AN: A special thank you goes out to all my readers. Here is an extra long chapter to cover some of the loose ends of the previous installments.
In Loving Memory of a fellow writer/co-writer/reader, dear friend and mentor, "Jodm", who sadly passed away recently. "Jodm" was the beta reader of many of my SOSF stories posted on this site, from "Forget Me Not"(crossover with Hawaii Five-O), "Seeing Is Believing" to "Over The Edge". Her wisdom, patience and guidance helped me become a better writer and it was through her inspiration and encouragement that I started writing my SOSF stories. I miss her dearly and will continue to write SOSF stories to honor her memory and all that she has taught me. Merci beaucoup, Jodm.
"Jodm" 's stories can be found on this site for those interested in reading her treasured pieces. The majority of her works are completed.
Thank you.
Tanith
Chapter 28
Kim Lee sat in silent vigil by her husband's bedside, praying for a miracle. Her young daughter was perched on her lap, snuggled in her arms, fast asleep. She gently brushed her fingers through Christina's silky soft hair and watched her bruised and broken soul mate lay unmoving with tubes snaking out from the thin sheet covering him which were attached to various machines. A drip inserted into his arm was pumping fluids to keep him hydrated and a ventilator was helping him breathe when he had slipped into a coma over-night.
Kim thought back to the anonymous phone call she made about the men who had terrorized them. The men who tried to intimidate them into selling their sole source of income just so George Holden could carry out his property development plans. Of course, the Lees had always stood strongly for what they believed in and had refused to give in to the demands of the corporate tycoon. While Kim knew in her heart that her husband would not waver under threat of his own life, she now feared for their daughter's. Losing their home and business would be a small price to pay to ensure the child's safety. She had thought about her options and none of them were appealing. She considered buying a gun but she had no idea how to use one, let alone find it within herself to take away someone's life, even if she were faced with the choice of kill or be killed. And so, she called SFPD and lied. She had told them she was a witness to a crime that was committed. The murder of two people in an abandoned warehouse. She had seen it on the news. The police were practically begging for a witness to step forward. She became that witness. What harm could it do, when the man she had reported she saw driving away from the scene of the crime was one of the men responsible for threatening her family? For putting her husband in the hospital. Whether they had committed those murders or not, they deserved to be locked away, didn't they? She kept telling herself over and over again that she did the right thing. She did what a mother had to do to protect her child. What a wife should do to bring about justice, for no matter how hard she prayed, Dave's condition continued to deteriorate and these monsters were still free. Sure, Steve and his partner Lieutenant Stone would do all they can to help but without evidence, what could they do? All she did was point them in the right direction.
Oh, what have I done?
Fresh tears flowed down Kim's cheeks as she wept silently.
Jeannie waited anxiously for Whitney to pick up the phone at his home. When it was clear no one was going to answer, she decided to try his office.
This time, it was Holden Senior who answered her call, however, Jeannie was surprised to hear his tone change from business-like to one of disinterest.
"Look, Miss Stone, I'm really busy right now. I sent my son home after he turned up to work looking like a train wreck," Holden responded huffily.
"I tried calling the penthouse but he wasn't answering and I just want to make sure he was okay," Jeannie hurriedly explained. She couldn't believe hearing the lack of concern in the man's voice over the state his son was in.
"That's because he's not at the penthouse! He's living in Pacific Heights. One would think you of all people would know that!" Holden barked impatiently.
Jeannie drew in a deep breath and said in as polite a manner as she could given the rude treatment she received, "I'm sorry, I didn't. And I'm sorry to have bothered you but could I have his number?"
Holden grouchily gave Jeannie the number and with nothing to write on, she prayed she would remember it. Before she could say repeat the number back, there was a loud click and the line was disconnected. While she had always thought Whitney's father was a little hard in character, she couldn't believe how cold he was toward her and she had expected him to show some level of concern over his son's welfare.
Pacific Heights? Jeannie recalled that Whitney had purchased property there. In fact, it was their future home. Why had Whitney moved into the house on his own? And why didn't he tell her?
Digging out another quarter from her purse, she popped it into the coin slot and quickly dialed the number before she forgot it.
On the fifth ring, Jeannie was relieved to hear Whitney's voice greet her on the other line.
"Whitney! I've been trying to reach you. Why didn't you tell me you moved to Pacific Heights?"
"Because I wasn't sure how you'd react. I thought maybe you would've minded if I moved there first. You know, before we made it officially our home. Look, my father is not an easy guy to live with and I needed some space. I had no where else to go."
"I'm not mad. I just...I was worried, that's all. I couldn't reach you and didn't know where you were."
"I was gonna call you."
Jeannie released a sigh and decided not to make a big deal of it. After all, her fiancé had a rough day and for all she knew, he probably should have checked himself out at the hospital too. For now, her primary concern was over the condition he was in. "It's okay. I was thinking I might swing by and make you some soup."
"I'd really like that, Princess. I love you," Whitney professed.
"I'll see you soon," Jeannie replied quickly and promptly ended the call. She could almost feel Whitney's disappointment when she realized she didn't say the words he had expected hear but she was too overwhelmed with emotions to get the words out.
Steve waited with bated breath for the news to hit him.
"Steve, I'm afraid we're going to have to keep you here for a few more hours. You have a low grade fever from an infection to your kidney. We're going to administer some antibiotics and keep you monitored," Dr. Edwards revealed.
Steve sighed heavily. He had really been hoping to go home sooner rather than later.' .
Mike gave his partner a light pat on the back. "Call me once you've signed your release papers and I'll pick you up, okay?"
"Yeah, sure," Steve replied forlornly.
"You can keep the clothes you're wearing on. We just want to make sure your body's responding to the antibiotics, that's all. And then, you can go," the physician reassured.
Mike thanked Dr. Edwards and left Steve in his care.
Jeannie poked her head in just as her father left the room.
"Sweetheart?" Mike greeted softly.
"How is he?"
"They're going to give him some antibiotics and keep him here for a few hours. We can come back later."
"Is it okay if I could have a minute?"
"I'll wait out in the hall," Mike said, kissing Jeannie on the top of her head.
Jeannie nodded.
Steve gave Jeannie a weak smile as she entered the room. He sat, slightly hunched over himself with his left hand gripping the edge of the table.
Jeannie tried not to wince when she saw the pain written on Steve's face amid the bruises that were beginning to become more pronounced in the aftermath of the fight. His right arm was wrapped around his midsection, his injured hand was heavily bandaged. She could hazard a guess as to what kind of damage his clothes was hiding. What she wasn't certain about was the need for him to have antibiotics administered into his system.
"Antibiotics? Are you sick?" Jeannie asked.
"No, I got a bruised kidney. It's not as serious as they make it sound," Steve tried to brush it off.
"From the fight today?"
"No, when I got jumped back at my place. The...uh...guy wore brass knuckles so er...he did a number on me."
"He must be a coward then!" Jeannie was outraged and angered by the manner in which Steve was attacked.
"What happened today didn't help but...I'll be okay. How's...did you...Have you heard from Whitney?"
"He says he's fine. I'll stop by his place after and see if he's a better liar than you." Jeannie offered a small smile in an effort to mend the broken bridge between them while also hoping Steve would open up a little.
A part of Steve told him he should apologize for what happened but another part of him wasn't sorry for slamming his fist into Whitney's mouth. The burning taste of shame coursed through him for feeling the way he did and he hung his head low.
Jeannie could tell the wheels were turning in Steve's conscience and while he appeared to feel badly for what transpired, it seemed as though it was unlikely he regretted it. Something in his manner was telling her gut that there was a lot more going on between the Alphas than either of them were probably willing to reveal. Stepping closer to the table, she reached out and touched his arm tenderly. "Steve?"
"Yeah?" Steve looked up with what he hoped was a neutral expression on his face. He couldn't help feel comforted by Jeannie's soft touch. He wished he could just hold her but he knew that avenue was out of bounds.
"Is there something you're not telling me?"
Steve broke eye contact and lowering his gaze, he turned his head slowly toward the side and swallowed hard. The comfort he felt a moment ago transformed into a dull ache that began somewhere in the centre of his chest and worked it's way up to his throat, rendering him speechless.
Jeannie nodded to herself, realizing she already knew the answer. "There is, isn't there? What is it, Steve? We've known each other for so long. You're practically family! What is it that you're not telling me?" Still maintaining a hold on his arm, she cupped Steve's cheek with her free hand and gently turned it to face her. She looked into his eyes and could see more than just physical pain buried in their depths. "Say something, Steve."
"I can't," Steve simply said in a choked voice.
"Why not?" Jeannie demanded with a little more force than she had intended.
"Because...because there's nothing to tell," Steve continued. He swallowed down the burning lump in his throat.
Jeannie's hand lingered for a moment on Steve's face before she allowed it to slip away and fall at her side. She released her hold on his arm and nodded in acknowledgement of the lie that he wanted her to believe.
"Jeannie...I'm sorry," Steve finally said.
"So am I, Steve. I thought we...I mean, you know, after everything we've been through...I thought...," Jeannie began but stopped suddenly when she realised she really didn't know how to form the right words to convey her unspoken feelings. Seeing him sitting on the edge of the examination table brought back memories once again of a time when they had made it clear to each other that there wasn't going to be anything resembling a romantic tie between them. Wistfully, she added, "You know what? It...it really doesn't matter anymore. Take care, Steve," and turned to walk out the door just as Keller replied with an almost inaudible, "You too, babe."
Jeannie squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them again, they misted over with unshed tears.
The door shut silently, leaving Steve to wallow in his misery.
