A/N – Thanks for the comments. The drama train is slowly easing its way out of the station.
New character Rochelle: I like to picture Bailey from Grey's Anatomy, but with a different hairstyle.
Chapter 21
Sonny kissed Diane and then she threw her arms around his neck.
Father Coates grinned. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, father," Sonny said before shaking his hand. "I know this was last minute."
"It's fine. I'm glad you came to me instead of going to city hall."
Diane looks radiant and it makes the men smile.
Alexis wipes her eyes. "Well, Mrs. Corinthos, how do you feel?"
"I'm absolutely elated."
"Thank you for letting me attend."
"You're my bestie. Just make sure you don't tell a soul."
"I won't. Your secret is safe with me." While she was surprised when Diane came to her, it was more the timing than anything that had given her pause, but she understood that they wanted to be married right away and then have a bigger wedding after the baby.
"Alright, I'm going to go love on my wife because I have to work later," Sonny said.
"I left a surprise at your house," Alexis said.
"You didn't have to," Diane said.
"Yes, I did."
Diane hugged her and then Sonny led her to the car.
"You've made me so happy, wife."
She grinned. "I am over the moon, husband."
They kissed and then he drove her home and made love to her for hours.
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Julian fiddled with his pen as he reviewed his notes from the fires. He has a bad feeling that whoever is setting them is going to strike in the next few days. The earthquake had thrown them off, but it had calmed down and still nothing.
"Got anything?" Claudia asked before sitting.
"No. This is driving me crazy." He threw down a pen and rubbed his face.
"Take a break. I have some footage I need to go over." There are hours and hours of surveillance tape. "I made up a schedule and if I stick by it, I can be done by tomorrow night."
Julian's brow rose. She had been off her game the last couple of days, but it seems like she is back. "I'm going to take a walk and clear my head."
She nodded and got started. Several hours later, she sent a few frames to another office to be analyzed and cleaned up. She should have them back by late afternoon the next day. Julian had returned and is marking up their board which is adorned with a big map, trying to see if there is a pattern.
A courier dropped a package off and she tore it open and read the letter.
"Clive says that there were explosives used in the last fire and they contained pentite."
Julian sighed. "That would make more sense in an industrial building."
"He's playing games, so maybe that is all he had on hand. The house may have been a last-minute decision."
"True. I definitely think the next strike won't be residential. Put a trace on SEMTEX 10-SE. I want to see if we can compile any major purchases in the last few months. We have to start somewhere."
"I'm on it."
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Liz and Jason moved closer to the dining room in the mansion. Voices are raised which makes him groan and her chuckle.
"Why would you ask her to make southern food, Alan? You know you shouldn't eat that."
"Relax, Monica, it's one meal. She won't make it every day."
Tracy finished taking a sip of wine. "She has a point, you know. Lard will kill you."
Rochelle muttered under her breath. "Now listen here, my grandmother is one hundred and two and has eaten food prepared with lard since she was able to chew and she's healthy and looks a lot younger than you." She paused to savor Tracy's shocked expression. "I'll make sure that Mr. Alan normally eats well, but you cannot deny him all the time, or he'll sneak behind your back and eat."
Lila giggled. "She has a point." Hearing a noise, her attention went to the door. "Jason and Elizabeth, welcome. Come in and meet Rochelle."
The cook turned to look at them with a smile. "Hello, it's nice to meet you. Lila has told me a lot about you."
Jason shook her hand and then so did Liz. Rochelle is about five-foot-tall, a little thick around the middle with short, curly, brown hair and a big smile.
"Have a seat. I'll be serving in a moment."
He sat close to Lila with Liz who is seated next to Emily.
"I rarely see you anymore," Emily said.
"I know." They are stationed in different wings due to the reconstruction.
"Can I get you anything to drink?" Alice asked.
"I'll have water," Liz said.
"A beer would be nice," Jason said.
"I'll be right back."
Edward rubbed his hands together. "Well, I can't wait to eat. It smells delicious."
Jason leaned towards his grandmother. "Do you think Rochelle can put up with us?"
She laughed. "Yes. She knows what she is getting into and she has a crazy family too. Besides, she's very interested in my charity work and wants to work with me on it during her down time."
"But does she have a Tracy?"
Edward watched his wife get the giggles, wondering what Jason was saying.
"I told her I'd give her a bonus each month if she didn't kill her. She made no guarantees, but is confident that she can take her."
Jason grinned. "I like her already."
Alice and Rochelle entered the room carrying some trays and placed some items on the table. They made two more trips and Jason's mouth started to water.
"Wow," Liz said.
There is fried chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, hush puppies, mac and cheese and fried green tomatoes.
"There goes my hips," Emily said.
"Almost forgot the cornbread," Rochelle said before finding an empty spot on the table for it.
"I've died and gone to heaven," Alan said as his mouth watered.
"Well enjoy Dr. A, because tomorrow night, there will be a much leaner meal."
"I will. Pass the potatoes."
Emily chuckles.
Alice moved next to him. "Here's your sweet tea."
Monica shook her head.
The food was so good that no one could move afterward.
"I feel like I'm cheating on Gram," Jason said.
"What happens at the mansion, stays at the mansion," Liz said.
Rochelle came into to grab some plates. "Your grandmother helped make the dessert."
Liz is surprised.
"She's a great baker."
Jason stood. "Let me help you."
Rochelle smiled. "You don't have too."
"I insist."
Liz rolled her eyes as Jason disappeared, making Emily laugh. "This is what he did with Gram. He kissed up to her and she gave him a secret recipe."
Emily and Lila chuckled. "He's smart."
"I'm going to show him smart. How's Leo?"
Emily grinned. "He's fantastic."
Liz laughed her devilish expression.
He returned for another round and then plopped down again.
"Kiss up," she muttered.
Jason chuckled. "You're just mad because you didn't think of it."
"Here's a fresh beer and I saved you nice big piece of peach pie," Rochelle said.
"Thank you. You're a keeper."
Rochelle smiled. "Miss Audrey said you are a charmer." She winked and left.
Monica giggled at Liz's incredulous expression.
They brought out the dessert.
"Miss Liz, Audrey said you like chocolate, so here some Mississippi mud brownies."
Her eyes lit up. "That looks so good."
"I can't decide which one I want," Emily said.
Everyone chose a dessert and then went gaga over them after tasting them.
"That was the best meal I've had in a long time and that is no offense to Cook, bless his soul," Edward said.
"They just have different styles. I didn't think we could find someone just as good, but we hit pay dirt," Monica said.
"She's alright," Tracy said who is met with a table full of glares.
Monica erupted and the familiar sounds of arguing filled the room, so Liz and Jason escaped to the garden.
"I think I gained twenty pounds," Liz said.
"It was so good."
They sat on a bench and she leaned her head against his arm.
"I have something on my mind."
"Hmm?"
"I—maybe my place is too small or it's too soon, but I want you to think about moving in with me."
Her eyes shot open and she moved to face him. "Seriously?"
"Yes. I like when I come home to you and I know it's a small space, but my lease doesn't end for another six months and then maybe we can find something together."
"Wow. I wasn't expecting that."
"Don't answer me now. We'll talk about it again over the weekend. I just want you to mull it over. I won't be upset if you want to wait for a while."
"Suppose I move in and I drive you crazy?"
"That will never happen."
"Okay, I'll let you know on Saturday." The more she thinks about it, the more she likes it and she decides to save her adult bookstore purchases a little while longer.
He kisses her and then she resumes her position.
Alan and Monica joined them, sitting on the bench across from them.
"It's a beautiful night," Monica said.
"Yes, it is," Liz said.
"Do you have a shift tomorrow?" Monica asked.
"Yep. I'm looking forward to it. I miss teasing Johnny."
Alan chuckled. "You'll have to bring him and Sarah over for dinner one night."
"They would love that," Liz said.
"We'll set it up and if you want anything special, you let us know."
"Rochelle packed some dessert for each of you, so make sure you grab the bags when you leave."
"I'm glad you found someone so good. She's nice," Liz said.
"Yes, we are definitely lucky."
"Well, I guess I better go get some sleep," Jason said.
They stood and hugged the Q's and then went inside to say goodbye to Lila.
"I think they are going to eventually marry," Alan said.
Monica smiled. "I do too. She's great and will fit in well."
"I'm just glad he finally let someone in."
"Me too."
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The next morning at the station, Jason spotted Johnny.
"What's up?"
Johnny groaned. "You really don't want to know."
"Now, you've made me curious."
"Let's just say that I'm on Anthony Zacchara's shit list."
"What did you do?"
Johnny shrugged. "I guess he doesn't like me even looking at Claudia. He's crazy, so I am a little nervous and told Sarah to watch her back."
"You think he'd hurt her?"
"Who knows, but I don't want to take any chances."
Sonny approached them. He had already slipped off his ring and left it in his glove compartment.
"Hope you got a lot of rest. We have a hazmat simulation this morning."
The men groaned.
"I know, but we need to stay sharp."
They got their equipment ready and headed out. It's going to be a long day.
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Patrick answered his phone. "Ewan?"
"Hey. How are the headaches?"
"They are worse."
"You need to come back here."
"I will, but I need to get Elizabeth on my side first. I'm having dinner with her tonight."
"Do I even want to know?"
"Did you get the package?"
"Yes. Why did you send me a new phone?"
"I need a favor."
Ewan groaned. "Patrick…"
"If you do this, I'll make sure I'm back in Boston by the weekend."
"What do you want?"
"All you have to do is send a text message from that phone when I tell you."
"Can I go to jail?"
"No."
"I'll do it if you promise to get back here as soon as possible."
"It's a deal then. I'll text you later."
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An hour before Elizabeth's shift ends, there is a big accident and a pregnant woman is involved, so Kelly springs into action. The crash was brutal and everyone is scrambling to deal with the critically injured patients.
When the dust finally settles, three people had perished including the pregnant woman and her baby and Kelly is kind of a mess.
"I know you have dinner with Patrick tonight, but can you please come with me to Jake's for one drink."
Liz gave her a hug. "Of course I can do that. I still have time." It wasn't like she planned to dress up or anything.
"Let me go get my things."
"I need to go to my locker too."
Epiphany sat down for the first time in hours. Emily plopped next to her.
"That was crazy," Emily said.
"I hate days like this. It's a full moon. I just have a really bad feeling."
"I hope you're wrong."
"I'm usually not."
Emily frowned. "That's what scares me the most."
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Anthony calls his guard. "Claudia is getting too close. I had the guys cut the electricity to her building and stopped a courier from delivering some information she's waiting for."
"What do you need me to do?"
"You think Coleman could use some help tonight? She's on her way there."
"I can make it happen."
"Good. Slip her something to knock her out. I need her down until mid-morning at least and then it won't matter."
"You got it."
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A waitress approached the bartender at Jake's.
"I need a long island and a Cosmo for the ladies over there, and a Cosmo for the one in the corner."
He knew who she meant without even looking up and Claudia was one of them. Coleman took the bait easily when Bradley asked for a few hours, because that meant Coleman had time to run some errands and Bradley had time to do his boss's bidding.
While the waitress was distracted, he slipped something into one of the martini glasses and then finished mixing it. The drug should knock her out until late morning and he hopes Anthony will be extra thankful for that.
"Here is the one for the corner." He handed her a glass which had a cube of ice in it. "And here is the one for the pretty brunette."
She smiled. "Thanks, doll."
There is a disturbance at the door and a rush of activity when two men start to fight and in the chaos, the waitress gives Liz, Claudia's drink by accident.
Once the dust settled, Kelly is brought her long island and takes a big sip as Coleman returns and replaces Bradley.
"That is delicious."
Liz smiles and takes another sip of her drink. "This is very tasty."
"I can't thank you enough for coming here."
"It's no problem. You worked so hard to save her, so I know how difficult it must have been to lose them after that."
"Her husband was so distraught. I don't think I'll ever forget how he sounded when he cried."
Liz squeezed her hand. "What can I do?"
"Listening is helping. It's better that I don't hold it in."
They took another sip.
"I don't know who that bartender was, but he's a keeper," Kelly said.
"I agree."
Kelly's phone buzzed and she pulled her phone out. "Shit. One of my high risk patients just went into labor. I'm glad I barely put a dent in that drink." She is supposed to have the night off, but sometimes duty calls.
"Do you have some mints?"
"Yeah. I've got it covered. Thank you, again."
"If you need to talk later, call me. Patrick will understand."
They hugged and then Liz returned to her seat, surprised that the alcohol is really hitting her hard.
Coleman sat in Kelly's seat. "Hey, beautiful. Did you just get stood up or are more coming?"
"No, it's just me. We lost a pregnant woman, so we were just diffusing."
"Are you going to stick around?"
"Actually, I have a dinner to attend with a friend."
Coleman grinned. "Is that what you're calling Jason?"
She laughed. "No, it's my ex actually, his name is Patrick Drake."
"Noah's kid?"
"Yeah."
Coleman gets up because someone is at the bar and Liz takes another sip and then goes to the bathroom. When she goes to wash her hands, she feels very woozy. "What the hell?"
Slowly, she made her way out of the bathroom and almost ran into Claudia.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"I'm not sure. I don't feel right."
"Let me get you to the bar and we can call you a cab."
Liz gratefully accepts her help and Coleman is surprised to see the condition Liz is in.
"Are you alright?"
"I think she's drunk," Claudia said.
"But I just spoke to her a few minutes ago and she was fine."
He came around the bar and they sat her in a chair. "Elizabeth?"
A drowsy Liz tried to focus. "Patrick…" She was trying to tell him to cancel her date, but couldn't form a sentence.
"Can you see if she has a phone in her purse?"
Claudia dug around and then handed it over.
He flipped it open and it is locked. "What is your password, dollface?"
Liz very slowly slurred the numbers.
He opened it and found Patrick and dialed.
"Liz?"
"Hi, it's Coleman. Liz is right here, but she's a hot mess. I don't know how much she drank, but she was here with Kelly because they lost a pregnant patient. She said she had a date with you earlier. Hold on," He waved the waitress over and she told him Liz had only one. "The waitress said she only had one, but I know she can hold more than that. Something isn't right."
Patrick frowned. "Can you bring her to me?"
"Text your address."
"Okay." Patrick ended the call and typed it in.
Claudia is concerned because Liz can barely keep her eyes open.
"I'll take her. What's the address?"
Coleman shows her.
"I know where that is. I'll make sure she gets there if you can get her to the car."
Coleman picks Liz up and they head out.
