TOO MANY QUESTIONS [CALEB]

[SHASTA LE STOAT]

[style=width: 410px; font-family: courier new; line-height: 95%; text-align: justify;]SHASTA HUDDLED INTO THE UGLY GRAY SWEATSHIRT AND PANTS SHE'D BEEN GIVEN TO CHANGE INTO AFTER BEING 'RESCUED' FROM THE WAREHOUSE THE IRISH MAFIA HAD HELD HER IN FOR TWO DAYS. A DOCTOR HAD ALREADY CHECKED HER OUT AND FOUND TRACKS OF GHB IN HER BLOOD, TELLING THE COPS SHE HAD BEEN ROOFIED WHEN SHE'D BEEN KIDNAPPED. DESPITE HER PROTESTING, THEY HAD ALSO SHIPPED IN A GYNECOLOGIST AND CHECKED HER TO SEE IF SHE'D BEEN RAPED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE DRUG IN HER SYSTEM. THANKFULLY, THE ROOFIE HAD ONLY BEEN USED TO KNOCK HER OUT, AND SHE HADN'T BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THE RELIEF THAT BROUGHT HER WAS MORE THAN SHE COULD PUT INTO WORDS EVEN IF SHE'D HATED HAVING THE EXAM IN THE FIRST PLACE. NOW, SEVERAL HOURS LATER, SHE WAS STILL BEING HELD CAPTIVE AT THE POLICE STATION, AWAITING QUESTIONING. IT WAS LIKE BEING TORTURED, AND IN SOME WAYS IT WAS WORSE THAN HER BRIEF TIME WITH THE MAFIA. AT LEAST THEY HADN'T HAD DOCTORS PROBE HER FOR HOURS.

HER CLOTHES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR ANY EVIDENCE THE FORENSICS DEPARTMENT MAY BE ABLE TO FIND, AND THEY'D BEEN DIRTY ANYWAY FROM HER FALL, AND SHE'D BEEN ISSUED THESE STANDARD, UGLY GRAY SWEATS. YES, THIS WAS TORTURE. ALTHOUGH SHE WAS STILL SHAKEN FROM HER TIME BEING KIDNAPPED, HER OLD SELF WAS BEGINNING TO RETURN TO HER, AND SHE LET THE OFFICERS KNOW SHE WAS IN PROTEST OF HER CURRENT WARDROBE. SINCE SHE COULDN'T CONTROL ANYTHING ELSE THAT WAS GOING ON IN HER LIFE, SHE MAY AS WELL BITCH ABOUT THE UGLY CLOTHES THEY WERE FORCING HER TO WEAR.

"COULDN'T YOU AT LEAST CALL MY MOTHER AND ASK HER TO BRING ME A SET OF CLEAN CLOTHES?" SHE GRIPED, SCOWLING AT THE ONE WAY GLASS THAT LINED ONE WALL OF THE QUESTIONING ROOM. "I LITERALLY LIVE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM HERE. AND WHY AM I IN AN INTERROGATION CHAMBER ANYWAY? AM I A SUSPECT IN MY OWN KIDNAPPING?" SHE PURSED HER LIPS AND WIDENED HER EYES SARCASTICALLY TOWARD THE WINDOW, KNOWING THE OFFICERS WERE WATCHING HER FROM THE OTHER SIDE. SHE FELT TRAPPED IN THIS FLUORESCENT-LIT ROOM, AND SHE JUST WANTED TO GO HOME. A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP IN HER OWN BED WITH HER SILK SHEETS WOULD BE A NICE CHANGE TO SLEEPING SITTING UP IN A CHAIR WITH HER HANDS TIED IN HER LAP, AND HER ANKLES STRAPPED TO THE CHAIR LEGS. SHASTA SHIVERED AT THE THOUGHT OF THAT AND WRAPPED HER ARMS AROUND HER IN A SUBCONSCIOUS GESTURE. PLUS, THE ONE PERSON SHE BOTH DREADED AND HOPED TO SEE WAS SOMEWHERE IN THIS BUILDING, AND SHE HADN'T SEEN HIM. CALEB WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HER SAVIOR, HER LOVE, BUT HE HADN'T EVEN SHOWN HIS FACE. INSTEAD, ALL SHE COULD THINK ABOUT - WHEN SHE WASN'T WONDERING IF CALEB EVEN GAVE A DAMN - WERE THE BLUE EYES OF HER TRUE SAVIOR: ONE OF THEM. SHE DIDN'T KNOW HIS NAME, BUT SHE KNEW HE WASN'T LIKE THE REST OF THEM, ESPECIALLY LIKE THAT BLONDE BITCH. SHE'D SEEN IT IN HIS EYES, AND SHE HAD ALREADY DECIDED NOT TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT HIM. OUT OF ALL OF THEM, HE DESERVED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS. LET THE COPS DRAG IN THE BLONDE WHO'D THREATENED HER AND SCARED HER UNTIL SHE WAS LITERALLY NAUSEOUS -SHE DIDN'T CARE- BUT THE BLUE-EYED MAN DIDN'T DESERVE ANY OF THAT.

SHE WAS BROUGHT OUT OF HER DAYDREAMS AS THE DOOR TO THE ROOM OPENED. LOOKING UP, HER HEART BEAT WILDLY AND HER BLOOD RAN COLD AND HOT AT THE SAME TIME. "CALEB..." SHE WHISPERED, HER VOICE BOTH LONGING AND FULL OF DREAD AT THE SAME TIME.

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[caleb hayes]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-color: d3d3d3; width: 370px; padding-top: 30; padding-bottom: 30;] wretched, look at me, i've lost it melting on the table, in parking lots and markets. The relief that flooded his body was almost too much for him to bear. He hadn’t been with the team that had picked Shasta Le Stoat up from the side of the road, but that was probably for the better. Had he been there, he would have collapsed into tears and thanked whatever higher god for bringing her home safely. Granted, he was thrilled she was home, but nervous. He had no idea what Connor had done to her, let alone any of the other thugs that had been involved. Being the Chief Investigator, Caleb went into complete control freak drive and called the best people in the state to little Sapphire Bay. He brought the best doctor to check and triple check that GHB had been in her system, and one of the best gynecologists to make sure that she hadn’t been taken advantage of. Whether Shasta knew of the lengths he was going to make sure she was alright or not, it did not matter. Instead of seeing her, Caleb had been on the phone with the mayor and his wife, letting them know the good news and that they could come down to the station. He, of course, mentioned that they wouldn’t be able to see their daughter until questioning was over with. The mayor obliged, but brought clothing and some food with him. Caleb reported to his chief, expecting to be told to either go home or listen in on the questioning, but the bastard surprised him. I need you to do the questioning Robert had mentioned and Caleb stared at him, his mouth wide open. He couldn’t protest without seeming stupid or difficult, and that was killing him. Robert had no idea of his connections with Shasta were more than just the day she had been kidnapped and the small ‘conversation’ they had had. No, he loved her and the fact that he would have to be in the same room as her, reliving her last days, would kill him. Yes, it may be easier on her to see a familiar face, but it would kill him. He wasn’t strong enough to be strong for the two of them. He hadn’t slept, hadn’t eaten, and was sure that everyone knew the grief he had been through. Caleb wasn’t a good actor. He was right outside the door, and smiled softly to himself as he realized she was inside, most likely complaining. The room was sound proof, inside and out, and the only way to listen in was the device on the table and another device in his pocket. In his hands were the clothes her father had brought, some water and some food that he had grabbed from the kitchen. It wasn’t like the food she was used to, but Caleb had no idea how much Shasta had eaten over the last couple of days. He had realized how long he had been standing outside the room until Robert stuck his head out of the other room. Any time you ready, Hayes. She isn’t going to be happy all day. Caleb grumbled in response, held the clothing and food close to his chest before turning the nob slowly. His stomach bloomed with butterflies and he entered the room, his mind completely numb. Shasta whispered his name, and he could hear the confusion of emotions in her voice. ”I brought you the clothes your parents brought. And some food. I thought it might be a nice relief to get some familiar things,” he said, giving her a small smile before sitting across from her. ”When we’re done in here, your parents are here to take you home. I think Charlotte might be there as well” he was trying to make this light and cheerful before he was forced to go into the grimy details. Removing the recorder from his pocket, he placed it between the two. His eyes met hers and he wondered if she could see the relief, the love, the desperation, the concern in his eyes. Probably. She was good at reading him. Always had and always would. ”Some of these questions may make you uncomfortable or upset. That’s ok. It’s completely normal and we can always take a couple minute break.” he sighed, wishing he could old her hand. ”Are you ready?” because Caleb, as strong and heroic as he was, was not. six hundred and something words | tagged; shasta le stoat | finished made by owlgirl of caution 2.0

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[SHASTA LE STOAT]

[style=width: 410px; font-family: courier new; line-height: 95%; text-align: justify; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 11px;]SHE KNEW HER LOVE FOR HIM WAS WRITTEN BLATANTLY ON HER FACE THE MOMENT SHE SAW HIM. SHE COULDN'T HIDE IT. IT WAS TRUE. SHE HATED IT, BUT SHE COULDN'T HIDE HOW SHE FELT ABOUT HIM. EVEN SO, THERE WAS PAIN THERE AS WELL. TRUE, CALEB HAD SLEPT WITH JUNIPER BEFORE THEY'D EVER STARTED DATING, SO HE HADN'T CHEATED ON HER, BUT SEX WAS SERIOUS TO HER. EVER SINCE THE INCIDENT SHE'D HAD IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH HAD FOREVER MARKED HER, IT WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL TO BE SHARED ONLY WITH A MAN SHE LOVED. HEARING THAT HE'D JUST DONE IT RANDOMLY SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WANTED TO MADE HER WONDER IF HE'D SLEPT WITH HER FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. IT ALL CONFUSED HER, AND SHE LOOKED AWAY FROM HIS GAZE AND DOWN AT HER HANDS AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HIM AND ENTERED THE ROOM. SHE DIDN'T WANT HIM TO SEE THAT OPEN AFFECTION AND DESIRE FOR HIM.

”I brought you the clothes your parents brought. And some food. I thought it might be a nice relief to get some familiar things. When we’re done in here, your parents are here to take you home. I think Charlotte might be there as well.” NODDING, SHE RAISED HER GAZE AS SHE HEARD HIM PULL OUT THE CHAIR OPPOSITE HER AND SIT DOWN. HER FAMILIAR CLOTHES WERE PLACED BETWEEN THEM, AND SHE COULD SMELL THE DETERGENT HER MOTHER USED EVEN FROM HERE. HIS SMILE DID FUNNY THINGS TO HER INSIDES THAT IRRITATED HER. WHEN HE LOOKED AT HER LIKE THAT, SHE DIDN'T KNOW IF SHE COULD KEEP HER SECRET FROM HIM AFTER ALL. THIS WAS CALEB. SHE TRUSTED HIM. OR DID SHE? ALTHOUGH IT WAS CHILDISH, SHE WAS STILL MILDLY UPSET THAT HE HADN'T FOLLOWED HER WHEN SHE'D LEFT HIS APARTMENT. IF HE HAD, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. PUSHING THE SLEEVES UP OVER HER WRISTS, SEEING THE BRUISES THERE FROM THE ROPES THAT HAD BOUND HER HANDS TOO TIGHTLY, SHE LOOKED POINTEDLY UP AT HIM, KNOWING SEEING THOSE BRUISES WOULD BOTHER HIM.

"I'LL HAVE TO THANK THEM WHEN I'M FINALLY LET OUT OF HERE," SHE REMARKED FLATLY, HER VOICE AS EMOTIONLESS AS SHE COULD MANAGE. SHE KNEW CALEB WELL ENOUGH TO SENSE THAT HE'D HAD SOME PART IN GETTING HER A FEW CREATURE COMFORTS FROM HER LIFE, AND SHE ALSO KNEW HER WORDS WOULD STING. BUT THAT WAS PARTLY WHAT SHE WANTED. IN AN INEXPLICABLE WAY, SHE FELT BETRAYED BY HIM. HE HADN'T BEEN THE ONE TO SAVE HER; ASHER HAD. SHE COULDN'T GET THAT OUT OF HER MIND. IF THAT YOUNG IRISHMAN HADN'T CUT THOSE ROPES AND LET HER GO WHEN HE DID, THE BLONDE BITCH WOULD HAVE SURELY WALKED BACK THROUGH THAT DOOR AND SHOT HER IN THE HEAD BEFORE THE COPS COULD FIND HER. THEN, WHEN SHE HADN'T SEEN CALEB'S FACE AS SHE LAY CRADLING HER HURT ANKLE, SHE'D FELT MORE ALONE THAN SHE COULD DESCRIBE. EVEN SO, SHE WOULD NEVER STOP LOVING HIM, AND THAT MADE HER ANGRY AND IRRITATED WITH HERSELF.

WHEN SHE KNEW SHE COULDN'T KEEP UP THE ACT, SHE LOOKED DOWN AT THE FOOD AND TOOK THE PLATE, ALONG WITH HER CLOTHING. SHE HADN'T HAD ANYTHING TO EAT IN PROBABLY TWO DAYS, AND SHE DIDN'T CARE WHAT IT WAS AT THIS POINT. TO HER HUNGRY STOMACH AND DRY MOUTH, THE FOOD TASTED LIKE AMBROSIA. IT WASN'T MUCH, BUT AT LEAST SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO HER STOMACH GRUMBLE ANGRILY ANYMORE. WHEN SHE WAS DONE, SHE HEARD CALEB'S VOICE AGAIN AND SHE SWALLOWED THE GLASS OF WATER HE'D BROUGHT.

”Some of these questions may make you uncomfortable or upset. That’s ok. It’s completely normal and we can always take a couple minute break. Are you ready?” LOOKING UP AT HIM CAUSTICALLY, FEELING THE HEAT RISE IN HER FACE AS SHE REMEMBERED THEIR LAST CONVERSATION, SHE FIXED HIM WITH HER BROWN-EYED GAZE. "I'VE BEEN UNCOMFORTABLE AND UPSET BEFORE," SHE SNAPPED IN A LOW TONE, PUSHING THE PLATE AWAY AND PULLING HER CLOTHES INTO HER LAP. "I'LL BE FINE." PULLING TOGETHER AS MUCH OF HER PRIDE AS SHE COULD MUSTER, SHE MANAGED TO PUSH ASIDE HER FEELINGS FOR HIM EVEN AS SHE HAD TO ADMIT HIS PRESENCE MADE HER WANT TO THROW HERSELF IN HIS ARMS AND BEG HIM TO SAY SORRY AND TELL HER HE STILL LOVED HER BECAUSE SHE STILL LOVED HIM. FORCING THAT FAMILIAR COLDNESS INTO HER EYES AS SHE LOOKED BACK UP AT HIM, SHE SMILED AN EMOTIONLESS SMILE. "LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH."

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