| Part Fourteen: Previously: Johnny and Nicci make love for the first time, Johnny learns about James Anderson Authors Notes: None ********* " Morning." Johnny greeted strolling into the day room " Good morning." Roy greeted. " Looks like you're in a good mood." " Oh I am in a good mood, I'm getting married and Nicci's being released today." Johnny said " Getting married?" Cap asked in shock " Yep, Nicci and I are getting married. I don't know when but it'll happen." Johnny announced " Well that's good to hear, but do you think she's ready for the outside world or for that kind of committment?" Mike questioned " I don't know she's going into a halfway house which will help. It'll be rough on her at first but I think she'll be okay. At least I hope she is. And I figure it'll be a least a year before we're married " Well tell her when you see her that we wish her the best." Roy said between sips of coffee. " Why don't you tell her yourself, Paster Daniels will be stopping be here before taking her to the house." Johnny said. Then looking at the Captain Johnny rememberd what Nicci said about James Anderson. " Hey Cap, there's something I need to tell you." Johnny started Just as the Klaxons sounded. .................. As soon as the squad came to a stop an hour and a half later, Johnny climbed out and headed for the office, hopping he would have a chance to talk to his Captain before Nicci got there." Cap, There's something you have to know before." Johnny started being interupted by Chet " Gage, Nicci's here." Chet announced There was nothing else that Johnny could do but to hope for the best. Turning to leave the office Johnny greeted Paster Daniels and Nicci in the bay." Hey Half Pint." Johnny said " Hi Johnny." Nicci greeted allowing him to guide her into the Day room Johnny studied Nicci carefully as she scanned the men sitting at the table." Nicci, are you okay?" Johnny asked worriedly " Yeah I'm okay." Nicci said looking at Johnny " Nicci, why don't you sit down and join us for some lunch." Chet offered kindly pulling out a chair. With hesitation she looked up at Johnny. " Nicci it's okay no ones going to hurt you." Johnny assured " Mr Gage is right, It's alright." Daniels confirmed Nicci cautiously walked over to the table and sat down with Johnny at her side. Followed by Paster Daniels taking his seat. Mike calmly walked up to Nicci with a glass of milk." Here you go." Mike said with a friendly smile sitting the glass down in front of her. Chet studied Nicci closely and seeing that she seemed to be handling the situation well he decided to break the silence." So Nicci, Gage tell us you've been released from the clinic, Tell me, how does it feel to spring that joint?" Chet asked. As soon as Chet spoke all eyes went on him then on Nicci, none of them knowing how she was going to react to Chet. " Chet." Johnny glared " No Johnny it's okay, I guess it feels okay," She said looking at Chet." Paster Daniels says I'll have more freedom in the house. Johnny was relieved to see Nicci interact as well as she was with his friends. He knew that it was difficult for her but he could see that she was trying very hard. " Gage also tells us you two are getting married." Marco said Before Nicci had a chance to speak, Stanley burst into the room without warning, " Lunch ready? I'm starved he asked slapping his hands together. Looking at Stanley, Nicci was over come with panic. With terror etched in her eyes she jumped up from her chair spilling her milk in the process." I'm sorry." She cried looking at the mess she made. Johnny stood up to soothe her at his first touch Nicci leaped back afraid of being hurt." Nicci don't be afraid." Johnny soothed standing next to her while the others grabbed napkins to sop up the mess. Stanley wittnessing the scene looked at Nicci's face seeing it filled with fear. He could see that she was frightened of him, for reasons he didn't know. Stanley didn't know what he could do to make her feel better but as the Captain he felt he had to try. With those thoughts, Stanley walked slowly over to Nicci. As soon as he reached his hand up to confort her she bolted back in a haste. " No please Don't I'm sorry." Nicci cried using her hand to shield her face from harm. " Nicci it's okay he's not going to hurt you." Johnny soothed wrapping his arms around her trembleing body. Daniels watching the scene stood up from the table." I think it's best if I take her to the house now. You can stop and see her when you get out of work." He said " Yeah okay." Johnny said leading her out of the room " I'm sorry Johnny I didn't mean to, Are you mad?" Nicci asked with tears streaming down her face " Nicci come here." Johnny whispered once again taking her in his arms." I could never be mad at you for something that is'nt your fault. You have every right to be scared." Johnny soothed." You go with the Paster and I'll see you tonight okay Half Pint." " Okay." ........... Walking back into the day room Johnny could sence eyes on him. Taking his seat at the table he began " I'm sorry Cap, I wanted to talk to you before she got here." Johnny apologized " It's okay, but I don't understand. Why is she scared of me." Captain wanted to know " Cap it's not you that she's scared of. She told me about a guy that you remind her of. This guy beat her when she didn't want to do what he wanted and one night he almost killed her, he beat her bloody with a ball bat, and when she tried to get a way he stabbed her. She showed me the scar. He broke her arm and fractured her skull " I'm sorry Pal I didn't know." Stanley said solemnly Johnny looked over at his Captain. " Cap it's not your fault, this is something that she has to overcome." Johnny assured " Do you think she can, I mean she almost died at the hands of that guy." Roy asked in concern " I don't know Roy, she's so terrified, She has a very hard time trusting anyone. You seen her, she was even scared of me. But you know that's the bad thing about trust, once it's gone it's very hard to get back. She'll always keep people at arms lengh including me. Oh she lets me hug and kiss her but it's taken a very long time and although she's gotten better she'll always have moments." Johnny said " Well it doesn't seem that she's scared of all of us just the Cap." Chet said " Yeah I know and I know that in time she'll learn not to be scared of you Cap, it just may take a very long time." " Well the important thing is that we know what she's been through and the last thing she needs is to be pushed into trusting in someone that she may not be capable of. I'll keep my distance if it'll make it easier for her." " Thanks Cap, but don't deep you distance to much, she'll come around in time I know in my heart she will." TBC |