Galilee Rising(31)

"Is that wise? After what happened last year?"

"I don't go out in the field with them. I'm not out there beating up Hexen. I sit in front of a computer in an underground office and compile data. It's what Justin would want."

"The hell it is! He would want you to be safe. Out in the world living your life, not trapped in a bunker performing illegal searches for people who put a target on your back."

"Well, at least this time I know I'm in league with a hero."

There's that look I've missed. That "why do I associate myself with riff-raff" gaze she doled out to me like a toothbrush at Halloween. "Fine. It's your life. Just be careful."

"Like a virgin at an orgy," I say, toasting her with my water. There's that look again. "So, did Justin ever mention anything about them that might be useful?"

"He rarely mentioned that side of his life to me. I wanted no part of it, for obvious reasons you should well remember." She sips her water. "I do know they were effective at their jobs. When Independence realized they left, there was an outcry. And I don't want to carry on with this discussion. I've had enough superhero discussions for a lifetime." She dabs the side of her mouth with a napkin. "So, besides your little side project, anything else you care to tell me? Are you seeing anyone?"

"No-Not really," I stutter. "I made some new friends. Remember Jem Ambrose, Rebecca's friend? I think you met him."

Her mouth purses with disapproval. "I know the name."

"Well, we've been having lunch." Every other day for the past two weeks. I keep finding reasons for showing up at the hospital. God bless the recovery wing. Not to mention the late night phone calls into the wee hours. "And we went hiking to the Falls. He didn't know anyone else in town, so I took him under my wing. Figured I owed it to Rebecca."

She studies my face, and I wish I could hide in a closet. "You're blushing, Joanna."

Oh, fuck. I hate being pale. "We're just friends. Really. He's just, uh, I can talk to him. About almost anything. He's…easy to be around, and really smart, and sweet, and awkward and I don't know." I chuckle. "And he's so screwed up. He has no idea how amazing he really is. It's fucking wonderful. I don't feel like a freak around him. But there's this strength in him too." I shake my head. "When we're together, it's just natural. Like when I was around…you know, minus the constant need to impress," I say, looking away

"He sounds wonderful," Lucy says.

"He is! That's the problem. I…like him. A lot. But I don't know if I can trust him. And I want to, I may even, which scares the fuck out of me. Plus, you and I both know I'll find some way to screw it up, especially if we start dating." I groan. "Ugh, I hate this. I sound like a fucking girl."

"Can't have that," Lucy says with a smirk. "You need to stop worrying, Joanna. If it's meant to be, everything will fall into place."

"You sound like my friend Lexie."

"Another friend? Aren't you popular."

"She and her husband moved from Independence too. They…" Holy shit. My mouth falls like my stomach, but I snap it shut with a chuckle. "They're good people." I chug my water.

"It sounds like you're doing well." She signals the waiter for the check.

"You too."

I pay for lunch, and we step outside onto the busy Independence streets. The white Presidential Monument arches tall above the city with the flag whipping in the wind. Makes me feel almost patriotic. The restaurant doorman hails a cab, and my driver pulls up as well. "Take care of yourself, Joanna." Lucy gives me a stiff hug before climbing into the cab.

I wait until it's out of sight before sliding into my town car. What a difference a year makes. I do believe that woman officially likes me. "Airport, please."

The driver starts moving as I pull out my cell. We round the corner. Gone an hour and I have seven messages, all work, but my mind isn't on them. We stop at a light. I can't believe I didn't see--

The sound of sirens, automatic gunfire and crashing cars jolts me from my thoughts. The intersection in front of us flips from calm to crazy in a second flat. The cars passing through gun their engines to get out of the way, of what I don't know. Nothing good, that's for damn sure. The gunfire booms louder with each passing millisecond. My mouth dries up and body goes on high alert. Fuck. I blink and an armored truck with three men, one hanging out the passenger window and two in the back, firing Uzis zooms into view with only one bullet riddled police car chasing it. A few cars in front of the truck veer to a stop as their driver's panic. The few cars behind the truck swerve out of the bullet path, one crashing into the glass window of a bakery. Right as the truck passes into our intersection, the tenacious police officers lose the battle. A bullet hits the latch and the hood of the car flies up, blocking their line of sight. The officer loses control and swerves in our direction. Instinct takes over. I scream, "Get down!" at my driver as I duck. I've barely stopped moving when glass rains down over me as a barrage of bullets meant for the cruiser pepper the town car. The carnage is over as soon as it started. I open my eyes and see the plumes of smoke wafting out of the upholstery where the bullets lodged in the driver's headrest. "You okay?" I ask the driver.