Ch. 29 You've Changed Everything
"Let's go! I want to get back as soon as possible!" Kate was busy packing up her suitcase as Rick lounged in a chair in the small of the cabin. Their stay at the Catskill Region rental cabin was a nice getaway from the city after Kate took a bullet trying to save Alexis. After fighting for her life, she began to slowly recover. But the sounds of the city brought the pain and fear back in, making for not a sincere recovery.
It was Rick's idea to rent the cabin after having turned Sal in to the F.B.I. and finally getting his name and past cleared. She had never been to anywhere outside the city and he made sure she had a full recovery. And he had to admit that Margaretville, New York was a lovely place to just be.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Rick kicked aside his hiking boots and breathed in the crisp autumn air.
It was only a month ago that she had recovered enough to be cleared for work. Their daily workouts of hiking, running miles, and swimming laps, was a way to get her stamina back up. But every time she changed her clothing, took a bath, or made love, that tiny scar from the bullet lay between her breasts. It was a constant sign of what she did, saved Alexis.
"Because I miss the buzz, the smell, and the feel of my city." She walked out of their bedroom and saw him, lounging with his eyes closed. She slid on his lap and watched his eyes pop open. "And I miss my job. But that doesn't mean that I haven't enjoyed this nor that I won't miss it."
He rubbed her back and slowly raised them out of the chair. "I have enjoyed this so much that I don't miss the city. Don't you smell the air." He took a deep breath through his nose. "Ah, clean."
"Come on Mr. Funny, we have to go. It's been three months and I think that I am finally ready." She walked back into their room and continued to pack.
"It'll be fine, I promise." Scott slid in next to Alexis and turned to face her. "That scar doesn't bother me."
"But people think that I tried to kill myself. Look." She held her right wrist out to him and then brought it back to her chest.
Scott grabbed her wrist and gently kissed her scar. "I love this part of you like I love every other part of you. Alexis, it hasn't changed. I'm done with the Army, I am living with you, and I just got promoted to Technical Writer." He shook her shoulder. "And come on, you're an assistant manager at Macy's. Tell me we aren't living large."
Alexis briefly smiled but he wasn't the one that woke up from nightmares every night. Even though it had happened four months ago, the scar still remained. And a part of her wondered if she would ever be the same. She just nodded and kissed him before turning out the light. He cuddled up to her but she was in no mood to sleep. Sure they were now living together, having great jobs and bringing in tons of money but she didn't care about that. She missed how it had been before.
She missed Kate and Rick and was more than happy to share therapy with Kate as she recovered from saving her life. And that intense month of waiting to find out if she would fully recover was hard on Alexis, both emotionally and physically. But she stayed by their side through it all until she took a leave and he strolled her off to a cabin without any service.
Scott was everything and more but she wanted that intense, wonderment love that Kate and Rick shared. She wanted the understated, catch me when I fall kind of love. But what lay beside her was all that and more but Alexis wouldn't let herself explore those options. And her therapist, Dr. Gates was helping her get through that. But Alexis wasn't the kind to hold back, so what was stopping her now?
"Rick I am serious, we are leaving tomorrow. You haven't even packed yet!" Kate tried to escape his tugging arms and forfeited the fight. She fell right back into him and his naked body lay out beside her.
"You know I let you win." He raised his eyebrows, suggestively, and as much as she wanted to make love, the water was calling her out for one last swim of summer.
She raced off the bed, taking her clothes off as she ran, then dove right into the water, naked. It didn't take long before Rick came in after her. She swam far off the edge of the cabin's property and felt Rick keeping pace. She stopped just about eleven feet from the edge. She turned around and found him right behind her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed him, tasting the salty water one last time.
"I needed this you know." She just looked at him and there were no words.
The moment was still a little blurry for her but she remembered trying to stop the bleeding as her back up rushed in. But what no one noticed was that the remote was still clutched in Conway's hand. And he pressed it, the plan he had all along but the target wasn't Alexis, it was Kate. She felt the bullet enter her body, felt the fall she took, and even rejoiced seeing her dad once more.
But after that it was all a little fuzzy. She was told that they had worked on her for hours, trying to find the bullet. And after stopping the bleeding, removing the bullet, she was in surgery for hours trying to repair the damage Conway had made.
And all the while, Alexis was in recovery after they stitched her up and managed to stop the bleeding. The surgery to repair the artery wasn't a carnival ride but it was nothing to the hours they all waited for Kate.
And Rick never left their sides. He took turns visiting with Alexis, who had Scott there by her side and waiting for Kate. It was a weird introduction but Rick couldn't have been more happy for them both; he finally excepted that Alexis deserved someone to share herself with as well. Sam and Lily took turns bringing her food and keeping her company and confessing the latest drama going on. And after a week, Alexis was able to leave the hospital but Rick stayed with a critical Kate.
Between the annual checks to make sure her body was repairing itself and the constant heart monitor beeping, Rick barely slept an hour all week. And as soon as she was able to move to a different room, the tension eased.
"What the hell was all that for?" She barely coughed out and felt the cotton feeling in her mouth.
Rick rushed to her side with a sip of water and he just smiled, with a single tear running down her cheek.
"You should get a hospital membership." And with that, she allowed herself to cry for the trauma that she had taken on. And he held her. There wasn't this big 'Oh my gosh, I almost lost you feel to it', it was just there. He was a friend at the moment and she needed that.
Co-workers/friends stopped by offering all their support and jokes. Lacey laid out their plans for the Fall; the reconnecting and bonding that needed to be done. Two weeks total, in the hospital, started to drive her insane. So Rick, ever the knight in shining armor, whisked her away to a remote cabin for the summer. And it was there that he laid out the whole Sal thing, and it was there that she healed, and it was there that she let herself be completely open.
Most days were spent talking about past, present, and future. They shared fears and worries in the hush of the summer night. They ate barbeque at midnight, swam first thing in the morning, or just laid out in the sun for hours listening to the soft tunes of the fifties.
Time was spent hiking, wandering through the surrounding woods. Late night swims, naked, were a release of the day's events and a moment to be intimate without touch. Words were whispered, wishes were lifted into the summer air. And if all she wanted to do was to just read, he lay out a quilt, in the summer sun and heat, and she would spread out and be calm.
Wine was drank, marshmallows were consumed, and weight was gained. But in all the adventures they created, the future was put on hold, as the moment was being lived in.
And after she no longer felt the pull of the scar, they first made love by candlelight. And after they shared their souls with another, she would share some more. And it wasn't soon after that, that she began to explore another side of herself; the lady in love.
They made love in the water, the grass, and in the gravel of the woods. Any place could do as they opened themselves up for examination. She had nothing she could hide anymore, and he wanted to release every cell to her; making love was their chance.
So now as she found herself, wanting and fearing the trip back to her city, the trip needed to be made and she had to face what she had left. So, as the last night of summer began to fade, she surprisingly welcomed the fall and all it might bring.
"Don't forget this. Though you didn't wear it for very long." Rick dangled her little negligee, which was a soft pink with black bows. He tossed it in her suitcase and Kate silently thanked Lacey for thinking ahead.
"I can't believe that tomorrow I will be back in the city. My city. I get my shield back and my gun." Kate zipped her suitcase then set it by the door. She sat on the window seat, just off the door and slid back the curtain.
"Enjoying the view." Rick laced his arms around her and tried to see what she saw.
"Isn't it just beautiful? I mean look." She pointed to the stars in the soft night sky and smiled. She traced the edge of the water through the window and tossed her head back. She felt the weight of his chest as she sunk deeper into him.
"I am looking at something beautiful." He quietly leaned down, so his lips would meet hers.
"I said shove it!" Lacey was kicking aside the banner that Espo and Ryan had hurriedly made. She laid out the new entryway rug she had picked up months ago and tried to smooth it down as much as she could. "Help!" She put the boys to work and went back to the kitchen and finished helping Lanie with lunch.
"I thought I heard a car pull up." Scott ran to the window and looked down and nodded. "They're here."
Everyone rushed to get prepared for Kate and Rick to come home. Lanie laid out the many sandwiches she had prepared. Lacey tried to smooth down the rung once more. Espo and Ryan tried to fix their covered gifts that were hanging along the wall. And Alexis was busy hiding her record that she had picked up for Kate.
Kate kissed Rick once more and they were enjoying the buzz of love that the other was giving off. She let him open the door and was well prepared for the "surprise" party that Lacey had thrown. She quickly set down her duffel bag and ran into the open arms of Lacey. Lanie pulled her in for a hug next, then Alexis, who briefly kissed her on the cheek, Ryan and Espo giving her a bro hug, and Captain Montgomery that didn't quite let go of her right away. Perched on the couch was Johanna with a very happy Elsie.
Kate ran to her mom and squeezed her, not wanting to let her mom's warm arms let go of her. "I love you so much."
"I, I too." She couldn't express the words as she held her only child, Kate, the one she almost lost. It was fine to hold her but the words couldn't be spoken, that would be too much at the wrong time.
After their bags were rolled and dumped into Kate's room, they all gathered around her living room showing her all the stuff they got and catching her up on all that she had missed in three months at the cabin.
Lacey was too much as she gave her a tour on all the decorating she had done. She gave her a sweeping view of the new rug; the rug was a light beige with a tartan pattern consisting of bright pink and black. Ryan ad Espo removed the wrapping from their paintings; Espo got her a painting called "Taking Time" by Lisa Lea Bemish and Ryan got her John Sargent "Lily Lily Rose". Kate just marveled at them and ran and gave each of them a sisterly hug.
Lanie slid out a new leather, messenger bag in a soft brown. "You needed a new one, that one," she pointed to Kate's black bag that was tore up and lying on the hall closet's door knob, "needs to go. It is way too blessed." They all shared a laugh and Lanie and Kate shared a hug. Alexis came over with something behind her back.
"I wanted it to be really special." She handed over a record by Judy Garland. She watched as Kate's hands began to tremble. "I knew you have a special connection to her." She braced herself for the hug that was surely coming and held tight herself.
"I can't thank you enough. Alexis," the words were lost on her.
"Let's call it even." She laid her hand over her heart and that said what needed to be said, "Thanks for saving my life."
Rick ran back into her library and pulled out a large, square, cardboard box. The box was thin and Kate had her suspicions. "I'm next." He pulled Kate to the couch and everyone crowded around her. "I didn't want to display it because it would ruin the surprise of it. Oh hell, I am talking too much, just open it and see for yourself." He slid the box in front of her and she leaned around it to open it up. When she received help from an eager Rick, she was able to get the large framed picture out of the box. He helped her turn it around and when she saw it, her voice cracked.
There in front of her was a picture of her and her dad. It was right after she was born and he was holding her in his arms, with the sun just shining of New York City in the background, it looked like the perfect picture. His smile was bigger than his face and her little hand reached out to him.
"How…" she couldn't find it in herself to speak so she let her tears and smile do the talking. The picture was blown up and helped fill that empty space, right next to her mantle.
"I know." The room was silent for her as she immersed herself in the moment that she had shared with her dad so long ago. She carefully slid the picture over to the empty spot and with the help of the men, it was hung. She took a step back and just marveled. She watched out her window, and watched the same city take on the sunlight. And when she allowed herself to turn to face Rick, his face expressed how she felt: wonderstruck.
Lunch was shared, stories and cases were discussed, and with the aid of everyone, her apartment was restored to its original lived-in feel.
After everyone left, Kate stripped her clothing and joined Rick for a bubble bath.
"You know something." She looked up at him and he just smiled down on her.
"What?"
She rubbed his thigh underneath the water and grinned. "You've changed everything for me." She raised herself up and gently kissed him, fairytale style. He splashed her and the bubble's stuck to her face. She gathered bubbles and blew them in his face. He splashed her and water fell out of the tub. She gasped and splashed him right back.
"We are so in a war right now." He pushed her back into the tub and she slid down. He laughed and so the bubble bath battle raged on.
Kate kicked aside the blankets as she reached for her phone. The silent buzz would have been lost on her if it wasn't for the anxiety of returning to work the next day. She slid the phone off her nightstand and caught an urgent text from Alexis. Immediately, she grabbed her phone and tiptoed into her living room.
"I needed to talk to you without Scott or Rick knowing. Can we meet somewhere?" Alexis nervously chewed on her nails as she sat on the edge of her tub.
"Sure. Where do you want me to meet you?" Kate peeked into her bedroom to make sure that Rick was still asleep.
"Tick Tock Diner in ten?" Alexis slid her small frame off the tub and began to pace the bathroom.
"Sure. See you." Kate hung up and tip toed back into her bedroom. She opened her drawers and tried to find something warm. She grabbed a pair of her high waisted jeans and a striped shirt with a peter pan collar. She grabbed her bra off the hook in the bathroom and quickly changed. She fastened her long hair into a high ponytail. There was a moan from Rick and she paused right at the foot of the bed. He rolled to the other side and she grabbed her bag, slid her phone in, and quickly left a note for Rick.
After sliding on her high tops, she grabbed her leather jacket and headed to meet Alexis.
Alexis kept tapping her sneakers on the linoleum. She kept watch for Kate and as soon as she saw her enter the diner, she flagged her down.
When Kate slid into the booth, there was a slice of New York Cheese Cake set in the middle of the table with two forks on the plate.
"I figured we could share a slice." Alexis picked up one of the forks and dug into the cheesecake. It was the silence that was reassuring her that all would be ok.
"Why did you call me here?" Kate also joined into the cheesecake.
"Because I can't stop the nightmares. I mean I talk to Gates and all but I can't move past the scar. I feel like a different person. I can't keep avoiding Scott and the girls but…" She closed her mouth around a bite of cheesecake.
"I have them too. But you know what helps?" She waited as Alexis's eyes settled on her. "Letting go. You are too wrapped up in holding yourself back that you can't be. Rick helped me with that. Let Scott help you with that. Love can change everything."
"But what if Scott moves past this and I never do. He says he loves my scar because it's a part of me but I wish I had never…"
"Fell in love?" Kate caught Alexis's shock and smiled. "I felt like that, a lot but every time I let him in, I feel free." Kate smiled to herself as she thought of a sleeping Rick, waiting back in her apartment.
"What if it takes a while? You think he'll wait?" She dropped her fork back onto the empty plate.
"If he truly loves you? Yes, he'll wait because he'll realize that you are worth it." Kate reached across the table and grabbed Alexis's hand in hers. "You have a whole team rooting for you. You have me." She squeezed Alexis's hand then let go.
"Thanks but, what if I am not strong enough?" Alexis swiped at her tears and tried to focus on Kate.
"You and I both know that you are. Don't try convincing yourself otherwise Alexis. Ok?" Kate tried to stop the tears that threatened to fall, but they won.
"Why are you crying?" Alexis smiled to herself but couldn't quite stop the tears.
"Because, I did something I vowed never to do. I promised myself when I took the badge that I would never let them…" She choked on her words and Alexis encouraged her to go on. "I vowed never to let the victims become numbers. I let Cliff get into my head and I lost sight on everything that mattered. I became a cop to help the victims, not the killers."
"But you found the killer, something not even the F.B.I. could do." Alexis watched as the light bulb went off in Kate's head.
"Yeah, how did the F.B.I. not manage to catch him? All they had to do was follow the medical records, surely not a problem for the F.B.I. So why couldn't Cliff and his team do that?" Kate tapped her fingers on her chin then bit her lip.
"What are you smiling at?" Alexis watched as Kate's smile grew upon her face. "Seriously Kate, what did you find?" Kate tapped her hand and gave her, her key. "Why are you giving me your key?"
"Go there and eat whatever you want. Do whatever you want." Kate slid out of the both but Alexis stopped her. "You need a break to figure things out. Go to my place and do that. I have an arrest to make."
Alexis wanted her to wait to explain but knew it would be a waste of both of their time. So, she hauled a cab and headed to Kate's place, and on the way, broke free of the chains that she had put on herself.
Kate stood in front of the F.B.I. Headquarters in New York City. 26 Federal Plaza. She headed up to the 23rd floor and smiled to herself. She tapped her cuffs that rested in her pants pocket. She took a deep breath and thought of all the people who had died because of a killer. But the killer didn't work alone.
Cliff looked up from where he sat to see Kate heading to him. "Come on Detective, aren't we done with each other?" He chuckled to himself but Kate remained fixed on standing her ground.
"Is there somewhere we could go?" She leaned closer to him and whispered, "I'd hate to embarrass you in front of your colleagues."
His eyes said it all. "Sure thing Detective." He lead her out to the lobby and she arrested him.
"You're under arrest for being an accomplice in the murders of all of Jared Conway's and Joe Conway's victims. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you can not afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?"
Cliff just nodded.
When Kate slid into the interrogation seat across from Cliff, she carefully laid out a file on the table. She ignored him as she began to study the file, even though she had memorized everything it carried. She waited out the silence and let him sweat.
"If you think you can get me to confess, you are gravely mistaken."
Kate continued to ignore him as she flipped through the pages of the file she had gathered. She stopped at the last page and scrolled her finger along the words that lay there.
"Come on. Let me go. You have nothing." Her eyes peeked over the file and she closed it and dropped it on the table.
Next, Kate bolted out of her chair, sending it to the floor. She slammed her hands on the table and watched him jump. She leaned on the table and gave him, her earnest face. She just stared at him, narrowing her eyes.
"Do you know why I arrested you?" She didn't wait for him to answer, she pushed on. "I couldn't get past the point that after all these years on the case, you didn't make the simple connection I eventually made. Check their medical records. How did you and your team not go there? Why after all these years, even though I brought it up, did you still neglect to go there? Then I thought to myself, how did I get distracted in the investigation?" Kate began to pace the room and watched him perspire. "By you. You wanted my head not to be clear. How to do that? Mess with the one thing I need most in my life, Rick."
Kate held up her hand and shut him up. "Then I found it weird that you, all of a sudden were there to help us out. Helped get Sal off his case and therefore letting me be grateful. But how did you connect Sal to him when I made no mention of Sal to anyone?" She tapped the file. "You investigated Sal years ago but you made no arrest, instead you dropped the investigation. And you know what I think? You were on the take. Come on, money is a positive motive. But why let Jared and Joe get away? What did you have in that stake?" She began pacing once more and his face grew stern.
"I checked. Jared had a daughter, she was murdered. Case grew cold, you never found the killer." Kate continued to lay it out for him. "Her name was Molly and you were her godfather. But how did you two meet? You were shot on the job and Jared saved your life, you owed him. Right? And when you became Molly's godfather, you took on the role of protecting her. She was a red head as well. So did Jared snap and every time he saw a red head come to his office, he felt the need to get rid of them? I mean why should they get to live if Molly couldn't?"
"It was never supposed to get out of hand. I took the case because I felt I owed him. But when Joe started I was in too deep. Molly was left to die, just shot and burned. Why does one red head get the right to live if she didn't? He saved my life and I couldn't even find out who did this to her. Then when he started, I felt I owed him. I took hold of the case and I let it go on but when you got the case, I could see you weren't going to let it go. I had to somehow get you to drop it. If I could gain control of the case once more, then maybe I could hide it once more."
"I will never give up. But I will admit your efforts blindsided me but I fight for the victim. I will never stop fighting for the victim." She grabbed the file off the table and stepped out of the room. She took a deep breath and leaned against the closed door.
Captain Montgomery came out of the Observation Room and placed a hand on Kate's shoulder. "You did good, kid." He smiled and left her to do what she did best, honor the victims.
