AN: Phew! Had a crazy couple of days. Just managed to get this done so apologies that it is quite short but I'm aiming to get updates out whenever I can. While I've got the momentum going I'll do my best to keep it going :-)

Again, thank you all so much for reading and those who left me reviews - THANK YOU!

To " 911"and "Dublin Writer" - wow I'm blown away by the generous feedback you've given me while you are both catching up on my story.

" 911" - the term "midsection" usually refers to the upper stomach area or lower chest so pretty much the centre of a person's body (the front only I think though I could be wrong). Thank you so much for your kind comments :-)

"Sylvia Elaine" - So your money's on Steve finding out first on who is responsible for him getting beat up? Any other takers? I'm interested to know what everyone else thinks? Let's see who guesses right ;-) Let the games begin! Thanks Sylvia for your wager!

Tanith


Chapter 12

Steve looked Whitney directly in the eye. "Why didn't you tell the police you were assaulted and mugged?"

Whitney was getting more and more uncomfortable by the minute. "I figured the cops had their hands full with murderers and organizes crime," he scoffed. I didn't think it was such a big deal. I mean, you're a cop. How many muggings go unsolved?"

"That's not the point. Whoever attacked you is still out there and they could potentially do the same to somebody else. Maybe the next time, his victim won't be so lucky."

Whitney ground his teeth together and fought to a keep a civil tongue. "I appreciate your concern for the community, Steve. It's your job after all, keeping everyone safe, isn't it? Now I'm sorry if I don't think like a cop. I figure I'll leave it up to the pros. If you'll excuse us we really need to get going," he held his hand out for Jeannie but she didn't take it.

"Whitney...," Jeannie began.

"Honey, come on," Whitney urged while dramatically checking his watch for the time.

If Jeannie hadn't been there, Steve thought, he would have said a few things to Whitney but out of respect for a friend he clamped his mouth shut. Friend. Somehow that word brought with it an aching pain to his heart whenever the term was used to describe his relationship with Jeannie. Because that was all he was to her, right? A friend. And that should be all she meant to him. Who am I kidding?

Drawing in a deep breath and letting it out again heavily, Jeannie made her feelings known that she was less than pleased with Whitney hurrying her along. With a glowering look directed at her fiancé, she reluctantly stood up. Feeling badly for Steve that she was leaving so soon, she gave him an apologetic smile and wished him goodnight.

Steve couldn't help feel a small sense of satisfaction when he caught the jealousy written all over Whitney's chiseled face as Jeannie leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.


Out in the hallway, Jeannie and Whitney passed Mike who was returning to Steve's room carrying a cup of orange juice.

"You kids heading off already?" Mike asked.

"Yeah," Jeannie shrugged.

Mike looked from one miserable face to the other. He would have preferred his daughter not gone out with Whitney that night but they obviously had some things to sort through and it was probably best to get it out in the open sooner rather than later. He gave Jeannie a quick hug and kiss and wished them both a good night then watched them disappear into the elevator.


"So, what did you and my father talk about?" Jeannie asked in a clipped tone as she pressed the button to take them down to ground level.

"Not much. He's not exactly a fan of us moving in together but I think he'll come around," Whitney said, wrapping his arm around Jeannie's shoulders and kissing the top of her head affectionately. "What about you and Steve? It sounded like I missed an interesting conversation."

"You know, he's right. You should have told the police what happened to you," Jeannie said.

"Why is it so important to you that I waste three precious hours at the police station giving my statement which they're not even gonna look at anyway? Personally I'd rather spend that time doing something productive like being with my girl or working on father's business."

"It's important because if those guys who attacked you were involved in beating up Steve, maybe you could've prevented what happened to him and who knows how many other victims could've been spared," Jeannie said in exasperation.

The doors of the lift opened and the couple walked out in single file after Jeannie shrugged away from Whitney's touch.

"Hey, hold up a minute!" Whitney called out as he lengthened his strides to catch up with the brunette in the parking lot.

Jeannie finally slowed down when they reached Whitney's car. She crossed her arms and refused to look him in the eye.

"Look, I'm sorry okay? I just..," Whitney paused and licked his lips. "I just don't get why you're all worked up about this. And why do you care so much about Steve anyway? I mean he's your dad's partner, that's all."

Jeannie's eyes blazed like hot coals when they met Whitney's. "Steve is my friend. He's family!"

"Really? It looked to me like he's more than just a friend to you."

Slap! Jeannie's hand flew up before she even realized what she was doing. Without a second glance she stormed away from Whitney toward the front entrance of the hospital.

"Jeannie! Wait! I'm sorry!" Whitney called out but it was no use. He blew it. Big time.