They were lying in bed together quietly. She had thrown on one of his button-down dress shirts and climbed back in. He was lying there with nothing but a sheet covering his lower half. As she climbed back in bed, he wrapped one arm around her, vaguely resembling the position she found herself in her first night in his bed.
"I have a question," Cady said.
"Then ask it," he replied. His thumb was rubbing back and forth across her shoulder.
With her cheek against his chest she could hide her eyes, making it easier to say such personal things. "Are you aware that we spent a couple hours cuddling in our sleep two nights ago?"
He looked down at her. "Yes, I'm aware."
"I thought I might have woken you up when I… untangled myself. I wasn't sure, though."
"You did. But I had woken up once before. Not sure how we ended up that way, though."
"Ah. I kind of wondered about that."
"About what?"
"Who started it," she said with a chuckled.
She sighed in contentment and closed her eyes. He held her like a woman in a way she'd never felt before.
Tugging at the dress shirt she had thrown on, he asked, "Why did you do that?"
Her eyebrows were knit together in confusion.
"Cover up," he elaborated.
"I don't know. Felt natural. I'll let you take it off of me if you join me for a shower. We both could use one," she said.
He nodded his agreement and they moved into the bathroom.
"Try not to fall this time," he said sarcastically.
She shot him a dirty look as he ran the hot water.
They stepped into the shower under the steam of hot water. It only took a moment before they were holding each other, letting the water roll down their backs. Her head was rested on his shoulder, her arms against his chest. Jacob's arms were wrapped around her and he rested his temple on her head lazily. They were completely relaxed. Earlier was about lust but this… this was more. This was about closeness, about affection.
"This feels good. Not the water... well yeah, the water. But just being together like this is nice." Her eyes closed in bliss.
"It is," he agreed. Being chest to chest, he could feel her little heartbeat against his skin. Keeping her against him, he reached out with one arm to grab the soap. He lathered up and down her back, massaging her muscles and rubbing in circles where he met knots. She moaned and curled into him.
"If you keep making noises like that, I'll be ready for another round in no time," he whispered in to her ear.
She chuckled lightly. "I really do have to go home soon. Henry called about coming to see me yesterday."
Jacob turned Cady around so her back was flush with his chest. He lathered the soap over her chest and arms, his fingers splayed as he touched her. He did this slowly, inch by inch. She took the soap from his hands and turned back around to lather his chest. His hands stayed connected to her body. As she returned the favor and massaged his muscles, she could see his eyes were fixated on the 4-inch stretch of stitches on her abdomen.
"It doesn't hurt," she whispered.
"That's a lie."
"Maybe. But it's over with."
He drove her home and walked into the house with her, carrying her bag of clothes for her. She closed the door behind them and took her bag with a thanks and walked to her bedroom momentarily to set it on her bed. Jacob stood there with his hands in his pockets by the door.
Cady walked back and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall.
"Now what?" she asked.
"Now I leave."
She nodded. "Yeah. Henry is coming over soon. But that's not exactly I meant."
He pulled his hands out of his pocket and walked over to her with his chin held high. "I know," he answered. He placed a hand on the side of her face, kissing her cheek. "We don't have to have it all figured out this second." He wrapped his arms around her tightly and moved his lips to her mouth. Cady felt her attachment to him growing with each touch, each kiss.
"Okay," she agreed.
"I guess I should get going."
"You're probably right." She reached out to touch his face and he caught her hand and pressed it against his lips. She remembered her father doing this very thing to her mother.
[L] [L] [L] [L]
Now that Jacob was the sole occupant of his house again, things were quiet. He had made himself lunch and opted to catch up on some work, although he didn't have too much left to do.
The low rumbling of a vehicle making its way up his driveway caused him to look up from the paperwork that had his attention. Unexpected visitors tended to leave a sour taste in his mouth. Standing up from his work, he walked out to his driveway. The sheriff's Bronco was just parking as he got out there.
Walt Longmire stepped out of his truck and slowly walked over to where Jacob was standing expectantly.
"Sheriff. To what do I owe the visit?"
He pulled out a pair of handcuffs and grabbed Jacob by the arm. "Walt, what the hell-"
He started cuffing Jacob, one hand at a time. "Jacob Nighthorse, you're under arrest for conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and accessory to the attempted murder of Cady Longmire."
"Unbelievable. Do you even have a warrant to arrest me?"
"I don't need one. You're guilty. I'll prove it somehow."
"Jesus, not only do you not have a warrant, you don't have any evidence. You know you won't be able to hold me," he growled.
"You have the right to remain silent," Walt said. He continued reading the Miranda Rights to Jacob as Jacob gritted his teeth angrily. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you by the court." He tightened the cuffs till they were too tight on Jacob's wrist, like a game of Uncle. But Jacob was too stubborn to say anything, so he just clenched his teeth as his wrists were crushed.
"You're going to regret this."
"I doubt that." Walt replied coolly.
"This is a sick joke," Jacob spat. "And you need help."
Walt only responded by pushing Jacob towards the Bronco. They rode silently back to the station, Jacob staring out the window the entire way. Upon arrival he was put into the jail cell and locked in. The deputies just went about business as usual for a while, as if he wasn't there, until Walt came out of his office to let Jacob know he had one phone call. Walt ushered him over to Ferg's desk and pushed his shoulders down to force him into the desk chair.
"Is that necessary?" Jacob said bitterly.
Walt didn't bother with a response. He just moved the telephone closer to Jacob.
Dialing Cady's number from memory, he glared up at Walt and turned his back in his direction. It rang three times before he heard her voice on the other end. He sighed in relief.
"Hello?"
"Hey. It's Jacob," he said.
"Jacob?" The confusion in her voice was evident. "This is the station's number… please tell me this isn't what I think it is."
"Listen… I know you're not working right now. But I need you. Walt arrested me for accessory to the shooting." He was keeping his voice low. Walt was just behind him, watching and trying to listen to every word.
"God," she sighed.
"He doesn't have any proof. He just locked me up. I need you to get me out of here before he tries to send me to Tri-county jail. Malachi would have me killed within 24 hours."
"Of course. I'll be there soon, okay?"
"Okay. Goodbye."
"Bye."
He placed the phone back on the desk. Looking back up to Walt he held his wrists up mockingly. "Alright, Big Chief," Jacob said.
Walt nodded towards the cell.
"Back in you go."
