chapter fifteen

word count: 558

stan was in the changing room when he heard a couple of the other deputies laughing about the incident in the cafeteria.

“that skinny little kitchen wench, whats her name jennifer or something,, anyway… she nearly pissed herself,, she dropped a spoon full of mashed potatoes all over herself,, thank god she missed kramer!!! then she took off like a bat outta hell!!”

fuck.. this was forcing his hand… ok, ok, relax… think… relax…he couldn’t even bring vic in on this one.. he had to get to jessica and he had to do it now…..breathe….

as he weaved in and out of traffic,, his heart beating so loud he could feel it rattling his brain as he tried to work the whole thing out…

if he hadn’t nearly hit the that idiots shopping cart and slammed on the breaks, bringing himself back to some semblance of order, he would never have seen her,, as she stumbled out of the bus,,shaking, crying, barely able to hold her self up…

“jessica!!! honey!!! c’mere baby… i’m here its gonna be alright…” he was yelling to her thru the open car window as he veered right and stopped at a indiscreet angle to the curb.. he threw the car door open ran to her,, grabbed her and put his arms around her.. he held her close.. he comforted her.. she sobbed,, her whole body heaving and rocking with the intensity of her pain….

“c’mon baby,, it’s gonna be alright.. c’mon,, lets get in the car”….he guided her slowly and tenderly to the car,, he opened the door,, placed her in the front seat,, secured her seatbelt over her frail, convulsing, frame and ran around to the drivers side….

“lets just drive around and talk a little ok baby,, what can i do?? can you talk to me honey??”

“he knows..” was all she could bring herself to say between gut wrenching sobs… “he knows….”

as they rounded the corner at third and dennison,, stan cut quickly into the alley.. he pulled in behind the dumpster, close to the wall.. her door was within inches of the brick wall,, there was no escape… even if she fought him,, and he could see she had nothing left,, with which to fight…

he glided slowly to a stop.. removed his seatbelt.. slid closer to her.. removed hers.. all the while speaking in rich, soothing, tones…

“its ok baby.. i’ll think if something,, you can believe that.. i would never let him hurt you,, c’mere,, let me hold you,, let daddy make it all right….

he gingerly draped his right arm around her..he slid her closer to him,, “look at me,,, i’m here,, i’m gonna to fix everything…” he tenderly grasped her chin…

he stroked her hair and continued to comfort her as he spoke.. smooth,warm, calming…

she relaxed.. as her head gently touched down on his chest she could hear the maniacal beating of his heart,, she wondered about the look on his face,, was it warm and dulcet like the sound of his voice or raging and contorted like the beating of his heart….

“daddys here now,, hes gonna make it all go away….”

and with that,, he did..

he grabbed a hand full of her dirty blond hair in one hand,, firmly grasped her chin in the other and SNAP… just like that.. it was over.. he was free…