Chapter Five: Sunday Solace
Kate showered and then took care with her hair and make- up (She didn't need much). She arranged her hair so that it framed her face then pulled it together at the base of her neck holding it together with an elastic band and bringing the fall forward over her shoulder. She chose a pair of lavender skinny jeans, a soft, flirty purple blouse and suede ankle boots. Her work day image was hard edged professional, dark skirts and jackets or pants suits with severe white or gray blouses and black heels or boots. Today she was going for just the opposite. Soft colors, feminine and flirty.
She was planning a man-trap, but with only one man as the prey. She was the predator. Of course it was a loving predation. She would nurture her prey all the days of her life. She paused, giggling at a mental image of her in judges robes sentencing Rick to life without parole in her custody.
Rick was standing when she came out of the bedroom and said; "Kate you don't need to get my clothes and bring them back here, I'm perfectly capable of putting my uniform on and getting my own clothes. I am a grown man you know."
She raised her eyebrows and said; "Really? How are you going to get there without your wallet or get in without your keys? I have them in my purse. You're going to stay here and rest until I get back. I don't want anything to happen to you. After I get back we can go shopping and talk. Please Rick, humor me in this. I promise that I won't snoop in your loft I'll just get some clothes and come back. I just want you to rest a little more. Because I'm going to wear you out tonight.
He smiles and agrees, his blue eyes lighting up with the knowledge that she truly means everything she said and if this little thing pleases her, he'll relax a little and wait for her. "I'll be quick." she promises, kisses him and literally runs out the door. He suddenly remembers to call the doorman to his building and clear her in. She's surprised when she enters his bedroom and checks the closet. The born and raised New Yorker had gone country on her. The boots he'd mentioned were black snakeskin western boots. She grabbed a pair of black Levi's, a black western shirt and t-shirt, underwear, socks and the boots. What was his fascination with black? She wondered. As she turned to leave she noticed a framed photograph on his night stand.
Her throat tightened and tears came to her eyes, happy tears. The photo was of her at her sixteenth birthday party, smiling at the photographer. All these years, he never really left me behind. Oh Rick why did you wait so long? Well, no more waiting not one more day. Tonight my love, tonight. On the way back she thought about the group that had approached Rick at the party and she stopped and bought a baseball cap and a pair of mirror lensed Aviator style sun glasses.
Checking her watch she noted that she'd been gone just under an hour so she sped back to her apartment, not willing to spend more time away from him than she had to.
"Rick where are you?" She called out as she walked through the door, not seeing him on the couch as expected. "I'm soaking in the tub." He replied. She put his clothes on her bed then boldly walked into the bathroom, admiring what she could see above the edge.
Teasingly she wolf whistled then laughed at his raised eyebrow. "Hey, you guys do it all the time why can't we girls? Seriously, why are you soaking in the tub?
He grimaced. "I think I pulled a muscle last night or at least slept wrong." "Where?" She asked. "What part of me is under water?" She started to laugh then stopped and glared at him." "Oh no you don't, Richard Alexander Rodgers you're not getting out of dancing with me that easily. Get your butt out of that tub and go lie down on the bed. There's fresh underwear on the bed. Put on the briefs and nothing else. I've got some very good ointment." He stared at her for a moment.
She intensified the glare. "I thought that you had to learn to take orders before you could give them Captain Rodgers. In my house I'm the general. Then she giggled. When it's our house you can be the general." Rick grinned at her assumption then said; "Give me a minute to dry off and I'll obey your command." She giggled again. "What no show? I'm disappointed in my big bad soldier." She turned and walked out of the room adding an extra sway to her hips as she did.
She waited a couple of minutes then picked up the tube of ointment and went into the bedroom. He was lying face down on the bed, as she requested wearing only his briefs. Her breath caught and she let out a quiet sob. She hadn't seen his back last night and was horrified at more shrapnel scars going from his hip to his shoulder but the one that really scared her was the single jagged scar less than a quarter inch from his spine.
She knelt on the bed then lay beside him pressing her lips to that one scar. "No more baby, no damn more! No more putting your life on the line. No more Army, no more scars. Ten years without you. Ten years of needing you. I've got you back and you've got me. I won't risk losing you again. Do you hear me Richard Rodgers? You are mine. Not the Army's, not the fan girl's not any other woman alive. I have loved you since I was ten years old and that is never going to change. Now roll over and look at me." He did and was looking into two eyes wet with tears but filled with utter conviction. "Can you see the truth Rick; can you give that same truth to me?"
Rick sat up and took her in his arms. "Yes Kate, I can see the truth and I say those things back to you. It took me too long to realize it. And in the early years in Special forces I got caught in the adrenaline rush and then got to the point that for a while all I could see was my mission and my men. And then when I realized how much I loved you I thought that it was too late. That you'd found a good man and were happy. I even pictured you with a child. I thought that I'd done too much damage. Yesterday was a miracle. Yes I love you with all that I am. I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives. But I need time to make amends to you. I…" she cut him off. "No Rick you don't. All the amends were made the moment you said you love me. Yes we will need time to adjust to the changes in our lives. And Lisa will need time to know you. But we're not going to spend that time apart. We'll adjust together. Starting right now!" She leaned into him and captured his mouth in a searing kiss, swiping her tongue over his lips until he opened his mouth to her.
I'm not waiting till tonight. I'm not waiting one minute longer. He's mine. I need him and I want him right now. She locked him to her with one hand on the nape of his neck and unbuttoned her blouse with the other.
She released him to slide her blouse off then pulled him back in to resume her assault on his mouth. He returned her kisses, igniting a fire in her belly. But he pulled away. She made a frustrated mewl. "Kate, look at me, are you sure you want this? It's so soon, I won't hurt you."
The look on her face was one of pure frustration. "Damn it Rick, you're hurting me right now. Do I look unsure; do I look like I'm afraid of this? I've wanted this for so long, so much, you can't deny me now." He looked deep into her eyes, eyes that were demanding and pleading at the same time. He looked a moment more then pulled her in and sought her mouth as eagerly as she'd sought his a moment before. Her mouth was warm and sweet, tasting of coffee and mint and a taste that was uniquely her. She moaned softly as he transferred his kisses to the slim elegant column of her neck, paying special attention to her pulse point. She began to breathe rapidly as he unclasped her bra and she guided his mouth to where she wanted it.
He unbuttoned her jeans, sliding the zipper down. She wriggled franticly to get out of them as he helped, sliding the down her legs, taking her panties with them. Her whole body arched into his touch. She had never been ready so quickly. "Now Rick, please, take me now, I can't wait any longer." It wasn't the first time for either of them, obviously but it was the first time for them.
It should have been awkward, a little hesitant and quickly over. It wasn't any of those things. It was slow, it was loving and it took her higher than she'd ever been before. Both Tom and Josh had been wham bam thank you ma'am types, rolling off her as soon as they were done.
Rick rolled off her than pulled her on top of him, stroking her back as she came down off her high. She nuzzled into his neck as her breathing slowed, feeling almost boneless. Always before, even with someone she'd been with for a while there was vulnerability, an anxiety in the aftermath. Here there was an afterglow. She felt completely safe, protected and right where she was meant to be, where they were meant to be.
"That was amazing Kate, he whispered "It has never been like that before, not with anybody."
She laughed softly. "For me either Rick but somehow I knew it would be. I've always known. I just realized that while I've had good sex before and I thought that I was making love but I was wrong. I've never been making love. Not until now. We just made love. And I swear by all that's holy I will never let you go. Not after this. We may not have said any vows yet but I know that I just felt our souls unite, not just our flesh." He continued to caress her felt her almost melt into him. "I know Kate, I would not have believed it if I had been told that we would experience what we just did. We still have a lot to talk about; a lot to resolve but you are it for me. Never doubt that." Her spirit soared at his next words. Soon Sweetheart we will be a family, you, me and Lisa."
Kate sat up and then stood, pulling him to his feet. "Come on we need to shower and then get going. We still have a lot to do today and just because we already made love doesn't mean that you get out of our date tonight."
She dresses in the same clothes and admires him as he puts on the cap and sunglasses. Oh he looks good in all black better than Johnny Cash, a cowboy James Bond. They exit the apartment and she loves looking at him. Tall and lithe, powerful, the scar makes him look dangerous. He is dangerous, she knows that, but not to her, never to her. She feels secure, safe walking at his side yet freer than she's ever been.
Their path forward to their forever will not be easy but she is absolutely sure that they will get there. He still has issues from their past, so does she. He has endured stresses she will never understand, his scars are more than physical and they will be difficult to deal with but she will see him through them.
She has her emotional scars. He was responsible for some of them, Will Sorensen for more. Just as she will help him deal with his scars he will help her with hers. She has a sudden revelation. If Lisa warms to him and accepts him as Daddy every scar that Sorensen left will fade away.
They get to her car and Rick is surprised. It's a deep green Jaguar F type S a true sports car. He expected something like a Mercedes or Lexus sports sedan but not a Jag. It still had dealer's plates on it. "Wow Kate. This is a great car but I expected something a little more conservative."
She raised an eyebrow, a little annoyed "You mean a little more sedate don't you? Oh, that's right. You weren't here for the Rebel Becks phase were you?" He could hear some of the old hurt and anger in her voice. Yes they still had some issues to work out. She slammed the shifter into drive and squalled the tires as she pulled out. She drove hard for a few minutes letting her anger bleed away. She stopped for a red light and glanced over and cringed at the consternation on his face. She snaked out a hand and touched him. The muscles in his arm were rigid, the jaw line set. "Oh God, Rick I'm sorry I didn't mean that it just slipped out."
She had forgotten how athletic he was. Before she could say anything else he vaulted over the side of the car without opening the door and took off down the sidewalk at a fast pace. She sat there in shock for a moment. Oh God, NO! Me and my damn big mouth. What have I done? I've got to fix this right now!" A horn blared behind her and she pulled the car to the curb, grabbed her purse and keys and jumped out of the car. He was already half a block away. Even with the healing injury to his leg, those long strides covered a lot of ground quickly. She ran after him thankful for her daily runs. She ran around him and turned and stopped right in front of him. He would have to stop or knock her down. There was no way that her slight frame could stop over two hundred pounds of solid muscle.
He stopped and looked down at her, confusion in his eyes. "Damn it Rick you can't run away from me. Not after this morning." "You were right Kate. I wasn't there. I hurt you Kate. I'm no good for you." Her tears were flowing again. "No good for me? You're the best thing that ever happened to me. Hurt me? Yes you did, a lot. But if you leave me now, it's a hurt I'll never get over. You started to heal that old hurt already. Sometimes I'm just a stupid girl and say things I don't mean to say. You're going to have to learn to deal with that, because as I said, I'm never going to let you go. Because I'll chase you down and bring you back every time you try to leave."
His eyes cleared and a wry grin appeared. "You Miss ADA a stalker? I'm shocked!"
She smiled up at him, glad for the banter. "Not a stalker, Babe I'm a huntress and you're my prey, my eternal prey. Now get your ass back into my car!" She grabbed his hand, making absolutely sure that he would follow her and walked back to the Jag. Once they were seated Kate took Rick's hand again and looking into his eyes she said; "Babe I know we still have issues and I know you feel guilty. I heard you, remember? But there's enough guilt to go around it's not all on you. What if I'd told you I loved you before you got together with Kyra or had the guts to talk to you afterward instead of hiding? What if I'd tried to find you instead wallowing? My dad has his share of guilt for the things he said to you.
My mother could have tried to talk to Martha but she didn't and Martha shares a little bit. She didn't have to sell the house. So it's not all on you. But we have to work it out because I can't lose you again. I won't. There is one more thing that I have to get off of my chest. Something you said to Martha that scared me and made me madder than hell! Your mother asked you if three chances to get killed weren't enough and you said it hasn't worked yet.
Damn it Rick you can't think like that anymore. I won't let you. If you get yourself killed it will kill me too. Oh, not physically but my spirit will die. I gave my heart to you a long time ago. I can't give it to anyone else."
Rick sighed. "I'm so sorry Kate I never looked at my life like that before. I never thought that anyone needed me outside of my command. All that I said to you is true; I just panicked a few minutes ago. I promise you we'll work this out." She leaned over in her seat as did he. They shared a sweet reaffirming kiss. Kate took a wet-wipe out of her purse and cleaned her face of the tear tracks then spent a few minutes repairing her make-up.
Kate looked at her watch. After all that had happened it was only eleven. She put the car in gear and pulled into the street. "First stop Jackson Kelly's we're outfitting you head to toe so that every girl out there is going to want to steal my man and be frustrated that she can't."
The exclusive men's store had their own valet parking. Kate looked the young attendant in the eye and said; "I know exactly how many miles are on the odometer." They entered the store and a fashionably dressed young man came up to them. It was obvious that he was checking Rick out rather than Kate "How may I be of service?" He asked.
Kate smiled and took great pleasure in popping the man's balloon. "My boyfriend and I are going out tonight and I'd like something that says bold yet refined. Can you help us with that?"
"You have come to the right place, I assure you. No one in New York does it as well as we can." Kate was sure that her credit card was going to take a major hit but she didn't care. The man brought out several sport coats for Rick to try on. He was amused at hoe Kate fussed over each one until she chose a deep wine wool-silk blend sport coat. Followed by navy-blue wool slacks.
She fussed again over the shirt finally choosing a blue silk shirt just a shade lighter than the slacks and a burgundy tie and matching pocket square. Finishing the whole outfit with a pair of black dress boots. Kate wouldn't let him see the bill.
"Can you have the trousers hemmed and everything ready by four this afternoon?"
"Of course Ms. Beckett."
She took his hand as they left the store. Smiling up at him, her eyes dancing with enjoyment. "Picnic time in the park." She said. She'd called ahead to a specialty deli she knew and they had a picnic basket ready for her. She drove to a secluded park. She took a blanket out of the trunk and spread it under an Elm tree. Unloading the basket she served them both then snuggled against him as they ate and sipped wine. Then they talked. Resolving some of the issues between them. Others could only be resolved by time but they knew, without a doubt that they were ready to move forward together.
As they were starting to leave the park, Kate found out just how dangerous Rick really was. Three gangbangers wearing hoodies were approaching them. One had a large knife in his hand.
"Hey white boy, just give us your wallet and sit there and watch while we play with ya bitch and maybe we let you live." Kate had never seen a man move as fast as Rick. The smirk left the leaders face as his wrist was grabbed and his arm twisted back and his elbow shattered by a hand strike. His howl of pain was cut off sharply by strike to his jaw which shattered it and rendered him unconscious.
The second punk was pulling a pistol out of his waist band when a boot impacted his testicles. He screamed and dropped the gun, clutching his injured parts. He rolled around on the ground until he was knocked out. The third, a short scrawny teen turned to run but Kate tackled him.
"Going to rape me were you, you sorry piece of crap? I don't think so. She struck his nose with the heel of her hand, breaking it. He screamed and tried to cover his face with his hands. Rick hauled him to his feet and slammed a massive fist into his jaw. All three were wearing hoodies and sweat shirts. Kate and Rick took the draw strings from them and bound their hands behind their backs.
Kate got out her smart phone and called the police. "This is assistant district attorney Katherine Beckett. My boyfriend and I have been the victims of an attempted robbery and attempted sexual assault. All three assailants have been subdued and we are awaiting the arrival of patrol officers." She gave the location and was surprised when her friends detectives Ryan and Esposito showed up within five minutes of the patrol officers.
The lead officer was staring at the three assailants. "Holy crap, they look like a wall fell on them." He said. "Not a wall, Kate quipped. More like a Castle." Esposito waited until Rick is occupied with one of the officers then he sidled up to Kate and whispers; "I told you that he's a bad ass."
When they finished their statements they agreed that they would come into the station and sign the formal statements tomorrow. They picked up his clothes and she drove him to his loft so he could get ready for their date. He called and told her that he would pick her up for the date at eight instead of her picking him up at nine. She happily agreed.
One of Rick's passions was cars, mostly classic "Detroit Iron". He had a 1955 Thunderbird, a 1957 Chevy Nomad, a 1963 Corvette Stingray, a 1969 Chevy El Camino and a 1971 Ford Mach I. His favorite car was not a classic. It was a 2013 Dodge Viper. He kept a Jeep Wrangler at Fort Lewis.
After Kate dropped him off at his loft she went to her parent's house and spent an hour with Lisa. The little girl ran into her mother's arms. "Kiss Mommy." Kate laughed and kissed her daughter.
"Lisa, Mommy will be busy tonight would you mind staying with Granma and Poppa tonight?" "No Mommy Poppa is fun." "And I'm not?" Johanna said. Lisa smiled. You're fun too Granma." Then Lisa surprised everyone. "Mommy, the man was hurt, is he okay?" "Yes Honey he's okay." Lisa cocked her head. "Who is he Mommy?" "He's Mommy's friend from a long time ago." Kate was often surprised by her little girl. Though only a little over two her speech and thought processes were that of a four year old. Lisa processed that information then asked; "Is he a nice man Mommy?" Kate got a dreamy look on her face. "He's a very nice man Lisa."
Kate, Jim and Johanna were all floored by her next question. "Would he like me Mommy, would he like to be my daddy?"
Kate hugged Lisa. "Why are you asking that Honey?" the little girl snuggled into her mother's embrace. "All my friends have a daddy, you and Aunty Nat have a daddy but I don't have a daddy." That brought tears to both Kate's and Johanna's eyes. Jim knelt down by his two girls.
"But you have me, Lisa." Lisa looked so sad at that moment. "You're my Poppa, I love you Poppa but I want a daddy. Although this moment was heartbreaking for Kate she remembered what Rick had said this morning. Well my little one maybe your wish is going to come true very soon. Aloud she said; "My friend's name is Rick would you like to meet him?"
Lisa's eyes lit up. "Can I Mommy, when?" "Maybe tomorrow Lisa, we'll see." Johanna already had a strong feeling where this relationship was heading. Even as new as it was she'd heard them both express their love in no uncertain terms.
She decided to help it along. "Invite Rick to dinner, here tomorrow, Kate. It will give me an excuse to make a pot roast and a batch of sugar cookies."