First Date

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'm done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"Mystery magnifies danger, as a fog the sun." Charles Caleb Colton.

I changed my description of this story as it has continued to evolve beyond the simple first date. Thanks for your reviews.

Chapter 6

When Roy came back into the room Kanda seemed to be sleeping while Joe and Dixie wrapped the casting material around her foot. Standing by her side concern shadowed his face as she didn't respond to his touch.

"She's alright Roy. I gave her some Morphine," Joe told him.

Roy continued to hold her hand while he watched them build up the cast from her toes to her mid calf. When he finished Joe stood up and went to the sink to wash his hands, "That should do it. She'll be casted for at least six weeks. She needs to stay completely off it for a week but I want to see her back in two days because the swelling is significant. Sooner if it gets worse Roy."

"Thanks Doc," he said.

"Roy, she's not going home alone tonight is she?" Dixie asked.

"No. Johnny's at my place with the kids. She can stay there tonight then we'll decide in the morning."

"Sounds good. Let's see if we can get her up and going," Joe said. "The pain medicine seems to have really knocked her out."

Roy smiled, "I know she's exhausted. Kanda, wake up for me." He said as he gently rubbed her cheek.

Her long eyelashes fluttered open and she tried to sit up. "What?"

"You're all done. Ready to go home?" Putting his hand behind her to support her she slowly put her legs over the edge of the table.

He suddenly look at Dixie, "Dix, I forgot to call for a cab."

She looked at Joe who gave her a go head smile. "I'll do you one better, I'll take you," she said. The ER had been quiet all shift and they were overstaffed for a change. She wouldn't be missed for the few minutes it would take to run her friend's home.

Kanda was not one who took many medications at all, much less narcotics, and was thrown for quite a loop with the morphine circulating through her system. Roy wound up picking her up and taking her to the car when she seemed to have trouble staying awake in the wheelchair. He put her in the backseat then climbed in beside her.

"Thanks Dix for doing this," he said quietly.

"No problem Roy." She couldn't help her curiosity, "So besides the tire, tow truck and broken ankle how was the date?" She looked in the rearview mirror and just grinned as she watched him, watching her. He didn't even have to say anything. She was so proud of them both, each one taking that first step past where things go wrong in life and finding out that there is still someone out there for them.

"Dinner was good," he said with a weary half smile. But he saw the look on Dixie's face and knew he couldn't get anything past her, especially now.

As she pulled up into his driveway Johnny was coming out the door and straight for them. Roy slid out and about backed right into him. He tried to give him a reassuring look but seeing her sleeping in the back seat with her leg casted was not the most reassuring site.

"Morphine," he said with a shrug. He nudged her awake then helped her to slide over a little closer to him. Slipping his hands under her in one swift motion he picked her up as Johnny closed the door.

"Thanks Dix," Roy said as she got back in to return to work.

"Let me know how she's doing Roy."

Roy took her straight upstairs to the guest bedroom and as Johnny pulled back the covers Roy laid her down. It was only then that she woke up to see them both hovering over her. Johnny looked so worried, just like a good little brother. She reached up and took his hand, "I'm good TeeTonka, don't worry so much." The giddiness of her voice revealed the narcotic was doing its job.

He leaned back on his heels a little bit relieved just to see she wasn't in any pain. "Worry? Why would I possibly worry?"

Roy slapped him on the arm, "Yea Johnny, it was just a date."

Johnny pulled the blanket over her since she went right back to sleep, turned out the light as they left the room and headed downstairs. The light was still on and the kettle of water for the tea was still hot. Roy pulled out two clean mugs and made them both a cup as Johnny sat at the table, waiting. When he turned around he passed the cup to him and sat down. Taking a deep breath he could tell by the look on his friends face that he was very upset.

"Johnny, I feel really bad she got hurt tonight," Roy said feeling so responsible for her and what they had been through.

Johnny leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. "Exactly what did happen partner?"

There was an edge of anger in his voice that Roy knew shouldn't have surprised him but it still hurt. "Everything went wrong," he started as he cradled the warm mug in his hands. "When I picked her up someone managed to slash my tire. After dinner she took us to a place on the coast that she loved but some idiot towed my car away for no reason. When we climbed back up to the parking lot she fell." He took a deep breath. "It was terrible Johnny, she was in so much pain and we were stranded. We tried to walk for a while but she just couldn't get far. Finally somebody stopped and gave us a lift to a phone where I called a squad and we eventually made it to Rampart."

Johnny wanted to be angry at him but even he could see how rattled the chain of events had left his friend. However, certain words had stuck in his head. "A slashed tire?"

Roy nodded.

Johnny leaned back towards the table, "Who towed the car?"

"I have no idea. I have to figure out where the hell it is tomorrow. It's like we were plotted against tonight. But the fall just finished us off," Roy said.

"Roy I think I need to tell you something that Chris talked to me about tonight."

Roy didn't like the seriousness of his voice, "What?"

Johnny took a sip of tea. "Chris was upset tonight and I finally got him to talk some about it." He looked up at his partner, "Did you know that Joanne was upset over you seeing Kanda?"

Roy was shaking his head, "I don't really care what Joanne thinks. What does it have to do with tonight?"

Johnny got up and put his cup in the sink, "Roy, apparently Jo is more than upset, she's angry. And angry enough that Chris knows about it."

"Even if Jo is upset or mad I don't think she would do those things Johnny." Roy also put his cup in the sink and then turned around, "Do you?"

Joanne had been acting weird recently but she never seemed like the type of person to be vindictive. "You're right Roy. I'm just tired and upset over Kanda. No reason to think Jo is conspiring against you two. Let's get some sleep." He patted him on the shoulder and pushed him towards the stairs.

"I'll check on Kanda first then see you in the morning," Roy said.

Johnny nodded and headed towards Chris's room to sleep in the bottom bunk bed since Kanda had the guest bed. "Okay buddy."

Roy looked through the open door and could tell she was still asleep. Moving over to the bed he sat down on the edge of it and just watched her sleep for a moment. Even though the night had been a disaster somehow it had also been wonderful. At least he still had time with her. She stirred a little and seemed uncomfortable.

"Roy." The room was dark but she knew who was beside her.

"I'm here," he said softly. "Are you hurting?"

She nodded her head. "I feel like a wimp."

"You have a reason to hurt, don't feel bad about it. I'll get your medicine."

Joe had sent a bottle of pain pills for her to take and looking at the clock he realized it had been long enough since the last medicine. In the bathroom he got a cup of water then went back to her side. Reaching behind her shoulders he helped her up, "Here, take these."

She propped up on an elbow and made a face, "I hate pills."

Roy laughed, "And that coming from a doctor."

"I know, sounds ridiculous but I'd much rather try natural methods first."

"I know but it's 3 in the morning and you need to get some sleep. I vote for drugs tonight and natural in the daylight," he said then smiled.

She was too worn out to argue and her foot was throbbing, "I concur with your medical advice." She swallowed the pills then laid back down. "Thanks."

"Try and get some rest. Johnny's in Chris's room across the way and I'm just down the hall if you need anything." He pulled the covers up on her but saw a frown come across her face. "What's wrong?"

She felt silly saying it but she wasn't ready to be alone. "Would you stay with me for a little while?"

His features softened as he shifted on the edge of the bed so he was a little closer to her. "Sure. Try and sleep. I'll be right here."

She curled up with her pillow facing him, closed her eyes feeling safe and let the emerging effects of the pain medicine do their job.

Johnny awoke to find Chris already up with the sounds of cartoons wafting down the hallway. He got up and stretched like a cat with arms and legs everywhere along with a small groan telling of his three hours of sleep not being near enough. Running his fingers through his hair he headed down the hallway and glanced into the guest room to see Kanda sound asleep. What surprised him was finding Roy sleeping in the recliner by the window but it was Jenny and her bear curled up in his lap that made him smile.

He pulled the door almost closed then went down the stairs to find Chris piled on the couch with a bowl of cereal. Glancing at the clock he knew they only had about 45minutes before it was time to leave for school. Looking back upstairs he knew he had to get Jenny up but that would wake up Roy too. With a wave of his hand he decided to give them another fifteen minutes at least. He would work on some breakfast.

Kanda woke up to throbbing in her foot and for a moment had to wonder why? As she opened up her eyes she then had a moment of panic as she had no idea where she was but it was the sleeping man in the chair that reassured her that she was safe. Then another sensation hit her full force. She glanced around the room and found the bathroom door to her right. Alright, she thought. I can do this and not wake them up.

Pushing the covers back she saw, for the first time and actually remember, her foot and leg. Great, she thought. See if I visit the coast again anytime soon. After pushing herself to a sitting position she picked her cast up and moved it off the bed. Glancing back to make sure she didn't wake anyone up she then slid to the edge of the bed. Okay, she thought. Like the little engine she kept telling herself, I can do this. Using the bedside table as support she stood up on her left leg.

Roy was dreaming of waves and cars when the resounding crash of something breaking woke him up with a start. Standing almost straight up he had to quickly catch Jenny while wondering when she crawled into his lap anyway. Once he set her down he stood up to see Johnny hit the doorway just about the time he realized it was Kanda knocking over the lamp that started the whole scene.

Johnny ran over to her, now sitting on the floor, and helped her back to the edge of the bed, "What happened?"

She looked embarrassed, "Sorry. I didn't realize how much my left leg would protest its exercise from last night. It just gave out on me when I tried to get up."

By this time Roy was right there with her also, "What are you doing getting up anyway?"

She took a deep breath, "The ladies room calls broken foot or not."

Both men looked at each other, "Oh." They said at the same time.

"Uncle Johnny! Something's burning," Chris called out from the living room.

"Dang it," Johnny exclaimed.

"I got her. Go check on that," Roy said. Last complication he needed right now was the kitchen burning down.

Johnny didn't even take time to reply as he darted down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Come on," he said gently to her as she took his arm and stood up. It wouldn't have been a problem if her left leg didn't feel like it had just run the Boston marathon ten times, it was like jelly.

She stumbled and he caught her pulling her arm over his shoulders so he could get her weight shifted to him. With work they made it to the bathroom, "I can take it from here." She said with a smirk.

"Holler when you're ready," he said as he picked up the unusually quiet Jenny and took her to her room.

"What's wrong with aunt Kanda?" The little tyke asked.

"She hurt her foot last night but she'll be okay," he answered.

"Did someone hurt her?" This time her eyes filled with tears.

Roy hugged her tightly, "No sweetheart, no one hurt her. She fell down is all." The conversation a few hours before went through his mind. "Jen, have you ever heard someone say they wanted to hurt her?"

Jenny hung her head down and shook it.

He took her chin in his hand, "Jenny?" But all she did was start crying. Roy knew she was young and upset. Prying for answers wouldn't get him anywhere right now. He rubbed her back and tried to quiet her down, "Shh, she's alright Jenny. It's okay."

"What's wrong?"

Roy looked up to see Johnny in the room with them now. "She's just upset at seeing Kanda hurt. She's alright. Will you go check on her?" He nodded down the hall.

"Sure," Johnny said then left the room.

Jenny looked up at him, "Why do people say mean things?"

Roy held his breath, "Sometimes they just do." He didn't want to push her. "Just because someone says something mean doesn't mean they will do mean things."

She nodded her head then laid it against his chest.

He tried to give her a minute. "Jenny, can you tell me who was saying mean things?" Something was going on and he had to find out what it was. He hated interrogating his own child but it was obvious she was upset about something.

Jenny sat up again, "I don't know." She shook her head, "Don't want to talk about this anymore."

Roy gave his precious daughter a big hug then a kiss on the head. "I don't want you to be afraid alright? But tell daddy if anyone makes you feel afraid like that next time."

She nodded, then with a smile she jumped down and ran to the kitchen where the smell of pancakes was beginning to fill the house.

He was tired and frustrated as he went to his room to take a shower and get cleaned up before having to take the kids to school.

His next priority was finding his car.