by Robin Hicks
"She's got a nice smile. She's got nice green eyes." Laney grinned.
'Hey…I have green eyes.'
"She's got a nice build. She's too hard though."
"What do you mean?"
"She's too hard. Too much muscle. IF I were to go for a woman, I don't think I would want that much muscle. I had that with my husband. The softness would definitely be a benefit to being with a woman."
"Oh yeah, softness is most definitely a benefit." Randi laughed, but had to wipe the sweat from her palms onto her jeans. A change of subject was due before she got herself in trouble.
"Ok Laney, which way from here."
'She's so cute when she's flustered.' "Um…We're here Sparky."
"Damn it Laney, don't call me that." Randi gruffed as she threw the truck in gear. As she got out, and right before she closed the door, she barked loudly.
"Jesus, you are certifiable Miss Daniels. Are you aware of that?"
"Oh yeah…"
"Here Lane, slide that this way, yeah…that's it. Okay, let's go get that dresser and those few boxes and we can get going." Randi said as she went to walk in front of Laney.
With a smirk, she back handed Laney in the gut, and then reached for her bicep. "Damn Laney, your pretty damn toned and, muscled yourself." Then she jumped off the back of the truck. 'Ha, take that you smart ass. Two can play your game.'
Laney halted to a complete standstill. 'She means hard…and muscled doesn't she? Shit, that's a bad thing! Knock it off Jacob's, and get back to work.'
"Hey Thing."
Laney turned to look at Randi. "Thing?"
"Yeah, you know, Thing." Randi struck the pose of a body builder. "Thing. Rock body thing from Fantastic 4, Thing." Randi grinned.
"Ooh Sparky, don't get yourself into water so deep your short little legs can't doggy paddle out."
"Oh, now it's a short thing is it?" She tossed the last of the boxes to Laney. "Come on 'Thing,' let's get out of here."
The ride home got quiet as Laney thought about the comment Randi had made about her muscles. Knowing that it really shouldn't bother her, it did just the same.
Laney didn't think that she was too muscled. Toned, yes but only because she tried to keep herself in shape. Hell, compared to Steroid Barbie, she was by no means muscled.
Randi's not too muscled. Very compact but not too muscled. Though when she lifted the dresser her biceps did bulge, but that was kind of sexy. Yeah, but Laney knew that Randi was still very soft. When Randi accidentally brushed against her trying to move around the said dresser, and Laney had to reach out to hold her so she didn't fall forward…
Randi looked over at Laney, "Hey, penny for your thoughts. You got real quiet all of a sudden."
Laney smiled. "Sorry, got caught up in an old person zone for a moment. Stop at that 7-11 so I can get us some water or something ok?" She turned and smiled very sweetly. "Puppies are always thirsty."
"Get out of my truck Detective…"
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Winding down, and in the process of grilling steaks for everyone that helped her move, Laney was sipping a beer. She had just leaned back against the railing of the deck when she heard…
"Hey Thing!"
She turned her head just in time to be smacked in the face by a lawn chair pillow. "That one goes on your chair." Of course everyone laughed.
"Sparky, if I had the energy, I'd get up and chase you into Norfolk."
"Ha, chasing is what you'd be doing cause you know damn well you couldn't catch me."
More laughter.
A dark eyebrow rose. "Couldn't catch you?"
"Thing, on a crisp new morning, with a 'Sobe Energy' Drink and a brand new pair of 'Nike Airs,' you couldn't catch me."
Now everyone on the deck was outright laughing hard. Including Laney until she watched as Randi slid behind Jodi on Jodi's chair, and wrapped her thighs around Jodi's waist.
Jodi smiled and looked back at her friend with fondness. "Normally Rand's fondness for cockiness exceeds her size but, this is one time she has a right to be cocky. Her school records, for the 100m and the 200m hasn't been broken yet."
"Ok I'll bite," Kasey offered as she leaned against Koty, "What was her record?"
"100m was 11.6 seconds and the 200m was 24 seconds."
"Well hell, I'm not wasting my money on any new Nikes then." Laney smiled. 'But she can still unwrap her thighs from around her waist.'
Randi winked at Laney and went to say something else, but her attention was drawn to warmth at her thigh. Moving slightly she noticed blood on Jodi's t-shirt.
"Christ Jodi, you're bleeding." She jumped up then knelt in front of her friend and went to lift the shirt from the side. Kasey was at Randi's side in a heartbeat, and covered her hand to drop the shirt.
"Come on inside Randi where we can see this better, ok?"
"Shit. Right."
Koty walked to Laney to take the long forks from her. "I'll take over here, why don't you go see what's going on."
Laney just starred at Koty for what seemed an eternity. "Yeah, right. I'll be right back…"
Laney walked up behind Randi and slid her hand along her back. Randi turned into Laney and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Laney pulled the young woman to her, sensing her need.
"I saw it Laney. Something's not right. That's where she was shot and it should be healed and it's not. Hell, it was healed, at least 95 percent. Her side didn't look like that a week ago. Something's wrong. Shit Laney something is really wrong."
"Hey now, I've got you Randi. Here comes Kasey, let's see what she has to say."
"We need to get her into the E.R. Randi, if you don't mind though; I'd like to take her to Norfolk General."
"That bad huh?"
"That's not what I meant Sweetheart. Laney, I'm going to get Koty, Jamie, and Trish to carry on you party, will you go with Randi and I?"
"Of course. Let me drive you there. I'm sure Koty will want to pick you up later, and if not I'll take you home."
"Great, let me go tell her and the others. Randi, go get your girl…"
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Laney could hear Randi chastising Jodi in the back seat of her Toyota as they drove west on 264 to Norfolk General Hospital. "Damn it Jodi, why haven't you told me about this Honey? How long has this been going on? Hell, you wouldn't have told me tonight if I wouldn't have seen the damn blood myself!"
"Please Rand, I didn't think it was serious." Jodi laid her head on Randi's shoulder, knowing that Randi couldn't fuss at her when she did this.
Laney looked at Kasey. "So what do you think Doc?"
"Hard to say really, maybe missed a piece of bullet? I wouldn't want to guess, but she definitely has an infection from something."
Laney peered at the rearview mirror. "Yeah, got her buddy pretty upset."
Kasey smiled, and spoke softly so that only Laney could hear. "They're best friends. Like Koty and Jamie." Like that was supposed answer all questions. Then, in a much louder voice, "Hey," Kasey elbowed Laney, "don't worry about it, 'Thing'."
A burst of laughter from the back seat caused Laney to swear. Causing even a louder round of laughter…
Koty lounged with her ball cap pulled over her eyes, blocking the bright fluorescent overhead lights from her tired eyes. Randi paced the small area by the vending machines, and Laney's eyes slowly followed the young book store owner as she nervously moved about.
Kasey walked through the door. Randi slowly sat by Laney, and the detective took her hand to offer what comfort she could.
"Somehow or another Jodi has picked up Staphylococcus."
Randi made a face. "Staph…what…wait a minute. Like Staph infection? Isn't that a dirty infection or something, caused from being dirty? Jodi is clean…"
"Hold on Randi, Staph is a bacteria that can be picked up anywhere. You can have a tiny little cut or something and pick up the bacteria. She could have…"
"Oh shit, it's my faul
t." Randi dropped the detectives hand and quickly stood. "It's my goddamnsonofabitchin fault!"
Laney stood next to the younger woman, and laid a hand on her shoulder in hopes to calm her. "Randi, what do you mean it's your fault? It's not your damn fault."
"Yes it is. Last week I made her go with me to recon the dump to rummage for antiques. We do it about every six months. She hates it, but does it anyways for me! If she wasn't totally healed and still had a little opening, then I may as well ripped her open and applied the fucking bacteria myself."
Randi pulled away and turned towards the window not wanting anyone to see her tears. Taking a deep breath and swiping at her face, she turned to Kasey.
"Ok, staph isn't really that big of a deal right? I mean, kids get it all the time, and with some antibiotics they're as good as new right? So what are we talking?"
Kasey reached for Randi, "Sit down with me Randi, and I'll see if I can explain it to you a little. Of course Jodi's doctor will be out shortly too…"
Randi sat down, "You're making me nervous Doc."
"Alright, let's see. Staph alone is very simple to take care of. Sometimes staph can lead into other problems as well. In Jodi's case, she has a little Septicemia as well.
"Her heart rate is pretty high, her respiratory rate is high, and her white blood count is off. Now while she has a low grade septicemia, it is still septicemia and they are going to keep her here until it is totally out of her system."
"What would have happened if we wouldn't have brought her in tonight? How bad would she have gotten?"
Laney decided to cut in. "Randi, she would have let you know before it got too bad. She's going to be ok, and that's what counts right?"
"Yeah."
Randi looked at Kasey then reached up to hug her. "Thank you. You don't even know me, and you pulled strings just to make sure my best friend was ok. I'll never forget this."
Kasey hugged the younger woman tightly. "You are welcome Honey, that's what friends do for each other. As far as I'm concerned, you are now a part of our little pack."
Randi laughed. "Should I be afraid?"
Now it was Koty's turn to jump in. "Oh Baby…Be very, very afraid."
"Cool."
Randi pulled away from the doctor. "Look guys, it's late. Why don't ya'll go home? I'm gonna hang out here, but there's no reason for you to miss out on sleep."
"Mmm, sleep sounds good Baby." Koty nuzzled Kasey's neck, and the doctor blushed.
"Right. Well ok, we'll check in with you tomorrow then Randi to see how she's doing. Night Laney."
"Good night guys, drive careful."
Randi turned to Laney. "You too Detective, why don't you go and get some sleep, you've babysat me long enough today."
Laney just starred for a long moment at the younger woman, and Randi briefly wondered if she had said something wrong.
"I'll tell you what, you really can't do her much good tonight, as soon as her doctor talks to you, let me drive you home to get some sleep and you can come up first thing in the morning."
"No deal detective. I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway; I may as well be here just in case I'm needed."
"You have got to be a Taurus."
"Was that just a good guess or have you been checking out my file?"
A soft laugh. "Actually just a good guess, but you fit the sign."
"Oh? Stubborn, hardheaded…"
"Ah, yeah but seriously, at least let me take you to get you something to eat. You didn't get a chance before we came up here." Laney held her hand up forestalling Randi's protest. "I won't take no for an answer Randi, and I'm not leaving without one."
"And you call me stubborn?"
"Yes."
"Ok, I am kind of hungry."
As if right on cue, Randi's stomach chose that moment to emit an outrageously loud noise.
Laney's smile grew huge. "Um, am I safe with that thing?"
"What's the matter detective, scared?"
"Yes, but I know how to tame it."
"I bet you could." Randi said hopefully low enough to where Laney didn't hear. Laney heard. Laney blushed…
Chapter Twenty
Laney swatted at the pesky noise coming from her nightstand. "Ugh, shut up would you?"
Ring ring.
"This better be good!"
Silence.
"Hello?"
"Um Laney?"
"Randi?" 'Shit' "I'm sorry, I just…what time is it?"
"It's twelve twenty five in the afternoon Detective. Shouldn't you be up by now?" Randi smiled to herself, but was sorry for waking Laney, knowing that she didn't get home at least until two thirty in the morning because of her.
"Look, I'm sorry Laney, I shouldn't have called…"
"Nonsense Randi, it's ok. Is everything alright? Is Jodi ok?"
"Oh, yeah. I was just calling to um…to thank you for last night. For being there, and for breakfast. You didn't have to do that but…"
"Hey, it's ok. I did it because I wanted to alright? Besides, it's about time that I got my lazy ass out of bed anyway. I can't even remember the last time that I slept this late."
"Yeah, well I happen to know that you didn't get to bed until really late either, no wonder you slept in."
Laney sat up and threw the covers off of her bare legs as she slid her feet to the floor. "Randi, I bet I went to sleep before you did. How long have you been up anyway?"
"I got a couple hours sleep. My body's not use to too much as it is. If I get more than four or five hours a night, I'm doing good." Randi answered without really answering Laney's question.
"You know, that did not tell me how much sleep you got, but for now I'm going to let you slide. Are they going to release Jodi today?"
"No, I mean she's doing great, but they just want to be sure all of the infection is gone." Randi's voice dropped an octave lower. "I can't believe I took her to the dump and let that happen to her."
"Randi…we went through this last night. This was not your fault. Hell, you don't even know if that's where she picked it up. It was a fluke Rand, please let it go. Your beating yourself up isn't going to change anything.
There was a moment of silence, and Laney briefly wondered if Randi was still on the line. "Randi, are you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm still here, and I know your right but." In mid sentence Randi asked, "Have dinner with me?"
It took a moment to register in Laney's mind what was just said. "Um…excuse me?
"I asked you if you would have dinner with me?"
'Whoa.'" I'm sorry Randi, I'm driving to Richmond this afternoon and won't be back until last this evening." Laney actually felt a little disappointed that she wouldn't be able to and that surprised her.
"So' Kay, maybe another time. Thanks again for last night Laney." Click.
"Randi? Shit! She hung up on me." Laney hung her phone up and padded to the bathroom to take a shower. 'I can't believe she just hung up on me like that! What a little shit!'
Laney didn't know rather to be pissed off or hurt so she settled with a little of both. The younger woman didn't even give her a chance to try to explain or even maybe take a rain check.
The detective found herself breezing through her shower quickly, and stomping into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, not quite sure why she was so agitated.
Looking at the time on the stove, she realized that she should really get moving if she wanted to miss the rush hour traffic on I64. Grabbing her cup of coffee, she took it to her bedroom to drink while she got dressed.
Right in the middle of putting her leg through the pants of her Armani suit, Laney paused then sat down on the bed. 'Oh Christ Laney, don't do it.' It had been a month since she had seen her father, and had dinner with him. She really didn't want to miss it.
Laney stood back up and placed her other leg into the pant leg, then paused again. 'Oh come on Jacobs, fucking grow up will you?' She fastened the pants and grabbed her keys, purse, and cell phone as she headed out the door.
/> Backing out of her driveway she shook her head and reached for her cell phone that sat in the console between the driver and passenger seat. "Hi Pop? Look, something has come up and I need to reschedule coming up there to see you…No, no, nothings wrong, there's just something I have to take care of. Yeah, I love you too, bye…"
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
"Why in the hell did you hang up on me?"
"Aaakkk!" Randi squealed as she spun away from Jodi's hospital room door. "Shit Laney! Ya damn near gave me a heart attack. Why are you sneaking up on me like that?"
"Why did you hang up on me Randi?"
Laney was now just inches from Randi's face. The younger woman felt her heart rate pick up double time, and it had nothing at all to do with fear. 'Sweet Jesus she is beautiful.' "I…I'm sorry Laney, I didn't mean to upset you, I just…"
"I HATE when people hang up on me Rand." Laney growled. 'WOW, she has gold flecks in her green eyes…She's beaut…Oh man, Shit!' Laney backed away and turned her back on Randi to compose herself.
"Laney?"
No response.
"Laney please, I'm sorry." The blonde said softly, and place her hand on Laney's arm to try and turn her around. "Laney please…"
That last please pulled at the detectives' heart, it sounded so pitiful. Laney turned slowly, caught the hand that was sliding off of her arm, and lightly grasped it in her own. "No Randi, I'm sorry. Look, where would you like to go for dinner? My treat for being such an asshole ok?"
"You're not an asshole, and what about Richmond? I don't want you to mess up your plans Detective just because I'm a sensitive brat."
"Laney chuckled. "Brat works." Her smile got huge when she saw the blondes eyes squint to try and make a mean face. "But…I already changed my plans, so now I'd like to take you to dinner. Well, that is unless you haven't already made different plans that is?"
Randi boldly looked Laney over. Slowly. Bringing a red tinge to the detective's cheeks. Reaching out with her free hand, she ran her fingers over the soft material of the suit, bringing a bright red tinge to the detective's cheeks. "Armani, nice." 'Hot, sexy, gorgeous.' "I'm a little under dressed Detective."
"I was already dressed when I changed my plans. I can go home and change. I don't have to…"
"No Laney, this is nice. I can play dress up once in a while if you want to go like this. Can you take me by my place and let me shower and get dressed?"