When You're the Captain CH 14
As they approached the car, Karla extended the keys to him. "Do you want to drive?"
He looked at them and at her. "I think I'll take my life into my own hands and let you drive."
"Oh, I like that. I'll have you know I have not had an accident in let's see two years now?"
"Two years? You had an accident two years ago?" he yelped.
"Something like that, I think. Maybe a little more." She shrugged.
"Give me the keys. I'm driving." Dan extended his hand.
"Oh, no. I'm not giving them up. You made the decision, now you have to deal with it."
"I'll go back into the hospital and call a cab." Dan warned.
"Relax, you big goose. I really haven't had a car accident in better than 15 years." Karla laughed at him.
He pretended indignation. "You lied to me."
She hit the unlock button, "Just a little white one. Get in. I thought you were ready to go home." she got in.
He opened the door and slipped into the passengers seat. "I am. I'm more than ready to go home."
In spite of the teasing, Karla was an excellent driver. She handled the car and the traffic with skill. He was enjoying the ride. Once clear of the heaviest traffic, she sat back and reached over to squeeze his hand. "Thank you for letting me drive your car. I know your protective of it, but I'd never deliberately damage it."
"I know that. And its only a car. I wish you'd let me buy you one."
"A car is a car, the same as every other car. But my truck, that's a truck and people are going to think twice before they cross it. If nothing else, it's because they're afraid the rust from it will get onto theirs."
"That's an excuse and you know it." He told her.
"Okay, let's be practical then. Number One, I don't want to drive a car so buying me one would be a waste of time. Number Two, you don't have the finances to do it. And Number Three, I love you for thinking of me, but no, thank you."
"Number One, if that's what you choose to drive you can. Number Two, that's what financing is for. And Number Three, I do love you and that's why I want to do it. I don't have a problem making payments if it will keep you safe."
"No, Dan, and that's the final word on it. Sit back and enjoy the ride. You're free and you're going home."
"This subject isn't closed."
"Okay, I'll give you six weeks to come up with a way to convince me that I should drive a car like everyone else. After that we drop the issue? Agreed?"
"Only if you keep an open mind about the issue."
"You should've been a lawyer. You drive a hard bargain."
"There's no need to be insulting." He said with a smile.
She grinned and winked at him, but her major attention was on the road. She turned off the major streets and accelerated toward their home. The gates looked welcoming and she drove slowly across the dip in the driveway to spare the car. She pulled up into his parking space.
"Where's your truck?" he asked.
"Behind the barn." She took off her seatbelt and got out.
Dan got out and looked at her with hard eyes. "You didn't have to hide it. I'm not going to freak out seeing it."
"See what? What are you talking about?" Karla asked in confusion.
"Your truck. I'm not going to have a flashback about it."
"I didn't…."
"Then why is it back there? You never park there." he insisted.
"I put it back there so I could….."
"Could what? Protect me? Is that what you think? That I need protection?"
Karla opened the door of the car. "Get in."
"What? Now look….."
"Get in the car, Dan." She ordered shortly.
He got back in not because she told him too, but so he could continue to argue with her. As happy as he was to be home, he was feeling displaced and it made him want to argue.
She didn't put on her seatbelt but started it and put the car into gear. She drove it carefully around the part of the drive she referred to as the field road toward the back of the barn. "You don't have to do this…." he said.
She glanced at him. She didn't answer. She rounded the back of the barn and pulled up beside the truck. Dan felt like a heel. There was the truck, he didn't have any kind of reaction to it, with a load of hay in the bed, half unloaded. That was why the truck was behind the barn. Without a word, Karla drove the car around in the yard and back to the parking space. She got out and headed toward the house.
He didn't follow immediately. All kinds of feelings were assaulting him. Shame, embarrassment, anger, longing, relief and fear. He'd made a mistake in accusing Karla of playing games. He knew better than that. He'd been so hurt that he thought she didn't trust him. He had to face her. He wanted to face her. He wanted to apologize.
He opened the door tentatively. When she was mad, she was a flurry of activity. All was quiet inside. He stepped inside. "Karla?" he called.
"In here." She called from the bedroom.
He went in, unsure of his reception. She was pulling on a T-Shirt he recognized as one of her work shirts. She had jeans on. "What's going on?" he asked.
"I have to go check on George. He was kind of off when I fed this morning. I want to make sure he's okay and I didn't want to ruin my good clothes if he isn't."
"Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to accuse you…."
She turned to face him. "You did, but you were wrong. I don't play those games, Dan, you know that. Or you would if you weren't so stressed out. I don't think you're going to freak out, I'm not afraid of anything you're going to do, and I still think you're the cats meow. I'm not mad, hurt a little, but not mad. You couldn't know I had hay brought in. It was an honest mistake. I'm going to give you time to change or whatever while I check on George then I'll be back in."
"Karla." He started. He wanted to connect with her but he wasn't sure how to make it clear to her that he hadn't meant to hurt her.
She laid a hand on his arm. "Let me go check on George then I'll come back in and we can spend the whole afternoon figuring it all out. This is on my mind and I need to take care of it before I can rest. Okay?"
"Go ahead. I'll be here." He said resigned.
She smiled at him, impishly. "I know. I like that thought. I'll be right back."
She stepped out of the room and he sat down on the bed. This wasn't exactly the way he'd planned his homecoming to be. But that was life with Karla. He kicked off his shoes and sighed with relief. He was home. Carefully he laid back on the bed. His ribs and abdominal muscles spasmed and he thought about the medicine they had to get. He'd better mention it to her. The hospital had given him a few until he could get his prescription filled so he had enough when he needed them.
The comforter on the bed was fluffy under his cheek and smelled like the fresh air outside. Karla liked to hang clothes on the line. He'd teased her when he'd first found out that she did that. She'd shot back that he'd be glad she did once he smelled how good they smelled. He'd teased her that she looked cute in bare feet, shorts and a tank top hanging clothes on the line. He'd come over to her and caught her in his arms, kissing her and then making love in the grass under the drying clothes.
His body tightened at the memory. He was in sorry shape. Hurting and horny. Tough combination. He heard the outside door open and he tried to sit up in a hurry to hide his condition. That hurt even more, but it distracted his body. Karla came in. She had a distracted frown on her face. "Is George alright?"
"I'm not sure. He's listless, but he doesn't appear to be in any pain. I gave him a shot of Banamine though just in case. I'll go out later and check on him. I'm sorry. I wanted to concentrate just on you this afternoon."
"It's okay. David would be heartbroken if something happened to him. Imagine a horse named George. How is Orwell?"
"He's fine and so is Bogo and Dean."
"What a set of names."
"It's all your fault. You're the one who gave that book to the boys to read. Who the hell ever thought they'd call the horses George and Orwell?"
"It's a good book. I thought they'd enjoy it. And what's with Dean?"
"James Dean, dear. What an attitude. And Dean is a single syllable name, easy to use and easy for him to understand when I'm mad at him."
"Like Dan." He teased.
Karla grinned in dawning realization "Yeah, like that". She stepped over to stand between his legs. "How are you feeling?" she reached out and stroked his cheek.
"Happy to be home." He reached out gently and pulled her to him. "Sorry for being so suspicious."
"Forgiven." She put her arms around his shoulders and cuddled him to her breasts. He nudged close to her and she twined her fingers into his hair, kissing his head. "You'll need a haircut soon, or a set of barrettes." She teased gently.
"No barrettes, unless they have sparkles on them." He said happily.
"Ah, funny guy." She ran a hand lovingly over his back, willing to snuggle with him as long as he wanted.
After a minute, he shifted and grunted softly. "Damn."
"What?"
He let out a hiss of pain. "Muscle spasms."
"Lay back. Relax and they'll pass. Hold my hands."
He grabbed her hands and used them as a grab bars to lay down. "Stay here with me." He asked.
"Lay still so I don't hurt you." Karla climbed on the bed and lay down next to him. He closed his eyes tried to relax. She reached over and stroked his abdomen. The new sensations were overwhelming the old ones and he was able to relax. "Tough one, huh?" she asked quietly.
"Yes. You seem to have a handle on this muscle spasm thing. How is that?" he asked wanting to be distracted.
"I used to have a horse that liked to pin me against the stall. The first couple of times it was enough to put me in the emergency room for bruised ribs. Until I got smart enough not to let him do that again. I learned a trick or two. I've had some bumps and bruises from different animals over the years that made me seek medical attention. Even a monkey can be taught."
"Some monkeys." He said sarcastically.
"Do not make me do monkey noises." She said.
He chuckled. The movement made the muscles spasm again and he rolled onto his side to try to ease the discomfort. "Don't." he groaned.
"I'm sorry." She said contritely.
"'S okay. You can't help it." He breathed easier after a minute. "I can't believe how much this hurts."
"That's probably why the muscle relaxants are so strong."
"We need to get those filled."
"They're at the pharmacy now. I had them sent to mine so I can pick them up for you."
"You've told me repeatedly that you're just a glorified records clerk, but you're more of a personal assistant. How come you never went in for that?"
"How many officers in the police department have personal assistants?"
"You could've made a good living doing that for someone in the corporate world."
"I guess I could have but that would mean that my life would be put on hold for someone I could care less about. Someone who has enough money to hire a personal assistant would expect a 24-7 commitment and we both know I don't do well under pressure."
"And working for NYPD isn't pressure? It's a pressure cooker."
"It's not too bad where I'm at, and I found love there. I'm not complaining." She reached over and touched him with a soft smile. A yawn overtook her.
"You're tired. Are you alright?"
"I don't sleep well if you aren't here. Now I can rest."
"I'm sorry. I'd reach a pillow for you if I could."
"I'm ready for a nap. How about you?" she admitted.
"Yeah, I think I am."
Karla crawled up to the head of the bed and brought back to pillows. She carefully put one under Dans head, one next to it and rolled over so she was snuggled to his front. He smiled and put his arm around her, pulling her closer. "I'm not hurting you, am I?" she asked.
"No. You feel good in my arms. I missed this." He admitted.
"So did I. I love you."
"I love you, too." He kissed the back of her neck. She squirmed closer and he sighed contentedly.
Peace and quiet prevailed in the house.
TBC