A/N: Sorry for the delay in you to all those who have read and reviewed. I truly appreciate your time. This chapter is short and mostly filler but leads into Shockwave... Spoiler alert.
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Flashpoint...but I don't :(
Knowing Where You Need To Be
Chapter 29
Spike was awakened at 3:15AM by the sound of the shower. He got out of bed and slowly opened the door to the bathroom. Through the steam he saw Anisa standing under the stream of the shower with hands over her face. Her breathing was slow and steady which was good, he thought. It meant she wasn't crying. He studied her back, looking at the scar she had received the day her husband, Sean, died. He thought it unfair that one person should experience so much pain. When she turned to shut off the water, Spike stepped into the bathroom and grabbed a towel to hand to her. She looked up and saw him and took the towel from him silently, wrapping it around her body. As she stepped out of the shower, he embraced her, holding her close for a moment.
"You OK?" he asked softly.
She nodded her head, "Yeah. I just need a minute." She looked up into his eyes knowing he would understand. He nodded and went back to the bed.
About ten minutes later, Spike saw her form emerge from the bathroom, grab a T-shirt from a drawer and pull it over her head and climb into bed. Spike waited for Anisa to give him a signal about what she needed. She slid over to him and he immediately enveloped her in his arms. He held her close, rubbing her back soothingly while she buried her face in his chest and inhaled his scent. She felt safe and secure in his arms and her body began to relax into his.
When she felt strong enough to speak, she said, "It never ceases to amaze me the capacity we humans have to inflict pain and suffering on each other."
"I know, but remember that we also have an immense capacity to love one another," he said kissing her tenderly. "Don't forget that."
She wrapped her arms around him bringing her lips to his, kissing him passionately. She slid her hands up his bare back. She wanted to feel his body on hers...two living beings. She needed to feel alive.
They slept late on Sunday morning waking up sprawled across one another.
"Mmmm..." she mumbled, kissing his bare chest. Spike's mouth bent upwards into a grin revealing his dimples. Without opening his eyes, he wrapped his arms more closely around her holding her tight. She let out a soft giggle as he pulled her body on top of his. He ran his hands through her tousled hair, pulling her lips to his.
"This is how I like to wake up in the morning," he muttered into her lips. In one fluid motion he flipped them both over so he was now on top of her.
"Me, too," she said entwining her body with his.
Spike poured coffee as Anisa made breakfast. They sat down to eat their eggs in comfortable silence. Halfway through breakfast, Spike asked Anisa about the case.
"Man... this guy thinks he is Jack the Ripper or something. He cuts these girls from chest to abdomen and then guts them. It appears that he may have had sex with them before they died, but so far he has left no trace. This time, though he did leave two antique coins on the victim's eyes," she explained matter-of-factly. Spike made a face and pushed the remainder of his breakfast away from him. "Oh, sorry," apologized Anisa, realizing that she was talking about some gruesome things over food.
"So you don't have any leads?" asked Spike sipping his coffee.
"Not yet. The CSI's are doing their thing on this victim and the coins, so tomorrow we will be working to ID the coins and see if we can trace them back to an owner. If that doesn't yield something, I might just call my new friends at the BAU to see if they might be able to shed some light on the case," said Anisa finishing her eggs. Then changing the subject she asked, "How did it go at your sister's yesterday?"
"Not bad, got everything installed and working. I had to field a couple of questions about Ria and Joe, but I think I handled them OK," answered Spike. "Ria saved me from the really tough ones," he added.
They each poured another cup of coffee and chatted about Ria, Joe and the kids. They both agreed that Ria was right to be honest with Joey about what was going on. They were also both worried about what would happen when Joe made bail. Spike and Anisa enjoyed a leisurely day before heading to Spike's parents' house for the Sunday meal.
When they arrived at Spike's house, Ria and the kids were there already. Spikes' father was resting in his room. Spike could see the worry in his mother's eyes as she went into the kitchen to check on dinner.
"Hey Ma, how's he doing today?"
Shaking her head, she answered, "Ah, Mikey, not good. I worry about how he will take your sister's news about Joe. Do you think it will be too much for him?"
Remembering the conversation he and his father had had not long ago, Spike responded, "No, Ma. I think it may even be a relief to him. He mentioned that he had didn't like the way that Joe had been treating Ria, so maybe he'll see this as a blessing." His mother nodded as Spike pulled her into a hug.
"I hope so," she muttered, hugging him back.
Spike woke his father shortly before dinner and helped him into the living room where he was greeted with warm hugs from his family. It wasn't long before his eyes locked on his daughter questioningly. Spike read the signs, so he subtly ushered everyone into the dining room to set the table, giving his sister time to tell his father about Joe. When they joined everyone in the dining room for supper, both Ria and her father had a relieved smile on their face.
The evening passed with smiles and laughter. As it wound down, Mr. Scarlatti had a coughing fit and he retired to his room for the night. Spike and Ria helped him to his bedroom and made sure that he was safe and sound.
As they made their way back down the hallway, Ria turned to her brother with tear-filled eyes and said, "I don't think he has much longer, Mike."
Spike wrapped her in a hug and whispered in her ear, "No, I don't either." They just held each other for a moment.
"What do you think mom will do when he's gone?" asked Ria.
"I don't know. Maybe she will move. I can't imagine she will want to be alone in this big house," mentioned Spike. "Maybe she could move in with you...you know, help with the kids."
"Yeah, maybe," said Ria pondering the idea. "I guess I better get these kids home. They have school tomorrow."
"Hang on, I wanted to ask you about ...well.." stammered Spike, "... there is a good chance that Joe will make bail tomorrow and want to come home, even though the court has made him aware of the restraining order." He watched as his sister closed her eyes thinking about that. "I will come by after shift, but you might want to make yourself scarce the rest of the day since we don't know when he might get out."
"Yeah, OK. I don't want the kids to see an altercation if he does show up," she said with a bit of sadness in her voice.
"How about Anisa taking them out for dinner or ice cream or something?" suggested Spike.
"I guess that would be OK," she said as her mood continued to sag.
Spike nodded and lead her down the rest of the hallway into the living room where his mom was laughing with her grandchildren. He wandered into the kitchen and saw Anisa cleaning the dishes. He slid his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck causing her to giggle a little.
"Hey you," he said, "I have a favor to ask."
Anisa dried the last pan and wiped her hands before turning to face him. "Sure, babe, anything you need," she said leaning against the counter.
"Would you mind taking Ria's kids out to dinner tomorrow night? I was planning to go to her house after shift in case Joe shows up. She doesn't want the kids there if he does."
"Absolutely, you know that," she said.
He drew her into a hug and whispered into her lips, "I know. I love you."
Spike's Monday was unusually slow ...even for a Monday. He had heard through the police grapevine (and a little help from Winnie) that Joe had made bail and was released at about 4:00 in the afternoon. Spike and Anisa pulled up to Ria's house at nearly the same time. Anisa and all three kids left for dinner, planning to go to Spike's favorite pizza place.
Spike asked Ria if she had heard from Joe. She shook her head with a look that indicated the strain she was under. He went into the kitchen and began to make them dinner. While it was cooking he went into the family room and found his sister with head in her hands weeping softly. He sat next to her and put his arm around her pulling her close.
"I never thought my life would turn out this way," she sobbed. "Over forty, single with three kids."
"Hey, I know it's hard, but you can't look at it like that," he soothed. "This is an opportunity...a new beginning. Who knows, maybe you will eventually meet a guy who treats you the way you deserve to be treated." She began to calm down just as dinner was ready. Spike served it up and was about to sit down when the doorbell rang. Ria gave Spike a panicked look. He gave her a reassuring nod and went to answer the door. Spike was not surprised to see Joe standing on the doorstep. He opened the door and stood his ground.
"You are not supposed to be here," stated Spike.
"So I hear. Can I talk to Ria?" said Joe gruffly.
"No," said Spike authoritatively.
"She is my wife."
"And she has a restraining order on you," Spike pointed out.
"Where am I supposed to go?" asked Joe.
"You'll figure something out."
"Can I at least get some things?" asked Joe taking a step closer in an attempt to be intimidating.
Spike in turn took a step toward him closing the door behind him. He held out a key and said, "Your things have been moved to a storage unit."
"Are you serious?"
"Completely."
"OK, I get the message...you can drop the act now so we can all get back to normal," said Joe trying to make light of the situation and act as if it were all just a big practical joke.
"You should go now," stated Spike.
"You are serious, aren't you?" asked Joe. Spike crossed his arms across his chest and nodded. "So are you going to press charges?"
"I plan to," answered Spike. "Unless you walk away and make this divorce easy on my sister. If you do that, I may drop the charges. Just so you know, you could do some serious time for assaulting an officer with a deadly weapon."
Joe stared at Spike as if he were trying to assess his situation and weigh his options. Finally, he nodded his head, turned and walked off the porch toward his car. His look seemed defeated. After Joe had driven away, Spike walked back into the house and locked the door. Ria sat paralyzed at the kitchen table, her eyes wide as saucers.
"It's OK, he's gone. I gave him the key to the storage unit," explained Spike. "I think he is finally comprehending his situation." Spike sat down and began to eat keeping an eye on his sister who was playing with her food. When he was finished, Spike stood to clear the dishes, but Ria waved him away saying that since he cooked she would clean. This caused him to smile because that was the arrangement the he and Anisa had. As if on cue, his phone buzzed with a message from Anisa.
"How's it going?" asked Anisa.
"Good. Joe stopped by but didn't stay long. Ria is kind of shaky though."
"Why don't you stay there tonight? I am sure she would feel better with you there and it'll put your mind at ease, too," Anisa suggested.
Spike paused a moment thinking about what Anisa had suggested. It did seem like a good idea. "Are you sure you wouldn't mind?"
"No, babe. I think she needs you there tonight."
"OK. I'll ask her. You guys heading home?" Spike asked.
"Yep. Getting in the car now. I'll stop at home and grab some things for you. See you soon."
He walked into the kitchen as his sister was drying the last pan. "Hey, Ri, how about I stay here tonight? I am pretty sure that Joe won't be coming back, but just to be on the safe side."
She looked at her brother and nodded weakly. "Yeah... that would be good," she muttered.
"Anisa just texted that she and the kids are on their way home," he reported. He placed his arm around her shoulders and guided her to the sofa. They sat down and he asked her to tell him what the attorney had said. She gave him the details saying that if Joe did not contest the divorce, it could be settled in 6 months. If he fought it, this could drag on for months or years and that could be devastating for the kids.
"Joe wouldn't want to put them through that, would he?" asked Spike.
Ria sighed, "No, I don't think so. He's a good dad. Just because he doesn't love me, doesn't mean he doesn't love the kids. I guess we will just have to wait and see. My attorney will serve him the papers tomorrow and then …."
The door opened and Cici walked in with Joey while Anisa carried Tommy in. "He fell asleep in the car on the way home," explained Anisa referring to the sleepy-eyed boy in her arms. Ria walked over to Anisa, taking the boy from her arms. She carried the toddler up to his bedroom to get him ready for bed.
Anisa said to Spike, "So are you going to stay here tonight?"
"Yeah, as long as you are good with it."
She kissed him sweetly, "Yep. I have a bunch of work to do anyway."
Joey's eyes lit up. "Are you gonna sleep over, Uncle Mike?"
"Yeah, buddy. Would that be OK?"
"You bet! That would be awesome," said Joey jumping up and down then hugging his uncle.
Spike woke up wedged between two young boys. He couldn't help but smile and think that this was his second favorite way to wake up. A few moments later the door opened and his sister poked her head in. She grinned at the sight of her sons, in their superman and batman pajamas, curled up next to her brother. She walked over to the side of the bed and picked up Tommy then nudged Joey telling him it was time to get ready for school.
Ria was making coffee and breakfast when Spike walked into the kitchen.
"Sorry about the boys," said Ria. "I hope you were able to get some sleep."
Pouring two cups of coffee, Spike said with a grin, "It was kinda nice. Besides I would have been lonely in that bed by myself."
"Ahh.. getting used to having a warm body next to you?" she teased her brother. He just smirked and turned away. "When are you gonna make it official with Anisa?" she asked.
"Soon...she's not ready yet." he muttered.
"How do you know if you don't ask her?" she persisted.
"Because she told me," he said in a tone that said DO NOT ASK ANYTHING ELSE!
"OK," she muttered as CiCi entered the kitchen.
"Hey ,Uncle Mike. Can you drive me to school?" said his niece.
"Cici...your uncle has to get to work," said her mother.
"Ria, it's OK. I can take the kids to school. I am working a later shift today. I don't need to be in until 2:00 this afternoon," said Spike.
"Yes!" CiCi whispered with a little fist pump.
Spike nudged his sister and said quietly, "Hey, I guess I get to be the 'cool uncle' for a change." Ria chuckled at his comment.
Spike dropped Joey off at school, then CiCi and then headed to his parent's house. His mother had called because she had been worried about how his father had been breathing. When Spike arrived he saw that his dad was definitely having difficulty catching his breath. He drove them to the hospital just to have him checked out.
Spike and his father sat in his hospital room discussing the Juventus game.
"It's about knowing where you need to be. If you take chances, everyone ends up paying. You...you...you...", his father said just as he broke into a coughing fit. Spike jumped up to fetch the nurse.
Shortly, Spike was telling his mom that his dad was resting and that he would be able to go home that evening. He saw relief in her face at the news. He had to head off to work so he promised to call her after shift.
They had a bomb call at Fairbanks Towers downtown and Spike and Raf rode together to the designated location. Spike always liked riding with Raf...he liked his sense of humor. They entered the building with Babycakes and Spike beamed like a proud father as he talked about the new explosives detector he had installed. They had just located the bomb when Sam mentioned he had found it on the other side of the hallway. Before Spike had a chance to even start to defuse the bomb, there were two explosions.
A/N: I hope you like this little ditty. I promise that the next chapter will be up more quickly. Thanks for sticking with me.
