Chapter twelve.
Steve knew that he stood no chance of reaching Rachel and Mollie before Stewart could shoot at them, Steve raised his own gun hoping to get a shot of before he did. Before he could however another shot rang out, John Stewart slumped down to the ground in front of Rachel's feet. Rachel quickly gathered up Mollie and got her away from the man, she knew that there was little point to checking if he was alive. She tried to quiet the crying girl, but in all honesty she felt like crying herself. From around the corner Rachel heard Captain Newman's voice.
"All clear?" He shouted.
"Yeah!" Steve shouted back. The man made his way forward and dipped down at the dead mans side and gave a grunt.
"Well at least it saves the taxpayer a few dollars,"
Cheryl came up to them and after glancing at Rachel's pale face went over to her and Mollie.
"Here," She said gently. "Let me take her out to her father," Rachel nodded and handed the little girl over. Once they were out of sight Rachel felt herself start to sink to the floor, Steve's arms immediately came around her and help to support her.
"Its okay," He told her softly. Her hands gripped at his arms.
"I know," She said softly. "Its just," She couldn't put into words exactly what she was feeling.
"Get her outside Steve," Newman said. Looking at the woman sympathy in his eyes. "Fresh air will help clear your mind,"
Steve helped her out of the warehouse; even when they were outside he didn't let her go. Slipping his hand under her chin he lifted her head up,
"You okay?" He asked softly. Rachel pulled in a shuddering breath and nodded.
"I'm use to seeing things like that at the hospital," She told him. "But not having it happen straight in front of me," Steve nodded and was silently relieved that it was only Stewart's death that had bothered her. Pulling her tightly against him, he kissed her then buried his head in her hair. How long they stood there neither was sure, it was only when they heard Mark's voice.
"Steve, Rachel!" Steve let her go slightly and looked towards his father. Rachel to turned and smiled at him though it was a tired smile. Mark came forward his face relieved and pulled them both into an embrace.
"Is Mollie okay ?" She asked him.
"Yeah," Mark said. "Jack soon got her calmed down;" He gave them both a sly grin. "Amanda is going to take them both back to her place and introduce her to the boys," Steve's eyebrow shot up and Rachel grinned.
"I see it's like that is it?" She laughed.
"Let's hope so," He said back with a grin. Mark looked at her and noted she looked tired. "Tell you what why don't we go back to the beach house and get something to eat and Rachel can get some sleep before Jesse and the others come back over ?"
"Sounds good to me," Steve said. Rachel looked down at herself and knew that she needed a change of clothes.
"I need to get a shower and a change of clothes," She said.
"That's okay," Steve told her. "We can stop of there on the way and you can pick up what you need," He looked at her and knew she was about to argue with him over it, but he had no intention of leaving her alone. Rachel's eyes narrowed but looking at both men she knew that she had lost any argument before it had even begun.
It was about five in the afternoon Steve and Mark sat on the deck of the beach house. They had talked for a couple of hours both apologising to each other for what they had felt had been their mistakes of the past weeks, and now sat in a comfortable silence. Rachel was asleep in Steve's bed down stairs, Steve was resisting the urge to go and check on her every five minutes.
"Dad," Steve said looking at his father trying to think how his father would react to his request.
"What?" Looking at his son he could tell that it was something important.
"I was thinking," He said nervously. "About asking Rachel to move out here with us," Mark raised an eyebrow at his son and smiled.
"I've no objection to it," He said. "But do you think that Rachel would want that arrangement?"
"How do you mean?" Steve asked.
"Well I know that she agreed to let you stay with her," Mark answered. "But making a more permanent arrangement," He shrugged. Steve thought about it and knew there was only one other answer. But after what had happened today should he even think about asking her.
"I'll go for a walk," Steve said. Mark nodded and watched Steve leave, knowing his son needed time to think about the idea that he sent in motion.
Half an hour later Rachel came up and joined Mark in the kitchen.
"How you feeling now ?" Mark asked her. She smiled.
"A lot better now thanks," She told him. She looked around her. "Where's Steve?"
"He went for a walk;" A worried expression appeared on her face. A fear that had been nagging at her since all this had started returned in full force.
"I think I'll go see if I can see him," She said trying to keep her voice light. But Mark heard the slight edge to her voice.
Steve hadn't really got that far on his walk. He had sat down in his usual place; he hadn't realised how long he had been there until he heard Rachel's voice.
"Fancy some company?" She asked lightly. Steve looked up at her, taking hold of her hand he pulled her down and across his lap. She wrapped her arms around him and she snuggled down into his shoulder. "Please don't even think about it," She said softly fear sounding in her voice. Steve tipped her head back and saw tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Think about what?" He asked brushing away the tears.
"Trying to send me away," She said softly. Steve's breath caught, he knew that something had been bothering her since they had gotten back. His arms tightened around her.
"Rachel," He said sincerely. "I don't think I could do that even if I thought it was the right thing to do," She looked up at him, Steve could still see the uncertain look in her eyes. "What I was doing to do was think of ways to lessen the danger to you," She gave a smile.
"Like getting a car?" Steve grinned at her.
"That was one thing," He said. Looking down at her, everything seem to fall into place and it felt right, "Of course you'll need one if you agree,"
"Agree to what?" She asked looking at him puzzled. Steve grinned at her.
"To marry me?" Rachel pulled away from him slightly, an astonished look on her face.
"Are you serious?" She said shock sounding in her voice.
"Deadly," He answered. "I love you Rachel Warner and I want you to be my wife," He unwrapped his arms from around her and cradled her face in his hands. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Oh god yes," Steve smiled again and kissed her, his kisses moved up her cheeks kissing away the tears from her face. When his kiss returned to her lips she melted against him. Steve was pretty sure that things would have gone further if a child's shout from the house hadn't interrupted them.
"Uncle Steve!" Rachel pulled back from Steve slightly and smiled.
"CJ," They both said together.
"Probably not a bad thing," Steve said with a smile standing up and slipping his arm around her. They headed back to the house. When they arrived Amanda, Jack, Jesse and the kids where there. Steve looked at Jack and could tell that there was something that he wanted to talk to them about. After a few minutes they where all sat down with drinks.
"Okay Jack spit it out," Steve told him. Jack looked at him and gave a wry grin.
"Okay then," He said. First he looked across at Rachel who sat next to Steve his arm still around her. "First of all I wanted to apologise to all of you but especially to Rachel," Rachel started to protest, "No if I had been honest about what was happening," Steve looked at his friend.
"We don't know that Jack," He told him.
"Any way," Jack continued. "I wouldn't blame you all for not wanting me around after what has happened," They could tell he was serious. Mark looked at his young friend.
"I think I can speak for all of us," He said glancing around the people in the room. "We all can make mistakes;" He looked at Steve who gave a nod. "And given the circumstances. Not many of us could think clearly under the conditions you where faced with," He again looked around the room. "And if you wanted to stay, I don't think there'll be any objections," Everyone agreed with him and Jack's head bowed. Amanda went up to him and embraced him.
"I get the feeling that I should have done this years ago," He said returning Amanda's embrace. Mark looked at the two of them and smiled.
"Well as we are all here," Steve sighed Standing up and pulling Rachel up with him. "I may as well use the time to announce," looking down at Rachel he smiled. "Rachel has agreed to marry me," Mark's face broke out into a broad grin and came over to them and embraced Rachel, Jesse quickly followed.
"I've got something that will celebrate this perfectly," Mark said disappearing into the kitchen and returning with a bottle of Champaign. Opening the bottle he filled the glasses Jesse had brought in with him. Once they had filled out the glasses, Mark raised his glass.
"I'll propose a toast," He said ."To Steve and Rachel and to renewed friendships," they all drank down their drinks. They where just finishing when the phone started to ring.
" I'll get it," Jesse said quickly. He return a moment later, his expression worried. "Its Chief Masters for you Steve, he said its urgent," Steve put his glass down and went through to the phone. When he came back his face grim.
"What is it son?" Mark asked. Worry sounding in his voice.
"Brain Walton was Stewarts inside man," He told them.
"Don't think we really knew him that well," Mark said with a shrug, but he knew that was not all,
"He's done a runner," Steve told them. Rachel went to him and put her arms around him.
"Wait a minute wasn't he one that only just got away with corruption charges last year?" Jesse said. Steve nodded.
"I was involved in that case to;" He looked at Rachel and Mark. "The Chief is sending a couple of unites to act as protection until he is caught,"
"He thinks that Walton might try something?" Mark said quietly. Steve nodded his grip on Rachel tightened. Jack came forward.
"I'll take Amanda and the kid's home," He said. "Then I'll come back," Jack looked at Jesse a silent question past between them and Jesse nodded. "Jess and I'll stay the night with you guys,"
"That won't be necessary, "Steve protested. Jack held up his hand.
"I owe you for helping Mollie, and me" Jack said cutting of any arguments. Steve looked across at Jesse, who gave a boyish grin and said.
"You don't expect me to let Jack have all the fun do you?" Steve shook his head.
"The more people around you the less chance of Walton trying something," Jack said. Steve suddenly felt thankful to them both and began to wonder exactly what Walton do.