We survived the dinner with my parents with little badgering about visiting old friends. Except now Marcus loved the idea that we should both spend a day on our own catching up with said friends. I know you haven't seen or talked to any people you used to know since we got married. It would be fun.
I glared at him and continued to tame my wild hair. It was hard enough to read Marcus' signing with the little skills I had but try doing it in a mirror. "Marcus, that's the whole point. They haven't see or heard from me in five years. Think of how awkward it would be for us both."
He put his hands up in an I-don't-get-it gesture. I smiled at him and finished up in the bathroom. I sat down on a stool in the little kitchen and watched him prepare breakfast. He gave me a look the burg would be proud of when I stole a piece of his toast. "It's not like I am against see them. Just knowing them, the time is the issue. I have not idea what is going on with their lives. It would be strange to see your ex-girlfriend, who you haven't seen in years to suddenly show up at you door or work asking to see you. They have moved on."
That's the whole point. You don't know what is going on with them. If they were, are truly your friends they would be happy to sit and talk for a few minutes at least. He signed back. I shook my head. "You don't know my friends."
He sat down next to me, breakfast temporarily forgotten. I have a friend here who is very…quiet. He doesn't trust many people and I was one of those few that he did. But I am still going to go see him today, even though I left without telling him years ago. He took me in his arms. I loved being in his arms, it was one of the reasons I married him. You are the strongest person I know. It doesn't matter what you do you are always so strong and get over it. But if something scares you that much then I won't push. I trust your judgment. You're right; I don't know your friends.
It must have been hard to sign like that but he got the message through. I stood up out of his arms and grabbed my bag from the bedroom. "I'll meet you back here tonight. Text if there is a change of plans." And I walked out the door.
000ooo000
I sat in the car, waiting for the fates to give me a sign. Heaven help us all, the Bombshell Bounty Hunter is scared of the cop shop. One more deep breath and I walked inside. No one I knew was at the desk so I walked up and asked. "Is there a Joe Morelli working here?"
The clerk nodded. "Third floor. Can't miss his office." I said a polite thank you and set off. I took the elevator up and when I got off on the third floor I gasped. The clerk was right; you couldn't possibly miss his office. Then it hit me, today was Joes birthday, what a coincidence. There was a group of people listening to the devil himself to the left so I decided it was best to make my appearance. I slowly made my way through the crowd until I was at the front.
Joe was still making small snippets of speech after every comment about his life and career. He never looked in my direction. But I found my opportunity when the man next to him asked the crowd, "Any one have anything else to add?"
I cleared my throat and everyone turned. I was glad no one could recognize me. "He should be congratulated on living this long having been personally involved with the Bombshell Bounty Hunter. Both of his cars that blew never had him in them. He must be extremely lucky."
The room went dead quite. I guess the Bombshell was a touchy subject. But luckily, if you look at it that way, Joe spoke up. "I was, am. I wish I could say the same for her. She didn't deserve what she got in the end." He raised his glass and made a toast. "To The Bombshell." And everyone around the room coursed it back, "To The Bombshell."
I looked around the room, I had met a few of them, but there were a lot of unfamiliar faces, yet they were all toasting me. ME! I faked a tear. "That was sooo sweet." I said sarcastically. Everyone shot me death glares, including Joe. Then for affect I added, "That was the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me behind my back."
Everyone in the whole room must have died. It was that quite. I stood there and smiled, who knew it was this fun. "Hi, Joe. Happy Birthday."
000ooo000
"I still can't believe it. How the hell did you survive?" Joe and I were at a new local coffee shop, in the cops break room.
"I still don't get it. Survive what?" I sipped my coffee and looked at him over the edge of my cup.
"Jeez, Steph. I knew you were tough but I never thought you would think it was nothing." He said exasperated.
"Thought what was nothing Joe?" I was getting worried. What did everyone think happened to me?
"The kidnapping. You disappeared for a couple days then we get threatening notes along with a ransom. The drop off was a dud. And when that happens it's one of three things." He paused. I knew what he was talking about. Either I was dead, escaped, or they decided they didn't want the original ransom. It all made since. My disappearance wouldn't be lost on my FTA's and enemies. They would want something out of it; they would play the part like they had me locked away. And then the police thought I was dead.
"I'm fine Joe. I was never in any danger." I said, touching his arm reassuringly.
"Then why did you go missing? Even Mañoso couldn't find you. If you weren't in trouble then why couldn't we find you?" He had a bit of anger lacing the worry in his voice. I suddenly felt bad for what I did, but I didn't regret marring Marcus. So I decided to tell him the truth.
"I eloped Joe."
He stopped and looked at me in the eyes. He was searching for something and I guess he found it. "He was protecting you then. He didn't want us to find you. He is a really good actor, you know. You should be careful."
He stood up to leave but I took hold of his arm. "Who?'
He snorted. "Mañoso." He tried to leave but I stood and blocked his path. "Is that what you think of me? Of him? After all this time? You think I would go off and get married to Ranger then let him hide me away until it was safe to come out? To make him look like the hero? I…I don't even know how to answer you Joe."
He looked at me again. "You are a really good actor too, Steph." That's when I hit him. A smack to the face and I stormed out. I wasn't crying, I was over that, I was searching for the other man, Ricardo Carlos Mañoso.