Another shortish chapter today!
"I think I need another shower," Kate said as soon as Steve had let them in to his flat. She was sure she could still smell her attacker on her and it was driving her crazy.
"OK," replied Steve a little worriedly. It hadn't been much more than an hour since her last one. "You know where everything is," he said as he watched her disappear in to his bathroom, the sound of the shower being turned on shortly afterwards.
Alone with his thoughts, Steve realised this was the perfect time to do some practical stuff. Realising that neither were going to be at work tomorrow he phoned his gaffer.
"Steve?" He greeted a little concerned. It wasn't often a member of his team phoned this late at night.
"I'm not going to be at work tomorrow," Steve got straight to the point.
"Are you ok?" Ted asked, catching the desperately sad tone of his junior officer.
"Not really," he admitted. "Kate's been attacked and it's my fault," he confessed.
"Attacked?" Ted asked.
"Raped," Steve clarified.
"Mother of God," Ted replied genuinely shocked at the awful news. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Steve,".
"I'm just not going to be at work tomorrow," Steve repeated getting back to the point of his call. "I was wondering if you would be able to contact DCI Davidson and let her know Kate won't be in either?".
"I can do that," Ted agreed, wondering how exactly he would perform that task.
"Thank you, Sir," Steve replied before hanging up abruptly and leaving Ted with his thoughts.
Not long afterwards, Kate appeared in the kitchen in one of Steve's old white T-shirts. Her skin looked red raw from where she had scrubbed at it very roughly. "I'm not sure that T-shirt is clean," Steve said embarrassed as he got to his feet. "I'll find you a new one ,".
"I want this one," Kate retorted. "It smells of you," she explained. Right now it was the only thing that offered her any comfort. She felt safe surrounded by Steve's scent.
"Alright," Steve said as he walked over to Kate. "Should we try getting some sleep?". Kate nodded. "Are you OK with me sharing the bed? I can sleep on the sofa if you prefer," he offered.
"I think I'll risk it," Kate teased as she followed Steve into his bedroom and in to bed. However she was a disappointed when he positioned himself as far away from her as he could. "Can't you bear to touch me any more?" She asked sadly.
"No!" Replied Steve. "That's not it at all! I wanted to give you space. I didn't think you'd want me invading your personal space right now,".
"Well don't think," Kate suggested. "I'd quite like a hug if that's ok,".
"Course it is," Steve said as he opened his arms and Kate shuffled herself in to his embrace. "Sorry if I upset you," he apologised.
"It's ok," replied Kate. "This is gonna take some time isn't it? Getting our groove back," she said sadly.
"We'll get there," Steve promised.
Sleep was difficult to come by, but at some point, Steve at least must have fallen unconscious because the next thing he knew, Kate was dashing out of his arms and in to the bathroom. The next thing he heard was her vomiting in to the toilet.
Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he got out of bed and rubbed Kate's back as she continued to retch. "Would you like some water?" Steve asked once she appeared to have stopped.
"Please," she replied as she collapsed back on to the bathroom floor and rested her back against the bath, tucking her knees under her chin. "I think it must be those HIV tablets," Kate said to Steve's disappearing form. "The doctor said they might cause sickness,".
"Here you go," Steve said as he offered a glass of cold water which Kate accepted gratefully.
"Thanks," she said before taking a gulp. "Sorry for waking you," she apologised after another sip. "Been feeling shit for the last half an hour or so and then it just got worse really quickly,".
"No problem," Steve replied as he took a seat on the floor opposite her. "Have you managed to get any sleep?" he enquired, fearing he knew the answer. It was confirmed by a little shake of her head. "Err Kate," he said, noticing something.
"Yeah?".
"You're bleeding," he informed her, a little embarrassed. There was a bright red stain clearly visible on her white knickers.
Kate's free hand went to her crotch. She could feel some wetness and when she inspected her fingers she could see there was blood on them. It was the straw that broke her back and she suddenly started crying at how undignified her life had become. "I'm sorry," she sniffed. "You didn't want to be seeing that," she sobbed.
"Hey," said Steve as he moved to sit beside her. One arm pulling her closer to him. "It'll be the morning after pill taking effect," he consoled, grateful that it had worked.
"I'm not sure I've got anything here," Kate sniffed on to Steve's shoulder which was growing a little wet patch from her tears.
"The SARC gave me some pads whilst you were getting ready to go," Steve said. "I'll go fetch them and some clean underwear, ok?". He felt Kate nod. He returned with the required products and handed them to her. "Give me the stained stuff and I'll go put them in the washing machine," he suggested, leaving Kate to clean herself up. By the time she returned, he was back in bed. Kate noticed he'd left a glass of fresh water and the painkillers she had been given by her side of the bed.
"Just in case," Steve clarified.
"Thanks," she said as she crawled in beside him and took two pills. "And not just for the tablets," she added.
"You're welcome," Steve replied as he returned Kate to his arms. She willingly went again. "Lets try getting some more sleep,".
