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Miranda pulled out of her hazy state, waking slowly. Sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, splashing it’s rays onto the coverlet which covered her body. She stretched her arms over her head, and let a yawn escape. Suddenly, memories of where she was and why came flooding back. Anthony’s face as he died, the pool of blood, the mug shots flashed through her mind in rapid succession. With a frown and a moan, Miranda rolled out of bed, heading for the living room.
“Good morning Sleepyhead.” a barely familiar male voice greeted her.
“Harris?” she squinted at the man sitting by the breakfast bar.
“Yeah. It’s me. There’s food in the fridge now. I’ve got to leave in another fifteen minutes, so hurry up and grab something so we can talk.” Miranda did as she was asked, and sank into a chair at the dining room table. “Alright, here are the ground rules. Number one: don’t do anything stupid. From what I’ve seen, you’ve got plenty of common sense, so if your gut says ‘Don’t do it’, then don’t do it.” Harris’s eyes bored into hers as he spoke. “Number two: obey what myself and Amy say at all times-”
“Who’s Amy?”
“I am.” a new voice answered. Miranda turned to see a well built brunette enter the room from the main bathroom. “I just got in last night. Nice to meet you.” she offered as she extended her hand to Miranda.
“Hi.” she responded quietly, then turned to Harris. “I thought you were assigned to my case.
“Both of us are. I’m the senior officer though, so I’ve got to make the reports.”
“Don’t worry, Miranda. I’m alot better at shopping than Harris is, and I’ve got a sense of humor to boot.” Amy added, her eyes sparkling.
“I’ve got humor.....” Harris muttered as he stood, a frown wrinkling his forehead. “At least I won’t talk your ear off about nothing.”
“Are you saying I’m a big mouth?” Amy stared up at him incredeously.
“No. I’m saying you don’t know when to shut up.” Harris smirked. Miranda smiled at the reparte between the two. “Now, if I’m going to make my flight, I need to haul ass.”
“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Amy tossed back, returning her attention to the half eaten bowl of cereal on the kitchen table.
An hour later, the two women surveyed the ladies department in a small boutique. “What do accountants wear?” Miranda wondered curiously.
“I imagine some sort of conventional business suit. You know, conservative.”
“Hmmm. What about this one?” Miranda plucked at the sleeve of an olive colored jacket.
“It’s hideous. Perfect.” Amy grinned mischieviously. Miranda laughed in spite of herself. Her shopping partner spotted a sophisticated baby blue ensemble, and held it up expectantly.
“Well? Isn’t this great?” Miranda turned with a smile which quickly died. “That’s Kevin’s favorite color.” Miranda stated softly, wishing she had never seen the suit. Amy caught the haunted expression in the other woman’s eyes, and replaced the outfit, laying a hand gently on Miranda’s shoulder.
“Come on. Let’s go somewhere else.”
*@*
“I don’t understand why you don’t just stick all of us unfortunate creatures in a cave somewhere and call it good!” Miranda exclaimed, wielding her chop sticks expertly.
“Because.” Amy answered patiently, “That would accomplish nothing. This may be a far from normal life, but imagine how you would feel locked up underground for an eternity. Besides, what do you think would happen if the wrong people found out where the government was hiding a couple thousand crime witnesses? One bomb would do it all.”
“Point taken.” Miranda mumbled.
Amy sighed around a mouthful of chow mien. “Look, it may not be the best of situations, but it’s better than waiting to get your head blown off by a disgruntled crime lord, isn’t it?”
Miranda was startled by Amy’s blunt comment, but found herself nodding in agreement. The lack of tact that Amy possessed was just the reason Miranda found herself liking the woman. She was real, honest, and practical. Miranda had no doubt that the female assigned to protect her could do her job as well as any man. She was probably a better shot than most of her counterparts as well.
“So....do you want to talk about Kevin?” Amy switched paces quickly, once again catching Miranda a bit off guard. After thinking a moment, she shook her head.
“Not really. I love him. That’s all.”
Amy nodded in understanding. “I’m glad your relationships are uncomplicated. Mine always end up being a thorn in my side. You’d be surprised to learn how much of a beating the male ego takes when they find out I’m an agent.” Amy pulled a funny face, and reached for the white carton of moo shoo pork, then imitated a man’s voice. “Is that a REAL gun? Wow. Damn, could you shoot, like, a deer with that?”
Miranda couldn’t help it. She laughed. The words weren’t as funny as was the stance that Amy stuck as she said them. Amy returned her grin. “I’ve never had much luck in the guy department, you see?”
“Mmmm. Well, I’m sure that you’ll find your man one day.”
“Yeah, maybe.....when I’m eighty and no longer have a sex drive.”
*****
Miranda smoothed the front of her slacks and wished like hell that she was still back in her proverbial Kansas. “I can do this. I can do this.” she recited in a whisper, staring herself down in the mirror. “Hi. My name is Kelly MaryAnne.”
“Marion.” a voice interrupted. “Kelly MARION.” Amy reiterated.
“ ‘Hi. My name is Kelly Marion.’ I think I’ve got that down.” Miranda gave a shakey laugh.
“Now remember, you’re perfectly safe here. No one’s going to bother you. I’m just going to lay low here at the apartment after I drop you off. I’ll be back for you at lunch, we’ll go out, chow down, and come back. I’ll come for you again when you get off of work. We can continue this routine until you’re comfortable enough to drive yourself to and from work. Then we’ll work on normalizing the rest of your life.”
“Is normalizing a word?” Miranda joked feebly. Amy pretended to think about it for a moment, placing her fingertip on her chin.
“You know.....it’s not. But it is now.” she replied with a grin. “ I’m not good at pep talks, so let’s just go.”
*****
Harris slammed through the apartment door with a loud “Anybody home?” Amy rolled her eyes.
“In here, you big lug!”
Harris followed her voice to the second bedroom where he found Amy unsuccessfully trying to catch some sleep. “I’m back.” he stated the obvious, trying not to stare at his partner in a tee-shirt which reached her mid-thigh.
“No, really? So I see. Did you ever try out for Harvard, cuz I think you’re definately Einstein material.” she muttered. Harris ignored her sass, and perched on the edge of the bed.
“Get much sleep?”
Amy sighed, and propped herself up on her elbow. “No. Obviously not.” she glared at her partner, trying to send him the message.
“Hmm. Why?”
“Because. I wanted to stay alert for any trouble. Besides that, Miranda kept calling out in her sleep.”
“Nightmares?”
“Yeah. She cried for Kevin.”
“Oh. I saw them say goodbye.” Harris informed her.
“Yeah? Well, I’m glad that was your job this time. It seems like she really cares about him.”
“I think she does. I’m pretty damn sure he cared about her too.” They sat in silence for a moment.
“Harris, how many times have we had to do this?”
“Too many.”
*****
Miranda sat at her tiny desk and made an attempt at analyzing the data in front of her. She had been thrown right into her work at Hampshire and Co., a thick folder of paperwork quickly plopped on her work station.
“How’s it goin’?” Tammy, a friendly faced co-worker leaned over and asked.
“Umm....okay.” Miranda answered hesitantly. Tammy laughed lightly.
“In trouble, huh?”
“You could say that. I guess I’m not really thinking very clearly today.”
“Understandable. Listen, all you have to do is add both of these columns, then subtract their total from the third. Repeat the process with each printout, then average all of the totals together. Get it?”
“Yes, thank you.” Miranda sighed, relieved.
“No worries.” Tammy smiled. Miranda felt as though a knife had been plunged through her heart.
“Excuse me?”
“No worries. It’s an Aussie expression. I’ve been saying it for years, and my friend’s never let me forget it.” the other woman shrugged. “Heard it before?”
“Yeah.....not too long ago.”
*****
“Come on, Kevin. You’ve got to come out of hibernating eventually.” Brian pled.
“Brian, I told you already. I don’t feel like it.” he sighed.
“But Kev, you’d have the best time at this club, I know it. It’s got great lights, music, the drinks are kickin’, or so Howie says. I wish you’d come.”
“And I wish you’d all leave me alone for a while.” Kevin muttered sourly; he was met with a sudden silence from his cousin.
“Fine. If that’s what you want.” Brian said stiffly, then hung up. A lonely dial tone flooded the line.
“No. It’s not what I want.” Kevin moaned softly. “I want Miranda.”
*****
“So, how was your first day?” Amy inquired as Miranda slipped into the front seat of the gray Honda.
“It went okay. I didn’t understand the work at first, but a nice girl names Tammy helped me out.”
“Tammy? Tammy who?” Amy wondered casually.
“I don’t know. She works as an underaccountant, just like me.” Miranda shrugged, completely missing the slight narrowing of Amy’s eyes. Amy nodded and returned her attention to the road. In another five minutes, they pulled into the community parking garage, then trapsed up the stairs to the apartment.
Upon entering, they women were met by the heavenly smell of something cooking. Harris looked up at their arrival.
“Greetings, ladies. Anyone up for Cajun?”
“You cook?” Miranda asked in surprise.
“When he feels like it. And even then, it’s only always Cajun.” Amy cut in quickly, her eyes sparkling with good humor.
“You love me for my culinary skills, admit it.” Harris grinned.
“Good Lord, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you smile.” Miranda exclaimed.
“It’s the spices.” Amy deadpanned. Harris tossed a dark look her way, ruined only by the slight quirk at the corner of his mouth. “I’m gonna check the email and faxes.” Amy muttered, exiting. Harris turned to Miranda.
“How was your day?”
“Alright.”
“The people?”
“Nice.”
“Did you feel comfortable?”
“Uh huh.”
Harris gazed at her for a moment. “Did the copy machines try to abduct you and take you to their leader?”
“Mmm.” Miranda starred out the window over the sink in the kitchen. She caught Harris giving her a slightly amused, though worried look. “What?”
“You’re not paying me any attention, are you?”
She sighed. “No, I’m not, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. Listen, why don’t you go wash up for dinner?”
Without repsonding, Miranda did as he bid, making her way toward her room to freshen up. On the way, she snuck a glance at Harris, who stood frowning down at his Bourbon chicken. Miranda quickly swiped her cell phone from the coffee table, looking back to double check his preoccupation.
When she gained her room, Miranda shut the door, and seated herself on the edge of her bed. Without thinking twice, she swiftly punched a one plus ten digits on the dialpad. The phone rang three times before the other end was picked up.
“Bri, I thought I told you I wanted to be left alone for a while.” Kevin’s voice came wearily across the line. “Bri?....I’m not in the mood for games......” Miranda hesitated, then pressed the ‘end’ button on the phone, and held it to her heart, closing her eyes. He sounded sad. Depressed. He needed her.
“And I need him.”
*@*
The phone rang again. With a growl, Kevin snatched the phone from it’s cradle. “Damn it! Talk!”
“Whoa there! Take it easy!” Howie exclaimed.
“Howie?”
“Yes.....?”
“Did you try calling a minute ago?”
“No, why?” his friend asked, puzzled.
“Just wondering.” Kevin sighed. “What’s up?”
“Well, I was just calling to see if you wanted me to bring any groceries over? I’m getting ready to go to the store, so I.....” he trailed off, leaving Kevin room for his reply.
“Sure. I could use some milk and bread.” Kevin spoke reluctantly.
“And?” Howie proded.
“Some cheese? Maybe some fruit.”
“Got it!” Howie said brightly, glad that he had found a way to help his friend.
“Anything else?”
Kevin thought for a long moment. “Yeah. Guacomoli.”
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