Page 94 of Heat of Justice

“Sure!” Ellie chuckled and passed her the box. Cody did not even stir. “She does sleep like someone knocked her out.”

“Or a load of TNT gave her a hard slap, as she said.”

“Totally. Forty pounds of Semtex will have that effect.” Ellie lingered with her eyes on her instead of Cody this time, looking both thoughtful and admiring.

“What?” Kim prompted.

“I hope you won’t mind me saying so, but it’s one hell of a superpower you’ve got.”

Kim considered herself surprised to feel so at ease at the mention of her unusual ability. It was a first for her, and there was no longer any denying it.

“I don’t mind you saying. You’re right; it's a hell of a good thing, especially today. Thank you, Ellie.”

“No,thank you.” Ellie briefly rested a hand over her own heart. “There is a guy in the next room; his name’s Jim. He asked me to tell Cody that he was okay and that he wanted to share a beer with her at some point. He helped her with the evac.”

“I’ll pass on the message.”

“Cool.”

Janet walked in, looking fresh from a shower and dressed in regular clothes now. She immediately sniffed the air and narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

“I smell illegals in here.”

“Just pizza, amore mio,” Ellie advised.

“Not allowed.” But the good-looking neurosurgeon nodded to Kim. “Hear that? What can I do when she speaks love to me in Italian? That’s how she gets away with things.”

Ellie flashed a goofy grin, prompting an amused smile from her lover, which held plenty of heat. Meanwhile, Cody did not wake up despite the sounds of conversation around her. Janet checked her pulse, listened to her breathing, and nodded in satisfaction.

“Out cold, but she’s doing well. Lungs sound good. I gave her an extra shot of drugs so she should sleep well the rest of the night. Are you okay, Kim? Anything you need while I’m here? Don’t say drugs.”

“No, it’s alright.” Kim smiled and inclined her head toward her sleeping partner. “I’ve got all I need right here.”

“Excellent. I’ll be back at six A.M. to check on you both. For now…” Janet shot her partner another loaded glance, the kind that must be illegal in some parts of the world. “Take me home, mia cara.”

More cops trickled in from Cody’s team, bringing flowers and well wishes. Demi came by accompanied by her wife, who had just started her shift. Carole promised to be on hand if they needed anything during the night. Though her partner remained asleep, Kim was touched at this show of care and support. Not surprised, as she had witnessed the tightness of the community before and knew that Cody was well-loved and appreciated, but touched, yes. Definitely. Quinn Wesley showed up at nine P.M. in the same clothes she was wearing before. Obviously, she was working late after the events of the day.

“It’s starting to look like a jungle in here,” she remarked.

The no-nonsense lieutenant did not come bearing flowers, but a practical wash kit which included two toothbrushes. Now this, Kim decided, was extra thoughtful. She offered her a slice of pizza, which Quinn promptly accepted.

“Miller saved a bunch of lives today, so I put in for a special commendation,” she announced in between hungry bites. “For bravery. She deserves it.”

“I agree totally, but I don’t think she’ll like it,” Kim quietly remarked.

“No, I know. I’m getting one for you too, Ms. Reed.” Quinn laughed when Kim stared in disbelief. “You don’t like it either, do you?”

“For me, it’s really unnecess—"

“I disagree,” the lieutenant said, still smiling but in the kind of tone that said arguing would be futile. “Looks like the two of you will have to suck it up, won’t you?”

EPILOGUE

It occurred to Kim that receiving the commendation held at least one definite advantage: getting to see her partner in her dress blues for the first time. Cody looked alluringly sharp and commanding in official gear, complete with a crisp white shirt and knotted tie.

“You got a thing for women in uniform, Counselor?” Cody chuckled when she caught her staring in the mirror of the police station female locker room.

“A thing,” Kim smirked in reply. “Yeah, you could say that. When the woman in question is you, definitely. You look good enough to…”

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