Chapter 7
Casandra looked at Jennifer. "Let me go talk to her."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Jennifer asked worried.
"It'll be okay. She can't attack me anymore than she already has." Casandra said and walked off in the direction Khandi had gone.
Jennifer watched her go and then made her way back to Jim's room.
//Desert Palm Hospital - Hallway//
Casandra found Khandi sitting on the floor, with her back against the wall and crying hysterically. Casandra sat down beside her. "I'm sorry about everything's that's happened." she said. "But I still don't understand why you're acting like this."
Khandi looked over at her and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I think I might be pregnant again." Khandi confided to Casandra.
"Have you taken a test?"
"No. But I have all the symptoms of pregnancy. I have sore breasts and I'm gaining weight."
"Come on, let's go talk to a doctor and find out for sure." Casandra said standing up and then helped Khandi up.
"Why are you being nice to me after the way I treated you?" Khandi asked.
"Look, let's just forget what's happened and get past it."
Khandi nodded and they walked down the hallway.
//Dr. Stewart's Office//
They talked to Dr. Stewart and he performed a pregnancy test on Khandi. She and Casandra were sitting in his office when he entered and walked around to sit at his desk. Khandi looked at him. "So, am I right? Am I pregnant?" Khandi asked.
"No, the test was negative." Dr. Stewart replied.
"What? I don't understand, I have all the symptoms."
"I know. Have you been having headaches?"
"Yeah, but in my line of work it's not uncommon. Although I've been getting them more frequently."
"Okay, I want to perform an MRI on you."
"An MRI?"
"Yeah, just to be on the safe side. And I want to do it as soon as possible. I'm going to go book a room and get you in there tonight."
"Okay." Khandi said worried.
//MRI Room//
Dr. Stewart placed Khandi on the table and started the magnetic resonance imaging machine to take pictures of Khandi's brain. She was in there for a half hour and when she was done, Dr. Stewart said she could go back to his office and he'll meet her there with the test results.
//Dr. Stewart's Office//
Khandi was pacing back and forth while Casandra was sitting in a chair in front of the desk. Khandi stopped walking and looked at Casandra. "I appreciate you being here with me."
"Of course. You shouldn't be alone right now."
A half hour later, Dr. Stewart entered his office and told Khandi what the tests had shown. Khandi has a macroadenoma. Her pituitary gland, which hangs by a threadlike stalk from the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, has a tumor.
The normal pituitary is about the size of a pea. It is referred to as the Master Gland because it transmits signals to the thyroid, the adrenals and ovaries or testes, controling their production of hormones that dramatically affect matabolism, blood pressure, reproduction and other vital functions. Khandi's tumor measures approximately twelve millimeters, or approximately half an inch, in diameter. It's benign but won't go away on its own. Her symptoms are headaches and an overproduction of prolactin, resulting in unpleasant symptoms that mimic pregnancy.
Khandi sat there stunned at the news. How could she have a brain tumor? Dr. Stewart was explaining her options. "You can start on drug therapy that will reduce your prolactin levels and is supposed to shrink the tumor in size or you can have surgery and have it removed."
Casandra was sitting next to Khandi and holding her hand. "What's the best option?" Casandra asked.
"I would have to say surgery. Removing it would be the best route to go, otherwise you'll be taking the medication for the rest of your life."
Khandi shook herself out of her stupor and looked at Dr. Stewart. "When can we schedule the surgery?" she asked.
Dr. Stewart looked at his day planner. "I can schedule you for Friday morning."
"Thank you, Doctor. I'll be here." Khandi and Casandra left the office and made their way down the hall. Khandi looked at Casandra. "I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. But I guess now we know why I've been so hostile."
"Hey, you're going to be okay. Dr. Stewart said the tumor's benign, no sign of cancer."
"I don't understand any of this. It seems everytime we find our lives are going good something always happens to ruin everything. First Jimmy's shooting and now this." Khandi said getting tears in her eyes. Casandra placed her arm around Khandi's shoulder as they made their way back to Jim's room.
//Jim's Room//
Everyone was sitting around worried about what was happening between Khandi and Casandra. They had been gone for hours at this point and Sam had a bad feeling. Just then they walked into the room. Khandi looked at Jim and Little Jimmy and then turned her attention to everyone else in the room. "Can I talk to Jimmy alone?" she asked.
"Sure." Cosmo said. He walked over to the bed and picked up Little Jimmy. "Come on, buddy, you wanna get some ice cream?"
"Yeah." Little Jimmy said excitedly.
Everyone left the room and Khandi sat down beside Jim's bed. He looked at her with curiostity and worry in his eyes. "What's going on, honey?" Jim asked.
"I just talked to Dr. Stewart..."
"Did he miss something in my tests?" Jim interrupted.
"No. I went to see him about me."
"About you? Why? Are you okay?" Now Jim was getting beyond worried.
"I've been feeling bad lately and I'd been getting headaches and I thought that I might be pregnant..."
"Pregnant? You're pregnant?" Jim asked.
"No, I'm not pregnant. Jimmy..." she started crying again.
"Khandi, what's going on?"
"I have a tumor."
"A tumor?" Jim asked stunned. No he must have heard her wrong. There's no way that Khandi has a tumor.
"Yes. It's in my brain. On my pituitary gland. I'm scheduled for surgery on Friday to have it removed." Jim couldn't believe it. He reached his hand out to her and she gladly took it. Khandi looked up at Jim and noticed tears running down his face. "Jimmy, I'm gonna be okay. Dr. Stewart said it's benign."
"Why are our lives so much tougher than everybody else's?" Jim asked.
//Three Days Later//
Khandi had her surgery and Dr. Stewart was successful at removing the tumor. Now Khandi's prolactin levels would go back to normal and she would be her old self again.
She was resting comfortably in her room when a knock came on the door. She looked up and smiled. "Hey, you."
"Hey. I wanted to see how you were doing." Jim said walking slowly into the room.
"I'm fine. How are you?"
"Still a little sore but at least I can walk around." Khandi laughed. "What's so funny?"
"We're quite the pair, ain't we?"
Jim laughed as he sat down. "Yeah, we sure are. So, I hear things are better between you and Casandra."
"Yeah, I feel really bad about the way I'd been treating her. Truth is I think she'll be a good addition to the team."
"Yeah, I'm sorry I won't be there to see how she works." Jim said.
"You know, I really wish you'd reconsider your decision."
Jim just sat there and looked at Khandi. He didn't know what to say. He knew she didn't want him to retire but he also didn't want to tell her the real reason he decided to do so.
//Two Weeks Later//
The Cavalry's house had gotten a new member, bringing the total number of occupants to eleven. It's a good thing they have a big house. Casandra was a little skeptical at first when Khandi asked her to move in with them. But since she had nowhere to go she accepted the offer. After all they were sisters. When Stacey heard the news she was a little more receptive than Khandi was and accepted Casandra into the family.
Now they all lived under the same roof and got along great with one another. Khandi also made ammends with her mother and although she couldn't fully forgive her father for what he did, she did learn to get past it.
Casandra knew she wanted to be with Sam but she was a little hesitant. She was more nervous now than ever. She had never been with anyone since her husband died and suddenly she found herself alone with Sam. This was not the first time but now things have settled down and she was suddenly very nervous being alone with him.
They were both alone in Sam's room but neither of them moved. Then, Sam touched her face gently and pulled her to him. He lightly pressed his lips to hers and was relieved when she didn't pull away. His hand fell away from her cheek and he was just about to utter an apology when she caught his wrist. Suddenly she wasn't nervous anymore to be with Sam at all. She was very comfortable and brought his hand back to her cheek. She kissed the palm of his hand and Sam emitted a groan and his body tightened in anticipation.
Retaining her hold on his wrist, Casandra stepped in, her breasts brushing against him. "Is this what you really want, Sam?"
He closed his eyes slowly, breathing in her scent. "I've never wanted anything or anyone more in my life."
His eyes opened slowly and he was captured by the heat of her gaze. "I don't give myself lightly. It has been a very long time since I've been with anyone." Her eyes were boring into his, answering a question he had been afraid to ask.
With a brief nod he let her know that he understood. "I would never have thought anything else."
A tiny smile touched her lips just before she brought them to his in a gentle meeting, one mouth fitting against another, finding its place. Slowly, as if he were afraid she would realize she had made a mistake, Sam increased the pressure of his mouth on hers. His hand came up to settle along her neck, his thumb brushing over the soft skin along her jaw line and she sighed against his lips. When her lips parted he took full advantage, tilting his head, and thrusting his tongue into the warmth of her mouth. And she shuddered.
Reluctantly, Sam pulled back and watched as her eyes fluttered open. Her full lips were swollen from his kiss and her porcelain skin was flushed. She recognized the question in his eyes and before he could speak she brought his hand up to cover her breast. The fabric was warm from the heat of her body and Sam's palm tingled at the contact. His fingertips brushed over the sweet swell of flesh exposed by the cut of the top and a low moan escaped her throat.
Leaning forward, his lips brushing the shell of her ear, he said, "Do you ever lose control?"
Her swallow was audible. Casandra covered his hand with hers and nodded. "I know when to let go Sam. Do you?"
His only answer was to slide his lips over her cheek before brushing them against her mouth. Not a kiss but tantalizing little passes that stoked a fire in both of them. Her arms slid up to wrap around his neck, her fingers stroking along his collar while he slid one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. The only sounds in the room were the quiet moans of pleasure from both of them.
Reaching forward, Casandra began loosening the top button on his shirt. Her fingers moved to the next button. Then when they were all opened, she pushed his shirt from his shoulders.
"Casandra…" His voice trailed off as her hands came up to touch him.
Her fingers drifted lazily over his chest and shoulders. She ran her hands up and down the smooth skin of his upper arms, feeling the firm muscles there. Casandra's hands skimmed over his chest again, her fingernails dragging over his nipples.
Raising his hands, Sam framed her face and brought his mouth down to cover hers. Her lips parted and his tongue rushed in sweeping against her own. Casandra's nails raking lightly over his sensitive skin. Hands slid over skin and cloth, learning the terrain, mapping the contours of each other's bodies.
Pulling away from him, Casandra removed her blouse and let it fall to the floor, along with her pants. Sam ran a finger down the length of her spine feeling her shudder under his grazing touch.
Sam opened his mouth to tell her she was beautiful then, but then he just began running his hands and lips over her back. Licking, nipping and kissing his way across the tops of her shoulders as his rough palms slid possessively along her rib cage. His fingertips brushed the sides of her breasts while his hardness pressed against the firm flesh of her ass. Casandra brought her arms back, her hands grabbing his hips and pulling him tighter against her, grinding against his erection as her head fell back to rest on his shoulder.
Grasping her shoulders he turned her to face him, crushing her to his chest, and slamming his mouth down on hers. Their mouths were open, seeking, devouring. Her hard nipples were burning into his skin. His hands forged a path over her back before cupping her hips and drawing her tighter against him.
His lips left hers and he began running his tongue over the smooth skin of her neck, licking his way up to suckle at her ear. His mind captured her reaction and tucked it away. She was so responsive, so passionate, moaning and quivering, clutching at him. Gone was the icy façade she maintained for work. Right now she was just a woman and he was just a man and there was nothing between them except electricity.
Casandra managed to work her hands between their bodies, her fingers making short work of his belt and the button on his pants. Her fingers grazed his hardness as she slowly lowered his zipper. And when her hand slid inside his boxers and wrapped around him Sam's knees buckled. Her cool fingers wrapped around the hotness of his erection squeezing lightly, her thumb brushing over the slit and smearing the drop of fluid that had collected there.
Her hands moved over him, noting his average length. But when she wrapped her fingers around him she noticed that what he lacked in length he more than made up for in girth. Just the thought of being filled by him made her whimper. One hand set up a steady rhythm while the other slid down to test the weight of his balls, squeezing them lightly.
Her mouth was against his jaw, her tongue flicking along the sensitive skin of his throat loving the rasp of his stubble against her skin. Sliding her hot mouth down his neck to the firm muscle of his shoulder, she sank her teeth in with just enough pressure to push the threshold between pain and pleasure.
Then he was grabbing her hand, leading her to the bed. Hooking her thumbs in the thong she wore she pushed it down around her ankles before stepping out of it. Sam groaned, low and deep in his throat. Next thing she knew, Sam was on his knees, burying his face against her smooth, firm abdomen.
He could smell her and the scent intoxicated him. From his vantage point, he looked up to see her full breasts jutting proudly forward and her smoky eyes watching his every move. Sam sat back on his heels and ran his hands up her legs until his fingers brushed against the curls at her center. Astonished at how wet she was, Sam had an overwhelming urge to taste her. Leaning forward he pressed his face to her. He wrapped his arms around her slender thighs and buried his tongue between her folds. He could feel her hands clutching at him and hear her astonished shriek followed by a deep moan as the taste of her flooded his mouth.
He could feel the muscles in her thighs trembling as her arousal spiraled close to the edge. Glancing up he saw that her nipples were hard, her eyes were closed and her head thrown back. He knew that just the right amount of pressure would send her rocketing. Moving one arm to cradle her hips, he used the other hand to slide two fingers into her. Before she could adjust to the sudden intrusion he began flicking his tongue over her clit in a rapid back and forth motion. And she came, muscles convulsing and thighs quivering while her juices coated his lips and chin. He held her until he felt the spasms stop then slowly, reluctantly, he pulled away.
He rested his face against her belly and his arms wrapped around her for a moment, waiting until her grip on him loosened. Finally sitting back on his heels he watched her eyes open, taking in the flush on her chest and the dampness on her inner thighs. He had never seen a more beautiful woman. With a crack of his knees and an embarrassed smile he rose to stand before her.
Casandra took a step forward and kissed him, sucking his tongue into her mouth, loving the taste of her orgasm. She hooked her fingers in his boxers and eased them down over his throbbing erection. Sam couldn't ever remember being that hard in his life. His cock throbbed with the force of his arousal, the skin stretched so tight as to be painful.
She began to drop to her knees in front of him but he caught her, shaking his head to indicate that he couldn't stand any of that particular torture. Instead, he climbed onto the bed and motioned for her to join him. She slid onto the mattress beside him and, after helping him to settle against the headboard, straddled his thighs. He ran his hands up from her hips, over her ribs, to cup her breasts. Slowly, his thumbs brushed over her nipples. He rose up and sucked a tip into his mouth, his tongue swirling over the tight nub. Her hands played over his body. She touched his face and neck, his chest, his abdomen, his groin and upper thighs. She touched him everywhere except the one place that ached for her.
Their hands grew bolder, more demanding, skating over sweat slicked skin. Mouths meshed before moving off to taste some new area. Breaths mingled. But the only sounds came from Casandra. Suddenly her movements became frantic. Gripping his cock she lowered herself onto him in one smooth stroke.
Just like that they were fucking. No sense trying to find a better word for it. She was pounding up and down on him like a mad woman, breasts bouncing, thigh muscles flexing. His hands were digging into her hips as he tried to find her rhythm. This was raw, primal pleasure. When she felt him stiffen, felt the hot throb of him deep within her, she slammed down on him and began to grind her clit against his pubic bone.
They both came together and were very satisfied with their lovemaking. Much later Sam awoke to find a warm weight pressed along his side. His muscles ached and he couldn't remember a time when he had felt so relaxed. Turning his head he met the brown eyed gaze of the woman next to him. "Hey," he whispered.
"Hey," she murmured. "How are you?"
With a smile, he replied, "I thought I was pretty damned good."
She smiled rolled over and playfully wacked him in the chest, "What about me?"
Sam was still smiling. "You were good, too. Just not as good as me." he said and winked at her.
She looked at him and smirked. "Mmm, not as good as you, eh?" She said as she rolled on top of him, flipping her hair to one side. "I think you should beg to differ." She added looking down at him.
"Well, I'm definitely a man who knows when to agree with a lady." he said placing his hands on her hips.
She smiled mischieviously, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." Sam said and pulled her down into a passionate kiss.
//Three Months Later//
Jim was well into his recovery. He, now and then, got a pain on his right side but it was nothing he couldn't deal with. Today was the day that Jim was going into the station to announce his retirement.
//LVPD//
Jim walked into the station and Sheriff Burdick caught him in the hallway. Burdick had no idea that Jim was retiring. "Hey, Sheriff, how's it going? Can I talk you?"
"Actually there's something I need to talk to you about." Burdick replied.
"Really?" Jim asked.
"I've asked the Mayor to give you a commendation. Medal of Valor. Congratulations."
"Well... that's... that's nice. Uh, do I have to be there?" Jim asked.
"As a matter of protocol, I'd say you damn well better be."
"Well, you know Ben..." Jim started. He was about to tell Burdick about his decision to retire but never got the chance.
"Look, I'm gonna say a few nice things, hand you a plaque, shake hands, a whole lot of reporters will be there to take pictures of the big event. It'll be magic. My office will call you to set it up."
Burdick didn't give Jim a chance to talk and now he had to stand in front of a bunch of reporters and cameras and accept a commendation that he didn't think he deserved. He watched Burdick walk away and sighed. "I was gonna vote for ya anyway." Jim mumbled.
Khandi was walking down the hall when she saw Jim standing there. "Hey, did you talk to Burdick yet?" she asked.
"I just saw him. He didn't give me the chance to talk. He's giving me a commendation." Jim replied.
"That's great, honey. You deserve it." Jim didn't say anything. "Hey, listen, I just gotta call about a domestic disturbance. You wanna come with me? You know one last time."
Jim sighed. "Alright, let's go."
//Residence//
Jim and Khandi pulled up in front of the house and exited the Charger. They walked to the door, that was standing wide open, and entered the premises. The EMT's were there. Khandi walked into a back room where the EMT's were working on an OD victim. His girlfriend was lingering around and Khandi pulled her off to the side to talk to her.
"What happened here?" Khandi asked.
"I... I don't know... he... he just stopped breathing." the woman, Marisa, said.
"Has he been taking drugs."
"No."
Just then a little boy about seven years old appeared in the doorway. Khandi looked back and saw him watch the man on the floor. Jim noticed this and walked up to the boy. "Hey, why don't you come out here with me, okay?"
The little boy looked at Jim and then followed him out to the living room. He looked up at Jim. "Is he dead?"
"No, the paramedics are gonna help him. What's your name?"
"Preston."
"Hi, Preston. I'm Jim."
The EMT's had revived the OD guy and he was now running around the house screaming that he wasn't going to the hospital. Just then Preston pulled on Jim's hand. Jim looked down at him. "Can I go with you?" Preston asked.
Jim kneeled down and looked at Preston. "Why do you want to come with me?" he asked.
"So, he won't hurt me anymore."
Khandi walked over to Jim. "Come on, there's nothing we can do here. She won't press any charges."
Jim looked at Preston and then back to Khandi. "We can't leave him here."
"Jimmy, we can't take him out of here without an investigation by Child Services."
Jim sighed, looked at Preston again and then he and Khandi left the house.
//LVPD - A Few Hours Later//
Jim had called Child Services when he returned to the station to get them to look into Preston's family. Jim was in his office putting things into a box when Khandi came running in. "Jimmy, that house we were at earlier?"
"Yeah, what about it?" he asked worried that something had happened to Preston.
"It's on fire. I just saw it on the news."
Jim ran out of the office, followed by Khandi. They jumped into the Charger and Jim sped all the way back to Preston's house.
When he pulled up in front, the entire house was engulfed in flames. He jumped out of the car and ran around the scene looking for Preston. "Preston! Preston, where are you?" Jim noticed Bob Hendricks, the fire chief, coming out of the house. "Hey, Sparky, have you seen a little boy, about seven years old, has blond hair?"
"No, Jim, sorry. But if he's in that house, he's got no chance."
Jim was about to run toward the house when he noticed Preston, wrapped in a blanket, walking toward him. Jim ran over to him and knelt down. "Hey, Preston, are you okay?"
Preston nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it." he said.
"Hey, it's not your fault." Jim said.
"Yeah, I started the fire."
Jim was shocked at Preston's honesty. "Why?"
"So that you would come back for me."
Tears came to Jim's eyes and he picked Preston up and carried him over to the ambulance. He placed him on a stretcher and then climbed in the back with him. Jim turned and noticed Khandi standing outside the bus. "I'll meet you at the hospital." Jim said.
"Okay." Khandi said and shut the doors.
//Desert Palm Hospital//
Jim and Khandi were standing in the hallway when Preston came out of his examination. "Hey, Preston." Jim said and lifted him up to sit on the counter. "I wanna talk to you, okay?"
"Okay." Preston said and played with the toy that Jim had gave him.
"Promise me you're not gonna start anymore fires, okay?"
"I promise."
"You don't have to start a fire to see me. Here." Jim pulled out one of his business cards and wrote his cell number on the back. "If you ever wanna talk to me, all you have to do is call me, okay?"
Preston took the card and looked at it. "Can't I come with you?"
"No, you can't buddy. You're gonna stay with your aunt. But you can call me anytime you want. Okay?"
"Okay." Jim ruffled Preston's hair and he and Khandi started to walk away. "Bye, Jim."
Jim turned around and waved to Preston. "Take care, Preston."
//Charger//
Jim and Khandi got into the Charger. Khandi was driving and she pulled the Charger out of the parking lot. "He's a sweet kid." Khandi said.
"Yeah, he is. It's times like this that being a cop is worth while." Jim stated.
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"Preston made me realize that this job is important."
"What are you saying, Jimmy?" Khandi asked hopefully.
"I'm saying, I don't want to retire. I wanna come back to work."
Khandi looked at Jim shocked. "You really mean that?"
"Yeah, I do. I'm coming back."
//Two Days Later//
Jim had received his commendation from Sheriff Burdick. Just then Warrick showed up at Jim's office. "Hey, Jim?" Warrick said.
"What's up?" Jim asked.
Warrick walked into the office and looked around at the walls. "Where's your hardware?"
"Oh, come on. Come on."
"Don't even try it. You were all over the news. Let's see it."
Jim reached down and opened his desk drawer. He pulled out his plaque and placed it on the desk in front of him. Warrick picked it up and looked at it. "Wow. That's beautiful. What's with all the modesty, it should be up on your wall, man."
"For what? For taking a bullet or not dying?" Jim asked.
"For being brave."
"You know, Rick, I'll tell ya something, I walked into that hotel room and twenty-three years of police work told me I knew what that guy was about and he played me like a damn rookie. He beat me at my own game. I mean, what's the dumbest thing you've ever done? You wanna make a poster of it, put it on your wall? I don't think so." Jim said and put the plaque back in his desk drawer. "Thanks for coming by."
"Alright." Warrick said and left.
Jim watched Warrick leave. He never told Khandi the real reason that he wanted to retire and now he had just told Warrick. Truth is Jim was not proud of his commendation at all and the only reason he returned to work was because of Preston.
TBC...
