by Wendy Stone
"Oh God,” she breathed, sinking into the chair next to his bed. “Gideon, I'm so sorry, please, you've got to be okay.” She reached out, slowly taking his hand and holding it in her own. “I should never have gotten so mad at you.” Her head dropped, tears coming to her eyes as she placed a soft kiss on his hand.
How long she stayed like that, pleading with God for his life, she didn't know, but his groan had her shooting upright, her eyes going to his face. “Gideon?” she breathed.
His eyes opened, blinking blindly before settling on her face. His other hand went to his head and he moaned once more. “What happened?"
"You were shot,” she said softly. “Don't you remember?"
"Shot? No, no I don't remember. When...” He closed his eyes as if in pain.
"This afternoon. You were on a stake out. You really don't remember?” she reached out, touching his face with tender fingers. “It's all right, don't struggle so much, it'll only make your head hurt worse."
"I...I remember us fighting,” he said, searching her eyes.
"It's not important, Gideon. All that matters is that you're okay.” She felt his hand grip hers tighter and smiled tremulously up at him.
"I wanted to tell you I was sorry,” he whispered, his head falling back on his pillow as if too heavy to hold up anymore.
"Don't worry about it, Gideon. Please, just rest.” She stroked his hand, unable to stop touching him.
"I can't, not until I know you've forgiven me.” He moaned softly, his head rolling on the pillow.
"Let me go get the nurse, get you something for the pain.” She began to rise from the chair, starting to pull her hand away from him.
"No!” he said quickly. “No,” he repeated a little slower, pulling her back down on the chair. “I just need to know you forgive me."
"Of course, I forgive you. There's nothing to forgive. You were just worried about me.” She shrugged her shoulders, sitting forward to pull the covers up around him. “Rest baby. I'll stay with you."
"Can I have a kiss?” he whispered, forcing her to lean closer to hear him.
She stood, bending over him, intending to drop a swift kiss to his lips, anything to get him to relax. Instead, his arm came around her waist, holding her to him with more strength than she'd expected him to have.
"Hey Hawk, I got you that chocolate shake and the sub you wanted. I had to really hide them to sneak them in so you owe...” Ang's voice cut off at seeing Mackenzie lying across Hawk's chest.
She wasn't there long, standing up and glaring at Gideon with a look designed to send him six feet under. “You son of a bitch,” she growled, turning on her heel and stalking out of the room without a word to Angelo.
"Wait! Mackenzie, come on. Hold up!” Hawk yelled, trying to free himself from the blankets, ripping out his IV and yelping as the tape yanked the hair out of his arm. “Dammit Mac, give me a chance to explain."
"Oh shit boy, you done something stupid this time,” Ang said, laughter rumbling from his massive chest.
"Shut up!” Hawk growled, pushing past him and out into the hall, catching a glimpse of Mackenzie as she pushed through the door to the stairwell. He started after her, not realizing what kind of view he was giving the people behind him due to the wonder of the hospital gown he wore.
He hit the door, sending it slamming into the wall. “Mackenzie!” he shouted.
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Chapter Ten
* * * *
She heard him, heard the echo of her name as it reverberated around her in the closed off stairwell and couldn't go any farther. With a sigh of defeat, she sank down upon the step she was standing on, even as she heard his bare feet on the stair treads above her.
Mackenzie didn't look at him as he slowed when he saw her; instead she kept her eyes upon her hands that were clasped against her lap.
"Mac?” he said softly, standing a step above her.
She glanced up at him then, noting his long legs left bare under the hospital gown that flapped loosely around him. “Were you even shot or was this whole thing some kind of scam to get me to talk to you?"
He sank down beside her, leaving a few inches between them. “This is real,” he said, gesturing to the bandage on his head. “Someone found out about my involvement with Tanelli and set me up. I was ambushed waiting for the same snitch that gave up Tanelli."
"I...I didn't say anything,” Kenzie said quickly, reaching out to touch his arm. “Honestly, Gideon, I promised I wouldn't and I..."
"You didn't. I know that, Mac. You're one of the most honest newspaper people I've ever met. Your integrity wouldn't let you print what you knew about me even if you didn't have a crush on me.” He smiled as she rolled her eyes.
"Do you have any idea who set you up?"
"No, but I will. I also kind of expect to find my snitch end up a floater. We should talk.” He let his hand rest gently upon hers that still sat on his arm, squeezing when she tried to pull away. “Don't please. Let me explain?"
Her thoughts raced, the conviction that he would never understand what drove her to do the job she did prevalent. Finally, she nodded. “Okay."
"God,” he groaned, dropping his head into his hand. “Where to start?"
"Usually at the beginning is a good place."
"Smart ass,” he said, but with no heat in his voice. “Did I ever tell you what my dad did for a living?"
"No, we've never discussed your parents at all,” she said, a quiver in her voice as he lifted her hand, playing with her fingers before twining them in his.
"My dad worked steel. Not those namby-pamby prefab steel buildings but the big ones in New York City... He walked a six inch steel beam hundreds of feet above the ground.” He paused, staring down at their entwined fingers before bringing it up to his lips to kiss the back of her hand. “My mom was a secretary. She worked for a lawyer as his assistant. Her office was across from the building where dad was working."
"Oh God, did she watch him fall?” Kenzie asked, her heart in her throat. If there was one thing she feared above all others, it was heights. She'd do them but she didn't like them at all.
"No,” he smiled, but there was no amusement in it. “He watched her get shot. The man she worked for was a criminal attorney. He was defending a child murderer who was found guilty. The man's son didn't take the verdict so well and came to his office with a gun. Six people were killed that day, my mom was the second. He stood her by the window to the office, in plain view of my father, put the gun to her head and pulled the trigger."
"I'm so sorry Gideon,” she said, unconsciously scooting closer to him so that their thighs were touching. “How old were you?"
"Sixteen and so very full of myself. I don't know how my dad ever put up with me. I wanted to find the man who did it and kill him."
"What happened?” she asked softly.
"The police found him, had him trapped in his father's house. He committed suicide instead of facing charges for what he did,” his tone was bitter and his hand tightened around hers. He glanced down, forcing himself to relax. “That was the day I decided to join the police department. I wanted to be a big shot Homicide Detective, chase the big bad guys and put them in jail. Instead, I ended up in Narco, keeping the streets clean of drugs."
"How did you end up in Monroe City?"
"Dad moved us here after mom's funeral. He couldn't walk steel again and he started having nightmares. So we packed up everything and started to drive. When we got here, dad liked the atmosphere and the ocean so we stayed. I ended up going to Monroe City Community College, dad started working as an accountant. He remarried last year.” Hawk smiled down at her. “All's well that ends well."
"Not quite,” she said, her eyes narrowing at him. “That doesn't explain why you won't let me do my job."
"Actually, it does,” he said, his voice growing cautious. “My dad watched the woman he loved get gunned down right in front of him. I don't want the same thing to happen."
&
nbsp; "But...but you don't love me, you barely know me,” Kenzie stuttered, feeling a hint of panic bubbling into her chest. Her eyes met his and the panic overflowed, making her begin to shake.
"Mac...” he reached out, taking a lock of her curls and brushing it back from her face, his hand resting lightly against her cheek. “I've never felt like this for any woman."
"It's lust,” she said quickly, standing up to pull her hand out of his grip and put some space between them. She walked down a few steps, turning to glare up at him. “You aren't allowed to love me."
Laughter sputtered out of him, stopping when he looked back at her. “You're serious?"
"Yeah. I...I just don't have time for love,” she said quickly and then glanced around as if suddenly becoming aware of their surroundings. “We should get you back to bed."
"Not until you explain to me why you don't have time to be in love with me,” he growled, standing also. He grabbed a hold of the railing when the stairs began to spin around his head, causing him to grow pale.
Kenzie reached out and grabbed him as he started to tip forward. “Whoa! No, it's definitely time for you to be back in bed. Can you make it or do you want me to call someone?"
She wrapped her arm around his lean waist, suddenly realizing that the back of his gown gaped open, exposing a goodly amount of taut male ass. “Hang on to the railing,” she said, grabbing the ties on the back of his gown and tying them the right way so that the back of the gown didn't flap open.
"What are you doing?"
"Keeping you from being arrested for public nudity and exposure,” she quipped, unable to stop herself from running her hand over his ass and giving it a firm squeeze then a pat. “Nice ass."
He jerked away from her, almost tumbling down the stairs before righting himself. “Thanks,” he growled. “I get arrested, I'll just blame you for making me crazy."
"Public nudity by reason of insanity, now there's a plea I bet they've never heard before. Come on,” she said, putting his arm over her shoulder and helping him back up the stairs. He took them slowly, leaning on her, his hand over her shoulder.
At first, he cupped her shoulder, then his hand hung down over her collarbone... Soon, as he leaned more weight on her, his hand slipped inside her shirt, cupping her breast. He squeezed the soft globe, palming her nipple.
"If you don't want to fall down these stairs, Gideon Hawkins,” she said huskily, “I'd remove your hand."
"Spoil sport,” he muttered, reluctantly pulling his hand away.
She got him back to his room without any more incidents, shooing Angelo off Hawk's bed. Ang went reluctantly, his eyes on the television where the Monroe City Bulldogs were in the bottom of the ninth, three behind with all bases loaded. He finished the half of Gideon's sandwich he'd helped himself to and let out a whoop as Clive Baxter, the Bulldogs shortstop, let fly a long one that cleared the fence with ease, bringing in four runs.
"Did you see that?” Ang said excitedly. “I just won the mother lode."
"Oh Angelo,” Hawk said, shaking his head sadly. “Carla is going to be so disappointed in you. You were supposed to stop gambling."
"Yeah, I know, so we just won't tell her,” Ang grinned, rubbing his big, wide palms together. “Here comes that big screen TV I've been wanting."
"How are you going to explain that?” Kenzie asked, chuckling at the boyish look of Christmas in Angelo's eyes.
"Everyone knows that Narc cops are always on the take,” he said, rolling his eyes as if Mackenzie should have known that. “You two work things out, I hope? I don't know if I can take much more of his mood."
"Mood? What mood? I haven't had any mood,” Hawk snarled making Mac giggle.
"Yeah, I can see that real well,” she said.
"Okay, Ang, I appreciate you sticking around and the sandwich you ate half of as well as the shake that's,” he paused shaking the glass, “gone,” he finished. “But don't you have reports to file as well as a wife to lie to?"
"Oh, now I see how it is. A good looking babe comes along and it's bye-bye partner.” He sniffed, giving Hawk a hurt look. “That's fine. I know how to take a hint. I know when I'm not wanted. You won't find me sticking around when I've over stayed my welcome..."
"Angelo,” Hawk interrupted him. “Shut up and get out."
He grinned, gave Kenzie a hug that almost busted a couple of her ribs and then was gone.
"He's a good guy,” Hawk said affectionately.
Mac sank down into the chair next to his bed, rearranging his blankets as he settled back. “I suppose we should call in the nurse and have her re-hook this thing,” she said, moving the IV needle off his sheet.
"Hell no. Now that you're here, I'm ready to go home.” He reached out and took her hand. “That's if you've forgiven me and will come home with me."
"Gideon...” she began.
"No, I don't think I like the sound of that. Come on, Mac. You've got to stay somewhere tonight and they won't let me go home unless I've got someone there to keep an eye on me. I need you to save me for once.” He lifted the lid on the tray of food that had been brought in while they were in the stairwell. “Do you know how terrible this stuff is?"
"Poor baby,” she sympathized. She was quiet for a moment, staring at him, her mind racing. Staying with him again would be a dangerous and stupid thing to do. She already liked him a lot more than she should. But the look in his eyes, the boyish charm he was trying to use to appeal to her senses, made saying no almost impossible. “Okay,” she said, throwing her hands up in the air. “I'm probably going to regret this..."
"No you won't. I'll be on my best behavior.” He grinned, dropping the lid back on the tray. “We can order a pizza for dinner from home” He pushed his finger down on the button that called the nurse, eager to leave.
* * * *
Gideon slowly slipped the key into the lock of his apartment door, weaving just a bit as he tried to get the suddenly stubborn thing to turn. For some reason, it wasn't as easy as it should have been to get inside.
"Let me?” Kenzie asked, stepping past him to take the key out of his shaking hand. “Hang on, we're almost inside and you can lie down again.” The key turned easily enough for her and she pushed open the door. It seemed like days since she'd left this place with him, but she knew, in reality, it was less than eighteen hours since she'd walked out of here this morning.
Mac wrapped his arm over her shoulder, his scrubs covered thigh brushing against her hip. “Couch or bed?"
"Couch,” he rasped. His head was thumping with a rather sickening beat and the couch was a hell of a lot closer than his bed. For a flesh wound, it hurt like a mother, banging and crashing until he thought he'd lose his mind. It had bled a lot too, he'd found out as he'd crouched behind an ancient, deserted Ford Pinto. The bullet that had hit him had grazed along his scalp, cutting a swatch of hair and leaving a long, bloody furrow in his head.
He sighed as he sank down on the couch, letting his head rest against the back. His eyes closed and relief filled him, for the thumping subsided enough to be bearable when he wasn't walking. When Mac lifted his legs to put them on the couch, he found his head sinking into the fluffy softness of a pillow, a blanket covering him.
"Thank you,” he sighed.
Mackenzie sat down next to his hip, reaching forward to push a lock of his hair off of his forehead. “You're welcome. Will you be okay if I go down to the pharmacy and fill your prescription?"
He nodded. “Yeah, but I don't like the idea of you being out there by yourself after your place got broke into. Now,” he smiled slightly, “you noticed I said I didn't like it but I didn't say I was going to keep you from doing it."
Mac grinned, bending forward to drop a soft kiss upon his mouth. “That's a wonderful start, Gideon.” She pushed his hair back, careful of his bandage and the thickness of the pad covering his wound. “You sleep, I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."
"I doubt that,” he said, lifting her hand to press a k
iss to the back of it. “I really missed you this afternoon."
"Yeah, I can tell,” she chuckled. “I leave you alone for no more than a couple of hours and you get yourself shot."
"Maybe I'm the one who needs the keeper,” he said with a sigh, feeling her cool fingers against his cheek. “You want to apply for the job?"
"Maybe,” she said, watching his eyes close.
"Be careful,” he whispered when he felt her fingers leave his skin. He heard the door close behind her and shifted slightly on the couch, turning so that the side of his face was pressed into the pillow case. “Damn headache."
He slept for a while, waking to a dark apartment and no Mac. Squinting, he managed to see the unlighted dial of his watch. “Only an hour,” he said softly to himself. “She hasn't been gone that long.” A noise in the kitchen caught his attention and he turned his head quickly, too quickly. A searing pain set it to throbbing once more and he closed his eyes tightly against it.
"Mac!” he called.
He frowned when there was no answer, forcing his eyes open he tossed off the blanket she'd draped across him. Sliding his feet to the floor, he sat up, dropping his head into his hands propped up on his thighs. “Mac?” he tried again.
There was a clanging noise in his kitchen and he forced himself up, sliding his hand under the couch where he'd kept a small .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol. He tucked it in the back of his scrubs, tying them tightly at the waist to keep it there and then slipped down the small hall into the kitchen. After being shot this afternoon, he wasn't taking any chances.
He spared a quick glance into the darkened bathroom in the hallway then headed for the kitchen door. A light was shining from the crack under the door. He pulled the pistol from his back, his thumb slipping off the safety. With his left hand, he pushed open the door slowly, expecting to see Mac's curvaceous form.
A click sounded close to his ear.