Chapter 3: What Was That?!

~Axel~

Thursday. Thursday sucks. He thought to himself looking at his watch he was getting off soon. Thank God they only got one more day he let Ryder leave already they only had one hour left anyway and he had to get ready for his date with Aria. I've known Ryder my whole life besides Killian, and Jessie he was my best friend. He knew things I could never tell the other two because they would tell each other. I'm actually excited for him. I've never seen him so nervous before. I really don't see how Aria has gone on this long and never caught on or looked back just to see how bright of a candle he's been burning for her. Of course I gave him a bunch of crap of not asking her sooner only for him to give me that are you really shitting me right now look. His only response was to hold up his hand as a phone and say 'hello kettle you're black.' Although I could only glare at him he was right, maybe I need to just bite the bullet as well. There is this damn battle everyday or every other day where I wonder how would someone like my angel ever give an asshole like myself a shot, then other days where I wonder this works, what the hell are you waiting for? It's almost as maddening as the car in front of me swerving on the road. I just wan tot get back to the station to fill out my paper work and leave guess that'll have to wait.

Turning on his lights and his little whoop whoop siren the car drifted to the side and turned off. Coming up to the door he had to take a step back as the woman who rolled down her window smelled strongly of meth. It took everything in him not to want to throw up, no matter how many people he arrested he could never stomach that smell how the hell can they betaking that shit and be ok with that fucking smell. Composing himself he asked her for her license and registration only to start to grow angry because she was lit and blazed out of her mind she had to ask him to repeat what he said twice. After giving him the information he realized the car was not hers, but another mans. Who had multiple warrants for so many reasons DUI's domestic violence one actually made by the woman in front of him, drug possession, and selling he's house has been raided more in three months then this town has in a year. Not to mention there was no insurance on the car, and the tags were to years old. Shaking his head calling a tow truck to come collect the vehicle it wasn't like she was in a position to drive anyway and even if the owner came to collect which he won't because he would be arrested he still needed the car off the side of the road.

After calling into Natalie to dispatch the tow and to send a female officer to come do a frisk check he was not going near her with a ten foot pole unless he had to cuff her. After a few minutes a car squad car pulled up Keith brought out Amber another dispatcher and officer who works the desks, but still an officer. Walking back with her as she was putting on gloves I go to tell her what's going to happen. "Ma'am do you know why I pulled you over?" "You pulled me over I wish I would have known I would have pulled over I thought I was just waiting for the red light to change." She told me looking confused. Amber, Elias look at me like what the hell. "Ma'am first of all I pulled you over and second that's a stop sign it doesn't change colors. Ma'am we're going to need you to get out of the car please and put both your hands on the hood of it so Officer Hall here can do a pat down check. We have a tow truck coming to collect the car for having no insurance, and out of year tags. Also the reason I pulled you over Ms. Is because you were swerving in and out of traffic. Have you taking any type of narcotics, pills, drugs, or alcohol today ma'am?" Not being able to follow the light or focus on what he was saying he noticed all the needle marks in her arms, and one in her neck.

"I'm sorry did you say you need the car. Well that's ok you can use it's my boyfriends I told him I was going to grab some food but you can use it." She said smiling to him handing him the keys and getting out of the car. His anger only grew when he looked down to see a big round pregnant belly. "Hall hurry up and check her we going to take her down to the hospital and get her checked." Axel growled to her. "Yeah especially with that leg and her wrist looks fractured, or at least it wasn't and not healed right." Amber trying to keep her from moving as she searched her pockets and Elias searched her jacket when Amber handed it to him. "She's got like a few dime bags. She's got a couple small bags of coke, and a little meth on the outside pockets and a couple of syringes loaded with some crap in the pockets on the inside not to mention clean blank syringes too. Also she's got some insulin but it's not for her." Elias told him. "She's clean she has nothing. Besides a couple of prenatal vitamins bottle in her bra." Amber gave it to Axel. Opening it up he looked closer. "No, these are speed mixed up with some of the roofies we found on that last ass hat last week." Axel corrected her. Get her in the car and you guys can go get another officer down to the hospital after they check her I want to officers to get her in cell." Handing Amber the evidence in the bags they needed to go in, as the tow truck got done taking the car.

~Jessie~

It was really weird having the conversation with Dimitri Tuesday tomorrow would be his last day working at the hospital since he passed the fireman test, he volunteered down at the station for few years now he's actually on the pay roll. At least the hours won't be as hectic. Tomorrow is his goodbye/welcoming party at his best friend Leo's house. I only wanted to pop in for a few minutes. I knew everyone going for the most part it's hard not to in this town. He was still going to practice medicine he would go to schools and libraries at least once a month and give out free health care so he at least was helping people all over town in many ways. I swear this guy could probably run for mayor soon if his going to keep crap like this up she laughed to herself. Feeling torn between feeling happy for him and relieved at the same time it made her feel a little mean.

The day he told her he was really sad telling her how much he was going to miss having lunch with her almost everyday. It was like looking at a sad puppy. What kind of monster was she fighting with herself in her head. I should be sad that I won't be having lunch with my friend anymore almost everyday, but I'm not I don't' feel anything about it really. I just smiled and told him it was no big deal we could still have lunches sometimes. He could always pop in on his off days, or his lunch shift since he pretty much knew my schedule and what it normally looked like. He seemed happy with that promising he would but it felt odd like he was promising it in a whole other way. We changed our date to Next Saturday since his new schedule would have him in training and he was going to the city to see his parents. His mother worked along side of Natalie's, and Killian's mom.

Dimitris dad actually floats in the same circles as mine as well. You can always tell the city parents from the BellBrook because those parents are still trying to marry their kids off to anyone of a good jobs and family. I really wish sometimes my parents weren't so awesome because then it would be a lot easier for all of us to tell people to fuck off. Dad has no problem maybe I should ask him his secrets. Chloe's family run the majority of the farms out here that supply most ours and the cities stores, they were also of good status. You could only imagine Sean and Dana happiness when they found out Killian was in love with there. Chloe herself was now a teacher with huge stocks in so many great things, also being the only heir to her family's success it's safe to say Mads will always be set. Killian also had stocks as well Axel, also with their Army payouts and Axel was basically running the station making them perfect breeding specimens.

I guess Dana is finally understanding Axel can have a purpose for her since the Jones keep trying to get them to get together with Natalie, of course being daddy's little girl she always got what she wanted so him hating her must be killing her. Jessie laughed to herself. Don't get me wrong I don't hate Natalie or anything I just always found her very annoying she was and still is the typical rich princess girl. How she got on and passed to get to be a sheriff is beyond me. She was a secretary all the way up until Axel came back home. She would always try to be closer to me then we were because of my friendship with the boys but the only problem with that is we all found her equally annoying as adults we tried to tolerate her more but it was a difficult task. There was a church brunch coming up Sunday and all of us are expected to go no doubt another set up by the evil ,selfish, money grubbing, status climbing life draining assholes. She thought to herself already feeling drained just thinking about it. Walking out of her office after closing up a little early she let the girls leave early since two of them already had dates. It was so nice to see Aria excited for a nice night out with in her words even Ryder making all of us laugh I hope it works out I think they would work well together. Hunter and Sienna have finally become a real couple yesterday, that was a long time coming.

Walking past the front of the nurses station she say a fuming Axel arguing with a female doctor who just started her and was already making mistakes I'm wondering just how she passed her boards, unless her 'praying knees' were anything but lazy. "I DON'T GIVE A CRAP WHAT YOU THINK! YOU WILL be notifying CPS!" Axel snapped not being a man of patience during times of other people's stupidity. "I think it's time you left sir, so we can give her the best medical car we can." She sneered to him. Axel looked up and finally felt relieved when he saw Jessie. Jessie was like head of the place anything she wanted she got since she was the main reason the hospital was doing so well having her inn the building brought in the majority of business everyone loved her. She even gave the hospital some of her time doing the most published stories. Jessie was the equivalency of famous rock star. "Jessie. Please." He called out to her in a pleading form trying to reel in his anger.

"Sheriff Graves what a pleasure how can I help you." She told him with a big smile. "Sheriff Graves has brought us a woman who is a substance user, and who is very pregnant she is very small at this time but she is at least pushing seven months along. He is insisting we call CPS immediately. However after checking her file and her injuries she came in with it's clear she has been a victim of abused and I am requesting her to stay in our care until treatment can be finished and charges be filed and letting her go many half way houses and shelters are available." The new doctor said to her. Jessie took the chart right out of the doctors hands leaving her speechless for a moment.

"You are ordering her more pain killers? Are you serious right now? Her injuries are old and there's nothing we can do about it until she ahs delivered the baby and we can reset them. They are no where in a way where she needs pain management or pain pills. So that will be stopped right now. Also I don't know if you were aware of the ones you ordered are actually harmful to the baby. I also see the baby is in an unhealthy state from poor diet and no exercise provided by the mother. It seems like all she did was take in drugs. Why you wanted to give her more is beyond me we need to get her detoxed out not stay loaded. The plan you have written in here will surely have this baby heart stopped in two days and the mothers stopped in three. CPS needs to be notified because she will be leaving after tomorrow with the other sheriffs to jail until the judge deems what he sees fit with her. She will more likely go to jail where I guarantee you she will get proper rest,, exercise, and meals while going through detox in a safe way thanks to the doctors and nurses on staff there. Who are doing a better job then you are at the moment you are no longer her doctor and will not be allowed to order any treatment for this patient again." Jessie said looking her dead in the eye making the new doctor fume in anger.

"And who exactly are you to make such a call. You are no board member, no chief of anything, you sure as hell aint an attending here." She barked back. "Doctor Alderman is everything ok?" Dimitri asked with a board member next to him. "Yes there is a problem." Jessie said giving the chart to Dimitri. "You see Rostein she may not be your lead attending I however am and I have to say based on this plan you have her and the patients chart I should sheriff Graves arrest you because this is the stupidest deadliest thing I've ever read. Hope you're prepared for a huge lawsuit Preston because that's what this looks like. Hope you like being able to afford food with this thing right here were all out of a job." Dimitri said handing the chart to Preston the president of the board. "Doctor Rostein I would like to see you in my office. Now." Preston said with a look like he was about to snap her in half. "Moretti I expect you to make this right."

"You're going to believe some second opinion nobody over one of your own I was top of my class." The doctor snapped to both men. "Top of clown university doesn't make you a good doctor. You know Preston it would be a hard shame if I had to go rent my own office somewhere else in town, because you can't control your staff. Especially ones who don't value any type of life, and insults not only men of the law but important people to me. Just saying something to remember when you're going over things later. Come on big guy." Jessie told Axel. Dimitri followed a little bit until they were both outside the door. "That was bad ass angel." Axel said throwing his arm over her shoulder. Only for both of them to be startled when Dimitri pulled her back out of his grasp. "I'm very sorry to both of you for her behavior I don't even know how she got on staff. You know she yelled at nurse until she left about how she was doing her job then had to put a catheter in an old man and it broke off." Dimitri sighed. "I'll see to it she's let go immediately. You know you got Preston by the balls right now." He laughed scratching the back of his head.

"I always do because i'm that awesome." She playfully tossed her pony tail. "Hey angel I wanted to ask you about something I found on her. Now you know I deal with a lot of drugs, however this one got me stumped I know it's new but I have no idea what it does except gets people buzzes out of their mind and put them like in a happy state that makes you compliant and there have even been reports of some other version of this that does the same thing but makes your body hornier then a teenager on ecstasy discovering his dad's playboy collection, and mom's hand lotion." Quite the picture you paint there Axel thanks for that." She said taking a look at the syringe in front of her. "Hard to say I would need to get it down to the labs just to be sure Dex will be able to tell me." "You know what I'll go run that down to him right now. I'm heading there anyway." Dimitri said taking it form them looking at it closely. "I'll have him fax over everything he can find on it to your office. You should hear something within a week and half." Looking a tit again even Moretti looked confused. "Maybe two." Placing it in his jacket pocket.

"Are you still coming out to Leo's tomorrow Jes?" "Yup I'm meeting the girls there. We wouldn't miss you're big send off." Axel looked up and smiled. "Where you off to Dr. Moretti?" "I actually joined the fire department full time now." Dimitri said proudly. "That right? Well good for you man. I know how hard the training could have been. Besides it would do them good to get some fresh meat the baseball and basketball game was starting to get easy." Axel said smirking to him. "Yeah it's going to be a real shame when you guys have to take that graceful bow this time around. Lot's of things can happen. See you tomorrow beautiful." He winked to her and walked back in the hospital doors, Axel glaring at him the whole way. "Hate that tool." He grumbled. "I know, he really isn't that bad." "Can't believe you said yes to that. The guy with the lazy eye and the ferrets was a better choice then that tool." "Hey now lazy eyed steve was a nice enough guy, just wish he would have saw that bus coming. I swear he was looking right at it." "Yeah what did they start to call him before he left out of state? Was it Two toed Steve, Peg leg Steve, or butt pirate?" "Butt pirate because he decided to run off with the guy who helped him sue the bus company." Jessie told him pulling out her keys with him smiling down to her and nodding.

"One day you're going to find everything you need, when you least expect it. Right in front of you. I promise." Axel told her rubbing her cheek. Hugging her close to him. "So you and the girls going to the fireflies little party? Do the guys know yet." He teased with a knowing look. "I'm sure they will by tomorrow big mouth have a fun card game. I'm sure you'll find new ways to bitch about the fireflies." She smiled to him as he held the door open to close it and wave her off. The drive wasn't as long as it should have been. After she got out of the bath laying in bed she couldn't help but wonder why did Dimitri follow them out in the first place. He normally got a little weird when I talked to other guys but something between Axel and Dimitri felt more like life long enemies. The only thing is who is the real villain after learning all the mean pranks they pulled on him in college. It was getting hard to tell now a days. Drifting off to sleep she could only hope they were all growing for the better. Hoping she wasn't really a villain in anyone else's story.

~Axel~

Sitting in the café Jessie was going to meet him there for a quick drink but went to drop off some files for her mom from the psych patients at the hospital. Until he saw a distraught looking Aria come charging in the door, looking around quickly and rushing over to me putting me in a worry I look up to her waiting for her to speak after a few minutes she does. "Is Jessie here? I was hoping to talk to her before we got to Leo's." Aria practically pleaded. "Nope she bailed out on me for mama." "DAMN IT." She cried out. "Sorry." "You want to sit down a minute. Maybe get whatever it is off your chest?" I asked in a little bit of a concerned yet amused voice. "Fine. I guess. I… I may have done something stupid." She said in a lowish deflated voice. "We'll we all do stupid things Ari you want to be a little more specific?" "UGH! You know how I had a date with Ry yesterday?" "Yeah homeboy been on cloud nine all day. I guess it went ok then" Axel said chuckling with a shrug. "I may have done something stupid. Ugh I can't tell you." Looking around at the empty café. "Who else you going to tell Ari?" Arms opened wide to show her the room.

"Well honestly the night was great. It was even perfect. I guess I got caught up in it because I woke up at his place." "So you're saying the date went really great." Axel chuckled. "Wow Aria." He chuckled harder. "Well it wasn't like we were strangers or anything I mean hell everyone fucking knows everyone for fucking ever." She argued running her hands up and down her face before adding "I can't believe I slept with Ryder on, and on the first date." She groaned slamming her head down on the table. "What's really the problem were you like drunk, did you not want to?" He asked getting worried can't imagine Ryder taking advantage of anyone. "No. I was aware." "Was it bad or something?" Axel asked her scratching the back of his head trying to figure out what to say to help her. "No it was great." "I'm not understanding the problem here. You said you did something stupid. Well Ryder is stupid at times and you done him was that it?" He asked her confused. "I slept with him on the first date. The best damn night of my life and it was because of Ryder. He probably thinks I'm so easy. I didn't even stick around I woke up got my clothes and got the hell out of there I was so nervous about what he was going to say. What if it was a one time thing? What if he wants more what if he thinks I'm easy and he tells everyone." She was rushing out quickly.

"Ari calm down do you. Do you actually like Ryder?" "If I answer honestly will you tell him?" She asked worriedly. "Not if you don't want me to." "Yes, I like Ryder especially after last night. He was so different last night. I mean after he was like attentive but what if I sucked and he was just trying to be nice." "Doubt that very seriously. Look if all you're worried about is if he likes you then you should just talk to him you may be surprised by what you find out." "What if it all goes to hell. I mean the gave me a pity date, and got scored how desperate does that come off from me? Do you think lower of me?" "You wan tot know what I honestly think of you Ari?" She could only nod. "I think you're an amazing nurse. I think you heart is big and wonderful and you care about others in a way I don't think I could. I think you deserve a guy who treats you like the princess you are. You're a sweet person who needs to live a little. I don't think you're desperate because you want to find and have love. I jus think maybe you should be more accepting to the fact that maybe you already have it, and maybe last night meant more to him then you think." Axel shrugged.

"You think so. The guy was walking like he owned the damn town. Smile never leaving his face. The dude straight had pep in his step. We don't react that way for a one night stand Ari. We don't let a cheap woman have that kind of control over our happiness like that it takes a special woman to do that. One we want to keep around longer then just one date." Looking in her eyes to try to get her to understand with out actually spelling it out for her. "You think he'll call?" "I know he will. Look we know you girls really well I think he's just letting you have some space because you would react a certain way and once he thinks everything has calmed down with you he'll call you." "That's sounds like you guys. Thank you Axel this helped so much. Thank you for letting me vent. Sorry if it was uncomfortable for you." "It's fine Aria, I just hope you really think about it. Don't you think you deserve the chance I mean don't you think you're worth the risk?" Standing up to hug her while they both left the room she could only nod as she got in the car to make the party.

Pulling up to Hunters house he was welcomed in the room by Killian. Everyone gathered around the round table playing cards. "So how does it feel being a taken man Hunter?" Elias asked smiling to him wiggling his eyebrows. "It feels amazing to get my head out of my own ass and out of my own way." He laughed out as they all stole a smirk to Axel. "Fuck off the lot of you." "What about you Ryder? Was last night everything Aria wished it'd be?" Killian asked batting his eyes to him. "It was better. It was the best night of my life so far. I'm hoping we'll get a lot more. I figured if I can at least nail in four more dates I can convince her to be my woman. Just got to show how good it can be." Ryder said smiling to himself not being able to get the smile off his face yet. "So where's Chloe tonight?" Hunter asked Killian welp I have work tomorrow and her parents needed some help with some paperwork so she dropped off Maddie to my folks and went to spend the night at her parents house." Hunter said in a sad sigh.

"Got the house all to yourself tonight huh, going to take advantage of it?" Ryder asked? "No, I'm just to chill with you assholes for a bit then go home shower and go to sleep. I don't like being alone in the house. I like the noise and miss the girls when they gone." No one could even joke because they envied him having a family who waited on him to come home that's the dream they were all trying for. "Where are your girls tonight?" Elias teased. "Aria said they had some work thing." "Yeah Si said the same thing." "Is that what they called it a work thing?" Axel said with a chuckle. Looking at Axel hard until he finally sighed and spoke up. "Dimitri is leaving the hospital and joining the fire department today was his last day. Leo is throwing a goodbye and a welcoming party for him for his fire department collages and the people who worked with him in the hospital. SO I guess yeah that qualifies as a work thing." Axel shrugged thinking about the technical way of thinking of it. "THEIR WHAT?!" Ryder and Hunter said at the same time.

"Didn't they tell you where they were going?" Killian asked them. "They said they were going to a work thing and they were only going to stay maybe an hour or so I'm staying the night at her place." Hunter said trying to calm himself down knowing he couldn't be that mad. "I can't even be that mad she asked me if I was free and said I could go if I want but you know it's card night and I figured let her have some time with the girls I don't want her to feel suffocated by me I mean hell I've been at her place for like a month. I don't want to fuck it up by not letting her have her own space. If I would have known she was going to those douche bags I would have went." Hunter pouted.

"I haven't reached out to Aria yet because I wanted to give her time so I wouldn't seem as needy, clingy, possessive freak I really am." Ryder pouted with him. "How are you so calm when your oh so favorite person is going to be around her tonight? I mean hell the tool already got a date with her next week. How do you know he won't weasel his way into anything more?" Killian asked Axel while everyone else just stopped and looked at him. "Y'all need more things to do with your time. Look I aint tripping off it, and neither should you. If it pleases you gossip queens you damn cluckling hens. I have been thinking about telling her. I just. I'll get to it eventually. Fuck you guys." He told them adding his chips down while they all chuckled to him. "Good for you man. Let us know if you need any help man." Killian offered with a smile. They all kept talking to each other and teasing each other for the next few hours as they wanted to just hurry back to get ahold of the women they were missing.

~Jessie~

"Wow this is quite the turn out." Sienna told the girls and the guys of the fire department who nodded. "Yeah who knew you had so many friends." Isabella added making everyone laugh hard at him. "Yeah no trade backs." Aria added. "Awe thanks girls I feel the love I really do." Dimitri told them wiping the fake tear from his eye. "Are you excited to start something new?" Jessie asked him. "It's not really new but I guess being away from the hospital and the craziness is going to be new. I don't know what I'll be able to actually do with time to actually sleep now." He joked with them scratching the back of his head. "I've actually been thinking of leaving too." Jessie said calmly looking around the room where even Leo, Travis, Mateo, and Ethan looked at her like they were shocked. "You're quitting the hospital?" Dimitri asked her in surprise. "Well I was actually thinking about renting the space opened about one building over from the sheriffs station. I will still do the surgeries at the hospital maybe." She shrugged. "Jes you alright?" Bella asked her in hushed tone. "Yeah no I'm fine I just think maybe I'm getting burned out a little and need something a little new." Jessie told them in honesty.

"Well good for you. I mean we all feel the same way. I mean we've all been in ruts. Let me know if you actually do go through with this, let me know. We can help you get settled moving the equipment around. Maybe a little grand opening party." Dimitri told her the rest of the guys nodding and murmurs of agreement. These have been Dimitris best friend since grade school and now their dream of all working together is complete. The rest of the night went quickly and Dimitri always seemed to be close to her through out the night. Making her feel a little weird. Aria and Sienna left after an hour. Isabella stayed closed to Leo and seemed pretty chummy as well as stayed close as they danced and stayed with only each other. Dimitri danced with her a lot it was almost impossible for her to be After about two and a half hours Jessie had felt like she fulfilled her friend quota and wanted to leave she came up to Isabella who was still with Leo and now Dimitri. Well guys it's been real but I'm goin got head out. Dimitri happy for you, but I'm tired." "Yeah no thanks for coming out really. Can I walk you out?" Smiling at her happily she could only nod.

"Well this was a fun night. I'm really glad you came." "I wouldn't miss your big send off." Almost reaching her car. "Well I'm still thankful you came. I really am going to miss seeing you everyday and lunch and all. You know you were right though we could always meet up for lunches few days, maybe coffee or something on the weekend. There's still our date next Saturday right?" He was looking hopeful. Dimitri has been reaching out more since she agreed to the date. Being more touchy, and pushing more males away in subtle ways. "Yup. Still got all that ahead of us." "Are you going to beat Sunday brunch?" "Yeah it's the monthly social. I swear it's jus tan opportunity for parents to pimp us off to each other." Jessie rolled her eyes. "Well at least your parents don't do that. Mine however are another story. Maybe you can come rescue me from the suitors they lined up." "Well now I don't think I could go breaking their hearts after all their prep work. That would be so rude now Moretti." She told him in a fake offended voice with her hand over her heart. "Just please promise if it gets to bad you will come swoop in and help me. Help a man out I thought we was friends now." He teased and whined a little. "Fine I promise I will come and talk to you if it gets bad." Jessie said with a little smirk giving her along hug she got into the car and left home.

Laying down in her bed. She was starting to get worried about maybe Dimitri getting too attached and started to think about last week when she was playing and laughing with Maddie and Axel. Next thing she knew she was sitting on Axels couch with Maddie asleep on the floor next to a baby basinet and her cuddled into Axels side with him cuddling her close as they were watching movies and placing kisses all over her neck and lips. Making her laugh by playfully nibbling on her ear and neck while she giggled on the couch trying to get out of his hold. Looking in his eyes. "I love you Jes." He told her kissing her deeply. Shooting up on her bed covered in sweat and panting looking a the clock to read 530 a.m. catching her breath she was left wondering. What the fuck was that?