"Ms. Thomas, if this keeps up, you won't have a job to come back to." Her editor said, his voice showing a slight hint of sadness.
"I am really sorry." She said, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she dug through her bag. She listened to his rant for a few more minutes and then disconnected. Arik was in the bedroom passed out on the bed, so Cindy was taking the opportunity to try and get some work done from home so she could somehow manage to keep her job. Every time there was a noise from the bedroom she would freeze with her fingers hovering above her laptop. Her phone buzzed on her knee and she picked it up. "Hello?" She said, her voice barely above a whisper. Loud enough for the person on the phone to hear, but not loud enough to worry about waking Arik up.
"It's weird, you know, being at a crime scene but not seeing a certain pesky redheaded reporter hovering around." Lindsay said, a slight hint of worry in her voice.
"I am feel a bit under the weather. So I am sitting in my living room typing like a maniac on my laptop to make sure I have a job to go back to when I get better."
"Does this have anything to do with your ribs?"
"No." Cindy said. "I told you, I just feel a little sick." She resumed typing as Lindsay sighed. "What?"
"Can I bring Claire by to check you out?"
Cindy stood up and glanced into the bedroom. "That wouldn't be good."
"Cindy.."
"Look, I will call you later, okay?" She didn't wait for a reply before hanging up. She heard Arik begin to move around and she shut off her laptop and laid on the couch in record time. He came into the living room and looked at her. "Afternoon." She whispered, slowly sitting up.
"Who were you on the phone with?"
"My editor. Trying to save my job." She said, forcing herself off of the couch and into the kitchen. "Coffee?"
"Yes." He followed her, and she was aware that he had slept off the alcohol finally. "Hey, come here for a minute." He whispered. She moved over to him and he gently wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry." He said, kissing the top of her head. He then let his hands move to her cheek. "I know you don't believe me, but for my sake can we pretend you do?"
"For your sake, and for my sanity, okay." She said, a small smile on her face. She finished making the coffee and followed him to the couch. He turned on the television and motioned for her to cuddle in with him. "Actually, I was going to ask if I can go have a friend check me out? It wouldn't involve reports or anything. But I might be able to get something for this pain." She let the words leave her mouth slowly.
"No reports at all." He said. "And be home by five, because I want to take you out to dinner and a movie." He said, standing up to kiss her. She leaned into the kiss and rested her forehead on his shoulder for a moment. "I love you. You know that, right?"
"I know." She smiled. As she grabbed her bag and jacket, she turned back towards him. "Five?" He nodded to her. She slowly made her way down the stairs and as she neared her car, Lindsay stepped out from the alley. "What the hell?!" Cindy yelled, jumping.
"Sorry." She said. "Thought you were under the weather?"
"I am going to see Claire." She replied.
"Well, come on. I will give you a ride." She said, guiding Cindy to the SUV. "Maybe you want to talk now?"
"Not really, no. I just want to get back home before five. Apparently Arik wants to take me out to dinner and a movie tonight." She said, bucking her seatbelt. They rode in silence and the second the vehicle was off, Cindy was out of the SUV and headed towards Claire's office. She knocked on the door and entered with Lindsay right behind her.
"Well?" Claire said, looking at Lindsay.
"I actually didn't have to force her to come down here. I caught her as she was about to head here herself."
"Then let's check you out." Claire said, gently holding onto Cindy's arm. As Claire poked and prodded, she tried to fight the tears in her eyes. After what seemed like hours, Claire made Cindy look at her. "You have three broken ribs and two bruised. That is really the worst of it. All I can say is to take it easy and aspirin." She glanced over Cindy's shoulder as the young woman left. Lindsay was staring at the floor. "What's on your mind?"
"Something is going on in that girls apartment, and I cannot get her to tell me what it is."
"Well, the more you push her the longer it is going to take her to open up to you." Claire said, going back into her office. "So why don't you give it up and let her come to you when she is ready."
"I hate when you say stuff like that." Lindsay said, leaving the office. She caught up with Cindy outside. "Need a ride back home?" She asked, smiling. Cindy nodded and wiped her eyes. The ride back to Cindy's apartment was even more quiet than on the way there and when Lindsay stopped in front of the building Cindy looked at her.
"Thanks." She whispered. "See you later." Lindsay watched her walk into the building and took a deep breath when the redhead was greeted by Arik. She flipped open her phone as she found a parking spot down the street.
"Claire, I really do not like leaving her alone with her boyfriend."
"Don't even think about staking her out."
"I would feel better if I did. Maybe just follow them to dinner and a movie tonight. I could use a break."
"Linz.."
"I will call you later. If this jerk is mistreating her, I am counting on you to bail me out of jail when I kick his ass." She flipped her phone shut and watched as Arik and Cindy walked down the street, thanking God that Cindy didn't recognize her car. She waited a few more minutes and then got out of her car so she could follow on foot. Arik had his arm wrapped around the redheads shoulders and Lindsay thought she looked a little tense every time he touched her. Part of Lindsay's fear was confirmed when Cindy said something to him and he gripped her upper arm tightly as he turned her to face him. It took all of her willpower to not run up to them and knock him out.