CHAPTER 13: DECISIONS, DECISIONS

T INA DROVE THROUGH the traffic with negligent ease, gliding the Buick skillfully past slower drivers, maneuvering the golden car through the morning sun. This October Friday was brisk, the chill from the previous day still hanging in the air. Commuters and others moved through the streets of Chicago on their way to destinations unknown. It was the alone time in her car that gave the private detective a chance to sort out her thoughts. And right now, her thoughts were focused on a certain blond scientist she had just met the day before.

There was something about Mariel Potidean that simply felt right. When she had finally gotten back to her bare, cold apartment after leaving the doctor's warm cozy home, she had fallen into a fitful sleep, snippets of their conversations mixed with dreams. It was like her mind was remembering feelings she didn't have, images she hadn't seen. And it all centered around Mariel. She had woken up early as usual, unable to shake the feeling that she needed to somehow be around the young researcher at all times. Not surprisingly, it wasn't an all together unpleasant feeling, just foreign.

As she drove further nouth from her Lincoln Park apartment, she smiled, remembering that Mariel also reminded her of her brother, Lucas. That same idealism, that same determination, even the look she got in her eye when she was excited about something. It had been years since she had seen that same fire. Lucas. Turning west on Fullerton, Tina passed a patrolling cop car as she made her way towards the Kennedy expressway and frowned, a mixture of anger and familiarity went through her. Her booted foot pressed the gas and sped down the on-ramp, blending into the cars on the Kennedy.

"Damn it."

The memories of her brother and their time together on the force came back to her. She didn't like to talk about it much, almost as if talking about it made it feel like she could have done something to change it. When she had heard the news that Lucas had been shot on a routine drug bust, she had nearly wrecked her own patrol car getting to the scene. When she arrived, there was a crowd of blues already there, closing off the scene.

* * *

"Lucas!"

She ran past the yellow tape, ducking under it as the ambulance personnel were starting to load his body into the van. Some of her fellow officers tried to hold her back, but she simply muscled her way through and breathlessly came to him, grabbing the EMS guy and stopping him momentarily from putting her brother inside.

"Lucas...Lucas? Can you hear me?"

She stroked his curly blond hair, the faint blood from his temple coloring her hand. Looking down his body, he saw his blue uniform soaked dark, near his heart. Pressing against the wound, she felt for his Kevlar jacket, her brows coming together when the required equipment wasn't on his body. One of the ambulance drivers tried to move her out of the way.

"Please, we need to get him loaded up, he's almost gone."

Tina had turned to him with the glare of utter shock and anger on her face.

"No! Get away!"

She turned back as Lucas' eyes were flickering open, his light blue coming to focus hazily on her own. She smiled down at him, her face softening. She whispered down at him in a soothing voice.

"Hey, Little Bro...how ya doin'?"

He smiled back at her before wincing in pain and coughing. Tina had smoothed her hand through his blond curls and put her hand against his cheek, smiling at his reply.

"I've had worse."

Shaking her head, she let her forehead come down to rest on his, her voice a hoarse whisper.

"You're gonna be just fine."

Lucas winced again and looked at her, his eyes conveying what she knew to be true. He wasn't going to be fine. There was nothing anyone could do for him now. Except Tina. With weakening strength he raised his hand and put it on her uniformed shoulder, turning his head to find her ear.

"Tina, do something for me.."

She whispered back to him, her voice choking up as she spoke.

"Anything, Lucas, anything.."

The young man smiled and nodded before gripping her shoulder tighter, the pain and the blood loss starting to make him shake. Lucas looked past her shoulder and saw a cluster of Chicago police behind them, gathered watching the scene with interest. He was going to have to make this quick.

"They're a part of it. Watch your back...in my locker..evidence."

Lucas coughed again and Tina pulled back, her face a mixture of anxious worry and confusion. Soothing the bloodied hair back from his temple, she watched as her brother's breathing became more labored. He struggled to keep his light blue eyes on hers as he lay there on a gurney in the middle of the street in South Chicago. Desperately, Tina spoke.

"Who? Who's a part of it, Lucas? What evidence?"

He started to speak, his voice a soft whisper and she leaned down again, putting her ear next to his lips, his last breath coming out in a voice that sounded so much like when he was younger.

"Adam 12."

Their word. Growing up, they'd watch the show and say to each other 'Let's go play Adam 12!' afterwards. Tina pulled back and watched as Lucas' eyes fluttered shut and his body stopped breathing. In horror, she touched her fingers to his pulse, looking for any sign and finding none. Tipping her head back, she cried out.

"No!!!"

* * *

Tina Amphipoli gripped the steering wheel tighter as she pressed down harder on the Buick's gas pedal. Speeding along the Kennedy, she flew past everyone, the left passing lane clearing out for her, almost as if other cars sensed the need to move. If she drove fast enough, she'd forget long enough. Soon, the Buick was just a golden blur on the expressway.

* * *

Mariel stretched, willing herself into one more round on the machines before she left. The sweaty musty Patton Gym was sparsely populated, most of NU's students preferring the new Crown Center. This place was only a few blocks jog from her apartment and to be honest, she sort of liked its old charm. Of course, she had to do some fancy fast-talking to get herself a pass to use it, but she prided herself on being able to talk her way into lots of things.

Like last night. Mariel smiled as she climbed on the stair-master and began her set. She had to convince a loner renegade private detective to work with her and had managed to have equal input into the plan. Even if she had to be a bottom. The blond scientist chuckled to herself at that. Stepping faster, she shook her slightly damp hair back from her face and gripped the hand holds of the machine tighter. After Tina had left, she had fallen into a deep sleep, her dreams populated with fragments of the investigator and other surreal images of horses and campfires. She woke earlier than usual feeling refreshed. Calling into the office, she left voice mail for Agent Ephran, informing her things were all well and good with the 'blue file', Eph's code name for Tina. She let the section chief know that she'd keep her up to date with the case as they were going into the field.

Now, if only she could learn more about the enigmatic detective. She was dying to know about her past, what made her tick, what she was like growing up. Everything. She could tell Tina was reticent by nature, not prone to divulging too much. However, the developing closeness and how comfortable their conversation had been last night gave Mariel hope. Maybe during lunch she could broach the subject. She smiled to herself, already feeling the tingle of getting to spend the day with her new acquaintance.

In fact, Mariel mused, she was feeling downright excited and invigorated, ready to get cracking. The plan they had come up with sounded interesting to say the least and she was looking forward to getting down to business. She had done a little web-surfing before she came to the gym and had collected a bit more information about the leather scene and some of the basic rules. Who knew the color of a handkerchief could mean so many things? She closed her eyes and concentrated on her work-out, anticipating the evening with more than just professional interest.

* * *

Tina wheeled her car into a space in the parking lot of Patton Gym. She was early, as usual, but the drive through Evanston had given her a chance to collect her thoughts and get herself under control. The unexpected flashback of memories about Lucas had caught her by surprise. Pushing those thoughts back down, she opened the door and stepped out on to the gravel dusted cement, her boots crunching against the ground. The slight breeze whipped her black hair back, setting the long dark length to swirl around her face. Her sunglasses reduced the glare of the sun peeking out behind the occasional clouds as she put her keys in her leather jacket and paced towards the building.

She glanced impassively at the counter boy, sitting in a glass booth just inside the entrance as she pulled the outer doors open and walked forward, reaching for the gym's inner door. His young voice spoke through the opening in the booth.

"Hey, you got ID?"

Tina stopped and let her head swivel around to meet him. He was pale and gangly, his dark hair thinning even now. He had a baseball cap on his head and it looked like he just started shaving recently, his smooth skin barely showing any signs of mature manly growth. He swallowed at the look on her face as she raised her sunglasses up and pinned him with a blue stare.

"No. Do you, junior?"

He stood up in the booth and looked at her, speaking loudly through the opening.

"Look, you can't use the gym if you don't have ID, lady."

Tina's hand slowly let go of the door handle as she continued to stare at him. Turning, she removed her glasses completely and strode over to the booth, her jaw clenched tight. Coming to face him a mere inch or two through the glass, she hissed.

"Did you just call me 'lady'?"

The boy, no more than 20 or so, gulped, his eyes darting, looking for someone, anyone. He watched as this tall dark imposing woman dressed in jeans and leather moved even closer to the booth. He backed up involuntarily when she growled out her next words.

"Because if you did, I'd have to show you exactly what this 'lady' would do to you if you called her that. You got it, son?"

He swallowed again and nodded. With a really scary smile, the tall woman spoke again.

"Good. Now I'm going into this gym and you're going to sit in your booth and we're going to go on with our morning. No trouble. And no ID. Understand?"

The way the woman asked the question didn't leave much room for him to disagree. Damn, he'd only started working there a few weeks ago to help pay tuition, what did he care if someone went in without a NU pass. And to hell if he was going to tangle with her over it. He gave her a little smile and nodded. She smiled back, one of those dangerous sexy smiles he'd seen on TV before. She was hot even if she was a bitch. He just shook his head as he watched her saunter into the gym. Damn.

The place was more or less deserted and Tina walked down a few hallways before she found the weight room. Looking through the doorway, she caught sight of familiar blond hair and walked quietly into the room, pausing against the wall, watching. A couple of guys working in there looked up at her when she entered, gave her an appreciative once-over and then went back to their curls. Letting her eyes flicker over to the compact form, Tina smiled.

Mariel's back was to her as she held two weights in each hand and was rhythmically lifting them. The scientist was wearing a tight white tank-top, her muscled shoulders and arms standing out in relief as she worked out. She had on a pair of dark shiny navy blue Addis running pants, three white lines going up the side of each leg. Mariel's hair was loosely braided in the back with blond wisps falling to the side, some strands wetly stuck to the back of her neck and shoulders. Putting it mildly, Tina's eyes took in the sight with relish.

Slowly, she made her way through the weights and towards the researcher, her reflection in the mirror finally catching the blond's attention. Mariel turned, a huge surprised smile on her face as she let the weights rest down at her side.

"Hey! What are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet later?"

Tina smiled back, putting the sunglasses she held in her jacket pocket. Causally, she put her back to the glass mirrored wall and crossed her arms, her dark features focusing on the scientist.

"I made better time on the Kennedy than I expected."

Mariel set the weights down and smiled, reaching for a small white towel and wiping off the sweat on her face. Her cheeks were flushed and she fairly glowed. Running a hand through her damp golden bangs, she chuckled as she came over to stand in front of the investigator.

"Well, I was just about done here anyway. I'm all sweaty, I need to get home and take a shower and change before we grab lunch. Is that alright?"

Tina quirked a corner of her mouth up and gave a slight nod, her eyes playfully catching the doctor's green. Somehow all the tension from her trip earlier this morning drained from her body and Tina suspected it was due to being in the presence of this radiant young woman. With a rumbling voice, she spoke.

"I suppose..."

She paused before reaching out a finger and letting it casually wipe across Mariel's muscled shoulder and continued.

"...wouldn't want you all sweaty now would we?"

Mariel's face blushed a bit redder as she laughed, her eyes looking up into the detective's face before she let them drop and come back up again.

"Right. So let me grab my stuff and we can go."

Tina just smiled and nodded, watching Mariel fish out a hooded dark grey sweatshirt from a backpack near her and put it on. White lettering spelled out 'Wisconsin' across the front. The researcher threw the towel into the bag and zipped it up, her face returning brightly to the investigator's.

"All set."

Tina smiled and reached over, taking the backpack from Mariel as she followed the blond out of the weight room. Once outside the gym, and after another glare from Tina at the counter boy, they stood in the cool sun. Mariel shielded her eyes from the brightness of being outside of the dark building and looked over at Tina. The detective had put her sunglasses back on and was standing tall in the parking lot. With a nod toward her car, she spoke.

"So, you want a ride?"

Mariel smiled, squinting in the sunlight. With a little chuckle, she reached over and dug through her backpack that Tina was holding and pulled out her keys. Holding them up, she spoke.

"Why don't you go on ahead and meet me at my place? My body gets mad at me if I don't stretch and run after working out. I'd hate to be all stiff and sore for our adventure tonight."

Tina raised an eyebrow behind her shades and smiled, shaking her head a bit. With a light shrug, she spoke good-naturedly as her hand took the doctor's key and she started towards her car.

"Suit yourself."

Mariel put her hand out and lightly grabbed hold of Tina's leathered arm, stopping the woman who half-turned to face her again. With a smile, the scientist looked up at the detective as her voice spoke sincerely.

"Thank you though."

Tina shrugged her shoulders and smiled, her voice a low rumble in the mid-morning air.

"Anytime, Mariel."

Mariel returned the words with a nod and a smile and started off, her light jog taking her through the parking lot on her way to the 5 block trip home. Tina watched the retreating form a while longer before heading to her car, shaking her head. She was completely and totally charmed. Damn.

* * *

When Mariel made her way up the stairs and to her apartment door, she opened it to find a now familiar sight: A lounging private detective on her couch and Idgie purring contentedly, nestled against jeans and a t-shirt and a warm body. She laughed when she came in, pulling off the hot sweatshirt and throwing it on the chair as she went into the kitchen, her voice calling lightly from the refrigerator.

"Looks like Idgie forgave you for keeping me up so late."

Tina smirked down at the yellow cat, her hand running through Idgie's soft fur. She watched as the scientist lifted a bottle of orange juice and drank, taking deep gulps. Smiling at the sight, Tina let her eyes drink in the rippled muscles running across the doctor's abdomen, clearly displayed under the tight tank top. And of course, Mariel's breasts were a thing of beauty as well. Clearing her throat, Tina spoke.

"Yeah, we've come to an understanding with each other."

The scientist lowered the orange juice and quirked an eyebrow, coming forward to lean against the doorway of the kitchen to face the detective. With an amused voice, she smiled.

"Oh really? Hey, do you want anything to drink? I've got juice, water...beer?"

Tina chuckled and shook her head.

"Nah, I'm good. Thanks."

Mariel smiled, kicking off her tennis shoes and finishing off the rest of the orange juice as she headed towards her bedroom. Reaching up, she undid the loose braid of her hair and shook the blond length out. Pausing in the doorway that led to the back of the apartment, she turned and nodded her head towards the bathroom.

"I'm going to jump in the shower real quick. I'll be ready to go in 15. Wow, I'm getting hungry!"

Tina smiled and chuckled, her eyes looking down at the dozing Idgie and then back up to meet Mariel's before she spoke, her voice a mixture of amusement and something more.

"Yeah, me too."

Mariel detected the faintest hint of a flirt in those words and just smiled, heading into the bedroom to grab her robe. After throwing off her work-out clothes, she donned the light blue terrycloth robe. Poking her head around the door into the living room, she smiled over at Tina who looked up at her.

"I'll let you make the decision."

Tina quirked an eyebrow and cocked her head, a smile forming on her lips as her low voice inquired.

"About what?"

Mariel slipped past the doorway in her robe towards the bathroom before she paused again, her eyes finding Tina's across the room.

"About lunch...and stuff."

And then the blond was gone, the sound of running water filling the apartment. Tina ran her tongue over her lips and closed her eyes, shaking her head with a smile on her face. Gazing down at the sleeping cat in her lap, she chuckled and spoke quietly.

"Idgie, she's something else, isn't she?"

The cat just blinked open an eye and yawned before nestling herself closer to the investigator, enjoying the soft attention she was getting. As long as her mistress fed her and went to bed at a reasonable hour, Idgie was just fine with it all. And the new woman petting her worked too. She purred and drifted off into her cat dreams of catching mice and dust motes.

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 500