The light at the end of the tunnel (closed)

[BeachBum25]

She did exactly what he expected her to do.... she avoided the situation at hand. She wanted to get new clothes and get breakfast instead of discussing what got her into the bind that she was in. Typical Nicole. Just try to do everything herself.

"Nicole, why would we go out in public? You have no idea how many guys are on our tail. Hell, I don't even know what I got myself into. All I know is that some guy stuck a knife into you after abusing you for I have no idea how long. How about we talk for a while before we go shopping and out to eat?"

He sat down in the chair. His mind was racing. He was trying to figure out what Nicole was up to. "I came a long way Nicole. I think I have earned the right to know what is going on."

 

[zydrate]

"Ok..ok, I'm sorry," Nicole said as she finally relented. She tried not to grimace in pain as she sat down on the edge of the bed. She took a deep breath and started from the beginning. It was easier that way. Besides, he was right, he had come a long way and she trusted no one else but him about a situation like this.

So Nicole told him about what she found out as she just happened to come across a file one day at work... and from there, she was lost in basically a black hole.

She had asked question after question and then one day, she was told to stop.

But did she? Of course not.

She had discovered so much corruption within her department that she had become a liability. She had evidence of who had done what. Who had whom killed...high officials not only in the bureau but with in the politics of the city.

Why did she keep digging? Because they kept telling her to stop. And if there wasn't anything she didn't like was being told what to do. Besides, if they were telling her to stop, then she must have been on the right track.

Which is why she had kept decoy files at home should they ever come to look... something to sort of thrown them off her trail. Of course, she knew not all were stupid like Daniels but it would bide her some time. The real stuff, she had kept locked up. Files, hard copies, USBs.... things that could be moved should something ever happen to her.

And something did. Daniels had caught up to her. Now, she needed to lay low for a while before finding someone she could trust to present all this to...

 

[BeachBum25]

Steve listened as Nicole went through the details of her ordeal; revealing how she was able to get herself into the predicament that he had rescued her from. He stood motionless throughout her telling of the story.

"So, you couldn't just let it go. That doesn't surprise me even a little bit. You never could just walk away from something; even if it was in your best interest." Shaking his head, he smiled at her. "To be honest with you, I would be disappointed if you had walked away. It was why I always liked you."

He grabbed his backpack and tossed her a pair of gym shorts. "Put them on. They will have to do until we find you a place to buy some clothes that fit you properly. Of course, you will look a whole lot better in the shorts than I do. Once you get dressed, we will get some breakfast and be on our way."

 

[zydrate]

"Just liked?" She said as she took the shorts and quickly changed into them. This was no time to be modest. As she was putting the shorts on, she was devising a plan on what to do next. She couldn't just go in and get what she needed... No, this dirty organization had eyes everywhere. Once she was back in the city, they would know.

She had to lay low for a while.

Nicole let him check outside to make sure nothing seemed out of place. At least for a place they had never been.

When all was clear, she hurried to the car he had gotten the night before and didn't even question the looks. Hell, it didn't matter. Just as long as it could run and get them out of there.

It was still early but not so much so that some of the stores weren't open.

Soon after, Nicole was finally dressed in clothes that weren't bloody or torn. She had gotten a few form fitting shirts and some pairs of jeans.

"We're probably going to need another car.." she had said after the diner waitress had taken their order.

 

[BeachBum25]

He ordered coffee. That was what he needed most of all. Then he thought about it and decided that he should eat something as well. He ordered an omelette and bacon and then leaned back against the back of the booth.

"There is no doubt that we are going to need a new car. We can't go around in something stolen. We are going to have to figure out a way to buy something. I can get access to some cash. That would be the best, since we don't want to leave a trail. Despite the fact that your "friends" don't know who I am, I do not want to leave any kind of paper trail."

He looked across at Nicole. He forgot just how attractive she was. Sitting across from her now, as she sat there in a form fitting t-shirt, brought back to his mind just how much he was attracted to her. The distance had made him forget the physical attraction he felt. Being here with her brought those feelings flooding back.

After they finished breakfast, and after he bought a few bakery items for them to have with them on the road, they headed out. He stopped at a used car dealer and was able to pick up an old minivan for a relatively cheap price. The minivan would provide them a little cover, and if they needed to sleep in the vehicle it would be more comfortable than a small vehicle.

Steve knew Nicole was still weak, but he had her drive the minivan down the road a couple of miles to a deserted stretch. He followed her in the stolen car and pulled off the road behind her. He took off the plates, set the car on fire, and got into the driver's side of the van. "Okay, now we are out of here." He looked around and was relieved there was nobody on this stretch of road. "We need to find a place to hide out for a while. I may know of a place. It isn't much but it is out in the middle of nowhere."

 

[zydrate]

Once they had gotten rid of the other car, Nicole was completely wiped out. She hated feeling like this but with all she had been through, it was a wonder she had the energy at all. She leaned her back a bit as Steve drove... he mentioned they needed a place to stay and Nicole nodded, "doesn't matter...any where is fine.."

She wasn't sure how long she had slept but it was quite a while because they pulled up to an old house that looked like it hadn't been occupied for some time. Getting out of the van, Nicole leaned against it and looked around the place, "Wow, you weren't kidding about it being in the middle of nowhere..." She was about to ask where they were but had decided not to.. what did it matter? They were safe for the time being, right?

"Whose place is this?" She asked as she got out of the van.

It was quiet, that was for sure. Nicole was used to the sounds of the city...the sirens, the people...traffic.

 

[BeachBum25]

He drove through the day and into the night.... stopping only for gas. Nicole slept through it all. She had been through a lot and he was just happy that he got to her in time. The fact that he could read that she was in trouble based on their phone conversation showed just how connected they had once been.

He pulled up to the old house just in time. He was in desperate need of sleep. They got out of the van and he walked around to her side. "This is my place. The house is crap, but it sits on over 50 acres of land, and the house gives us clear views of anyone who might approach."

He watched her and he could see the questions running through her head. "We will be fine here. It may not look like much, but it is clean inside, and will be just fine for us until we figure out what our next steps will be."

He led her inside and let her walk around the place to check it out. "I am going to go out and get us provisions later. For now, we will just survive on the remainder of the snacks and bakery items that we picked up. You can bunk in there. I will sleep on the sofa."

 

[zydrate]

Two weeks.

Two weeks and Nicole was holding up surprisingly well... at least she thought so. A few years ago, she probably would have gone stir crazy, she had never been one much for waiting around but now, she was OK with it all. She had spent the last couple of weeks healing and she had been feeing better. Her bruises were all but gone and her stab wound was healing up nicely.

It was late evening and she was in the kitchen, making dinner while Steve was out fixing up things here and there. She knew he was probably getting tired of being here with her...

 

[BeachBum25]

He walked into the kitchen carrying some of the wood he had chopped. He was going to make a fire in the fireplace. He could tell she was going to hit a wall soon and want to get out of there. he had to keep her relaxed for a little while longer... long enough to figure out what her plan was.

Seeing her in the kitchen was a wonderful sight. Not because she was in the kitchen, but because she was here with him. He always felt an attraction to her. If he was honest with himself, it was probably the reason he had stayed in touch with her through the years.

She looked amazing. Yes. There was no doubt he had feelings for her..... Strong feelings. He walked past her and into the living room with the first load of wood. Each time he carried wood into the house he allowed his eyes to move over her.. admiring her incredible form and her wonderful beauty.

The last time that he walked by her, he bumped her lightly, and said to her jokingly, "You are going to make a good wife for some man. You are so good in the kitchen." He stacked the last of the wood and walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator. "What would you like to drink Nicole?"

 

[zydrate]

Tonight she was trying out one of her more involved recipes. Since she had been feeling better, she had been the one cooking and she didn't mind at all. Seeing as how she lived alone, she only had herself to cook for and now, cooking for Steve, was a lot more satisfying.

Nicole laughed softly when he said she would make a good wife, "Ha! That's rich..." was all she could say. To be honest, she couldn't see herself with anyone else..not since that one night she and Steve had shared.

When he asked if she wanted a drink, she held up her wine glass for a refill, not ashamed she had started drinking before him. Though there wasn't much to do during the day, Nicole had found herself watching Steve as he worked. She was glad he had found her when he did or else, she would surely be dead.

"I think I spent too much time watching the cooking channels on my off days. Tonight we're having Greek lamb stew.. made with white wine," she nodded toward the now empty bottle, "with a little reserved for the cook." She walked up close to him and held her glass to his beer bottle and lightly clinked it, "cheers.." she said and walked to the living room, "Just need to give a few minutes to cool down." She sat on the couch and took a sip of wine.

 

[BeachBum25]

He had to admit that he was surprised by how adept she was in the kitchen. That did not make her any more or less attractive to him, but, knowing Nicole the way he used to know her, her cooking acumen was almost shocking.

Steve opened another bottle of wine for her when she asked for more. He was surprised that there was an empty bottle, and a little worried that she had that much to drink. When he heard that she used it in the stew, he relaxed a little and poured her more.

The close proximity of her to him when she clinked her wine glass to his beer bottle made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Yes, he was attracted to her; there had never been any doubt about that, but there was something about her being so close to him right now that had him off balance.

He followed her into the living room and sat on the sofa with her; keeping an appropriate distance from her. He was trying to be careful. He didn't want her to think he expected anything because he had come to her rescue. If something was going to happen, it was going to be because they both wanted it, and that it was clearly not repayment for what he had done.

"So, Chef Nicole, you must have had a lot of free time if you were able to develop such a tremendous way around the kitchen. Heck, I have no skill when it comes to cooking... I would probably burn a bowl of cereal." He chuckled as he looked into her eyes.

 

[zydrate]

She had to laugh about what he said and shook her head, "Not a lot of free time... just got tired of take out."

They drank in silence for a bit and that's when she smacked his leg, "What about you? What's been happening with you? I realized we hadn't had much time to talk about the past... anyone special in your life?" Even though she knew the answer, she wanted to find out why. He was a great catch, that much she was sure of so why wasn't he married already?

Nicole listened to him as she got up and waved him to stay and that she would get the food for them. She dished up the stew and he started a fire in the fireplace. Handing him a bowl of stew, she sat back down on the couch, intentionally sitting closer to him...well, only because they were sharing a basket of bread...

 

[BeachBum25]

He watched as she got up and went into the kitchen. She was so manipulative. She threw the question out there and then left him. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she was so good at it.

"Thank you Chef." He smiled at her as he took the bowl of stew. Steve's eyes remained on Nicole as she sat back on the sofa... a little closer to him this time. "So, I noticed you didn't wait for my answer. I am willing to respond. I am not avoidant like you." Smiling.

Watching to see her reaction, Steve continued. "There is nobody in my life. I have been working on a farm, as you know. The only people I see are the other workers on the farm, and the widow who owns the farm. The only woman that I communicate with, other than the widow, is sitting with me right now. I have been happy working on the farm. it keeps my mind off things."

 

[zydrate]

She gave a look of mocked shock when he suggested she avoided him...

Nicole listened to him. She would have never pictured him a farm hand. Hell, he could easily kill and put his own skills to use but knew that wasn't him. "Sounds nice and quiet... peaceful almost," and in no way was she mocking him. It did sounds nice and quiet.. why hadn't she done the same? Not the farm hand thing but why couldn't she have decided on doing something else?

They ate in silence for a bit, "I'll need to go back soon..." she said, not really a question or suggestion...but a fact. "I don't have a definite plan yet but..." she shrugged, "I need to come up with one."

 

[BeachBum25]

There it was. he had been waiting for it. Steve knew it was just a matter of time before Nicole talked of going back. She was never one to let a situation just pass her by. She had to see everything to a conclusion no matter how bad the results could be.

"You are not going back alone, and you are definitely not going back without a detailed, well-thought-out plan. We will come up with that plan together. Before we come up with that plan, I will need to know exactly what I am getting into... well, what I have already got myself into."

He sat there quietly for a few minutes. "Before we develop a plan, I will need to know the entire back story. I need to know everything, including who all of the players are."

 

[zydrate]

"No John, you are not going back with me, I'm sorry.." she got up and walked to the kitchen and set her dish down in the sink. He had followed her and she kept talking.

"I appreciate what you did for me... but you know I have to do this alone. This is my fight, OK?"

Would he accept that? No... she knew he wouldn't. Walking up to him, she placed her hands on either side of his face, "Please John... you knew I wouldn't let you help anymore than you had to... ok?"

 

[BeachBum25]

He looked down at her. She knew how stubborn he was, yet she was still trying to convince him that she was going to handle her situation on her own. He shook his head at her.

"Nicole, this is now my fight as well. You are not going back to this alone. You know me better than that, Nicole." He looked into her eyes. "Just like I know there would be no use in trying to get you to forget about what was back there and come to the farm with me, you know, or should know, that it is useless to get me to step away from this."

He placed his hands on her hips. "I didn't travel all that way to get you out of there only to let you go back there without any backup." He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose.