Once Lost But Now Found

Chapter 16 – The Call

Making Matters Clear

After the shooting incident, Kate gets back to the loft late. Fortunately, her father had arrived first and was able to take over from the sitter. With Rick on tour, Jim Beckett had volunteered to stay at the loft to take care of his granddaughter when Kate could not. For three weeks he would be at the loft using their guest room. Jim was working part-time at his firm now, but only in the afternoons, so he took care of Alexis in the morning until the sitter showed up before he left for work after lunch. Then depending on who returned to the loft first, he or Kate would take over from the sitter. Martha was doing an off Broadway play at this time, so was not in NYC. She, however, was due to finish before Rick returned from his book tour.

Kate had seen Rick's messages and guessed that he was probably calling to clear up the matter concerning Coterra. She had several missed calls from him before he left her a message to call him when she got to the loft. Jim Beckett was already feeding Alexis when Kate arrived. Upon seeing her daughter, all the worries and stress of the day seemed to vanish. The earlier shooting with subsequent I.A. follow-on Investigation proved more stressful than the actual event itself. The manner in which they were questioned by the I.A. investigators felt like they were the bad guys and not the bank robbers.

Upon seeing her mother, Alexis' eyes lite up and she started moving her arms up and down in an animated fashion.

"Hey there, sweat-pea, happy to see Mommy? I thought of you all day since daddy is on tour and not here for you. But your grandpa is here so you are well cared for", she tells her daughter as she takes her from Jim, giving Alexis a kiss to her fat baby cheeks.

"How was your day Katie?"

"I had my first real-life shoot-out today, Dad."

"Really! Are you okay?'

"I had to shoot a bank robber who fired at Brent."

"Is the robber dead?"

"No, but he is recovering from gunshot wounds at the hospital."

"Well, he is lucky, you're a good shot Kate. Did you aim to kill?"

"That's what they taught us at the academy when faced with an incident like the one today that I was involved in. It seems, however, that shooting at a bank robber who is also firing rounds back at you is different from hitting targets or hunting rabbits with an air rifle. I think I flinched a little when I realized it was a human being I was aiming at for a kill-shot. So my rounds went off a bit. Probably saved the robber's life."

She gives her father an abbreviated account of the gun play.

"Well the guy is damn lucky he was not sent to the morgue!"

"We all have to see the NYPD shrink tomorrow. It is SOP for officers involved in a shooting. It is just a precautionary measure as PTSD is a likely outcome for us. Espo said he got it after his first firefight when he was in the army on duty in the War Zone."

"Why don't you just relax for a while before bed, I'll get Alexis ready for her night sleep, and then you can sing to her to make her drowsy like you normally do."

"Thanks Dad", she says handing Alexis back to him, "Oh, I got to call Rick. I missed several of his calls. He called me and I couldn't answer him, so he texted me to call him back when I was free", she tells her dad as she speed dials Rick.

"Hi, Kate", she hears Rick say, responding to her call, " I miss you and Alexis."

"Same for us. How's the trip?"

"Tiring and boring since I could not get hold of you. I bought onboard internet to watch the Coterra show, and then spent the remaining time talking to Paula about the implied ending of my date with Coterra. So I missed calling you as when I finished with Paula, my plane was on approach to our lay-over. They edited the ending of that show so it looked like I slept with her. The truth is after Coterra grabbed my hand and tried to pull me into her apartment, I resisted her attempt to drag me thru her door. I told her essentially that the date was over and to leave it at that, or else she would spoil the good memory of it."

"I thought as much. I argued that point with Brent after the show aired and told him what had been implied by the ending did not happen. Brent used the incident to try and convince me you did not want a serious relationship with me. He argued that I should date others as you had suggested to me. Brent then implied he was there for a date with me anytime I was ready to see other men besides you."

"Thank you for trusting in me with this Coterra thing. It was all for ratings with her as you probably guessed. Brent's reaction to this PR mess is to be expected. You have history with him and he wants back in. He saw a possible chance to cast doubt on me and make me look bad in your eyes, so Brent took it. He has been trying for dates with you, pointing out once again our agreement that you could see other men. We share a home together, raising our daughter. Brent knows that and is just trying to improve his chances with you."

"I have told Brent every time he invites me out for a date that I am not interested… but… then something else happened today. We had our first fire fight with Bank Robbers and I wounded one of them who took shots at Brent."

"Wow, are the both of you okay?"

"Yes, we have to see the Department shrink tomorrow, standard practice for an officer involved shooting, but it was what happened after the shoot-out that I need to tell you about. Brent and I ...we..ah...sort of had a moment. Realizing either one of us could have been killed, we hugged very emotionally and stop short of a kiss when we realized it was an unintended PDA …..", Kate says hesitantly.

"There's more to this coming up, isn't there?"

"Yes, the show of affection kind of released some feelings in me I thought I had been buried with Brent, long ago, back when we broke up. I think he had a similar reaction."

"Kate, the two of you have a history together and were intimate during that time. He was your first. You never forget your first. He wants to regain what he lost with you. If those feelings are still there for you, maybe you should see how it would go with him. I won't stop you."

"No, no, I do not want that. I have told Brent on numerous occasions that I wasn't interested. That has not changed, but with those feelings coming up when Brent and I embraced, it was a surprise reaction. Rick, it was a bad breakup. Brent cheated on me. He has a lot to make up before I trust him with my heart again! That thought has been on my mind every time Brent has asked for a date. I don't want to complicate our relationship by dating him. It is complicated enough having Brent as a work partner. He wants to show me that he has changed, but I am not that young women Brent was once sleeping with. Since then I have been in other serious relationships and breakups. Experience has given me a different perspective now. I know what I need in a man, and I am looking for that in you."

"I hear you, but, are you sure it's over with Brent? Maybe you should go out on some dates and see if those feelings return as a result of the shooting? He isn't that young man either that you once knew. People change and grow Kate. For all you know Brent has become that man you are still looking for."

By her comment, Rick realizes that Kate is still uncertain about their relationship. Rick takes it as an indication that he still needs to give Kate time to resolve their usual situation. He is a little disappointed in Kate's reveal to him. So he needs to pursue her more aggressively.

"Rick, I want to see where the two of us are going. I have been to the rodeo a couple times, so have you. I feel that what you and I have now, could become something more awesome over time. We both have experience enough to know what we want. Like you, I don't want to be with anyone till we resolve this thing between us. We have been together for a while and our agreement to not be intimate during this trial time is an unnecessary restriction. I think that if it comes to it, we should go with it. No holding back on having sex. I think we should let it just happen if it comes to that. Does that make sense? Do we have a consensus here? "

Her comment gives Rick a little relief and his heart skips a beat about where she wants them to go. His anxiety over what she said about the emotional PDA with Brent is eased.

"Wow, yeah, okay, I agree. If it comes to it, no holds barred. We just go with it."

"Good, that being said, Alexis and I want you home. The loft is lonely without you."

"I have been moody all day and it is the separation from the two of you, especially from yourself, that has me brooding. I realize now I need more. So your suggestion to just go for it when it happens is a right on", Rick states, and then there is an awkward moment. Moving forward will now be with physical intimacy if the moment comes. Rick realizes that Kate wants to move forward but she is being cautious and taking baby steps. He is encouraged by this development. It had been hard on him to hold back on the sexual part of this unusual union.

Rick decides to change the subject matter and asks Kate, "How is Jim doing?"

"He is doing great and so good with Alexis. You can tell our daughter knows its her grandfather being here for her."

Kate then gives Rick a longer version of the shoot-out than the one she told her father.

At the end of her account of it, Rick is silent for a while. Then he breaks his silence by telling her, "Kate, I just now came to truly realize, from your account of this incident, just how much danger you're exposed to when out on patrol or on the scene. It is one thing to know, but another to fully realize the true impact. Up to now it has been just an awareness at the back of my mine but now it is finally coming into reality. It's like a slap to the face that wakes you up. I know you can't make promises, but, when out in the field, be safe, come back to us alive. We have a daughter together. We can't lose you. I can't lose you. But I am glad the guys have your back, especially Brent. When I finish the book tour, let's have an appreciative gathering for them. Maybe dinner with them and your academy classmates. My way of giving thanks to them for keeping you safe and protected on the job."

He is once again silent, letting his words to Kate sink into her thoughts.

After a brief pause, Rick says to her, "Kate, it's getting late back there and you have work tomorrow. I am signing off for now. Kiss our daughter for me and tell her daddy misses her."

"Will do. Bye for now Rick. Keep us in your thoughts."

"Always. Sleep well Kate. You have had quite a day for our first day apart! I wish I could be there to give you some emotional support. So, you too, keep me in your thoughts."

"Always", is Kate response and ends to their talk.

Kate knows this is just the start of their talks. She would get him alone when he came back and would continue their talk.

The Next Day

After seeing the Department Psychiatrist, Dr. Carter Blake, the two report back to their C.O.

"Come in you two, how was the session with Dr. Blake?", says LT. Montgomery as they stand at attention in front of his desk.

"Fine Sir", both say in unison.

"Good, I have some news for the both of you. For your actions in taking down those bank robbers, you two are to be awarded your first Citation For Bravery. The Commissioner wants to acknowledge it in a joint 54th and 12th ceremony at 1PP. Esposito and Demming are also to be awarded their citations. Congratulations you two. You have brought honor to our small department, the 12th Precinct, and the NYPD as a whole for your actions. To get such an award in your Rookie year places you in rare company. This will be a noted when you are up for Detective."

"Thank you, sir", both reply.

"No thanks needed. You both earned it. Now get back on the job. Protect this city like you have been doing. Dismissed."

They both leave Montgomery's office in a bit of a daze. But it is a good reaction to what they had been told.

"Wow, that was intense", says Edwards.

"Yeah, it was something. I never thought it would ever come to this. As cops we know a shootout could happen at any time. But after being involved in one, you can't truly know how it is until you are there. Oh, by the way, talked to Rick last night. The ending on Coterra's special was edited. They left out the part where Rick balked as Coterra tried to get him to her apartment. Rick told her the date had ended and that she would spoil it with what she was doing."

"Oh,... so... you were right to stand by him."

"I always will. By the way he wants to do a thank you treat along with Tom and Espo, in a get- together at the loft. To show our appreciation for you guys keeping me safe."

"Don't you have that reversed? You kept me safe. You took down the robber shooting at me!"

"Well, yeah, just be ready when I give you the date for the get-together. I will call and let Espo and Demming know."

Later that day she got hold of both Espo and Demming and again thanked them. It was Demming however who surprised her with his talk.

"Got your six anytime you need it Kate", Tom had replied, "How are things with you and your baby daddy? I guess Edwards and you are doing well as a team. Is he still trying to get back with you?"

"I won't answer that Tom, it is a private matter."

"Well, if you ever decide to drop both of them for a better man, I volunteer."

"Tom, stop being such a jerk, it is unbecoming of a Police Officer who is soon to be awarded a Citation for Bravery."

"Just saying Kate."

"Bye Tom, I will let you know on the date for the 'thank you' get-together."

"You do that Kate. I am happy to share time with you. But we should do it when it is just the two of us."

"I will ignore that last remark. Stay safe Tom. Bye for now."

It seems Tom Demming was still interested in her also. He had to get in line. Rick had head of the line privileges over both Brent and Tom in matters of the heart. She wanted these two suitors to know that! Kate was ready to show to Rick that he was the one. When he got back, she was planning a special home coming for him, but still working out how to go about it.