An Old Friend
Waking to the buzzing alarm, Ninja quieted the annoying thing before realizing that her shirt was completely soaked with sweat. Tom reached out to bring her back against him, shocked by her wet shirt. "What's wrong, Ninja?" Tom wondered as he turned the lamp on. "I don't know." She replied, refusing to move because her shirt was cold. "You must have been having another nightmare. Mine cause me to sweat too." Tom said, lifting the quilt off him as he sat up.
Both sets of eyes reflecting the same pain, but Ninja saw regret in those deep brown pools that had beheld her with loving intensity since they met. "So you're haunted in the night as well. What are your's about?" Ninja wondered, gasping slightly as her cool, damp shirt touched her skin causing goosebumps to ripple across her skin. Tom heard her sharp intake of air, recalling how Judy helped him after he caught Amy's killer, and touched the hem of her shirt. Quickly stopping his hand, Ninja wondered, "What are you doing, Hanson?" "I'm helping you take your wet shirt off," Tom explained, searching for something in her eyes; not really knowing what he was looking for. Grateful for someone who had a clue about what she was going through, Ninja blushed, "I don't have anything on underneath, Tom." "You're not the first woman I've shared a bed with, ya know?" Tom grinned before it faded away at thought of Amy.
Ninja's voice brought him out of his thoughts, "Shut the door, please." Tom did as she requested. "Grab the hem of my shirt and close your eyes." Once again, Tom complied. On his knees in front of her, Tom could feel her knees brush against his thighs when she shifted. "Can you lift your hands straight up?" Ninja asked. Tom nodded as he started pulling her shirt up. Ninja wanted to squirm away from the hands lifting her shirt, but Hanson was doing what she'd asked of him and she knew he felt like needed to do something to help her. So she let him, watching his handsome face the whole time. One, to make sure he wouldn't peek, and two, she never really had taken the time to study his striking features before, for fear of someone noticing her staring.
When his hands were chest high, Ninja said, "Stop and move your hands away a little, please. Thank you. You can start lifting again, Tom." As Tom continued moving, he said, "My girlfriend Amy was killed in a convenience store robbery. I was standing right beside the gunman and didn't do anything to stop him." He felt her get off the bed and Ninja said, as she slipped on another shirt along with a bra. "There's nothing you could do against a bullet, Tom." "There are a million different things that I could have done in those 3.3 seconds and I didn't do the one thing I should've." Tom groaned as he fell back on the bed, still clutching Ninja's damp shirt.
Walking around the bed, Ninja sat down next to his head and reached for the sweaty piece of clothing. "Look at me, Hanson. Now, we can do anything in 3.3 seconds, but at that moment, you couldn't do anything because you didn't know it would happen. You gotta quit beating yourself up over it, Tommy." Ninja added with a quick, light kiss, "Come on, we better get moving before Doug eats everything." She dropped the shirt next to her bag and found a new pair of pants before opening the door to find Doug Penhall, ready to knock. "I was going to let you know that the French toast is ready," Doug stated as he stepped aside to let Ninja out. "Thanks, Doug. I'll be there in a minute." She said, closing the bathroom door.
Leaning against the door frame, Doug wondered, eyebrows raised and brown eyes showing his slight worry. "You ok, Hanson?" Tom exhaled tiredly as he got up, "I told her about Amy. It sounded like she's gone through something similar." "She probably has, Hanson. I'll let you get dressed." Doug pushed off his support and meandered back to the kitchen. Stealthily stalking behind Doug, Ninja lightly jabbed his sides causing him to jump. "Geeze! Are you trying to kill me?! You almost gave me a heart attack." Doug snapped at an amused Ninja, hand over his heart, willing it to slow down. Between fits of giggles, Ninja said, "I didn't think you would jump three feet in the air, Penhall. I'm going to get the paper."
Tom walked in, not hearing the door close, and asked Doug, "Where's Ninja? I checked the bathroom and she wasn't there." "She went outside to fetch the paper. Now, quit worrying about the trained killer and eat the breakfast your best friend fixed for you." Doug ordered with a playful grin as he placed a plate with five pieces stacked on it into Tom's hands. Ninja entered just as Tom and Doug sat down, throwing the newspaper on the table and fixing a plate of her own, stating the obvious, "In case y'all don't know, it's raining outside." Well, for some reason that struck the two officers as funny and the room was soon filled with a burst of deeper, richer laughter than Ninja had heard in months.
After eating quietly for a few minutes, it's rare for Penhall not to talk while eating, Tom queried as he stared at the crossword puzzle, "What's that little green guy's name from Star Wars?" "How many letters?" "Um, four." "Yoda. These are delicious, Doug." Ninja stated, putting more food on her plate. "Thanks, it's my Mom's recipe. Me and my brother used to love Thursdays because Mom would make us French toast before school." Doug shared, eyes glazed over as he reminisced. "Your Mom taught you well, Doug." I have clue what your nightmares are about, Doug Penhall. "Thanks for helping me this morning, Tom. And for trusting me." Ninja said between bites. "You're the first person who wasn't there and actually made sense of those stupid, irreversible, 3.3 seconds." Tom growled as he laid the puzzle page down. Ninja took it and started the crypto quote before Doug could drop his fork. "Can I do the jumble?" Penhall pleaded as he stood up to clean the kitchen and put the thoughts of his mother away until Thursday rolled around again.
Standing, Ninja traded Doug the paper for the dishes, "Here, I can't make heads or tails of it today." Doug glanced at his watch, it read 6:45. "We better get going since we can't skip all of first period." Ninja set the dishes in the sink before grabbing her flannel and a ball cap from the bedroom. "Ready for another day of high school?" Tom smirked. A deep, throaty growl was her reply as she stalked out of the safety of their temporary home and into the harsh, cruel world that had already shown her it's ugly face.
The day went by rather quickly, despite it raining cats and dogs all morning. Missing only about half of history class, Webb lowered the detention threat to one more time of being late. After Smith had run them ragged playing capture the flag, the three friends made their way to their ride and left for the Chapel. Tom parked in his usual spot but Ninja didn't want to get out, not even to see Richter. Opening her door, Tom nodded over his shoulder, "Come on, Ninja; you can't stay in my car all day."
Tiredly groaning, some of the inner teenager she'd been suppressing finally escaping, Ninja got out and trudged into the building. After spotting the older, black-haired man on the balcony, Ninja smiled as she whistled their 'I found you' tune. Richter's vivid seafoam green eyes locked on to his young protégé as she walked to the table that is the nucleus of the strange station where her new team was waiting. "Here's Smith's file. Anything new?" Fuller asked as he handed Ninja a two-inch-thick folder. She scanned the numerous lines of text until her eyes fell on two certain words.
"Richter! Get down here NOW!" Ninja bellowed, silencing the bustling station; glaring at him as he calmly strolled down the stairs and walked over. "You don't have to yell, kid," Richter said as he leaned against the railing. White-knuckled fists resting on the table, Ninja forced herself to restrict her anger to her voice, "You read his file and didn't think to tell me that Smith is a torture expert?"
Gingerly walking around behind her, Richter placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to soothe the furious soldier, "I haven't had the chance to talk to you since I read it. Trust me, Ninja, I will always tell you everything I can about your missions as long as you're my charge." Frustrated with herself, her reaction, and her nerves; Ninja yielded to the elder spy's words, "I know you will, Richter, but I don't know if I can go back with Smith there." Tom desired to wrap his arms around Ninja and kiss her and tell her that it'll be alright, but he refrained, saying instead, "You're not alone on this one, Ninja. We've got your back and we're not leaving." Ninja wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his chest, "I know but it just got extremely dangerous and if something happened to y'all …" Smiling at the petite girl, Tom held her close, "Nothing's going to happen to us, Ninj..." "You don't know that." "We can take care of ourselves and each other," Tom repeated her own words, gently kissing her forehead.
"Earth to lovebirds. Care to listen to what Judy found out?" Doug questioned. "Did you find out anything about Webb?" Ninja asked from the comfort and safety of Tom's arms. "Just that he always watches detention on Tuesdays and every missing kid had detention with Webb within a couple of days of them disappearing; most either the day of or the day before." Judy answered, raising an eyebrow at the 'lovebirds' as Penhall had dubbed 'em. Doug, Tom, and Ninja looked at each other, Doug grinned as he voiced their thoughts, "Looks like we're getting detention."
Meanwhile, a green-eyed man with salt and pepper hair knocked on the door. "Come in." came a muffled voice. Entering the room, Webb wondered, "Why are we meeting here instead of somewhere else, Derek?" "Because people don't pay attention when we're vague but they will listen to specifies and we need to be specific. I know Turner and her name isn't Kathleen Turner." The younger man behind the dark oak desk stated. "Who is she and does she recognize you?" Webb asked as he took a seat. "I don't know her name but last I heard she goes by 'Ninja.' She hasn't placed me yet, although it won't be long before she does." Smith smirked as he leaned forward, "Listen, I don't know if the McQuaids are students or not, but she won't fight if we have the younger McQuaid. And we can use her feelings for him to break her."
Laughing as Webb's eyes widened, Smith said, "Last time I saw her, she was almost broken. Even after the time she's had to heal, it shouldn't take more than a few days to finish what I started. Our client will pay triple the price to get her back, already broken. If not, he'll pay double for her and half for the McQuaid." Webb grinned at the figures in his head, wondering about the last bit, "Why only half for the boy?" "Because he's not going to pay full price for someone he might end up killing, John. But we could try selling Tommy McQuaid as insurance, to make sure she behaves."
Thoughtfully pondering Smith's words, Webb inquired, "When are we going to take them?" "Tomorrow. I've got the room ready." "I have detention on Tuesdays, not Fridays, Derek! And just how do you propose I get Tommy McQuaid in detention tomorrow?" Webb huffed, crossing his arms while glaring at his partner.
Icy cobalt eyes stared back into Webb's emerald ones until he looked away, "You can take my Friday detention. As for the boy, if you don't give it to him in class, let me know at lunch and I'll make sure he gets it in mine." Finished with the discussion, Smith dismissed his business partner.
Back at the Chapel, the three officers finished what paperwork had built-up over the past few days while the spy entertained herself. Absentmindedly throwing darts at the picture of Richard Nixon on the dartboard, Ninja asked, "What do y'all want for supper?" Not looking up, Tom replied, "You pick, Doug."
Casting a glance at Judy, Doug said, "Actually, me and Judy have to work on an English paper tonight, so we'll just grab something out." "Hey, can we join ya? I don't want Tommy getting tired of my cooking any sooner than necessary." Ninja chirped as she hit Nixon right between the eyes. For the fifth time in a row. Judy smiled at the young woman, "Sure, but I don't think Hanson will get tired of your cooking, Ninja." Ninja smiled back, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Judy, but I haven't had as much practice as you have. Where are you and Doug going to study?" Doug threw a dart as he answered, "Her place and, if Hoffs doesn't mind J.J. getting a reputation for being easy, I'll sleep on her couch." "Just don't forget that I sleep with my gun, Penhall. Where are we eating?" Judy asked as she gathered her things.
Grinning mischievously, Doug answered, "A little hole-in-the-wall diner not far from Southside. Trust me, Jude, you'll love it. You done yet, Hanson?" "Yep. Let's go." Tom said as he placed the paper he had finished typing in its case folder. Doug rode with Judy while Tom and Ninja followed them. The little trailer looked very out of place amongst the brick buildings and its flashing pink and blue neon 'OPEN' sign was the only thing that made it register as a business.
After holding the door for everyone, Doug led them to a corner booth as a college-age woman with shoulder-length blond hair came over asking, "Who's your friends, Doug?" Motioning to each person in turn, Doug said, "My brother Tommy and his girlfriend Kat are doubling with me and J.J. Guys this is Sheila, one of the best waitresses in the city." "You're making me blush, Doug. Now, what can I get ya? Today's special is meatloaf and mashed potatoes." "A small bacon cheeseburger and a Coke please," Ninja ordered. Tom and Judy repeated Ninja's order while Doug asked for the special.
When the food arrived, before taking a bite Ninja mused, "This place reminds me of a diner back home. It's almost exactly the same." Tom swallowed before asking, "You got everything for this paper, J.J?" "Course I do, but I'm not doing all the work on this, Doug." "Ok. You might want to write all the words though 'cause I can't spell for nothing." Doug said in character. Laughing at him, Judy said, "Ya know, I think you're smarter than the teachers give you credit for, McQuaid."
Finally ready to leave, the men went to pay. "Discount tonight?" Sheila whispered. "Not tonight but thanks for remembering," Doug replied just as quietly. "See ya at school tomorrow," Ninja called as they went to their cars and drive home. Neither the cop nor spy noticing the maroon Bonneville tailing them.
The Mustang pulled into the driveway while the Bonneville parked a short distance away. Bright blue eyes pierced the darkness watching Tom chase Ninja inside, thinking, It appears that they do care about each other. Perfect, but he wants her by Tuesday, broken or not...
Inside, Tom swiftly caught the fleeing Ninja, pulling her close before scooping her up and carried his prize to the bedroom. Giggling like a schoolgirl at her captor, Ninja whispered breathlessly in his ear, "We're alone, Tommy. What do you want to do?" Spine-tingling with excitement and every fiber of his being screaming with desire, Tom denied himself and answered, "I'm going to take a shower. You can join me if you want."
His voice betrayed his heart but Ninja ignored it for the moment, trying to keep the mood light, "Another shower? I never figured you for a clean freak, Hanson." Smiling as he flung her on the bed, Tom shook his head, "I'm not, but Smith made us run and I'm not too keen on going to bed sweaty." Ninja laid where she'd landed until she heard the shower running, We could do so much damage tonight if we aren't extremely careful, but at least he's making an effort.
When Tom walked out of the bathroom, he was surprised to see Ninja lounging on the couch in her nightclothes. "Everything alright?" Tom asked as he dried his hair with the towel around his neck. Sitting up to make room for him, Ninja said, "Yeah, just waiting on you." "Anything on tonight?" he wondered, sitting beside her. "Not really. I've got it on 'Goldfinger' right now but you can change it." Ninja yawned as she snuggled up to him, relaxing at the familiar smell of Old Spice. Lovingly starring at the sleeping warrior, Tom settled in for another night on the sofa. "Sleep well Ninj …" was all he got out before sleep overtook him.