by C Paradee
"Hello."
"Dr. Donnovan, this is Patrolman Reeves. We got a drive by. I was told to call you," said the voice on the other end of the phone
"Where?" was the only thing Megan asked
Megan wrote down the address, and told him she was on her way. Walking back over to Tony, she sat down next to her, and gently caressing Tony's face with her hand. "Don't go anywhere," she smiled, and said, "I'll be back."
Tony shivered at the inherent promise of those words. "Hurry," was the only thing she said, her lips seeking out Megan's for a fleeting kiss
Megan was tired. Between the roller coaster ride of her emotions the last few days and her elation at finding out Tony's love mirrored her own, her mind was on overdrive. After getting the call, by the time she arrived, did her preliminary examination, and waited for the body to be removed it was after 11pm. Resenting the time lost with Tony, she pulled the car into her parking place, exited, and began walking quickly across the garage.
Approaching the elevator, she heard the whisper of a shoe on pavement behind her. Starting to turn, her arm was brutally twisted up behind her and a gloved hand covered her mouth. Struggling to free herself, and trying to ignore the pain in her arm, she drove her free elbow into the body behind her. Hearing a grunt when she connected, she immediately stomped her heel as hard as she could into the foot behind hers while simultaneously trying to turn into her attacker. When her heel connected, the arms holding her loosened slightly. Jerking free and allowing the momentum to carry her around, she faced her attacker. Megan felt a shiver of fear course through her when she saw the knife in his hand and a deadly dance began
Suddenly, headlights illuminated the garage and her attacker bolted toward the exit. Megan shakily made her way to the elevator.
Tony had been watching TV waiting for Megan to return, or rather trying to watch TV, her mind refusing to concentrate on anything but a small beautiful blonde woman. Hearing the key in the lock, she began to rise looking around as Megan entered the apartment. Knowing instantly something was wrong, she covered the distance to the door in long strides, ignoring the complaints from her back at the quick movement
Taking in the pale face and trembling body, she put her hands on Megan's shoulders and asked gently, "What wrong? " Megan looked up at Tony's worried face, and tears filled her eyes. Tony wrapped her arms around the small woman pulling her close, murmuring, "It's ok." Leading her over to the couch, Tony gently eased Megan down onto her lap, keeping her wrapped in a protective embrace while Megan fought for control. She began to speak haltingly, "There was a man in the garage.. I didn't hear him.. he grabbed me," she paused and took several deep steadying breaths before continuing. "I got loose... he had a knife... I was so afraid... ," no longer able to stop the tears, she buried her face in Tony's shoulder
Tony held her tightly, her voice soft and soothing, "It's ok, you're safe now," her tender actions at odds with her rolling emotions. Fighting to keep her anger at whoever had done this under control, she said, "No one can hurt you now, it's ok." Tony continued the soft cadence of soothing words until she felt Megan begin to relax
Megan's tight, tension filled body slowly relaxed into the supportive, secure embrace, and the warm comforting voice. Sometime later, after she gained control, she lifted her head from Tony's shoulder, saying, "I'm sorry... I guess I just lost it..." looking up at her with a tear streaked face
Tony looked at Megan, and raised a hand, her thumb gently wiping away the tears, "You got nothing to be sorry for," she said huskily, her heart contracting painfully with the realization of just how much this woman meant to her. Offering the comfort of her contact, she continued to hold Megan, gently stroking her head
Megan wrapped firmly in Tony's arms was content to stay right where she was, and overcome with exhaustion she fell asleep in the warm embrace. Tony sat quietly holding her, thinking about the attack trying to get her emotions under control. Later, her body complaining for sitting unmoving so long, she kissed Megan on the head and began waking her. Megan's eyes opened, and Tony smiled, saying, "Hey beautiful, how 'bout going to bed?"
Megan looked up into the captivating deep blue eyes of the woman smiling at her and said, "Only if you come too."
"I intend to," Tony said quietly
While they were getting ready for bed, the events in the parking garage came flooding over Megan. She sat down on the bed shaking. Tony moved onto the bed and wrapped her arms around Megan gently urging her down. Tony laid on her side her long arms around Megan's waist, pulling her close until Megan's back was tucked comfortably against her. She began murmuring to Megan over and over, "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you. It's ok," until she felt Megan once again relax into sleep. But sleep proved elusive for Tony and she never entered its realms until almost dawn.
* * *
Dwayne was furious. He had bided his time until Megan was on call. Then it was just a matter of listening to the police scanner. When he heard the homicide call go out, he had been filled with elation. He simply drove to her apartment, secreted himself in the garage and waited. He could not believe the bitch had escaped. Of all the rotten luck. He had waited so long. It was bad enough she fought like a hell cat. He sported a big ugly bruise on his foot to attest to that, but he'd have had her if that damn car hadn't pulled in. He knew he was going to have to lay low for a few days. She'd be on guard right now. Damn it anyway. He'd have to entertain himself some other way for a few days. No problem, some of his other activities had been neglected.
* * *
When Megan woke up she found herself held in place by long arms wrapped around her waist. Relishing the contact, she thought, I could get used to this. Shifting onto her back, she looked at the beautiful woman sleeping next to her, and marveled at her luck. Taking her hand she trailed it down one of the strong arms holding her. Sighing, as she noticed the early light of day advancing through the window, and gently disengaged herself, knowing she had to get ready for work. Leaning over, she kissed Tony on the cheek and left the room
She started the coffee and went to take a shower. Walking back into the bedroom, she began rummaging quietly through the closet, looking for something to wear. She took her clothes into the other bedroom not wanting to wake Tony
When Tony woke up the first thing she realized was Megan was gone. Noticing the rich smell of coffee brewing, she got up and walked out into the kitchen. She saw Megan looking in the refrigerator
Not wanting to startle her, Tony cleared her throat before saying, "Morning."
Megan closed the refrigerator, and turned toward Tony. Smiling, she walked over and standing on her tiptoes brushed her lips across the tall woman's, before answering back in kind
Looking her over carefully, Tony asked, "How ya feeling?"
"Better." Feeling a little embarrassed about her loss of control the night before, she said, " I'm sorry about last night."
Tony looked at Megan, an unreadable expression on her face and said quietly, "Don't be."
Megan was surprised by the intensity of Tony's expression. She knew she didn't have much time before she had to leave for work so sitting down at the table, she decided to tell Tony what was really bothering her about the attack the night before.
You know... I've been thinking," Megan paused, "I've had the feeling lately that someone's been watching me. I know that sounds crazy, but I've felt really uneasy a couple of times in the garage... you know how the back of your neck prickles... but when I looked, there was never anyone there. I guess what I mean is... I'm not sure this was a random... attack," Megan finished voicing the thought that filled her with fear
Tony, who had taken the seat opposite her, listened in silence as Megan spoke. Reaching across the table for Megan's hands, she held them in hers and asked, "Why didn't you ever say anything?"
"I just thought it was my overactive imagination. Since I never saw anyone..." she trailed off
"Have you ever felt that way any place besides the parking garage?"<
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"No, I don't think so."
"Can you remember anything at all about the guy that attacked you?"
Megan thought, "Well, he was about as tall as you. Kind of medium build, but he had a ski mask on so I couldn't see his face. I don't remember anything else."
"That's ok," Tony reassured her before continuing, "is anyone mad at you for anything?"
Megan looked at the concern on Tony's face and answered, "No... well except for work."
"What do you mean? What about work?" Tony asked, becoming tense
"Well... Jerry - he's another pathologist, and Dwayne - his assistant... they don't like me much... ever since I got promoted last year. I think maybe Dwayne might even really hate me, but he would never hurt me," she answered
"Megan, I want to take you to work and pick you up until we find out what's going on," Tony said hoping Megan wouldn't turn her down. She knew the small woman's will matched her own
Megan was relieved at the offer and said, "Thanks, I'd like that."
After quickly showering and dressing, Tony returned to the kitchen, and quickly finished a cup of coffee. "Ya ready?" Megan nodded affirmatively, and they departed for the parking garage.
* * *
Megan studied Tony while she followed the directions she gave her. The car was like a natural extension of her as she expertly maneuvered the Buick around the other cars on the interbelt. Megan silently acknowledged that she did drive a little fast though.
"Would you mind showing me around at work and introducing me to the people you work with?" Tony asked glancing over at Megan
"Sure," Megan asked puzzled until she realized Tony was acting on her earlier words. Tony parked the car and they entered the small nondescript building. Tony took in the surroundings carefully. She was quite anxious to meet the people Megan worked with. The idea that one of them might be responsible for the attack on her enraged Tony and she felt the familiar heat begin to rage through her blood. Megan glanced over at Tony and stopped. The woman walking beside her bore little resemblance to the woman she loved. Tony's entire essence oozed of danger, from the hardened planes of her face to the clenched chin. Her body moved with barely controlled tension. Megan involuntarily shuddered when the hooded eyes turned her way and she saw a glacial coldness she had never before witnessed.
Tony noticing the reaction she had caused in Megan, briefly let the warmth cross her countenance, and quirked a small smile. She gently squeezed Megan's shoulder reassuringly, before once again assuming the intimidating appearance
Megan took Tony to her office first, and put her purse in the desk drawer and locked it. She then led her to the autopsy suite. David walked up, pleased to see Megan but surprised to see Tony. "Hi you guys," he said smiling until he took in the expression on Tony's face and, unnerved, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Tony motioned for Megan and David to go Megan's office. All three entered, and she closed the door. Tony explained what had happened in the garage the night before and asked David if he thought any of their co-workers could be involved
David answered, "I'd like to think not, but I wouldn't put anything past Dwayne. The looks he gives Megan when she isn't looking are so full of hatred it's actually scary." Turning to Megan, he asked, "Are you ok?"
Megan looked up surprised at the revelation from David. Nodding her head to him. She remembered the one time she had seen the look of pure hatred Dwayne had given her. But she'd thought that was just an isolated incident. Thinking about it she shuddered.
Tony didn't miss Megan's reaction. Walking over to her, she put her hand gently on her shoulder and asked, "Have you ever noticed this?" Megan looked up and her and said, "Yeah, once."
"Thanks David," Tony said, pausing and then adding, "I think it's time I met Dwayne."
Dwayne hadn't seen Megan and Tony come in. He had been in the supply room. Tony simply leaned against the wall in a corner of the suite to observe, as David and Megan began to plan their work. Not noticing Tony, Dwayne glared at Megan. He still couldn't believe the bitch had gotten away. Before he had a chance to turn back to his work, a tall, very angry, barely controlled woman was standing in front of him. He was unnerved by the cold look of fury on her face. "You gotta a problem with the Doc?" she growled. Realizing this was the FBI woman he had stabbed, and fleetingly wondering how she could be up and around already, he said, "Fuck you. It's none of your business." Dwayne remembered how easily he had gotten the best of this woman once before. When she didn't respond, he said, "Now get out of my face bitch," his courage intensifying by her inactivity
Tony was simply trying the to control the urge to break this lowlife piece of shit into a thousand pieces. She was also aware of her new limitations due to her back wound. Finally, gaining some semblance of control, she grabbed his scrub top and pulled him to within inches of her face. "If I ever hear of you giving her a hard time, I'll break every bone in your body, and it won't be under the auspices of the FBI. It'll just be you and me. Got it," she growled ominously pushing him away from her. For the first time in his life, Dwayne's face paled as he felt the sharp pang of fear in his belly, and realized she meant every word she said. Tony knew her message had been received and turning away from him, she headed over to where Megan and David were standing.
Watching the incident, David whispered to Megan, "Remind me never to get on her bad side." Megan whispered back, "Tell me about it."
Both were unaware Tony's keen ears had picked up the whispered comments, and she made a mental note to talk to Megan later. "Could I talk to you in the office for a minute?" Megan answered, "Sure," wondering what Tony wanted
Entering the office, Tony turned around and pushed the button, engaging the door lock. Walking over to Megan, she bent her head down and very softly kissed the smaller woman. It was a light, fleeting, quick kiss but it conveyed a depth of feeling that was both an affirmation and a promise. Megan gave her a hug and as Tony turned to leave, she said, "If he gives you any trouble at all, call me."
Tony arrived at the station and went looking for Brian. Filling him in on the attack against Megan, she also voiced some of her concerns. She thought it rather unusual to have two knife attacks within just over a week, even though they were in different parts of town. Guns were the weapon of choice on the streets and two attacks, with assailants of a similar build was a little too much of a coincidence in Tony's mind
"I hear ya. I'll check it out," Brian answered, before asking, "How's your back?"
"Not bad," Tony answered. "Anything turn up with the informants?"
"No. Seems to be a dead end, but we'll keep trying. There's not much else to go on. We've got all the interview files in the conference room if ya wanna check 'em out."
"Ok," Tony replied, turning to make her way across the squad room. Entering the room, she picked up the phone and called Mike Braxton. "Mike, it's Tony," she said
"Where in the hell have you been? No one has seen you or heard from you in a week. Did you ever think about calling in?" he ranted angrily
Tony listened rolling her eyes at the tirade. "Seems to me, if I remember right, that you told me to keep you informed of any developments," she said, unable to keep the sarcasm out of her voice
"There was a new victim Saturday," Mike said, "wouldn't you consider that a development?"
"I am calling you now to give you an update. Besides, I figured you could read that in the paper. There have been no developments in the progress of the case. In other words, there is still literally no evidence linking the perpetrator to the victim," Tony explained patiently. "But if you want me to call you if the killer strikes again, I'll be most happy to oblige. I'm sure you won't mind being called in the middle of the night, right?" Tony finished, smirking to herself
"I don't think that will be necessary," Mike backed down, "just keep me informed if anything does come up."
"Will do," Tony answered before hanging up the phone. Turning to look at the wall where the crime scene photos were posted she compared the pho
tos of the newest victim to the other photos looking for any differences. All of a sudden Tony felt like she'd been punched in the chest. What had eluded her about the pictures on her first day on the job just about staggered her now. All the victims bore a strong resemblance to Megan
Could the attack be related? No, it didn't make sense. The victims had no marks on them except for bruising around the neck. No knife had been used. But could the killer have used a knife to force the victims to do what he wanted? Tony shook her head frustrated. Too many questions. Not enough answers. Tony now had a very personal stake in this case. Picking up the files containing the interviews with the informants, she began to read
Once Megan and David finished up their cases, it was close to lunch time and Megan remembered she had a date with her sister. Getting her purse out of the drawer, she turned to David and said, "I'm going to lunch with my sister. I may be gone a little longer than usual. Could you keep an eye on things here." The unspoken question of course, was would he cover for her if it was necessary
David smiled over at her and said, "Of course."
Megan arrived at the restaurant and greeted her sister. Once they sat down and ordered, Ashley asked, "So what have you been up to?"
Megan quickly related the events of the night before. She found she was able to think about it a little more objectively today, and left off the part about how, in her mind, she lost it afterwards
Ashley was very upset, "Are you ok? I mean, really ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It was pretty scary though."
"Pretty scary? I'd have been terrified. Do you want to stay with us for a while. You know we've got room and we'd love to have you."
"No," Megan paused, trying to decide how much to tell her sister. "I've got someone staying with me. I'll be fine."
"Is it the woman who answered the phone when I called... Tony?"
"Yeah," Megan smiled at her sister. "She's really fantastic. I think you'd like her."
Ashley looked at her sister and thought, uh huh. "Is this that FBI agent you told me about?"