To Have and To Hold
Rae had been visited by her demons in the night after her panic attack, and Jesse, not wanting to leave her alone, but needing to go to work, and knowing that Steve and Jo would prefer to be by themselves, had taken her to see Mark. The time had passed quickly, and Rae had found herself relaxing more as the day progressed. She had been thrilled to see Kira, and Eliana had been spellbound by the cat.
Jo had called mid morning, and learning that Rae was there had suggested, a little shyly, that she and Steve came over there for dinner so that they could all discuss the Todd case together.
By seven that night, Jesse and Alex had finished work and come over, and not only Jo and Steve, but also Amanda and, to everybody's delight, Ron had arrived.
Jo had picked up take out on the way over, and so, with the files sitting in a neat pile on the counter, and lots of different containers and bowls on the table, the eight friends caught up on each other's lives and enjoyed the pleasant company.
"So, I hear that you had a little trouble apprehending a female assailant yesterday." Ron smiled as he spoke, and somehow that made Steve feel even more stupid that he already did. He had been surprised how much better he had felt after a good night's sleep, and, he had to admit most of the day too, and although he had a bad headache, considering what had happened he was feeling pretty good.
"Oh, great, so now my exploits have gotten all the way to Quantico." Steve shook his head, a feeling of self-pity attempting to take him over, but it found itself fighting with the headache and he wished he hadn't done so.
"I have no idea; I don't work there any more." Ron stopped talking and waited, feeling Amanda's hand take his under the table.
Rae was the first one who realised what he had said and she turned, not to Ron but to Amanda. "And that would be the reason for the gleam in your eye, wouldn't it?"
"I don't know what you mean." Amanda wasn't smiling but grinning, and Rae knew that her friend was now part of a permanent couple.
Slowly Rae got up and moved over to the side of the table where Ron and Amanda were sitting and kissed them both. "I'm glad, really glad, for the two of you." While she was up Rae headed for the spare bedroom to check on her daughter and she could hear the animated conversation that she had left behind her as she walked.
Eliana was sitting up in the travel cot that Jesse had brought over with him when she had been dropped off that morning, but when she saw her mommy she pulled herself up to standing and grinned a happy grin. "Aii, aii."
"Shhh, you're supposed to be going to sleep, and I'm going to go discuss body parts. Hey, I tell you what, let's swap places, what do you say? I'll bet Uncle Steve would just love to have you to play with instead."
"eeeve." Eliana smiled, proud of herself, and then much to Rae's relief plonked back down in the crib.
Rae sat in the chair that was next to where Jesse had set up his daughter's bed and began to gently rock the cot back and forth with her foot, gradually, over the next ten minutes or so Eliana's eyes began to close, and finally with a sigh Rae stood back up and left the room.
The table had been cleared and now the files were laid out on it. As Rae sat down Steve began to go through what information he already had, and any ideas that had come to him since the distasteful case had started. After about an hour all the information had been shared, the files were open and at least two different conversations were taking place. Gradually though the eight of them began to focus together, and Ron started to speak. "And you have no idea who these people are?"
"Nope, not a clue, apart from what Amanda has provided for me, I am as much in the dark as I was when the first arm turned up in my parking space."
"I think that there are a couple of clues." It was Mark who spoke, and everybody turned to listen to him. "It seems to me that the male parts are treated differently to the female."
Jesse smiled, and Rae knew that he had an idea what Mark was getting at.
"How do you mean?" Alex looked a little confused and picked up a file again. He was still very flattered to be included in these conversations, and didn't want to make a fool of himself.
"Well, the thing that got me started was that Steve found it hard to stomach the fact that the arm of the male victim was removed while he was still alive." Once again Mark stopped, giving everybody else a chance to work it out for themselves.
"But the woman was dead, right?" Alex had the pictures of the severed limbs in front of him, and didn't look up as he spoke.
"She was, wasn't she? And then the hair." Steve had it now too, and a smile flickered across his face.
"The hair was cut on the female, but pulled out by the roots on the male. Why the difference? It's as if he doesn't want to hurt her." As Rae thought about what she had just said Ron began to speak.
"How many parts do you have so far?" He thought he knew, but just wanted to double check.
Amanda looked at him. "I have a humerus of a male and a female, I have the hair of a male and a female, and then I have the genitalia of a male…" She paused for a moment as all the men around the table looked distinctly uncomfortable. "And I also have a male foot, all taking up space in my lab waiting to be joined with their missing bits."
"Amanda!" Steve smiled as he spoke, knowing that although she was an extremely proficient and experienced pathologist, somehow this case was only workable if she could lighten it a little. He wished that he hadn't raised his voice, and was suddenly aware of his headache beginning to raise itself to an unignorable throbbing presence in the back of his head, so he reached into his pocket, took out two Tylenol and swallowed them down. Rae and Jesse looked at each other and shuddered.
"How can you do that?" Rae hated to see Steve take tablets, because of what he had just done.
"What? How can I do what?" Steve looked confused.
"Take headache tablets without water, just crunch and swallow, ewww, Steve, it's just, well, gross." Rae knew that she sounded like her eleven-year-old daughter but she couldn't think of any other way of describing it.
"Honey, if you have a headache, maybe we should go home." Jo rested her hand on Steve's arm, the concern evident in her eyes.
"No, Jo, I'm fine, I haven't taken any painkillers since this morning, and I'm concentrating, but I really need to get my head round this, so we stay, ok?" Steve looked at Jo; he didn't like being cosseted, at least not in public, and felt a little embarrassed by what she had said. Jo realizing that he was upset just nodded and turned back to the group as a whole.
Mark, wanting to draw everybody back into the reason for them all being together, began to talk as if the previous conversation hadn't happened. "I think that you all have it now. There is a difference between the male and female in this case. There is definitely no love lost between the male victim and his murderer, but the woman, she may be dead, but somehow he is treating her differently."
"Because he does love her." Rae spoke quietly, but everybody heard. "How could he do that to someone he loves?"
"People do a lot of awful things in the name of love; I guess this is no different." Ron was speaking quietly as well, this case, although new to him was affecting him, as it was each of them.
"Where is it?" Rae's right hand began to move papers around, and although nobody spoke everyone could see that the movement was considerably less painful than it had been, and Alex made a mental note of everything she did.
"Here we go, he, it has to be a he, doesn't it?" Rae looked round, two pieces of paper in her hand, and receiving nods from everybody carried on speaking. "He says that you know one of the victims, Steve, and then later on that the other one hasn't been logged as a missing person." Rae paused for a moment, lost in thought, and then continued. "If you decided to bury Jo under the patio, I guess you wouldn't call her in as … mislaid now would you? So maybe the woman is the wife or partner, or mother or something of the guy chopping her up, and he just can't bring himself to be quite as harsh to her as he can to the man. Who maybe was … her lover?" Rae stopped talking; she had nothing else to say, and wondered whether anybody would agree with her.
"Honey, if I'm not seen for a few days after my weddin' next week, would you come an' check my garden?" Jo smiled as she spoke and then laughed. "Guess I'll get Michael to hide all the sharp implements." Jo leant in towards her husband to be and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"Maybe a lover, I don't know. Rae, if you found out that Jesse had been having an affair, what would you do?" Steve knew that she would take the question in the way it was intended, and he was right.
"I'd kill him… No, I wouldn't, but I'd leave, I have no doubt about that. This guy isn't all there though is he?"
"No, Honey, it's his victims who aren't all there any more."
Rae stuck her tongue out at Jo, and then caught Ron smiling the other side of the table. "So are you still glad that you moved out here?"
"Are you?" Ron fielded the question neatly.
"Oh, yeah, every day, I have never regretted it." Rae smiled at Jesse and was pleased to feel his leg rub against hers.
"Well, there you go, you have your answer."
Rae began to consider Steve's evidence once more, while enjoying the banter that was such a part of her life when everything was going fine. "Steve, he says you know one of the victims, is there anyone that you can't remember seeing for a while?"
"No, I've been thinking about that too, and the only thing I can come up with is that it is someone that I maybe know by sight, or just to say hello to, because everybody that I care for is right where they should be … You don't think that their being killed has anything to do with me do you?" It was a horrific thought, and they could all see that it had only just occurred to Steve.
"No, Son, I don't think so, because the note says … thank you, Sweetie." Mark took the pieces of paper from Rae, and then began to read. "Lieutenant Sloan, I thought I would just deposit my collection of limbs around LA until someone worked out what I was doing, but then you got involved in the case and I decided to play. Is there any way you can beat me? I doubt it. Is there any way you can stop me? I doubt that too, but you are welcome to try. I will even give you a clue. One of the victims is known to you. S. Todd"
"Ok, I said that if Jesse had an affair I would leave," Rae began again, trying to reason out the actions of an irrational human being, "but if I was either certifiable, or a homicidal maniac, I wouldn't leave, I would kill. But to cut them up, while alive, that is … that is way more than hate, or loathing, that is … barbaric. And he seems excited by the fact that you are on the case. Steve, I don't think that you are to blame for the killings, but I do think that he will consider you a challenge, and you have definitely increased the enjoyment he feels at what he is doing, especially as far as the male is concerned."
"I agree, he was just going to leave bits of body all over the place, but now it is a battle between you and him, and as Rae says he is enjoying himself." Mark put the pieces of paper down as he spoke, and saw the anxiety cross Jo's face.
"An' will he try to hurt Steve?" She was still worried about him after his brush with Sandra Breth the previous night, and didn't want him anywhere near a madman like this guy was if she could help it.
"No, no, I don't think so, he is trying to beat Steve, not incapacitate him, he should be fine. This guy wants to beat him mentally, and so he needs Steve to be at the top of his game so that the sport is good." Alex hadn't spoken for a while, but he loved anything vaguely psychiatric, and was pretty sure that what he was saying was correct.
Jo smiled, she believed the young man in front of her, "Thank you, Alex." Steve tried to cover up a yawn and Jo, seeing it, decided to call the evening to a close. "Steve, you need to get some sleep, Mark it's been lovely us all bein' together like this, but I am goin' to take your son home an' put him to bed."
"Well, who can refuse an offer like that?" Steve smiled, albeit a little awkwardly and then stood up. "Guys, thank you, I need to brainstorm every now and again, it really helped."
"Ah, Steve, could I have a word before you go…? I'll be quick, Jo, I promise." Alex saw Jo move protectively towards Steve and hurried to reassure her.
"Well ok, just for a minute then. Rae, Honey, I could actually do with a moment of your time. We have a weddin' to arrange remember." Rae smiled and taking Jo by the arm they began to talk together.
The two men moved away from the rest of the group and Alex, being conscious of Steve's slightly weakened condition, waited for him to sit before beginning to speak.
"I had a call from Daniel, Steve. He's really scared, and he wants me to help him."
Steve looked at Alex and could see the worry in the young man's normally kind and considerate eyes. "Daniel?"
"He held up the store?" Alex knew he didn't need to say any more.
"Oh, of course. I missed his court appearance, but I submitted a statement on his behalf. Do you know what happened?"
"Yeah, he got a six month detention in juvenile hall, and he has to attend school every day, get his grades up, and go see an autopsy being carried out on someone who was killed by a teen with a gun, I really want to help him if I can."
"Oh, he got Judge Bannerman didn't he?" Steve smiled and leant back against the chair, but moved straight away as he felt his stitches.
"Steve, are you alright?" Alex switched to doctor mode instantly, putting his hand on Steve's arm as he did so.
"Yeah, I have stitches in the back of my head, and I forgot they were there. Alex, what do you plan to do to help this kid?"
Alex moved his hand but kept an eye on his friend. "I don't know, but he doesn't have anyone, no family, no friends, not real ones anyway. Zeke may have been a nut, but he was the only family he had. I guess I feel kinda responsible for him losing that."
"Trust me, Alex, he's better off without him. Look, I'll call through in the morning, see what I find out for you, I'm sure that you can go visit with him but don't be surprised if he spits in your face." Steve stood up, he was tired and he wanted to go home, but he didn't want to brush Alex's concerns aside. There were precious few people like him who wanted to help, but Steve knew that he needed to know how things were first.
Alex cast a glance in Jo's direction and then began to speak. "Steve, go home, I'll call you in the morning, I'm not working until the afternoon, and I'll deal with it then. Go on, I don't want to get on the bad side of Jo."
"Hey, me either!" Steve smiled a tired smile and looked over in the direction of his fiancée.
By the time the goodbyes had been said, and everyone was on their way home Mark realised that he was feeling very tired and a little feverish. He headed for the kitchen, only pausing to take a couple of painkillers out of his bag.
"Mark, are you ok?" Alex was once again in doctor mode, and followed his friend as he moved towards the sink.
"Yeah, I just feel a little under the weather; I'll be fine in the morning." Mark swallowed down his tablets and smiled. "Go watch TV or whatever, I think I'll go to bed and read.
Alex watched as Mark headed for his room, and then with a sigh he picked up the television remote. He didn't think it was anything more than indigestion, but he would keep his eye on him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
By the time Rae, Jesse and Eliana got home it was just after ten and as Jesse was putting his sleeping daughter carefully in her crib he heard the phone ring and Rae's delight as she heard the voice of her eldest son on the other end of the line.
"John, it's so good to hear you, how are you…? No, I haven't spoken to him in about a week why? … Oh, John!" Jesse came into the room to find his wife sitting on Tony's chair, tears running down her face as she listened to the phone conversation. She didn't say anything for a while, but indicated for him to come closer and leant into him. "No, of course, no, you know we'll come … John, we'll get a flight as soon as we can, and don't worry about it … Yeah, I know, but it's what mum's do, we're allowed to cry… John, I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok … no it won't be before then … but I promise I will be there as soon as I can, bye, Baby… yeah I love you too, bye."
"Rae, is everything all right?" Jesse watched as Rae tried to gather herself together, and saw her nod.
"That was John, Jesse, he's getting married."
Jesse smiled. Now he understood the tears, and taking his wife into his arms he kissed the top of her head and listened to all her news.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jo had drawn into the driveway and rung the doorbell before Steve began to stir in the passenger seat. He got slowly out of the car, still aware of the pain in his arm, and the tightness of the stitches in his head not to mention the slightly nauseating thumping that went with them. As he walked towards Jo he stopped for a moment and just stared at her. This time next week they would be man and wife, then with a smile he moved over and putting his arms around her waist he kissed her gently on the side of her neck.
"Mmm, I can see someone is feelin' a little better, but don't you think we should go inside, we don't want to frighten off the neighbours." The front door opened as she spoke, and Michael moved aside to let them enter.
"Sir, Madam, I trust you had a pleasant evening."
"Thank you, Michael, yes we did." Jo smiled as she was greeted by her manservant, knowing that her life would never be the same again if he wasn't in it. She had heard of many butlers who had left households when their employer married, and she was so glad that it wasn't going to happen to her.
Steve took her by the hand and walked her slowly into the morning room needing to sit, but needing her also. They sat for a little while not saying much, just enjoying each other's company as they wound down from the mental activities of the evening, and then they went quietly upstairs, snuggled down together and slept soundly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Cheryl had come over to see Steve on the Friday morning, anxious to make sure that there were no mistakes on the Saturday. Sandra Breth had disappeared without trace, and the only clues to her whereabouts had been a diary in her room with the 1st March ringed in red.
Steve had contacted the priest at St Kevin's and broken the news to him gently that the wedding on Saturday would have to be postponed, but that it must look as if the ceremony was actually taking place.
Sam Yip and Ben Chapman had been given the task of posing as the happy couple and the guests and clergy were plainclothes officers too. The Captain had approved all the plans and, unless the suspect was held in the meantime, then everything had been set for the Saturday.
The alarm in Cheryl's house went off at seven on Saturday morning, and Martin groaned and prepared to move. The first few minutes of every day were definitely the worst as the painkillers had worn off over night, and, because he was stiff from lying still, every movement hurt. As he began to flex his fingers and move his arm a little he felt Cheryl turn beside him and place a soft and gentle hand on him.
"Here, take these and then close your eyes for ten minutes, you'll be fine." Cheryl gave him his tablets and a glass of water and once he had done what he was told she put her head on his good shoulder, and together they lay waiting for them to work. She had been right, and after about ten minutes Martin knew that he could get up and face his day.
"Hey, not yet, you don't need to, not yet, and I have a little while, I want to talk to you … in case this goes wrong today."
Martin didn't say anything, he didn't have to. He knew the risks involved in every stake out, but this one was different, and he needed to talk to her too, but he would let her speak first.
"I've been thinking about what you said the other night. Martin, I don't know that I have told you, but I do love you, and even though you're hurt right now, you being here with me, well it just seems right. Honey, what I'm trying to say is that … if I don't come home tonight, this has been wonderful, and apart from your arm I wouldn't change any of it." Cheryl leant across then and placing a finger on his cheek turned his face towards her and began to kiss him, her tongue visiting the whole of his mouth, and Martin felt himself melt.
When she finally pulled away Martin knew that, once he got his breath back, he had to speak. "Cheryl, I need you to listen to me, really listen, ok?"
Cheryl just nodded, knowing that what he was going to say was obviously very important to him.
"This isn't just another case, another stake out, however much we want to pretend that it is. This woman killed six of our colleagues, decimated our squad room, she shot me, attacked Steve." Martin paused for a moment, the enormity of it all hitting him once again. "Cheryl, please, don't let the emotion of it get to you. You're a good cop, but this would test anyone… I love you too, and I need you to come home tonight."
This time it was Martin who began to kiss Cheryl, as he did so he felt his love for her grow, and as he gently moved his mouth down towards her breasts he felt her respond to him.
By the time Cheryl had showered, eaten and begun her drive to Saint Kevin's she could feel the adrenaline as it pumped through her system. The sun was warm through the windshield of her car, and she allowed herself a passing thought for the couple who would have had a beautiful day to get married.
Father Gerald had been standing waiting for her just inside the church doors and directed her towards his office.
"Father, I'm really sorry that it has come to this, but we have to be here today, this woman needs to be caught, before she kills again. Now, if you go back to your house and spend the day there, as soon as it is over we will come get you." Cheryl didn't say that the priest would probably know when it was over because of the sounds of gunfire; she thought that was best left unsaid.
The plan began to swing into action at half past ten, although there had been plain clothes officers on duty since the night before, in case Ms Breth had decided to set up early. No one was in any doubt that she would attack the church today, and no one was in any doubt that they would get her. Twelve people had died, six of them cops, and there was no margin for error or failure not on this one.
Kim and Ben, wearing their wedding clothes, and Sergeant Lee from traffic, playing the part of father of the bride, sat inside the church waiting for Cheryl to return. They were going to have a wedding every hour until Sandra Breth showed up, but they were sure that she would be there for eleven, the time of her non-existent marriage.
Ben and Captain Newman, who was determined to be a part of the operation, although he had made it clear that Cheryl was the officer in charge, stood outside the church at ten to eleven, their experienced eyes scanning the area, each of them reassured by the feeling of the bullet proof vests underneath their suits.
Gradually they went through the order of service for a wedding in both actions and thoughts. Sam arrived on the arm of her temporary father and had 'photo's' taken outside the church. Then they sat inside for just over a half hour before getting ready to go back out to complete the mock ceremony.
Cheryl was in position across the street where she had been keeping a watchful eye on the passers by and the parked cars. As she saw Kim and Ben come out through the double doors she also saw a car pull away from the kerb opposite and she knew that she had to act, fast.
Cheryl pushed the gas pedal down and pulled in front of Sandra Breth's car, stopping her from shooting and then driving away. As she did so she heard the sound of automatic weapon's fire and saw the Captain fall to the ground. Another unmarked vehicle cut off the possibility of the car reversing away, and Sandra climbed out of the car, still firing as she did so.
Cheryl was out of her car without even realising it, and she watched in horror as two more of her colleagues fell and then suddenly realising that the woman was in her sight, although with her back to her she called out, "Stop! Police! Or I'll fire." There was no sign of recognition from the woman in front of her, and Cheryl took aim and fired a shot into her suspect.
After that, for Cheryl at least, everything seemed to go into slow motion. Sandra Breth turned, her movement increased by the momentum of the bullet, and she was still shooting. Everything began to rush again after that and Cheryl felt a burning pain in her arm, was slammed back into the pavement, hard, and for a few moments knew nothing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Detective Banks … come on, wake up."
Cheryl could hear the voice of her boss, but it seemed to be coming from a long way away. She tried to move towards it, knowing that she would be in trouble if she didn't answer, but it seemed to be too much effort.
"Detective … Cheryl."
That did it, she wasn't sure that she heard right, and opening her eyes, Cheryl could see, albeit a little fuzzily, that it was indeed her boss who had called her by her Christian name. "Sir?" Suddenly everything came back to her. "Did … did we get her?"
"Yes, Detective, we got her. There will be a visit to the hospital and then she won't be shooting anybody else ever again."
"Oh, thank God." Cheryl felt the world shift a little, and she knew without a doubt that she was about to be sick and turned away, after that she remembered nothing more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Steve walked slowly down the hallway towards Cheryl's room carefully pushing the wheelchair in front of him. The Captain had called him to let him know what had happened, and once he had ascertained that Cheryl would be alone after about an hour Steve had picked Martin up and they were now on their way to see their friend and girlfriend, who they were both relieved to know was suffering from nothing more than a concussion and a flesh wound to her arm.
"Steve, thank you, although I don't know that the wheelchair was necessary."
"Jesse'll have my hide if he sees you roaming the corridors. Right room 3984, here we go."
Martin pushed the door with his good hand and then they both looked in at Cheryl. She was lying on her back in bed, her eyes were closed, and apart from the bandage around her arm she looked fine, asleep but fine.
Steve pushed the chair as close to the bed as he could and then watched with a smile as Martin began to stroke her hand. Gradually Cheryl began to stir and with a sigh Martin raised the hand to his lips and kissed it.
Steve felt a little bit of an interloper, but he just wanted to make sure she was ok, and then he would head for the canteen and grab a bite to eat. He had to grin to himself though, there were three cops in the room, and none of them was fit for duty right now.
"Martin, is that you?"
Martin smiled and wondered why they said that to each other, "Yeah, Sweetheart, it's me, how are you doing?"
For a moment Cheryl's face remained peaceful, but then both men could see her remember.
"Martin, what happened, did we get her, the Captain, he … he was shot, and I … I tried to get her, did I get her?"
"Shhh, shhh, yes, Baby, you got her, it's over, the Captain was fine, he was wearing a vest, I think he is feeling a little sore, but nobody was hurt, well, except you and her that is."
Steve moved over towards her, knowing that she had no idea he was even in the room, and he crouched down next to Martin's chair, speaking as he did so.
"Cheryl, you did what you set out to do, she's alive to face trial, and the deaths of the cops and all her other victims won't be just lost in the file of an unsolved case."
"No, Steve, I didn't … I didn't set out to be the one to send her to jail, I wanted to be the one to blow her brains all over the sidewalk." Cheryl's voice was animated and Martin and Steve looked at each other for a moment before she continued speaking. "Look at you, Martin, you're in pain, you have no idea when the physical therapist will let you go back to work, and she did that to you. Steve, she attacked you, and she hurt you just for the hell of it, she killed six cops and six other people just because she was scorned, and I wanted her to die."
"Cheryl, listen to me. I know what it is like to want to hurt someone, because of what they've done, and if this is the first time it's happened to you, then you're lucky." Steve stopped talking for a minute. "A long time ago there was a guy called Eddie Gault, he terrorised my family and my friends, and I would have happily sent him into the hereafter, but I didn't, not because I realised what would happen, but because others did that for me. Just be thankful that you didn't kill her, because in the end you would have lowered yourself to her level, and trust me that is way too far for you to fall." Steve stood up then, leant over and kissed Cheryl gently on the cheek. "Detective, I want to see you at my wedding next week, so make sure you look after yourself, ok?"
"It's only a flesh wound, Steve, I'll be fine, and trust me there is no way I am gonna miss finally seeing you getting hitched."
"Martin, you look after yourself, too, at least this way you get to spend some time together, and the Captain may even not guess." With a wicked grin on his face Steve turned and left the room, and the two secret lovers looked at each other, the mixture of fear and anticipation one they both realised they quite liked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
For Jo, once she had known that Sandra Breth was under guard, Cheryl was all right, and Steve had begun to relax, the rest of the time before the wedding passed in a blur.
Rae had come over on the Sunday, full of her own news about a wedding in the family, and they had, between them, got everything organised. The invitations had been delivered on time by the slightly harassed man who worked at Jo's printing company, and Michael had decided that no catering firm would be needed; he would provide the food for the whole day as his present to Miss Josephine and the Lieutenant.
Steve had moved back into the beach house on the Tuesday morning, leaving Jo to enjoy her last two days as a single woman in her own home. He and Jesse had shopped for suits, and received the blessing of both women when they had bought dark navy with white shirts and dark blue silk ties.
Rae's bridesmaids dress had been bought from the store they had found on the internet, and Jo had purchased a beautiful wedding dress that she now had in her closet covered by a sheet. Every opportunity she got she went and had a quick peek at it, hardly daring to believe that she would be wearing it to marry the man she loved more than any other.
David had arrived on the Tuesday, and was staying in town. He had called and asked if he could bring his own girlfriend with him, and Jo was now waiting, a little nervously to meet her. Rae was with her, as was Eliana; they were all in the living room listening for the sound of the doorbell and as Michael was getting groceries they would have to answer it. It was then that the relaxed atmosphere changed to one fraught with anxiety and distress.
"Texas, sit down, you're making me nervous, and it's not my brother. No, Eliana, Honey, don't do that." The little girl had a pile of board books, which were her latest treasure. She loved the brightly coloured pictures, and when she had discovered that if her mommy moved them the picture changed she had become enchanted with them. Now though she was sucking the corner and Rae could see it was getting pappy. As Rae spoke a piece of the cardboard came off in Eliana's mouth and she began to cough and choke. At the same time the doorbell finally rang and Jo was torn between her brother and her goddaughter. "Go, I'm fine."
Rae wasn't really fine, but she hoped she could cope. Without the aid of her left arm it was difficult to move Eliana so that Rae could slap her on the back, but the little girl was getting panicky and Rae knew that she had to do something fast. The coughing stopped and Rae could tell that her daughter could no longer get enough air into her lungs. "Texas, I need you!" Rae's voice was urgent, and Jo turned and rushed away from her brother and his girlfriend, hearing Rae once again as she ran. "Someone call 911!"
Jo had assessed the situation in an instant, taken Eliana from Rae and, placing the little girl so she was lying down her forearm, she began to talk to her, "Eliana, Honey, hi, Sweetie," but she got no response and so she put a finger gently between her lips and opened her mouth, but Jo knew that she couldn't risk taking out the piece of now swollen board, there was just as much chance of her pushing it further down her throat as there was of her removing it. She carefully turned her over, placed five blows in the middle of the child's back, and then moved her so she could look in her mouth again. The main piece of card had been dislodged and she was able to pull it free, but there was no reaction from her godchild and so, cautiously placing her so that Eliana was secure on her arm and against her chest she breathed into her mouth and nose five times. There was still nothing, and knowing that some of the card could be blocking her airways she took a deep breath herself before carrying on. Jo had pulled up the top that Eliana had on, and she could see that she wasn't breathing and so she began CPR. She was almost overwhelmed by the relief she felt when the child's chest rose and then fell, until then she hadn't known if what she was doing would work. Jo was still giving artificial respiration when the ambulance arrived and the paramedics came and took over. Jo had been so focused on the task at hand that until she felt herself being moved away she had been aware of nothing else.
Jo became conscious of the sounds around her, and the first one was that of Rae, who was trying to control her own breathing just a little to the right of where her baby was now being treated, and another paramedic was talking quietly to her. Jo moved across, and Rae looked at her, her whole body shaking.
"Shhh, it'll be all right, they will make her well for you. She has come back from worse than this, Rae, it's all right." Jo wasn't sure what she was saying was true, but as she finished speaking suddenly Eliana began to cry. "Oh, thank God." Jo suddenly felt all the strength leave her and she sat quickly down on the sofa, resting her head on her knees just for a second.
The paramedic carefully lifted Eliana up and onto the gurney, placing a small mask over her face as he did so, then he went to over to Jo, but she looked up and shook her head. "This lady is her mom, I'm just her aunty."
"There doesn't seem to be any obstruction now, but we need to take her to the hospital, Ma'am, if you would like to come with us?"
Rae nodded and stood up, she looked down at her tiny child and felt her heart constrict. She turned for a second as the gurney was moved away towards the main doors. "Thank you, Texas, thank you so much."
"Honey, you would have done it if you'd been able, now go, she needs her mommy."
"Will you be all right?" Rae was concerned; Texas looked a little pale herself.
"I'm fine, now scoot." Jo watched as Rae left the house and then placed her head on her knees once again.
David came and crouched by her side. "Jo, Darlin' are you gonna be ok? I can call Mark over for you."
"No, I'll be all right; it'll just take a moment."
"Well now, Honey, it's not as if it's her own chil' I'm sure she'll be just dandy any time now."
Jo looked up, the disgust evident in her eyes. "An' I'm guessin' you must be Debbie. David, if you will excuse me I think I'll just go an' lie down for a little while. Can you tell Michael when he returns? Make yourself at home." Without another word Jo left the room and headed for the stairs, David turned to Debbie and shook his head.
"Honey, that really wasn't necessary. Eliana is Jo's goddaughter, an' she loves her very much. I know that your momma was no prize, but not everybody is that way."
"Ok, I'm sorry, an' I guess I'll apologize when she comes back down. Now, I think I could do with a little pick me up."
"I'll show you where it's kept, at least where it used to be kept."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jesse had been catching up on some of his paperwork, the last batch to his horror was over three weeks old, and now with a cup of creosote that doubled as coffee, he was trying to sort it ready for filing. As he drained the last of his drink he heard his name float into the room.
Doctor Travis to the ER STAT, Doctor Jesse Travis to the ER STAT.
With a sigh he slid the papers back into his case, locked it and left the room. As he arrived at the desk he saw the nurse coming to see him and heard another announcement.
Doctor Martin to the ER STAT, Doctor Alex Martin to the ER STAT.
"Doctor Travis, we just got word from the ambulance, it's your daughter coming in, they said she was code blue when they first treated her."
Jesse felt as if his heart had frozen and turning he saw Alex coming towards him. "Jesse, are you all right?"
"Doctor Martin, the patient coming in is Doctor Travis's daughter."
Alex took a deep breath, and then placed his hand on Jesse's arm. "Just wait here, Jess, I'll keep you informed, you know that."
"What, oh yeah, thanks, Alex." Jesse's mind was racing; his daughter had been a picture of health when he had left her at Jo's.
"Jesse!" Rae was so relieved to see her husband standing there, and as Eliana was wheeled straight into a trauma suite she went over to him and hugged him.
"What happened, Rae, is she all right?"
"She choked, Jess, and … and Texas saved her life. I … I knew what to do but I just froze." Rae sat down next to Jesse. For the moment she couldn't even consider going in to Alex, she needed to be with Jesse.
"How did she choke?"
"The baby books, the cardboard ones? She must have gotten it so soggy that she was able to pull off the corner, and once it was in her mouth it got soggier and pappier and blocked her throat." Rae shuddered, she could see her daughter's face, the lips tinged with blue, and she wanted to be able to forget it as soon as she could.
As they sat there holding hands they heard Eliana begin to cry again. She had been quiet in the ambulance, too quiet for Rae, the sound warmed their hearts, and both of them knew it would be all right. In just a few moments she was screaming, and with a relieved smile Rae went to join her daughter in the trauma suite knowing that she would be the best one to calm her child before they all needed earplugs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Eliana had come home on the Wednesday morning, her normal happy, smiley self, and Rae and Jesse had relaxed again. No one was working that day, and although Jo and Steve wouldn't be seeing each other, everybody else was flitting from house to house, and person to person, having a wonderful time.
Steve, Mark, Jesse, Ron, Alex, David and for a little while Martin, had spent the evening at Bob's just talking through old memories and hopes for the future. They laughed and joked, and enjoyed each other's company knowing that whatever the future, and however many bachelor parties they attended the bond between them was as strong as ever and would remain that way.
Jo's bachelorette party had been held the night that Eliana had stayed in the hospital, and although Jo had missed her best friend very much, and despite Debbie's 'call me Debs it sounds much more friendly' presence, she had a wonderful time with Amanda, Shannon, Debbie and Cheryl, who although quiet seemed to enjoy herself. They had gone to an Italian restaurant that Cheryl had recommended and the food and wine, which Debbie had guzzled non-stop, had been excellent.
After the party, Jo had wanted to go by the hospital, just to check on Eliana, Rae and Jesse, but as Debs was a little too tipsy for Jo to just put into a cab and send back to her hotel alone she felt she ought to take her home instead. Jo's initial reaction to her brother's girlfriend wasn't good, but she knew that if anything happened to her, she would never forgive herself, and neither would David. Debs was staying in David's suite at the Beverley Wilshire Hilton, a fact that she had managed to get into the conversation at least four or five times, as well as how sweet he was, how big the bed was, and the fact that there was room for two in the bathtub. Amanda was passing right by the door of the hotel however, and so offered to drop her off. Jo readily agreed, but hoped that Debs wouldn't go into too much detail about how she knew how many people could have a bath at once.
Jo had arranged for her and Rae to have an aromatherapy massage on the Wednesday afternoon, and once the lady had left they had gone to Jo's bedroom and made sure that everything was ready for the following day. Jo had decided to have a shower as she didn't like the feel the oils left on her body and when she came back out Rae was fast asleep on the bed. She had smiled and looked at her friend, the position she was lying in made it apparent that she was pregnant once again, and Jo wondered, not for the first time in the last few days, whether she would be brave enough to try herself. Eliana's accident of the previous day had shocked and scared her. In her naivety she had thought that once a baby was born the main problems were over. If she could carry a child for nine months then after that it would just be sleepless nights and diapers, strained spinach and mashed carrots, but she was wrong. The slightest thing could turn into a crisis, and yet Rae had four children and another on the way, the eldest was getting married and the youngest, well it wasn't even here yet. Did she want to go through all that? With a surprised smile Jo realised that yes she did, her and Steve together, she wanted to go through all that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Thursday morning dawned bright and clear, which wasn't really a surprise and Jo went back to her normal room, a cup of herbal tea in her hand and carefully woke her friend. "Rae, Honey, it's eight o'clock an' we need to be gettin' up."
Rae had blinked her eyes, not really knowing where she was, and then with a sudden start it all came back to her. "Texas, oh no, it should be me waking you up with the tea, and I slept in your bed, oh, I am so sorry."
"Now, don't you fret, I have been up for ages, an' it is my pleasure to do this for you. Do you need help with your shower, or are you ok?"
"I think I'll be ok, but do you think you could just stay within earshot?" Rae had been taking a shower on her own at home for a week or so, but Jesse was always just down the hallway, and she didn't want today to be any different although she knew that it couldn't be her husband because he was at the beach house taking his best man duties very seriously.
At ten the lady arrived to do hair and make up. Jo had decided that as Rae was unable to do things as she used to that everything would be done for her and following on from the massage of the night before the two women were pampered and cosseted until just before noon.
Steve had missed Jo terribly but now he understood why Jesse had wanted to call Rae as soon as they had started his bachelor party, and was glad that he only had a few more hours before he would be with her forever.
Martin and Cheryl had arrived quite early, and once he had found a comfortable spot Martin had fallen fast asleep and Cheryl had sat just enjoying the peace and quiet as well as the sense of anticipation as she watched and cared for him. After an hour's rest Martin had woken up and the two of them had stood for a little while watching the ocean and Steve, on his way through to the kitchen observed them for a moment as Cheryl carefully took a picture of the sea with Martin standing in front of it. He was happy for his old friend; she seemed to have finally found a soul mate, although he knew that once Martin returned to work one or other of them would face the prospect of transferring to another department.
As the clock in Steve's apartment moved up to five to two he and Jesse smiled and hugged each other. The ties went very deep between them, and Steve needed his friend just as much as he needed Jo.
"Ok, let's do this." Jesse slapped him on the back and broke the moment. With one more smile at each other the two men closed the door on Steve's old life, and walked up the steps towards his new one.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Steve stood on the deck, the wind catching slightly in his hair and looked back over his shoulder, just for a moment. Behind him were the special people in his life, and he was thrilled that they were all there. His dad was sat almost in line with him, and his eyes were already bright with the emotion of the moment. On the other side of the make shift aisle Jo's brother David's girlfriend, Debbie, was sitting quietly on her own, shielding her eyes against the sun despite the dark glasses she was wearing, waiting for David to join her once he had given his sister away. Steve hadn't had a chance to speak with her yet, all he knew that that she was a tall blonde haired young woman, who Jo had told him she didn't like very much. The rest of the rows had people in them from both their lives, and there was no longer any bride's side and groom's side.
Jesse was standing with him, and as Rae was Jo's maid of honour Eliana was sitting on Alex's lap pulling at his tie and sucking it. She had been upset when Rae had left her with her godfather, but once he had taken her out of her stroller and begun to play with her she was happy to be with him.
Amanda was sitting with Ron and her two boys, and they looked like the happy family that Steve knew they would eventually become. He was just turning to see the rest of his friends when the music began and, with a sudden loud beating of his heart, he knew that Jo, David and Rae had arrived.
Steve had promised himself that he wouldn't turn, that he would stand and let her join him, but knowing that she was behind him and not being able to see her was too much for him and he moved so that he could watch her as she walked towards him, and the sight of her took his breath away.
Her hair was pulled back from her face, but only softly, and there were wisps of hair hanging down in tendrils that framed and enhanced her beauty. She was wearing a veil, held on her head by something that glinted in the sunlight, and her face had an ethereal quality as he looked at her through the material.
All this Steve took in, in an instant, and then the dress she was wearing registered on his senses. It was perfectly plain, white, and demure, but incredibly sexy, just how he had wanted her to be. The gown had no sleeves, finishing with a border around the top of the boned bodice that matched the diamonds in her hair. Steve could see the detailed embroidery on the skirt of the dress now too as Jo stood beside him and smiled.
"Hi." Her voice came out in a whisper, and just the one word made his heart beat even faster.
"Hi." Steve found that his voice wasn't working properly either, and he took her hand in his, knowing that now they would be together forever.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Jo, you look absolutely beautiful, and that gown is just stunning." Amanda kissed her friend gently on the cheek, "Mrs Sloan, you are radiant."
"Thank you, Amanda;" Now that the service was over and Jo had removed her veil, the dress could be seen in all its glory. The back, which had been all the guests had seen during the ceremony, was plain with small covered buttons on the bodice, but the whole of the back from the waistband was tiny box pleats which splayed out into a beautiful fan on the floor of the beach house.
Rae moved over towards her friends, she was wearing the dress that she and Jo had picked out over the internet, and she looked very glamorous. It was actually two pieces in a very soft, pale lilac jersey. The top, which was sleeveless, had a cowl neck that fell in gentle pleats, and the skirt skimmed the floor and seemed to move in partnership with Rae.
"Texas, that was just wonderful, thank you so much for letting me be a part of it."
"It was lovely wasn't it?" Jo smiled and looked across the room to where her new husband was talking with Alex and Jesse. She frowned as she saw Debs come up and give Steve a hug, and then, after a brief conversation, Alex ushered her into the house. Shaking her head to push all thoughts of the unpleasant woman aside, she smiled and looked at her husband again. He was now talking animatedly with his father and Jesse.
The ceremony had been a private intimate affair, just as it should have been. She and Steve had stood, their backs to the house next door to the beach house, with the waves coming gently in to the side of them and exchanged their vows on the deck in front of the people who meant the most to them. After David had given her away, if she hadn't known better she would have sworn that Michael's eyes had a bright look to them. The flowers that had been displayed on pedestals at regular intervals on either side of the chairs which were set out for the guests had been beautiful burgundies and deep pinks, a wonderful contrast to the whiteness of the dress and the blue of the men's suits.
When the service had concluded Steve and Jo had chatted with their friends and relations for a long time before Cheryl and Martin had come over to see them. Martin had been in pain quite a bit during the day, and had slept, after the ceremony as well as before, and Cheryl was clearly worried about him, and wanted to take him home. But before that they had a wedding present to give to their friends.
Jo, as requested moved over to Steve and then Cheryl handed them a square box and a flatter rectangular shaped package as well. "You have to open that first." Cheryl pointed to the flat parcel, and smiled as Steve began to rip at the wrapping. Inside was a very plain white silk covered book. There were no words on the front, just a pair of gold entwined rings embroidered on the bottom right hand corner. Carefully he opened the cover and there in front of them was their day in pictures. It was clear that Michael had been in on the plot from the start, as was the hairdresser, who had told Jo that she was taking pictures for her portfolio.
As they turned from one page to another Steve could see how Jo had prepared for their big day, and she could see what he had done, courtesy of some photos taken by Mark on the family Polaroid. "You shot hoops? It was your weddin' day an' you shot hoops?"
"Jesse wanted me to go surfing, we compromised."
"Jesse!" Rae was standing with her husband, and he had their daughter in his arms. She was sucking on the neck of her cardigan and making little slurpy noises as she did so.
"Steve, we have to go, but thank you so much for inviting us. I guess that our secret is out though, huh?" Cheryl could feel the eyes of her captain as they bore through her, and she knew that he had seen them kissing when they thought the deck had been deserted.
"Yeah, but it's better that way. Once Martin is back at work then you'll feel that way too."
Cheryl leant over and kissed her old partner on the cheek. "I'm so happy for you, Steve; I wish you almost everything you wish yourself."
"Pardon?" Steve looked a little confused, and wondered whether he had misheard her.
"I wish you almost everything you wish yourself. That way, you will still have things to dream about and plan for." Cheryl turned and hugged Jo, and then with a quick kiss for Rae she and Martin headed for the door. The four friends watched as they made their way to the waiting taxi each of them wondering if it would be their wedding they attended next.
Two hours later, all the guests had gone, Alex and Shannon were sitting on the sand watching the ocean and Mark was sitting on his still flower draped deck when Jo and Steve heard the sound of the front door bell.
They had decided against a honeymoon, knowing that Steve was too busy to enjoy it, and so they were going to stay for one last night at the beach house before returning to what was now the Sloan residence in the morning. Those plans all changed though when they opened the front door to find a horse and carriage waiting for them.
"Mr and Mrs Sloan?"
"Yes, that's us." Steve smiled as he spoke; he knew he was going to like that so much.
"Doctor and Mrs Travis request that you accompany me to a secret location."
Steve and Jo looked at each other and burst out laughing and then realised that Mark, Alex and Shannon were standing behind them and Mark had the new Polaroid camera that had been the other part of Cheryl and Martin's present in his hands.
Mark kissed Jo on the cheek and grinned. "Go on, enjoy yourselves."
Steve helped his wife into the carriage and then he turned to his father. "Dad …"
"I know, Son, I know." Mark felt the emotion of the day threaten to envelope him, and as he placed his hand on Steve's arm he was aware of Alex and Shannon going back into the house.
"No, Dad, you don't, I couldn't have had the life I have without you, been the person I am without you, or mom, I wish she could have been here today …" Steve stopped talking for a moment, picturing the beautiful and kind woman in his mind. Then he took Mark into an embrace that covered everything he had ever wanted to say and as they parted he looked into his father's eyes.
"I love you, Dad."