Aidan.
Huh?
He had to laugh. I was sort of in the middle of something with Brooke.
Aidan blinked. Oh. You mean He pointed a finger at himself. You wanted me to leave you two alone?
Man, you are quick.
I thought you two already knocked it out.
Zach winced, and Aidan sat back. Wow.
What?
Nothing.
Oh, its something.
Okay. Youre falling for her.
The door burst open again and Brooke stood there looking more than a little ruffled.
Aidan got to his feet. Apparently Im supposed to leave you two alone.
Zach rolled his eyes.
Brooke just kept staring at him until Aidan was gone. Did you know everybody is talking about us? Why is everyone talking about us? It feels like were twelve and in middle school.
Since theres sex involved, lets call it high school. Ignore it. Itll blow over.
She glared at him. He couldnt help it; he laughed. It will.
Youre not bothered at all? she asked.
Im just saying its what they do. Seriously, itll all fade away if you just-
Yeah, yeah. Let it go. But maybe Im not like you, all cool and calm and so laid-back that I have to be checked for a pulse.
Before he could say anything to that, she sighed and rubbed her eyes. Im sorry. That wasnt fair. I guess Im still having bad new-kid flashbacks.
He moved toward her and lowered her hands from her face. Were adults, and we made a decision. A decision that turned out to be the best night of my entire summer. Dont regret it, Brooke. Please dont.
As she looked at him, her eyes softened. Her body softened, too, and she nodded. It was nice, wasnt it?
Nice? He shook his head. Nice is a walk in the park. Nice is a sweet goodbye kiss. Nice is a lot of things, Brooke, but it doesnt come even close to covering what we did on that rock.
Okay, so maybe nice isnt quite the right word. How about good? Do you like that word better?
He looked into her eyes. Beyond the irritation was a light that said she was playing with him now, but hed show her good. Backing her to the refrigerator, Zach covered her mouth with his, swallowing her little gasp of surprise, a gasp that quickly turned into the hottest murmur of undeniable need and hunger hed ever heard when his tongue swept alongside hers.
And though hed meant only to show her up, he ended up showing himself something. That she fit against him as if shed been made for the spot. That her scent filling his head, and the feel of her hands fisting in his shirt fueled his hunger as she sighed into his mouth, until it became so damn arousing he couldnt bear it. Pulling back, he stroked a hand down her body and felt her knees buckle.
His own werent so steady, either, but a fierce sense of satisfaction went through him. Still holding her between the refrigerator and his own hard, aching body, he looked down into her face. Tell me again that that was merely good. I dare you.
Okay. She licked her lips, an action that didnt help calm him down any. Does shockingly incredible work for you, Officer Hottie?
He rolled his eyes but could admit that yeah, shockingly incredible worked far better. So what now?
The million-dollar question, Zach? From you? Really?
He found himself staring at her. Holy shit, had he actually asked, What now?
Yeah, she said into the charged silence. Thats what I thought. Theres nothing now. Both of us know it. We just have to remember it.
Later that day, after having been out for hours on a series of nonemergency transport calls, Dustin and Brooke were directed to a familiar address for another Code Calico.
How about you take it this time, Brooke said to Dustin.
He looked amused. You catch on quick.
I try.
Youre trying a lot of things lately. Or people. What? he said innocently when she sent him a long look. Just wondering about the status.
Im not asking you the status of your love life.
Ha! He grinned victoriously. So you admit there is a love life.
They arrived on scene, mercifully saving Brooke from having to answer, since she didnt know the answer. The truth was, she no longer knew anything at all about what she and Zach were doing. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, she craned her neck, searching the three large trees out in front of Phylliss place for the cat.
No Cecile in sight.
Dustin, she said, watching as Aidan and Zach pulled up, moving with steady purpose toward the house, not the yard. Whats going on?
Dustin put the radio mic back in its place, his expression suddenly serious. Its not Cecile after all. Grab your bag.
For a split second, she stared at his back as he headed to the front door, then grabbed her bag and ran after him.
Inside the house, the shades were drawn, but she could still see well enough. As her grandmothers place had been, the house was filled to the brim with furniture from another era, upon which knickknacks covered every inch. But there wasnt a speck of dust anywhere, even the wood floors had been shined.
In here!
She and Dustin followed Zachs voice down a hallway, its walls hidden by photographs from at least five decades, to a bedroom filled completely with lace. In the center, on the floor, lay Phyllis. Far too still at her feet sat Cecile, gaze glued to her mistress, tail twitching.
Zach was kneeling at Phylliss side, holding her hand, saying something to her.
Phyllis, eyes closed, responded with a nod. Yes, Zachie, I can hear you. Tell Cecile Im okay. Shes worried.
Phyllis, about your meds. Zach spoke calmly, evenly, any personal concern well tucked away, but Brooke could see it in his eyes. Did you forget to take them?
No, I took my damn pills. You hound me enough about it, I dont forget.
Okay, good. Zach squeezed her hand. Thats good.
Dustin moved in and crouched at her other side, and began taking vitals. Brooke recorded everything, all the while watching Zach be so sweet and gentle and kind.
Why she was surprised, she had no idea. Shed seen him in action before, with many victims by now, and he was always sweet and gentle and kind.
Hed been nothing but those things with her, as well.
And once, on a rock beneath a star littered sky, hed been much, much more
When it was determined that Phyllis had to be transported to the hospital, Zach helped get her on a gurney, where the older woman began to panic. I cant leave. What about Cecile? Reaching out, she gripped Zachs shirt with an iron fist. I dont want to go!
Phyllis. Zach took both her hands in his. Your doctor wants you to meet him at the hospital. He wants to stabilize your condition-
Condition shmondition. I dont have time for him. Im fine. Completely fine, Im telling you.
But she wasnt. Her color was off, her breathing coming too shallow and too fast, and, given the grimace on her face, she knew it, too. Damn it, she said, sagging back. Damn it. Im not going. But she said this much weaker than before. Im not. You cant make me.
Phyllis. Zach stroked back her gray hair as he leaned on the gurney to look into her eyes. You do this for me and Ill take care of Cecile. Okay?
Youll take care of her?
I promise.
Phyllis covered her mouth with a shaking hand and nodded. Your mother would be so proud of you. I hope you know that.
He squeezed her hand. Just get better. He gestured to Dustin and Aidan, and they carried her out of the bedroom, navigating down the tight, cramped hallway.
Zach looked around Phylliss room with an unreadable expression. Then, with a sigh, he grabbed the unhappy cat and tucked her into the crook of his arm. Turning to leave, he found Brooke watching him.
As it had since the beginning, their odd connection caused a spark to pinball off her insides, from one erotic zone to another, and all the ones in between-but this wasnt about their crazy physical attraction. Standing there, looking at him, she suddenly knew. It didnt matter that shed told herself she wouldnt get her heart involved.
It already was.
You okay? she whispered.
Yeah. Its just that she- Shutting his mouth, he shook his head. Brooke moved closer and put her hand on his arm.
Something went between them at the touch. Not the usual heat but something much, much more.
Yeah, her heart was involved. Big-time.
Phyllis resisted getting into the ambulance. She wanted to stay home, she wanted her cat, she wanted everyone to get the hell away from her. She even tried a diversion technique.
There was a man in my yard, she claimed suddenly as they loaded her inside the rig. Did you see him? He was holding something.
Phyllis, Dustin said gently. Youre going to the hospital. If not for me and Brooke, then for yourself.
I recognize his face, I just cant quite place him
Phyllis, Dustin said gently. Youre going to the hospital. If not for me and Brooke, then for yourself.
I recognize his face, I just cant quite place him
Its going to be okay. Brooke sat with her and held her hand. Youre going to be okay. Were just going to the hospital so your doctor can check on you-
Phyllis shook her head, her eyes cloudy as she struggled to get up. You people are idiots.
Brooke sighed. You promised Zach youd do this, remember?
The old lady closed her eyes. Zachie.
Yes. He gave you his word that hed take care of Cecile. And you gave him yours that youd go get checked out.
Phylliss mouth tightened, but she stopped fighting at least. Zachs name had calmed her down.
Brooke had a feeling Zach had that control over every woman in his life, whether he realized it or not.
There really was a man in my yard with a blowtorch, or something like one, Phyllis grumbled, sounding more like her old self.
In the back of the unit as she was, Brooke couldnt see out. She met Dustins eyes in the rearview mirror and he shook his head. He didnt see a man.
Brooke squeezed Phylliss hand.
The older woman held on with surprising strength as she looked into Brookes eyes, her own filled with grief and fear. I really want to stay home.
Youll go back soon.
Promise?
She was so scared. Brookes throat tightened, burned. If there was one thing she never quite got used to, it was the helplessness she felt over the things she couldnt make better. Yes, she whispered. I promise.
After dropping Phyllis off in the ambulance bay of the E.R., Brooke and Dustin were called to another transport. The minute they were free again, Brooke tracked down a nurse to find out what she could about Phylliss condition.