AN: Hey guys thanks for the reviews!! I'm glad you guys like it. Anywho
here's the next chapter.
Peter blinked his eyes from the bright sunlight streaming in to his room. He yawned and took a deep breath, getting a big whiff of bacon and eggs. He looked next to him and realized that Aurora wasn't there. He got up and stretched out his tired muscles. Then he walked out of his bedroom into the living room.
Aurora was standing in front of the stove, cooking up a storm. He watched her as she flipped the pancakes, and placed them on the plates. The toaster popped and two pieces of bread jumped out. She grabbed them and turned to put them on the plate. She saw Peter and smiled.
"Good morning sunshine," Aurora said.
"What time is it?" Peter asked, groggily as he walked to the table.
"Eight thirty."
"Why are you up so early?"
A bit of Aurora's smile faltered, but she continued to cook. "Tom always wanted me up early enough to cook breakfast so that he could eat before he went to work."
"Well what time did he go to work?"
"Six fifteen every morning."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "So you had to be up by what time?"
"Five thirty," she replied.
Aurora finished what she was doing, and brought a plate over and set it in front of Peter. Bacon, eggs, and pancakes, complete with a cup of coffee.
"I didn't know what you like with your coffee, so I just left it black." She walked back into the kitchen, grabbing her own plate and a glass of orange juice. She returned to the table and sat across from Peter.
Peter looked from the food to Aurora. "Thank you, but you know you didn't have to do this?"
She nodded. "You're welcome, and I wanted to. Sort of as a thank you to you for all you've done for me."
"You don't have to thank me."
"Peter, I really don't want to have to explain everything I do ok? So can you please just eat and we can talk about something else?"
Peter nodded. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine, just please.eat."
The two of them ate their breakfast, in silence. Peter really couldn't think of what to say. He didn't want to ask her about Tom right now, and almost everything he knew about her was about the abuse she endured. That left him in a tight spot at the moment.
Peter had the feeling of getting full and when he looked down at his plate he realized he had eaten everything on it. He lied down his fork and looked over at Aurora. She was staring at him, only half her plate gone.
"What?" He asked.
"I've never seen anyone eat that fast. Either you really liked it, or it was so awful you wanted to swallow before you could taste it."
Peter laughed. "I liked it. It was the best breakfast I've had in a long time."
"Thanks," she replied, smiling.
Aurora finished her breakfast and got up. She went to grab Peter's plate, but he stopped her.
"You cooked, I'll do the dishes."
"It's no problem. I'm used to it."
Peter raised a hand to cut her off. "Relax. Aurora you don't have to do everything. You're not my slave. You cooked, I'll do the dishes."
Aurora nodded and handed her plate to him. Peter took it and got up.
"Now," he began. "Why don't you go watch TV? I'll take care of this."
"Okay." Aurora walked over and sat on the couch. There was a knock on Peter's door a moment later. Aurora jumped up.
"It's ok. I've got it. Sit down," Peter said, as he walked to the door.
She hesitated at first, but sat back down. Peter smiled at her and opened the door. He was surprised to see Jody standing there.
"Jody, what are you doing here?"
"Simms told me about your dilemma," Jody said walking inside. "I thought I could help since I am after all your partner."
"Simms was supposed to keep this quiet," Peter, replied dryly.
Jody shrugged. "She was worried. Besides ever since you helped her with her son she's tried to return the favor."
"I guess, but that's alright I was going to call you anyways."
"Why is that?"
Peter put an arm around her shoulder and walked over to the couch. Aurora was sitting there with her knees drawn to her chest, staring at the two of them.
"Jody Powell, I'd like you to meet Aurora Ramirez."
Jody smiled. "Hey Aurora. Nice to meet you."
Aurora didn't reply. She just rested her head on her knees, hugging herself tighter.
Peter saw the tension in her face. "Jodie's my partner from the precinct. She's here to take you shopping."
Peter wanted to laugh at the look of shock on Jody's face, which quickly turned to a smile for Aurora's sake. He couldn't have planned things better himself.
"Um Peter, can I talk to you for a minute in the hall?" The blonde asked.
"Sure," he replied, still smiling in spite of him self. "We'll be back in a second."
In the hall Peter started laughing.
"It's not funny Caine," Jody barked quietly, shutting the door behind her.
"I'm sorry partner," he replied, still laughing. "But the look on your face was priceless."
"Peter what's the story? You don't get this attached to people on the job."
The brunette detective went serious. All traces of a smile were gone from his face.
Peter took a deep breath and ran a hand through his messy hair. "I don't know Jody. I just feel really drawn to her. She's a baby; a baby who should never have had to live a life like she has."
Jody sighed. "Peter they are going to take her away and if you keep getting close to her..they're going to take your heart with her."
"I know, I know, but what am I supposed to do? She needs someone to care: to love her. She trusts me. God knows why, but she does. I'm the ONLY person she does trust."
"That may be Peter, but child services is going to take her. There is no way in hell they're going to let a single male cop, take care of a teenage girl."
"Don't you think I know that!"? Peter snapped. More calmly he said, "I just want to help her all that I can."
"I know you do partner, and you will. You'll get the jerk who's been doing this to her and you'll find her a good home."
Peter nodded. "But she still needs something to wear. She only has one outfit."
"I'll take her shopping," Jodie pointed a finger at him. "But you owe me one."
"You got it partner," Peter replied smiling.
He started to walk back into the apartment, but Jody stopped him.
"Money."
"What?"
"I know you don't think I'm paying for this, Caine."
Peter sighed. "Wallets inside. I'll give you my credit card."
The duo walked back into the apartment. Aurora was still sitting on the couch watching cartoons. Her knees were tucked under her, and her head was resting against the back of the couch.
"Get up, kiddo," Peter said. "You're going shopping."
Aurora got up and walked in the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Peter picked up his wallet off the table and handed Jody a credit card.
"There should be enough cash on there to get her a few things."
Jodie took the card from him. "You do realize your sending two women on a shopping escapade with a credit card you've given me no limit on right?"
"Oh there's a limit partner. If it goes over, I'm coming after you."
"You're not coming?" Aurora asked, pulling the two from their thoughts. She was leaning against the doorframe with her backpack slung over her shoulder. She was back in her black pants and blue shirt.
"That was quick," Jody said.
Aurora shrugged. "With Tom you learned to be quick. You didn't answer my question Peter."
"I have some work to do at the station. Jody will take care of you. She's a good partner and an even better friend. I trust her with my life."
Jody was shocked by what Peter said, but didn't let it show on her face. Aurora only nodded, a solemn look on her face.
"Alright then," Peter said. "You two get out of here, so I can get dressed."
Aurora walked towards them and Jodie went to put an arm around her, but the raven-haired girl quickly pulled away.
"Don't touch me," she said, calmly with iciness to her voice.
Peter noticed the coldness in Aurora's eyes.
Jodie threw up her hands in defeat. "Sorry, it won't happen again."
Aurora walked out the door, without even saying bye to Peter. Jody threw Peter a look that said 'I will get you for this'. Peter only shrugged.
Jody followed Aurora and Peter shut the door behind them. He leaned his head against the door for a moment, and then went to take a shower.
Peter started the shower, turning it so hot that the bathroom was steaming. He took off his shirt, and winced from pain that shot through his chest.
"What the?" He looked in the mirror and saw a large bruise on the right side of his ribs. "How the hell did that happen?"
"It was Aurora," Caine said, walking up into the doorway.
Peter jumped, not expecting anyone to be in his apartment. "Dammit Pop, don't do that to me!"
"I am sorry."
"What do you mean it was Aurora? She didn't do this."
"Not intentionally, no."
Peter turned around to face the mirror again, and gently touched the bruise. "Pop what are you talking about?"
"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"
"Yeah so?"
Caine only looked at him.
"You mean that energy surge or whatever that came from Aurora did this to me?"
His father nodded. "Take your shower, and I will tend to your wound."
Peter was about to argue, but changed his mind. A hot shower was exactly what he needed right now. He didn't get a chance to respond either way though. Caine had already made his way to the kitchen.
Peter let out a soft sigh, and closed the bathroom door. The bathroom was already steaming, fogging up the mirror. He stripped off his clothes and stepped into the scalding water.
The hot shower felt good against Peter's skin. It relaxed his aching muscles and drained some of the tension out of his shoulders. He washed himself and stood there until the water turned cold. Peter turned off the shower and dried himself off. Walking into his room he put on a pair of black jeans, and no shirt. He put on a pair of socks and a pair of black and white sneakers. Peter put some gel in his hair, and ran a brush through it.
Peter wrinkled his nose as he entered the kitchen. Caine was sitting at the table mixing the last few herbs into his concoction. "What is that stuff?" Peter asked pulling a chair up, so that he was sitting across from his father.
"Just be grateful you do not have to drink it."
"Oh yeah that's comforting."
Caine ignored his son's comments and began to spread the sav on Peter's ribs. Peter winced from Caine's apparent roughness.
"Take it easy will ya, Pop?"
"The sav must be rubbed into the skin if it is to help."
Peter gripped the table and a few minutes later Caine was done.
"Try not to get hit here in the next couple of days."
"Sure Pop, if I get into a fight I'll just tell the other guy not to hit me in my ribs, cause my father said so."
Caine raised an eyebrow to Peter's sarcasm.
"Sorry Pop, it's just that this whole thing has got my mind racing and I think Aurora's mad at me."
"Because you sent her with someone she does not know?" Caine made it a question.
"You have got to teach me how to do that," Peter said.
"Do what?"
"Know things without being told."
Caine smirked. "Aurora is mistrustful to most people. Once she realizes Jody will not harm her she will be fine."
"She admitted that she trusts me Pop. Aurora said she trusts me more than her own father. I just don't understand why."
"Perhaps you should ask her what her dreams have been. There could be a link."
"Maybe, but right now I have to go the precinct. I need to see what Kermit has come up with."
Peter got up and went into his room. He grabbed a blue, short sleeve, collarless, button down shirt and threw it on, tucking it in on his way back to the kitchen.
"You coming pop?"
"No, I must tend to something first. I will join you later."
"Alright, well I've got to go. Just lock up on your way out ok pop?"
Caine nodded.
Peter kissed Caine's head and walked out the door.
"Do not worry my son," Caine said, after he was gone. "Things have a way of working out."
~~~~~~~~~
Reviews welcome and appreciated. TTFN
Peter blinked his eyes from the bright sunlight streaming in to his room. He yawned and took a deep breath, getting a big whiff of bacon and eggs. He looked next to him and realized that Aurora wasn't there. He got up and stretched out his tired muscles. Then he walked out of his bedroom into the living room.
Aurora was standing in front of the stove, cooking up a storm. He watched her as she flipped the pancakes, and placed them on the plates. The toaster popped and two pieces of bread jumped out. She grabbed them and turned to put them on the plate. She saw Peter and smiled.
"Good morning sunshine," Aurora said.
"What time is it?" Peter asked, groggily as he walked to the table.
"Eight thirty."
"Why are you up so early?"
A bit of Aurora's smile faltered, but she continued to cook. "Tom always wanted me up early enough to cook breakfast so that he could eat before he went to work."
"Well what time did he go to work?"
"Six fifteen every morning."
Peter raised an eyebrow. "So you had to be up by what time?"
"Five thirty," she replied.
Aurora finished what she was doing, and brought a plate over and set it in front of Peter. Bacon, eggs, and pancakes, complete with a cup of coffee.
"I didn't know what you like with your coffee, so I just left it black." She walked back into the kitchen, grabbing her own plate and a glass of orange juice. She returned to the table and sat across from Peter.
Peter looked from the food to Aurora. "Thank you, but you know you didn't have to do this?"
She nodded. "You're welcome, and I wanted to. Sort of as a thank you to you for all you've done for me."
"You don't have to thank me."
"Peter, I really don't want to have to explain everything I do ok? So can you please just eat and we can talk about something else?"
Peter nodded. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine, just please.eat."
The two of them ate their breakfast, in silence. Peter really couldn't think of what to say. He didn't want to ask her about Tom right now, and almost everything he knew about her was about the abuse she endured. That left him in a tight spot at the moment.
Peter had the feeling of getting full and when he looked down at his plate he realized he had eaten everything on it. He lied down his fork and looked over at Aurora. She was staring at him, only half her plate gone.
"What?" He asked.
"I've never seen anyone eat that fast. Either you really liked it, or it was so awful you wanted to swallow before you could taste it."
Peter laughed. "I liked it. It was the best breakfast I've had in a long time."
"Thanks," she replied, smiling.
Aurora finished her breakfast and got up. She went to grab Peter's plate, but he stopped her.
"You cooked, I'll do the dishes."
"It's no problem. I'm used to it."
Peter raised a hand to cut her off. "Relax. Aurora you don't have to do everything. You're not my slave. You cooked, I'll do the dishes."
Aurora nodded and handed her plate to him. Peter took it and got up.
"Now," he began. "Why don't you go watch TV? I'll take care of this."
"Okay." Aurora walked over and sat on the couch. There was a knock on Peter's door a moment later. Aurora jumped up.
"It's ok. I've got it. Sit down," Peter said, as he walked to the door.
She hesitated at first, but sat back down. Peter smiled at her and opened the door. He was surprised to see Jody standing there.
"Jody, what are you doing here?"
"Simms told me about your dilemma," Jody said walking inside. "I thought I could help since I am after all your partner."
"Simms was supposed to keep this quiet," Peter, replied dryly.
Jody shrugged. "She was worried. Besides ever since you helped her with her son she's tried to return the favor."
"I guess, but that's alright I was going to call you anyways."
"Why is that?"
Peter put an arm around her shoulder and walked over to the couch. Aurora was sitting there with her knees drawn to her chest, staring at the two of them.
"Jody Powell, I'd like you to meet Aurora Ramirez."
Jody smiled. "Hey Aurora. Nice to meet you."
Aurora didn't reply. She just rested her head on her knees, hugging herself tighter.
Peter saw the tension in her face. "Jodie's my partner from the precinct. She's here to take you shopping."
Peter wanted to laugh at the look of shock on Jody's face, which quickly turned to a smile for Aurora's sake. He couldn't have planned things better himself.
"Um Peter, can I talk to you for a minute in the hall?" The blonde asked.
"Sure," he replied, still smiling in spite of him self. "We'll be back in a second."
In the hall Peter started laughing.
"It's not funny Caine," Jody barked quietly, shutting the door behind her.
"I'm sorry partner," he replied, still laughing. "But the look on your face was priceless."
"Peter what's the story? You don't get this attached to people on the job."
The brunette detective went serious. All traces of a smile were gone from his face.
Peter took a deep breath and ran a hand through his messy hair. "I don't know Jody. I just feel really drawn to her. She's a baby; a baby who should never have had to live a life like she has."
Jody sighed. "Peter they are going to take her away and if you keep getting close to her..they're going to take your heart with her."
"I know, I know, but what am I supposed to do? She needs someone to care: to love her. She trusts me. God knows why, but she does. I'm the ONLY person she does trust."
"That may be Peter, but child services is going to take her. There is no way in hell they're going to let a single male cop, take care of a teenage girl."
"Don't you think I know that!"? Peter snapped. More calmly he said, "I just want to help her all that I can."
"I know you do partner, and you will. You'll get the jerk who's been doing this to her and you'll find her a good home."
Peter nodded. "But she still needs something to wear. She only has one outfit."
"I'll take her shopping," Jodie pointed a finger at him. "But you owe me one."
"You got it partner," Peter replied smiling.
He started to walk back into the apartment, but Jody stopped him.
"Money."
"What?"
"I know you don't think I'm paying for this, Caine."
Peter sighed. "Wallets inside. I'll give you my credit card."
The duo walked back into the apartment. Aurora was still sitting on the couch watching cartoons. Her knees were tucked under her, and her head was resting against the back of the couch.
"Get up, kiddo," Peter said. "You're going shopping."
Aurora got up and walked in the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Peter picked up his wallet off the table and handed Jody a credit card.
"There should be enough cash on there to get her a few things."
Jodie took the card from him. "You do realize your sending two women on a shopping escapade with a credit card you've given me no limit on right?"
"Oh there's a limit partner. If it goes over, I'm coming after you."
"You're not coming?" Aurora asked, pulling the two from their thoughts. She was leaning against the doorframe with her backpack slung over her shoulder. She was back in her black pants and blue shirt.
"That was quick," Jody said.
Aurora shrugged. "With Tom you learned to be quick. You didn't answer my question Peter."
"I have some work to do at the station. Jody will take care of you. She's a good partner and an even better friend. I trust her with my life."
Jody was shocked by what Peter said, but didn't let it show on her face. Aurora only nodded, a solemn look on her face.
"Alright then," Peter said. "You two get out of here, so I can get dressed."
Aurora walked towards them and Jodie went to put an arm around her, but the raven-haired girl quickly pulled away.
"Don't touch me," she said, calmly with iciness to her voice.
Peter noticed the coldness in Aurora's eyes.
Jodie threw up her hands in defeat. "Sorry, it won't happen again."
Aurora walked out the door, without even saying bye to Peter. Jody threw Peter a look that said 'I will get you for this'. Peter only shrugged.
Jody followed Aurora and Peter shut the door behind them. He leaned his head against the door for a moment, and then went to take a shower.
Peter started the shower, turning it so hot that the bathroom was steaming. He took off his shirt, and winced from pain that shot through his chest.
"What the?" He looked in the mirror and saw a large bruise on the right side of his ribs. "How the hell did that happen?"
"It was Aurora," Caine said, walking up into the doorway.
Peter jumped, not expecting anyone to be in his apartment. "Dammit Pop, don't do that to me!"
"I am sorry."
"What do you mean it was Aurora? She didn't do this."
"Not intentionally, no."
Peter turned around to face the mirror again, and gently touched the bruise. "Pop what are you talking about?"
"Do you remember what happened yesterday?"
"Yeah so?"
Caine only looked at him.
"You mean that energy surge or whatever that came from Aurora did this to me?"
His father nodded. "Take your shower, and I will tend to your wound."
Peter was about to argue, but changed his mind. A hot shower was exactly what he needed right now. He didn't get a chance to respond either way though. Caine had already made his way to the kitchen.
Peter let out a soft sigh, and closed the bathroom door. The bathroom was already steaming, fogging up the mirror. He stripped off his clothes and stepped into the scalding water.
The hot shower felt good against Peter's skin. It relaxed his aching muscles and drained some of the tension out of his shoulders. He washed himself and stood there until the water turned cold. Peter turned off the shower and dried himself off. Walking into his room he put on a pair of black jeans, and no shirt. He put on a pair of socks and a pair of black and white sneakers. Peter put some gel in his hair, and ran a brush through it.
Peter wrinkled his nose as he entered the kitchen. Caine was sitting at the table mixing the last few herbs into his concoction. "What is that stuff?" Peter asked pulling a chair up, so that he was sitting across from his father.
"Just be grateful you do not have to drink it."
"Oh yeah that's comforting."
Caine ignored his son's comments and began to spread the sav on Peter's ribs. Peter winced from Caine's apparent roughness.
"Take it easy will ya, Pop?"
"The sav must be rubbed into the skin if it is to help."
Peter gripped the table and a few minutes later Caine was done.
"Try not to get hit here in the next couple of days."
"Sure Pop, if I get into a fight I'll just tell the other guy not to hit me in my ribs, cause my father said so."
Caine raised an eyebrow to Peter's sarcasm.
"Sorry Pop, it's just that this whole thing has got my mind racing and I think Aurora's mad at me."
"Because you sent her with someone she does not know?" Caine made it a question.
"You have got to teach me how to do that," Peter said.
"Do what?"
"Know things without being told."
Caine smirked. "Aurora is mistrustful to most people. Once she realizes Jody will not harm her she will be fine."
"She admitted that she trusts me Pop. Aurora said she trusts me more than her own father. I just don't understand why."
"Perhaps you should ask her what her dreams have been. There could be a link."
"Maybe, but right now I have to go the precinct. I need to see what Kermit has come up with."
Peter got up and went into his room. He grabbed a blue, short sleeve, collarless, button down shirt and threw it on, tucking it in on his way back to the kitchen.
"You coming pop?"
"No, I must tend to something first. I will join you later."
"Alright, well I've got to go. Just lock up on your way out ok pop?"
Caine nodded.
Peter kissed Caine's head and walked out the door.
"Do not worry my son," Caine said, after he was gone. "Things have a way of working out."
~~~~~~~~~
Reviews welcome and appreciated. TTFN