Chp 9

(The next day – Danny's POV)

I arrive to the crime lab, but Emmy isn't here. Odd. I run to Mac's office and he gives me a grim look. "Emmy called, said that she couldn't get out of the bed. She sounded as if she's been crying all night", says Mac. What the hell did Brandon do to make Emmy cry? "She said something about you mentioning Joe's name and now Brandon hates her", Mac says again. My hand automatically slams my forehead and I curse myself. I take out my cell phone and press down the numbers. Damn it, Emmy, pick up the phone!

(Somewhere else – Emmy's POV)

I wake up alone in my empty bed. Brandon left last night. I sigh. Sooner or later, I have to get up. My cell phone rings and it is Danny calling. Nope, I'm not talking to him…, well, not today though. I get up and have a short shower. I make the simplest breakfast I could think of – cereal. Dad calls it the 'lazy breakfast' and only made them whenever mum is too sick or sulking from whatever he upsets her with. Since I told Mac I won't be coming in, I might as well make the best of my day.

I drive around, but I avoid driving towards Brandon's apartment building. I am not sure where I was going, but I stop at the graveyard, where Joe was buried. Across the street happen to be a florist and I buy a bouquet for Joe. I walk till I reach his grave. I place the flower and I sit there for…, God knows how long. I lost track. I'm too sad to even look at my watch…, till I didn't realize that mum and dad have taken their position on my sides; mum on my right and dad on my left.

"What happened?", asks dad and I say that I had explained to Brandon who Joe was because Danny had to open his mouth. "Oh, honey, I'm sure he'll understand. I mean…, he loves you, right?", says mum. I simply shrug. "Well, you've avoided a lot of people today. Everyone is worried", says dad. Then, mum hands me a slice of sandwich, which I gladly take and eat. Suddenly, the skies roar with thunder. "It's raining. I'd say, we head home, have a nice dinner and watch a movie or something?", dad suggests. Oh well, it's better to stick with family rather than being all alone.

(That night – at Brandon's apartment)

Sissy hasn't come home. He turns to his side; it was not her. It's some hooker he happened to pick up on his way back home. The only thing that was similar, even if it is similar, was the eyes. They're green, but Emmy's was moss green; sometimes if it shone underneath the sun, it almost looked like she has a set of emerald coloured eyes. He wondered why it was not her on his side. Perhaps he's angry of the secret that she kept, but why should he be angry. She told him once it was a mistake, but was it the truth? He recalled her saying that, "Brandon, I know your secret by chance. Mine is too complicate for you to understand".

It was complicated, but he understood. Joe and her were drunk one night and accidentally had sex. Then, she got pregnant and everyone found out. Joe made a promise to marry her; he guessed that being a Reagan, he was meant to keep his promise and from the way Emmy retold the story, Joe was a nice guy and loved her as he loves her now. Unfortunately, Joe later died on the line of duty and Emmy was so devastated that she had a miscarriage. She was too depressed that she didn't come out from her room for days. 'Sounds like Sissy', Brandon thought. Sissy once said, "We're not bad people, we just come from a bad place".

When he told what happened during the dinner and Emmy's story to Sissy, all he got was a slap. "Brandon, she accepted you just the way you are! Here you are, walking away from her after she told you of her past!", Sissy told him, "Don't make dad's mistake. A person like Emmy is…, one in a million, Brandon. You should be lucky that she loves you despite everything you are. Why can't you do the same to her?".

The hooker got up and left. Brandon stayed in bed for a little while before deciding to go to Emmy's place. He left a note to Sissy and got dressed. He particularly ran towards her apartment, but only to find that she was not there. He sat outside, patiently waiting for her till he fell asleep by the door.

(Later – Emmy's POV)

I park my car at the usual spot. I walk like a zombie towards my apartment, then surprise! Brandon was asleep in front of my doorstep. I walk faster and see if he's asleep or unconscious. I shake him a little. "Brandon? Wake up", I say. He stirs and blinks his eyes a few times before yawning. He looks at me and smiles. "What are you doing here?", I ask. "I want to apologize for my behavior. I shouldn't have walked out on you. You love me for who I am and I'm the prick who couldn't return the courtesy. I'm so sorry, Emmy", he says.

He smells funny though. My eyes are narrow as I ask him, "I'm guessing that's not Sissy's perfume that I smell". He sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "I was angry and I need to release", he says. I look away before standing up and unlock my door. Brandon wants to come in, but I block his way. "Until you get that smell off of you, you are to stay away from me within 100 feet", I say. "Emmy, don't do this to me", he says. "Either you do that or I'll file a restraining order and we'll never see each other again. Don't make me do the latter, Brandon. It hurts me when you walked away and have a hoe on your bed", I say, trying not to yell as to not disturb my neighbor, "Brandon, I spent the whole afternoon in front of Joe's grave, crying and hoping somehow his spirit can help me and I spent my evening with my parents, watching old movie because they didn't want me to mop around as I did when Joe died. My mum can be traumatized that way. You? You turn away and find yourself some other bitch so you can fuck because you need a release! What am I to you this whole time? Some 'I-need-a-release' machine?". Man, I'm damn well angry at him.

"Emmy, please, I'm sorry!", he says, more like sobbing to me. "Brandon, I love you, but you lost my trust when you turn to a hoe instead sitting down and comfort me. Again, get that smell off or stay away from me. I'm not afraid to use my gun, Brandon", I say and slam my door. I drop down to my knees and cry. I hear his footsteps move towards to the stairs before disappearing. I pick myself up and curl on my bed to continue crying.

(Brandon's apartment)

Brandon literally ran back to his apartment and took a shower. He scrubbed himself till the only scent left was his soap. He dried himself before wearing his boxer, jeans and a new t-shirt. He grabbed his coat and made a mad dash back to Emmy's apartment.

(Back to Emmy's POV)

I don't know how long I have laid there crying. Then, I heard knocking. It's Brandon. I walk to the door, but I'm not opening it. "Emmy, please open the door and let me explain. Please, Emmy. I love you and I need you", he says. I open the door and cross my arms. He smells better and I'm fighting the urge to smile. "I've showered", he says. "I can see that, Mr. Sullivan", I say. He sighs. "So this is how it's gonna be?", he says. I shrug and say, "I dunno. How is it supposed to be? Please, enlighten me".

"Emmy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't walked away and I know damn well that I need to change because I finally found a woman who is worth it and the only reason why I'm fighting my demons right now is because of you and you change me…, everything in me! Please, Emmy, I'm sorry", he says. I beckon him to come in and he gives me the smile that melts me there and then, but I'm keeping my cool. I lock the door and he follows me to my room.

I, for fun, ignore him and lie down on my side, pretending to go to sleep. I hear him tossing his coat, probably on my desk chair. I hear him taking off his shoes and shirt…, I think, before slipping in the bed and pull me in his arms, where I respond by grabbing his hand and wrap it around my waist. He takes the signal and nuzzles on my neck and leaves a trail of kisses there. Not tonight, buddy. "Brandon, if you don't stop, I'll shoot you. Not now, you broke my trust, remember?", I say.

I hear him chuckle and say, "Good night, Emmy. I love you". He kisses my hair and settles his head on the pillow. I turn myself so I could face him as I sleep. I give a chaste kiss on the cheek to tease him. "Pillow doesn't talk. I love you too", I say and he smiles. He kisses my forehead and we both fall into deep slumbers.