© August 2003
Disclaimers: See Chapter One
Chapter Nine
Riley wasn't sure how long she'd been lying on the couch crying. She sat up wiping the tears from her face. She winced when she came in contact with her split lip. Riley glanced around the room wondering if she would ever look at her living room in quite the same way. Her anger from earlier had vanished and she just felt heartsick. Without any real thought she reached out and picked up the phone. She really didn't consciously notice whose number she'd called until she heard that familiar voice.
"Hello." Riley was almost surprised to realize she'd instinctively called Sam.
"Hello." Sam said again.
She cleared her throat before speaking but her voice still sounded rough from crying.
"Hi Sam. It's Riley."
Sam tensed at the sound of Riley's voice. "What's wrong?" She was answered by silence.
"Riley please tell me what's wrong. You're scaring me."
"My uncle and aunt were waiting for me when I got home. Dr. Stevens must've called him and told him about us." Riley couldn't stop the tears from falling again. "My uncle was very angry." She told Sam though her tears.
Sam glanced over at Kim and Jess. They were both watching her closely. She put her hand over the receiver for a second. "It's Riley, something happened with her uncle." She quickly explained.
"Baby, listen to me. Did he hurt you?" Sam's anger soared when Riley didn't answer and started to cry harder. "I'll be right there." Sam told her already on her feet.
"No. Wait Sam. I don't want to disrupt your time with Kim and Jess. I just needed to hear your voice. I'll be fine." She tried to convince her. She already felt guilty for even bothering her.
Sam ignored her protests. "I'll be there as fast as I can. Don't open the door for anyone ‘til I get there." She hung up before Riley could protest further.
Sam grabbed her keys as she turned to face her sister. "I have to go. Riley's uncle was waiting for her when she got home. Her asshole boss called him and told him about us. He was very angry according to Riley. I think he hurt her and she's not telling me. I've got to get up there."
Jess grabbed her backpack. "Let us go with you. I can help if she's injured and Kim might be able to help her deal with the fallout from the confrontation with her uncle."
Sam shook her head no. Kim stepped in before she could speak.
"No Jess. It's Sam Riley needs. Riley would've told her if she was seriously hurt. She reached out by calling her and Sam needs to be there for her." Kim counseled.
Sam quickly kissed Kim and her sister goodbye. "I'll call when I can and let you know what's going on." She assured them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam broke the speed limit as well as several other traffic laws as she raced up to Riley's condo. She figured worse case if she got stopped they'd let her off when she told them who she was. She managed to make the almost thirty minute drive in fifteen. She ran up to Riley's condo arriving slightly out of breath from the pain. Her leg hadn't been up to running.
She knocked on Riley's door. It took several moments before the porch light clicked on. "It's me Sam." She confirmed. "Let me in."
The door opened revealing Riley with her bruised face and bloody split lip.
"Oh Christ." Sam gasped before quickly stepping into the condo and locking the door behind her. She gently pulled Riley into her arms cradling her against her chest. "Are you alright Baby?" She asked in a gentle voice.
Riley burst into tears clinging to Sam. Sam wrapped her arms around Riley holding her tightly to her chest. She stroked her hair trying to calm her. Riley's tears tapered off. She shuddered, tightening her arms around Sam's waist.
"I am now." She finally responded her voice muffled by Sam's shirt.
Sam placed her fingers under Riley's chin and carefully tilted her face up. "Did your uncle do this to you?"
"Yes." Riley whispered.
"I'll kill that bastard!" Sam hissed through clenched teeth her whole body going taut with rage.
"No Sam. Please."
Sam berated herself. She has seen plenty of these situations and violence was never the answer. Riley's needed her support and caring, not her anger.
"I'm sorry Sweetheart; it just makes me crazy that someone hurt you."
Riley couldn't help but notice the endearments Sam had been using. This was a side of Sam she'd never seen. She smiled at Sam and instantly winced.
"Let's get you taken care of. Where's your first aid kit?"
Sam kept an arm wrapped around Riley's shoulders as they made their way into the bathroom. She directed Riley to sit on the commode as she searched for all the supplies she needed. She carefully cleaned her split lip with peroxide and wiped the blood off her face. When she was done she pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Go into the living room and I'll get some ice for your face and lip."
Riley looked hesitant. Her eyes drop to her lap and she made no attempt to get up.
"What's wrong Baby?" Sam questioned kneeling down in front of Riley.
"I really don't want to go back in there right now." Riley told her softly.
It took Sam a second to realize that must've been where the confrontation with her uncle had taken place.
"Do you want to leave? We could go to my apartment." Sam offered.
Riley shook her head. "No I won't let them run me out of my own home but..." Riley seemed suddenly almost shy. "Could we go up to my bedroom?"
Sam grinned causing Riley to blush. She reached out and stroked Riley's cheek. "Whatever you want. Why don't you go change into something comfy and I'll get the ice and be right there."
Riley's eyes were liquid pools of heather as she gazed into Sam's eyes. "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. I'll be here whenever you need me for as long as you need me."
Riley felt her tears start to flow again. Sam immediately enclosed her in a warm embrace.
"Everything is going to be alright Riley. I promise."
Riley turned to head up the stairs and didn't see the look of pain that crossed Sam's face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam made her way into the kitchen fighting the tears that threatened to fall. She felt like a tight band was closing around her chest. She prepared the ice for Riley's split lip. When the image of Riley as she'd looked when she first opened the door filled Sam's mind her tears started flowing. "What have I done?" she cried to herself. "This is all my fault. If I'd just left her alone none of this would've happened." She dried her eyes and splashed cold water on her face before heading upstairs. She didn't want Riley to know she'd been crying. I need to be strong for her, she reminded herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sam stepped into the doorway of the bedroom and stopped in shock. Riley was standing as if she was frozen in the middle of the room. The place was a mess. All the drawers were open with clothes hanging out of them. The covers were pulled off the bed and lying in the floor.
"Riley?" Sam called quietly, not wanting to startle her.
"Why would she do this? What'd she think she was going to find?" Riley cried.
Sam stepped over closer to Riley. "Who? Who did this?"
Riley turned to face Sam. "My aunt. When I came home, my uncle was waiting for me in the living room. I thought she hadn't come with him. Then she came down the stairs to join us. She must've been up here… doing this."
Riley looked so lost standing there staring at the wreck of her bedroom. Her eyes seemed to go dull and vacant.
Sam walked over to the bed and quickly pulled the cover back up and onto the bed. Riley never moved from her spot in the middle of the room. When she was done Sam took Riley by the hand and led her over to the bed. Riley just stood there making no move to sit down.
"Sit down." Sam gently instructed pressing lightly on Riley's shoulders when she didn't receive a response.
She carefully placed the towel with the ice inside against the side of Riley's face and lip. She lifted Riley's hand and placed it against the towel urging her to hold it in place. Sam was starting to get scared by the vacant look in Riley's eyes. Maybe she should've let Jess come with her. She left Riley sitting on the bed and went around the room pushing clothes back into drawers. Once she had the room back into some semblance of order she went back over to Riley.
Kneeling down in front of her, she gently stroked her uninjured cheek. "You okay Baby?" she inquired softly.
It took several moments but Riley's eyes regained their focus. She looked at Sam then around the room. "Oh Sam, you didn't have to do that."
"Don't worry about it. How about you get into some PJ's and get ready for bed then we'll talk."
"Okay," Riley agreed. She opened a drawer and pulled out a tee shirt and pair of boxers before heading into the bathroom.
Sam once again approached the bed and quickly finished her remake job. She kicked off her shoes and propped a pillow against the headboard; situating herself with her long legs stretched out.
She'd just gotten settled when Riley stepped out of the bathroom. Riley's eyes widened for just a second at seeing Sam in her bed. She made her way across the room and quickly climbed into the bed on the side opposite Sam. Her expression was so open and wounded that Sam instantly opened her arms offering whatever comfort she could. Riley threw herself against Sam's chest burying her face between Sam's breasts. Sam held Riley tight murmuring soothing words into her ear as she rubbed her back. Sam spent long moments holding her. Riley finally relaxed in her arms.
"Want to tell me what happened?" She asked.
Riley took a deep breath before she began. "My uncle was waiting for me when I got back from lunch with you. I guess they'd left a message on my machine saying they would be here today but I never checked it. As soon as I walked in the door, my uncle demanded to know where I'd been. I told him I'd been out with a friend. He seemed really upset which is strange for him. He never shows his emotions. He sneeringly asked if it was the same friend that had been hanging around the hospital. That's when I knew what it was all about. That bastard Stevens must've called him. I tried to change the subject and avoid the confrontation. I always knew they'd take finding out I was gay poorly. I guess that's why I didn't admit it to myself for so long. I wanted them to be proud of me." Riley started to get choked up then shook her head refusing to cry. "That's when he told me he wouldn't have his reputation tarnished and be embarrassed in front of his friends by such deviant behavior and forbid me to see you again. My aunt threw in her two cents telling me that they knew I wasn't ‘that way' and would get me help."
Sam struggled to keep a hold of her anger knowing there was more to come. She knew if she lost her temper Riley would never tell her what else had happened.
"I told them I was gay and the sooner they got used to it the better. I'm 35 years old and it's time I chose my own path. My uncle was furious. He stormed across the room and demanded I do what I was told. He said no niece of his was going to be a queer. It's the first time in my life I've ever stood up to my uncle. My aunt then proceeded to tell me how ashamed my parents would be of me."
Riley couldn't hold back her tears anymore. The comments about her mother had truly wounded her.
"Is that when he hit you?"
"No. He told me that my mother manipulated my Dad and that she was just some white trash slut. He said if my Dad had stayed in LA he'd still be alive." Riley was sobbing now making it hard to understand her. "I told him my father loved my mother and had left LA to get away from him. That's when he slapped me and told me I was the same white trash as my mother and…." Riley was sobbing so hard Sam couldn't understand her. She cradled her to her chest trying to calm her. Her words suddenly became clear. "He said I should've died with her."
Sam was in shock, this man is supposed to be her uncle?" she thought incredulously. Her temper flared at the pain the bastard had caused Riley.
"Then they left?" Sam questioned praying it was the end of the horrible encounter.
Riley laughed bitterly. "Oh no, then he told me that I was no niece of his and to never contact them again. He added not to expect any money from the family estate. I laughed in his face and told him I didn't want any of his fucking money. That's when he hit me the second time. I told them to get out before I called the police and I demanded my condo keys back from my aunt. Then they left."
Sam was torn between guilt and anger. The guilt won out and tears began to trail down Sam's face. Riley felt Sam's body began to shake and looked up to see the tears running down her face.
"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. If I hadn't pressured you into getting involved with me none of this would've ever happened." Sam tearfully apologized.
Riley was shocked. How could she possible blame herself for this? Riley felt her anger rise. It was one thing for her uncle to hurt her but now he'd hurt Sam. She couldn't believe Sam could blame herself for this. She'd set her straight right now!
Sam took Riley's silence as condemnation. When Riley pulled out of her arms, Sam's shoulders slumped and her head dropped to her chest, her tears dripping onto her shirt.
"You listen to me Samantha McKenna!" Riley demanded angrily.
Sam's head popped up at Riley's angry tone. For the first time since she'd entered the condo, Riley's eyes were full of life and sparking with her anger.
"This is not your fault! I was already dating women before I ever met you. It was just a matter of time before my uncle found out or I told him. I'm only going to say this to you one more time! You…didn't… pressure… me… into… anything! Riley punctuated each of her words with a sharp poke into Sam's chest.
Sam couldn't help it, she grinned helplessly. Riley was just so damn cute when she was mad. "OK… OK…I get it!" Sam said rubbing her chest where Riley had repeatedly poked her.
"Good." Riley exclaimed as she settled back into Sam's arms.
Neither woman spoke for some time they just savored the feeling of safety and comfort offered by the other woman. As the tension of the night finally caught up with Riley, she yawned widely wincing at the pulling on her split lip. Sam caressed Riley's hair as she yawned again.
"Maybe I should go. You need to get some sleep."
Riley tightened her hold on Sam. "Please don't go. I don't want to be alone." Riley pleaded.
Sam slid further down into the bed drawing Riley closer to her. "I'll stay ‘til you fall asleep then I'll crash on your couch…okay?"
Riley pressed against Sam's side and looked up into her eyes. Her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "No, stay here… in my bed with me." Riley could read the hesitation on Sam's face. "Please," she added.
Sam couldn't resist the plea in Riley's voice. "Sure Baby, whatever you need." Riley hugged Sam tight.
"I'm not sure I have anything that would fit you."
"That's alright; I'm fine like I am."
"You can't sleep like that Honey. Let me see what I can find." Riley said climbing out of bed over Sam's protests.
She rummaged around in several drawers before coming up with an oversized tee shirt. She held it up to herself and it came down to her knees. She pressed the shirt into Sam's hands. Sam had learned to recognize that particular stubborn look on Riley's face and knew there was no sense in protesting further. She headed for the bathroom to change. Riley followed her pointing out where the towels were and getting her a spare toothbrush. Once Riley was gone Sam set about getting ready for bed. She stripped down to her bra and boxers. Changing her mind, she removed her bra before slipping the shirt over her head. It fit more like a tee shirt on her. It was slightly tight across the shoulders and chest and did nothing to hide the outline of her breasts. The shirt that had gone to Riley's knee's barely made it to the top of her thighs and her boxers stuck out from under the shirt. Shrugging her shoulders she made her way back into the bedroom.
Riley had turned off the overhead light leaving just the bedside light burning. She'd removed the comforter leaving a sheet and light blanket on the bed. She pulled back the covers invitingly when Sam approached. Sam swallowed hard still not convinced this was a good idea. Buck up McKenna, she chastised herself, look at her she needs you. She slipped into the bed and settled on her back. Riley turned off the light. Even though the bed was a queen, there wasn't a lot of space between them. Sam wasn't a small woman like Riley. Sam glanced over at Riley. She could just make out her face in the moonlight coming in from the open drapes. Her eyes were open and she appeared to be staring at the ceiling.
"Come here Riley." Sam said lifting her arm up.
Riley didn't have to be told twice. She immediately came into Sam's arms resting her head on her shoulder. Sam's arms came around Riley.
"Good night Riley." Sam whispered softly.
"Night Sam. Thank you for staying." Riley said sighing quietly.
She pressed the length of her body against Sam's side. It wasn't long before Sam felt Riley relax and her breathing even out. Sam lay for a long time enjoying the feel of Riley in her arms. She too eventually drifted off to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riley woke feeling disoriented. She was hot and reached down to push the covers off. Even uncovered she was still hot, the bed itself seemed to be radiating heat. That's when she realized her pillow was moving. She forced her eyes open and found a tee shirt covered breast directly in front of her face. Her eyes widened in surprise and her head jerked up; seeing Sam's sleeping face the events of the evening came rushing back. Riley laid her head back down on Sam's chest. It was still dusky in the bedroom; she looked over at the clock on the nightstand and saw it was not quite 5am. She'd obviously moved during the night. She remembered starting out with her head on Sam's shoulder and pressed against her side. Now her head and upper body was resting on Sam's chest and belly and her thigh was bent and resting across Sam's legs. The body under her felt like an electric blanket. Boy she'll be handy to have around in the winter. Her eyes went back to the breast in front of her. Unable to resist she brought her hand up and brushed across the soft mound. Getting no response, she did it again with just a little more pressure. Continuing to gently stroke and then knead Sam's breast she grinned when the nipple started to harden and Sam moaned in her sleep. Feeling braver, she slipped her hand under Sam's shirt that had conveniently slid up during the night exposing her belly. When her hand closed over her bare breast and squeezed Sam's body jumped and her breathing changed. Riley knew she was awake. She continued to fondle her breast and when the nipple hardened further rolled it between her fingers.
"What are you doing Riley?" Sam groaned.
Riley moved until she was fully on top of Sam straddling her hips before meeting her eyes. She slid both hands under her shirt and kneaded her breasts. Sam's hips bucked up.
"What's it look like I'm doing." She asked leaning down to gently kiss Sam's lips and being careful of her own split lip.
Sam had wanted this woman for weeks and she was rapidly loosing the battle against her raging libido. She knew after all Riley had been through she was very vulnerable and it probably wasn't a good idea to become intimate right now. She was having a tough time convincing her libido of that.
"This is so not a good idea." Sam gasped when Riley rolled both nipples between her fingers."
"Really, I think it's a great idea." Riley informed Sam as she pushed her shirt up and replaced her fingers with her lips gently sucking one of Sam's nipples into her mouth.
"Oh God!" Sam moaned. Every tug of Riley mouth on her nipple sent an answering throb between her legs. She gripped the sheets tightly. "We have to stop Riley… We should wait… We need to talk… Sam panted.
Riley released Sam's nipple and moved up to whisper in her ear. Her hands continued to caress her body. "I'm done talking… I don't want to wait and if you really want me to stop you better say so fast ‘cause I'm not stopping." Riley whispered huskily in her ear. Her hot breath in Sam's ear was driving her closer to the edge. Her hand slid down Sam's belly and into her boxers. Sam's legs spread open without her permission granting access. Riley groaned as her fingers slid into the wet hot folds. Her hips jerked in response. She tried to push her own arousal aside wanting to pleasure Sam.
Sam's back arched as Riley stroked her determinately. When Riley moved back down to take one of her nipples into her mouth Sam knew she wasn't going to last much longer.
"Riley…please…I'm going to come." Sam didn't know if she was begging for it to happen or pleading for her to stop.
Sam's husky desire laden voice almost pushed Riley over the edge. She straddled Sam's thigh then thrust her fingers inside her. Sam screamed out Riley's name and came hard with the first thrust of her fingers. Riley kept her fingers buried deep inside Sam riding out her climax as she continued to thrust against her thigh. Only seconds later Riley stiffened and cried out as her climax rushed through her body. She slumped against Sam's chest her fingers still inside her. Both women lay panting trying to regain their composure. Riley moved first gently removing her fingers from inside Sam. Sam groaned loudly as she pulled out.
Riley lifted up meeting Sam's bright eyes. "I… I lo…" Sam just couldn't get the words out. Riley didn't need to hear the words she could see the love shimmering in Sam's vivid blue eyes. She leaned forward kissing her softly. "I do too," she told her. Tears started to track down Sam's cheeks.
"What's the matter Honey?" Riley asked gently. "That's not a bad thing is it?"
Sam swallowed several times before answering. "No Babe, it's not a bad thing. I just… I just never thought it would happen to me."
Riley hugged Sam as tight at she could in response. "Me either Honey… me either."
The women lay together each one glowing in the revelation of the other. They finally drifted back to sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riley was the first to awaken again. This time when she opened her eyes she found a naked breast inches from her face. Glancing at the clock she saw it was just after 9am. A grin spread across her face as she remembered what had happened earlier. Her hand stroked down Sam's side stopping when she got to her boxers. She looked down seeming to notice for the first time that Sam still had her boxers and tee shirt on and she was still completely dressed as well. She couldn't help it, it just struck her as funny and she started to laugh. Her laughter woke up Sam. She looked down at the redhead resting on her chest and kissed the crown of her head. Riley lifted her head up still chucking.
"You find my body that funny." Sam asked.
"Oh Honey, I find your body lots of things, funny isn't one of them." Riley assured Sam leaning over to kiss her breast. "I was just laughing cause I realized we were both still dressed.
Riley snickered at Sam's confused look. "I always knew when we finally made love for the first time we wouldn't manage to get our clothes off and I was right."
Sam laughed. "I guess someone did get a little carried away," Sam teased. "But that can be remedied."
Riley gasped finding herself suddenly on her back under Sam. Her heart rate picked up and her breath hitched at the burning passion in Sam's eyes. Sam lifted up enough to grasp the bottom of Riley's tee shirt hesitating until Riley eagerly nodded her head. Riley helped her pull the shirt over her head.
"Beautiful." Sam breathed. She leaned down to gently kiss an exposed breast. Riley groaned at the soft kiss. Sam's hand slid down to her boxers. "I want to see all of you…please." Again, she just nodded. Sam sat up and knelt next to Riley. She gently lowered her boxers down her legs and off. Her hands were shaking and she was trembling with excitement.
Her eyes traced Riley's body from her firm full breasts down to her slim waist. Her gaze traveled further down to the red triangle of hair at the top of surprisingly sculptured thighs. "You are absolutely gorgeous," Sam said huskily.
Riley felt her heart slam in her chest at the look on Sam's face. She was afraid she'd come as soon as Sam touched her.
"I want to see you too." She begged.
Sam pulled her shirt over her head then lifted up and removed her boxers. Although Riley had seen Sam in various states of undress before nothing prepared her for Sam in all her glory. She was magnificent. Her broad shoulders were well muscled, her breasts small and beautifully shaped. Her stomach was rock hard. Her eyes continued downward to the thick patch of black hair between her legs. She licked her lips unconsciously. Her eyes landed on the scars on her thigh. She gently reached out and traced the scars with her fingers. Sam shivered at the touch. Opening her arms to Sam, she urged her back down on top of her. She spread her legs encouraging Sam to take her place between them. They both moaned as their bare bodies made full contact for the first time. Sam's hard belly pressed into Riley's center and she couldn't stop her hips from pushing up into her. Sam used her arms to support most of her weight not wanting to crush the much smaller woman.
"Oh god you feel so incredible." Sam groaned leaning down to kiss Riley gently. She slipped down slightly kissing her neck and upper chest. Riley pushed on Sam's shoulders urging her lower. Sam was more than happy to comply. She was finally going to get to taste the breasts that had been taunting her for weeks. She laved her tongue over the already hard bud before gently sucking it into her mouth. Riley's hands came up tangling in Sam's hair holding her in place. Sam brought her hand up to knead the other breast. She could feel Riley's wetness painting her abdomen as her hips rocked rhythmically against her. She lifted enough to give herself access and releasing her hold on her breast used that hand to slip down between their bodies. A shrill beeping sound caused her to jump before she could reach her goal. She released Riley's nipple to look around for the source of the sound. Her eyes landed on Riley's pager on the bedside table.
"NO!" She growled. "This can't be happening." Determined to ignore it she went back to Riley's breast. The shrill beep sounded again.
Riley was so lost in the haze of passion it took her several moments to realize what was happening. When the pager shrilled the second time, she cursed pulling away from Sam.
"Damn it. NO! Not now." Knowing she couldn't ignore it, she reached over and picked up the pager. They wouldn't be calling her to come in early if it wasn't something serious.
Sam rolled off of Riley and laid on her back trying to get control of herself. She couldn't remember ever being so aroused and the beeping of the pager had done nothing to curb that.
Riley glanced at the display. It was the ER's number. Sparing a quick pained glance at Sam, she picked up the phone and started to dial.
Sam listened to the one sided conversation. It was obvious she was going to have to leave. I can't believe she's just going to leave. This being involved with a surgeon really sucks, Sam whined to herself.
Riley hung up the phone and turned to Sam. She had her arm thrown across her face. Riley reached out a hand to gently stroke Sam's belly. Sam jumped at the touch and pulled way.
Riley's breath caught at the pain of Sam refusing her touch. Her shoulders slumped and she removed her hand. "I'm so sorry. That was Denny. There was a major construction accident downtown. They're sending us several of the critically injured as soon as they have them extricated. I have to go. Please Sam I'm really sorry," Riley pleaded contritely.
Sam realized she was being childish. There were people seriously hurt and Riley was needed at the hospital. She removed her arm and looked at Riley. She couldn't help the surge of renewed arousal the nude woman caused. Riley was looking intently at the bed with her shoulders slumped in dejection.
"How soon do you have to be there?" She asked pushing aside her arousal and annoyance.
"They expect the first arrivals within thirty minutes so I have to go right now." Riley said, still looking down at the bed refusing to make eye contact with Sam.
Sam felt bad realizing she'd hurt Riley by pulling away from her touch. She reached out and gently ran her hand up her thigh. Riley's head came up meeting her eyes. "Grab a quick shower, you reek of sex." She told her wiggling her eyebrows. "Then I'll drive you in and come get you when you're done tonight."
Riley laughed her eyes regaining their sparkle. She was so happy Sam wasn't angry. "You don't have to do that. I don't have in-house call but I'll still be on call." She warned. "It could be late."
"Get in the shower Riley!"
Riley glanced at the clock. "Shit." She exclaimed when she realized ten minutes had already passed. She jumped off the bed, grabbed some clothes, and headed for the shower. She was back in less than ten minutes her short hair still wet. Sam was already dressed and waiting.
"You really don't have to drive me in." Riley told Sam as she stopped to put on her shoes.
"Riley I'm driving…let's go." Sam said turning and walking out of the room. Riley grinned and happily followed her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a quick drive to the hospital. Sam pulled up outside the ER to drop Riley off. "I'll call you as soon as I can." She leaned over the console giving Sam a sweet kiss on the lips.
"I'll be waiting," Sam promised.
Riley headed for the ER at a fast jog, a silly grin plastered on her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riley spotted Denny as soon as she stepped into the ER. "Hey Denny, what've we got?"
The tall lanky blond turned at the sound of his friend's voice. "Oh my God Riley what happened to you?" He asked in shock.
Riley was confused for a second wondering what he was talking about then her hand went to her bruised cheek. She glanced around and noticed several people listening intently to the conversation. She didn't want her personal life bandied about the hospital. At times, it was like living in a fish bowl with everyone knowing everyone else's business.
"Oh don't remind me," she laughed. "I tripped over my own feet and bashed into an open kitchen cabinet."
Denny narrowed his eyes looking at Riley suspiciously. Something wasn't right here but seeing their audience, he decided to let it go. He'd get the truth out of her later.
"What've we got?" Riley repeated.
They headed off together to take care of all the injured construction workers.