"Breathing is steady…" a soft voice said.
"Astera…Astera…Astera…"
Astera slowly opened her eyes to see that she was laying down on a gurney in an ambulance, Andrea standing at her sid.
"Andrea?" Astera asked. Andrea smiled slightly. "Hey…" she said, squeezing Astera's hand.
Astera slowly sat up, feeling dizzy. "What happened?" she asked.
"You got hit on the head, you were pretty close to a bad concussion. We've stopped the bleeding on your head, so you should be okay… but you need to take it easy for the rest of the day. Go home and relax," the paramedic stated.
Astera slowly sat up, with the help of both Andrea and the paramedic. "The criminals?" Astera asked. "On their way to jail…" Andrea replied.
Astera stepped down from the ambulance and looked around the yard. Police lines were everywhere and clusters of people were gathered around the crime scene.
"Wow…that's a lot of people…" Astera commented. Andrea laughed slightly.
"There she is… Astera!" called a voice.
"Careful, here comes your white knight…" Andrea whispered.
Astera turned her head to see David rushing towards her, all dressed up in his suit coat and everything. "David…" she said, softly.
David walked up to her. "I heard about what happened and I got over here as fast as possible. I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner…" David said, apologetically.
"David, its okay…you don't need to apologize for anything…" Astera replied. "I know but…you got hurt…" David said, touching the bruise on her cheek.
She winced slightly at his touch, and h moved his hand to hr shoulder. "I'm sorry….I just hate when this happens…" he whispered.
Astera looked around, suddenly remembering that her partners…her friends were probably getting fixed up as well.
"Where is…" Astera paused, suddenly feeling weak. Everything looked fuzzy and she felt her knees shake, before completely giving out.
She felt strong arms catch her, most likely David's and lift her back to her feet. David held her close, and she rested her head against his chest, her arms around him.
David held her tight, and Andrea smiled at the sight of them.
"Astera, do you need to sit?" David asked. Astera could feel her senses coming back, and her vision became clear again. She could almost hear David's steady heartbeat.
"Astera, do you need anything?" David asked, softly. Astera lifted her had off of David's chest and she saw Joel talking to Teresa, sitting on the bumper of an ambulance. He had a bandage around his biceps and was sitting comfortably in a tank top. He had probably just gotten stitches.
"Joel…" Astera stated. David looked down at her, confused. "Joel?" he asked, a bit surprised.
Astera pulled away from him, and made her way over to Joel, stumbling slightly.
"Joel!" she called. Joel turned to look, and before he knew it, Astera had thrown her arms around him.
Joel chuckled slightly. "I was just going to come back and see how you were doing. Last time I was there you were out cold…" he said, returning the hug.
"I'm sorry, Joel…" Astera stated. "Don't be…happens to me all the time. I've been hit by cars before…" he said, dismissing the idea.
Astera pulled away, and looked at him. "Fearless? Tom and Ray? The Young family?" she questioned.
"All okay…" Joel stated.
David watched as Astera continued to talk to Joel. He glared at the two of them, and Andrea rolled her eyes. "Seriously, David? She's making sure that he is okay…" Andrea stated.
"Yea, because I throw myself at every person I want to make sure is okay," David said, bitingly.
"Joel is with Teresa! Astera is his partner. Of course she is going to care. How about you go over there and see how they are both doing? I'm heading home to feed my kids…. Have a nice day…" Andrea said, walking away.
David watched her leave, before turning his attention back to Joel and Astera. He sighed, before walking over to them. "Hey Stevens…how are you feeling?" he asked, shaking his hand.
"Ah…I've had better days…" Joel said, with a shrug. He looked over at Astera and saw that she had one hand on Joel's left shoulder, and her other hand was holding Joel's left hand.
David looked down at the ground, biting his lip.
What's wrong with you, McNorris? They are just friends so stop getting jealous! Besides, we aren't even officially a couple yet so she is still fair game to all other guys…
"Good morning counselor…" came the voice of Teresa Ortiz.
She walked up to Joel and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to have to take you home, Joel. No more work for you today. You need the rest," she stated.
"Says the woman who is working two jobs between a cop and an EMT…" Joel joked.
Teresa smiled, before looking at Astera. "You should go home to. I prefer if someone took you home. Do you want to catch a lift?" Teresa offered.
"I'll take her home…." David spoke up. Teresa shrugged. "That okay with you, Astera?" she asked. Astera nodded, feeling weak again. She leaned against David for support, and he put his arm around her shoulders.
David turned so they headed in the direction of his car. Astera turned her head to see the leader of the criminals getting shoved into a police car. Their eyes met, and it was as if Astera felt this eerie connection.
We are going to get you. You can't hide…
Astera felt a shiver go up her spine, and she turned to see David's car. "You landed on the curb?" she asked. "I was in a rush…" David said, opening the door for her.
Astera smiled, before climbing inside.
….
"Astera…"
Astera opened her eyes to see that the car was outside of her house. "Oh…I fell asleep…" she said, drowsily. David opened up her door for her and helped her out. "It's okay…this the right address?" he asked. Astera nodded, and made her way up the sidewalk.
She unlocked the door, and stepped inside. She felt so exhausted and so weak. She felt herself slam into the wall, followed by the firm grasp of David's arms on her waists. "Okay…I think you really need to rest…" David said.
She closed her eyes, and David sighed.
He bent over, picking her up bridal style.
"David…" Astera moaned.
"Shh…" David whispered, before heading down the hallway. He found the bedroom after he tried looking in about three other rooms. He smiled down at her drowsy figure, before walking over to the bed.
The slowly bent over, before gently lowering her onto the bed. He slid the covers out from under her, and pulled them on-top of her. He watched as he legs curled up so she was in a little ball.
"David?" Astera asked.
David leaned forward, his faces inches from hers. "Yes?" he asked. Astera slowly opened her eyes, and her amber eyes met his.
"Thank You…" she whispered.
David smiled, and rested his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes, and took a moment to enjoy the peacefulness. "You know my number…Joel's…Andrea's…call any one of us if you need us…." David said.
He softly kissed Astera's forehead, before pulling away. Her eyes continued to stare into his, as if she didn't want him to leave. But he didn't want to be too chancy in case she really didn't.
David stroked her cheek. "I'll see you at work…whenever you are ready to come back…" David murmured.
Astera smiled slightly, and closed her eyes.
David stood up and walked out of her room, locked the handle on the door, and then walked outside.
He approached his car, his thoughts full of anger.
This Kurt Banks guy was really going to get it, and he was going to get it at 8:00 AM, first thing tomorrow morning…