Thanks so much to my incredible Beta, Cristi0819. She's been so supportive on so many different levels and I just can't exalt her greatness enough.
I googled the hospital and other info for Philadelphia, please forgive me if I gotten it wrong...
Chapter 14 - Steph's POV
Tank had been called to the police station to help deal with a takedown gone wrong leaving me alone in our house on Saturday morning. I was tempted to hit the mall, but figured he might need a friendly face and some fun when he got home so I stayed in the house doing some laundry. Tank's house had become our home and when he was home it was my refuge from the world. I think it was a refuge for him, too. We were both so very content inside these walls together.
The landline rang as I was pulling clothes out of the dryer. It hardly ever rang, most people called either of our cells. I answered it expecting it to be a telemarketer and not at all surprised when the woman on the other end asked for Tank. My mother and grandmother were the only folks that called the land line for me.
"This is Nurse Davies from the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia." The voice explained when I asked if I could take a message. "Mr. Sherman's father was injured in a prison fight. He's in stable condition at Nazereth Hospital, but would like to see his son and is allowed visitors during normal hospital hours."
I got the room information from the nurse, telling her we'd be there later today. Throwing together an overnight bag for us, I wondered if I was overstepping my bounds. I didn't know if Tank would want to go, but I figured no matter what had happened in their past he would want to see his dad even if just for a few minutes.
"Little Girl?" His voice greeted me as he entered the house. Running down the steps, I tried to take in his face to see how the morning went. He gave me a broad smile and I knew that while the morning may have been a hassle, nothing tremendously wrong had happened.
Giving him a tight hug, I kissed his lips before stepping back and meeting his eyes. "Your father was injured in a prison fight." Tank's blank face fell into place, forcing me to fight my own inclination to frown. "He's okay, but he's in the hospital and he would like to see you. I've packed us a bag. We could leave now if you want."
"I don't know, Steph." He ran his hand over his face and head before settling it at the back of his neck. "I can go, but you don't have to."
Reaching up to touch his face, I gave him a smile. "I know I don't have to, but I want to. Please give me the chance to support and love you as much as you have me." He was fiercely protective and on some level I knew that his reluctance to have me along was about that, wanting to protect me from his father and any anxiety that might come with taking a trip like this. Still, my anxiety level had gone down and I was dealing better with overwhelming situations. I knew I could handle this with him by my side and I wanted to be there for him more than anything else in the world at the moment.
He obviously saw the sincerity and determination in my eyes, because he nodded then. "Alright, let me switch out some weapons and grab some identification for the hospital and prison guards to let me keep my guns on." I chuckled at that, thinking that his travel preparations were so very different than my typical mascara check.
Tank called Bobby and Lester letting them know he'd be offline until Monday morning and they wished us safe travels. While he called the guys, I made hotel reservations for us just down the street from the hospital. An hour later we were on the road.
Arriving in Philadelphia, we checked into the hotel and dropped our bags in the room. We used the bathroom and washed the road grime from our hands and faces before heading to the hospital. Walking the few blocks to the hospital, I kept my hand firmly latched onto Tank's. He was unusually somber. I was used to a quiet Tank, but the somber aura was new and I found myself wanting to do something to ease his mind.
We reached the large hospital in only a few minutes. Finding the elevator, we entered and allowed the doors to close taking us to the seventh floor. I took the opportunity to slide my arm around his waist and get close to his large body. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head before whispering, "Thanks, Steph. I'm glad you're with me."
I looked up at his rugged face and gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "There's nowhere else I want to be than with you."
The doors opened and I let him lead me towards his dad's room. There were prison guards stationed outside that Tank approached. Tank gave them his military ID and presented them with some paperwork that allowed him to carry his gun into the room. The guards looked it over and then at me.
"She's not carrying." Tank answered their obviously silently communicated question.
The guards nodded and let us pass. Tank pushed open the door, allowing me the first glance at his dad. Even lying down I could tell that Tank got his height from his father. His dad wasn't as large or in as good of shape as Tank, but the family resemblance was obvious. The man in the bed opened his eyes slowly, trying to take in who had come in, his lips tilted up into a slight grin as he noticed Tank.
"Pierre, thank you for coming." His voice was deep like Tank's but more husky, like a smoker's.
"Dad, this is Stephanie Plum." Tank introduced me but didn't let go of my hand when his dad lifted a hand to shake mine. I squeezed Tank's hand and he let me go. "Steph, this is my dad, Henry."
Shaking his hand, I gave him a smile. "Nice to meet you. How are you feeling?"
His shake was gentle and tentative but he chuckled a bit at my question. "Like I've been stabbed."
I didn't know what to say to that so I simply smiled. Tank came up next to me and pulled out a chair for me to sit. He stood next to me, his hand resting on my shoulder as he looked over his dad. The tension between them was thick and while I wanted to support Tank, I wondered if I should leave them alone.
Squeezing Tank's hand, I stood up. "I could use a coke." And a Tastycake I thought, but didn't feel like admitting that. "I'm going to search for the cafeteria. Do you want anything?" I looked at Tank and his dad hoping that I could have an excuse to leave them alone for a bit.
"Steph, they won't let you bring anything in here that isn't directly from a nurse or orderly." Tank gave me a smile as he reminded me that his dad was still an inmate not a free man.
"Oh, of course." I could feel my cheeks blushing at my naiveté.
"Go ahead and get yourself something." His hand rubbed up and down my arm. "I'll be here."
Nodding, I gave him a smile and let my hand pat my pocket. The panic button was there and while I knew I was safe in the hospital, it was a comfort to me to have it there. Tank gave me a smile obviously picking up on the motion and glad that I had it with me too. He kissed my forehead before letting me leave.
Finding my way to the cafeteria, I picked up a coke and a piece of pie. Sugar would help me navigate the tension between Tank and his dad, I hoped. It certainly wouldn't hurt the situation any. Sitting at a table in the corner, I ate my snack and watched the people milling around. I'd come a long way in the last few months. The fact that I had left Tank's side in a strange place was a testament to just how much I had moved on from the attack.
I was still nervous, would still not walk alone on a city street, but I was improving slowly and steadily. Dr. Lewis said it was natural for some things to likely be changed in me permanently, but that I would still be able to function and live normally. Some days I didn't feel normal but it did seem like that with each passing week, I took steps at reclaiming what had been taken from me.
Twenty minutes later, I approached Henry's hospital room. The guards let me pass with a small nod. Tank and his dad were talking and while they weren't exactly at ease, they were at least communicating. They both smiled at me as I entered. Henry's eyes were obviously drooping and tired as he lay in bed.
Tank stood up from the chair and put his arm around my shoulder. "Get some rest. We'll stop by in the morning before we head back to Trenton." Henry nodded and I shook his hand again before following Tank out.
We walked back to the hotel in silence. In the room, Tank kicked off his shoes before taking off his weapons, placing one gun on the nightstand and the other gun and knife in a drawer. He sat down in an easy chair and rubbed his face before giving me a small smile. "I'm glad I came and even happier that you came with me."
Sitting myself down on his lap, I threw my arms around his neck letting my legs dangle over the arm of the chair. "Thank you for introducing me to your dad." His arms tightened around me as I placed little kisses on his jawline.
Our lips met for a small kiss but his grip around me tightened just before he opened his mouth letting my tongue taste him. He moaned and I felt a sense of urgency and passion build between us. We still hadn't gotten very far physically, but I had been talking about it at great length with Dr. Lewis and knew that I could do it now, at least in stages.
Tank's arousal from my attentions was obvious under my lap. I'd felt him harden more than once and was always impressed with his ability to control that desire. Dr. Lewis had suggested that I try getting comfortable with oral sex first, as that hadn't happened during the rape and it would allow me to reclaim my sexuality in stages while also getting comfortable with the male anatomy again.
I tugged at Tank's shirt wanting to remove it, wanting to get closer to his skin. He put his hand over mine. "Steph?" He was questioning my desire, making sure I was okay with this.
My mouth was running dry from the desire, but I found the motivation to speak. "Please, I want more."
He nodded and removed his shirt, tossing it onto the floor. I'd seen his bare chest numerous times, but it never ceased to leave me in awe. His dark skin was ridged with muscles, a few scars dotting the otherwise perfect male specimen in front of me. Leaning forward I took one of his nipples into my mouth, nipping it lightly before letting my tongue swirl around it.
I felt and heard him moan from my attentions and couldn't help but smile as I moved my hand across the ridges of his abs. His hands slid up underneath my shirt, slowly, letting me know that he was watching me for any tension or resistance. Sitting up I smiled at him and grasped the hem of my shirt to toss it onto the floor.
His fingers caressed my neck and trailed down before tracing along the edge of my bra. He reached around and grasped the hooks in his hands as his eyes searched mine. I nodded, giving him the permission he needed to remove my bra. Sliding it down my arms gently, he smiled. "You are so very beautiful."
Tossing the bra onto the floor, his hands came back to my waist. I continued licking and sucking on his ear lobe and neck as his hands explored my bare torso. When his fingers touched my breast I tensed for just a second, but it didn't escape him. "I won't hurt you, Little Girl."
Letting out a deep breath, I sat back again and cupped his cheeks in my hand. "I know." I kept my eyes on him as his hands found my breasts again, his fingers lightly rolling my nipples. My body reacted to the pleasure and to the knowledge that he loved me.
He was pulsing underneath me and I knew he had to be uncomfortable in his pants. Pulling myself out of his embrace, I stood before him. My hands shook from excitement as much as nervousness as I took my jeans and panties off. He watched me undress, his eyes hooded with desire, licking his lips as he took me in. "So sexy."
He made a move to stand up but I shook my head. "You have on far to too many clothes." Keeping his seat, he unbuttoned his pants. Putting my hands on his waist band, I tugged and he took the hint, lifting his hips for me to remove them.
My eyes raked his naked body in the chair and I felt myself gush with arousal. He was gorgeous and strong, his arousal long and hard jutting from his lap. "I love you, Pierre."
He growled at my words and reached for me but I stepped back. My retreat caused his eyebrows to furrow and I knew he was worried that it was too soon. I knelt in front of him, my hands resting on his knees. Kissing each of his thighs, I felt his body relax into my affections.
Wrapping my hand around his cock, I pumped slowly trying to get accustomed to the weight of him. A moan escaped his chest as he leaned back in the chair. I noticed his hands grip the arms of the chair as I leaned forward to lick up his shaft.
Taking as much of him as I could into my mouth, I found that my body remembered exactly what to do in this instance and that I had no fear or anxiety about it. My hand played with his balls as my mouth worked his length. His hands found their way to my head but left almost instantly.
Working him a bit more intensely, I felt him pump into me and reach for my head again. His fingers curled into my hair for a second before again pulling away. I realized then that he was trying to let me control the motion and didn't want to scare me by being more forceful. Relaxing my throat, I took as much of him as I could and moaned around him, the sensation overwhelming him enough that his hands went back to my head. This time I put my hands around his arm and squeezed. I wanted to him know that it was okay, that I was enjoying this too.
My hands went back to his shaft and balls. His grip increased on my hair as his balls began to tighten in my hands. He groaned and released himself into my mouth. I kept my mouth still, letting my tongue flick against him until he was done doing my best to extend his pleasure. He let out a shuddering breath as I sat back on my heels and looked up at him.
Tank reached down for me and pulled me into his lap, pushing his tongue instantly into my mouth. His kiss was complete outpouring of his love. He retreated and cupped my cheek in his hand. "I love you, Stephanie."
He held me close to him and stood up, carrying me to the bed. He set me down and laid down next to me, his hands running caresses over my body. His eyes watched mine and I tried to relax, tried not to tense up at his attentions.
Leaning down slowly, he took a nipple into his mouth. The sensation made me moan and arch into him. He alternated his hand and mouth on my breasts. I was still nervous, but found that the pleasure was outweighing my anxiety.
Keeping his mouth on my nipple, his hand moved down my belly and reached the trim curls. I tensed when he touched me there and was instantly ashamed of my mind's reaction. He raised himself up on his elbow, his right hand on my cheek, the left resting on my lower abdomen.
"Did he use his hands on you?" It was the first time Tank had ever asked a specific question about the rape and I wasn't sure I wanted to answer it. His eyes were stormy as he waited for my answer and I couldn't decide if he was angry or hurt or sad.
I felt my cheeks warm as some shame settled into my mind. Tank's knuckles caressed my cheek. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of Steph."
A tear escaped my eye as I nodded. "Yes, he did, briefly." Tank's thumb wiped my tear and kissed the path it left on my face.
"I won't hurt you and if you need to stop just tell me, but if you'll let me maybe I can replace the bad memory with a good one." He gave me a dazzling smile and I felt myself relax knowing that he would do whatever I needed right now. "I love you, Stephanie."
He moved the hand on my abdomen lower again as I nodded and willed myself to relax. His fingers parted my lips and rubbed the wetness that was there around. Circling my clit he rubbed slowly, giving me pleasure and allowing me to get used to being touched intimately. My eyes slammed shut when he started to slip a thick finger inside me, my body and mind instantly remembering the last time this happened and the trauma that ensued.
"Open your eyes, Little Girl." Tank kept his hand still, not withdrawing from body. "Look at me so you know it's me who's touching you."
Letting out a breath through pursed lips, I opened my eyes to see him smiling at me. He slowly pumped his finger in and out of me, his eyes never leaving mine. I relaxed into the sensations overwhelming my body as my breathing got more rapid. Tank could sense that I was close, that I was enjoying his manipulation of my body and slipped another finger inside me. He curled his fingers inside me and sent me over the edge with a small scream.
My body quivered around him as he stroked me slowly, letting me ride out my orgasm. I looked up at his beautiful eyes and smiled, feeling like I'd just won some kind of immense victory. "Thank you." It seemed like an odd thing to say, but in this moment I was so thankful for him, his love, and his gentle care of body.
He nipped my nose and stretched out on his back, pulling me into his chest. "There's nothing I won't do for you, Stephanie."
I looked over his body, not really surprised to see that he was aroused again but uncertain of going forward, of having him inside me. "Is it okay if we just rest now?"
"Of course, let's take a little nap then maybe order some room service." He held me tighter to him and I relaxed into him.
I started to dose off, feeling like a teenager having her first sexual experience. Better than that though, because with Tank's help I was reclaiming my body from my rapist. I still had some battles to fight, but right now I felt like I was winning the war against the memory of what had been done to me.