Across the Tracks Ch. 11

Deacon smiled and nodded. Nikki and her mother were both really strong, and if anyone would beat cancer, it was definitely going to be the fiery Charolette. Deke stretched his arms and legs, feeling the satisfying pops and cracks along his verterbrae and along his joints. As he hopped up, he stuck his hand out for Nikki. She took it, and as soon as she hopped up, slipped on the gravel of the smoking area and landed against Deacon's chest. Catching her close for the second time today, he couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of her against him. Looking down he couldn't help but smile as he heard her cuss her shoes under her breath. She looked up at him and was captivated by his smile, and couldn't help herself. She rose up on her toes and grabbed his head, pulling him down for a kiss. It was the least expected thing by either of them. She didn't know why she did it, but she had to. He tasted like cinnamon and nutmeg. As she drew back from the kiss, she dropped her eyes and went to step away, turning fire engine red from the embarrassment.

Deacon wasn't having that. Pulling her close to him, he decided it was his turn. Cupping her chin, he bent down and gave her a kiss of his own. Her mouth tasted like spearmint. He didn't know if that was from some gum or just her natural taste, but he liked it either way. Their kiss lasted a few minutes, before Nikki felt her phone vibrate. With Deacon here, the only person it could be was her mother. Breaking the kiss against her will, she looked at him and bit her lip.

Deacon smiled. "Is it too late to ask you out on a date?"

Nikki smiled and shook her head, and kissed him quickly again before they both walked towards the hospital to discuss date plans.

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"But Cole, I don't have anything to wear!"

Cole laughed as they sat at a stop light, his wifes hands wrapped with his, their fingers intertwined. He looked at his beautiful wife before the light turned green and he returned his attention to the road.

"Baby, you got seven thousand dresses in that closet. Pick one."

Trish sniffed, and for a moment looked exactly like her snobbier self. Cole started laughing as he heard her mutter under her breath that she only had five thousand dresses, thank you very much. They parked the car and walked to the elevators, Cole's arm finding it's way around his wife's shoulder.

"Then go buy a new dress. Or wear nothing, I know that'll make me happy."

Trish swatted his side playfully.

"Of course it would you horny man you. I'd bet you'd have sex with me in this elevator if I said yes."

"Well.... It has been over 8 hours, and this elevator doesn't have a camera...."

Trish rolled her eyes at her husband as they neared the floor Otis was on. She wasn't even going to dignify that with comment. She was however, going to buy a new dress.

As they walked in Otis's room, she smiled at her sleeping daughter. Without the stress of worrying if Otis would live, maybe she would eat something, and get a restful sleep. Cole and Trish thanked Otis for everything, and apologized to him for what had happened to him over their daughter, which he quickly waved off. Trish said she was going to grab a candy bar, and before she left invited Otis to take Ariel to the Rat Ball tomorrow as part of her and Cole's party. He told her he would think about it, and thanked her for the offer. She left, not really being hungry, but knowing Cole had words for Otis.

"Otis.... The Rats did some work for me, found the guy who shot you. He's actually right down the hall in the ICU. They got a bit.... Overzealous in their work."

Otis nodded. "Danny?"

Cole nodded. "Danny. The Rats didn't go after him, figuring that you'd want him for yourself."

Cole heard, actually heard, Otis's hands tense into fists with rage behind them.

"Yea. I want him for myself."

Cole nodded and walked forward, clasping Otis's hand in a firm grip.

"Vengeance is yours to take, but don't let it consume you." He walked towards the door and turned, looking at his daughter. "She's special, you know? Make sure you treat her like it."

Otis's words drifted to him as he walked away.

"She's more special to me than you know."