Threatened

Chapter 13: So Close

Time slows down when our lips meet. His are soft and fit perfectly against mine. He smells like vanilla, despite the lemony scent of his apartment. I start worrying that I smell like blood and medical soap, but Lee isn't paying any attention, he is just kissing me.

When we finally break apart, Lee smiles and rests his forehead against mine. I can't help but smile too. It felt good to be close to him, he felt solid, like nothing could make him move if he didn't want to.

"Anna, will you be my girlfriend?" he whispers in my ear.

"Absolutely, Lee," I whisper back. "But we have to be smart about it. I can't go to any parts of the trial in uniform or the defense will have a field day. They would accuse me of giving you information, and you would get thrown off the stand and Cordero will walk free."

"Anna, you already told the press that you're a detective." Shit. I forgot about that.

"That makes your job harder. You have to convince the jury that you didn't receive any information from me at all. I'll share that with the DA so he can address it in court." Lee nods and pulls me onto the couch with him.

"Wanna watch a movie?" I ask, grabbing the remote.

"Sure, but nothing with me in it."

"Why not? All your movies are fantastic," I whine.

"I just laugh at myself sometimes. I wonder what was going through my head and what I should have done, it just ends in me screaming at myself and that's not something I want you to witness," he confesses.

"That's absolutely ridiculous, but I can live with it for now. What would you prefer?"

"Something with action."

"How about... Indiana Jones?" I suggest.

"Which one?"

"You pick."

"The Last Crusade. That one is my favorite." I nod and find the movie on Netflix then get up to make popcorn.

"Do you like seasonings on your popcorn?" I call from the small kitchen.

"No, just normal butter and salt," Lee answers. I throw a bag in the microwave and open the refrigerator and grab a root beer.

"Coke, root beer, or cream soda?"

"Coke please!" I grab the appropriate can and set them on the counter. Then I get a bowl for the popcorn and wait for the microwave to finish. When it does, I pour the popcorn into the bowl and join Lee on the couch. Light is still dripping through the curtains, but we are going to be in this place until the trial, so what difference does time of day make?

I snuggle up against his shoulder and relax as he presses play. As the music starts, Lee sighs deeply and leans his head on mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is really nice, Anna," Lee whispers while Harrison Ford chases nazis. The popcorn is dwindling, but Lee has hardly touched it. Same with the Coke; mine is empty, Lee's is only opened.

"It is. No one has bothered us at all. I'm surprised I haven't gotten a call from the ADA, the office said earlier that they would call today," I begin when my phone starts vibrating violently. "Aaaannndd there it is," I grumble. Lee frowns slightly and pulls his arm off my shoulder so I can take the call.

"Detective Anna Davis?"

"This is she."

"You need to bring Mr. Pace in now. There are a few questions that must be prepared for tomorrow's preliminary hearing," a young voice responds.

"I thought the hearing was in a few days-"

"The defense filed a motion. It has been moved to tomorrow at 8:00 sharp. Be here tonight at 7:30, not a minute later." Then the phone clicks before I can ask what the subject of the new questions are or what to prepare Lee for. Arrogant pricks, these attournies.

"What's going on?" Lee asks, seeing my stormy expression.

"Our night together just added a third wheel and it isn't the attorney. You're wanted for more preparatory questioning," I growl.

"Hey, it's all going to be fine, right? We have time before the trial," Lee tries, stand in front of me.

"No, the trial has been moved to tomorrow at 8. There is no time left. Grab your jacket, the office is twenty blocks away and we'll have to walk with all this traffic. I think I've got an extra Kevlar vest somewhere..."

"Kevlar?! Is it really that dangerous?"

"I got shot, remember? That bullet was meant for you," I remind him. A pang of guilt hits my stomach when he pales a bit. I wish things didn't have to be this tense, but I can't let him get shot when there was something could have been done to stop it.

"Just wear the Kevlar, humor me."

"Okay, where is it?" he surrenders.

"In my closet. It will be a bit snug if I can get it over your head," I say over my shoulder as I head towards my room. I'm really hoping Zach left his here after the last Kevlar worthy case.

I throw open the doors and there it is! My vest and Zach's side by side on the top rack. I pull them both down and shrug mine on with a sad smile. This Kevlar saved my life a year or so ago. The guy we liked for a double rape-homicide cornered himself in a back alley. No one saw the gun until it was unloaded at my chest because I was the closest. It was lucky that I wore it, no one else did. Hopefully I won't need this vest today.

"Alright, this one should fit-" I begin, eyes on the vest. But when I look up, Lee's sculpted chest rips the words from my mouth.

"Sooo, I forgot to pack undershirts, can I wear the vest without anything under it?" I don't hear him until the second time he asks.

"Uh yea, you can't wear a shirt, can wear nothing under it. Yea, the second option," I add in a rush. Lee smiles and gently pulls the vest out of my hands. He waves a hand in front of my face when I don't take my eyes from him. God, he's beautiful.

"No, I'm not staring," I blurt, still staring.

"Yes you are. It's fine, just don't stare all the way to the attorney's office," he laughs.

"You're an ass."

"But at least I'm easy on the eyes. Come on, we should go." I give him half a glare and lock the door behind us.