Johnny pulled up into the DeSoto driveway and just sat in his Rover. He leaned his head on the steering wheel. He wasn't sure how much time had passed when he heard a knock at the window. He looked up to find Roy standing beside the Rover, a cup of coffee in his hand. Johnny got out of the Rover and took the cup of coffee. He silently followed Roy into house and out onto the back deck where Joanne sat at the patio table. Johnny sat down at the patio table and took a drink of the coffee.
"How's Ainsley?" Roy asked trying to start his partner talking.
Johnny looked up at Roy and then over at Joanne. "Completely crazy," he said shaking his head. "I have no idea what just happened."
"What happened?" Joanne asked.
"I don't know, that's what I just said," Johnny said getting agitated.
"What physically happened?" Roy asked calmly.
"I drove her home from the hospital and decided to stay with her. I didn't want her to be alone," Johnny said weakly. "While she was asleep I put together the crib for her, you'd think that would have been a good thing, right?" Johnny asked.
"But, when I show her, she starts crying. I moved to hug her, I just wanted to get her to stop crying," Johnny said running his hand through his hair. He pushed away from the table and stood up, pacing across the deck.
"She looked so sad, I don't know, I just wanted to take away the sadness. I kissed her. It got pretty heavy," Johnny said blushing when he looked at Joanne. "The next thing I know; she's yelling at me to get out. She slammed the door in my face. I could hear her crying on the other side of the door, but she wouldn't let me back in," Johnny said miserably.
Joanne had heard the stories from Ainsley about Dennis and Todd, she looked at Johnny and couldn't decide if she felt sorry for him, or angry at him. "You're dating Kate and you kissed Ainsley? How do you think that made her feel Johnny? For a girl that has had two horrible guys use her, you just came across as the guy that wanted to use her for sex," Joanne said, anger winning out of the two emotions she felt toward Johnny at that moment.
"Kate and I broke up," Johnny said.
"What? When?" Joanne and Roy asked in unison.
"Last night, she came to the hospital," Johnny blew out a breath feeling the anger coming back from his conversation with Kate. "You won't believe this; she thinks Ainsley's the arsonist."
"No way," Roy said.
"That's insane," Joanne said.
Joanne shook her head trying to get back to Ainsley and Johnny. "Did you tell Ainsley you and Kate broke up?"
"I wanted to tell her last night, but it just didn't seem like the right time. Today, I never got the chance. I didn't intend to kiss her Joanne, it just happened," Johnny said leaning against the deck railing.
Joanne looked down at the ground. "I know you didn't mean to Johnny, but given the fact I had just told Ainsley our crib story, that was probably the worst thing you could have done," Joanne said sadly.
"What crib story?" Johnny asked.
Joanne looked at Roy and then at Johnny. Joanne started the story. "You know my mom is always saying crap about Roy. She was always telling me I was going to have to do everything on my own because Roy wasn't gonna be around. When we picked up Chris's crib, I decided to put it together by myself. Needless to say, I couldn't, but I stayed up all night trying," Joanne shook her head.
Roy picked up the story. "I found her the next morning, sitting on the floor of the nursery, practically hysterical. She had been up all night, and crying for who knows how long. Man, I wish I'd been a paramedic back then. I was so worried about her, and the baby. I picked her up and carried her to bed. I finally got her to sleep and went and put the crib together. I had just finished when she woke up. She found me in the nursery. She was so grateful she made love to me right there on the floor of the nursery," Roy said with a smile.
It was Joanne's turn to blush. "I didn't make love to you because I was grateful," Joanne shook her head. "I realized how much I needed you. I also realized that no matter what happened, as long as I had you, everything would be okay. When I told that to Ainsley, she said she was all alone. When she couldn't get the crib together, and then you did it, she realized she needed you, but didn't have you. No wonder she was crying," Joanne said moving toward the sliding glass door. "I'm gonna go call her."
Johnny sat back down at the patio table. "Chet was right," he said miserably. "I love her, man. I hope I didn't just screw this up." Johnny picked up the coffee and drained the cup.
Joanne came back out onto the deck. "She isn't answering the phone. I'm gonna drive over and check on her."
"We're coming with you," Roy said standing up.
"What about the kids?" Joanne asked.
"Okay, Johnny'll go with you. I'll stay with the kids. Maybe you can help him not screw this up," Roy said giving Joanne a kiss on the cheek.
E
Joanne and Johnny knocked on the door for a second time. Johnny leaned his ear against the door. "I can't hear anything."
Joanne moved a few steps down the hall and opened the door for the fire extinguisher. "What are you doin'?" Johnny asked.
Joanne picked up the fire extinguisher and slid out a key from underneath. She held it up. "Ainsley told me her hiding place," Joanne said with a wink. She moved back over to the door and slid the key in the lock.
The apartment was completely quiet. Johnny rushed toward the bedroom while Joanne took her time looking around to see if anything was missing. She didn't see Ainsley's purse anywhere.
"She isn't here," Johnny said coming back into the living room.
"Her purse is gone," Joanne said.
"She doesn't have a car," Johnny said getting worried.
Joanne sat down on the couch. "I'd bet money she went to her parents."
"Why?" Johnny sat down next to Joanne.
Joanne sighed. "I really like Ainsley, Johnny. And I think this will remedy itself with some time; but Ainsley has a habit of running home to mom and dad to fix problems. I don't know how much she has told you, but I gather her parents have a lot of money. She's an only child, I think mom and dad, particularly dad, step in and make things all better. I keep trying to remind myself she's only been on her own for a year. Up until her parents moved to northern California, she'd lived with mom and dad. I think in time she'll learn to be more independent; but right now, she relies on them a lot."
"That would be a problem. I want my wife to depend on me," Johnny said.
"You'll just have to talk through this stuff with her. Are you really already thinking marriage?" Joanne asked looking at him.
"I was; but to be honest, today kinda threw me. She was so upset," Johnny said shaking his head.
Joanne smiled and put her hand on Johnny's. "Cut her a little bit of slack, she's almost 5 months pregnant and pregnancy hormones can make you crazy. Ask Roy, I was a nut with both of mine. Plus, she'd just been run off the road by someone the night before. She's injured, scared, feeling alone and used. I'm not sure I would have acted any differently."
"How do I get her to talk to me?" Johnny asked.
"I wish I knew," Joanne said. "I'll see her Monday for Chris's tutoring session; can I tell her you ended it with Kate?"
"I need her to understand I ended it because I realized I loved her. Not because of the baby, or because Kate suspects her of being an arsonist, or any other reason. It was because I realized I wanted to be with Ainsley, and only Ainsley. I think it should come from me? Just tell her that I need to talk to her," Johnny said standing up and walking into the kitchen. He picked up the squirt gun off the shelf remembering their water fight. A faint smile touching his lips. He put the squirt gun back on the shelf. Would they ever get to have another night like that, he wondered?
"C'mon. I'll make you dinner," Joanne said standing up and leading the way out. Johnny made sure the apartment door was locked and Joanne put the key back in its hiding place.
Johnny looked at it for a minute and removed the key. "With everything going on, no one should be able to get into her apartment."
Joanne nodded and headed back toward the parking lot.
E
Ainsley breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her dad waiting for her when she got off the plane. She ran to him and he gave her a big hug. He looked at the bandage on her head. She hadn't told them anything when she had called; just that she was flying home and the time her flight was coming in.
"Ainsley, what happened?" He asked, taking her bag from her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and moved her toward the car.
"A truck ran me off the road," Ainsley said quietly.
"What? Was it a drunk driver?" Her dad asked.
"Johnny thinks it might be the arsonist that's been targeting his station," Ainsley said, feeling a shiver up her spine. It was frightening to think someone may have intentionally targeted her.
"Are you kidding me? It's a good thing you came home," her dad said tightening his arm around her shoulders.
Ainsley didn't say anything.
They drove home in silence, Ainsley resting her head against the passenger window. She felt terrible, her whole body ached, she had a terrible headache and she felt like a jerk for the way she had treated Johnny that afternoon.
Her mom met her at the door, concern showing on her face when she saw the bandage on her daughter's head. "Ainsley, what happened?" Her mom asked moving to embrace her daughter as she walked into the house.
"I told dad, can he just tell you?" Ainsley asked. "I'm sorry, mom. I'm just so tired and I don't feel very well. I just want to go lie down." Ainsley slowly moved through the house to the bedroom she used when she was visiting. She didn't even bother to get undressed, she just crawled under the covers.
Her parents checked on her just a few minutes later and she was asleep.
"I'm worried about someone running her off the road," Jackson Matthews said, sitting down in his favorite chair.
"I agree. But, that isn't what sent her home," Aina Matthews said sitting next to her husband. "I would bet money something happened with the baby's father."
"What makes you say that?"
"I know my daughter," Aina said.
E
Aina was waiting in the kitchen for Ainsley when she came down the next morning. She poured her a cup of orange juice and started making her an omelet.
Ainsley sat down at the table and looked at the orange juice glass. She knew she was not going to get away without talking this morning.
"Your dad told me about the accident; that had to be pretty scary," her mom said breaking the silence.
"Yeah," Ainsley said quietly.
"So what brought you home?" Aina asked.
"You don't think almost getting killed is a good reason?" Ainsley asked.
Her mom just looked at her and said nothing.
Ainsley sighed. "Fine. I had a big fight with Johnny. He kissed me, and it was suddenly clear to me, he doesn't care about me, he just wants to use me for sex. I just had to get out of there," Ainsley said looking defiantly at her mother.
"Was this before or after the accident?" Aina asked.
"After," Ainsley answered.
"He had come over to check on you?"
"He stayed with me at the hospital. He had driven me home and didn't want me to stay by myself. He put the crib together while I slept and then kissed me," Ainsley said giving her mom an outline of the events.
"You don't think maybe he realized how much he cared for you because of the accident and that is why he kissed you?" Aina asked. She put the omelet on a plate and carried it over to her daughter. She sat down across from her at the table.
"Mom, please don't start" Ainsley said exasperated.
"You cannot keep running Ainsley and ever expect to have a real relationship. You need to open your mouth and talk. There is nothing wrong with asking for what you want. If I remember your camping story right, you left Johnny, not the other way around. How's he supposed to know what you feel for him, if you don't tell him," Aina said pointedly.
"I'm not doing this," Ainsley stood up.
"Sit down, Ainsley. You need to eat for that baby," Aina said.
"I have an appointment with Mr. Steins," Ainsley said heading out of the room.
"Don't do it, Ainsley," Aina called after her.
Ainsley stopped by to see her dad. "Can I borrow one of the cars, dad? Just until I can get some time to find out what is going to happen with mine?"
"Sure, sweetheart. Do you think they may total it out?" Her dad asked rummaging through his desk for keys to one of the spare cars.
"I'm not sure. I don't even know how bad the car was; it was towed from the accident and I haven't called about it yet," Ainsley sat down and looked at her dad.
"Do you want me to take care of it for you?" Jackson asked, handing her a set of keys.
"If you could that would be great," Ainsley said standing up. She stopped just before she got out the door and turned around. "No, dad, I'll handle it. Mom is right about the fact I need to grow up."
E
Joanne had arranged for the kids to have a play date at the neighbor's house after dinner on Monday night. It took some doing, but she finally convinced Ainsley to stay and visit. She carried two cupcakes to the table as Ainsley sat their stirring her coffee.
"Johnny came by Saturday," Joanne said watching her friend. "How are you doing?"
Ainsley shrugged. She knew Joanne loved Johnny like a brother and she didn't want to put her in the middle of their issues.
"He told me he put together the crib and it really upset you," Joanne said softly.
Ainsley looked up and briefly met Joanne's eyes. "It was very nice of him. It was just a rough day, Joanne. I was feeling shaken from the accident, I had a headache, I was tired. Then I kept thinking about your crib story. It just made me realize all the more how completely unprepared I am to be a mom. I'll apologize to him. I didn't mean to make such a scene," Ainsley said.
"I'm sure pregnancy hormones aren't helping," Joanne said sympathetically.
Ainsley gave her a slight grin. "I'm a bit of a lunatic,' Ainsley laughed.
"He told me about the kiss," Joanne said.
Ainsley frowned. "Look Joanne, I don't wanna put you in the middle. I don't think we should talk about this," Ainsley said. She stirred the spoon in the coffee again, just trying to keep her hands busy.
"The kiss wasn't his trying to use you, Ainsley," Joanne said.
"It doesn't matter anymore Joanne," Ainsley said sadly.
"Why?" Joanne asked.
"I'm gonna move back with my parents. I spoke with the Principal of an elementary school up there on my lunch today. He's going to meet me next weekend for an interview," Ainsley said looking at her friend. "I'll miss you, but once it comes out I'm pregnant they'll fire me here. I love to teach. I'll have my parents to help. It's the best thing."
"Johnny will be devastated. He can't wait to be a dad," Joanne said, getting upset.
"Have you even talked to him?" Joanne asked.
Ainsley just shook her head no.
"Ainsley," Joanne blew out a frustrated breath. "Are we friends?"
"Of course," Ainsley answered.
"I think friends should tell each other the truth. If I was out shopping with you and I tried on an outfit that made me look fat, you'd tell me, right?" Joanne asked.
"Of course," Ainsley laughed.
"You're acting like a child," Joanne said. "You're not being fair to Johnny, yourself, or that baby," Joanne pointed to her belly. "I know you've had some really crappy guys in your past, but you're punishing Johnny for their behavior. He deserves better. And you're going to miss out on an amazing man, that will take care of you, and the baby."
Ainsley looked at Joanne for a minute and said nothing. "I need to go," she said standing up and starting to walk toward the door.
"And now you're running out on me," Joanne said standing up as well.
Ainsley turned around. "What do you want me to say, Joanne. That you're wrong? Well, the truth is, you're probably right. My mother said the same thing to me this weekend. You're two of the smartest women I know; you don't know each other and you've both accused me of the same thing."
Ainsley threw up her hands. "I'm scared. I love him so much, Joanne. I can't even begin to verbalize how much I want and need him. But he's with another woman. I can't keep going on like this. It's killing me," Ainsley shook her head.
"Tell him exactly that. That you love him and need him. Give him a chance," Joanne pushed.
"I just can't." Ainsley let herself out the door.
E
Ainsley jumped at the sudden pounding on her door Tuesday night. She knew exactly who it was, and what he wanted. She still had no idea what she was going to say. She had listened to Joanne last night and spent most of the night tossing and turning thinking about what both her mom and Joanne had said. They were right, she was being a child. But, she knew she couldn't keep going the way things were.
Ainsley opened the door, Johnny looked furious. She turned around and walked across the living room. She flinched as he slammed the door closed.
"What the hell is this?"
Ainsley briefly closed her eyes and then turned to face Johnny, who was waving a sheet of paper at her. "You know what that is. That's why you're yelling at me," Ainsley said calmly.
"Are you trying to keep our baby from me now, is that what this is?" Johnny asked staring at her.
"That isn't what it says, Johnny," Ainsley avoided looking directly at him by keeping her gaze on the paper. "I hired a lawyer to arrange a fair and equitable visitation schedule in the best interest of the child," Ainsley said remembering verbatim the wording she and Mr. Steins had worked out.
"Why can't I just come by every day I'm not on shift and see you and our baby?"
"Because I won't be here," Ainsley blurted out. "I'm moving to Palo Alto, to live with my parents."
"That's 5 ½ hours away, Ainsley. I'll never get to see the baby!" Johnny said, his voice rising.
"Any expenses incurred for visitation will be covered by me," Ainsley said. Her voice was cool and detached.
"Why are you doing this?" Johnny asked her.
"It's for the best," Ainsley said.
"The best for who Ainsley?" Johnny asked moving toward. "Certainly not for me, not for our baby."
"For me," Ainsley said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever the lawyer comes up with Johnny, I'll make it happen. I'll make sure the child gets plenty of time with you."
"Why do you do that?" Johnny asked her.
"Do what?" Ainsley asked, looking at him for the first time.
"Call our baby, the baby. You've never once said "our" baby," Johnny's voice was really angry and Ainsley moved into the kitchen to put some distance between them.
"I can't," Ainsley said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why?" Johnny asked. She was giving him a headache.
"Because," Ainsley paused.
"Because what? Just say it, Ainsley. Talk to me," Johnny pleaded.
"Because I don't trust you to be there," Ainsley blurted out. "You're with another woman. She isn't going to want my child around. I worry this baby will be a girl and you'll never see her. Maybe if it's a boy that won't happen; but it still could. There isn't an us, so how can there be an our?"
Ainsley felt like she was on a roll. Her words just started spilling out. "You asked me what I would have told the child, if I had never found you again. But, you never asked what I would have said if he or she asked if we loved each other," Ainsley said. Her heart was beating so hard she thought it might come through her rib cage. She clenched her hands in front of her to stop them from shaking. She knew she had to do this. She had to be a grown up and stop running. This way, she could put Johnny behind her and move forward.
Johnny looked confused at the sudden change in the direction of the conversation. He stood staring at Ainsley, but she didn't say anything else, so he asked the question. "What would you have told our child if they asked you if we loved each other?"
She took a deep breath and met his eyes across the room. "That I fell in love with you the very first day I met you," she whispered. "And that every moment I spent with you after that, let me know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I would love you until the moment I took my last breath," she said, her voice stronger.
"But, the thing I would never be able to tell them, is that you never loved me," Ainsley's voice broke. "Kate is the woman you chose," Ainsley turned around facing the counter. "Please leave now Johnny. Anything else that needs to be communicated can be done through the lawyer," Ainsley said quietly.
She'd done it. She had told him she loved him. She had admitted the truth out loud, that she loved him, but he loved Kate. She was surprised she wasn't crying, but she figured she had shed all the tears she had the other night. Tonight was just closure.
"I broke up with Kate," Johnny said quietly. She turned around and stared at him across the room
"It's always been you, Ainsley. Since that weekend camping, you've been the one I loved," Johnny started slowly moving across the room.
"I was scared too. I love you so much, I wasn't sure I could handle it, if we didn't work out," Johnny said stopping in front of her.
"Are you still scared?" Ainsley asked, searching his eyes.
"Yes. I'm worried because you run," he said stroking her cheek. "This can't work, if you won't talk to me. I'm worried, because I'm holding paperwork that says you're running for good. I'm worried, because I don't want someone who won't depend on me, but runs to mommy and daddy every time things get tough."
"I'm sorry," Ainsley said, resting her hand on his chest. "What I did Saturday was horrible. I shouldn't have just threw you out. I should have told you what I was feeling, thinking," Ainsley paused looking up into his eyes. "I should've given you more respect."
"And I should have told you I ended things with Kate, before I kissed you. I love you, Ainsley. I need you," Johnny said moving closer to her. He slipped one hand behind her head, pulling her into a tentative kiss. When she didn't resist he slid his other hand to her waist pulling her tightly against him, his tongue seeking entrance. She ran her hands into his hair allowing him to deepen their kiss as she pressed herself tightly against him, her body quivering with emotion.
He dropped his lips to her neck. "I love you, Johnny," she whispered in his ear. "I love you, I love you."
He caught her mouth back in a passionate kiss. Ainsley leaned into him, she couldn't seem to get close enough to him. She was desperate for his touch. She pulled back slightly, placing her cheek against his. "I need you," she whispered, her desperation evident in her voice.
Johnny scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her down the hall toward her bedroom. A knock at her front door stopped his progress. "Are you expecting anyone?" Johnny asked her.
Ainsley shook her head. "Ignore them, maybe they'll go away," she whispered as she placed a series of kisses along his jawline.
Johnny set her down. "Stay here," he ordered. He walked over to the front door and keeping the chain in place, opened the door.
Eric and Jeff stood on the other side. "Good evening, John," Eric said. "We needed to ask Ainsley a few questions."
"I told Kate she wasn't answering any questions without a lawyer," Johnny said defiantly.
Ainsley walked into the living room.
"Then we can take her downtown and she can call a lawyer," Eric said.
"That isn't necessary," Ainsley said. "Let them in, Johnny. I don't have anything to hide, I don't need a lawyer."
Johnny turned to look at her. "I think you should have a lawyer."
"It's okay, really." Ainsley insisted. She sat down on the couch as John opened the door for Eric and Jeff.
He moved to sit on the arm of the couch, his arm protectively resting around Ainsley. Jeff moved a dining room chair over so he could sit next to Eric, who sat in the large chair to the left of Ainsley and Johnny. Ainsley adjusted her position so she was facing the two men.
"Ainsley, your dad has done some seminars and workshops for California Law Enforcement, is that correct?" Eric asked, opening his notebook and taking a pen out of his pocket.
"Yes, that's correct," Ainsley replied.
"And do you ever help him with these workshops," Eric asked looking directly at her.
"Yes," Ainsley answered.
"What was the last workshop you helped your father give?" Eric asked. Ainsley looked over at Jeff, who had been watching her closely since he sat down.
"Why are you asking me questions you know the answer too?" Ainsley asked.
"Just answer the question," Eric stated curtly.
Ainsley let out a deep sigh and looked up at Johnny before answering. He gave her shoulder a brief squeeze and she looked back at Eric. "Electronic timers and remote detonation of explosive devices," Ainsley answered.
Johnny's hand tightened on her shoulder, her answer caught him off guard. She looked back up at him, but he simply gave her a brief smile.
"And what was your role in that workshop?" Eric asked.
"I was just helping out. I handed out papers, put up transparencies while dad talked and helped out with demonstrations," Ainsley said.
"Demonstrations, how exactly did you help with demonstrations?"
"I helped set them up, made sure everyone was a safe distance away, and cleaned up afterward," Ainsley said.
"What about preparing the demonstration in advance? Did you help create any of the demonstrations?" Eric asked leaning forward.
Ainsley swallowed and looked up at Johnny for just a second. I should have waited for a lawyer, she thought. "Yes, I helped create the demonstrations," Ainsley said quietly.
"What exactly did you create?" This time, Jeff asked the question, barely able to hide his smile. This was going better than he had even dreamed.
"We created explosive devices and detonated them remotely to show bomb squad officers what technology was out there and how they could safely deal with it," Ainsley explained.
"So how many bombs would you say you've built?" Eric asked.
"About 20," Ainsley answered.
Johnny was doing his best to keep his expression completely neutral, but internally he was completely freaking out. Ainsley knew how to make a bomb? He would have never guessed that about her in a million years.
"So, theoretically, you could build a bomb and be at some remote site watching? Then you could wait until the firefighters were in the building and near the bomb site and detonate the bomb; like what happened a few weeks ago at the warehouse when four men at Station 51 were injured?" Eric asked.
"Don't answer that!" Johnny said standing to his feet and pointing his finger at Eric. "She did not set that bomb."
Ainsley put her hand on Johnny's arm.
"We have information that you recently purchased several piezo transducers, can you tell me why you purchased them?" Eric asked ignoring Johnny.
"What? How did you.." Ainsley looked startled. She shook her head. "How did you know…"
"Do you still have them?" Eric asked.
"I, uh, they were in my car when I had the accident," Ainsley stammered.
"We searched your car, they're not there," Eric said. "Did you already use them Ainsley? Is that how you created the timer in the warehouse fire? Or for the one that triggered by the dropping of the anchor on Chet's boat?" Eric accused her.
"You searched my car?" Ainsley's head was swimming. How was this going so bad, so fast, she wondered?
"That's enough," Johnny said stepping forward.
"I don't think so," Eric said. "We still have some questions."
"Then her lawyer will contact you to set up a time to meet. But she is done answering questions without a lawyer," Johnny moved in front of Eric. "Do I need to show you the door, or can you find it on your own?" He asked, his voice firm.
Eric and Jeff both stood up. "Have her lawyer contact us by tomorrow afternoon," Eric said pointedly.
Johnny clenched his fists, but forced himself to stay in place. When the guys exited the apartment he moved over and slid the chain back into place. He looked over at Ainsley who was still sitting on the couch. She was ghostly white and looking at the carpet.
"Ainsley?" Johnny moved toward her.
She looked up and him, her eyes wide. He pulled her and wrapped her in his arms. He could feel her shaking. He pulled her tight against him. "Easy, baby, it's okay," Johnny held her close whispering in her ear. "You're okay. I'm right here."
"I need to find a lawyer," Ainsley whispered.
"I've got someone already in mind, don't worry," Johnny said. "I'll call him tomorrow and set up a time for us to meet him."
Johnny leaned back so he could look in her eyes. "Don't run, Ainsley. You and I will get through this," Johnny tried to assure her.
"No running. I promise, Johnny. No matter what happens, I'm in this for you and our baby," Ainsley promised, emphasizing "our".
Johnny smiled and pulled her in for a kiss. She leaned into him, drawing on his strength. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Don't you want to ask me about what you just heard?" Ainsley asked, her voice carrying her fear.
"No," Johnny said. "I may not know everything about you, Ainsley. But, I know what I need to know. I know who you are at the core of your being. I know you would never try to hurt anyone. We don't need to talk about this."
Ainsley ran her hand through his hair and pulled him in for a passionate kiss. "I love you, Johnny. And I love that you just said that. But, I will sit down and explain everything to you, I promise. I'm not hiding anything. I'm not the arsonist. But, if the conversation can wait; I would appreciate it." Ainsley snuggled up to him.
Johnny held her close. His mind was swimming with everything he'd just heard, but he trusted his instincts. There was no way the woman in his arms was an arsonist. Or worse, he thought, a murder, since Mrs. Hurley had died in the fire at Mike's apartment.
"C'mon," Johnny said. "Let's get out of here. We'll pick up some burgers and go eat them at the beach," Johnny took her hand and led her toward the door. He'd do everything he could to take care of her and protect her from what was coming.