October
How she hated her body right now for playing such a dirty trick on her, making her think she might be the one thing she desperately wanted to be, pregnant.
But the look on Beth's face as she called them into her office that morning, told her everything the needed to know, false alarm.
"I'm sorry Dee Dee, I know you're disappointed. Everything looks fine, there's nothing keeping you from having a normal pregnancy."
"That's good to hear. Thank you Beth," she replied.
The ride to the precinct was a quiet one until Hunter tried to lighten the mood a little,
"I know you're disappointed and angry but it's not like we can't try again."
McCall sighed, "I know."
"Are you sure you want to go to work?"
"Yeah, there's only one way to get over this, move on."
At the precinct Brad was waiting for them, he had some important news,
"The former colleague hunch was a good one. One of the guest speakers at the meeting is Sam Cooper. He could be the guy Jim told you about. I asked around and found out that even though he's got a job with a different company now, he's still very much involved in this scam."
"Sounds like a pretty big fish to me," Hunter remarked.
"I have to keep a low profile though, some people don't like me asking around."
"Can you get a handwriting sample from him?"
"I already did and send it to the expert, you should get the result later today."
"There's a guy you can work with. Good thinking."
"Thanks. Well I'm off to another day at the office, see you later," Brad picked up his briefcase and left.
"Another step closer to solving this case," Hunter said as he sat down.
He looked at McCall who seemed to be a mile away,
"Everything okay?" he asked.
She turned her gaze at him,
"Yeah, just being miles away. I did hear what Brad had to say though, well most of it anyway."
"What was on your mind?"
"This morning," she sighed. "But not just that. What if we arrest these people tomorrow, the only thing we can charge them with is fraud. Without knowing who set up Jim we can't clear his name and get the charges against him dropped."
"You have a point. I hope this handwriting will get the result we need."
Hunter decided to do a background check on Sam Cooper,
"Clean as a whistle," he told McCall as he returned from the computer room.
"Too clean if you ask me," she replied.
"By the way Mel called while you were gone. She asked if we had time for a little get together tonight, they are going home tomorrow."
"Sure, are you up for it?"
"It will take my mind off things. I'll give her a call then."
Later that day a file was delivered to Hunter's desk, it was from the handwriting expert,
"Bingo, a perfect match."
"Great, they thought to be smart by letting an 'outsider' sign the documents hoping no one would find out."
"Exactly, at least now we can prove Jim was set up but a confession from these guys would be even better."
Jim was happy and relieved when they told him the good news,
"I hope this means it will be over soon and I can get back to a normal life."
"Max is sure gonna miss your help," McCall remarked.
"Well, maybe not. He asked me the other day what I was going to do when all this was over. I told him I didn't know yet and he told me that he talked to his boss about letting me stay. I have the job if I want to."
"That's good news. Are you gonna take it?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"Why not, it's a great offer."
"It is, don't get me wrong, but my intention was to start over somewhere else. Maybe another part of the country and I even thought of going to Canada."
"That sure is a big change," McCall said making the journey from LA to Canada in her mind.
"Yeah, but like I said I haven't decided yet."
Every officer had taken his place around the office building of Kensington Office Appliances.
Brad had been wired up at the precinct earlier that afternoon and as he walked in he checked if Hunter, McCall and the others in the van were able to hear him. Sgt. Benson stepped out of the van as a signal to Brad that everything was in order.
A block away Charlie and Jim were waiting in the car along with several other cars for their signal to move in.
"Everyone here? I declare this meeting opened. Welcome to a couple of newcomers, you know who you are and let's start with the first subject on the agenda," Ben James started the meeting.
Hunter, McCall and Benson listened carefully as the meeting progressed. It wasn't long until Sam Cooper was announced as a guest speaker.
"He's gonna tell us about how to start your own succesful business," Ben James told everyone.
"And how to succefully ruin someone's life," McCall added sarcastically.
"What?" Benson looked at her.
"Never mind," she replied.
McCall wasn't far from the truth. Coopers talk about a succesful business was turning uglier by the minute. He was explaining to the salesmen how they could use their current job to build a useful network of customers for themselves and how to keep this seperate from the other 'job'. At the end he had a warning,
"Anyone who tries to expose this club or the way it does business will be dealt with the same way we dealt with Jim Gordon."
This was enough for Hunter to call in the troops.
"I'm glad this is finally over." Jim told Hunter and McCall a few days after operation 'secret meeting'.
"Have you decided yet on where to go next?" McCall wanted to know.
"Well, I had a serious talk with Max and I promised him I'll stay on till the end of the year so he has plenty of time to look for a replacement. After that I'll see."
"That's great, having you around a little longer."
By the way I found an apartment so I'll be moving out later this week."
"There's no rush you know." Hunter said.
"I know but I don't want to impose any longer and to be honest I'd like a place of my own again. It's not like we won't see each other anymore."
"You're right, you hardly had any privacy the last weeks."
"Neither have you. Well I'll leave you to it, see you later," Jim said and went on with his job.
"I keep seeing the faces of Sam Cooper, Ben James and the others when we stormed in. They really thought they had gotten away with it," Hunter remembered.
"Yeah, they were pretty quick with their confessions too and trying to put the blame on one another," McCall added.
"And when they saw Jim, they were so sure no one would ever believe him."
"Hmm, but they don't know a person called Dee Dee McCall," Hunter smiled.
A few days later Hunter and McCall helped Jim move into his new apartment, the old one had too much bad memories he had explained to them. Most of his stuff, like the furniture, had to be taken from the old to the new place and it was a heavy job.
When they got home at the end of the day they fell onto the couch,
"I can't lift another finger," Hunter sighed.
"I cant remember feeling this tired," McCall added.
"I'm glad Jim ordered some dinner, I couldn't make it to the kitchen."
"Me neither."
Hunter sighed again and flipped on the TV,
"Nothing decent on here," he concluded after flipping through the various channels.
"I'm gonna take a shower and turn in," McCall said as she lifted herself off the couch.
"I'm gonna be so stiff in the morning."
"Hmm, a warm shower isn't such a bad idea," Hunter remarked.
"You have to wait your turn," McCall said as she headed for the bathroom.
"Your turn!"
Hunter heard her calling from upstairs some time later indicating she was done. He turned off the lights and headed up for his appointment with the nice warm water.
"That felt good," he said as he crawled into bed next to McCall.
"Hmm," was the answer he got from her lying with her back to him.
Suddenly she felt something running down her back that gave her goose bumps, Hunter's finger. The finger was followed by soft kisses that made her let go of a soft moan.
"Do you hear what I'm hearing?" he whispered.
"No, I'm not hearing anything," she replied.
"Exactly, we have the house to ourselves again," he said and continued his kisses.
McCall rolled on her other side to face him, "So did you have something in mind?" she asked teasingly.
"Maybe," a mysterious grin played his lips.
The next morning McCall and Kitty were on their way back to the precinct after checking out a lead,
"So your house guest has moved out?" Kitty wanted to know.
"Yeah he has. We helped him move into his new apartment. It's kinda strange not having him around, It's very quiet. I think I'm actually gonna miss him."
"Oooohhh, does Rick know?" Kitty replied teasingly.
"Euh no, he actually liked having the house back to ourselves again."
"Aahh, I see. Is he still pressuring you about a wedding date?"
"No, he's leaving it up to me. I've been giving it a lot of thought lately. Everyone wants to get married on Valentines day right?"
"Right."
"Well I thought about it but the most romantic date for me would be March the 10th, that's the day we first met."
"Go for it! When are you planning to tell him?"
"This weekend over a romantic dinner."
McCall stopped the car in front of a red light, another car stopped behind her.
Busy chatting both McCall and Kitty had no idea what was about to unfold behind them. A truck was approaching the car waiting behind them but when the truck driver wanted to brake nothing happened. He sounded his horn to try and warn the vehicles in front but it was too late, the truck slammed into the car pushing it forward. The car hit McCall's car catapulting it onto the intersection where a jeep, coming from the right, couldn't avoid a collision. It slammed into the passenger side where Kitty was sitting. Everything went silent for what seemed to be minutes.
Hunter and Brad had just gotten into the car to go back to the precinct as well to meet the girls when a call came over the radio,
"All units. Traffic accident involving a police vehicle on Baker and Atlantic intersection."
"Wanna take that?" Brad asked Hunter.
"Nah, let someone else handle that, the girls are waiting for us."
In the car McCall woke up, blinking against the light at first she tried to remember what had happened. A quick check told her she wasn't stuck and all her limbs were moving. Looking besides her she saw Kitty leaning her way, unconscious and bleeding from a head wound.
A man looked through the shattered window and asked if she was okay.
"I'm okay but get some help for my friend."
"Ambulances are on their way. I'll bring them here as soon as they arrive." the man promised and disappeared again.
"Hang in there Kitty," McCall said as she tried to stop the bleeding with a cloth she always kept in the car.
It seemed like an eternity before the paramedics arrived at the scene, the man kept his word and brought them straight to the car.
One of them took care of Kitty, stabilizing her, while the other checked out McCall. He put a neck collar on her,
"I'm gonna ask some firemen to help me get you out of the car now," he explained.
"Okay."
A short while later he got back with some firemen and they cut the roof off the car to get both Kitty and McCall out safely.
It wasn't long before they were in an ambulance on their way to hospital.
Hunter and Brad had arrived at the precinct,
"Hey, the girls aren't here yet," Hunter pointed to the empty space in the parking lot where McCall always parked her car.
"Maybe they went to the accident," Brad remarked.
Upstairs they were met by Charlie,
"What are you two doing here?" he asked in a surprised and angry tone.
The guys looked at one another and back to Charlie,
"What are we doing here?" Hunter repeated him.
"We work here and were supposed to meet McCall and O'Hearn here to compare notes.
"Didn't you get a call about an accident involving a police vehicle?" Charlie continued.
"Yes, it went out to all units. What are you saying."
"It was McCall's car."
Panic struck.
"What!"
"They have been taken to hospital, that's all I know at this moment."
"Wilshire Memorial?" Hunter asked.
"Yeah,"
Brad had already pushed the button for the elevator to get up and when it arrived they got on,
"I'll call you when I know some more," Hunter said as the doors closed.
Brad drove like a maniac to get to the hospital as fast as he could, he ran a few traffic lights and got there in record time.
The nurse behind the desk told them Kitty was still in the ER waiting for a CT scan and McCall was with her. She arranged for another nurse to take them over there.
As they walked down the hall a doctor rushed passed them telling the nurse to come and help,
"Sorry, I have to go, It's the second door on your right." she excused herself.
"Well manage, thanks," Hunter said to her.
The door was open and both of them stood and watched for a moment. McCall was sitting at Kitty's bedside holding her hand, looking very tired and distraught. Kitty was unconscious, hooked to an IV and an oxygen mask looking very pale.
Brad was shocked seeing his partner like this.
They walked into the room quietly. Hunter stood behind McCall placing his hands on her shoulders, he felt a shiver run through her. The collar around her neck prevented her from looking up to him,
"A truck ran into the car behind us and pushed it onto the intersection. A jeep couldn't go around us and slammed into Kitty's door. I never saw him coming." McCall explained softly.
Hunter gently squeezed her shoulders knowing it was difficult for her telling him this.
"They had to cut the car open to get us out," she continued.
"The most important thing is that you are both alive, what did the doctor say?" Hunter said.
"She broke most of her ribs on the side of the impact and a couple on the other side. Her right arm and ankle are broken. A head wound and probably a concussion. They want to make a CT scan to rule out any swelling in the brain but the machine wasn't available so we're still waiting here."
"What about you?"
"I'm okay, a bit bruised here and there and I overstretched the muscles in my neck. It's not a whiplash according to the doctor, the collar is just on the safe side. He wants to keep me overnight for observation."
At that moment the doctor and some nurses entered the room, the doctor introduced himself to Hunter and Brad,
"Hi, I'm Doctor Bond. Are you relatives of Sgt. O'Hearn?"
"No, we are her colleagues. Sgt. Navarro is her partner and I'm Sgt. McCall's partner," Hunter explained.
"I see. We are taking her for a CT scan to see if there's any damage or swelling in her brain. We will be taking her to the second floor afterwards, you can go up there and wait in the waiting area, a nurse will come and get you when we're done."
Then he turned to McCall,
"Nurse Atkins will take you to your room. You'll be on the same floor a couple of rooms away."
As soon as McCall was settled in her room Hunter and Brad joined her. She looked like she was gonna burst into tears at any moment,
"I can't get the images out of my head. The jeep, the crash, Kitty, I thought she was gone..." emotions got the better of her and she started to cry.
Hunter sat down on the bed and carefully wrapped his arm around her,
"Shh it's okay, you both got out. It could have been a lot worse."
"She's gonna be fine, she's a fighter," Brad pitched in taking her hand.
"I know you are trying to make me feel better, but I can't. Not yet."
"You look tired, why don't you lie down and rest for a while," Hunter suggested.
"Yeah, I feel kinda tired." she said and sank back into the pillows.
"I'm gonna see if I can find out anything about Kitty," Brad said and got up from his chair.
"Okay, I'll stay here with McCall."
Hunter knew Brad was trying to hide the worry for his partner. Since the divorce from his wife had come through Hunter had seen him become closer to Kitty and he knew they were not far from the point where he and McCall were now, being lovers.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by a cry, McCall was sitting up in bed sweating and panting.
"What's wrong?" he sat down on the edge of the bed and carefully pulled her close to him.
"The jeep, the crash, it all happened again," she sobbed.
"You had a bad dream, It's just nature's way of coping with these things," he tried to reassure her.
"Not funny Rick."
"I'm serious here, you watch Discovery channel."
His comment made her laugh between her sobs,
"You always know what to say," she said softly.
Brad entered the room looking a lot more relaxed than before,
"Kitty's scan looks good, no bleeding or swelling. The doc said she probably has a concussion. She'll be in her room in a minute."
Doctor Bond came to find Brad to inform him about Kitty's condition,
"As you know the scan was clear, nothing to worry about. We'll be keeping a close eye on her as long as she's unconscious."
Then he turned to McCall,
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired, my body feels stiff and aches."
"No headache?"
"A little."
He picked up her chart, "You are spending the night, good, we can keep an eye on you as well."
McCall's facial expression told him she wasn't happy about it.
"It's just a precaution, the accident you were in wasn't an ordinary fender bender."
"I think he's right," Hunter pitched in.
"Fine, I'm too tired to argue about this anyway."
Hunter stayed with McCall until a nurse told him he really had to go.
McCall was lying back in the thick, fluffy pillows playing the day's events in her head. She remembered the conversation she had with Kitty just before the crash, marrying Hunter. It would change so many things, they wouldn't have to sneak around anymore but they would be split up as partners. It was new partners at the homicide department or even transfer out.
McCall knew she would miss having Hunter around all the time, having to place her life into someone else's hands would be difficult but on the other hand a transfer maybe wasn't a bad idea. It could mean new career chances.
When McCall woke up the next morning it was light, the sun shone into her room and there was someone sitting in the chair next to her bed.
"Charlie?" she said with a raspy morning voice.
"Yeah it's me, good morning. How are you feeling?"
"Okay, a bit sore and stiff. Have you seen Kitty yet?"
"I have, she's still unconscious. Brad stayed with her the whole night. When this is over the five us us have to have a serious talk"
McCall looked down at her hands.
"I saw the way Brad looked at Kitty and I don't think I can keep this from certain people any longer," Charlie continued.
"I understand," McCall replied.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking about it myself. Rick asked me to marry him a while ago, I haven't given him my answer yet but I really want to."
"That's great McCall. Congratulations." Charlie rose from his chair and gave her a kiss.
"Thanks Charlie."
"Having a celebration without me?" a familiar voice sounded through the room.
"And a very good morning to you too Hunter," Charlie said turning to face him.
"Morning Charlie," Hunter replied with a big grin on his face.
"I'm going to leave you to it and check on Kitty before I go back to the precinct."
"Thanks o dropping by Captain." McCall said.
"No thanks and think about what we talked about."
"I will."
"Think about what?" Hunter wanted to know.
"Stop being so nosy Hunter."
"I ran into Doctor Bond on the way over, he's gonna come by later to see if you're fit enough to be released into my custody."
"Your custody huh," she repeated and rolled her eyes.
"Seriously, how are you feeling?"
"Better than yesterday even though I'm still sore and stiff."
"Sounds like you are well enough to be released then." a voice, coming from the door, said.
Neither Hunter nor McCall had noticed Doctor Bind come in. He checked her vitals and some other things,
"Everything is fine, I don't see a reason why you can't go home. Take it easy fro at least a week, your body will tell you if you've gone too far."
"Thanks Doctor, I will."
"Good thing I brought you some clean clothes," Hunter remarked after Doctor Bond had left and placed the bag on McCall's bed.
"I don't remember having this in my wardrobe." she said as she took the clothes out of the bag.
"You don't, I got you something new to cheer you up a bit," Hunter confessed.
"That's sweet of you, thanks you."
A quick change later McCall sat down in the wheelchair,
"I still think this is ridiculous, leaving this way. I feel fine and know how to walk."
"I know, but you'll have to enjoy the ride while it lasts." Hunter joked.
"Rick."
"Yes."
"I'd like to see Kitty before we go home."
"I thought you would," he said and pushed the chair to the elevator.
Charlie had already left when they arrived at Kitty's room. Brad was sitting by her side looking like hell. It was obvious he hadn't slept that night.
"Any change?" McCall asked as Hunter parked her next to Brad.
"Not that I can tell but the Doctor said she is coming out of it very slowly. She's responded to certain tests he was doing."
"That sounds positive. You should get some rest, you look like hell."
Brad looked at her, "You are starting to sound like Charlie. I know but I don't want her to wake up alone."
"She won't, we'll be here," McCall replied and was rewarded with a very angry look from Hunter who thought she should go home and rest.
"Thanks McCall, I could use a shower and some sleep."
"We'll let you know if anything changes."
Brad left and McCall maneuvered her wheelchair into a better position next to Kitty's bed.
"When are you gonna stop feeling guilty? The accident wasn't your fault," Hunter said angrily.
"I don't feel guilty and I know the accident wasn't my fault," McCall answered without looking at him.
"Brad needed some rest."
Hunter knew he wasn't gonna change her mind so he let her be,
"I'm gonna get some coffee," he said and left the room.
"Yeah I'd like some too, thanks for asking," she remarked quietly to herself.
"He's right you know," a soft voice spoke.
McCall looked up into Kitty's eyes,
"How long..."
"Long enough to hear the argument."
McCall sighed, "Okay, maybe I feel guilty. A lot of what if's went through my mind since the accident happened."
"You can come up with a million what if's, the reality doesn't change," Kitty said and wanted to reach for the button to put her bed in a more upright position.
A moan of discomfort escaped as she tried,
"Are you sure that truck didn't run over me?" carefully she moved her arm back to where it was before.
"I'll get the Doctor to check you out before you make any more moves." McCall turned her wheelchair around and headed for the door where she almost ran into Hunter coming through.
"What's the rush?"
"Kitty's awake, I'm getting the Doctor," she explained quickly before riding off.
Hunter went in and placed the two steaming cups he brought on the nightstand,
"Hi there," he said.
"Hi yourself," Kitty answered.
"I would have brought you some too if I knew you wanted some," he joked.
"Thanks, but I'll pass," she smiled.
"Shouldn't Dee Dee be taking it..." Kitty started but Hunter didn't let her finish.
"You know her, the more you tell her to take things easy the more she'll do otherwise."
"Hmmm, you are right. Sometimes I wish I had someone like you around."
"Brad has been here all night. We send him home to get some rest.'
Meanwhile McCall had Brad on the phone to tell him Kitty had woken up and then she went to find Doctor Bond.
On her way to the nurses station a nurse pushing a wheelchair passed her. The person sitting in that chair looked familiar to her even though the face was black, blue and swollen.
'Where have I seen this face before,' she though to herself.