Beauty Can Be Deadly
Chapter 16
Steve awoke to a slight tugging sensation on his arm. He pushed open heavy eyelids and observed a small figure in white hunched over his arm. "What are you doing?" Startled by the unexpected sleep deepened voice the nurse inadvertently jerked and in the process yanked on the remaining tape on Steve's arm. "Yeeouch," Steve exclaimed. "You wanna pull my skin off that tape and put it back on my arm?"
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Sloan, you startled me," she explained excitedly. "I was just trying to remove your IV to get you ready to go home today."
"What time is it?" Steve asked groggily.
"A little after 6am," she replied. "Dr. Travis was by and took a look at your chart and gave us new orders. It looks like you're going home."
"Really?" Steve asked.
The nurse had to suppress a smile. The patient sounded like an excited child. "He said your dad would be here around 10am to take you home."
"Well, it's about time I have been here over a week. I could have gone home days ago," Steve informed her sulkily.
"Yes, I'm sure you could have," she replied diplomatically. She finished removing the IV and left Steve alone.
Steve was restless. It was 6:30am. His dad wouldn't be here for at least another 3 hours. If I'm well enough for Jesse to send me home, then I'm well enough to get up on my own. Steve reasoned to himself. He levered himself up, slid his legs over the side of the bed, and sat for a moment, allowing the brief dizziness to pass. After planting his feet flat on the floor, he stood up. Slowly moving towards the closet, he shivered slightly as a draft from behind reminded him of the backless hospital gown he was wearing. He had almost made it to the closet when the door to the room opened and he made eye contact with Cheryl.
She slightly cocked her head before asking, "What are you doing?"
"Uhh, looking for my clothes. You're out early," Steve responded.
"I have to be in early this morning. I know how hospitals like to wake people up at all hours, so I thought I would take a chance on finding you awake."
As she had spoken Steve had become aware of his dilemma. His limited reserves were rapidly fading. If he turned and headed back towards the bed Cheryl would get to see a side of him she had never seen before. His ribs were still to tender to reach behind and secure the gown. "Cheryl, I..uhh..well you see…I uhh kinda need you to turn your back for a minute, please," Steve requested with a lopsided smile.
"Sloan, what is your problem..oh..ok, I get it now," she stuttered as she turned around.
As she turned her back Steve turned as quickly as he could and shuffled at a snail's pace back to the bed. As he reached the side he turned and sat on the edge before lifting his legs up and lying back. He took a moment to secure the sheet over the lower half of his body before addressing Cheryl. "Alright, I'm ready," he beamed.
As she turned back around with a smile on her face Cheryl felt a flutter in her stomach. Steve sat in the bed slightly flushed from his adventure. His expressive eyes were sparkling crystal blue and those oh so perfect lips were curled into a boyish smile.
Steve noticed her smile fade as she stared at him. "What?" he inquired.
Cheryl gathered herself, and another smile graced her lips. "Nothing, my mind just wandered for a moment."
There had been plenty of time to think while he had been in the hospital and a good portion of those thoughts had been about Cheryl. They had talked once before about taking their relationship to the 'next level' but had never gone any further than that. He valued her friendship and trusted her implicitly as his partner. He didn't want to lose that and a part of him feared that if they did try to expand their relationship that things would go badly and he would lose her completely. The safe side of him didn't want to rock the boat. Having her in his life this way was better than not having her at all. Ask her, his inner voice demanded.
As Steve had become unnaturally quiet Cheryl had found her thoughts wandering back over the problem that had clouded her mind all week. She was attracted to Steve. She had tried to deny it but her feelings towards the women who had made passes at him during the pageant could only be described as jealousy and her fear when he had been kidnapped had surprised her. She wanted to pursue a relationship but she was apprehensive of what would happen to their working relationship if they attempted a personal relationship that didn't work out. She did not want to lose him as a partner and a friend. Ask him, her inner voice demanded.
"So, what have you been doing this week?" Steve asked. Coward! His inner voice screamed.
"Oh, this and that. I finalized the paperwork on the Aldridges and turned it over to the DA. He hasn't decided yet what charges he's going to file on them yet," she answered. Wimp! Her inner voice screamed.
They continued talking about inconsequential things until it was time for Cheryl to leave for work. "Well, I had better get going, I don't want to be late," Cheryl stated.
"Cheryl," Steve started.
"Yes?" Cheryl responded.
Do it, the voice screamed. "Be careful, ok," Steve said.
"I'm always careful," Cheryl replied with a smile. "Say, Steve, I was wondering if you might want to……," she never got to finish as the door flew open and a perpetually mussed figure came flying in.
"Cheryl, hi, I didn't expect him to have company yet," Jesse stated.
"It's ok, I was just leaving, I have to get to the precinct. Steve, I'll see you later."
Steve's brows drew down into a frown. "Cheryl, you were going to ask me something before we were so rudely interrupted."
"Was I?" she asked innocently. "I don't recall anything I needed to ask you. I'll talk with you later."
"Sure, I'm going home today so come by the beach house," Steve responded dejectedly.
Jesse had watched the entire exchange and wondered just what exactly he had walked in on. Steve was obviously not happy. His cheeks had a flush and his eyes glittered with anger. "So, what were you guys talking about?"
"I can still go home, right?" Steve asked in an effort to change the subject.
"Sure, your dad should be here shortly. You are still a long way from being well. I need you to take it easy for at least the next couple of weeks."
"When can I go back to work?" Steve inquired.
"You can maybe go back to limited duty in three weeks," Jesse responded.
Steve sighed. He knew what battles to pick and this was one he wasn't going to win. "Fine," he answered.
Jesse couldn't believe his ears. He frowned and moved to the foot of the bed and pulled Steve's chart. As he studied it his frown deepened.
Steve took note of Jesse's face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I was just reading the name on the chart to make sure I was in the right room," Jesse replied.
"Ha, ha, if you're through doing your Jay Leno impersonation I have a request."
"What kind of request?" Jesse asked.
"I would like to see Katelyn Edwards before I go home. Would that be possible?" Steve asked.
"I don't see why not. She is doing very well and will probably be moved to a rehab center in the next couple of weeks," Jesse answered. "Let me help you get dressed and we can go before your dad gets here."
~~****~~
Steve sat quietly by Katelyn Edwards bed. There didn't seem to be an inch of her that wasn't covered with a bruise or bandage. He knew that what had happened to her wasn't his fault, but he still felt guilty. She had been so happy the night she won the pageant and her joy at being able to provide her mother with a dream trip had been contagious. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was but did not want to wake her. He shifted to push himself up from the chair and noticed that her eyes were open.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hello," she responded. "What happened to you?"
"Oh, I had a little run in with the same person as you," he answered.
"She's dead right?" Katelyn asked.
The question sent Steve's mind off to another area that he still found troubling. He felt sorry for the surviving Aldridges. He wasn't really sure why. Ashley Aldridge had asked to see him and he hadn't yet decided what he was going to do. "Yes, she's dead," Steve answered with a sympathetic smile.
"Have you found out why she did it?" Katelyn inquired.
So there it was the question he had been afraid of. "I'm sorry," Steve responded.
Katelyn frowned slightly. "What are you sorry for?"
"It's my fault, she saw you as a threat for my affections," Steve responded with downcast eyes.
"Lt. Sloan, you aren't responsible for this. She obviously had some mental issues. I watched you during the pageant, and you never showed favoritism to anyone. You treated us all the same. I don't hold you responsible for what happened to me. Please, don't blame yourself."
Steve looked up to see complete sincerity reflected in her eyes. "Thank you," he replied simply. "Now, I need to get out of here so that you can rest. Good luck in rehabilitation. Would it be ok, if I checked in on you again?"
"I would be pleased if you would, "Katelyn replied.
Steve waved a final greeting and made his way slowly out of the room. Her comments had helped him to decide that he would see Ashley Aldridge. Katelyn had started him on the road to closure and perhaps a visit with Ashley Aldridge would complete the journey.
~~****~~
Steve sat on the deck basking in the glow from the setting sun. The air had a slight chill but he was hesitant to go in he had missed the healing sights and sounds of the beach. His dad was inside fixing dinner and Jesse and Amanda should be there any minute. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to his visit with Ashley Aldridge. She had been the least injured and was going to be transferred to the jail in the next couple of days. As he had entered her room she had looked up with quite possibly the saddest eyes Steve had ever seen.
"You came," she said.
Steve had nodded briefly before he moved to the chair by her bed and sat down. "Yes, I'm still trying to understand everything that happened."
"I know, so am I," she stated. "I mean I lived it everyday but I still find it hard to believe. Savannah had always called the shots. Momma, Daddy and Spencer did whatever she said. One time Divinity went against her and Daddy beat her with his belt and made her sleep in the garage for a month. I knew what we were doing was wrong, but I was afraid. Can you understand that?"
"I'm sorry, Ashley," Steve responded.
Ashley looked at him incredulously. "Why are you sorry? We nearly killed you."
"I'm sorry that you have had such a tough life," Steve responded sadly.
"I thought about running away several times, but I was afraid I would get caught, and I really had no place else to go. Savannah was the only one Daddy allowed to leave," she explained.
As they had talked Steve had come to realize that Arlen Aldridge had been running his own little family cult. He had kept his children and his wife on a short leash. Savannah was the only exception. Arlen and Andrew Aldridge had remained unrepentant for their actions. Ashley was the exception. She seemed to deeply regret the part she had played in his injuries. Because of that, Steve had decided to try and help her. She deserved the chance at a better life. He had contacted the DA and, along with the statement Cheryl had taken from him, it looked like she might serve a short term and then be on probation. She had told Steve that she wanted to stay in LA and get a fresh start. He had agreed to help her find employment and a place to live when the time came. He was pulled from his thoughts by the distant sound of the phone ringing. He heard the door open and his father softly call his name. "Steve, Cheryl's on the phone for you," Mark stated as he handed the phone to him.
"Thanks, Dad," Steve replied with a smile.
"You're welcome," Mark replied as he turned and went back in the house.
"Hello," Steve answered.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone. "Sloan, just be quiet for a minute and let me talk," Cheryl instructed.
"Ok," Steve replied.
"I have been thinking about things lately, and I was wondering if maybe some night you might want to maybe go out?" She asked hesitantly.
"What do you mean go out?" Steve asked.
"Sloan," Cheryl stated loudly. "You know exactly what I mean. Don't make this any more difficult than it already is."
Cheryl was unaware of the smile that was spreading across Steve's face. She had found the courage to do what he had been incapable of. "Cheryl, I would love to go out with you." He heard a deep sigh of relief come from the other end of the phone.
"Take care of yourself and try and stay out of trouble," Cheryl instructed as she hung up.
Steve disconnected the phone and leaned his head against the back of the chair. A contented smile covered his face as a vision in red danced around his brain. He was still in this position when he was joined by his father, Jesse and Amanda.
Amanda leaned down and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek. He opened his eyes and saw three expectant faces staring at him. "Hi guys," he greeted.
"Well you're certainly looking chipper," Jesse stated.
"I am feeling pretty good," Steve answered.
"Still a little stiff and sore though, right?" Jesse inquired.
"I'm still not moving very quickly," Steve responded.
Satisfied with that answer Jesse proceeded with a come and get me grin. "You know Steve I was looking at the paper today and the Fairmount Mall is having a Tiny Tots Beauty Pageant and they are looking for judges with experience. I called and gave them your name. That is ok isn't it?"
Mark guffawed and Amanda snorted her amusement as they waited for the expected roar of anger. They stared in disbelief as that reaction never occurred and Steve merely smiled even more brightly and settled his head back against the chair to contemplate his first date with Cheryl.
THE END
Author's Note: Once again a huge thank you to the wonderfully sweet lady who has been such a mentor in my writing, but more importantly a role model on how one should live their life. I also want to thank those who have reviewed and e-mailed. I hope if you had suggestions or corrections that I handled them in an appropriate way. I appreciate each and every one of you taking time to let me know how I'm doing. And lastly I need to recognize singer Dierks Bentley. I borrowed a line from one of his songs in this chapter. It could very well be the main song in the soundtrack to my life. Thanks Dierks for the song "What Was I Thinking?" That's all until the next story which is entitled "It Only Hurts When I Laugh". Look for it in March! A sneak preview is below.
The occupants of the dining area had all reacted to the gunshot in the same way . Startled glances and quick movement towards the kitchen. Despite his age Mark arrived first and took in the scene before him. "No," he cried before continuing across the room to his fallen son and Amanda. He was quickly joined by Jesse who dropped to the floor to examine them.
