Author's Note |
Guys please re-read the last three chapters before reading onwards. If you don't want to read that far back, here's the bullet points:
Changed Drake from Sheriff to Deputy Sheriff in chapter 31. Becca and Aidens scene in chapter 32 read's better. And the memory book scene between Nolan and Emily in chapter 34 has better character interaction and emotions.
All these scenes read stronger and the character interactions are better; particularly in the Nemily memory book scene!
If you do read those before reading this chapter, thanks! You'll do yourself a favor and I'll give you lots of internet hugs! :-D
As always, a gigantic thanks and cookies to Sheetkhal Shahar for being an awesome rockstar and beta'ing the first half of this chapter! Thanks so much!
With all that said, please enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Thirty Three: Ballroom Blitz (Part 2)
Stanford, Emily and Nolan walked inside CARE headquarters toward the grand hall. A greeter welcomed them at the door and showed them to their tables.
"Catlin sure knows how to impress," Nolan looked awed at the giant glass chandelier that hung in the center of the dance floor.
"I'll say," Emily said, following his gaze to the chandelier.
She had to admit, the hall looked very much like a ballroom. Warm golden lights were strung from the high ceilings, and ivory drapes hung above the stage, running across the dining tables, stopping at the bar.
Nolan and Emily made their way through the crowd of well-dressed people to their table at the front, while Ford along with the rest of the CARE clients seated in the back.
Emily spotted Catlin, dressed in a glitzy black off the shoulder gown, chatting with guests ahead.
"Catlin!" Emily called out, strolling over to her with Nolan. Catlin turned on her heels, at the sight of Emily, she looked less than thrilled.
"Oh, Miss Thorne, what a surprise to see you," Catlin said.
"Everything looks incredible," Emily added, she looked up at Nolan with a smile. "When Nolan invited me I just couldn't say no," she moved a hand from her clutch to squeeze his bicep.
Emily could sense that her appearance was threatening to Catlin. She wanted to show Catlin she couldn't mess with her Nolan anymore.
"Thank you," Catlin forced a smile. "If you'll both excuse me, enjoy your evening."
The duo turned, watching as the conwoman disappeared into the crowd.
"Trying to start a catfight, kitten?" Nolan asked Emily with a grin.
"Well, kitten, you wanted her to leave you alone," she smiled at him. "I think she will."
A server approached them, offering flutes of champagne. Sipping her champagne, Emily took a moment to search for Aiden. She didn't see him at the entrance or in the crowd.
So far, things were going well.
The rest of the evening went well. After dinner, everyone broke away from their usual social class, taking an opportunity to mix and mingle.
Emily stood at the bar, appearing to look casual as she sipped her champagne. She'd made her rounds ten minutes ago looking for a Detective Lasky. The presentation was going off in less than an hour and there wasn't any sign of Aiden.
Part of her was starting to believe Aiden meant what he said about not interfering.
"Ems, I'm backstage in the AV room," Nolan's said, his voice tickling the inside of her ear as he spoke through the comm. "Ems, are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here," she replied after a moment.
An assistant had pulled Nolan away a few minutes ago so he could prepare for the presentation. Nolan'd taken that time to find the AV room and sabotage the presentation.
Nolan closed the door behind him, stepped inside the dimly lit room, and took a seat at the computer. He grabbed his Nolpad mini from his tux and went to work taking over the computers.
"You okay?" Nolan asked concerned, the click of a keyboard could be heard on his end.
"Yeah," Emily replied. "Why?"
"Well, you seemed a bit distracted at dinner."
Did she really? She was doing her best to stay present and have a good time. Emily hadn't told Nolan that Aiden was in Virginia.
She felt bad about not telling Nolan the truth, but she knew she had to keep it a secret between Rebecca and herself.
Emily knew the moment Nolan found out he'd do everything in his power to get rid of Aiden. She didn't want that, not that she didn't want to see Aiden behind bars or on a flight back in Japan, or Antarctica, pretty much anywhere but here and near her family.
She may not be able to help Nolan with his grief, but this situation she could control, keeping Nolan focused and hopeful was worth a little lie.
Emily sighed, she had everything under control and soon, very soon, this whole thing would be over and everything would go back to normal.
"I'm fine, Nolan," she said reassuringly.
Nolan didn't feel assured. He could tell something was on her mind, but he knew no matter how much he asked, Emily wouldn't tell him what was wrong. He knew she would only talk to him when she was ready to.
"Good news, the presentation is in place," Nolan slipped his Nolpad back into his pocket.
"Good work," Emily said.
"I'm on my way back to you," Nolan replied and made his way out the room.
"Having a good time, Emily?" Ford asked, joining her at the bar.
Emily smiled. "I am, are you enjoying yourself?"
"What's not to enjoy? Tonight Catlin goes down and I get my money back," he smiled, taking a seat next to Emily. "Though, I gotta say a $200 steak dinner tastes just like the $10 one I eat at the diner."
"Well, I'm glad you're having a good time," she said, taking another sip of her champagne.
"Why aren't you?" Ford asked, gently.
Was it so obvious how preoccupied she was? Emily appreciated Ford's concern. Beside looking out for Aiden, part of her was still upset with how things went down between her and Nolan earlier.
"Now, I don't mean to be nosy," Ford added. "I've just been married for 22 years and I can tell when a woman is upset and it's the man's fault."
"No, you're not being nosy," she slipped into the bar stool next to Ford. She sighed. "You're right, I am upset with Nolan."
Emily didn't vent. Call it operant conditioning. Being a ninja of Revenge and growing up in the foster system made her build up defenses that she still held onto. Even with Nolan and Rebecca around her, she was learning how to share her feelings and be more open.
She glanced at Ford, behind his strict and tough exterior, he was a very caring and friendly man. Emily felt comfortable talking to him about Nolan. She figured that Ford knew him just as well as she did, maybe even better.
"Well, Nolan finally saw the memory book his father made him," Emily explained. "I thought him looking at the book and reading the letter Edward left, would help him understand his father, get Nolan through his pain," she sighed deeply, feeling her throat constrict. "Maybe I don't understand what he's going through, I lost both my parents when I was young. I adored my dad, so I don't really understand why he feels how he does with Edward."
"I think you've been with Nolan long enough to know just how stubborn and set in his ways he can be."
"Oh, yes," Emily replied with a small grin.
"The Nolan I knew wouldn't do anything he didn't want to, but Emily, I believe if you didn't come here to Virginia with him, he never would have come." Ford smiled, "I'm willing to bet, you understand him better than I do, hell, maybe even better than he knows himself.
Emily blushed, "I suppose, you're right," she said softly, looking down at her champagne. "If I know him so well, why can't I help him with his grief?" she asked, feeling useless.
"It will take time for Nolan to heal," Ford sighed. "Being here has brought a lot of pain for him. He'll deal with his past when he's ready to, move on when he's ready, all you can do is just be there for him as he does."
Emily realized that Nolan had been there for her from the start. He gave her support when she'd gotten out of juvie, gave her strength and a shoulder to cry on when she learnt that her father wasn't a terrorist. When she'd found her mother, he was there, unwavering and ready to help. Nolan wasn't afraid to call her out on her actions, to be her conscious, when her's had failed. He was her light at the end of the tunnel when she couldn't see.
If Nolan could be that unyielding hopeful person in her life Emily wanted to be his.
"Thank you, Ford," Emily smiled grateful.
"Of course, dear. That's what family is for."
Just then, the lights around them lowered. Emily and Ford looked around the ballroom, noticing all the lights were dimmed. Groups stood around the dancefloor chatting, the chandelier lit up, sparkling like a star, couples flocked to the dance floor, dancing in time with the slow music that played.
Standing, Emily spotted Nolan weaving through the ballroom, searching around, no doubt for her.
"Shall we?" Ford asked, holding his arm out to Emily.
They strolled through the crowd to Nolan. Just as they got on the dance floor, Catlin swooped in and tapped Nolan on his shoulder. Nolan spun around to the con woman.
"Care to dance?" she asked Nolan with a flirty smile, holding her hand out to him.
Nolan looked at her hand hesitantly. "Uh, actually, I'm dancing with—"
"He's dancing with me," Emily stated.
The con woman spun around and Emily shot her a glare. Emily released Ford's arm and strolled over to Nolan.
Emily smiled, "Hey, handsome," she stopped beside him and took his hand in hers.
"That's right," Nolan said, gripping Emily's hand tighter. He saw a glint of jealousy in Catlin's eyes. "Emily's my permanent dancing partner."
Catlin stood speechless.
Nolan turned to Emily, took a step back from her and held out his hand to her, "May I have this dance, beautiful?" he asked, smiling.
"You may," Emily grinned, giving him her hand.
Ford watched with a smile as Nolan and Emily waltz to the center of the dance floor, under the chandelier.
Ford turned to her Catlin. "Well, I'm free to dance," he offered.
Catlin shook her head no. "That's quite alright, Stanford," she turned on her heels, walking off to bother someone else.
xXx
Nolan rested a hand on Emily's shoulder, placing the other on her upper back as she set her hands on his shoulders, their feet guiding them along to a slower, lazier rhythm as they slow danced to Taylor Dayne's - I'll Always Love You.
I'll always love you
For the rest of my days
You have won my heart and my soul
With your sweet, sexy ways
"What is it?" Emily asked, noticing how Nolan was staring at her.
"You look beautiful," he replied. He couldn't help but stare at her, admiring just how beautiful she looked under the light of the chandelier.
"Thank you," Emily smiled. "That tux suits you. Very dashing."
"Gotta dress well for my lady."
They danced, enjoying how close they were. It was their moment to enjoy. Emily let herself relax, laying her head on Nolan's chest with a smile as she allowed the chatter in her mind quiet down so she could revel in the moment.
You gave me hope
When I needed someone near
You bring me happiness
Everyday of every year
Nolan loved seeing Emily smile. Her smile always brought a smile to his face. He hoped that he would always make her smile and never make her cry.
And I'll always love you
For all that you are
You have made my life complete
You're my lucky star
He'd overheard her conversation with Ford. Ford was right, if it wasn't for Emily being here he would never have come. He wouldn't have seen Ford again or met Jason.
Just Emily's presence gave him the strength he needed to get out of bed these last few weeks. She helped him the first day they got here and every day after, making sure he ate properly and told him to spent time with Rebecca instead of staying in his room hacking or being depressed. Her words of encouragement helped keep him from feeling like a complete failure when the case went south. Emily was there for him, lending him her strength and courage to get through the hard moments in his life.
That's what they did, pull each other through their tough moments. Lend each other their strength when the other was at their lowest.
Your are the one
That I'd been searching for
You are my everything
Tell me who could ask for more
"Babe, I heard what you and Ford were talking about earlier," Nolan started, Emily moved her head off his chest to look up at him. "I know you were only doing what you thought was best to help me."
"Well, I guess, there are just some things I can't help with," Emily admitted.
"No," Nolan shook his head, "Your being here has done more for me than you know. Believe me."
"I just want everything to go as planned tonight," she said.
"With you here, it will," Nolan smiled warmly, eyes full of hope.
Emily prayed for the rest of the night Nolan'd keep that hopeful look on his face.
"Well, I guess we've both been a bit distracted tonight," Nolan admitted, earning a look from Emily. "All I can think about is how Rebecca is on a date and how I'm not tracking her every move. The last time she was on a date was at her sophomore prom."
"What, it's not like you GPS tracked her cell phone or something," she joked.
"Nope, I did one better and tailed her in my SUV the whole night."
"Really?" Emily couldn't help but laugh. "You know what, I'm not surprised."
"It's good that I did, she went to prom with a little Casanova. He broke her heart, so I doused him in Liquid N, almost froze the kid's dick off."
"Are you serious?"
"Just ask Becca," Nolan chuckled.
"Well, Jason's a good young man," Emily pointed out. "I don't think we need to be worried."
"I know he is, Ford raised him," Nolan stated confidently. "It's just, I can't help but be worried. Part of me wants to know what she's doing every second and the other part of me knows I need to let go of the reins and give her some freedom."
Nolan never thought he'd be the kind of parent that was overprotective and hovering. Then again he never thought he'd have a kid.
"Tonight's been the most real freedom she's had since her paternity was leaked. I've got Ed doing double duty as our bodyguard and her personal watchdog."
Hearing himself, Nolan realized he wasn't just overprotective, he was super-overprotective.
"Jesus, I've turned into one of those overprotective parents," Nolan stated.
Emily didn't think he was being overprotective. Okay, well maybe the whole Liquid N incident was a bit too much.
She looked up at him with a proud smile. "You're not overprotective. You both live in the public eye, hiring Ed is a precaution."
"That worry thing, it never goes away, huh?"
"Nope."
"Huh, I'm guessing my heart palpitations and constantly checking for her texts is also part of the job."
"Welcome to parenthood." Emily simply grinned.
"Have you ever wanted to have kids?" Nolan asked after a moment.
"Perhaps in the future, when my revenge is complete, I'd like to adopt."
"So, you wouldn't want to have kids of your own?"
Emily could adopt, she could be a mother to someone broken like herself, provide them with love and stability and a home, but being a biological mother was a different story.
She envied the couples she'd seen with babies of their own. She wanted a child of her own, but babies and children were given to princesses.
Emily wasn't a princess of good heart, she was too impure and broken for a baby, someone so pure and innocent.
"No," she said softly.
Nolan furrowed his brows, surprised. "Why do you say that?"
"I don't feel I'm the right kind of person to bring a child into the world," she admitted.
"You think I was when I found out about Rebecca?" Nolan laughed. He was far from ready when she came into his life.
"Babe, no matter how much you plan, you'll never be the picture perfect parent, believe me I've tried. You'll always make mistakes and screw up," he smiled. "Your kids are the ones that make you a better person and a better parent."
Since Rebecca walked into her life Emily had become a more compassionate and caring woman. She wasn't as closed off. She smiled more. Even though she wasn't related to Rebecca by blood, she felt a kin-like attachment to her, something almost motherly. And that frightened her and made her happy all at once.
She was happy she could be a part of Rebecca's life. She loved the teen and loved how much she was like Nolan — a big hearted, intelligent and caring soul.
Emily loved the normalcy, the three of them had fallen into a routine. She enjoyed the simple life the three of them lead in New York.
Some mornings Emily would wake up Becca for work, earning protests from the teen who would barter for another ten minutes of sleep because she was up all night coding.
Emily would teach her new karate moves while Becca taught her how to hack. They'd spend lazy Sundays in their pajamas, eating pancakes and watching cartoons.
When they talked, Becca confided in her, not as a friend, but as someone with more respect and love.
Emily was just a friend to Becca three months ago, how did she move into a maternal role so fast?
Now that Emily and Nolan were a thing, and Becca seemed to know they were, she feared the day Becca would call her Mom. Emily wasn't ready for that right now.
"Rebecca isn't enough for you?" Emily asked, steering the subject back to Nolan.
"Rebecca is a handful," Nolan agreed. "She's more than enough for me right now."
Emily noticed the lost look in his eyes. "What is it?"
"It's just," he sighed deeply, glancing to her. "My biggest regret was that I missed out on Rebecca growing up. I know I can't ever get that time back and I hate it."
He missed a lot of firsts; birthdays, learning how to walk and talk, first loose tooth, middle school, all the little moments before and after, they'd all escaped like sand through his fingers.
With a love to call my own
And I'll always love you
You must know how much I do
You can count on me forever
Nolan glanced back to Emily and tightened his grip on her hands. "If I have another kid I'll be there for everything," he promised.
Emily saw the promise in Nolan's eyes and felt her heart swell and cheeks blush.
Would Nolan really want to have a child with her?
She could imagine a future with Nolan and them having a wonderful life together. She could see them having a family, her being a mother to Rebecca, them living someplace where they could have a happy normal life away from her past.
That was a beautiful fantasy that she desperately wanted to be a reality.
But she couldn't have it. Not now.
"Nolan, you know our relationship can't be revealed when we go back to New York."
"So, I guess I should hold off on that big announcement I planned in Time Square," he chuckled hoping she'd like the idea.
Emily didn't laugh.
"Be serious, Nolan."
"I am serious," Nolan challenged. "Nolan Ross and Emily Thorne, the new power couple."
"I still have my mission to complete," she stated.
"What, you're not enjoying our summer romance, senorita?" Nolan added seriously. "Look, keeping our relationship a secret wouldn't be too hard."
Though he'd prefer if they didn't have to hide anything from anyone.
"Besides, it isn't like you're using Grayson Jr. anymore," he pointed out.
Emily shook her head. "Daniel isn't the problem. It's the rest of them."
"I'm not afraid of the Young and the Restless," Nolan countered. "They've never dealt with Nolan Ross before."
Emily knew first hand people could be used, like the Grayson family had treated her parents. She didn't want Rebecca or Nolan to be their pawns. What Aiden had done, Emily knew the Grayson's were capable of things far worse.
Takeda was capable of things far worse than the Grayson's. He'd done things Emily had never even imagined doing.
While she always saw herself as cold as Maleficent, Takeda was definitely as despicable as Hades.
Her mentor was capable of anything. He'd tried to sabotage her plans last summer, for trying to save Jack and had reprimanded her from finding her mother, threatening to abandon her if she did.
Pathetic. Emotional. Weak.
Maybe she really was all those things.
Emily didn't care about her mentor's threats, she'd gotten this far without him, but there were codes of conduct, sacred agreements, she promised she wouldn't break once Takeda had agreed to train her.
Don't form attachments to others. Don't forgive. Don't talk about your mission once it's complete. Don't fall in love during the course of your mission.
She'd broken so many rules already. She didn't know what the consequences would be.
And I will take good care
Of you
I'll always love you
I'm so happy that your mine
Nolan noted that far off look on Emily's face; she was in her Emily Bubble. That dark place where she'd hold herself in her mind, thinking of all the reasons why she didn't deserve all the good things in her life. Why she didn't deserve him and Rebecca or Amanda and Carl in her life.
Nolan hated when she was in her Bubble. He wished she'd see herself like how he saw her, already amazing, beautiful, loving and deserving of unconditional love. While he knew Emily was right most of the time, she was in fact wrong, he believed she'd be an extraordinary parent. He couldn't think of anyone who'd make a better step-mother to his daughter.
He wouldn't tell her that now. She'd just deny it. So instead, he wanted her here with him enjoying the moment
But she needed some coaxing.
"Babe, look at me," he asked and Emily did. "Just be here with me. I want you here with me." All he wanted now was her. "This is our night and nothing's going to ruin our night." Nolan could see she was about to protest, "Please, Emily for me?"
Emily wanted to say what was on her mind, to tell him her fears, but she gave in, resting her head on Nolan's chest, letting the sound of his heart beat and the music ease her mind.
I always love you
Till the end of time
xXx
Ford strolled back to the bar. "I'll take a sparkling water." he told the college-age bartender, sliding a few bills across the counter.
The room started to spin. He felt like he was going to fall as a wave of vertigo overtake him. Clutching the back of a chair, Ford quickly sat down. His new medicines were taking a toll on him.
The bartender set his drink on the counter. "Here you are, sir."
"Thanks," Ford grabbed his glass and took a sip.
He grimaced at the taste. Damn, what he'd give to have some Scotch or Whiskey right now. Something strong to take the edge off. But he couldn't do that without causing more serious side effects like ulcers or internal bleeding.
With all the medications pumping through his system, Ford didn't feel like his usual energetic self. He was pretty healthy and active for sixty; except for the lung cancer part. Besides vertigo, he felt exhausted all the time. Which made it difficult for him to spend as much time as he really wanted to fixing up his trucks.
"The medications are gonna kill me first, not the cancer," Ford reasoned dryly.
Turning back to the dance floor, Ford watched with a smile as Nolan and Emily danced. He was glad Nolan had found someone as trustworthy and committed as Emily. Ford could see just how happy they made each other and they were obviously good friends who cared deeply for one another.
Trust. Commitment. Friendship.
Those values were the foundation for a happy and long lasting relationship and strengthened the bond between partners in tough times. It was those values that kept his marriage strong for the past 22 years.
Maybe it was too early for him to say but he could see Nolan proposing to Emily.
"Just tell me when the wedding is," he chuckled lightly to himself.
"Stanford there you are," a voice said from beside him.
Ford turned, Drake walked up to the bar and took a seat next to him. He hardly recognized the young Deputy Sheriff. He'd changed out of his uniform and into a sharp black suit and white button up.
Ford had known Drake for the last seven years and never saw the man wear a suit till tonight. He looked uncomfortable and out of place in the suit. At least he attempted to dress for the occasion. Even if the collar of his dress shirt was unbuttoned and he neglected to wear a tie.
Despite Drake's attempt to blend in with the civilians he couldn't help but stand out; his alert posture, watchful eyes, even his black work shoes all screamed officer.
Though what else did Ford expect? Drake took his job as a Deputy Sheriff seriously. Drake was probably the most qualified and hardest working officer Ford had ever met.
Hell, if Drake wasn't a deputy Ford would have thought he'd make a hell of an Army sergeant or lieutenant.
"It's good to see you made an effort to dress for the occasion. You're missing the tie."
"You know me Stan. I said I'd wear this monkey suit, but you want me to wear a tie too?" Drake scoffed. "That's taking it way too far."
"You're gonna have to get used to it now that you're running for Sheriff. People will want to elect someone who dresses the part."
"One suit at a time Stan. Anyway, are you enjoying yourself?" Drake asked as he grabbed a handful of salted cashews out of a bowl.
"What's not to enjoy? I'm having a great time."
"Can I get you anything sir?" The bartender asked them.
"Yes. A round of Whiskey for me and my friend!" Drake exclaimed, slapping a hand on Ford's shoulder.
"None for me," Ford replied.
"Come on, just one round we're celebrating!"
"No thanks," Ford said firmly, shooting Drake a stern look. "You know I don't drink, haven't in years."
"So uh, is that a yes to the shots?" The kid asked, confused.
Drake chuckled. "Nah kid, I'm on duty. Just get me something with bubbles," he said and slide a few bills across the counter to him.
"What are we celebrating?" Ford questioned.
"Hey, I'm going to have to go in the back to get some cider," the bartender announced to them. "Be right back."
Drake waited till the kid was out of earshot before saying with a grin. "Catlin Tucker going off to prison."
Ford scoffed. "Afraid you're celebrating a bit too early."
"Well, you said your guys were handling things and that Catlin will go to prison tonight. So far I haven't seen or heard anything."
"They are. It'll happen at the presentation." Ford glanced to him noting his impatient scowl. "What's the rush Drake?"
"Look, Stanford, I'm already pulling a lot of strings here."
Ford narrowed his eyes at him. "Don't forget that you owe me a favor."
"Believe me I know and I'm paying for it in full tonight," Drake said, eating another handful of cashews.
"Look Stan, if you weren't keeping me in the dark, I'd have a warrant and an entire team in here in a second, but you insisted on keeping this investigation a secret."
"That's right."
"I've yet to meet these mysterious team of yours," Drake added annoyed. "How did you even meet these guys?"
Ford shrugged. "What can I say, I believe in miracles."
He'd purposefully left out the fact that Nolan and Emily were the ones behind this. He didn't want to risk them being jailed for unlawfully acquiring evidence in a state investigation. Even if they were doing it for the right reasons, most law enforcement wouldn't see it that way.
"Yeah well, I believe in concrete facts," Drake grumbled. "Look, I'm not big on taking orders from a group of people I don't know. The only reason I'm here is so that we Sheriffs are the first to open an investigation against Catlin and CARE."
Drake leaned in closer to Ford and said simply. "This place is crawling with police and I will not be second to those pricks on something this big. How do you know they won't go to the cops first or the FBI?"
"Look, Drake I trust them and you should too, Have a bit of faith" Ford ordered, sliding back to his old days as a Lieutenant. "I understand that you're running for Sheriff is important and that this case could be your big break, but you're going to have to cool down and wait like the rest of us."
Ford could sense how annoyed Drake was with the situation, but he'd have to watch and wait for orders just like him. Hell even he didn't know all the intimate details of Nolan and Emily's plans. He simply knew that tonight's presentation was going to be the end of Catlin and that he along with Tanya and Greg would get their money back.
"I can't promise that your department will be the one to arrest Catlin," Ford stated firmly. "But, I will say once this is over the police sure as hell aren't going to look good in the eyes of the public. They're gonna want a familiar face to put them at ease, let them know that their safe and protected."
Ford placed a caring hand on Drake's shoulder. "That's going to be you."
"Yeah, alright," Drake nodded, letting the subject drop for now.
"Got that cider!" the bartender announced, walking back with a bottle of Martinelli's.
Ford eyed the bottle of apple cider. It wasn't alcohol, but at least it would taste better than plain soda water.
"I'll have a drink," he told the bartender.
xXx
"Do you want a drink?" Nolan asked Emily as they strolled off from the dance floor.
"Sure. Do you mind getting mine?" Emily asked, letting out a small groan as she took a seat at their table. She reached down to massage the heel of her red sore feet. "These heels were not made for dancing."
"You rest senorita. I'll be right back with your drink," he smiled, before making his way to the bar.
Honestly, Nolan could have kept dancing all night. He'd never had such a great time dancing till tonight, then again he'd never danced with Emily before.
Nolan tapped his hands on the counter to an imaginary beat. "Two Cosmos, please," he told the bartender.
"Coming right up," the bartender replied as he finish preparing another cocktail.
Ford said from beside Nolan. "I figured you and Emily would dance the night away."
Nolan turned to Ford with a grin. "Unfortunately, my dancing partner isn't wearing the appropriate footwear," he glanced past Ford. "Deputy Garcia, nice to see you again."
"Likewise," Drake looked between Nolan and Ford then chuckled. "I'm sensing there's some history between you two; how do you two know each other?"
"Nolan's father and I served in the army together," Ford explained. "Were best friends till his last day."
"That's right, Stanford's been a family friend since I was a kid," Nolan smiled. "Great to see him again after all these years. Though I wish the circumstances were different."
"Your Cosmos," the bartender said sliding the jewel red drinks across the counter.
"Thanks. Keep the change," Nolan said and slapped thirty dollars on the counter. He grabbed his drinks and then turned to Ford and Drake. "Talk to you gents later."
Drake watched as Nolan Ross strolled back to the dining area.
"You know he's practically CARE's new spokesman." he told Ford.
"What about it?"
"It's no secret Catlin's charity has been growing the last few weeks and it's all thanks to him. What if Ross is an accomplice of hers?"
Ford looked at Drake like he was insane. "Nolan is not an accomplice."
"Alright," Drake apologized. "Just speculating."
Drake expected Ford would say that. It was typical of a close friend or family member to believe that their loved one wasn't capable of doing terrible things.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Catlin greeted, standing on stage with a mic in hand. "I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful evening."
Everyone clapped their hands and cheered in agreement. Drake simply scoffed, not hiding his disappointed scowl behind the lip of his flute.
"Excellent. It's now time to hear from a few of our donors and sponsors," Catlin smiled to the crowd. "Everyone please give a round of applause for Arlington' PD — Chief Rhodes!"
Chief Rhodes family — his second wife, Kim, and his teen son from his first marriage, Ron — watched with proud smiles as he stood on stage.
Drake sighed deeply, the family was innocent. Once they discovered their family man with high morals was really a blue collar criminal, it'd break them up. Rhodes and Kim had just gotten married last spring in Hawaii.
What a waste of a wedding. Drake thought dissapointed.
"Thank you," Chief Rhodes smiled at the crowd. "Good evening folks. I'm honored to be a guest speaker for Catlin and share with you all the wonderful things that CARE has done for our vets and their families."
Watching, Drake gripped his flute of sparkling cider with a tight fist.
Catlin sat in the front row, clapping with the rest of the crowd.
Twenty minutes passed. Drake didn't know how much more of this he could stand. Now the Governor was on stage talking highly of the charity.
The presentation was suppose to happen in less than half an hour. He was waiting in agony for when Stan's team of vigilantes would strike.
Boredly, he glanced back to Catlin, who was approached by her assistant. Catlin stood up and followed her assistant out of the ballroom.
Well this was interesting.
"I'll be back." Drake stood up.
He had an opportunity to arrest Catlin and he wasn't about to sit back and let someone else take the glory.
Ford glanced to Drake noticing he was in his deputy mode. "Where you going?"
"Restroom."
"I'm not stupid, Drake," Ford stated. "You're going after Catlin. You're not to go after her. That's an order!"
Drake spun around. "I'm not one of your soldiers, Stan. You can't order me to do anything."
Stan looked like he'd been slapped in the face.
"I have a job to do," he stated seriously. "And I'm going to do it."
Drake turned and walked off, feeling a pith of guilt in his throat for how he'd treated his dear old friend. He shrugged it off.
Tonight the only orders he were following were his own.
Author's Note |
In Ford's defence, he couldn't have seen that coming.
Leave a review if you enjoyed the story! I've started back school, but that's not gonna stop me from updating this case till it's done! Thank you all for your support and comments over the year, 100 comments may not seem like a lot to others, but it does to me (even though some were spam comments lol).
Until next time,
DDLJ