Inferno
By Divamercury
Standard disclaimer applies. Here's Chapter 2!
Chapter 2
"Wellin a way. Don't touch it," I said hurriedly as I saw her fingers inching cautiously toward the stone. She jerked back. "It really won't like that, and plus it gives me a really wicked headache. Come on, just trust me, Ciara. You saw the gauntlet, you know within limits what it can do, so do I really have to give you a demonstration? Please say no."
She shook her head. "It might be interesting one of these days, but not right now. Can I get a rain check? Public places don't smile on violence, Sara, you should know that, being a cop and all," Ciara said. "Plus, I believe you without having to see a demonstration. It's all so crazy that somehow I actually think it might be true."
I smiled. "Believe me, I was a lot more incredulous than you are, and I'm the one that wears the damn thing."
Ciara was the one that smiled this time. "Well, thanks for filling me in about that thing. I was afraid I was going nuts there for a minute."
"I understand. Why are you rushing off? You and I could have lunch," I offered. "My treat," I said, swallowing a little of my pride. I didn't like to pay for a group thing.
"At any other time I would have loved that, but–"
"–Luke," we said in unison. Ciara blushed.
"Yeah. I told him I'd meet him for lunch at his restaurant. He's the bartender at Trapetto's now, and you would know that they've got the best Italian food in the entire city, so how could I refuse?" she asked innocently.
"You couldn't. Bottom line. Go ahead, Ciara, we'll have lunch some other time."
"And plus, I have to spend time with him to figure out what to get him for a wedding present," she said.
"Oh my God! You and Luke are getting married! That's awesome!" I exclaimed.
"You really think so? Seriously?" she asked somewhat incredulously. All of a sudden she gave me an impulsive hug. I stiffened but still allowed her to do so. I didn't like to show my emotions too much and I wasn't planning to start then.
"Will youcould you please meet me at Maury's Dresses this afternoon at 5:00? I'm trying on my dress, because I already ordered it, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you about all this sooner but it just slipped my mind."
Your mind can be very slippery, unfortunately, Ciara,' I thought. Aloud I said, "So you're wanting me to participate? Doing what? I can't exactly guarantee proficiency, unfortunately."
"I'd really love it if you would be my maid of honor," she said. I was speechless (for once).
"I'd be glad to, Ciara, if you really want me to. There's no one else?"
"I consider you my best friend, Sara. I mean, God, you saved my life. Most people wouldn't do that for someone like me. So you can make it tonight, right?"
"Sure, that's when I get off work. It sounds like I am desperately needed."
"Wonderful! Well, I've gotta go. I'm really late!"
We said a hurried goodbye and then Ciara dashed out of the shop. I stuck around and bought some lunch, devouring it quickly and then heading back to the precinct. Jake was already there; he hardly ever went anywhere for lunch.
"Hey, Pez."
"Hey, Jake. I must immerse myself in the endless depths of paperwork. Wish me luck, and hope I don't drown."
"So, Sara, what are you doing for Christmas this year?" Jake asked me after a short period of silence.
"Christmas? As in the holiday?" I asked distractedly, my nose buried in a huge pile of folders that I was trying to make sense of.
"Uh, yeah, unless you can tell me some other thing that's called Christmas," Jake replied.
I looked up from my work, coloring slightly.
"Oh, yeahwell, not much, really. It's not high on my priority list," I said. "Bah, humbug," I added partly facetiously and partly seriously.
Jake groaned. "Well, Scrooge, why don't you come with me to the department's party? Give you something to do."
This time it was my turn to groan.
"Perish the thought. I'm sorry, Jake, but there are a million things less painful than staying in a room with Dante all night. Like a root canal, for one. Maybe getting ripped apart by a swarm of sharksam I getting my point across?" I asked, diving back into my work.
Jake's face fell. "Well, when you put it that way"
I looked up one more time and met his blue gaze.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you there, Jake, but I really don't want another opportunity for Dante to pin a "Shoot Me" sign on my back. I certainly wouldn't put it past him, seeing how many time's he's tried."
"Well, see you later, Pez. Sorry to stick you with all the paperwork, but I've got a big date tonight."
"It's okay. See ya," I said. I was just trying to make him feel better; there are few things on this planet that I hate more than paperwork, Kenneth Irons, and Bruno Dante. Notice how I called those men things' and not people.'
Unseen to Jake, on my way to the dress shop as I was getting on my motorcycle, I started humming Christmas carols quietly to myself, starting with "O Come All Ye Faithful," one of my favorites. I kind of lied about not worrying about Christmas; it crossed my mind a lot around this time of year, bringing with it happy memories of my all too distant childhood, but the truth was that I didn't have anyone to share it with. Therefore it wasn't something that I went absolutely crazy over, like some people with large families. Hopefully that would change for the better soon.
It took me a while to find this Maury's Dresses because I had no earthly idea where to look. It wasn't exactly one of a class of places that I went to often, but after about twenty minutes of searching, I located it. It was in the middle of a line of shops on 23rd St. that I had never explored before. I pulled into the parking lot and got off my bike, removing my helmet and shaking out my hair like I always did. Slipping my helmet under my arm, I entered the shop, cringing at the tinny sound of the bell as the door opened. Those always graced the doors of shops like those, full of things much too expensive for anyone with half a brain. I was wondering how much this wedding, with all the dresses, decorations, invitations, and other paraphernalia, was going to cost Ciara in the long run.
