Savior
Chapter 16
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"I am heading out of my doctor's office now," Cate said into her cell phone as she slid her sunglasses on. "I can make it to the Dockside in about twenty minutes?"
She smiled at Derek's reply on the other end as she reached her SUV. The two said their goodbyes as she reached into her purse to grab her car keys.
Cate looked up from her purse to see Cole standing in front of her truck. "Cole, what are you doing?" She tried her best to keep her voice calm.
"I needed to see you," he replied. His normally well kept hair was hanging in his eyes, and he looked as though he hadn't slept in a few days.
The brunette backed herself closer to the driver's side door. "Why?" she asked.
He brushed his hair out of his face with one hand and sighed. "I miss you, Cate."
Cate pursed her lips. "Cole, you need to move on."
The sentence caused his face to distort in anger. "No," he said firmly. "He doesn't deserve you," he spat.
She pursed her lips. "Cole, we're through," she reminded him. "I've moved on. It's time that you did too."
He shook his head. She noticed his hands were shoved deep inside a hooded sweatshirt, which was strange considering the warm temperature. "Come back to me, Cat," his hands jostled around in the pocket.
Cole had yet to look away from the brunette, so she could not pull her cell phone from her purse. "I can't, Cole. I'm sorry." She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head, making full eye contact with the blonde man. "Please, Cole," she pleaded, "I'm begging you. Move on."
Her heart broke as she saw the man standing in front of her. He looked so different from the man she knew. Cole always looked so confident and powerful. He would rarely leave the house in less than a suit and tie. His blonde hair was usually gelled back; it was one of the things she loved about him.
He stood before her in ripped jeans and a hoodie, his entire look was disheveled.
"I need you back, Cate."
She shook her head. "No, you don't." The emotion that overcame caused her to grip the door handle on her SUV. "You need help, Cole."
His eyes flashed with anger at her words. "You're just like everyone else," he scoffed at her. "Always acting like you're better than me." She bit the inside of her lip as he took a step in her direction. "You're not better than me, Catherine," he spit. "You're dating a black man." He sneered when he said that.
Cate noticed herself stand up straighter when the words left his mouth. "So that's what this is about?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "His skin color? Really, Cole? That's your issue?" Cate hit the unlock button to her truck and placed a hand to her hip. "I don't have time to listen to this bullshit, Cole."
She whipped open the door and threw her purse inside.
"Get your shit together," she warned, "And stay away from me." He took another step towards her, but stopped when she held her hand up. "I mean it, Cole. Leave me alone. Get yourself some help. You need it."
Cate slid into her truck and locked the doors immediately. As she started her SUV up, she grabbed her phone from her purse. Two missed calls from Derek. She set her phone to the Bluetooth in the vehicle, all while keeping an eye on Cole.
She lowered the driver's side window slightly as Derek's voice echoed through the truck. "Baby, where are you?"
"I'm on my way. I got caught up," she replied, staring through Cole as he slowly backed away from her truck. When he was far enough away, she backed out of the parking spot and pulled out of the lot. "I'll explain when I get there," she assured him.
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Cate rushed into the restaurant, her eyes searching for Derek. She could hear Penelope's laughter carry through the bar and grill, and it caused a smile to take over her face. She took a deep breath before heading towards them.
She made her way to the table where Derek sat with Penelope, JJ and David. She winked in Garcia's direction as she slid into the booth next to Derek and pecked his cheek. "I'm sorry I'm late," she pursed her lips into a smile.
Under the table, she reached for Derek's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Is everything okay, Cate?" Garcia asked.
She nodded. "I'm good, thanks." The waitress returned to their table and set out the round of drinks they had ordered. "Much better now," she mused when she placed her usual cocktail in front of her.
"You sounded like you needed it," Derek said as his hand rested on her lap. She turned to him and gave a smile, letting him know they would talk later.
Garcia cleared her throat, and lifted her martini in the air. "TGIF, my friends," she toasted as the others raised their glasses. "We made it through another week!"
"Is it just me, or do the weeks seem longer when we're in Quantico?" JJ mused as she surveyed the menu.
Penelope let out a giggle. "Those are my favorite weeks!" She leaned back in her seat, a grin taking over her face. "I know my Super Heroes are safe when they're at Home Base."
The table broke into smiles at Penelope's admission.
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Derek placed a hand to each cheek and pressed his lips to hers. "I will see you at home," he mumbled against her lips.
She smiled. "Absolutely."
The black man made no attempt to let go of her, his eyes locking on to hers. He took in every freckle on her face, and watched her perfect lips spread into a shy smile.
"Don't mind us back here," Penelope joked from behind the couple.
Cate's cheeks turned a quick shade of red as Derek only smirked. "Sorry," Cate said, sheepishly.
Garcia grinned. "I'm just happy to see Derek this in looove," she sang.
The brunette tucked her head away from the group to hide her blush. JJ held up her phone, "Cate, I will call you about kickboxing classes next week! I'm so glad someone finally wants to come with me!"
Cate grinned at the blonde. "I can't do the Derek Morgan work out again or I may die," she began.
Dave lifted his hand and shook his head. "That's too much information," he joked as Penelope hit him on the arm.
"She wasn't talking about that kind of work out, Rossi!" the bubbly blonde exclaimed.
The Italian man held his hands up in defense. "It's not that bad," Derek sighed.
JJ and Cate shot him weary looks, both ladies disagreeing with his statement. "Whatever you say, Derek," JJ laughed. "I think I was sore for a week after you put me through 'boot camp'," she emphasized with air quotes.
"I'm a one and done," Cate commented. "I will stick to my runs on the treadmill while fantasizing about ice cream."
Everyone laughed. "I think you'll like this class, Cate. Maybe it'll help you whoop Derek's ass."
The team all said their goodbyes, leaving Cate and Derek standing next to her SUV. Derek ran a hand over her hair and tucked it beneath the brown locks to her back of her neck.
"We will talk when we get home," she stated, knowing the look in his eyes. "I promise."
He placed a kiss to her lips before he opened her driver's side door for her. He could not contain his laughter as she started the truck up and blasted her country radio. Derek waited until she started to pull out of the parking lot to drive away, following her back to his apartment.
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