Chapter 10
A/N: Sorry it has been so long. I have been so sick, and I unfortunately am leaving for the holidays Monday morning. For so long, I have been able to update all of my fics so frequently, but I just got a new job, so they may be updated less frequently. I am hoping to still do 3-4 updates per week, but I can not guarantee that. Well, enough about me, let's do what you really came here for.
Starr really wanted to work things out with Langston, and she really did not get why Markko had to stay. She missed when things were just her and Langston. They used to have so much fun. She loved Cole, but sometimes she missed that relationship with her best friend. As much as she hated to admit it, she and Langston had a grown apart. They both had boyfriends. "Langston, I really would like to talk to you alone."
Markko looked at Langston. "I can go if you want me to."
Langston defiantly looked at Starr. "He stays. You were rude to him, too."
Starr became irritated. "No, I was not. You don't get it. Neither of you get this. Neither of you get how hard everything is for Cole and I right now."
Langston was about sick of hearing Starr make this all about her. "Starr, let's get one thing straight. You did not lose your parents, Cole did. You don't know what it feels like."
"Let me guess, Langston. You do. You think that you know Cole so much better than I do." Starr had to admit that she was furious. She could not believe that her best friend had the audacity to tell her that she was being selfish. She knew that she was, but she did not care. Cole was everything to her. What right did Langston have to make her feel as if she was wrong? "Langston, the difference between what you went through and what Cole went through is that Cole's parents actually gave a damn about him."
Markko felt Langston's whole body go numb. "You are such a bitch, Starr," said Langston, who then left the room and ran upstairs. Starr realized what she had said. She did not know how this even went from her worrying about Cole, to completely destroying her best friend. She turned around, and saw Markko scowling at her.
--
Cole really hated that as much as he hated Miles, he had done this to him. He never imagined himself ever causing harm to anyone. He had always seen himself as being a pretty mellow guy. More than anything, he wished that his mom was there. He missed her so much. "Miles, I just wanted to make sure that you are okay."
"I will be fine."
"Miles, I did not mean to shoot you."
"You hate me for what I did to your mother."
"Yes, I do. But, I would never want to hurt you."
"Cole, what happened, then? I do not blame you."
"I was out of mind with missing my mom, and I found out the FBI agent Ramsey was the reason why my mom is dead. Miles, I can not let John take the blame for this."
Miles said weakly, "Cole, yes you can, and I will never tell anyone that you were the one that shot me."
"Why would you do that for me? You don't like me anymore than I like you?"
Miles sadly replied, "I owe it to your mother to protect her son. Let us protect you, Cole. Honor your mother." Cole could not believe that Miles was actually making sense. He still did not know if he was comfortable with John taking the blame for what happened. "Cole, you better get out of here."
Cole left the room. He was really glad that he has not killed Miles. He walked out of the room, and found John still there, but he was not alone. Cole felt his rage building up at the sight of Ramsey. Ramsey spotted Cole. "There you are. Commissioner, I found Cole Thornhart."
Bo walked up. "Ramsey, that is all good and well. But, John confessed." Bo glanced at John. "Unless John did not do it, there is no reason to even bring Cole in as a person of interest in this case."
Ramsey said in his southern voice, "I saw him shoot Miles Lawrence."
Bo did not know what to think. He has known John for years, and did not think that he would kill anyone. He had noticed how much John had begun to care for Marty, and he may be covering for Cole. Also, he knew that Cole was a good kid. Patrick was one of his best friends, and so was Marty. "Ramsey, John confessed. We have no evidence other than your word. Miles Lawrence does not remember who shot him."
Cole could not believe that Commissioner Buchanan was even standing up for him. He was starting to realize what good friends his parents had.
--
Starr sat down on the couch. Markko walked over to her. "Real sensitive, Starr. Do you feel better now?"
"What do you want me to say, Markko? Do you want me to say that I like ripping my best friend to shreds?"
"Then, why would you do that Langston? Why would you treat the person that has stood by you through everything like that?" Markko noticed himself getting louder, and he really did not like that.
"I am worried I am going to lose Cole. Doesn't anyone get that?"
"Do you not get that this not about you?" Markko did not understand how Starr and Langston could be best friends. He had always cared about Starr, but right now he was so angry at her. Starr knew that Markko was right, but the Manning part of her would never admit it. There was a ring at the doorbell, and Starr ran to it. She opened the door to Cole.
"Cole." She threw her arms around him. "You are back. Thank God." Markko stood in the doorway. He was glad that Cole was back, but he needed to go make sure that Langston was okay. Starr and Cole went into the living room. "Cole, what happened?"
"John confessed, and I talked to Miles."
"What happened?"
"Starr, I just do not know if I can let John go down for something that I did to be stupid. How do I do that, Starr?" She put her arms around him.
"Cole, you just have to remember that your mom would not want you to go to prison. Your mom always wanted so much for you. That is why she moved you back from San Diego. She knew that she had friends that loved and cared about her." Starr held Cole's hand, and gave him a loving kiss that said that things are going to be alright.
"Starr, what is going to happen to me? Where am I going to go?"
"I am sure that Aunt Dorian would let you live here?"
"Starr, your aunt already has one foster child. I am sorry, but I can not live with your father after what he did to my mother. It just would not be right."
Starr understood. She started to cry. Cole looked at her. "Starr, what's wrong?"
"I just don't want to lose you. I love you so much, Cole. You mean everything to me."
Cole put his arms around her. He had to admit it felt good to be supporting Starr, and not feeling so needy. "Is that it, sweetheart?"
"I was really rude to Langston, earlier."
"To Langston, why?"
"I just hate how she feels like she knows you so much better than I do."
Cole interrupted her. "Starr, it is not like that. With Langston, we just understand what the other one is going through. That is all. I love you, and I would never fall for anyone else, if that is what worries you."
Starr started to feel better. "Cole, I know. It just really helps to hear you say it. When you were in the hospital, your mom's will says that you will either go to Miss Hannen or to Lieutenant McBain."
"I know. I just need to figure out if they want me." Starr gave Cole a lingering kiss. Cole broke the kiss. "Starr, we should probably stop. After all, your aunt could come home at any time."
"No, my aunt had to go to Philadelphia for the day, and my mom is back on the lookout for my little brother." Starr and Cole fell back into a kiss. This time, Starr broke the kiss. "Cole, let's go up to my room." Cole picked Starr up and carried her upstairs. Starr knew that she really needed to go talk to Langston. She would definitely do that as soon as she and Cole spent some quality time together. They both needed this. The second that they were in her room, he leaned her against the door. Cole had to admit that he felt really great to feel normal.
--
A few minutes earlier, Markko knocked on Langston's door. "Langston, it's me."
She opened the door, and he saw the streaks from her makeup running down her face. She went back to her bed and laid down on it. He walked over to her, and stroked her face without getting on the bed. "Markko, you can lay on the bed with you."
He hesitantly got on the bed, and laid down next to Langston. She put her head on his shoulder. "Are you okay, Langston?"
"I can not believe that she said that to me. Maybe I don't belong here."
Markko lifted her chin up. "Langston, Starr loves you. You two will work things out. You are just going through a rough patch."
Langston started to cry violently. "Everything seems to be falling apart, Markko. First, my parents, then Social Services, and all this bad stuff keep happening. I just feel like it is all hopeless." He hugged her, and she mashed her lips to his. Langston pulled back. "Markko, you have to get away from me. I am bad luck. Everyone I come across loses everyone they love." She broke into tears.
"Langston, I told you before. I am not going anywhere." She looked in his eyes and pulled him down on the bed. They kissed breathlessly for several minutes. She finally broke the kiss.
"Markko, I need to be with you tonight." He kissed her again.
"Langston, are you sure?"
"Markko, we can waste any more time. We do not know how much time we get." He hated to see her hurt, and decided that maybe this is what they both needed. There had been so much loss. He leaned her back, and began to lift her shirt up. He then stopped. "Wait, what about Dr. Lord?"
"She is in Philadelphia until tonight. Lock the door, though." He got up and he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. He pulled the condom out of it, and set it on the dresser. She pulled his shirt off, and he attempted to kiss away her tears. He knew that she felt responsible for all of this, but there was no way that she could be responsible for all this. He then proceeded to make her feel better. It was what she needed. It was what they both needed.
To Be Continued…
Will Starr and Langston be able to stay friends? Where will Cole go? Stay Tuned...