Meg watched Caroline and Mike move toward his truck as she walked to her car. She really did not like Caroline and it was more than because she was dating Mike. There was just something about her that didn't sit right. Mike deserved better.
Meg got in her car, "Oh shoot!" She looked at the folder sitting on the front seat of the car with information on the assembly. She had meant to give it to Mike. She watched as Roy and Joanne started heading down to their house, holding hands, the kids running ahead of them. She could just give it to Roy. Meg thought about it for a few minutes; no, if she was serious about trying to win back Mike, she should drive over to his house and drop it off to him.
Meg started her car and drove toward Mike's apartment. She pulled into the parking lot a few minutes later, but wasn't surprised when Mike wasn't there yet. The question was, how long would he spend with Caroline before he came home.
E
Mike took Caroline's keys from her, and opened her door for her. Caroline slipped passed him and into the living room. Mike instinctively turned on the overhead light to try and brighten the room. Caroline kept heavy curtains over the window in the living room and with the dark Mediterranean furniture the room just felt very dark and depressing to Mike.
Caroline frowned, but said nothing. Instead she moved across the room, turned on a lava lamp on the table next to the couch. She walked back over to Mike and flipped off the light. She placed her hands on his chest and slowly slid them up his chest, over his shoulders and wrapped her arms around his neck. She threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled him into a kiss.
Mike had to admit, the woman knew how to kiss. He pulled her closer to him, turning to press her against the wall, letting his body pin her in place. Caroline slid her hands down his back, pressing her nails into him. Her hands slid down and cupped his buttocks pressing him closer to her. Mike couldn't help the moan that rose in his throat. He pulled back and gently tugged her toward the couch. Caroline didn't resist, in fact, when Mike sat down, instead of sitting next to him, she straddled him on the couch, and pressed her lips to his again.
Mike slipped his hands under her shirt and quickly pulled it over her head. Caroline unbuttoned his shirt and he quickly slipped it off. She slid her hands under this t-shirt and lifted it over his head. She gently ran her nails down his chest and torso, then circled his nipples until they hardened. She slipped her hands behind her back quickly undoing her bra, she slipped it off revealing her breasts. Caroline leaned forward pressing her naked chest against his and resumed their make-out session. Mike felt himself responding to the physical contact and Caroline maneuvered her body to increase the sensation he was feeling below the waist.
Mike slipped his arm around her waist and in one smooth motion, flipped her off of him and back onto the couch. He slipped his body on top of hers and she wrapped her legs around him. Mike let himself get lost in how amazing she felt. He seriously started considering taking things a step further when Caroline's phone started to ring. Mike didn't stop their kiss right away, but Caroline eased back. "I should get that."
Mike slipped off of her and watched her walk half-naked across the living room to pick up the phone. 'Hello."
Mike tried not to listen to her part of the conversation, but given the fact she had chosen to stand in a small glimmer of light that flowed into the living room from the kitchen window Mike couldn't help but stare at her as the light seemed to shine directly on her breasts. Caroline smiled, knowing Mike was staring at her. "Yes, I can help out. I could be there in like 20 minutes. No, it's fine; I know that stuff can't wait."
Mike frowned as Caroline hung up the phone. 'Why do I have a feeling our evening just ended."
"I'm sorry, Mike. That was work, they just got a shipment in from a library that had a flood. We need to unpack all the materials and see if anything can be dried out and salvaged. It's a big project." Caroline walked back over and resumed her straddle position, since Mike had sat up. "I know you work tomorrow, but I promise, I'll make it up to you the next night," Caroline slowly kissed Mike's top lip and then his bottom lip, when he leaned in for the kiss, she leaned back and smiled teasingly at him. She leaned back in and pulled him into a kiss, when he went to deepen it, she pulled away again.
"Ugh, woman, you drive me crazy," Mike moaned.
Caroline leaned in and quickly engaged him in a deep passionate kiss that quickly had Mike eager for more of her. She slid off of him, grabbing his hand and pulling him up off the couch. "Next time," she whispered. "I'll find something special to wear for you."
Mike adjusted his jeans. He tried not to let his frustration show because he knew what it was to need to leave for work. "If your leaving late, you have security walk you to your car," Mike cautioned.
"I love when you get all protective. Don't worry, we park right outside the library; I only have to walk a few feet to get to my car."
"You don't leave alone, Caroline, I'm serious."
Caroline kissed Mike and walked him to the door. He walked out to his car and turned to see that she was still standing in the door topless watching him. Mike shook his head, she had a bit of wild child in her. That wasn't his normal style, but he couldn't help being drawn to her.
E
Mike pulled into his parking lot and noticed Adam and his buddies outside again. Mike closed his eyes, he almost didn't want to park his truck. Mike got out, watching Adam and his friends. "Hey, Adam," Mike called out. "I'm assuming we are not going to have any problems here." Mike specifically looked at Ronnie.
"No, sir, Mr. Stoker. I promise," Adam said.
Ronnie said nothing.
"Mike!"
Mike turned to see Meg getting out of her car.
"Meg, what are you doing here?" Mike said, moving over toward her.
"I forgot to give you some information on the upcoming assembly," Meg said, carrying a folder. "There's just a few things I need to go over with you."
Mike looked over at the group of guys and toward his apartment. He knew Caroline would not be happy if he brought Meg to his apartment, but he didn't want to stand out in the parking lot with her with the teenagers standing around.
"C'mon up," Mike jerked his head gesturing toward his apartment.
Meg followed him.
Ronnie watched them walk in to the apartment. "I've gotta get goin'," he said.
"Look, man, Mike's cool, just don't mess with his stuff," Adam said.
"Whatever," Ronnie said, and wandered off down the street.
"Thanks for taking a few minutes," Meg said, when Mike opened the apartment door for her.
"Sure, what do I need to look at?"
Meg moved over to Mike's table and opened the folder. "Principal Haggerty just wanted to make sure we went over some logistics on where the engine and squad should park, and how the different groups of kids will flow."
Meg pulled out a few pictures and started going over details with Mike.
"Have a seat, Meg," Mike put his hand on hers when he saw her hand was shaking slightly.
Meg gave him a small smile.
"Why are you nervous?"
"I'm not," Meg protested, but Mike just smiled at her.
"We're friends, Meg. There's no reason to be nervous with me."
Meg looked over at the couch remembering their last evening together. She had sat on that couch telling Mike about her dad's diagnosis and that she had to leave to go take care of him. Mike had held her as she cried. Their last kiss had been standing at the door as she said good-bye.
"I wish I could go back and take back everything I said that night," Meg whispered. "I wish I had been selfish and asked you to wait for me."
Mike looked down at the floor, he remembered how hard it had been to have Meg said she was leaving to take care of her dad and they shouldn't keep seeing each other. She had been hoping she'd get a year with him, instead it had only been a couple of months. But, then his mind flashed toward his make-out session just an hour ago with Caroline.
"Meg," Mike said, not knowing what he was going to say.
"It's okay, Mike," Megan said, touching his arm. "This isn't your fault. This is my fault. You've been nothing but amazing and supportive and I am so grateful to you for helping with the assembly." Meg moved toward the door. "Keep the folder, share it with all the guys on shift tomorrow and let me know if you have any questions."
Mike moved over to open the door for her, still unsure what to say, but wishing he could say something. Caroline's thought that Meg still liked him swirling in his head. Meg turned to face him, her soft blue eyes meeting his. She gave him a gentle smile that brought out the dimple in her right cheek. Mike couldn't help but smile back, she had an adorable smile.
Meg stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "I hope you're happy, Mike."
Meg opened the door and walked toward her car.
Mike stood at the door and watched until she got in her car and pulled out of the parking lot. He glanced over and saw Adam and a few friends still standing around, but no Ronnie. Mike looked back at his truck, and then closed the door.
E
"Detective Kate Stryker please."
"Kate, phone," the police officer across the room called out. "Line 2."
Kate picked up the phone. "Detective Stryker."
"Yeah, this is Ronnie. You told me to call if I thought of anything from the night I keyed that guys truck."
"Mike Stoker."
"Yeah, is the possibility of dropping the charges still on the table?"
"That depends on what you have for me," Kate said.
"The night I keyed his truck, I noticed a woman sitting in her car in the far corner of the lot, in the shadows. She appeared to be watching the apartments. I thought she was waiting for someone. I was watching her because I was waiting for her to leave before I keyed the truck. I saw her again tonight. She apparently knows Mike."
"Are you sure it was the same woman?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. She was definitely sitting in her car the night I keyed the car. I remember wondering what kind of idiot would leave such a pretty girl waiting on him. When she left I figured she just gave up waiting and I went to work on the truck. But, she showed up tonight, same car and walked right up to Mike. He took her into his apartment."
"Did she have red hair?" Kate asked, thinking of Caroline.
"No, light brown, close to blonde. Mike called her Meg."
Kate's eyes widened. She had taken Meg's information, but honestly hadn't put a lot of stake in her as a suspect, until now.
"Does this get the charges dropped?"
"I'll have to follow-up on what you've told me and talk to the prosecutor; but maybe."
Ronnie hung up the pay phone and headed home.
E
Kate sat on her couch surrounded by paperwork. "Come in," she called out, at the knock on the door. She knew it would be Eric.
"Hey, Hon, what's all that?"
"Background information on Megan Trask."
Eric raised an eyebrow.
"I got a call today from Ronnie, he claims he saw Megan sitting in her car in Mike's parking lot the night he keyed the truck and then someone slashed Mike's tires."
"Seriously?"
"He says he's sure it was her."
"Anything in her background?" Eric asked, moving a couple of papers, so he could sit next to Kate.
Kate handed him the sheet of paper she'd been reading. Eric read the sheet of paper and looked up surprised. "How'd you get this?"
"It was a misdemeanor, and the judge didn't seal it as a juvenile record."
"So she was convicted of criminal mischief for breaking the window of an ex-boyfriend's car with a baseball bat?"
"Yep."
"Gives you a slightly different perspective on the sweet school teacher image doesn't it. Are you going to question her?"
"I'm going to call her right now and ask that she come by the station after school tomorrow."
"Why don't you go make that call and I'll organize this paperwork for you and then we'll head to dinner."
"Sounds good," Kate stood up, but bent back over to kiss Eric. "Thank you."
"I worked with you long enough, I know how you like things," Eric smiled at her. Kate had her own style, she was incredibly logical and organized, traits he knew drove some people crazy, but he appreciated her ability to separate emotion from a situation and just look at the facts.
Eric looked at the papers and organized them in an order he knew Kate would appreciate. There didn't appear to be anything else suspicious about Megan Trask, but the one incident with the ex-boyfriend did seem related to the current situation with Mike Stoker.
E
Mike carried the folder in with him as he entered the station that next morning. He set it on the shelf of his locker as he began to change into this uniform. He hadn't slept well. He'd had dreams that kept interchanging Meg and Caroline in different dangerous situations, it was like he was putting them as the victims in the various calls he had gone on in the last few months.
The guys moved about their morning routine, getting changed into their uniforms, getting coffee, roll call and accepting their chore assignments.
"Hey, guys, I have a few things to go over for the assembly later this week. Can we take a couple of minutes?" Mike asked, setting the folder on the table.
The guy gathered around.
"Meg took some pictures of the school grounds to show us where we should park the engine and squad," Mike pulled out the pictures and the guys couldn't help but laugh. Meg had gotten stickers of a fire engine and ambulance, probably the closest thing she could find to represent the squad and placed them on the pictures. She had pictures of each child along with their name and a few bits of information about them included with the itinerary of what group of kids would be coming at which time.
"If we can keep these out we can study them when we are between runs," Roy said.
"Sounds good," Captain Stanley said. "I'll get some plastic helmets to hand out to the kids and bring them with me that morning."
"Does anyone have any questions for me to pass along to Meg?" Mike asked.
The guys shook their heads.
As the guys moved about their day, Johnny picked up on the fact that Mike was even quieter than usual. After lunch, he watched as Mike walked out to the back of the fire station and sat on the picnic table.
Johnny slowly walked over toward him, and sat down next to him.
Neither one spoke for several minutes.
"I didn't sleep well," Mike said.
Johnny just nodded.
"I kept having dreams about Meg and Caroline in danger."
Johnny looked over at him.
"I really like Caroline. I'm not even sure why. She's just so different from anyone I've ever dated before."
Johnny still said nothing, just nodded his head.
"She's gorgeous, sexy, wild."
Johnny concentrated on digging out some dirt from under one of his nails.
"So why am I still dreaming about Meg?"
Johnny looked over at him.
"After Ainsley left me following our first meeting, I started dating Kate. Kate was unlike any other woman I'd ever dated. She was smart and super organized. Rational where I'm emotional. She was a perfect example of opposites attract."
Mike nodded.
"Do you remember what Chet said to me?"
Mike shook his head.
"He called me a coward. He told me that I was going after Kate because she was safe. She'd never be able to break my heart the way Ainsley had when she left."
"So."
Johnny just looked at him.
"Man, I wasn't in love with Meg. We'd been dating less than a month."
Johnny said nothing.
"I wasn't."
"I didn't say you were," was all Johnny said.
Mike stood up and paced a few steps.
"Are you trying to tell me I should break-up with Caroline and go back to dating Meg?"
"No way," Johnny stood up, waving his hands. "You need to make those decisions on your own. What I'm asking you Mike, is what do you see for you and Caroline down the road? Maybe you don't remember it, but my wife was seriously rooting for you and Meg so she pointed out everything you said that made her think you two would end of married. Like how you both loved taking the dune buggies on the beach, both wanted a dog, you talked about kids and some of your views on how you should raise kids. Does Caroline like kids? Dogs?"
Mike was quiet for a few minutes. "I don't know."
"I'm just…," Johnny was cut off by the klaxons sounding.
"Station 51, car fire, at UCLA Powell Library, 10740 Dickson Ct."
"That's where Caroline works," Mike said, jumping up.
The gang moved toward their respective vehicles and were quickly pulling out of the station, the engine leading the way.
Mike could see the jet black smoke rising in the air before he pulled on to the long drive that would take him to the parking lot.
"That's Caroline's car," Mike said, seeing the dark colored sedan with flames engulfing the interior.
"Keep your head in the game," was all Captain Stanley said.
Mike pulled the engine up to the closest fire hydrant. Chet dropped down, ran along to the back of the engine and grabbed the end of the hose. He moved to start attaching the hose to the hydrant while Mike moved the engine closer to the burning vehicle. He allowed his eyes to scan the area looking for Caroline because it was part of his job to know where all the civilians were in the area and move any out of the way of danger. Caroline was standing toward the front edge of the crowd, campus security by her side.
Mike jumped down when he stopped the engine and moved to the side of the engine to man the controls. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Caroline try to move toward him, but campus safety stopped her.
Marco took the hose and began to spray down the car. Once they got the fire out, Mike turned off the gages and moved next to Captain Stanley.
Captain Stanley was knelt down near the front passenger wheel of the car.
"Whatcha got?" Mike asked.
"A reason to call Kate," Captain Stanley said, a dark brown burned tube in his hand.
"Is that dynamite?"
Captain Stanley nodded. "Let's go talk to campus security and you can check on your lovely lady."
Mike followed behind Captain Stanley. When they got close Caroline pulled away from campus security and ran over to him. Mike put his arms around her, pulling her into his chest.
"I was so scared," Caroline whispered, wrapping her arms around Mike's waist.
"What happened?"
"We're not sure. Miss Chaplin is the one who called us, when we arrived the car was already on fire."
Caroline turned to look at the others, but stayed leaning against Mike. "I was in the library waiting on some students," Caroline started, but paused when a car with police lights pulled up.
Kate got out of the car and moved over toward the group. "I heard the call and had a feeling," Kate explained.
"Miss Chaplin was just about to tell us what happened," one of the security guards said.
"I was waiting on some students at the check-out counter when there was a loud noise and the building shook a little. I thought for a second it was an earthquake," Caroline said, grabbing Mike's hands and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Then a student ran in and said a car had exploded. I called campus security and came out here and it was my car."
Kate wrote a few notes.
"When did you arrive at work?" Kate asked.
"8:00 AM."
"Had you been working with students all day?" Kate asked.
"Yes, I've been working up front with students all morning."
"Have you taken any breaks?"
"No, it's been a super busy morning, so I never got a chance to get away. I was just getting ready to take my lunch," Caroline said, looking up at Mike.
Mike knew she was hinting that she wanted to have lunch with him, but that couldn't happen with him on shift.
"Okay, I'll need to talk to a few other people, but I don't need anything else from you right now Caroline. I'll have a copy of my report ready tomorrow for your insurance company. Do you need me to arrange a ride home for you?"
Caroline looked up at Mike.
"I'm sorry, Caroline, I don't get off until tomorrow morning."
"Even after this?" Caroline asked, shocked he couldn't take a few minutes to drive her home.
Mike leaned his forehead against hers. "I can't," he whispered.
Caroline moved away. "I can get a ride," she said looking at Kate.
"Caroline," Mike said, reaching for her hand, and trying to gently lead her off to the side.
"I've got it, Mike. You're working and even something like someone blowing up your girlfriend's car comes second."
"Why don't you go stay at a friend's house? You'll be safer."
"I'll take care of it." Caroline said, moving away from Mike and back toward the building.
Mike sighed and headed back toward the engine. He slipped off his turnout, and turned around to see one of Caroline's co-workers standing nearby.
"Exciting day, huh?" Mike said.
"Seriously. I've never had anything like this, with the library at Southern California flooding and our needing to try to rescue some very valuable documents and now a car fire. We just need the Santa Ana winds to start blowing and we'd have wind, water and fire all in one week."
"Oh, so you helped out last night too?"
The woman gave Mike an odd look.
"I was with Caroline when she got called to help sort out the documents."
The woman scoffed. "Right, like Mrs. Hayworth would trust Caroline to a task as important as that." She walked away as a few women called out to her.
Mike knitted his eyebrows. Did that mean Caroline didn't get called into work last night?