Authors Note: Ok, yes I know, another crime! I can't help it, I'm a Criminal Justice Major! I can't help it. I'm addicted to Court TV! This will have other things other then crime, no worries. Anywho, I'm also exploring the character of Eversman as this fic continues, so share your thoughts!
11.
Matt Eversman followed his petite wife into their small bedroom.
He had followed her from Colonel Steele's Explorer and into their house, around the living room as she paid the baby-sitter, into the small bedroom where their two girls sleep peacefully: oblivious of the night's tumultuous events.
From the bedroom doorway he watched as the love of his life began to strip down out of the clothing she had been given at the hospital. She all but ripped the clothes off and threw them into the trash.
It was only when she stood in nothing more then her bra and panties in the center of the bedroom.
Her dirty blonde perfectly cut bob in disarray around her face. She blew a few stray strands away and looked at her husband who watched her with non-judgmental brown eyes.
No words were needed between the two.
The pure physical violence and manly muscular strength she had seen earlier in the night was gone. All traces of that man was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there was kindness, love, and compassion in its place.
Matt walked into the bedroom and wrapped his strong arms around his wife. She fit so perfectly against him. A good foot shorter then him, along with a considerably less in weight too, compared to her husband she was tiny.
Closing her eyes she gave herself up to his warm strength and let him lead her to the bed. Very carefully he helped her on the double sized bed and swatted at the hundreds of dress pillows.
Before long he had the both of them wrapped up in a chenille bedspread that she had so meticulously picked out.
He buried his face against the side of her hair, softly kissed her ear, "Maybe you should take today off school and just hang out around here?"
The fact she was trembling was not lost on him.
He would have wanted nothing more then to stay at home with her, but he knew that wasn't happening. So he concentrated on comforting her while he could.
A sob shook her and she nodded, breathing in the smell of hospital detergent in his shirt.
Their clothes and car had been taken as evidence.
She lifted her head and looked up into his eyes. Wondering if he had ever killed anyone so quickly, so easily, like she had seen him kill of the attackers earlier.
Then, she decided she didn't want to know.
So she buried her face against his chest and closed her eyes. Ignoring the stiffness and tenderness of her body for that moment.
Oh so carefully Matt lay down and took her with him, wrapping himself around her and pulling her close. Softly kissing Lily's neck, her ear, her cheek, and then her lips.
Her fingers grasped his borrowed shirt and she looked up at him. Giving him a look he knew all too well.
For that moment he was still, knowing that she needed him: "Are you sure? You're pretty bruised."
At that she let go of his shirt and reached behind her, unlatching her bra, "Yes. I know you'll be careful. I need you right now."
Later that day…
Matt Eversman walked into his colonel's office to see Sanderson on the phone with someone, apparently not looking happy. He glanced up at the Operator and pointed to his chair, then held a finger up signaling he'd only be a few moments longer.
Matt closed the door and walked to the chair.
"Yes…I understand, I will speak to my son tonight. I realize that summer school is not a daycare…well I want him in there…what's the damage if he takes a few extra classes. Yes I know high school isn't college. Well his mother and I decided not to tell him that he passed math…yes, that's why he's at summer school. Go ahead, tell my superior, see if I care. And what is your name…are you blackmailing me? What do I care, my son's academics are quite strong it won't matter if he gets in a couple fights, colleges don't look at that unless they are a problem and from what I understand this other kid is causing the problem…yes…you know what, let me put you on hold."
Sanderson put the phone down, hit the hold button and looked to Eversman, "Be happy yours aren't in High School yet."
Eversman gave him a slight smile, "Is this related to work or last night?"
The two men were well aware they had to keep their working relationship at work, especially since they were brothers-in-law.
Their relationship had grown amazingly complex over the years.
"Last night. There are two detectives on their way over, they'll be up at the security office. Get a hold of my sister and bring her with you, I'm trying to track down VanBlack at the moment."
Seated rather comfortably in the seat, Eversman nodded, "Yes sir, will we be on our own?"
Two buttons on Sanderson's phone lit up.
Realizing just how much he hated the phone Sanderson shook his head, "No. Two CID Investigators are already there as is a Army Lawyer."
Meanwhile…
Lily scurried in the doors of the hospital dressed to the nines as always. As a business student she made sure that she always looked good. Always. Since you never knew just whom you were going to run into.
Into the hospital she ran with her immaculate makeup covering the bruises on her face and neck. Her khaki slacks ironed and her navy scoop neck shirt perfectly lint free. Perfectly proportioned blue hoops hung from her ears that matched her scuff free blue four-inch heels, which didn't do much to add to her already petite height.
She spotted Diana immediately and ran down the hall to where she was clocking out.
The night had destroyed her perfectly manicured hands, so with her trimmed nails she grabbed her sister-in-laws arm.
Calmly Diana glanced over her shoulder at the younger woman. She knew she was seen as a role model to Lily. Lily had a mother but there were issues. Not the typical issues between a mother and daughter. No, Lily and her mother were getting along great – they hadn't spoken to each other in two years.
"Diana…what are you doing? Can you spare some time?"
Swiping her hospital id, Diana nodded, "Anything for you Lily. Good job on the makeup."
Lily smiled despite herself, she then smoothed her hands down over her clothes, "Could you run to my school with me? I have to get my work and don't want to go alone."
Exhausted and ready to collapse.
Diana looked into Lily's eyes and knew that the young wife needed her. After all she was the colonel's wife and needed to be there for the wives, not just because Lily was family.
She could sleep later.
After all she had two hours till she took the thirty-something kids out climbing.
minutes later…
Paperwork in hand, Lily led Diana to the last office she needed to stop by. She came to a stop by the closed door and paused.
Behind Lily, still in hospital scrubs, an espresso in Grande size in hand, Diana munched on her cinnamon flavored gum. "What's the problem?"
Lily looked back and whispered to Diana, "It's my Algebra teacher…he's on his lunch break."
Oblivious to the students in the halls, the perfectly shined floor, or the soccer player checking her out, Diana blew a bubble with her gum. The sooner she got out of the college and back on base the sooner she could go home and nap.
Taking a sip of pure caffeine, she cocked an eyebrow, "So what, your tuition is paying his salary. You want me to kick the door in?"
Lily shook her head.
She then patted her perfect bob and gently knocked.
No answer.
Diana finished the rest of her espresso and threw the empty cup in a near trashcan. She then opened the door and pushed, making her way into the cluttered office of one Dick Cranium. The round Italian man sat with a mildly surprised look upon his face as he graded tests.
He sat up making the dozens of gold bracelets and rings glitter in the office, "Mrs. Eversman, can I help you?"
Timidly Lily stepped in the office, beside her friend and role model. Who was praying that she'd get a buzz from the coffee she had just inhaled. Though due to her line of work, it wasn't happening, all she got was coffee breath. It was then Diana dug through her purse for another piece of gum.
"Yes, I'd like the assignments for the rest of this week, I won't be able to attend class."
Mr. Cranium narrowed his dark eyes and Lily felt herself step back, "Please."
Diana sensed fear.
She looked up between teacher and student and loudly declared, "Now Dick, I have places to go and people to see, so step on it."
Lily shot her a nervous look and Diana met it with calm reserve. She'd met people more dangerous who were trying to kill her on more then one occasion, a Algebra Teacher was not on the top of her worry list, or near the bottom, he wasn't even on it.
"Where will you be Mrs. Eversman? You realize you could miss important material over the two days? Your college career could be damaged by your truancy."
Lily swallowed nervously, wondering whether she should fake illness or a death in the family. She didn't have to worry. Diana spoke up, "That's classified information and you don't have the clearance. If there is going to be a problem, please tell me now. Because if you're going to make me miss my nap by dicking around I'm going to be extra bitchy, if not, give us the assignments and let us go. I'd strongly advise the later. I seriously doubt you can tolerate me."
Lily shook her head, "You can't."