�Can I get you anything, JJ?� Kristin asked the next morning
�I�m fine, Kris,� Jenai said. �This is your day off so relax.�
�But you�re injured.�
�And I ain�t crippled.� She smirked, as Kevin walked into the kitchen. �Bro, tell your wife I can manage.�
�She can manage, Babe,� Kevin said giving his wife a kiss, as the doorbell rang.
�I�ll get that while you two�� Jenai began getting up, as Kevin and Kristin kept kissing. �Some people have no respect.� She walked out, as the bell rang again. �I�m injured so hold on already.� She got to the door and opened it. �What do you want?� She saw Nickolas and smiled. �Hey.� Her smile faded, as she saw the bruises on Nickolas� face. �Oh my God! What happened?� She helped him inside and closed the door. �Are you all right? Kevin!�
�I�m fine,� Nickolas said, as they walked to the sofa.
�Sit down. Kevin!�
�I�m fine. Really I am.�
�No you�re not. Look at you, you�re bleeding.� Nickolas sat down and left out a painful moan. �Who did this? Kevin!�
�I don�t know.�
�Kevin! When did this happen?�
�They grabbed me after I dropped you off last night.�
�My God.� He held his ribs and Jenai looked at him worried. �Let me see.� He moved his arm and Jenai undid his shirt. �How�s the pain?�
�Excruciating.�
�Kevin! Ugh! I�ll be right back.� She got up and walked to the kitchen. She pushed the door open and saw Kevin and Kristin still kissing. �If you�re done there, Kev, your partner just got the shit kicked out of him and is sitting in the parlor.�
�What?� Kevin asked.
�Parlor now.� She pointed and opened a cupboard. Kevin walked out and Kristin looked at Jenai.
�What happened?� Kristin asked, as Jenai got the first aid kit.
�I don�t know. Someone just beat up Nick last night.� She sighed. �I think you better look at him.�
�Alright.� Kristin walked to the door, as Jenai turned her back. Kristin looked at her a second then walked out.
�And this is why I don�t get involved with cops.� She wiped away a tear and stood there a few moments. She took a deep breath and then walked out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�I don�t know who it was,� Nickolas said.
�Did they sound familiar?� Kevin asked.
�None were recognizable,� Nickolas replied, as Jenai gave the first aid kit to Kristin. Nickolas and Jenai looked at each other and her look of worry was replaced with a look of compassion. �I�m fine, JJ.� Kevin and Kristin looked at her. �Ow!�
�Does that hurt?� Kristin asked.
�Yes,� Nickolas said.
�You�re going to have to get x-rays,� Kristin said and Nickolas moaned. �I�m sorry.�
�You�re going,� Kevin said.
�I�ll drive ya myself,� Kristin stated.
�Did these guys say anything to you?� Jenai asked and Kevin looked at Nickolas.
�Um�just to tell the Sarge to close the Michaels case and let Sergeant Stevens work on it,� Nickolas answered.
�Anything else?� Kevin asked and Nickolas just looked at him.
�I�m going to go shower,� Jenai said walking to the basement; knowing Nickolas wasn�t going to say anything with her around.
�Do you need any help getting down?� Kevin asked.
�I can manage,� Jenai replied closing the door behind her.
�Excuse me,� Kristin said walking away.
�Spill it,� Kevin said. �What else did they say?�
�If ya want JJ safe you�ll close it,� Nickolas said. �If not then they�ll kill her.� Kevin only looked at him. �You�re supposed to get JJ to hand over the box to Sergeant Stevens.�
�So they still think she has it.� Nickolas nodded. �But what does Portia have to do with this?�
�I don�t know. Whatever it is it�s probably in that box.�
�Yeah.� Kevin sighed. �I can�t close the case.�
�But it�s JJ�s life.�
�I know that, but I can�t close it.�
�Why not?�
�Callen was practically JJ�s sister and JJ will kill me if I don�t find the murderer.�
�So you�ll put JJ�s life in danger to save your own?� Kevin looked at him. �What if she ends up dead?�
�She�s not going to; Jenai�s a tough girl.� Nickolas sighed disgustedly. �You�ve seen her at Callen�s��
�That was different. She very well can�t fight bullets with her fists. This is reality and not Hollywood.�
�I know that.�
�Then don�t put her life in danger.� Kevin looked at him. �You know I�m right. I didn�t say anything in front of JJ so not to worry her.� Kevin didn�t say anything and continued looking at him.
CHAPTER 12
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