Page 9 of Rookie Days

“No, but you matter more. And I miss sleeping with you.”

Quinn leaned a shoulder against the wall, indulging in the image on screen. Lia stared back with chocolate-brown eyes full of determination at first. Then her expression turned a little more thoughtful, and finally, tender.

“You have very sexy lips, Ms Kennedy.”

“I can’t wait to taste yours, Lieutenant Wesley.”

They both smiled at the same time.

“Listen, Lia…”

“Oh, I sense a‘But’coming up,” Lia muttered.

“And,” Quinn corrected with a grin. “I want you to stay in New York.”

“I knew you’d argue.”

“And I know how much you were looking forward to your conference. Also, I’m going to be super-busy here for the rest of this week.”

“Rain-check until the weekend then?”

“Yes. Great. I’ll come pick you up at the airport.”

“Hey, Quinn.” Lia touched the screen again. “Well done for rescuing the kids. I’m proud of my wife. I love you.”

“Love you too, darling. See you soon.”

Quinn ended the call with a smile and a warm feeling in the center of her chest. It still surprised her from time to time… Not just the idea that she was married now, which she’d always beenconvinced would never happen to her; but the fact that it was so amazing with Lia. She did miss her wife, with every heartbeat.

???

Ellie woke up feeling groggy, unsure of her surroundings at first. A room swam into view after a few sluggish blinks. Dim lights. Not home or the police station. She rubbed her eyes. Recognized medical equipment, machines, and the smell of antiseptic in the air.Oh, shit!She jerked forward in sudden alarm.

“Hey, hey… Settle down.”

Turning her head, Ellie discovered a reassuring presence by the side of the bed. The belated realization of being on one also sent her into a small panic.

“Quinn,” she groaned. ”Lieutenant. What—”

“Lean back and relax, Detective,” Quinn ordered, and when Ellie did not immediately comply, pushed her easily back down with a single hand. “I’ve been instructed to take it easy on you, but don’t try my patience.”

Ellie was awake and wise enough to recognize that she was no match for her CO at the moment, especially when a bolt of fire shot through her arm. Inhaling through her teeth against the pain, she sagged against the pillow and stared frowning at her throbbing limb. Under a clean white bandage, nerves seemed to be coming back to life. The pins and needles in her fingers were definitely a good sign. She attempted to flex, and though it made her wince again, was relieved to find that she could do it.

“Janet said you’ll make a full recovery.”

“Janet? She was here?”

For some reason her fuzzy brain struggled to make sense of, it seemed important that she know this.

“She came back, as she promised, but you were out.”

“Ah… Okay. Thanks.” Ellie almost smiled before tensing all over again. She met Quinn’s eyes, held her gaze as her own heart started to race. “Gonzales. Is he— How is he?”

“He’ll live,” Quinn answered with a tight nod. “You didn’t totally crack his skull, fortunately, though he suffered a serious concussion. You broke his nose and left cheekbone, dislocated his jaw, knocked several teeth out of his mouth… He’ll be sore a while, that’s for sure. They have him in the ER at the moment, sedated. He's under police guard.”

Ellie exhaled and closed her eyes in relief and gratitude. Bits and pieces of what she had done floated across her mind. She shivered as she remembered the violence of the fight. The sheer brutality of it.

“I could have killed him,” she murmured. “I almost did.”