Chapter 57: What happened?
Pickle POV
"What happened?" He asks
"It looks like she was drugged, not sure how we have the best person looking into it. I found her in the alley fighting off some piece of shit, some drunk ass bastard. She was trying to protect herself with some broken glass from a bottle."
He looks just as pissed as I was.
"The guy's been dealt with, Flame had some suits pick him up"
He looks like he's calming back down now.
He nods at me, he keeps looking back at the door to the room she's in.
I'm feeling it too man, that pull she has.
I just want to be near her, to be close to her.
I look back at him, pouring us both another shot.
"I know it's not my business but I seen all the scars and she seems like she had a night terror about 40 min ago and a episode in the alley. The drug that she was given might make them worse"
"Yeah, she was attacked a few years ago" he says sadly
"She should see her counselor soon, flashes for what happened tonight could make the past come back full force. I know from experience"
"Okay yeah, does Chailor or my brother know what happened yet?"
"We didn't want to wake them until you got back"
"If you don't mind I'm going to rest my eyes out here for awhile, I don't want to wake Flame just yet"
"Okay yeah she's fine in there. I'm just going to go lay with River in case she needs anything"
"I understand man"
"It might be both of them that have some issues tonight. I don't know if you know Flame's history but she had a PTSD episode earlier after seeing kittens.. Rivers scars"
He nods.
"Yeah she told me about her past, I bet that was really hard for both of them. River doesn't like anyone to see that side of her"
I just nod, remembering the look in her eyes.
"Flame was just trying to get her out of her dirty, sweat drenched clothes, she's just in a t shirt. I just grabbed the closest thing I could. I'm assuming it is your shirt "
"Thank you again Pickle" he says shaking my hand
"If you want there a bed through those doors so you'll be more comfortable"
I shake my head
"I'd rather stay out here where I'm closer if you don't mind"
He nods and looks at me for a second.
"So not to pry but are you Flame's secret boyfriend she's been hiding for the last year"
"No, I'm his best friend" I say laughing.
"I'm assuming Danalii knows more then she thinks he does" I laugh a little louder.
He nods with a smile.
"As long as she's happy, that's all he cares about"
"Thank you for being there for them both"
I nod to him
I watch as he starts heading to the door.
I pour me another shot.
"Hey Pickle can I ask you a favor man"
"Yeah sure"
"I'm deploying in a few days can you help Flame keep a eye on her for me while I'm away" he looks uncomfortable asking
"It would be my privilege man, anything she needs"
I can see the tears in his eyes as he turns.
"Thank you" he says again going through the door.
I can tell that he really loves her.
She's worth loving. I knew it the minute I met her eyes in line, she didnt have the look of discussed or lust when our eyes met.
There is just something about her that seems comforting and pure, also a little familiar.
I sit back on the couch and put my feet up on the table, as a lean back I realized just how nice this place actually is.
I quickly pull my feet from the table and remove my boots.
There that's better, now I won't look so out of place with my big ass boots on their fancy table.
As I dose off I can't help but think of how warm and soft River's body felt in my arms.
I want to go lay next to her again. To feel her warm skin next to mine.
I shouldn't think of her like that but I can't help myself.
She's the last thought I have as I fall asleep
I'm woken up by screaming, horrible screaming.
I run in the room, I see Finn standing there trying to get River to look at him and trying to calm her down.
I look over and Flame's in the corner with her eyes closed and her hands on her ears with tears rolling down her face.
I quickly go to her.
"Shit! Flame, sweetheart. It's Pickle your okay"
"Flame!! Come on sweetheart let's get you up and out of here. That's it, come on"
She reaches for my hand and I help her to her feet.
I pull her in for a tight hug as I move her to the living room.
I look back at River, she's calming down a little bit, she locks eyes with me for a minute before turning and wrapping her arms around Finn.
"Let's get you a drink"
"Okay" Flame says shaking.
"I'm calling Brain to let him know your coming to him and I'll call Lucky to drive you"
"I'm sorry I thought I could handle it" she sobs.
"No one here expects you to be this hard ass bitch all the time, we all have our shit and with that comes days like this"
She smiles softly at me.
She takes the shot of whiskey and drinks it quickly as I pull out my phone.
"Wheels, It's a bad night, I'm sending her to you. No, I'll have Lucky drop her off he's closer"
He knows how to take care of her better then I can, I don't do good with crying and comforting.
"Lucky, can take Flame to Wheels. Yeah same place. She will be, she just needs him. I'll have her down there waiting"
"Okay sweetheart need one more before I walk you down stairs?"
She shakes her head
"Will you tell River I'm sorry and I'll call her later?"
I nod.
I knock lightly on the door and go in.
"I'm going to walk Flame out to meet her ride, are you okay if I come back up?"
"Come back please" River says surprising us both by talking for the first time
"Okay Kitten I will be right back"
I look at Finn just to be sure.
He nods with a half hearted smile.
I pull the door shut lightly as I go out.
I hold Flame tight to me as we mange our way back to the lobby.
I give her a smile as I help her into the car.
"Thank you Pickle, for tonight" she says before I close the door.
"Anytime sweetheart"
"Lucky call me later brother"
"Will do"
As I get to the door I remember I can't get in with a key card. I'll have to call Brain.
When I get there I notice the door is propped open