"They seem to like you." O'neal said as I walked back up to my desk. He was sitting where Happy normally did and it made me irrationally irritated. I nodded and sat back down in my chair. Since Happy had pointed it out, it was obvious that O'neal's eyes lingered on me too long.
"It's all about mutual respect. I respect them and they respect me. If you go into a unit like Robo-CO, shit is going to be hard. You give them the respect they give you, things will normally go smoothly." I told him, hoping to pass on my way of running a unit to him. He laughed and shook his head.
"I think it may have to do more with you being beautiful. You got a date for the Christmas party?" O'neal asked with a smile. I narrowed my eyes at his forwardness and suddenly realized Teller was standing right behind O'neal.
"It's because she's not a bitch." Teller growled, startling O'neal into standing up. I gave Teller a half smile before O'neal could notice.
"What's up, Teller?" He shrugged and turned his eyes to me. The look in his eyes told me he knew about Happy and I.
"Just wanted to thank you for giving me some extra time at visitation. I appreciate it." He said with a smile and a nod. I relaxed a little, hoping I was right to think he'd keep his knowledge to himself.
"No problem. I know any time I spend with my man is important. Figured you'd want a little more with your family." I said with a smile. Jax smirked and nodded before narrowing his eyes at O'neal.
"May want to watch the sexual harassment, asshole." He warned O'neal with a scowl before heading back to his table. I would have to remember to tell Happy about what just went down. Teller needed to know I appreciated it.
I only got to see Happy for a few seconds during count before I got off work. The captain had decided to reward me with getting off on time and leaving the rookie on post. It was a nice gesture since my Christmas vacation started a few hours early, but I was upset I didn't get to tell him bye.
As soon as I got outside and into my car, I heard my phone ringing. I smiled as I answered it without even starting my car.
"Hey babe." I said softly into the phone. I wished I could see him and hated that it would be a week before I'd be back at work. He'd insisted I take some time off, but I noticed him growing agitated as my vacation had grown closer.
"Hey Kat. Think I should pop out on the rookie?" He joked with a low rasp. I could tell he was trying to avoid waking Tig up. I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me.
"Probably not. Your girl might get jealous." I said with a smile. Happy hmm'd. I filled him in on what Jax had done after I'd gotten back to my desk.
"He's a good brother. You going to that work party?" He asked with an annoyed tone. I rolled my eyes.
"No, babe. It's the same night as Lauren's party. Chibs is going to be there. Opie to I think." I leaned back in my seat as tried to hide my disappointment.
"I'm sorry, Kat. I would be there if I could." His voice was gravelly and it made my throat tighten with tears forming in my eyes. I always loved the holidays and I just wanted to be with him, even if it meant working.
"I know, Hap. At least I'll be with your Mom on Christmas. It's the next best thing. You think she'll like the quilt I got her?" I asked, hoping the tears rolling down my cheeks weren't audible.
"She'll love it, Kat. Stop crying." He growled. I sighed and took a deep breath. "As soon as I get out, we'll have Christmas again if you want."
His offer made me cry harder. I was a mess of happiness and sadness. On one hand, I'd found someone I truly cared about that seemed to want to give me the world. On the other hand, he was locked up and I wouldn't get to really be with him for another seven months. I sobbed and held the phone to my chest, hoping pointlessly to hide the sound.
"Katerina, just breathe. I'll talk to you as much as I can while you're off. You aren't driving are you?" He asked quickly.
"No, I'm sitting in the parking lot. I'll text you when I get home babe." I was growing tired and knew if I didn't get on the road, I'd be too tired to drive home.
"Okay, Kat. Be careful. Goodnight." I could hear the smile in his voice and it calmed me down as I started the car.
"Goodnight, Happy." I ended the call and rubbed my face dry before throwing the car in first and heading home. I sped home in hopes of getting to sleep quickly and starting tomorrow off on a fresh foot.
I turned my key in the door and pushed it open with a yawn. I furrowed my brow at the light on in the kitchen as I tossed my bag on the table under the coat hanger. I normally turned all my lights off, but I had been in a hurry that morning. I flipped it off and headed into my bedroom.
"Kat?" A voice came from behind me. I screamed and spun around, backing away from the voice quickly. Declan was sitting on a barstool with a beer in his hand. I took a deep breath and ran my hands through my hair in frustration.
"Declan, what are you doing here? It's late and I'm tired." I said, cursing myself for not changing the locks like Happy and Chibs had insisted months ago. Declan frowned and stood up slowly. I took my phone out of my back pocket and texted Lauren quickly.
"Baby, I know you're not seeing anybody. You just work and come home unless you're hanging out with Lauren and her boyfriend. You should have told me that guy was with Lauren. I'm so sorry I yelled at you." He reached out to touch my face. I took a step back and shook my hand.
"Declan, you're drunk. Have you been following me?" I asked as his words registered with me. He shook his head with a smile.
"No, no, not like that. Well, maybe just a few days a week. Kat, we can elope okay? Screw my mom. I miss you." He slurred as he tried to reach for me again. I backed up again and my back met the wall. I hoped Lauren was still awake and had gotten my message.
"Don't touch me, Declan. We're done, remember? I'm happier now. You must have seen that if you've been following me. I wasn't happy with you in the end." I said, hoping to reach his rational side through the alcohol. Declan nodded his head sadly.
"I'll make it up to you, Kat. I'll let you scratch me if you want. I know you like that, baby." He moved quickly and caught me by my collarbone. I moved to push him off and he laid his weight on me, pinning me to the wall.
I brought my knee up sharply, but he turned just in time to block his goods. Despite my efforts, he had me in a bad spot and outweighed me. His free hand tore at my shirt and the buttons popped off. I felt myself trying to whimper, but I refused to feed into his fantasy. I heard a hard knock on my door.
"Lauren!" I yelled loudly. Declan punched me hard in the face and covered my mouth. I winced as the pain coursed through me. My front door flew open and Chibs ran inside with Lauren on his heels. Declan let me go as Chibs slammed the barrel of his gun into his temple.
I pushed away from the wall and ran over to Lauren. Chibs stepped to the right so he was blocking Lauren and I from Declan.
"Ya think it's okay ta beat on a woman?" Chibs growled as he walked closer to Declan. He kept his gun pointed at him, but brought it down from his temple.
"I didn't mean to. She's my soulmate." Declan whimpered. I winced at how pathetic he sounded along with the swelling on my cheek. Chibs laughed darkly and shook his head.
"Wrong. Ya show up again, I'll kill you if her old man doesn't." Chibs promised Declan with a clip to his words. Declan looked like he was going to be sick. He rushed out of my apartment quickly. Chibs walked down the hall quickly before closing and locking the door.
"Thank you." I said weakly as he walked back over to Lauren and I. He holstered his weapon and shook his head.
"He's dead within a year. Tha' jackass just doesn't know it yet." He growled as he tilted my chin up and looked at my cheekbone. I could tell it was already swelling.
"Hopefully I can talk Happy out of killing him over the next seven months. That'll be him now." I said with a frown as my phone vibrated in my hand. Chibs nodded as Lauren rubbed my back soothingly.
"Hey babe." I said, trying to sound as normal as possible. Happy didn't buy it for a second.
"Kat, what's wrong? Are you hurt? Where are you?" Happy shot questions at me rapidly. I closed my eyes and waited for a chance to cut in.
"Happy, babe. It's okay. I'm home. Chibs and Lauren are here. I got home and Declan was here. He was drunk and tried to… I fought back. Luckily your brother got here before he got anywhere." I spoke quickly and skirted around verbalizing Declan's intentions. It did nothing to calm him.
"The fuck, Katerina? I thought you changed the fucking locks. Are you hurt?" He repeated the question as I heard Tig stirring in the background. I glanced up at Chibs who gave me his best attempt at a sympathetic smile.
"He caught me on the cheek, but it'll be okay." I said, hoping it was true since it currently hurt like hell. Happy threw some cuss words together that made no real sense, but portrayed his feelings. There was even some Spanish mixed in there.
"He's dead, Kat. I'll fucking kill him for touching you. Let me talk to Chibs." He growled. I wasn't about to argue with him in this mood. I passed the phone to Chibs and mouthed a silent sorry.
He held the phone out from his ear a little as he nodded and "yeah'd" and "aye'd." Lauren grabbed me a bag of frozen carrots from the freezer.
"You're out of peas, girly." She smiled weakly as I laughed and nodded.
"Vegetables are so useful." I said with a grin. Chibs looked down at us and rolled his eyes.
"No, they're laughin' about some frozen carrots. I don't know, they're women. Here." Chibs said, passing me the phone and pulling Lauren into his arms and kissing her hair.
"I'm sorry, Happy. I forgot to change the locks." I said, blaming myself for not trusting his intuition.
"No use being sorry, Kat. Chibs is changing the locks tonight. You need to get some sleep babe." His voice softened by the end and I relaxed a little.
"So do you. Goodnight, Happy." I said with a weak smile. I heard him sigh a little.
"Goodnight, Katerina. I'll call you tomorrow." The line went dead. I looked over at Lauren and felt tears welling up in my eyes. She hugged me tightly and stroked my hair.
"You two go ta bed. I'm gonna get those locks from Walmart and I'll be back. We'll stay here tonight." He kissed Lauren quickly before passing his back up gun to her and heading out of the apartment.