Hostage Rescue (Closed forAngeleyez and NiceandBrutal)

[Angeleyz]

Veronica shook her head and wrinkled her nose at his lame joke, although she wasn't about to give him a hard time when she wasn't sure how to break the ice now that she was fully facing him. There was an awkward silence which they both rushed to fill in, stepping on each other's words, pausing and then apologizing at the same time. In the end, Scott took charge and filled her in on what he had been up to and how he had come to be in Virginia.

She liked watching him putter around the kitchen as he talked. Like watching his hands as he went about chopping up the fish and preparing the potatoes, moving with the same efficient manner she had noticed before. Liked the way he would turn his head occasionally and look at her before turning his attention back to his task, letting her stare uninterrupted at his handsome profile. Liked watching the muscles in his shoulders and back ripple as he leaned forward to place the pan in the oven. Mentally rolling her eyes, she chalked it up to the fact that she simply liked having him nearby and hugged her arms tighter.

So how did the trial against Berg go? I wanted to be there to testify, but...

Shuddering at the mention of his name, Veronica waited for Scott to finish explaining about his encouraged absence from the trial before admitting that she wasn't completely sure what it happened. She didn't mention how Dr Berg had reportedly been badgering the relief agency for her contact information before the trial nor the way he had stared at her the entire time she was in the courtroom. Instead she simply reported that she had answered questions for two days and had opted out of sticking around to hear the verdict.

"I know stress can do strange things to people, but I still don't understand why he'd go after you the way he did, Scott," she fretted, "but hopefully he's getting professional help."

My own trial with the journalists was settled out of court. The Navy threw money at the problem to make it disappear. They're good at that.

She refrain from mentioning the number of interviews she had undergone on his behalf letting him check up his own settlement as a money game. She saw no point in admitting to the number of carefully crafted letters she had written, testifying to his character encourage, in the hopes of helping him and simply nodded.

Veronica shifted uncomfortably when he started talking about the wringer he had been put through during his assessment, especially when he talked about bad dreams. This was a topic they need to stay clear steer of – dreams would fade over time and there was no sense in talking about them, though she was saddened to hear that he still suffered from them.

Her heart went out to him when he talked about the funerals for his men, and she almost gave into her desire to hug him but wasn't sure if he would be amenable or not. She herself hadn't been allowed to attend Elizabeth's funeral, partially because her family had wanted to keep it a private affair and partially because the suits from probably the same alphabet soup agency had been concerned that her attendance might place her in the crosshairs of some militant group. She still wasn't convinced that anyone from over there would care about some lowly nurse, but she had let them pressure her into not going.

And I missed you, Ronnie. I missed you more than I can say.

It was hard swallowing the lump in her throat as she looked at him, but Veronica managed to do it before admitting shyly, "I missed you too, Scott. I'm glad we ran into each other again…". Again, she was tempted to throw her arms around him and hug him close, but she forced herself to step away from the counter with she had been leaning and say, "So would you like to start watching a movie at that salad is done or wait until after dinner? Your choices are Mr and Mrs Smith or pretty much any James Bond movie.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I missed you too, Scott. I'm glad we ran into each other again…"

Scott wanted nothing more than to drop the utensils and embrace her when she told him that. But there was a distance of things unsaid between them that stopped him. The way she involuntarily squirmed when he mentioned his nightmares told him volumes. She was far from okay and she was still repressing. He remembered the one time she'd opened up to him on the airbase and asked himself why she wouldn't talk about troubling things on the planeride home. Sure it was hard, but it was preferable to walking around like a numbed zombie.

"So would you like to start watching a movie at that salad is done or wait until after dinner? Your choices are Mr and Mrs Smith or pretty much any James Bond movie."

"I'd like to wait after dinner if that is okay with you, Ronnie. And I think you should be the one to choose movie, seeing as I'm being all dictatorial about dinner. Although if it's a James Bond movie, I'd suggest we drop 'The World is not enough'. It's... dull." He didn't mention that one of the themes in the film was kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome. And besides, it really was one of the dullest Bond movies with Brosnan.

Scott finished making the salad and he helped set the table while the potatoes and salmon baked in the oven. They kept up a banter about everyday stuff like relatives, weather, the difference between the east coast and the west coast and so on. Harmless topics and a light tone. This continued through the meal. Scott was pleased with the result of his cooking. But it worried him to see how little Ronnie ate. Best not to mention that. Yet, he thought.

When they had eaten their fill, Scott looked at Ronnie and asked her: "So how have you been, Ronnie?"

 

[Angeleyz]

I'd like to wait after dinner if that is okay with you, Ronnie. And I think you should be the one to choose movie, seeing as I'm being all dictatorial about dinner. Although if it's a James Bond movie, I'd suggest we drop 'The World is not enough'. It's... dull.

Veronica nodded and, while Scott finish prepping the salad, she pulled out plates and silverware and poured them each a glass of ice water. She felt bad that she didn't have any wine to go with dinner, but since she had come home she had steered clear of alcohol as it only seem to make her dreams worse. They danced about the small kitchen, carefully maneuvering so as not to bump into each other. It was kind of nice having someone else to share domestic duties with, although it wasn't enough to convince her that she should move back in with her parents.

Turning towards the table, she frowned momentarily at the sight of the roses, wondering if she should call the florist or not, but then shrugged. The delivery boy had been emphatic that the flowers were for her, so she might as well enjoy them even if they were likely a mistake. She ended up pushing the vase towards the far side of the table as Scott carried over the plates. She smiled inwardly when he set them adjacent to each other, making it a less formal setting. And if it gave her an opportunity to rub knees with him who was she to complain.

Dinner smelled wonderful when he laid it on the table, and for about five minutes Veronica thought she'd actually be able to eat more than a couple of mouthfuls. However, despite how lightly prepared it was, the fish felt like bricks weighing down her stomach after she had taken less than five bites. She absently pushed the food around on her plate as they chatted, a subconscious mirroring of his movements minus the lifting of the fork to her mouth.

She had actually started to relax as Scott kept the conversation moving from one easy topic to the next when he laid his fork down, look directly at her and asked how she was doing. She squirmed a little at his serious town, and by the looks of his expression, he wasn't likely to accept her typical "Fine, fine" and attempts to change the subject.

Carefully placing her fork down, Veronica folded her hands in her lap using the table to hide their tight grip. One corner of her lips lifted in a lopsided smile as she admitted, "Honestly, I have good days and bad days. I had to go through a lot of physical therapy for my wrist and back when I returned, although I only have to go once every couple of weeks now. I'm working on a part-time basis at Mercy General" She coughed remembering her first shift in the pediatric wing and the meltdown she had gone through in the women's bathroom.

Looking away from him for a moment, she pressed on, "I mostly work triage in the Emergency Room." She said nothing about her request to work in the ICU where the patients were rarely conscious and visitors were limited, nor the shaking she went through every time she had to deal with a particularly gruesome wound. So far, outside of the first day, she had managed to hold it together, and no one knew the amount of effort it took to appear serene for the staff and patients.

Figuring he wouldn't believe it if she said otherwise, she admitted almost offhand, "I have the occasional bad dream, but they're a lot less clear now that I've been home." It wasn't until her wrist started aching, reminding her that she was still not 100%, that Veronica realized how hard she had been clasping her hands together and forced herself to relax.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Uh-huh. Scott had sat through enough interrogation sessions to know when he was told lies and half truths. The way she looked away and tensed up were dead giveaways, but he didn't press the issue. Trust had to be re-established first. But he could tell she'd had it rough. The fact that she'd lost so much weight, the way she stiffened like a board, the way she picked at her food, these were all like loud alarm bells to Scott. Ronnie was NOT doing okay.

With an inward sigh, Scott reined himself in. It saddened him to see her like this, but he knew she had a stubborn streak a mile wide. It had probably helped her through her ordeal as a hostage and earlier, after the car crash. But it was now hindering her to cope it seemed. So he swallowed down his damn fool eagerness and smiled. It was, after all, good to see that she hadn't fallen completely apart.

"I'm glad to hear you're doing okay Ronnie. For some people the dreams will fade over time. For others, they'll stay for the rest of their lives. And if there are any sounds or smells that trigger flashbacks, try to steer clear of them. I stay away from rare meat and barbecues for obvious reasons. The smell of diesel and aviation gas triggers memories, as does the smell of cordite and blood. So I obviously couldn't handle your job."

They'd finished clearing the table by then, and Scott reverted to safe topics as they did the dishes and put them away. He talked about taking some time off to see his sister and his niece. Talking about his niece always choked him up just a little bit, but he didn't mind. He showed a small filmclip of little Jessica at her first ballet recital. Scott's sister first filmed herself, saying: "Jessica is about to do a little number from "The Nutcracker", Scotty. She still talks about the time you took her to see it." Then she turned the camera on his niece as she, in deep concentration, waited for the music to start. Watching her dance on that clip (it was from last christmas) always cheered him up.

Suddenly becoming aware of being the annoying proud uncle, he put his phone away. They were now waiting for the microwaved popcorn to finish. Filling a bowl with freshly popped goodies, they headed for the living room. After a quick debate they settled for "From Russia with love", in Scott's opinion one of the best Bond movies.

They placed themselves in the couch, side by side. Then the movie started. Scott tried to keep his running commentary to a minimum, but he always loved pointing out obvious flaws and the odd correct detail as the film progressed. They had gotten as far as the fight on the Orient Express when Scott felt a warm insistent press on his shoulder.

 

[Angeleyz]

I'm glad to hear you're doing okay Ronnie...

Veronica wasn't sure if Scott necessarily believed her, having caught the slightest of pauses in his words before he went on about what triggers he tried to avoid, but he was polite enough not to call her on it. 'Polite or perhaps understanding?' she thought as she started washing the dishes as he grabbed the last of the dishes.

Once again the conversation jumped from one topic to the next while Scott took over washing while she dried the dishes and put them away. She quickly packaged up the leftovers so they could finish the dishes, and if his eyebrow went up at the amount remaining, he made no specific comment as he scrubbed the pans.

He spoke of spending time with his sister and his niece as Veronica finished drying the last of the pans, and she smiled at the deep affection that was naked in his voice. The smile became an outright grin when he whipped out his phone and shared the video of his niece performing in her first recital. It was obvious the little girl had her uncle wrapped around her little finger, and her eyes became suspiciously shiny, which she tried to hide by pulling out a bag of popcorn and tossing it in the microwave.

Once the popcorn was done, they headed into the living room and flipped through her movie collection. Apparently he was a Bond fan as well and they had a spirited debate as to which movie they'd watch, although in the end they settled on the same movie she would have picked herself. She popped the movie in and joined him on the couch as it started up, sitting close enough so as not to be standoffish but not so close as their bodies were touching.

Veronica listened to Scott with a sense of quiet amazement. She had never realized the movie was so full of flaws, although truth be told she probably didn't pay attention to the little details like he did. No, her biggest beefs about movies involved subplots or references that never seemed to get used and left the viewer wondering why it was ever referenced in the first place.

There was something about sitting beside him, listening to his deep voice that was particularly soothing and she caught herself blinking hard a couple of times. She shifted in place trying to stave off the wave of tiredness that suddenly swamped her. She uncrossed her legs and crossed them at the ankles. She even tried subtly shaking her head.

But the more Scott talked, the more relaxed Veronica became and the more relaxed she became, the heavier her eyelids became. At some point, she knew her eyes were closed, but she was still tracking with the movie so she figured it wouldn't hurt if she rested them just a wee bit longer. Then the sounds started blurring together in a muffled chorus of white noise, and although she struggled to open her eyes, it was too hard to resist the sudden comfort of sleep. The last thing she remembered thinking was that she'd be safe with Scott nearby.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Scott looked down. Ronnie was soundly asleep, leaning on him. He debated whether or not to wake her up, but by the looks of her she needed some good uninterrupted sleep, and it gave Scott the opportunity to watch the woman he loved uninterrupted by social mores.

Her face relaxed as her whole body sagged against him, and Scott gingerly helped her to lie down. After grunting protests when he'd tried to make her lie down away from him, Scott placed a pillow in his lap and helped her ease her head down. And thus, he was trapped. And more than a litle touched. It seemed she felt safe near him, so much so that she protested in her sleep when he tried to ease out from under her.

Looking closer at her face, she seemed peaceful but utterly exhausted. She had dark rings under her eyes, and her face was drawn. Scot gently stroked her hair as he whispered to her: "Ronnie, sweetheart, don't do this to yourself. Allow yourself to cope with what you've been through. Only then will you know a modicum of peace. Don't repress. Remember, deal, and vent." And he leaned down and kissed her forehead, bringing a smile to her lips.

Scott turned down the volume, knowing that shutting the TV off completely might snap her awake. Scott settled more firmly in the couch, Ronnie settling with him. Her body warmth made Scott drowsy as well. He stretched and yawned, trying to stave off sleep.

He looked around her living room, hunting for something to focus his sleep-addled brain on. His eyes landed on the red roses. Scott felt a pang of jealousy. Was she seeing someone? To Scott, red roses meant romance, plain and simple. But then, Ronnie might just have bought them herself. Scott decided not to fret over such an insignificant detail, and that if she was seeing someone, he'd detach as quickly and painless as he could. And then the phone rang.

Ronnie slept so heavily that she wasn't roused by the telephone's ringing. Scott wondered if he should reply, but he cast that notion aside. Instead, the call went to the answering machine. Bizarrely, there was no message, only the sound of breathing and background street noises before whoever had tried to reach Ronnie hung up. Can't have been too important if he or she didn't bother to leave her a message, Scott thought.

Sleep came slowly but surely to Scott as well. The film was over and Scott managed to grab the remotes to switch off the DVD-player and the TV. Quiet at last, Scott settled in and surrendered to his tiredness. Oddly, he didn't have the usual apprehension of giving in like he usually had. And then his head filled with a soothing black warmth that bore the promise of blissful dreamless night. The warm press of Ronnie's body was a comforting sensation as he drifted asleep with a smile on his face.

 

[Angeleyz]

Veronica drifted along in a sea of sand, although she was unafraid because somehow she knew Scott was nearby keeping an eye on her. She felt his quiet strength wrap around her, enveloping her with such a sense of security that she protested when he went to move away from her. She wanted to reach out and hold onto him, but she was suddenly sinking lower and lower, although again, she wasn't scared because his presence was so close she could hear his heartbeat.

His fingers brushed through her hair, such a soothing motion from such a hard man. Warrior. Yes, he was like a warrior of old, and yet she had never felt so safe. She thought he murmured something from far, far away, but the constantly shifting sea of sand drowned out the actual words. She smiled as he bestowed a soft kiss on her forehead, another incongruous action from her warrior. Yes... my warrior

Sometime during the night, Veronica shifted, turning on her side, burrowing her arm under her body pillow and pressing her head more firmly against her main pillow, which was surprising firm. She dreamed of Scott, of intimacies they had never engaged in and those that she normally dared not even think about. But they were such sweet, sweet dreams and they went on forever until her wrist started protesting the way she had it bent and the veils of sleep started to pull back.

Her first thought was that she had fallen asleep on the couch again. She then wondered why her pillow was so hard. Her next reaction was to squeak in surprise as she realized what or rather who she was pressed so intimately against. He stirred immediately at the sound, and she waited for him to come fully awake, not wanting a repeat demonstration of how one did not wake up a sleeping soldier.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

A warm and safe darkness engulfed Scott. He knew nothing but this: his mind was at ease for the first time since... for a long time. In his sleep there was a soothing presence chasing the bad dreams away. And there was a scent he knew, a scent he'd missed, a scent that made his heart ache with longing. And there was the insistent press of a warm body against his, the press of someone that trusted him and needed him.

Come morning, and Scott had more vivid dreams. He became aware that his body was stiff after sleeping in the same position through the night. He had dreams now, nice soft dreams where he and Ronnie held hands and smiled, he and Ronnie kissed and caressed each other, he and Ronnie undressing and *squeak*!

What? That was a sound from awake. I need to be awake. Scott struggled to open his eyes, his mind protesting to being torn away from the best sleep he'd had in months. And then he saw where he was and who he was with, and he was startled and happy all at once.

Tired still, and a touch absentminded, he reached for her and stroked her cheek as he smiled a groggy smile. "I guess I fell asleep after you. You dozed off during the movie. Looked like you needed the sleep pretty bad. Looks like I did, too," he added as an afterthought. Through it all he had a raging boner he hoped the pillow would conceal.

 

[Angeleyz]

Veronica stayed as still as she could as she watched in wary fascination as Scott blinked his way into consciousness. Again she was struck by the dichotomy between now and then. Before there had been a near instantaneous switch between slumber and alertness, from rest to explosive action, as her occasional dream would remind her. Now there was a discernible delay from the time he started stirring before his eyes finally opened, another testimony to how well he had made the transition to civilian life.

She figured Scott wasn't completely awake when he reached down and caressed her cheek, and she barely refrained from turning her head into his hand at the sweet gesture, having to remind herself that she had merely been indulging in dreams and that the two of them were not really the couple her dreams had portrayed.

I guess I fell asleep after you. You dozed off during the movie. Looked like you needed the sleep pretty bad. Looks like I did, too.

Veronica winced at what he must think of her falling asleep on him and realized she wasn't going to be able to extract herself easily from his lap with her arm burrowed under his thigh, hand almost clutching his heavily corded muscles like a security blanket.

"I am so sorry," she stammered, trying to pull her hand out as nonchalantly as she could manage, "I can't believe I fell asleep on you like I did."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"I am so sorry, I can't believe I fell asleep on you like I did."

She was trying to wiggle her arm free as she was speaking, and Scott lifted his leg slightly to help her. "Don't be sorry, Ronnie. I'm not. Truth be told, that was the best night's sleep I've had in weeks." That much was true, but he was also stiff and sore from sitting upright all through the night. That was nothing compared to the turmoil he felt when he looked at her.

He chanced it. "I feel that I might have misunderstood something on the plane ride home. Or- or maybe I was just too abrupt when I started talking about us, you know, being together. But I never stopped thinking about you, Ronnie. Please tell me if I'm out of line here, but would it be okay if we maybe, you know, met regularly. Like friends or something el- that is, I remember what we had for a brief time in Afghanistan, and I- it- I like to think it meant something to both of us."

Well that was smooth! He gave an inward wince as the words, highlights really from several speeches he'd prepared, fell out of his mouth in an unruly jumble of stutterings and stammerings. But the sentiment was out there, sort of. And this time he had nowhere to escape to. He'd felt a sudden urge to be elsewhere, to do SOMETHING, but he realized that was his consciousness chickening out. He would face her potential wrath, his potential disappointment head on this time.

He drew a deep sigh to clear his head, then looked her squarely in the eyes. "What I'm trying to say is, I think I still love you, Ronnie." He spoke slowly, deliberately, but softly. His heart pounded like a jackhammer. He reached out to touch her, to stroke her cheek like he'd just done, but he withdrew his hand, suddenly very unsure of himself.

 

[Angeleyz]

Veronica paused in her attempt to free her arm when she felt him shift until she realized he was actually raising his leg to help her out. She was able to pull her arm out, but the way he lifted his leg caused her head to shift closer to his abdomen and her lips came inches away from the buckle on his belt before she was able to pull it back.

Cheeks flushed, she listened as Scott graciously accepted her apology and even tried to say that he had slept well. She wasn't sure she believed him, figuring he was simply trying to be nice. However there was no denying that she had slept better with him than she had since... well since she had returned home.

Veronica's face was a study in confusion when Scott started talking about the plane ride home. He had talked about them being together? What in the world was he talking about?! He had done no such thing. She would have remembered that, would have given her something to hold onto during the long, sleepless nights.

Please tell me if I'm out of line here, but would it be okay if we maybe, you know, met regularly.

Her eyes sparkled at his halting words as happiness spread through her entire body at the idea of getting to see Scott on a regular basis. However, it dimmed slightly at his reference to Afghanistan, having often wondered if the feelings she had for him had been wrapped up in his rescue of her.

What I'm trying to say is, I think I still love you, Ronnie.

Veronica's mouth actually dropped open in shock. Still love?! When did he ever start loving her? Realizing her mouth was hanging open, she closed it with a snap, while she tried to wrap her head around his declaration.

"I... You...," she sputtered before jack knifing upright, "I, um, I'll be right back." She rolled off the couch and was down the hall before he even had a chance to react.

She forced herself to stop before she ducked into the bathroom. Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and turned around, not wanting to totally chicken out. Another deep breath later, she called out softly, "Yes, Scott... It would be okay for us to meet regularly." Her voice wavered a little as she added, "I-I-I'd like that a lot" before stepping into the small bathroom and closing the door.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Scott was in agony. Her reaction had been confusing, to say the least. The way her eyes had sparkled when he'd started talking seemed reassuring, but then, when he thought he'd calmed down enough to say what was really on his mind, he'd REALLY put his foot in it. She'd leapt off the couch with a speed he dimly envied her. Damn, if more women had reflexes like that they'd be Special Ops operatives each and every one, he mused absentmindedly.

Her quavering voice reached him from down the hall, and Scott wanted to kick himself. Then his brain latched on to what she was actually telling him, and the emotional rollercoaster started for real, with an option of a few extra passengers. She didn't say no! Maybe if... but no, you came on too strong again. When will you ever learn, Ensign Numbnuts!? You're cool as ice when you're killing people (although you shake like a leaf afterwards) but you get the jitters every time you try to get romantically involved with someone.

The truth hurt. If it hadn't been for some pity fucks by SEAL groupies, he'd still be a damn virgin. And actual lasting relationships? Forget about it. He remembered being taken aside by his CO to be told that he could opt out of serving in moslem countries. When Scott bewildered asked exactly why that was, his CO had blushed, actually BLUSHED before, through much hemming and hawing and scraping of feet told that men of Scott's, um, disposition were likely to be treated even more cruelly if captured. With an increasing sense of bewilderment, Scott had asked just what that was supposed to mean, but his CO kept his mouth shut. It was only after a few days of pondering and questioning his comrades that Scott latched on to the fact that everyone thought he was gay.

With a sigh, Scott got to his feet. His body creaked and snapped as he rose, reminding him that he wasn't getting any younger and that he'd had his fair share of punishment along the way. He stretched and flexed to get the blood flowing again, a habit second nature to him as he was used to laying motionless for hours, days at a time. He paced the living room floor a few times to clear his head, then he went to the bathroom door and hunched down beside it, his back against the wall.

"I'm sorry Ronnie. I came on too strong again." That was hardly a secret. Did you ever tell her you loved her back in Afghanistan? Sure, you kissed. But so what? Maybe she just needed the release? Maybe she doesn't need you in her life? Maybe seeing you just brings back bad memories? Maybe she just agreed to see you because she pities you or, God forbid, is afraid of you? Maybe that was her appeasing you to get you off her back?

The nagging voice was doing an excellent job of tearing down his self-confidence. Sighing heavily, he got to his feet. "I'm sorry about that, Ronnie. I'm not very good at this. If you want you to leave, tell me so. I won't bother you again. I'll be in the kitchen making coffee if you want to talk to me." And he stalked towards the kitchen and busied himself.

 

[Angeleyz]

The minute the door latched closed behind her, Veronica pressed her back against the door using it as something solid to keep her centered in the tipsy topsy world she was suddenly in. She was high, she was low, she was... confused. Sliding down the door until her backside hit the floor, she bent her legs at the knees and wrapped her arms around them, pulling them to her chest.

She had been so happy to hear him talk about them seeing each other, something she had wished for every night when she allowed herself to think about him. Seeing him on a regular basis would have allowed her to figure out if the fluttery feeling in her stomach when she looked into his eyes or felt his touch or heard his voice would fade now that they were back in the states.

I think I still love you, Ronnie.

Seven words. Seven words that had seemingly come from out of left field and had filled her with such terror that she had fled to the damn bathroom like a little kid watching a scary movie for the first time. Her eyes closed in embarrassment as she tried to imagine what Scott must be thinking about that response.

Veronica leaned forward to rest her forehead on her knees as she mentally kicked herself for being such a scaredy cat. For the love of God, what the hell had she been thinking to run like that?! She sighed deeply, knowing that had been the problem, she hadn't thought at all. Hadn't thought how her actions might have hurt him. Hadn't bothered to ask the questions she had wanted to ask all these months. Had simply fled...

I'm sorry Ronnie. I came on too strong again.

The apology easily reached her ears, and she cringed. She cringed not because of how close he was, but rather because of the confusion and remorse that echoed in his words, emotions that she had caused with her impromptu disappearing act. And all because she wasn't strong enough to admit that she wasn't adjusting as easily to coming home as he had.

I'm sorry about that, Ronnie. I'm not very good at this. If you want me to leave, tell me so. I won't bother you again. I'll be in the kitchen making coffee if you want to talk to me.

Her head shot up so quickly at the thought of never seeing him again that Veronica almost slammed it into the door. Dammit, she had to get herself together or she might miss out on ever finding out if he was the one. Afraid that he'd take off if she took too long to respond, she resolutely pushed herself to her feet and called out, "I'll be right out."

Crossing to the sink, she turned the water on, hoping the ritual of washing her hands would help calm her mind, and surprisingly it did. She was just finishing up when she heard the phone began to ring. Thinking her mother was likely calling to talk about her plans for the day, she hurried to dry her hands.

Afraid that she wouldn't get to the phone in time, Veronica opened the door and asked Scott to answer it for her as she hung the towel back up. She could hear him answering it as she walked quickly to the kitchen.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Scott managed to calm down somewhat as he prepared the coffee. He perked up and actually smiled when he heard her call that she'd be right out. That meant she wouldn't be cowering in the bathroom until he left, which meant she wasn't afraid of him! Well THAT'S a start, he thought as he giggled giddily to himself. Suddenly the sun shone a little brighter and everything seemed a little more beautiful.

Scott noticed the telephone ringing, and pondered whether or not to answer it when Ronnie made up his mind for him by asking him to do just that. So he strode to the telephone and said in a smiling agreeable voice: "Veronica Price's telephone, Scott Hartmann answering." There was a sharp intake of air on the other end, and Scott said simply: "Hello? Who is calling, please?" There were sounds as if of someone choking yet trying to speak, and Scott got concerned: "Um, maybe if you, I don't know, tried to say something? Ronnie is a littl busy at the moment, but I'll be happy to- *click* and the line went dead.

Scott frowned as he hung up the phone. Turning to Veronica, he told her: "I could swear there was someone on the other end of the line. But whoever it was hung up without saying anything. I hope he or she is okay." Scott's frown only deepened when he saw Ronnie's reaction.

 

[Angeleyz]

Veronica wasn't close enough to hear Scott's initial greeting, but based on the look that crossed his handsome face as she drew closer whatever her mother was saying had to be quite concerning. Her brows drew together in confusion as she heard him say she was a little busy, and was reaching out to take the phone from him when he suddenly frowned and hung it up. Her hand dropped back to her side as she looked up at him for an explanation.

I could swear there was someone on the other end of the line. But whoever it was hung up without saying anything. I hope he or she is okay.

She had been so sure that it had been her mother that she hadn't even thought it could be one of the odd calls she had been getting, but once Scott mentioned that the caller had never spoken, she immediately started shivering and her arms wrapped protectively around her middle. However, he had said something that niggled at her, and it took her a moment to realize what it was.

"Wait, you said the person hung up? You didn't hang up first?" she queried, wondering if there was a significance in that she had been the one who had hung up in all of the other odd call instances.

 

[Niceandbrutal]

"Wait, you said the person hung up? You didn't hang up first?"

Her questions and her demeanor worried Scott. She was... afraid, he realized. And her question told him one thing: this wasn't the first time someone had called her like this. Warning bells went off inside Scott's head, and he had to suppress the urge to embrace her, to reassure her.

Instead he looked at her and asked cautiously: "This isn't the first time something like this has happened, is it?" He occupied himself with pouring coffee for the both of them, asking with a forced normalcy how she wanted it. Meanwhile, his mind was racing. There could be several reasons why someone did this to her. Some obsessed person that had found out where she lived, perhaps? Or maybe it was a nosy journalist or an amorous friend or colleague? (In the back of his mind another possibility was screaming to be heard. But the thought of HIM being on the loose and terrorizing Ronnie again seemed too absurd. Surely he was in jail?)

Sitting down, he looked at her. "Do you have any idea who keeps ringing you? You know you can report this and have the police do a trace, right?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Veronica tried not to let Scott know how much it spooked her to get yet another phone call where the caller didn't say anything, but based on the way his blue eyes sharpened before he busied himself making his coffee, she was fairly sure he hadn't missed her agitation. The problem was she really couldn't say what was freaking her out about it. People called the wrong number all the time. But how many people just sit there once they figure it out?!

Pulling out the small carton of French vanilla flavored cream when he asked how she liked her coffee, she worried her bottom lip as she tried to recall when the calls started happening. If she had to hazard a guess, she would say the first call had come in about a month ago after she had been nagged into checking her Facebook account by one of the other nurses.

Adding a little more creamer than she normally used thanks to an embarrassing tremor in her hands, Veronica frowned as she realized that the calls, which had started out only once every couple of days, were now occurring on a daily basis. It was odd though, about the timing of today's call as all the rest of them had been in the evening, typically around bedtime. Today was the first time it had occurred in the morning.

Do you have any idea who keeps ringing you? You know you can report this and have the police do a trace, right?

Holding onto the mug with both hands, she raised it to her lips and took a tentative sip, purposely delaying her response. How did you tell someone that you were afraid you were losing it? She had been sure that her jumpiness have been a result of just being tired from the bad dreams, that it was all in her head. To have him take it so seriously actually made her stomach clench even more, but she was reluctant to contact the authorities when she had been explicitly told to keep a low profile.

"Seems a bit drastic for a simple wrong number," she finally said, trying to adopt a light tone. "Perhaps I'll look into it if it continues much more," she added when she saw his jaw tighten as if he wanted to argue.

"Besides, only my family, the hospital and a handful of friends have my number. No one else knows it, so it has to be a wrong number!"

 

[Niceandbrutal]

Scott heaved an inward sigh. She was lying. Her body language gave her away, as did the faux carefree tone of her voice. It saddened Scott to see her like that. She deserved to be left alone and in peace. The big question now was: who was she lying to? Herself or him? And why did she lie? And more importantly, who was making these calls?

And Scott suddenly decided: enough.

"Please don't feel that you have to be brave in front of me, Ronnie. You've seen me at my weakest and most vulnerable, and I'm not ashamed of that. I might not have given you sufficient reason to trust me, but I really wish nothing but the best for you. If, as I suspect, someone IS harassing you, I want whoever it is to be stopped because I care about you. By your question just now you all but confirmed that it's happened before, and that it frightens you. You're a terrible liar, Ronnie. Your body language gives you away."

All this was spoken in a calm matter-of-fact voice that would suffer no arguments. He didn't mention that the phone calls might be a set pattern to determine when she was home and when she was away. It might be a stalker, sure. A stalker obsessing about her and mapping her itinerary. Or it might be something altogether more sinister. Given her status as a liberated hostage, she might be a target for terrorist groups. Which might make this a federal case.

"Now, if there's someone actively stalking you, it's automatically a federal case, given your status as an ex-hostage. If you trust me, I'll accompany you to the nearest police station and have a frank heart-to-heart with the local chief of police. As a SEAL I have a "cut through the red tape" card."

He caught himself. He was being "take charge guy" again, and more than a little imposing. "Or you might just tell me I'm overreacting and to chill out," he said with a wry smile.

 

[Angeleyz]

There was a pregnant pause while Veronica wandered over to join Scott at the table, and it was a good thing she was in the process of sitting down when he took a breath and started in on her. Oh sure he was nice enough about it, but she still felt like she was being scolded, and her eyes dropped in embarrassment and no small bit of shame when he let her know he was aware she was lying.

She shivered when he used the word stalking, having half convinced herself that if it wasn't a lot of wrong numbers that it was kids getting their kicks from prank phone calls. To have Scott use the word stalking made every call seem ominous, and her hands trembled so badly in agitation that hot coffee slopped over the sides of the mug and all over her hands.

With a soft hiss of breath between her teeth, Veronica put the mug down and grabbed a napkin from the holder on the table to wipe off both her hands and the table. Scott's continued talking made her stomach clench, but she knew she couldn't continue to be an ostrich, burying her head in the sand, and that she needed to take this seriously, if only to prove to herself that she wasn't just being paranoid.

Wondering if that was necessarily so bad given the alternative, she shifted in her seat. Her eyes fell on the vase of roses, and suddenly the unexpected delivery seem to take on a whole new possibility although it seemed so far fetched.

Or you might just tell me I'm overreacting and to chill out.

Veronica looked at Scott and sighed. He was right really. Even though they had told her to keep a low profile, she was vaguely aware of some words of caution about being on the look out for things that seemed odd, but when you're only averaging a couple hours of sleep at a time everything seemed to become odd.

"No, you're right," she finally admitted, her eyes fastened to the hand holding his mug, "I probably should report this. I would appreciate your help as I'm afraid they're going to say I'm being silly."

Again her eyes flicked to the roses before she added, "But there have been too many odd things..."

 

[Niceandbrutal]

He certainly got her attention. Scott wondered for a fleeting moment if he'd overdone it, if he'd scared her too much. He watched with worry as she spilled coffee on her hands as she started to shake and tremble, but he reined himself in to see how she handled the fear that apparently had been bubbling just beneath the surface. Her eyes darting to the roses didn't escape him either.

And finally, she conceded: "No, you're right, I probably should report this. I would appreciate your help as I'm afraid they're going to say I'm being silly. But there have been too many odd things..."

Scott let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, and his shoulders slumped. YES! "Of course I'll help you, Ronnie. I was thinking we could go after breakfast, maybe?" He wanted to soften the mood a bit, so he grasped her hand on the pretense of checking if she'd burned herself. He felt a new jolt when he touched her, and he marveled again at the softness and warmth of her hands. He quickly determined that she hadn't in fact burned herself, but he had a hard time letting go of her. In the end he let her go as he blushed selfconsciously while he muttered "they won't think you're silly, Ronnie".

There was a pregnant pause before he cleared his throat and said softly: "So, breakfast?"

 

[Angeleyz]

Of course I'll help you, Ronnie. I was thinking we could go after breakfast, maybe?

Veronica smiled slightly at Scott's easy acceptance of her request, although based on how quickly he wanted her to go she figured he half suspected she'd change her mind. Heck, she was already thinking that perhaps she should wait just a little longer, that they needed one more example of odd things happening before they made a big deal of what might be nothing.

Those thoughts completely floated away when his callused fingers gently took ahold of hers. It took her a minute to realize that he was simply examining her hand to ensure she hadn't burned it when the coffee had slopped over the side of the mug earlier, and she had to swallow the protest that nearly spilled from her lips when he eventually let go.

Veronica briefly wondered why Scott looked so embarrassed as he tried to reassure her that the police wouldn't think she was being silly, but he looked so uncomfortable that she didn't have the heart to ask him. When he mentioned breakfast a second time, she frowned thoughtfully before replying, "I'm not sure I have enough food here to fill you, although there's a really good diner a couple of blocks from here." She had never eaten there, typically opting for carry out, but she heard there was a phenomenal breakfast buffet that she figured would go a long way in appeasing his healthy appetite.