Chapter Fifty-Nine



Dani

It's Thanksgiving today. We're all at work, even though most people have a holiday today. As the Captain told me this morning, bad people don't care about a holiday. Eli and Ash are going to his parents' tonight, but I'm going to stay at home because his brother, his sister and her family are going to be there, as well as Ash's mom. It's going to be too many people in a small space so I don't want to risk it. Eli was going to stay with me, but I won't let him. He needs to spend time with his family. I say I won't let him, but I didn't exactly put my foot down or argue with him. I told him I want to get some work done on translating interview tapes for the Captain and I'll have headphones on most of the night. That's when he decided to go to his parents'. I've been at the range most nights and my aim is getting pretty good actually. Eli is very impressed and he's even taken my target sheet to show Ash. Ash then decided to put a bullseye poster on the filing cabinet behind my desk. I walked in to work on Monday morning and there it was. He does like to joke around.

Just as we're about to leave the precinct for the day, Eli's cell rings. He frowns when he looks at the screen, but picks up anyway as we walk down the stairs.

“Hey Ma. I'm just leaving work now. Ash left like 40 minutes ago, but he's got to pick up his mom first. I'll be there in about an hour... No, Dani's not coming tonight; I told you that already. Yeah, I'll remember the wine. Ok, I'll see you soon.”

As Eli hangs up, he says, “My ma is getting antsy because no one's there yet. She gets a bit overbearing at family holidays. You sure you're going to be ok on your own?”

“Yes sir. I'm going to be working and I'll be no company at all.”

“That's not true. I'll bring some food back for you though. My mom lays out an amazing spread on Thanksgiving.”

“Thank you.”

“You're most welcome. You've got your gun, right? And you'll call if you're worried about anything, right?”

“Yes sir. I'll call you if I need to. I'm sure I'll be fine though.”

“Sorry, I'm being overprotective. I apologize.”

“No need, sir. I just find it a little strange, having someone want to protect me. And not because I'm an asset or a money maker.”

“They're sick people, Dani. It should never have happened...”

“But it did. I just have to learn to find a way to deal with it. Eli? Can I be honest with you?”

“Always.”

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but the need to tell him is burning into me. “You make it easier...”

He shoots me a dazzling smile, which lights up his whole face. I notice more now than ever how handsome he actually is.

“I'm glad I can help. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask. Ok?”

“Yes sir. Thank you.”

We're now at the last flight of stairs and we fall into a comfortable silence as we go home. I break the silence at my front door. I surprise myself yet again, by saying, “Eli? I think you should get a key for my house.”

He nearly chokes out of surprise. I think he's as shocked as me with this statement.

“Are you sure? Don't do something like this unless you're certain you want to do it.”

“I'm sure. You practically live here already, but if anything happens, you need to be able to get inside if I can't open the door.”

“If you're sure, then thank you. I'll do it tomorrow.”

“I'm sure.”

“Ok. I'll be back around midnight. Is that ok?”

“Yes sir, take your time. You need to spend time with your family.”

“You're my family as well, Dani. I know that's probably a scary thought for you, but I needed to tell you that.”

I send him a small smile. The thought of being someone's family again is scary but it's also touching. So far Eli has accepted me, even with my sordid history, so I guess he is the closest thing I have to family now.

“Thank you, Eli.”

“You're welcome. Lock the door after me, ok?”

Once he's out of the door, I slide all of the locks across. I take a shower and change into one of Eli's old Army t shirts with some sweat pants before settling down to start working.





Eli

I can't believe Dani wants me to have a key, that certainly is progress. Although, there's something niggling in the back of my mind. There's been a lot of reference to 'if something happens'. It's not always about what she's said though. The visit to the cemetery a few weeks ago is another signal that she's expecting something. I caught part of what she said at the grave, and it's like she's trying to make amends or something. This does worry me, but I have to trust that she won't deliberately put herself in danger. I really don't think she'd turn herself in to them just to keep us safe. I think she's too scared about what her life will turn out like with them to do that.

Just as I'm about to step into my parents' house, my cell rings. It's unusual for Greggson to call me; it's normal the other way round. Maybe he has something.

“Hey Captain Greggson. What can I do for you?”

“Hey Ramirez, I just wanted to give you a head's up. We're bringing in that Babkin guy for questioning. I don't know if you want to be there for the interview.”

“When are you bringing him in?”

“Tomorrow. It gives you a chance to clear it with your Captain.”

“Thank you, sir. I'll speak to my Captain and let you know what he says. Captain Greggson? Be careful, he's a very dangerous man.”

“We're always careful, son.”

“I mean it, sir. He's a sick and twisted individual. Highly dangerous.”

“I'll pass that on to my men. Thank you Lieutenant.”

I had to warn him of the risks. If the little bit of information Dani gave to me is anything to go by, Babkin is an extremely dangerous man, with no respect for other people's lives. Hopefully the Cap will let me watch the interview. I know I can't let Babkin see me, but I can watch from another room.

When I get into the house, I pull Ash and my pops to the side and give them the information. They both seem relieved by this fact, like it's going to be over soon. I have to admit, I'm not that confident. And because of this, when my dad walks away, I turn to Ash and ask, “Scott, I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

“I need you to teach Dani how to defend herself if someone comes for her.”

“What? Come again?”

“You heard me.”

Ash shakes his head, “I'm sorry, Eli. I know I said I'd do anything, but I can't do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I'll frighten the poor girl. I can't even get anywhere near her, let alone spar with her. How do you expect me to be able to do that. Why can't you do it?”

“Because she sees me as someone who is going to protect her. She trusts me to some degree to take care of her. If I start coming at her like I'm going to hit her, do you think she'll ever fully trust me to not hit her ever again? I know I'm asking a lot of you, Ash. I've thought about this more than you can imagine. I know it will scare her; I know she's never going to look at you the same afterwards. Admitting that kills me and asking you to do this is something I hate to do, but if I don't ask you, then there isn't anyone else. I don't trust anyone else with her. I don't trust that someone will be able to read her like you can and stop when she needs them to stop. She doesn't trust anyone as much as either of us. Don't give me that look, she does trust you to a certain extent. You're the only person she'll go to other than me. I'm teaching her to shoot, and that's great, but what happens if her gun gets knocked out of her hands? How is she going to defend herself then? I want to give her the tools to protect herself, but I can't do this myself. I'm asking you as the only other person I trust to do this. Will you please teach Dani to defend herself? I am begging you here...”

Begging isn't something I do. I'll pull rank if I have to, but I don't want to do that on this matter. I want Ash to do it because his friend asked him to, not because it's an order. Ash is silent for a minute and then he asks, “Have you spoken to Dani about it?”

I shake my head, “I wanted to clear it with you first, otherwise I'd worry her for no reason.”

“Speak to her. If she is completely against it, then I'm not forcing her to do this. If she agrees, then come and ask me again. I need to think about it. You do realize you're pretty much asking me to sign away any friendship I have with her, right?”

I sigh, “I know, I know. And I am really, truly sorry for that. I honestly am. But I love her, Ash, and I can't bear the thought of losing her. Especially to scum like them. What if I'm not there and something happens? I will never forgive myself if I could have helped her to fight back. I don't think you know how much restraint it takes to not call her up now to make sure she's ok, or to not have her at my side 24/7, just so I know she's safe. I'm smothering, I know, but I feel like I've just found her so how can I risk losing her.”

Ash shoots me a weird smile, so I ask, “What?”

“You're a pansy, you know that? You're turning into an emotional wreck...”

I chuckle, “Just you wait til it's your turn. I'll remind you of this moment right now. You'll be exactly the same way. Although, I hope you don't have quite so many issues. That would be a very strange scenario.”

“She's lucky to have you. I hope she knows that.”

“She wouldn't admit it, but I think she's rather attached to me now. Just shows what a bit of perseverance can do...”

“More like weird stalker like tendencies...”



I laugh at Ash's stupidity and playfully slap the back of his head. And just like that, the seriousness of the moment is gone and we resume our normal banter. Have I told you how much this guy means to me? Well, consider yourself told. He really truly is my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without him.