Martini Dreams: Don't interfere in my life

by tarskeewee08

Turning her head a sharp flash of pain cut through her temples making her squeeze her eyes shut. Suddenly every bruise, every cut, every pain that ripped through her body came into focus and she gasped opening her eyes. John got up and went to her bedside.

"Evangleine…"
Looking at him she focused and swallowed the knot in her throat. Her mouth was dry and sore and throat hurt ass if she'd swallowed nails. "John…" she said hoarsely

He smiled and went to sit next to her "Wow, you have been out of it for hours. I am so glad you're awake"

She frowned "Out of it?"
"You collapsed and the paramedics gave you something, you had me really worried"
She smiled lightly "You were worried about me?"
He chuckled "Of course!"

Evangeline closed her eyes and tried to lift and the pain in her side pierced through her causing the air in her lungs to escape. She moaned loudly.

John grabbed her hand and squeezed her bandaged hand lightly. And she winced to see they both were wrapped to cover the cuts. "You have a cracked rib that had to be set"
"A cracked rib?" she asked surprise.

"You took a fierce beating in that accident."
Evangeline concentrated on all the things that happened in the past hours and felt her stomach tighten with anger. That pervert homicidal maniac was free. Looking at John with tears in her eyes she saw the truth on his face. No one knew where Ortega was. "John you have to find him. He's fixated on me and he won't stop."

"Evangeline…every precinct within the state of Pennsylvania has Ortega picture and descroption. He won't escape and that's all because of you" he said smiling at her rubbing her hand.

"John you don't understand. He knew you were coming, he was trying to set something up."

"I know we found the clothes and other things in the basement that indicated he planned something nefarious but he didn't succeed and now he's running scared."

"That's just it John he isn't scared. He thinks this is some kind of test of wills between us. That stuff in that house was all a lure. He knew that you would trace it to him through Natalie. For him to escape he had a plan of action. Something worse is to come and I need to get out of this bed and be ready!" she snapped trying to rise. The pain hit her and she ignored it forcing herself up.

John grabbed her gently pushing her back down. "Listen to me. You are in no condition to do anything. I need you well and at your best. If what you say is true we got a lot of work to do, and we can't do it if you set your recovery back even further"

Evangeline saw the determined look on his face and was comforted by his need to protect her. "Thank you John but I can take care of myself"

"That may be true but you don't have too"

Before she could say more Michael came in smiling at her. "How's my patient"
John turned and laughed "Cranky"
Evangeline sucked her teeth "I need to be out of here. How long will I have to stay?"

"Evangeline, you've suffered some trauma to your ribs and your head. We need to keep you for observation for at least another 48 hours."

Evangeline shook her head slowly "Nope….I have work to do. I need to get my report out."

John smiled "I already spoke to your boss and he said take all the time you need"
"You did what!" she shouted
John looked at her surprised "Agent Simmons, I updated him on the case and what happened to you"

"John, I don't need you interfering in my life like that! I can handle my own affairs!" she shouted.

John looked at her shocked. Michael stepped to the bed. "Evangeline calm down he said confused by her outburst and the rage on her face directed at his brother"

Evangeline continued to glare at John. "Dr. McBain can you leave me and John alone so we can talk!"

Michael looked at John and saw him staring at Evangeline genuinely confused by her anger. "Fine, but guys don't overdo it. Evangeline you need to get your rest"

Neither acknowledged his comment and he turned away reluctantly then left. As soon as the door closed Evangeline hissed at him. "I don't want you interfering any further! This is my case and I will update the bureau on its status. You have no jurisdiction on this!"

John put his hands on his hips "Your case? What he hell does that mean? You were here to assist; this case belongs to the LPD! You don't tell me what I have jurisdiction over!"

"That's where you are wrong Lt. I am taking over this case. I've done all the work on it and I'm the one that will solve it!" she said narrowing her eyes to determined slits at him.

"You are kidding right? I'm supposed to believe that you'll work this case from your hospital bed? What the hell is wrong with you? Why are acting like this!"

Evangeline realized how far she pushed it. The idea that Agent Simmons was conspiring with him to take her job made her crazy. She was projecting her fears onto him. Cutting her eyes away she tried to gain perspective. He didn't know what was really going on and now he has unknowingly put a noose around her neck.

John came to the bed and saw that her anger was actually fear. She was afraid of something and he couldn't tell if it's the killer now hunting her or her boss. "Evangeline, I'm sorry if I crossed the line but I was worried about you. Please don't fight me. We can do this together."

Looking at him with tears in her eyes she was determined not to cry. "You don't understand. If I don't solve this case I will loose my job."

"What?"
"My division SVC, it's under review. The government may not fund it for the next year and I'm building a business case to keep my head afloat. John I needed this case. I needed to find him."
"Well, we won't let that happen. We will find him together. But first you are going to heal"

She smiled at him. "I'm sorry for yelling at you"
John laughed "It was our first fight and I kind of liked it. You are one tough cookie"
She laughed too. "That's what my family calls me, 'cookie'."
"Really? " he asked happy she shared something with him.

"Really" she said laying back down.

He looked at her and saw her fatigue mixed with determination. She had an agenda when she arrived and didn't communicate it with him. It hurt to know she didn't fully trust him, even though they've been together for only a week. He felt as if he's known her for years and his need to save and protect her has intensified since he carried her battered body out of that house of horrors.

She turned her head and looked at him. "I want some ice cream!"
John raised an eyebrow amused "Are you sure?"
"Positive….I want some ice cream and my laptop, if you get me those two things all is forgiven."

John went to the bed and leaned over it putting his face close. "And your forgiveness is motivation enough" he said staring in her eyes." Leaning closer to his face she kissed him softly on the lips. "I like you John McBain"

"The feeling is mutual cookie" he said smiling.

She blushed and raised her bandaged hand to his face. "Chocolate ice cream" she whispered seductively.

"Is there any other kind?" he laughed rising and turning to leave. She watched him go and waved by to him. He was more than she had hoped and she wished that there was room in her life to indulge in hope. Her focus however was proving her worth at the Bureau and saving her job.

Looking at her hand she saw how impossible typing would be with them bound like they were. She then bit into the wrappings to remove them. She had to get an email to Simmons and her reports. She wasn't going to let that asshole win.

2 Days Later

John walked in to see Evangeline sitting in a side chair her hair in a ponytail, she was dressed in jeans and a turtleneck typing away at the laptop in her lap.

He shook his head. Since he brought her the computer she's been all over it. Her hands weren't even healed but she was determined to stay on top things. She was as stubborn and committed as she was beautiful.

"Hey sexy ready to go?" he asked
"Sure am. Any leads on Ortega?" she asked closing the laptop.
"Not yet. He's fallen off radar but every news station in the country is showing his image. We will catch him."

Evangeline walked over to her laptop bag shaking her head. "He's still in Llanview"
"You think so?" John asked slipping his hands in his pocket.
"Sure do, he's not done with us. Especially since he has the celebrity he wanted. We played into his hands by taking it public, he's attention needy."

John went and got her over night bag "I thought of that, but finding him was paramount. I didn't want another woman killed"

She turned and looked at him smiling. "I understand that. Are we going to the station?"
"Not today….nothing we can do there anyway."
"Did you find anything in his apartment or Natalie's?"
"Evangeline…"

Walking toward the door she frowned and looked at him. "What?"
"Can we stop this now please?"
"Stop what"
"Avoiding what's going on with us. For the past two days all you've talked about is this case and your plans to catch him. I want you to relax some."
"I won't relax until he's caught"
"That's not what I mean"
"Then what do you mean?"
"I mean, there is something of equal importance that you aren't giving any attention too"

Putting her laptop bag carefully on her shoulder to prevent aggravating her hands further she saw that familiar desire in his eyes and sighed. "What is it John?"

He walked to her holding her bag. Looking into her face he saw the bruise on her forehead had faded and the cut on her lip had healed. He knew her ribs were still wrapped but Mike said they were healing nicely. Still she seemed more fragile to him than ever. Remembering her saying she was stained by the touch of the killers she hunted, he wanted to wrap her in his arms and comfort her. But her strength and independence prevented her from being needy. She dealt with her trauma by pursuing the killer even more fiercely.

Staring into her chestnut brown eyes he saw what lied underneath. What he saw when he stepped into the bar and was given his martini dream. She was a beautiful strong woman capable of great passion. He wanted her to focus on them and these feelings that grew between them without effort on their parts. He wanted her.

"Us, Evangeline….our feelings for one another."

She stared at him and he saw different emotions flash over her face and the one that disappointed him most was dread. For some reason love was something she wouldn't indulge in. Before she spoke Mike walked into the room.

"Wow you two don't wait for anyone do you?" he said chuckling
Evangeline and John held their gaze further and John knew it would take more effort on his part to pull her closer. He had a plan for that.

Turning her head she smiled at Michael "Can I go?"
Michael nodded. "Just make sure you sign all your paperwork at the front desk.
She nodded and walked out as Michael looked at John. John tried to follow but he blocked his way. "What is going on with you bro?"

John looked at him confused "What?"
"Are you in love with her?"
"Why?"
"I don't know but I get the impression that she's….."
"Not in love with me?"

Michael blew out a breath. "She seems to be in loved with that job of hers John. I mean the woman ripped off her bandages to send a freaking email"

John laughed "She's a handful I will admit that"
"So are you in love with her?"
"I am…"
"Wow. You haven't even dated since Caitlyn and you hook up with her in a week you are in love?"

John smiled. "Yep, strange isn't it"
"Dangerous….she will hurt you man"
"You don't know that Mike"
"I know that she isn't reciprocating and that this is your first time reaching out to another woman after your divorce. I know you may be vulnerable here and should step back and let her catch up"

John saw the sincerity on his brother's face and heard the concern in his voice. "Thanks Mike, but I have a plan for Evangeline….we will connect. I don't plan to push her."

"A plan?"
"I will call you when we get there?"
"Where are you going?"
John winked "Take care of Peaches for me!" he said walking out. Evangeline turned to see him approaching and smiled. "I'm free" she said grinning.

"Come on baby" he said pulling her hand.

Mike watched them get into the elevator and his brother winked at him. He frowned worried about John and the possibility that he may end up really hurt in the end. "Wonder where the hell he's taking her?"