up. There should be a flashlight in the glove compartment."
Logan quickly did as he was told. As they exited out of the vehicle, he looked around for houses or other structures. Where the hell are Goren and Eames? Are they alright? He looked at Ross, slightly grimacing. Of all the people to be stuck in a storm with...he's not my first choice. He smiled slightly. Angie would have been nice. Adventuresome, energetic... His thoughts drifted back to their predicament. But Ross? He shuddered.
Ross glanced up at Logan. I would be in my flat, getting ready for a family get together...instead, I'm stuck with... He stopped the thought, knowing as long as two of his detectives were lost out in this storm, he wouldn't have gone home, not knowing. He looked up at Mike, feeling the sting of the snow as it hit his face. Yelling above the wind, "Any ideas?"
Mike pointed towards what he thought was a house. Yelling back, "There!"
Ross turned trying to force his eyes to see what Logan was seeing. "Okay then, let's go!"
The two slowly moved in the direction that Logan had pointed. Both hoping that the shelter they found would be adequate enough for the night.
