Before The Fall

Chapter 11 – "Sisterly Love"

"For the love of God Annie, what have you got yourself into? Peter called the hospital and they said that you almost died. You have stitches in the back of your head and you almost lost your toes. A crazy man kidnaps you and beats the crap out of you for what … information. You really have to learn when to walk away from a story. Did you learn anything from what happen to me? Seriously, Annie you're going to get yourself killed. And who in the hell answered the phone?" Julia was beyond pissed off and Anna knew it. If there was one thing Anna could count on it was a heaping dose of reality from her big sister.

"He's a friend that's all you need to know. I'm fine Jules you don't have to worry about me and please stay in Maine. My friend is taking care of me and you don't need to leave the paper and Peter doesn't need to leave the clinic. If I need you I'll call. You might say I've learned my lesson. I'm going to back off this story … promise." Anna holds her breath waiting to see if Julia believes her.

A few seconds go by before she can hear Julia's breathing in the phone. "Okay, I'll let your friend take care of you. Oh, by the way, Mom and Dad are cutting their trip to Spain short to come home and check on you. You're Welcome." Julia's smug tone really got under Anna's skin but she had to take it for now. As long as Julia stayed in Maine and didn't stick her nose in this all would be fine.

Anna smiles over at Dale as he gathers her things. "I really am in good hands. You didn't hear this from me but if it hadn't been for my friend I wouldn't be alive. I love you sis and I'll see you real soon. I promise I'll come to Maine for the holidays."

Julia blows into the phone as if she's sighing. "I love you to Anna but please be more careful. And if you're still with your friend come November bring him too. I'd like to thank the man that saved my little sister's life. Peter sends his love and I'll call you real soon."

They say their goodbyes as Anna hangs up the phone. She waves for Dale to come to her as she loosely hangs her arms around his neck. Dale gives her a full on kiss, making her flinch. "I'm sorry. Your face and lips are still smarting. I'll be more careful in the future."

She kisses him back gently, her lips lingering a little longer than usual. "In the future … are you planning on me getting beat up again?"

A chuckle rolls from Dale as he holds Anna tight. "No … not if I can help it."

"That reminds me. Jules said my parents are coming to check on me. So … can we stay at Chips? I'm really in no mood to play twenty questions with my Dad. I'll go back to my apartment and get some of my things. Do you want to come with me?" She grins back at him like a child asking Santa for a new toy.

"Of course I will. I'd love to see your apartment." Dale winks at her as he kisses her cheek.

The nurse comes in with the release papers and an appointment to see Dr. Browning in a few days. Anna thanks the nurse for everything as she signs the paper.

Dales drives as slow as possible, not wanting to jerk Anna around too much. Pulling up to the apartment building Dale can see why she loved it here. It was in the middle of the city, close to everything and just a few blocks for the Tribune. If Dale wasn't so adverse to city life he would love it here.

Anna leans into Dale as they ride the elevator up to the seventh floor. She rubs her wrists, the red strap marks still visible. The elevator music was usually amusing to her but today it was downright annoying. When the silver doors finally open she almost jolts out, Dale holding her by the waist.

"Take it easy Anna. You have time to get your things." Dale watches as she puts the key in the lock, her right hand shaking. "Let me help you beautiful." He places his hand over here, turning the key.

The smell of vanilla hits them in the face, the scent almost overbearing. Anna holds her hand over her nose and mouth, jerking the room freshener from the wall and tossing it in the trash. Heading to her bedroom she leaves Dale in the living room. "Go ahead and help yourself to a beer. I'm pretty sure there's a cold one in the fridge. I'll be done in a few."

He pokes his head in her bedroom, smirking from ear to ear. "Nice. So this is where all the magic happens?"

She decides to be as coy as he is and holds up a red lace nighty. "And this is what I wear to the magic show."

Dale gives her a wide eyed look as he takes the nighty from her. "You are taking this … right?"

The cordless phone on the night stand rings, the number showing on the caller I.D. her Dad's cell phone. "Let It ring … it's my Dad. I think I have enough clothes. Let me grab a few things from the bathroom and we're out of here."

Going back to the living room Dale hears a rapping on the front door. From the peephole he can see Detective Jones. "Hello. Anna is in the bathroom. Can I help you?"

"Is she up to answering a few questions? This way she doesn't have to come down to the station." Detective Jones walks in, his trench coat wet from a recent rain.

When Anna walks out of the bedroom, Dale tells her the police are waiting for her. She hands him her bag as she greets the officer. "Hello, I'm Anna Shaw. I understand you have some questions for me."

"Just a few for now. Did you see the assailant at any time during your encounter?" Jones leans against the wall with his notepad in hand.

"Yes but I didn't recognize him. It wasn't until he told me a story about him and Dr. Dumont that I learned his identity. He hit me a few times trying to get answers I didn't have. I think he thought because I was investing Dr. Dumont for my story that I knew more than I did. He must have seen me with Sarah Dumont and thought she told me something. I was out of it by the end. I heard a gun fired but that's all. I was in and out of consciousness so I'm not sure if I can really tell you anything." Anna rubs her wrists again, the Detective watching her do it.

"Thank you for your time Ms. Shaw. If I have any more questions where can I reach you at?" Jones gives her a quick smile as Anna hands him her business card.

"My house and cell phone are on here. You'll be more likely to get me on my cell." Detective Jones takes the card and bids them a good evening.

Before they even make it down to the car Julia calls Anna again. "Hello Jules. I'm fine and you can stop worrying."

"Why didn't you answer Dad's call? He said he's called your house phone and your cell phone. He'll be landing at O'Hare in a few hours. All you have to do is see him and assure him you're fine." Anna can hear Peter telling Julia to leave her alone.

Anna lets them finish their argument before speaking. "I'll go see them tomorrow. Can I just get settled in and rest tonight?"

"I'll call Dad and tell him you want to rest but I'm not sure that will stop him from coming to see you." Anna hangs her head back, her body and her patience spent.

"Okay … whatever Jules. Talk to you later." She hits end before Julia can even say goodbye.

Chip's place never looked so good to her. Dale opens the car door for her as he takes her hand to help her out. With her bag in hand Dale picks Anna up off her feet, walking her through the front door. He doesn't put her down until they get to the bedroom.

Anna takes herself a little nap as Dale makes them both a bit to eat. With a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich in hand, Dale gives her a kiss on the cheek to wake her up. "Hello sleeping beauty. You hungry?"

Her hands reach up for the tray, her stomach feeling like she hadn't eaten for days. Dale sits beside her, taking a bit of his sandwich. Anna almost swallows the sandwich whole as she picks up the bowl and slurps the tomato soup down.

With her belly full she decides to take a shower. Dale picks her up off the bed and walks her down to the bathroom. "Do you need me to help you?"

Her cheeks flush pink, her smile beaming across her face. "I'm good but if you don't mind can you stay in here until I'm finished?"

Dale stays leaned against the wall, the steam from the shower fogging up the mirrors. She reaches out of the shower for her towel, Dale giving her his hand instead. Pulling her out of the shower he wraps the towel around her as he kisses her shoulders. Anna picks up another towel and proceeds to dry her hair.

Still in the towel, Dale picks her up again and places her on the bed. She smiles at him, wanting to do more than she knew her body was ready for.

"What do you say I put a movie in and we watch it in the bed?" Going through the stacks of movies against the floor Dale watches Anna slide on one of his t-shirts.

She climbs into the bed, her wet red hair shining in the reflection from the television. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to watch the movie with you but I'll try."

The movie starts as Dale takes his shirt and jeans off and slides in the bed. Anna curls up to him and just as she predicted she's out before the first scene even shows.

"Sweet dreams Annie." Dale kisses the top of her head, the two of them enjoying a night of just being together.