Page 93 of Heat of Justice

“Yeah, but Wesley wouldn’t care about that. She didn’t rise through the ranks by putting herself first and avoiding taking necessary risks when she had to. Also, she knew you came true on the Winters case.”

“Yes. I do hope this latest vision was… helpful,” Kim stated with a light shrug. “Even though the bomb still went off.”

In her arms, Cody shifted to meet her gaze. Even wounded and loaded with painkillers, her eyes still shone bright and fierce in her pale face.

“It was vital, actually,” she declared. “The train had just left the station when it stopped again, with enough space between the tunnel wall and the carriage to evacuate everyone quickly. Three casualties are still three too many, but if we’d been on the move when the bomb went off, trapped inside, a hundred and fifty people would have been blown to pieces.”

Kim shivered violently at the thought of how close she had come to losing her. She understood now, with absolute clarity, how Cody must have felt when her partner was shot and killed in New York. What she probably endured in the aftermath.

“Ultimately, I am grateful for my gift,” she decided with a surge of energy. “I will get back in touch with the intuitive I worked with in Texas. I used to meditate twice a day without fail, but I got out of the habit. I’ll start doing it again.”

“Good idea,” Cody approved.

“I’m glad I could sense the bomber, otherwise he would have walked straight past us and out the door. Too bad I won’t be able to make him my first case as a prosecutor.”

“Why not?”

“Conflict of interest.”

“Oh, yeah. Of course. Sorry, I’m a little fuzzy in the head.”

“Then sleep, darling. You’ll feel better in the morning.”

“I’d rather stay awake and talk with you.”

“You need to rest. Don’t make me go and get Janet.”

Cody chuckled at the light-hearted threat, then slayed her with her next look; still a little fierce but plenty vulnerable and needy, too.

“Will you stay with me?”

Kim pulled the mask aside to rest a gentle kiss on her lips.

“Absolutely. I’m not going anywhere. Close your eyes.”

Cody did and dropped asleep within seconds. Kim rested for a while with her eyes closed as well. The feeling of having the woman she loved back with her and in her arms, safe and sound, was indescribable. A quiet knock on the door a bit later made her look up. Ellie popped her head in.

“Hey, Kim. Can I come in?”

“Hi. Yes, of course.”

Ellie carried a flat box in one hand and a bunch of flowers in the other.

“All knocked out, eh?” She grinned in approval after a look at her sleeping partner.

“Yes, she finally stopped fighting it.”

“Well, I won’t bother you too long—”

“You’re no bother at all, Ellie,” Kim assured her.

“Okay, cool. I just wanted to check on you both.”

“That’s very sweet of you. Um… Is that pizza?”

“Yes, it is. Cody’s favorite from her favorite place across from the station is pepperoni and black olives. I thought it might be too late for this now, but it can turn into a breakfast thing… She likes leftover pizza best.”

“I know she does, yes.” It was, Kim reflected, one of these endearing little quirks she adored about her lover. It made her smile. The smell of that thing was pretty divine too. “May I have a slice now?”

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