Why? 26
A/N: Well...here it is friends. The final chap of my final(?) Jemma fic. I can't say I will, but I won't say I won't write another, but for now..I'm done. It's been a long, crazy, wonderful, gratifying four years. I couldn't have done it, wouldn't have done it, without all the support from you guys reading. So...thank you so very much. Oh...a special thanks to Kykky for all her 'detailed' reviews...they meant a lot. :)
Jemma fic: Why? The final chap:
Frustrated, Ben and Michael head back to the police station. Again they arrived too late to intercept Rico, but, through the informant, they were able to confirm that Ronnie was the guy with him. The informant also said that the two appeared to argue when they first met, but he didn’t know was over. Michael was half-listening to Ben’s rant about their continued bad timing.
“Damn it!” The detective cursed as he hit his hand against the steering wheel. “Just once I wish he’d sit still”
Michael nodded, but he really didn’t know how the detective could have ‘held’ him without having any real proof. They had to find something. His mind went back to the report he’d been reading and Bauer’s original statement. He believed that it was in fact the truth and not the ‘drunk story’ Bauer claimed it to be. Michael sighs. But then…why did he recant? As his thoughts went back to the redhead working with Rico, his cell phone began to ring. As he checked the caller ID, it hit him. The pic showed a redhead with green eyes. “Sophie” Michael’s mind goes a mile a minute. “Shit! It-it can’t be!”
Concerned by his outburst and his disregard of the call, Ben asks. “Hey…what is it? What’s wrong?”
Michael tells him of the report, of Mr. Bauer’s original statement of the red head who approached him and the guy with the tattoo that sat with them at the bar. He talked about Sophie Klein, one of the very few, maybe only, friend of Emma’s from her school days when she met Ronnie. That Sophie was supposedly the blonde’s best friend and that Emma had even convinced her parents to hire the girl as her assistant.
“I don’t understand” Ben said as he shook his head. “Why would you think she was the woman? That she was involved?”
Showing Ben Sophie’s picture, he answered. “Besides the fact she looks amazingly like the woman Bauer described, that in her job as her ‘assistant’, she would know the comings and goings of Emma and her parents…” Michael put his phone away and continued. “That she became friends with Emma not long before Ronnie came into the picture…there’s also the fact that she’s been constantly calling me wanting to know how Emma is. What she’s said and where she’s staying”
“Ok…All a bit suspicious…but coincidental as well. I mean if she’s Emma’s friend, wouldn’t she want to know all that? Because she cares about her?”
“Maybe…” Michael answers, doubt definitely in his voice. “But she keeps asking about Emma’s whereabouts even after I told her it was ‘need to know’ only, then claims she’s forgotten that” he said while shaking his head. “I may be wrong, but my gut’s telling me I’m not”
Once back at the station, Michael sent a picture of Sophie to his contact at the Berlin police station and asks him to talk to Bauer.
“Do you think it’ll do any good?” Ben asked as he looked at him skeptically. “I mean, what makes you think he’ll tell the truth now? And if he does can we believe it?”
Michael shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. If he confirms it was Sophie…” He paused, thinking how much the ugly truth will hurt his niece. “Right now it’s the only lead we’ve got” After a moment’s thought, he decided to make another call. Unfortunately, the answering machine picked up and the call would not be returned for several hours.
“Hey honey…yea I miss you too. Emma’s doing ok, so far. Look Bea…I wanted to ask you about Sophie”
After he hung up with Bea, Michael let out a deep sigh. To answer the inquisitive look Ben gave him he said, “Well she made things a bit clearer” He then proceeded to tell the detective what he’d learned about Sophie - that Bea had felt the girl had issues with drugs before Emma had arrived at the school but couldn’t prove it. She thought once Emma had become friends with the girl, that the red-head had begun to turn her life around. Bea couldn’t remember if Sophie had introduced Ronnie to Emma, but she had encouraged the blonde to pursue the relationship despite Bea or the Muellers concerns. When Michael asked what concerns they had, Bea told him that she and Emma’s parents felt that the pair were getting too serious too fast. They also felt that there was just something not right about Ronnie. Bea said that she realized his controlling nature towards Emma too late. Another thing that had bothered Bea, for supposedly dating Emma, was that she saw Ronnie with Sophie a lot.
Ben thought for a moment when Michael had finished, then leaned forward in his chair m and said. “I think you’re right about Sophie, Michael. It all sounds just a little too coincidental”
“If Bauer does say it was Sophie with Rico then we’ll have the connection between…” Michael’s phone rang before he finished his thought. “Lars”
Michael listened as Lars told him how Bauer happened to be in police custody on DWI charges and was willing to talk, if he got a deal. The charges were going to cost Bauer his job. He told the detective that his original statement to the police after the plane crash was the truth and that he only recanted because the guy from the bar had threatened his family’s lives. Bauer not only had proof of the threat but he also had the missing surveillance tapes from the hangar. Michael had forgotten about those tapes.
“So what you’re saying is..?”
“If you find Peters and Rico..arrest them. I have detectives on the way to pick up Miss Klein” Lars answered.
After ending the call, Michael turned to Ben. “We need to call the girls and find Peters and Rico…fast”
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As Jenny stared out the window and watched as dark clouds rolled in. She lightly ran her fingers over the back of the blonde snuggled up in her arms and sighed. Looks like another storm she thought. She and Emma had been curled up together on the couch for…Jenny didn’t know how long. Any thoughts of food or hunger long forgotten. It broke the brunette’s heart when Emma basically fell apart at the realization that Ronnie was most likely here, in Cologne, looking for her.
“Jenny?”
The voice was so quiet, the detective thought she imagined it until her love shifted to look at her. She hated that Emma, so confident mere hours before, now looked so vulnerable. Gently placing a kiss to her forehead she said… “I thought you were asleep” she smiled softly, blue eyes full of concern as her fingers grazed pale pink cheeks.
Emma sighed as she closed her eyes at her love’s gentle touch. “I was..for a bit” She answered, slowly opening her eyes. “Thank you…for taking care of me” she said dipping her head. “I’m sorry I’m being such a…wimp. A coward” She muttered the words in embarrassment.
“Hey” Jenny used her fingers to tilt the blonde’s chin up . “You have nothing to be sorry for. You are not a wimp. Or a coward” Looking into warm brown eyes she firmly said. “Y-you were…” Jenny paused as her anger began to rise at what the gentle girl went through. “Th-that asshole abused you Emma. Mentally…emotionally…phys..” She stopped herself as she felt the blonde’s body stiffen. Taking a deep calming breath, the brunette relaxed and gently hugged Emma. “Honey..you’ve been through so much. Lost so much. And yet here you are. You’re fighting. For your parents and yourself”
Emma shook her head “I-I almost wasn’t. I…I wanted to give up”
Jenny knew she was referring to the suicide attempt. The brunette was so thankful that it didn’t succeed. She waved it off. “That was a blip. A low point” she said as she looked intently at Emma. “You could have run since then. You could have disappeared like you wanted. But you didn’t”
As she grabbed Jenny’s hand, Emma returned a gaze just as intense, filled with gratitude. “Because of you”
A hint of a smile crossed the dark-haired’s lips. “No…because of you, Emma. Because of what you have inside you. It was your choice, your decision not to be a victim any more. You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You…Emma Mueller…are not a wimp or a coward”
Tears formed in brown eyes at the confidence, the sincerity, the love she saw in crystal blue eyes. She believes in you Emma. Shifting so she could pull the brunette closer, she whispered… “I love you Jenny Hartman” before kissing the woman who had captured her heart. She only hoped she was conveying all the love she felt for the beautiful woman who was holding her.
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Ben had started to reach for his phone when the desk officer approached him. “Detective? We’ve juts got a tip on that guy, Rico you’re looking for” he said handing Ben a slip of paper with the name of a bar on it.
“Another false alarm?” Ben asked skeptically.
“Sounded reliable” the officer offered before turning to return to his post.
Ben turned to Michael and read the name. “It’s on the other side of town” It was as much a question as a statement.
“We’ve got to try” Michael answered as he stood. “I’ll try and reach Emma on the way”
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Emma sighed as she enjoyed the quiet comfort of the brunette’s embrace. The blonde never thought she’d be able to experience this. Jenny made her feel safe, protected…loved.
“Everything ok?” Jenny asked as her fingers trailed along Emma’s arm.
“Y-yes. Perfect” Emma answered. “I-I’m just…”
Both girls burst out laughing as Emma’s stomach had chosen that moment to make itself heard.
“Just hungry” Jenny teased when she was able to stifle her giggles. Since their other food had been left out all this time, she suggested making some scrambled eggs and toast. After the blonde agreed, Jenny made her way to the kitchen leaving Emma on the couch.
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Michael shook his head at Ben’s unasked question. “Couldn’t get through, leaving a message”
“They need to update the service out there” Ben fumes as he pulled the car to a stop. “Every time a storm comes up…” trailing off as he looked out the window. “That’s the place”
He and Michael enter the bar and spot Rico sitting at a table towards the back. “Rico Castillo…I’m Detective Bergman…” Ben addresses him as he walks up to the table. “”You’re under arrest…please stand up”
“Arrest? For what?” Rico asks smugly draining his drink.
“For the murder of Nils and Lea Mueller” Ben states holding out his handcuffs. “Stand up!”
Rico slowly stands, the smug smile never leaving his face. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. You got the wrong guy”
“We’ll see about that” Michael steps up to him, wanting to knock the smug look from his face. Instead he gets a small measure of satisfaction seeing the flicker of concern in Rico’s eyes when he adds. “Seems a witness knows about you”
Having recovered his composure in the ride to the station, Rico remains silent as he’s led to an interrogation room, confident the police have nothing on him and were bluffing. He believes he only has to stall for time while Ronnie ties up ‘loose ends.’ In his mind, being in custody protects him from any charges in Emma’s untimely death. So when the Detective asks if he wants to go ahead and make a confession, Rico merely laughs.
“I guess that’s a no Michael” Ben shrugs looking to man on his left. “Too bad….a free admission of guilt certainly would go a long way in determining the length of a prison sentence”
Leaning back in his chair Michael stares coldly at the criminal. “Better he doesn’t, with what we have, I’d rather see him rot in there” He smiles to himself seeing the worry show again.
“You’ve got nothing…this is harassment” Rico counters breaking his silence.
Michael leans forward slamming his hands on the table, causing Rico to wince slightly. “Wrong! We have Bauer and the surveillance tapes from the Mueller’s hangar!”
A flush rises in Rico’s face. He was sure Bauer was taken care of as well as any surveillance tapes. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about” This time, a little less confidence in his voice.
“Huh” Ben nods. “Well, see…Mr. Bauer is ready to testify that you are the guy who approached him at the bar, wanting to know whether or not there was a security system at the hangar and how to bypass it”
“So what? Couple guys talking in a bar” Rico answers defiantly. “Means nothing”
“Yea..see..it does mean something when the one guy…” Ben pushes an I-pad in front of Rico and hits play, showing a brief clip of the criminal in the hangar. “…who has no business being there, is caught messing with the Muellers plane” Ben reaches to pull the I-pad back. “Now don‘t you think a jury is going to think it means something?”
Seeing the façade of bravado slipping away, Michael smiles as he leans forward again. “Oh..by the way…Sophie’s in custody”
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Emma jumps a bit at the flash of lightening and loud crack of thunder as she makes her way back to the couch. She decided to ‘clean up’ the kitchen when Jenny went to the bathroom. She pauses halfway feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, frowning noticing the message from Michael is an hour old. Huh…weird Listening to the message, her eyes widen and the color drains from her face. Another flash and crack of thunder mix with a whispered… “Ronnie” as the blonde looks up…
“Hello Emma” Soaking wet Ronnie stands inside the door. An angry, hateful sneer on his face.
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Ben and Michael were racing to Jenny’s…having found out Sophie already made a deal, Rico decided he wasn’t going down alone and told Ben and Michael, Ronnie’s plan to get rid of Emma. “No witnesses” was Ronnie’s opinion, Rico told them. Yes, he had told Ronnie where Emma was, but Rico had no idea if he was already there. “Chances are….yes”
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Emma stood frozen in fear as Ronnie took a couple of steps towards her.
“What? No hugs for me?” he asks sarcastically, opening his arms. A small evil grin on his face.
Out of reflex the blonde took a step back.
Pretending to pout…“You know..I’ve been so broken up since you’ve been gone Emma” His evil grin returning “Thankfully I’ve had Red and your money to comfort me”
Something in the way he says ‘Red’ triggers a memory for Emma. She’s slumped down against the wall of her bedroom, her head foggy from the drugs Ronnie had given her. He stands over her berating her for being a useless junkie. How could she possibly think he ever wanted her? That if he didn’t need her, he and Red wouldn’t be wasting their time with her. She can hear the girl behind him laughing. Her mind now clear of drugs, she recognizes the girl. Emma’s eyes widen… Sophie!
Taking another small step forward, the grin on his face fades. “Why did you run Emma? You had to know I’d find you? You’ve only made things harder” His voice calm but menacing. “Made me angrier”
Returning from the bathroom, Jenny heard a man’s voice she didn’t recognize. With the flashes of lightening and peals of thunder she couldn’t make out all that was being said. What she did know, was whoever it was, their tone was threatening. Quietly sneaking up, the brunette peers around the corner. The guy definitely isn’t Rico, but by the scared look on Emma’s face, Jenny figures it’s got to be Ronnie. Moving around the corner, she reaches for the drawer where she keeps her gun.
Emma’s eyes dart to the left at the movement she sees out of the corner of her eye. At the same moment Ronnie hears a rasping sound. Whirling around he sees Jenny reaching into the drawer of the small desk against the wall.
In two strides he’s there, knocking the gun from her hand and grabbing her arm. The detective takes a swing at him, slightly stunning him. He answers with a backhand, that causes Jenny to stumble back. He rushes at her grabbing for her neck. The brunette answers with a well-placed knee, putting him on his own knees, allowing her to pull away. She turns to go for the gun on the floor, but Ronnie reaches out knocking Jenny’s legs out from underneath her. Both scramble to their feet, with Ronnie being quicker. He grabs Jenny, lifting her up and slamming her back into the wall. His hands go around the brunette’s neck as he presses his body against hers, preventing her from kneeing him again. “So you’re the bitch sleeping with Emma?” His eyes filled with rage, travel down her body. “Too bad…” he sneers “you’re hit for a dyke…we could have had some fun”. Jenny desperately tries to free herself as Ronnie squeezes harder. “But you two have to go. First you..then Emma” his voice brimming with hate.
Ronnie’s too strong and the detective begins to panic. Jenny can’t let him hurt Emma. She knows she has to do something, if she doesn’t… Losing strength her eyes begin to close when she sees a bluer to her right.
Seeing the life begin to drain from her love, snaps the blonde out of her stupor. Dropping her crutches, Emma launches herself at Ronnie. She screams at him to let Jenny go while hitting him for all she’s worth.
Ronnie lets go of Jenny to deal with the girl attacking him from behind. Turning around he slaps Emma hard across the face. “You little BITCH!” He slaps her again sending her hard against the edge of the couch knocking the wind out if her. “I’ve had enough of you!” he yells reaching in to the inside pocket of his jacket.
Jenny, who was slumped down against the wall gasping for breath, scrambles to her right for the gun that has skittered across the floor after being kicked in the struggle.
In the same moment that she reaches the gun and turns, Ronnie has pulled his own and points it at the brunette.
Everything that happens next seems to move in slow motion to Emma. She’s between Ronnie and Jenny screaming ‘No!’ when there’s a loud bang followed by a searing pain. She drops to the floor as three more bangs ring out. The door crashes in as Jenny yells her name. Next the blonde is looking up into the most beautiful blue eyes full of fear, pain and tears. As warm arms hold her she can hear Jenny’s voice in bits and pieces… “Why? Stay with me… Emma..…Don’t you dare…..Why??”
A small smile touches Emma’s lips, as she tries to touch the brunette’s cheek.
“I…love you…Jenny…always” she manages before her world goes black.
EPILOGUE
“Honey? I’m home” the voice calls out, dropping keys on the entrance table and setting down the small suitcase.
“Baby!! You’re back!!” she cries out excited rushing from the kitchen to wrap her arms around her love. “You’re early!” she mumbles a bit confused, happily kissing familiar lips.
Her love laughs. “Is that a problem? Should I leave?” they tease pulling back from the embrace.
“Don’t you dare Emma Mueller!” Jenny glares grabbing the blonde and wrapping her arms around her again, kissing her deeply. “I’m just surprised that’s all” the brunette says softly when their lips part. Her fingers gently running through blonde hair. She likes Emma’s hair now, a little longer and a bit shaggy. “You were supposed to be in Berlin for at least another four days”
“Jennifer Hartman Mueller…did you really think I’d miss our anniversary?” the blonde playfully scowls scolding the brunette.
“E-Emma…our anniversary isn’t for another six months” Jenny answers trying to hide her concern. Could her wife still be having after effects? It’s been four years since…
Seeing the fear and sadness in beautiful blue eyes, Emma gently touches her love’s cheek. “Hey…I’m fine” her voice full of love. She hadn’t meant to scare the brunette. She knows Jenny’s mind went to that awful day four years ago. Emma had almost died trying to protect her love, but the blonde didn’t regret for a minute stepping in front of Jenny that day. The detective wasn’t ready when Ronnie leveled his gun at her. The bullet meant for Jenny had tore through Emma, nicking an artery causing her to lose a lot of blood. The doctors had feared trying to remove the bullet that had lodged itself so close to her heart. It was touch and go for over a week, most of the time Emma was in a coma and Jenny never left her side.
Ronnie hadn’t been so lucky. Jenny’s shots hit their target.
“I wasn’t talking about our wedding anniversary” Emma smiles mischievously, pushing the brunette’s back up against the wall. Grabbing Jenny’s hands as she does and holding them up over the brunette’s head. “I was talking about the night…” Emma leans in to kiss her love’s neck Whispering the next words.. nipping at the brunette’s ears “You…” she slides her hands down Jenny’s body. “…showed me…” Emma’s hand slips into the brunette’s pants…. “…how to…” …fingers find her love already wet…“love you”
When Jenny woke the next morning, exhausted and limp from the night’s activities, Emma was curled up next to her. A possessive arm draped over her stomach and leg twined with her own. The brunette couldn’t help but smile. She’d give them both another hour she supposed…then they’d both be ready for more celebrating.
Jemma fic: Why? The final chap:
Frustrated, Ben and Michael head back to the police station. Again they arrived too late to intercept Rico, but, through the informant, they were able to confirm that Ronnie was the guy with him. The informant also said that the two appeared to argue when they first met, but he didn’t know was over. Michael was half-listening to Ben’s rant about their continued bad timing.
“Damn it!” The detective cursed as he hit his hand against the steering wheel. “Just once I wish he’d sit still”
Michael nodded, but he really didn’t know how the detective could have ‘held’ him without having any real proof. They had to find something. His mind went back to the report he’d been reading and Bauer’s original statement. He believed that it was in fact the truth and not the ‘drunk story’ Bauer claimed it to be. Michael sighs. But then…why did he recant? As his thoughts went back to the redhead working with Rico, his cell phone began to ring. As he checked the caller ID, it hit him. The pic showed a redhead with green eyes. “Sophie” Michael’s mind goes a mile a minute. “Shit! It-it can’t be!”
Concerned by his outburst and his disregard of the call, Ben asks. “Hey…what is it? What’s wrong?”
Michael tells him of the report, of Mr. Bauer’s original statement of the red head who approached him and the guy with the tattoo that sat with them at the bar. He talked about Sophie Klein, one of the very few, maybe only, friend of Emma’s from her school days when she met Ronnie. That Sophie was supposedly the blonde’s best friend and that Emma had even convinced her parents to hire the girl as her assistant.
“I don’t understand” Ben said as he shook his head. “Why would you think she was the woman? That she was involved?”
Showing Ben Sophie’s picture, he answered. “Besides the fact she looks amazingly like the woman Bauer described, that in her job as her ‘assistant’, she would know the comings and goings of Emma and her parents…” Michael put his phone away and continued. “That she became friends with Emma not long before Ronnie came into the picture…there’s also the fact that she’s been constantly calling me wanting to know how Emma is. What she’s said and where she’s staying”
“Ok…All a bit suspicious…but coincidental as well. I mean if she’s Emma’s friend, wouldn’t she want to know all that? Because she cares about her?”
“Maybe…” Michael answers, doubt definitely in his voice. “But she keeps asking about Emma’s whereabouts even after I told her it was ‘need to know’ only, then claims she’s forgotten that” he said while shaking his head. “I may be wrong, but my gut’s telling me I’m not”
Once back at the station, Michael sent a picture of Sophie to his contact at the Berlin police station and asks him to talk to Bauer.
“Do you think it’ll do any good?” Ben asked as he looked at him skeptically. “I mean, what makes you think he’ll tell the truth now? And if he does can we believe it?”
Michael shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. If he confirms it was Sophie…” He paused, thinking how much the ugly truth will hurt his niece. “Right now it’s the only lead we’ve got” After a moment’s thought, he decided to make another call. Unfortunately, the answering machine picked up and the call would not be returned for several hours.
“Hey honey…yea I miss you too. Emma’s doing ok, so far. Look Bea…I wanted to ask you about Sophie”
After he hung up with Bea, Michael let out a deep sigh. To answer the inquisitive look Ben gave him he said, “Well she made things a bit clearer” He then proceeded to tell the detective what he’d learned about Sophie - that Bea had felt the girl had issues with drugs before Emma had arrived at the school but couldn’t prove it. She thought once Emma had become friends with the girl, that the red-head had begun to turn her life around. Bea couldn’t remember if Sophie had introduced Ronnie to Emma, but she had encouraged the blonde to pursue the relationship despite Bea or the Muellers concerns. When Michael asked what concerns they had, Bea told him that she and Emma’s parents felt that the pair were getting too serious too fast. They also felt that there was just something not right about Ronnie. Bea said that she realized his controlling nature towards Emma too late. Another thing that had bothered Bea, for supposedly dating Emma, was that she saw Ronnie with Sophie a lot.
Ben thought for a moment when Michael had finished, then leaned forward in his chair m and said. “I think you’re right about Sophie, Michael. It all sounds just a little too coincidental”
“If Bauer does say it was Sophie with Rico then we’ll have the connection between…” Michael’s phone rang before he finished his thought. “Lars”
Michael listened as Lars told him how Bauer happened to be in police custody on DWI charges and was willing to talk, if he got a deal. The charges were going to cost Bauer his job. He told the detective that his original statement to the police after the plane crash was the truth and that he only recanted because the guy from the bar had threatened his family’s lives. Bauer not only had proof of the threat but he also had the missing surveillance tapes from the hangar. Michael had forgotten about those tapes.
“So what you’re saying is..?”
“If you find Peters and Rico..arrest them. I have detectives on the way to pick up Miss Klein” Lars answered.
After ending the call, Michael turned to Ben. “We need to call the girls and find Peters and Rico…fast”
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As Jenny stared out the window and watched as dark clouds rolled in. She lightly ran her fingers over the back of the blonde snuggled up in her arms and sighed. Looks like another storm she thought. She and Emma had been curled up together on the couch for…Jenny didn’t know how long. Any thoughts of food or hunger long forgotten. It broke the brunette’s heart when Emma basically fell apart at the realization that Ronnie was most likely here, in Cologne, looking for her.
“Jenny?”
The voice was so quiet, the detective thought she imagined it until her love shifted to look at her. She hated that Emma, so confident mere hours before, now looked so vulnerable. Gently placing a kiss to her forehead she said… “I thought you were asleep” she smiled softly, blue eyes full of concern as her fingers grazed pale pink cheeks.
Emma sighed as she closed her eyes at her love’s gentle touch. “I was..for a bit” She answered, slowly opening her eyes. “Thank you…for taking care of me” she said dipping her head. “I’m sorry I’m being such a…wimp. A coward” She muttered the words in embarrassment.
“Hey” Jenny used her fingers to tilt the blonde’s chin up . “You have nothing to be sorry for. You are not a wimp. Or a coward” Looking into warm brown eyes she firmly said. “Y-you were…” Jenny paused as her anger began to rise at what the gentle girl went through. “Th-that asshole abused you Emma. Mentally…emotionally…phys..” She stopped herself as she felt the blonde’s body stiffen. Taking a deep calming breath, the brunette relaxed and gently hugged Emma. “Honey..you’ve been through so much. Lost so much. And yet here you are. You’re fighting. For your parents and yourself”
Emma shook her head “I-I almost wasn’t. I…I wanted to give up”
Jenny knew she was referring to the suicide attempt. The brunette was so thankful that it didn’t succeed. She waved it off. “That was a blip. A low point” she said as she looked intently at Emma. “You could have run since then. You could have disappeared like you wanted. But you didn’t”
As she grabbed Jenny’s hand, Emma returned a gaze just as intense, filled with gratitude. “Because of you”
A hint of a smile crossed the dark-haired’s lips. “No…because of you, Emma. Because of what you have inside you. It was your choice, your decision not to be a victim any more. You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. You…Emma Mueller…are not a wimp or a coward”
Tears formed in brown eyes at the confidence, the sincerity, the love she saw in crystal blue eyes. She believes in you Emma. Shifting so she could pull the brunette closer, she whispered… “I love you Jenny Hartman” before kissing the woman who had captured her heart. She only hoped she was conveying all the love she felt for the beautiful woman who was holding her.
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Ben had started to reach for his phone when the desk officer approached him. “Detective? We’ve juts got a tip on that guy, Rico you’re looking for” he said handing Ben a slip of paper with the name of a bar on it.
“Another false alarm?” Ben asked skeptically.
“Sounded reliable” the officer offered before turning to return to his post.
Ben turned to Michael and read the name. “It’s on the other side of town” It was as much a question as a statement.
“We’ve got to try” Michael answered as he stood. “I’ll try and reach Emma on the way”
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Emma sighed as she enjoyed the quiet comfort of the brunette’s embrace. The blonde never thought she’d be able to experience this. Jenny made her feel safe, protected…loved.
“Everything ok?” Jenny asked as her fingers trailed along Emma’s arm.
“Y-yes. Perfect” Emma answered. “I-I’m just…”
Both girls burst out laughing as Emma’s stomach had chosen that moment to make itself heard.
“Just hungry” Jenny teased when she was able to stifle her giggles. Since their other food had been left out all this time, she suggested making some scrambled eggs and toast. After the blonde agreed, Jenny made her way to the kitchen leaving Emma on the couch.
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Michael shook his head at Ben’s unasked question. “Couldn’t get through, leaving a message”
“They need to update the service out there” Ben fumes as he pulled the car to a stop. “Every time a storm comes up…” trailing off as he looked out the window. “That’s the place”
He and Michael enter the bar and spot Rico sitting at a table towards the back. “Rico Castillo…I’m Detective Bergman…” Ben addresses him as he walks up to the table. “”You’re under arrest…please stand up”
“Arrest? For what?” Rico asks smugly draining his drink.
“For the murder of Nils and Lea Mueller” Ben states holding out his handcuffs. “Stand up!”
Rico slowly stands, the smug smile never leaving his face. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. You got the wrong guy”
“We’ll see about that” Michael steps up to him, wanting to knock the smug look from his face. Instead he gets a small measure of satisfaction seeing the flicker of concern in Rico’s eyes when he adds. “Seems a witness knows about you”
Having recovered his composure in the ride to the station, Rico remains silent as he’s led to an interrogation room, confident the police have nothing on him and were bluffing. He believes he only has to stall for time while Ronnie ties up ‘loose ends.’ In his mind, being in custody protects him from any charges in Emma’s untimely death. So when the Detective asks if he wants to go ahead and make a confession, Rico merely laughs.
“I guess that’s a no Michael” Ben shrugs looking to man on his left. “Too bad….a free admission of guilt certainly would go a long way in determining the length of a prison sentence”
Leaning back in his chair Michael stares coldly at the criminal. “Better he doesn’t, with what we have, I’d rather see him rot in there” He smiles to himself seeing the worry show again.
“You’ve got nothing…this is harassment” Rico counters breaking his silence.
Michael leans forward slamming his hands on the table, causing Rico to wince slightly. “Wrong! We have Bauer and the surveillance tapes from the Mueller’s hangar!”
A flush rises in Rico’s face. He was sure Bauer was taken care of as well as any surveillance tapes. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about” This time, a little less confidence in his voice.
“Huh” Ben nods. “Well, see…Mr. Bauer is ready to testify that you are the guy who approached him at the bar, wanting to know whether or not there was a security system at the hangar and how to bypass it”
“So what? Couple guys talking in a bar” Rico answers defiantly. “Means nothing”
“Yea..see..it does mean something when the one guy…” Ben pushes an I-pad in front of Rico and hits play, showing a brief clip of the criminal in the hangar. “…who has no business being there, is caught messing with the Muellers plane” Ben reaches to pull the I-pad back. “Now don‘t you think a jury is going to think it means something?”
Seeing the façade of bravado slipping away, Michael smiles as he leans forward again. “Oh..by the way…Sophie’s in custody”
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Emma jumps a bit at the flash of lightening and loud crack of thunder as she makes her way back to the couch. She decided to ‘clean up’ the kitchen when Jenny went to the bathroom. She pauses halfway feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, frowning noticing the message from Michael is an hour old. Huh…weird Listening to the message, her eyes widen and the color drains from her face. Another flash and crack of thunder mix with a whispered… “Ronnie” as the blonde looks up…
“Hello Emma” Soaking wet Ronnie stands inside the door. An angry, hateful sneer on his face.
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Ben and Michael were racing to Jenny’s…having found out Sophie already made a deal, Rico decided he wasn’t going down alone and told Ben and Michael, Ronnie’s plan to get rid of Emma. “No witnesses” was Ronnie’s opinion, Rico told them. Yes, he had told Ronnie where Emma was, but Rico had no idea if he was already there. “Chances are….yes”
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Emma stood frozen in fear as Ronnie took a couple of steps towards her.
“What? No hugs for me?” he asks sarcastically, opening his arms. A small evil grin on his face.
Out of reflex the blonde took a step back.
Pretending to pout…“You know..I’ve been so broken up since you’ve been gone Emma” His evil grin returning “Thankfully I’ve had Red and your money to comfort me”
Something in the way he says ‘Red’ triggers a memory for Emma. She’s slumped down against the wall of her bedroom, her head foggy from the drugs Ronnie had given her. He stands over her berating her for being a useless junkie. How could she possibly think he ever wanted her? That if he didn’t need her, he and Red wouldn’t be wasting their time with her. She can hear the girl behind him laughing. Her mind now clear of drugs, she recognizes the girl. Emma’s eyes widen… Sophie!
Taking another small step forward, the grin on his face fades. “Why did you run Emma? You had to know I’d find you? You’ve only made things harder” His voice calm but menacing. “Made me angrier”
Returning from the bathroom, Jenny heard a man’s voice she didn’t recognize. With the flashes of lightening and peals of thunder she couldn’t make out all that was being said. What she did know, was whoever it was, their tone was threatening. Quietly sneaking up, the brunette peers around the corner. The guy definitely isn’t Rico, but by the scared look on Emma’s face, Jenny figures it’s got to be Ronnie. Moving around the corner, she reaches for the drawer where she keeps her gun.
Emma’s eyes dart to the left at the movement she sees out of the corner of her eye. At the same moment Ronnie hears a rasping sound. Whirling around he sees Jenny reaching into the drawer of the small desk against the wall.
In two strides he’s there, knocking the gun from her hand and grabbing her arm. The detective takes a swing at him, slightly stunning him. He answers with a backhand, that causes Jenny to stumble back. He rushes at her grabbing for her neck. The brunette answers with a well-placed knee, putting him on his own knees, allowing her to pull away. She turns to go for the gun on the floor, but Ronnie reaches out knocking Jenny’s legs out from underneath her. Both scramble to their feet, with Ronnie being quicker. He grabs Jenny, lifting her up and slamming her back into the wall. His hands go around the brunette’s neck as he presses his body against hers, preventing her from kneeing him again. “So you’re the bitch sleeping with Emma?” His eyes filled with rage, travel down her body. “Too bad…” he sneers “you’re hit for a dyke…we could have had some fun”. Jenny desperately tries to free herself as Ronnie squeezes harder. “But you two have to go. First you..then Emma” his voice brimming with hate.
Ronnie’s too strong and the detective begins to panic. Jenny can’t let him hurt Emma. She knows she has to do something, if she doesn’t… Losing strength her eyes begin to close when she sees a bluer to her right.
Seeing the life begin to drain from her love, snaps the blonde out of her stupor. Dropping her crutches, Emma launches herself at Ronnie. She screams at him to let Jenny go while hitting him for all she’s worth.
Ronnie lets go of Jenny to deal with the girl attacking him from behind. Turning around he slaps Emma hard across the face. “You little BITCH!” He slaps her again sending her hard against the edge of the couch knocking the wind out if her. “I’ve had enough of you!” he yells reaching in to the inside pocket of his jacket.
Jenny, who was slumped down against the wall gasping for breath, scrambles to her right for the gun that has skittered across the floor after being kicked in the struggle.
In the same moment that she reaches the gun and turns, Ronnie has pulled his own and points it at the brunette.
Everything that happens next seems to move in slow motion to Emma. She’s between Ronnie and Jenny screaming ‘No!’ when there’s a loud bang followed by a searing pain. She drops to the floor as three more bangs ring out. The door crashes in as Jenny yells her name. Next the blonde is looking up into the most beautiful blue eyes full of fear, pain and tears. As warm arms hold her she can hear Jenny’s voice in bits and pieces… “Why? Stay with me… Emma..…Don’t you dare…..Why??”
A small smile touches Emma’s lips, as she tries to touch the brunette’s cheek.
“I…love you…Jenny…always” she manages before her world goes black.
EPILOGUE
“Honey? I’m home” the voice calls out, dropping keys on the entrance table and setting down the small suitcase.
“Baby!! You’re back!!” she cries out excited rushing from the kitchen to wrap her arms around her love. “You’re early!” she mumbles a bit confused, happily kissing familiar lips.
Her love laughs. “Is that a problem? Should I leave?” they tease pulling back from the embrace.
“Don’t you dare Emma Mueller!” Jenny glares grabbing the blonde and wrapping her arms around her again, kissing her deeply. “I’m just surprised that’s all” the brunette says softly when their lips part. Her fingers gently running through blonde hair. She likes Emma’s hair now, a little longer and a bit shaggy. “You were supposed to be in Berlin for at least another four days”
“Jennifer Hartman Mueller…did you really think I’d miss our anniversary?” the blonde playfully scowls scolding the brunette.
“E-Emma…our anniversary isn’t for another six months” Jenny answers trying to hide her concern. Could her wife still be having after effects? It’s been four years since…
Seeing the fear and sadness in beautiful blue eyes, Emma gently touches her love’s cheek. “Hey…I’m fine” her voice full of love. She hadn’t meant to scare the brunette. She knows Jenny’s mind went to that awful day four years ago. Emma had almost died trying to protect her love, but the blonde didn’t regret for a minute stepping in front of Jenny that day. The detective wasn’t ready when Ronnie leveled his gun at her. The bullet meant for Jenny had tore through Emma, nicking an artery causing her to lose a lot of blood. The doctors had feared trying to remove the bullet that had lodged itself so close to her heart. It was touch and go for over a week, most of the time Emma was in a coma and Jenny never left her side.
Ronnie hadn’t been so lucky. Jenny’s shots hit their target.
“I wasn’t talking about our wedding anniversary” Emma smiles mischievously, pushing the brunette’s back up against the wall. Grabbing Jenny’s hands as she does and holding them up over the brunette’s head. “I was talking about the night…” Emma leans in to kiss her love’s neck Whispering the next words.. nipping at the brunette’s ears “You…” she slides her hands down Jenny’s body. “…showed me…” Emma’s hand slips into the brunette’s pants…. “…how to…” …fingers find her love already wet…“love you”
When Jenny woke the next morning, exhausted and limp from the night’s activities, Emma was curled up next to her. A possessive arm draped over her stomach and leg twined with her own. The brunette couldn’t help but smile. She’d give them both another hour she supposed…then they’d both be ready for more celebrating.