The Threat Of Fear

chapter 10

        I let out a heavy breath as I knelt down, placing my hand's on my knees.

"You doing okay, Rach?" Shade chuckled.

He stopped running and turned around to face me. He's not breathing too heavily even though we've run about four miles already.

"Yeah," I groaned. "I'm, I'm just fine. Just, just out of breath."

I kind of regret agreeing to do his work out regime with him.

It should help me get better so that I can be ready once I become an officer.

"You wanna take a break?" he suggested, walking up to me.

"No, no." I panted. "I'm fine, let's just continue."

I need to get stronger.

I need to be able to keep up.

"Come on," Shade murmured, placing a finger under my chin and lifting my head up to look him in the eyes.

His face is very close to mine; one little movement of the head and our lips would touch.

I can't be thinking about that. Not now. Probably not ever. I doubt he would ever feel that way about me.

"Let's start walking back home, alright?" he breathed out, his warm breath meeting my lips and mixing with my own breath. "You can't push yourself too much or your hard work will all be for nothing."

        "Yes, we're all doing just fine. The trip is going excellently," I sighed. "How are Detective Rosy and her baby doing?"

Shade came up and hugged me from behind.

"She's doing good." Sergeant Leon replied. "Her ex-husband came back to town and they're talking about what his part will be for the baby."

I leaned against Shade's chest.

"Ahh." I hummed. "I hope that works out well for her."

"Well, I'll let you go, it's probably very late where you are," he said. "Goodbye, detective.

"Yes," I agreed. "Goodbye, sergeant."

I set my phone down on the nightstand.

"Hey," Shade murmured, resting my head on my shoulder.

"Hey." I giggled. "You're soaking my sweater with your hair."

"Am I now?" he hummed.

"Yeah," I replied.

I moved his head away and took the sweater off so it wouldn't get even wetter, leaving me in pajama pants and a tank top.

"We should probably go to bed now." I sighed, making no effort to move from Shade's warm arms.

"Yeah." Shade agreed, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. "We do have a pretty early morning, huh?"

I nodded.

Neither of us moved for a few moments, basking in the silence and each other's warmth.

After a while, Shade picked me up bridal style causing me to let out a quiet yelp.

He walked over to one of the beds, laying me down on it gently before caging me in with his body. One of his forearms is near my head, keeping his weight off of me, while his other hand is resting on my hip.

"Rach..." he trailed off, looking into my green eyes with his dark ones.

I didn't say anything, I just wrapped my arms around his neck and brought his face down to mine and kissed him.

        Home. We're finally going home.

As much as I liked it here, I miss home, I miss my job.

"Okay," I said, looking at everyone in the eye. "Does everyone have everything?"

Everyone nodded.

"Okay, good." I sighed. "Let's go home, then."

"Lets." Shade grinned, opening the car door and motioning for me to get in.

"Thanks." I giggled, getting in.

He shut the door and went to the other side, getting in.

Alec and Nick got in the front seats, Alec being in the driver's seat.

"Alright," Nick exclaimed, clasping his hands together. "Let's get this show on the road."

Alec whacked him on the stomach.

"What?" Nick whined, pouting at him.

"We're in a car, keep your voice down." Alec chastised, before starting the car and driving off.

"Sorry," Nick mumbled, rubbing his stomach.

        "So, Rach," Shade whispered.

Alec and Nick are off in their own conversation.

"Yes, Shade?" I hummed, looking up from my book.

"When do you want to tell them?" he asked, keeping his voice quiet.

"Tell them what?" I smirked.

"You know what." Shade sighed.

"I do?" I gasped in fake shock. "Really?"

"Yes." he nodded. "You do."

"Then please," I giggled. "Refresh my memory for me, please."

"Us," he responded, his voice going lower and quieter. "When do you want to tell them about us?"

"I don't know." I murmured. "Soon?"

"How soon, Rach?" he wondered. "I don't want to tell them before you're ready for them to know."

"How about a week or two after we get back home?" I suggested. "I kinda want to know what it feels like to have a secret relationship for a little bit."

"Done." Shade smiled.