Author's Note: So sorry it's taken me so long to get this updated. I've been busy with real life. I got a new boyfriend, work takes up a lot of my time, and of course my kids are always keeping me on my toes. Gotta love being a Mommy! So anyway, I finally found the time to type this up and edit it from my rough draft. I will say, that even I was a little disappointed with the ending LOL But it sets up for the following chapters. To be honest sometimes I don't realize what I'm writing until it's written. I see these scenes playing out in my head and try to write it as I see it. Kind of a weird method but it's worked for me for years. LOL Anyway... I'm done with my ramblings. So onto the the shoutouts.
Shoutouts: brankel1- I was glad to have them admit their feelings out loud to one another, but the drawback is that Kat was high as a kite on morphine and doesn't remember saying it... but it means that Jason knows that she feels that way... Hmmm wonder what plot devices can come of that! LOL Hope you enjoy this next chapter.
asdf- Thank you for the review and welcome to the ride known as this story. LOL I'm glad that you love this story and hope that you continue to read and review. Here's the next chapter!
Ghostwriter- Thank you for reviewing, I'm really am very glad that you like this story. I take great pride in my ability to tell a story, even though I know there is plenty of room for improvement, and am thankful that people out there enjoy what I have to say LOL Hope you like the next installment of this story. It's already shaping up to be twice as long as I thought it would be.
Jeremy Shane- Thanks for sticking with this story and leaving me a review for every chapter. Here's the next one for ya!
Kelsey. Marie. Scott- I'm glad you liked the fluff in the last chapter and I am working on some action but it's not going to be for a couple chapters. More fluff will ensue and then action and lots of drama... oh it's going to be fun! Hope you enjoy this next chapter!
ThisAwesomeStory- Thanks for the review and compliment. I'm keeping at this story just have to find the time to edit what I have so far. Lots of it is written in a notebook as well as a few scenes I've had in mind since I started planning this fic. Here's the next chapter for you, and hopefully I will have the next one up this weekend, but no promises. Enjoy!
Chapter 13
"You sure you don't remember anything after leaving my house?" Jason asked for what seemed like the millionth time.
"I answered that already!" Kat snapped as she tried to balance with her crutch without putting too much weight on her right leg. "I remember leaving your house, and then the next thing I knew I was here."
Between Jason and the doctors, they had managed to get Katherine to stay at the hospital for three days, but she was threatening to leave, with or without consent, if they didn't release her. Reluctantly they agreed.
"We know that you were attacked, Hillard, but what we don't know is how." Russ said from his spot in the chair across the room.
"If I knew that, I'd tell you." Kat scowled at him. "Just do your job and catch the bastard."
"Easy Snowflake." Jason said as he stood from his chair and moved in front of Kat. "Russ is just trying to get the facts straight so we can catch this guy. No need to jump him."
"I'm not meaning to, but you guys have been asking me the same questions for three days! I have said the same thing every time, I don't remember!" She snarled at him.
"Kat, I want you to listen to something." Russ said as he produced a recorder.
"I'm not sure we want her to listen to it." Jason shook his head.
"You said it yourself though, Lieutenant, there shouldn't have been anyone up on the bluffs at three in the morning. It could be him."
"Three?" Kat asked. "I left your house just before one, I wouldn't have still been out at that time."
"I know that's what I said too." Jason nodded. "But the call came in at just after three, if it's the 'Angel Killer' I'm sure he waited to make sure you were dead before you were found. He must not have counted on how stubborn and strong willed you are."
"It still doesn't make sense. If it was him and that was his reason, he could have finished me off like all his other victims."
"Maybe he was hoping it would create a distraction or something." Russ suggested.
"I don't know." Jason shook his head. "We probably won't figure it out until we catch him."
"Play it Russ." Kat ordered. Jason crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow. "We don't know, it might trigger my memory or something."
"I agree with the boss lady." Russ nodded. He reached over and pressed play.
"911, what's your emergency?" The operator answered.
"There's been an accident! I think she's dead!" A deep rumbling voice answered in near frantic tones.
Kat closed her eyes, trying to focus on the voice.
"Who's dead sir? Where's the accident?"
"The bluffs, I noticed lights in the valley. The car must have tumbled down the side."
"Can you see anyone?"
"I see one woman, blonde. There's a lot of blood and she's not moving. I think she's dead..."
Suddenly it was like a ton of bricks slamming into her face as the realization dawned on her, she knew that voice. "You think you're so smart..."; "Oh you taste so good..."; "... I've decided that you're of no use to me anymore..." Kat's body began to tremble and she could feel the knot on the back of her head throbbing.
"That's him." She said, her voice shaky and quiet.
"You sure?" Russ asked as he turned off the recorder. Kat nodded her head as she continued to stare at the recorder on the table.
"What do you remember?" Jason asked.
"He... He was already in my car." Kat looked at him, fear etched into her blue eyes. Jason sucked in a breath and resisted the urge to hold her until she was calmed down. "He told me that he thought at one point I was the only person who could catch him, but now I'm no good anymore. He hit me in the head with the gun he had been holding me hostage with."
"Did he say or do anything else?" Russ questioned.
"He... tasted me." Kat's body shuddered as she remembered his tongue touching her body, the smell of his cologne overpowering her senses... "He wore a cologne, pretty heavy too. It's not a cheap end brand, I know that."
"Cologne?" Jason repeated. Suddenly he knew what was off about Kat's smell when he hugged her the other day. "Your hair still smelled like him before we washed it."
"Good chance it's still in my clothes too." Kat nodded. "So long as they went to evidence instead of a machine."
"Please, do you think I'm an amateur." Russ laughed. "Of course they went to evidence as soon as Lieutenant Scott told me you were attacked."
"Good man Russ." Kat smiled.
"Kat, what did you mean by 'tasted' you?" Jason asked as he thought back over her comment.
"He licked my ear." Kat shuddered again. "Said I tasted so much better than he imagined."
"He's just sick." Russ shook his head.
"I don't know if he went after me because I look like his victims... or if he chooses his victims because they look like me." Kat explained.
"I'm going to strangle this asshole." Jason seethed as his fists clenched at his sides. "Kat, you shouldn't go anywhere alone anymore."
"Hold on a minute..." Kat started to argue only to be cut off by Jason.
"He got to you once he can do it again. Especially since you survived the car accident."
"I don't like it." Kat scowled after a few moments. "But I understand it. I probably shouldn't stay with Rocky and Tanya anymore. No sense in putting their family in danger for me.
"I was thinking the same thing." Jason nodded.
"No place safer than a house full of agents." Kat said.
"Right, the FBI house." Jason said, trying his best to hide his disappointment. He had hoped that Kat would stay with him, and let him protect her. Although he saw the logic in being in a house full of agents. The 'Angel Killer' would be suicidal to attack Kat at that house... or he could be just that good.
Jason shuddered at that thought. If he was good enough to sneak into an FBI house and get to Kat, they had little chance to catch him. Still he was hopeful that Kat was going to be safe there.
"Russ call Kale and tell him that Lindsay cannot come to Angel Grove and he is to report to the house immediately. I don't want anyone alone right now."
"Got it." Russ nodded.
"Where's the nurse with my discharge papers?" Kat grumbled.
"Impatient today?" Russ laughed.
"I hate hospitals." Kat sighed. "Especially this one."
"I know Snowflake." Jason soothed as he wrapped his arms around her waist, from behind, and pulled her to him. Kat melted into his embrace and rested her head back against his shoulder. Russ lightly smiled at them before he took out his phone and started of of the room.
"I'll see you two at the house later." Russ said. Kat and Jason both nodded.
Kat had noticed that in the last couple of days, Jason had become more openly touchy-feely with her. He was always placing a hand on her; hugging her; tenderly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear; holding her like his was now; or pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead. She assumed it was due to the fact she could have died and that was how he chose to show his relief. Whatever his reason though, she was grateful, since she was rather enjoying his attentions. Never before had she felt more safe and loved in someones arms, even Tommy's. She had realized, recently, that with Tommy, she did most of the holding and comforting, other than when Charlie died. Jason was doing that for her now, even if she didn't really need it. She wanted to do that for him in return. It just felt so... right.
Jason moved his head to the side and rested it on top of hers. Kat giggled as his stubble brushed against her cheek. "Have you ever thought of growing a beard?" She asked.
"Uh... not really. Why?"
"I like facial hair." Kat shrugged.
"But Tommy never..."
"Tommy had long gorgeous hair to make up for lack of facial hair." Kat interrupted. "While I like your hair the way it is, it's not nearly long enough to play with... but you wouldn't look good with long hair."
"Glad you think so." Jason laughed. "Cause I wouldn't grow my hair out like Tommy's, even for you."
"Oh and here I thought you'd do anything for me." Kat laughed as she pretended to pout.
"Close to anything." Jason whispered in her ear. "I just won't grow my hair for you."
"A beard at least?" She smiled sweetly at him.
"I'll think about it."
"I'm so sorry about the wait Ms. Hillard." a nurse apologized as she walked into the room. "Everything is in order, you just need to come back to have the stitches in your leg removed next week. If you experience any dizziness, nausea, or loss of consciousness you need to come back right away. Occasionally symptoms of head trauma can take a few days to appear if there's a slow bleed."
"I didn't know that." Jason mused aloud.
"It's rare, we're pretty thorough in our scans and tests. I'm just required to warn patients of the risks." The nurse nodded at Jason. "Make sure that you're cleaning your wounds everyday, especially your stitches. Apply some ointment before wrapping it up, and please use your immobilizer. It's supposed to prevent you from popping the stitches... You already know the drill for your arm. So just take an easy for a few days."
"I'll make sure she does." Jason nodded.
"You're lucky to have such a caring boyfriend." the nurse smiled at Kat. Jason waited for Kat to correct the woman.
"Sometimes he's a pain in the butt though." Kat grinned.
Score one for me! She didn't correct the nurse! "Yeah, yeah. So are you, dear." Jason grinned as he emphasized the word 'dear', as Kat rolled her eyes.
"You two are so cute." The nurse giggled. "Take care Miss Hillard. I hope we don't have to see you again anytime soon."
"Thank you so much." Kat smiled. Jason rubbed his stubble against her cheek causing her to yelp and begin laughing. "Jason!"
"What?" Jason replied trying to feign innocence. The nurse left the room smiling, just as Kat smacked Jason upside the head with her good arm.
"Can't you behave?" She grumbled, although the smile of her face betrayed her tone.
"Nope." Jason grinned.
"Just get me out of here." Kat rolled her eyes as she pulled away from Jason.
"Grouchy today, sweetheart?"
"So help me... If you keep calling things like 'dear' or 'sweetheart', I'm going to take this crutch of mine and shove it where the sun don't shine."
"Stone Canyon?" Jason smirked.
"Jason!"
"Alright, Snowflake." Jason laughed. "I'll be good." For now. He silently added. Someday she'll be calling me those things in return. I already know she loves me, it's just a matter of time now.
XXXXXXXXXX
Rocky and Tanya were already waiting for Kat and Jason with her suitcases by the time Jason pulled his truck into their driveway. Rocky carried the large suitcases over to the truck as Tanya following him with the smaller one.
Jason slid out of the truck and helped Rocky set the suitcases in the back of his truck as Tanya opened the passenger side door to talk to Kat. "You be careful now girl." Tanya said as she hugged her friend. "You be sure to call me everyday to check in. I want to know that you are safe."
"Yes, mum." Kat joked, but Tanya crossed her arms over her chest signaling that she was not in a joking mood. Kat's mood instantly sobered up. "I promise Tan. I'll call everyday. I'll be around still, it's not like I'm leaving for New York again."
"We're just worried about you." Tanya said softly. "What if he goes after you again?"
"That's why I'm going to the FBI house." Kat replied. "I've got four of the best agents living at the house with me, plus Jase and Tom will be around almost everyday. I'll be safe."
"She's in good hands Tan." Rocky laid a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Besides I still have my gun." Kat grinned.
"Fat lot of good that did you before." Tanya scowled. Kat sighed knowing that Tanya was right.
"I promise Tanya, Kat won't be alone at any time. We won't give this guy another shot at her." Jason said as he leaned against the truck. "Even if it means that I have to camp out on the floor of her bedroom, I'll make sure she's safe."
"For some reason I don't doubt that you would do that." Kat rolled her eyes. "See Tan. Everything will be fine, I've got my new warden and I'll be under constant supervision."
"Just promise me you'll call me everyday if I don't see you."
"You know Tan." Rocky laughed. "She'll be a worry wort to the end of time, but she's right call us often."
"I promise." Kat nodded. Tanya gave her friend one last hug. Rocky slid around his wife and gave her a hug as well.
"We'll see you later Kit-Kat." Rocky said as he stepped away and closed the door. Jason climbed into the drivers side and started up the truck. Kat waved to her two friends as they drove away.
"Oh before I forget, look in the glove box there." Jason said after few minutes of silence. Kat a little confused, but did as he asked. Sitting in Jason's glove box was a black box tied up with pink ribbon with a tag reading, 'SNOWFLAKE'. She quickly retrieved the box and undid the ribbon and pried the lid off the box.
"Oh Jason!" Kat gasped. Inside the box was a beautiful sapphire and diamond necklace with matching dangle earrings. "This... this is too much."
"Consider it a birthday/Christmas present for the last ten years, all rolled into one gift." Jason grinned. "Actually, I do have an ulterior motive for giving you those."
"Oh really?" Kat raised an eyebrow toward him.
"I was hoping you'd wear it to the policeman's ball." Jason replied sheepishly. He could feel his face start to turn a deep red.
"You do realize that I'll still look a mess at that time, right?"
"I don't care." Jason shrugged and then quickly realized what he had said. "I mean... it's not that I don't care that you're hurt... I mean that I don't care what you look like. You could go in a pair of jeans and tee shirt for all I care... Of course you'd look a bit out of place amongst the formals, but I still wouldn't care..."
"So you'll be in your formals?" Kat cut in. Jason just nodded, afraid to open his mouth again. "I do love men in dress uniforms... Sure, I'll go."
"Really?" Jason grinned. "Thanks Kat."
"No thank you Jason." Kat replied as she looked at the jewelry again. "This is really gorgeous. I can't thank you enough."
"Just going with me to this ball is enough for me."
"I'll have to get Tanya to go dress shopping with me. I didn't bring anything formal with me."
"So no jeans huh?" Jason laughed.
"With these jewels?" Kat gasped in mock horror. "I think these deserve to be worn with an actual dress."
"You should take Rachel dress shopping too." Jason suggested. "Since she's the only girl on your team and you shouldn't be alone. Even with Tanya."
"Actually that's not a bad idea. Maybe Rach can get a dress too." Kat grinned as an idea formed in her mind. "Tom should take her. They've been getting pretty cozy, they came into my room with his arms around her the other day."
"I've noticed that too." Jason nodded. "There's going to be a few angry lady cops."
"Why do women always seem to fall those kinds of men? They have to know that he's going to 'love' them and leave them in the morning. He's not going to stick around." Kat groaned.
"They fall for him because the hope that they'll be the one that he gives up his ways for. The one woman that he will do anything to become a 'better man' for." Jason shrugged as Kat stared at him slack jawed. "What?"
"Did you... Did you just have an insight in woman behavior that I didn't know?"
"Yeah, I guess I did." Jason laughed. "Well, here we are." He said as they pulled up to Kat's new 'hideout'.
"Yeah, here we are." Kat said slowly. Neither one moved for a few moments as they just sat quietly in the truck.
"I should get you in there." Jason finally said.
"I know." Kat nodded. Jason reluctantly got out of the truck and went around to Kat's side. Kat rotated on the seat until her feet were tangling out the door. Jason placed his hands on her waist as she slid forward pushing her weight into his shoulders. He gently set her down on her feet, as she made sure most of her weight was on her left leg.
"Thanks." She said softly. She was very aware of his hand still lingering on her waist and just how close they were standing. She could feel his breath, hot on her lips. Kat swallowed hard, as she thought he was going to lean forward.
"Anytime." He replied. His voice was low and husky sending shivers through her body. "Let's get you inside." Kat nodded, but again neither moved.
Finally Jason released her waist to reach for her crutch in the back of his truck. Kat gripped his bicep and pulled his back to her. "Kiss me!" She demanded quickly. Her own voice was low and husky, causing her accent to sound thicker.
"What?" Jason blinked.
"Kiss me." Kat said slower. Jason's gaze shifted between Kat's lips and her eyes and back again. His midnight eyes full of desire and confusion.
Jason inwardly groaned at how awkward Kat had just made the situation by demanding a kiss. The thought had crossed his mind a few moments before, but she had just ruined the moment. He had wanted their first kiss to have the just the right moment, and for her to admit her feelings while sober and unmedicated.
"Maybe later." He finally said.
"What? Why?" Kat yelped.
"Because this isn't the right time Kat." Jason shook his head, even as a small voice screamed at him to shove the romantic side away and just press his lips to hers. "We're standing in the driveway, anyone can see us, and you're injured."
Katherine sighed and closed her eyes. Figures. I get brave enough to tell him what I want and he shuts me down. Kat opened her eyes and looked at him. "Yeah, you're right."
She released his arm and braced herself against the door as he reached for her crutch. Disappointment coursed through both of them.
She steadied herself on her crutch and then hobbled toward the front door. Jason grabbed her suitcases and followed behind her, ready to assist her at any sign of trouble. I should have just kissed her. Jason mentally kicked himself. So what if things weren't perfect and she didn't admit that she loves me out loud. She asked me to kiss her, that should have been good enough. I should have just kissed her. Next time, I won't hesitate, no matter the situation. I'm going to kiss that woman!