Logan

107. What Can I Help You With

*Desmond's POV*

When I left the firehouse, I went home and showered. I changed my clothes and checked my phone. She didn't call, text, email, nothing. I knew it would be a long shot, I couldn't blame her. I couldn't blame her for being scared, for craving honesty and not getting the whole truth. But I had my reasons for not telling her then and there.

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*Natalie's POV*

I stayed at home and let the time pass by. I made my way around the house slowly but steady. I binged a season of some crime docu-series, took full advantage of our breadmaker, and after all that, I was still stir crazy. I had to get out of here.

I couldn't drive yet, doctors orders, I rolled my eyes at that. So I texted Wren and I threw sixty dollars on a party sub to be delivered to the firehouse.

"It was the least I could do, considering they're probably tired of seeing me every few months." I smiled slightly but Wren didn't move his lips. "Too soon, huh?"

"Please don't joke about mortality with me, alright?"

"I'm sorry."

"It was really hard seeing you like that, you know. Bloody, and there wasn't anything I could do. Jesus... I've had nightmares about it!" His right hand slammed against the steering wheel, twice. and then ran roughly through his mess of curls, before coming to rest on the center console. I'd never seen him mad before...

I let it go, because I knew just how scary it was to not have control of your own mind. I put my hand in his, and squeezed. "I'm really grateful for everything you do for me."

"It's only because I love you." He sighed, his body language still tense, but the longer I held onto him, the more he relaxed.

"Yeah?" I felt my cheeks burning from his honesty.

"Who else would put up with my constant Bruce Willis references?"

I chuckled, "I guess you have a point."

I loved Wren's grin, he didn't smile much, so seeing a full grin gave something to be admired. He grinned and put my hand up to his lips and kissed it, then rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb.

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When we pulled up to the firehouse, the delivery truck pulled up at the same time, so most of the guys were dealing with it.

I asked the guy at reception if I could speak with someone in charge, I wasn't sure how to get in touch with Desmond while he was at work.

I slowly walked into the office, it was clean. Regulation, I suppose. I saw a volleyball pin propped up on a picture but before I could look any closer I heard a voice behind me.

"Hello, I wasn't expecting anyone. Captain Thomas Ripley, what can I help you with?"

I turned and looked at the man in front of me, maybe a couple inches taller than me, brown scruffy hair at the top, brown eyes, his demeanor looked serious, but there was something... soft about him. He had laugh lines, but I got the feeling he hadn't laughed in a long time.

He extended his hand and I shook it, after adjusting the cane Wren had insisted I use to my other hand "Natalie Koughlin, sir, I'm... looking for a friend."

"Strong handshake," He smiled from the corner of his face, "Impressive, I thought musicians were careful with their hands."

He let go of my hand and I laughed slightly, "How did you know I was a musician?"

"I've seen your name a few times in the paper, maybe a couple times on local tv. You're very talented."

"You like volleyball too, I see, I used to play in high school."

He nodded, "Indeed, I enjoy the local sports every once in a while. I like to get out sometimes. Seeing fires and accidents all the time can devastate you if you let it."

"I know what you mean, sometimes I spend too long on one piece of music, so I try to do something else to break up the time."

"What else do you like? Scary movies, I can only assume."

"How did you know that?" I blurted, it was spot on.

He shook his head, "Oh, you just seem like the type of person that likes scary movies, is all."

"Do you, sir? Like scary movies?"

He looked down and chuckled to himself, "I haven't seen a scary movie in, well, ages."

There was a sadness to that last bit, and the silence grew in the small office. I cleared my throat, "Uh, well, I am looking for someone. I'm not sure if he's working, or-"

"You're looking for Officer Raleigh, I can assume?" He looked up from his desk.

I nodded, "Yeah, I am, is he working today?" I asked.

Captain Ripley shook his head, "He's not, he's been given another day since he covered for a co-worker, but I can tell him you stopped by?"

I shook my head, "That's alright, I just thought maybe he would be here. I should go."

"How are things healing? I mean, I know Lt. Gideon and Raleigh filled me in on what they could, but maybe you could spare a few details. You really shouldn't be out, you should be resting."

I shrugged, "I couldn't stay inside, sir, I really like being free to go where I please. Ribs should be healed in a few weeks, this I have only another week on, it's mostly for mobility purposes."

The captain nodded, "If you could hold on a moment," He moved behind his desk, and handed me a flyer. "We're having a spaghetti dinner for a fundraiser, maybe you and Raleigh could...go together? I'm not going to ask you to sing or anything, just to be a spectator. If you want some copies to put in The Iris? We're trying to get some new equipment, maybe a dog for the firehouse."

I nodded, "Sure, this sounds really fun. I'd love to, if you give me a few more I can have them put one in the record store and one of the local restaurants as well."

He handed me a couple more and said, "Invite your friends, maybe your mother."

"My mother? You know my mom?"

He shrugged, "I mean, we used to go to high school together, does she still live around here?"

I shook my head, "She got married again, lives a few states away. She gave us the house, though."

"Good house." He nodded.

I agreed, and a silence fell between us. Captain Ripley looked like he wanted to say something, but when he didn't I pointed behind me, "Captain Ripley, I really should be going, I... I want to get these hung up for you asap."

He unfolded his arms, "Uh, Natalie?"

I looked over, "Yes, sir?"

"Call me Thomas, sir is... a bit too formal."

"Yes sir, I mean, sure- Thomas."

"Oh, and thank you for hanging up the fliers."

I shrugged, "No problem," I smiled, "Thanks for inviting me, I always wanted to go to one of these things but my mom wouldn't let us. Weird."

I looked up and his demeanor had changed, his eyes looked almost sad. He gave a small smile, "I'll hold you to it, then. See you in a few weeks."

I took a few steps, and turned back behind me. He looked sad, "Thomas?" He looked up.

"Yes?"

"Merry Christmas."

He looked up with a genuine smile, "Merry Christmas, Natalie."